Dugu Yan's Relapse, an Opportunity

Day after day passed, and everyone's daily lives were filled with cultivation and spirit battles.

It had to be said that Chen Kui's training methods were indeed a great help to them. Of course, they were of no use to Shi An.

On the spirit battle stage, Zhu Zhuqing was fighting a Soul Ancestor who was also from the agility attack type. Everyone's attention was firmly fixed on the match.

However, at that moment, Dugu Yan, standing at the back of the crowd, suddenly let out a muffled groan. Her face turned somewhat pale.

Her delicate body trembled uncontrollably, as though she were desperately enduring pain.

Shi An keenly noticed that something was wrong with her. Chen Kui naturally noticed as well.

"Dugu Yan, what's wrong?" Chen Kui asked in confusion. Nothing had happened just now, so why did she look as though she had been injured?

Hearing Chen Kui's words, the others all turned to look at Dugu Yan.

Their expressions did not change at all, as though they had long since grown used to this.

Yu Tianheng explained, "Yan Yan has an old condition. It happens every so often. We've consulted many healing-type Soul Masters, but none of them could do anything about it."

A trace of helplessness and heartache appeared on his face as he looked at Dugu Yan with concern.

Chen Kui frowned, but he had no solution either. "Since you're feeling unwell, today's spirit battle is canceled."

Dugu Yan nodded. Her lips had turned pale, and her entire body felt as though it had fallen into an ice cellar—cold and painful.

A glimmer of light flashed through Shi An's eyes, but he did not speak in a hurry.

No rush. There are too many people here right now. It isn't convenient to say anything.

After Zhu Zhuqing finished her spirit battle and returned to the private room, she keenly sensed the strange atmosphere within.

Sitting beside Shi An, she quietly asked what had happened. Then she glanced at Dugu Yan and nodded.

That night's spirit battles ended, and everyone dispersed.

Yu Tianheng wanted to escort Dugu Yan home, but she refused.

Shi An quietly said a few words to Zhu Zhuqing. She nodded and headed home.

Dugu Yan walked alone along the street toward home. Since the Dugu Residence was located in a rather remote area, there were few pedestrians along the way.

She endured the pain and chill coursing through her body, tightened her long dress around herself, and staggered forward.

At the corner ahead, she saw an unexpected figure.

"Shi An, why are you here?" Dugu Yan frowned, a hint of vigilance appearing in her expression as she stared at the figure leaning against the wall ahead.

Shi An looked at Dugu Yan, his gaze lingering for a moment on her trembling body and pale face before he said, "Senior Dugu Yan, I might be able to solve the problem with your body."

Dugu Yan's brows furrowed even more deeply. It was not from confusion, but because her condition was worsening.

"So many truly capable Soul Masters have examined me. What makes you think you can solve it?" Dugu Yan's voice trembled slightly, weak and lacking strength.

Seeing her current state, Shi An slowly said, "Believe it or not, it's up to you. Or you can discuss it with your grandfather, Senior Dugu."

"I'll give you a hint: spirit bones."

With that, Shi An turned and left, leaving behind a puzzled Dugu Yan.

Spirit bones?

What spirit bones?

He spoke without any beginning or end. How irritating.

After leaving that street, Shi An did not return home. Instead, he headed toward the Crown Prince's Residence.

The bait had been cast. Now, it was time to find the cooking utensils.

He knew nothing about immortal herbs. Even if he earned Dugu Bo's trust and obtained the immortal herbs, it would be useless if he did not know how to use them. It would be like possessing a treasure mountain yet being unable to make use of it.

If he waited until then to ask Qian Renxue for help, it would be too late. With that sharp mind of hers, once she gave it some thought and investigated Shi An's contact with Dugu Bo, she would definitely be able to guess something.

At the Crown Prince's Residence, Shi An informed the guards of his arrival. Before long, he was led inside.

To be honest, the Crown Prince's Residence was truly enormous—immeasurably larger than his little courtyard.

Pavilions and towers, small bridges over flowing water; servants hurried past one after another, busy with their tasks.

Within a pavilion, Qian Renxue had prepared tea and was waiting.

The moment she saw Shi An, she immediately beamed warmly and said, "Brother Shi, have a seat. What brings you to see me so late?"

Shi An put on a slightly embarrassed expression. After sitting down, he said, "I really feel bad troubling you so late at night, Brother Xue."

"But this is an emergency, Brother Xue!"

"Oh... Brother Shi, have some tea and take your time."

"Uh... I came to ask Brother Xue to help me find some books on the different types of medicinal herbs. The more detailed, the better."

"Medicinal herbs?" Qian Renxue gave him a surprised look and asked, "Is someone injured? Do you need me to find an imperial physician?"

"No, no." Shi An waved his hands anxiously, then said with a slightly reddened face, "It's... I have a bit of an unspeakable problem."

"I want to find some books on how to recuperate. I don't want anyone else to know."

Qian Renxue's expression turned strange. She discreetly glanced at him, then revealed an expression that said she understood.

"Fine. Since Brother Shi has asked, I'll help you look for some."

"Thank you, Brother Xue!"

After chatting idly for a while longer, Shi An took his leave. Once he left the Crown Prince's Residence, he muttered to himself, "I hope you don't disappoint me. I've thrown away the dignity men are most proud of."

Within the Crown Prince's Residence.

A black-robed figure appeared before Qian Renxue and dropped to one knee.

"Uncle She, make a trip for me. Go to Elder Ju and retrieve his Record of Rare and Exotic Herbs," Qian Renxue said.

"Miss, are you really giving him Elder Ju's record? Wouldn't it be enough to just find him a couple of ordinary herb manuals?"

The black-robed man spoke.

"He can find that sort of commonplace trash himself. Even if I gave it to him, he might not remember this favor."

Qian Renxue took a sip of tea and slowly said, "If I'm giving him something, I'll give him the best. But delay it for a while. Wait until he grows anxious. That way... I'll be able to bring him under my command more easily."

"Miss is wise!"

"Enough. Go, and return quickly."

After returning home, there was naturally an intense bout of two-person wrestling.

Perhaps because he had cast aside his masculine dignity before Qian Renxue, Shi An especially wanted to prove himself.

Only the poor little wrestling bed suffered for it.

It creaked all night long and nearly fell apart entirely.

Mm... he should replace it with a new bed later.

When Dugu Yan returned home, she did not see Dugu Bo, only a few servants.

She dragged her agonized body back to her bedroom, lay down on the bed, and curled into herself like a wounded little beast licking its wounds alone.

She remembered what Shi An had said when they met on the road. She thought she would tell her grandfather when he returned. What if he really could cure her illness?

With those thoughts in mind, she fell into a deep sleep. In her dream, she saw her deceased parents.

"Dad, Mom..."

A soft murmur echoed through the dim room.