A Choice

Can he be cured?

Could he be cured?

Of course he could.

For ordinary people, depleted vitality was indeed irreversible.

But that was not the case for Bai Luo.

Since it was him who had absorbed Chu Yan's vitality, he naturally had ways to replenish it.

But...

Should he cure him?

That was what Bai Luo was considering.

Zhang Lexuan and Ma Xiaotao took Bai Luo's silence as his assessment of Chu Yan's current condition.

Neither of them made a sound, afraid of interrupting his train of thought.

A moment later.

Bai Luo came to a decision.

His expression changed slightly.

Zhang Lexuan keenly noticed the change.

She asked,

"Immortal Physician Bai, how is it?"

"Is there a way?"

"There is."

Bai Luo nodded.

"But the requirements are rather demanding."

"What requirements?"

Zhang Lexuan pressed for an answer.

"He has suffered a severe loss of vitality."

"To reverse his current condition, the only option is to replenish his vitality."

"And that requires treasures or spirit medicines rich in life force."

"However, such treasures are exceedingly rare and priceless. It probably will not be easy to obtain them."

Bai Luo was making all of that up.

Curing Chu Yan's current condition was not nearly that complicated for him.

He only needed to return the vitality he had absorbed yesterday.

But Bai Luo was not in the habit of saving people for nothing.

The only people he treated free of charge were commoners who had never done evil in their lives and had modest means.

Chu Yan was clearly not among them.

He had ended up like this because he had offended Bai Luo's other identity.

Bai Luo could help him, but he would not do so for free.

"This..."

"What sort of standard are we talking about?"

Zhang Lexuan's expression darkened slightly at his words.

As a top genius personally cultivated by Shrek Academy, her knowledge was naturally extensive.

She understood very well the value of the life-aspected treasures and spirit medicines Bai Luo was referring to.

"Nothing too extreme."

"Something with about this amount of Life Gold, or another life-aspected item of similar value, should be enough."

Bai Luo indicated a size with his fingers.

At the sight of that, Zhang Lexuan's heart sank.

She had originally wondered whether she could use the items in her own private stash.

She could consider it payment for failing in her responsibility as the team leader.

But the standard Bai Luo had given was no longer something her little stash could cover.

After a moment of silence, Zhang Lexuan slowly spoke.

First, she expressed her gratitude to Bai Luo.

"Thank you, Immortal Physician Bai. I understand."

"I'll take him back first. Once we gather the necessary items, I'll come find you again."

"Mm." Bai Luo nodded.

"No need to hurry. He should still have around twenty years to live. There is no need to rush over this."

Bai Luo waved his hand.

If Zhang Lexuan really could bring him something of that value, then he would save Chu Yan.

If she could not, then so be it.

Offending him had to come at a price.

Otherwise, if someone offended him again while he was acting as the merchant,

Then came looking for him to treat them while he was acting as the miracle doctor,

And he charged them nothing,

Wouldn't that make all his effort pointless?

Zhang Lexuan had someone carry Chu Yan back.

She needed to report those resources to the academy.

Only the academy could afford to provide them.

"Senior Sister, you should head back first."

Ma Xiaotao had no intention of leaving.

Her scarlet eyes were practically glued to Bai Luo.

Zhang Lexuan was emotionally perceptive.

She could tell that Ma Xiaotao's feelings for Bai Luo were far from ordinary.

Without saying much, she nodded, thanked him once more, and returned to the academy.

"Thank you for recommending me, Sister Xiaotao."

Though Chu Yan had not yet been treated,

At least there was hope.

If Ma Xiaotao had not recommended Bai Luo, Zhang Lexuan would most likely not even have seen this tiny glimmer of hope.

Now, as long as the academy approved the request

And was willing to allocate some resources to treat Chu Yan,

His condition could be restored.

After Zhang Lexuan and the others left,

Ma Xiaotao shed her previous restraint and immediately pressed herself close to Bai Luo.

Her soft, delicate body clung to his arm.

With an infatuated expression, she took a deep breath.

Xiao Luo's scent really does make me feel wonderful~

"Sister Xiaotao..."

Bai Luo was somewhat helpless.

Ma Xiaotao's actions were far too intimate.

Honestly, it was rather torturous.

Bai Luo was at an age full of youthful vigor. Being teased like this constantly was truly difficult to endure.

"What is it?"

Ma Xiaotao innocently tilted her head, as if she had no idea what could possibly be wrong with her actions.

However, the fleeting slyness in her scarlet eyes showed that was not the case at all.

This was exactly the effect she wanted!

The senior sisters in the inner court had all said so.

A certain degree of physical contact was beneficial for deepening the feelings between a man and a woman.

Ma Xiaotao wanted to use this method to further deepen Bai Luo's feelings for her.

Then, once things fell into place naturally,

She would find the right opportunity and swallow Bai Luo whole in one bite!

"Nothing."

Looking at Ma Xiaotao's innocent expression, Bai Luo sighed helplessly and changed the subject.

"Sister Xiaotao, you don't seem particularly concerned about what just happened?"

He was a little curious.

They were both students of Shrek Academy.

Ma Xiaotao's reaction was completely different from that of Zhang Lexuan and the others.

It was as though she had not taken the matter to heart at all.

"What is there for me to worry about?"

Ma Xiaotao replied as if it were only natural.

"Senior Sister already told me the whole story."

"If Chu Yan had not gone looking for trouble himself, he would not have ended up like this. There is nothing to sympathize with."

"If Senior Sister had not looked so guilty, I would not even have thought of recommending you, Xiao Luo."

Though they were both students of Shrek Academy,

Because of Ma Xiaotao's personality, there were only a few people she was actually close to.

With most students, Ma Xiaotao was practically no different from a stranger.

Moreover, she had nothing to do with this operation.

And the problem had indeed originated with Chu Yan.

Naturally, she felt no pity or sympathy for him.

"Besides, didn't you say so yourself, Xiao Luo?"

"As long as they have those things, he can be cured. What is there to worry about?"

"If Senior Sister can't produce them, the academy certainly can."

Ma Xiaotao spoke without the slightest concern.

"Those items are not cheap. Sister Xiaotao, are you sure your academy would be willing to provide them to treat that guy?"

Bai Luo's tone carried a deeper meaning.

"Of course!"

Ma Xiaotao did not hesitate in the slightest.

"Although Chu Yan brought this trouble on himself, it was still an accident that occurred during an academy inspection corps operation."

"If it is within their ability to help him, the academy certainly will not stand by and do nothing."

"I wouldn't be so sure." Bai Luo did not believe Shrek Academy was that kind-hearted.

"Then, Xiao Luo, how about we make a bet?"

An idea suddenly came to Ma Xiaotao.

"What shall we bet on?"

"If the academy is willing to treat Chu Yan, Xiao Luo, you must agree to one condition of mine."

"If they are unwilling, then I'll agree to one condition of yours."

"How about it?"

Ma Xiaotao had already planned it all out.

As long as Bai Luo agreed, she would use this condition to claim him completely in one fell swoop!

"Alright."

Bai Luo agreed.

Confidence shone in his eyes.

Though Ma Xiaotao's gaze seemed a little strange when she said that, it did not matter.

He would not lose.