When Dugu Yan pushed open the courtyard gate, Ye Lingling was still sitting in the same spot.
The dark green herb had been half swallowed by the evening shadows. Ye Lingling hadn't put down her teacup; the tea inside had long since gone cold, but she didn't get up to replace it.
" Lingling!" Dugu Yan's voice rushed in before her footsteps, "Grandpa found out! That pill is real, it's called the Origin-Returning Flaw-Mending Pill, it's specifically for repairing innate defects in Martial Soul!"
Ye Lingling stood up abruptly, the cold teacup nearly rolling off her knees. She opened her mouth, and after a long pause, managed to squeeze out, "Really?"
"Really?" Dugu Yan squeezed her hand tightly. "Grandpa asked Feng Lingtian directly using the Communication Stone."
That communication device also seems to have been made by Feng Lingtian himself. I personally heard Feng Lingtian talk about the pills, so it can't be wrong.
Grandpa said we'll set off tomorrow, and he'll personally take us to the Godwind Academy. Whether it works out or not, at least we'll try asking in person.
Ye Lingling held Dugu Yan's hand, her fingertips trembling slightly. She nodded and didn't ask any more questions.
Seeing her like this, Dugu Yan couldn't help but chuckle, "Alright, go back and pack your things. I'll come wake you up first thing tomorrow morning."
The next morning, Dugu Bo left Heaven Dou City with the two girls.
Dugu Bo didn't say much along the way, only glancing briefly in the direction of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy as he left the city gate. His expression was complex in that glance, but he said nothing, looked away, and continued on his journey with the two sisters.
He wasn't asking the Nine Heart Begonia Clan Lingling owe him any favors this time; it was simply because he felt sorry for her. After all, he had experienced the same thing himself and knew what it was like to be tormented by a flawed Martial Soul for a lifetime.
Without any explanation, he simply took Ye Lingling away. He wondered how the people from the Heaven Dou Royal Academy would react. Dugu Bo sneered and didn't think about it any further.
It was already afternoon when the three arrived at the Godwind Academy.
Dugu Bo skipped the formality of announcing his arrival at the main gate and led the two girls directly into the inner courtyard through a side gate. His familiarity with this academy far surpassed that of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, where he had spent many years.
The alchemy room here, and the boy who changed his and his granddaughter's fate, are all here. He feels more comfortable here than at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy; it feels more like home.
Feng Lingtian had just come out of the alchemy room, his sleeves still rolled up at his elbows, and bits of medicinal herbs still clinging to his fingertips.
He was refining the formula of the Meridian-Warming Pill when he heard footsteps. He looked up and first saw Dugu Bo, then Dugu Yan. Dugu Yan nodded to him and stepped aside to let the slender girl behind her pass.
Ye Lingling stood half a step behind Dugu Yan, her hands clasped in front of her.
Her complexion was paler than average, the kind of paleness that comes from long-term depletion of her Martial Soul, but her eyes were very bright, as bright as two pieces of jade that had been washed with water.
She raised her head, met Feng Lingtian's gaze, and then bowed deeply.
"Greetings, Young Master Feng. My name is Ye Lingling, and my Martial Soul Nine Heart Begonia. I have come here with the presumption to request a Origin-Returning Flaw-Mending Pill."
Feng Lingtian glanced at her quietly. He didn't answer immediately, but as he lowered his rolled-up sleeves, his gaze lingered on Dugu Bo's face for a moment.
Dugu Bo didn't offer to make the decision for him, but merely raised an eyebrow slightly, the meaning clear—what this girl said is true, whether to help or not is up to you.
" The Origin-Returning Flaw-Mending Pill can indeed repair innate defects in Martial Soul," Feng Lingtian said calmly. "I've heard of the curse of the Nine Heart Begonia Clan. This pill was specifically refined to remedy defects; its greatest value lies in being used where it's most needed."
Ye Lingling raised her head, her lips slightly parted, as if she wanted to say something, but she couldn't utter a word.
Before she could gather her thoughts, Feng Lingtian turned and walked into the alchemy room. A moment later, he took out a small white jade bottle and handed it to her.
"There are two inside. One is for you, and the other is for your mother. The curse of your Nine Heart Begonia Clan has been passed down through generations. If only you are freed, the shackles will remain."
"Both of you should simultaneously take the pills, press your palms together, and jointly circulate your Soul Power to create a closed loop of medicinal effects within your bodies. Only when the two pills resonate with each other and their effects are combined will there be a chance to eradicate this curse completely."
Ye Lingling took the jade bottle, her hands trembling slightly. She lowered her head, staring at the small white porcelain bottle in her palm, and finally, tears streamed down her face.
She couldn't remember how many times she said "thank you," only that Dugu Yan patted her on the shoulder and handed her a handkerchief.
On the way back, Ye Lingling kept the jade bottle clutched in her hand, pressed it against her heart. Dugu Yan walked beside her, unusually quiet the whole way.
" Yanyan," Ye Lingling suddenly spoke, "Tell me, how should we repay this kindness?"
Dugu Yan glanced at her, a slight smile playing on her lips. "Don't think about that now. Take the medicine, break the curse, and we'll talk about the rest later."
Ye Lingling nodded and didn't ask any more questions. But she already had a vague idea in her mind—if the Origin-Returning Flaw-Mending Pill could really break the shackles of the Nine Heart Begonia Clan, then this kindness would be worth repaying with the future of the entire family.
Feng Lingtian might not want a reward, but she couldn't help but think about it. She gripped the jade bottle tightly in her hand, her gaze passing over the road ahead and landing on a distant place.