: Asking the Senior Brother for Help

A few days ago, Ning Zhuo used the Spirit Concealing Willow to study the Enlightenment Diagram, gaining deeper insights.

Such a treasure absolutely must not be revealed lightly. Otherwise, it could easily attract envy and even bring about fatal disaster.

Human nature cannot withstand testing.

Although his relationship with Lin Shanshan was good now, and his relationship with the entire Ten Thousand Medicine Sect was also positive, he would never take out the Spirit Concealing Willow to test the nature of everyone in the sect.

There was no need to invite such unnecessary risk.

After Ning Zhuo and Sun Lingtong's contemplation, six willow branches on the Spirit Concealing Willow had completely withered, leaving bald patches—a sight that was truly heartbreaking.

Moreover, driven by its survival instinct and to compensate for its own consumption, the Spirit Concealing Willow had completely absorbed the nutrients from the soil clump its roots were coiled around. The soil had now been depleted of fertility and turned into sandy earth.

Even so, the six willow branches on the Spirit Concealing Willow remained withered, with only a slight gloss and minimal signs of recovery.

Ning Zhuo was naturally worried that this condition would gradually drag the Spirit Concealing Willow into a more severe state. Therefore, transplanting and planting it as soon as possible became an urgent priority.

"Even if it can't fully recover, we must at least maintain the Spirit Concealing Willow's current condition."

The Spirit Concealing Willow was a Golden Core-level entity. The higher the life form, the greater its demands on the external environment.

This couldn't continue any longer!

Pressed by the circumstances, Ning Zhuo thought it over and decided he had no choice but to seek Lin Shanshan's help first.

As expected, Lin Shanshan did not refuse him.

After a moment of contemplation, the young woman said, "This matter is indeed quite difficult to handle."

"Our Ten Thousand Medicine Sect has collected many ancient texts. I can take you to look through them—at least the catalogs and such—to search for information."

"First, we need to confirm what kind of spiritual plant this is. That part will have to be determined by you personally, Young Master."

"Only after confirming its identity can we, based on the confidentiality level of the related content, figure out how to allow you to learn about it."

"If the classification level is very high, I'm afraid I alone won't be able to manage it."

Ning Zhuo sighed. "In this regard, I have some foreboding. When the Mountain Deity entrusted it to me, his expression was solemn, and he gave such earnest instructions. This spiritual plant likely has significant origins."

"Alas, I truly have no other options left. I had no choice but to trouble you, Miss Lin. If it's too difficult, then forget it."

Hearing this, Lin Shanshan secretly resolved that no matter how difficult it was, she would do her utmost.

She encouraged him, "How can we give up so easily without even trying?"

"Let's give it a try first. At the very least, we need to confirm what it is."

"My own authority might not be enough, but I can also ask others for help."

Ning Zhuo quickly expressed his gratitude.

Thus, Lin Shanshan led Ning Zhuo back to the library to search for texts on cultivating spiritual plants.

True to the reputation of the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect, such texts were as numerous as mountains and seas, with a vast variety.

However, the Spirit Concealing Willow was truly rare. Ning Zhuo spent a long time searching before selecting a few books, such as "Ancient Spiritual Odd Plants," "Marvels of the Immortal Garden," and "Tales of Spiritual Essence."

Ning Zhuo gave Lin Shanshan an apologetic look. "Miss Lin, I feel it's in these books. Looking at the table of contents, there are many similarities."

Lin Shanshan facepalmed and sighed. "Oh heavens, the classification levels of these secret manuals are almost all at the highest tier."

Ning Zhuo grew somewhat flustered. "If it causes you too much trouble, Miss Lin, let's forget it. I'll think of another way, I'll find another solution."

Lin Shanshan shook her head. "Young Master, you're new here and unfamiliar with the place. Your only friend is me..."

At this point, the young woman gritted her teeth and said, "I'll do my best to fight for this for you. Please return first and wait for my news."

After thanking her, Ning Zhuo parted ways with Lin Shanshan.

Lin Shanshan pressed her lips together, paced in place a few times, and felt that seeking help from her father was basically not feasible. Even if her father agreed, it would violate the sect's rules.

As the sect leader's beloved daughter, she naturally had to lead by example in遵守门规 and did not want such a thing to happen.

"I'll go find Senior Brother first. His authority is much higher than mine."

Lin Shanshan then went to the back mountain of Great Struggle Peak, passed the deep pool and waterfall mountain path, and arrived inside the Ten Thousand Demons Cave.

"Youngest Junior Sister, what brings you to see me at this time?" Senior Brother Linghu Jiu was quite pleasantly surprised to see Lin Shanshan.

Lin Shanshan said straightforwardly, "Senior Brother, I have a matter I need your help with."

"Whatever it is, speak frankly!" Linghu Jiu laughed heartily, sitting on the edge of the stone bed and waving his arm, very forthright.

Lin Shanshan smiled slightly, stepped closer, and said, "It's like this, Senior Brother. Do you remember Young Master Ning Zhuo?"

Linghu Jiu's eyes flickered slightly as he laughed loudly. "How could I not know? These past few days, every time you brought me meals, you mentioned him. Your Senior Brother's ears are about to grow calluses from hearing it."

Lin Shanshan chuckled. "Senior Brother, did you know? Young Master Ning Zhuo had a strange encounter in Misty Hidden Mountain and actually received a gift from the Mountain Deity. It's a marvelous spiritual plant, reaching the Golden Core level..."

Lin Shanshan detailed the whole story.

Linghu Jiu listened attentively, the smile at the corner of his mouth gradually fading considerably.

"So that's how it is." Linghu Jiu rubbed his chin.

Lin Shanshan said, "With my authority, I can't exchange for those ancient texts and secret records from the library. I have no choice but to ask for your identity token, Senior Brother."

"As for the corresponding sect contribution points needed, I'll pay you back slowly in the future."

Linghu Jiu pondered. "So many secret manuals will cost a lot of contribution points. Youngest Junior Sister, have you thought it through? Do you really want to help him to this extent?"

"Over these many days, you've already helped him a great deal."

"If you have to pay back these contribution points, it will take you a very long time."

"In my opinion, exchanging for just one of those books for him would be enough. The burden on you wouldn't be too heavy either."

Lin Shanshan shook her head. "That won't do. We've only seen the table of contents and summaries. If the texts we exchange for don't contain the relevant records, we'd have to exchange for more."

"Might as well do it thoroughly all at once and exchange for all of them directly."

"As for the contribution points, although it's a lot, if I pay back slowly, I can eventually repay it all."

"I remember you have the most contribution points, Senior Brother. Since you can't use them all yourself anyway, lend them to me for now!"

Linghu Jiu sighed. "Since it's Youngest Junior Sister asking, what else can I say?"

He felt around the head of the bed, retrieved his identity token, stood up, walked over to Lin Shanshan, and handed it to her.

As he got closer, Linghu Jiu suddenly sniffed the air. "Wait, what's that smell?"

"Wine!"

"What a fine aroma of wine!"

"It seems... it seems like Warm Autumn Wine?"

"Youngest Junior Sister, you managed to get Warm Autumn Wine and aren't offering it to your Senior Brother?"

Lin Shanshan sniffed herself. "I can't smell anything? I bathe every day."

She rolled her eyes at Linghu Jiu. "Wine, wine, wine—all you think about is drinking. Warm Autumn Wine is at the Golden Core level; it's medicinal wine used to treat Ning Zhuo's injuries. And you want to use it to satisfy your cravings!"

"Maybe it's because I've been specially training Young Master Ning Zhuo recently, teaching him martial techniques, so I picked up some of the scent."

Lin Shanshan took Linghu Jiu's identity token.

"Senior Brother, you've been a huge help this time. Thank you so much."

She playfully waved at Linghu Jiu and turned to leave.

"Hey!" A large part of Linghu Jiu's heart suddenly felt empty. He reached out and called after her.

Lin Shanshan walked a few steps away, then turned back to look at her Senior Brother, a puzzled expression on her face.

Linghu Jiu opened his mouth, thought for a moment, and said, "Be careful..."

Before he could finish, Lin Shanshan directly interrupted, "I know already!"

"Senior Brother, just rest assured."

"If Young Master Ning Zhuo were asking for cultivation methods for common herbs, he might be probing to pass them on to the Ning Family for cultivation, competing with our Ten Thousand Medicine Sect for business."

"But what he's seeking are texts on cultivating rare and exotic plants. This can't harm our sect."

"I know what I'm doing!"

"See you tomorrow."

After saying this, Lin Shanshan hurriedly left the cave.

Linghu Jiu stood where he was, feeling disconsolate. "I meant for you to be careful of yourself."

After a good while, he finally sighed, turned around, and lay back down on the stone bed.

He closed his eyes, preparing to sleep.

But his mind was troubled, and he couldn't fall asleep no matter what.

He felt that something wasn't right. Delving deeper, he suddenly thought of something!

"That medicinal wine Ning Zhuo kid is drinking... how did Youngest Junior Sister get the scent of wine on her?"

"Teaching martial techniques..."

"How exactly was she teaching?!"

At this thought, Linghu Jiu abruptly sat up. The previous leisurely, relaxed expression on his face was gone, replaced by much urgency and anxiety.

All along, being punished to guard the Ten Thousand Demons Cave had been something he accepted willingly and even enjoyed.

But now, he grew restless and wanted to leave the cave.

He calculated the time.

"How come I still have several months before I can get out?!"

Elsewhere, Lin Shanshan was bustling with activity. Using Linghu Jiu's identity token, she exchanged for several secret manuals and ancient texts.

Disguising herself, she entered Lesser Struggle Peak to see Ning Zhuo.

"I have fulfilled my mission!" She handed all the texts to Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo was overjoyed. "Miss Lin, you've been an immense help!"

"If not for your tremendous assistance, I, Ning, would likely have found it impossible to obtain these precious texts. My gratitude is beyond words."

"How virtuous am I to have made a friend like you! Your help is like sweet rain falling from heaven, relieving the urgency in my heart—it is truly most fortunate. With such talent and beauty, to have your aid is like heaven-sent friendship!"

"Today's kindness, I, Ning, will keep firmly in mind. If there is an opportunity in the future, I will certainly spare no effort to repay you."

Lin Shanshan's cheeks flushed faintly from the praise. "Young Master Ning Zhuo, you flatter me too much. There's no need for this."

Seeing Ning Zhuo's excited and sincere appearance, the heavy代价 she had secretly paid now seemed light and insignificant.

All along, within the sect, Lin Shanshan had always been the one who was helped and accommodated.

She had never helped others like this before!

Even if she had, it was for acquaintances in daily life and only small favors at that.

A friend like Ning Zhuo, whom she hadn't known for many days, still held much novelty and unfamiliarity, and the extent of help was so great—this was an unprecedented life experience for Lin Shanshan.

Although their interaction had been relatively short, Lin Shanshan believed in Ning Zhuo's character and trusted that such wholehearted assistance would yield a beautiful response.

(End of )