CHAPTER 2064: CHAPTER 2062: INCREASING VITALITY

Bai Yihong and Lin Pinger successively saluted the Third Elder, Xiu Rui. The Third Elder smiled, granted them exemption from further salute, and sent out a welcome gift. Subsequently, he also met with Bai Zepei and Si Yihuan. Lanlan came out of the room, and the Third Elder learned of Lanlan’s situation with great sighs of relief, but at least knowing that the person survived eased his guilt a little.

Later, the Third Elder ate a meal in the Diaojiao Building and straightforwardly stayed overnight there.

When returning to the room, Bai Ruozhu quietly asked Jiao Ling, "Where is the Third Elder’s family? Didn’t they come to visit when he came out of seclusion?"

Jiao Ling lowered her voice and said, "The Third Elder is deeply passionate about martial arts, and has never married or had children."

For some reason, Bai Ruozhu’s mind was struck by a thought: Another Fen Jiu!

Fen Jiu waited for Jiao Ling for over a decade without marrying or having children. Could the Third Elder also harbor feelings for Grandma...?

Then Bai Ruozhu returned to her room to lull the child to sleep, intending to enter Space for a thorough look at the black meteorite inside, wondering if it might hide some secret.

Unexpectedly, a slight breeze came, opening the window in her room. She walked over, reaching out to close it, and the wind blew a few petals of Tao Hua inside.

The Tao Hua petals fell on her shoulder. She reached out to shake them off, finding the situation interesting; here, could one see blooming Tao Hua every day? Constantly, Tao Hua petals drifted in?

How magical would that be?

A pale figure appeared not far away, standing under a peach tree at the edge of the Peach Forest, without coming to Bai Ruozhu’s window.

Did he conjure this wind?

Bai Ruozhu raised her eyebrow; clearly, Fen Cheng was up to something.

"Need me to help you kill him?" Fen Cheng mouthed under the tree. Despite the distance, his voice still drifted gently into her ear.

This person had formidable inner strength, Bai Ruozhu quickly assessed.

"No need." Bai Ruozhu replied.

Fen Cheng instantly quieted down, seemingly unable to understand why Bai Ruozhu would be so merciful.

Bai Ruozhu wanted to close the window but paused to ask, "Do you need payment from me? I took your Peach Heart Wood earlier; I owe you a favor."

She merely asked offhandedly, sensing this mysterious man lacked nothing, appearing devoid of desires.

Unexpectedly, Fen Cheng paused for two seconds before speaking, "I want that life-enhancing medicine you had today."

Is it the red pill? Bai Ruozhu took one out, "Is this it?"

Fen Cheng’s silhouette flashed, suddenly appearing outside her window, reaching out to take the red pill, visibly relieved.

Bai Ruozhu quickly glanced at him, amazed he could walk out of the Peach Forest. She even suspected he was a demon bound to the Peach Forest due to his mysterious nature, as every time she saw him, it was within the Peach Forest.

Or perhaps he was trapped by some barrier or curse and couldn’t leave the Peach Forest.

But now, seeing the man sitting on her windowsill, she knew her thoughts were too far-fetched.

"That’s it, how did you refine it?" He asked, then quickly regretted his words, "I shouldn’t have asked. Was it a gift?"

Bai Ruozhu nodded, "A token of gratitude."

Fen Cheng smiled, tossing the pill into his mouth.

So, he needed the blood replenishing medicine, Bai Ruozhu thought, abruptly recalling him saying the medicine "enhances life"; was that what he truly needed?

"Thanks, I won’t bother you further." Fen Cheng nodded at her, his silhouette flashed, and he returned to the Peach Forest with astonishing speed.

Bai Ruozhu, somewhat in a daze, closed the window, still unable to understand who he was or what his intentions were.

Perhaps he initially needed her red pill, hence appearing before her, but regardless, Bai Ruozhu had plenty of red pills, and if a regular person needed help, she’d be generous enough. Not to mention a pleasing acquaintance who’d given her Peach Heart Wood.

Considered an acquaintance, perhaps.

Nothing further occurred that night; Bai Ruozhu had a peaceful sleep.

The next morning, more people arrived in front of Jiao Yunyun’s building to pay visits, unable to visit the Third Elder, they claimed to congratulate Bai Ruozhu. Some even said they’d won plenty of silver after betting on Bai Ruozhu winning, specifically coming to thank her, even though Bai Ruozhu distinctly recalled that person previously lamenting to a friend about losing a thousand silver betting on Fo Lanying.

She merely chuckled in her heart, without exposing him.

By the afternoon, the Elders convened again because Bai Ruozhu and Fo Lanying’s competition victory meant most agreed she could participate in the trial. The only dissent came from the Second Elder, who insisted Bai Ruozhu’s character was unsatisfactory, claiming she took his meteoric iron, prompting the Third Elder to bang the table in response.

"Alright, according to rules, if she defeats you in the competition, taking your Mechanical Puppet is normal, even if Bai Ruozhu took your so-called meteoric iron, it’s a trophy from the competition." The Great Elder’s voice suddenly sounded as he entered through the Main Gate.

Everyone was surprised by the Great Elder’s appearance; upon reflection, his words indeed made sense.

"The item was not Lan Ying’s, what right does she have to take my belongings?" The Second Elder said loudly.

The Great Elder replied with indisputable authority, "So my words now go unheard? You know it’s yours, so why was it present in the juniors’ testing ground? If afraid of losing valuables, don’t lend out Mechanical Puppets recklessly! And then shout to the world, aren’t you ashamed?"

"The Great Elder speaks rightly; lending the Mechanical Puppet for competition violates the rules. Even if the MechanicalMechanism Cat contained the black peaty meteorite and Bai Ruozhu indeed took it, it’s deserved, as a trophy from the juniors’ competition. How can you have the audacity to demand it back?" The Third Elder said unceremoniously.

The Second Elder still wanted to speak, but the Great Elder slammed the table, "Enough, the trial and Enlightenment Tablet test for both the children is arranged in three days, occurring simultaneously."

"Then why does Bai Zepei justify entry to the Enlightenment Tablet?" The Second Elder asked indignantly.

The Great Elder glanced at him indifferently, "Because the Third Elder, Eighth Elder, and I all deem him qualified. Anyone else have objections?"

The collective elders observed the Great Elder backing Bai Zepei, quickly expressing no objections, thus the decision was set.

After dispersing, the Second Elder trembled in anger from being ignored; he refused to let the Bai siblings rise within the clan, not providing them that opportunity!

But alas, the upcoming trial and Enlightenment Tablet were solely for the pair, not among customary peers within the clan, hindering him from arranging interference during the process. Therefore, only this brief period remained, leaving him no choice but to make them uncomfortable!

That evening, the Third Elder again visited Jiao Yunyun’s place, cheerily stating, "I’m a loner; without seclusion, I’m home alone, far too lonely. Your place is lively, so I’ve come to intrude for a few days."

Jiao Yunyun naturally understood his intention, gratefully replying, "Cousin, thank you."