CHAPTER 198: CHAPTER 198: CHANCE ENCOUNTER(1)_1

Shangguan You stared at the black dregs on the ground, her mouth twitching sharply a few times. Then, she knelt again and frantically absorbed the spiritual energy within the Medicine King Tower.

Only when her depleted body was once again filled with spiritual energy did she stand up.

This time, Shangguan You jumped directly into the spring water, cleaned herself, changed into a new set of clothes, and reappeared on the third floor.

Since the Marrow Cleansing Pill had failed, she decided to practice making the other two types of pills, even though they were not particularly useful at the moment. You never know when they might come in handy, so it was best to refine some of each.

When she practiced making the other two medicinal pills, she only needed to infuse a bit of spiritual energy, and both pills were successfully refined. Shangguan You looked at the Spirit Gathering Pills and Bone Growth Pills in her hand, which emitted waves of medicinal fragrance, and her mouth twitched sharply again. Why were these pills so easy to refine, whereas the Marrow Cleansing Pill not only drained her of spiritual energy but also ended in failure? Could it be that the Marrow Cleansing Pill was a heaven-defying existence, which made it especially difficult to refine?

Although the Marrow Cleansing Pill was also a third-level elixir capable of altering one’s physique, it was indeed a heaven-defying item. The refinement of this pill required not only spiritual energy but also the help of the Fire Element. Synergy between spiritual energy and the Fire Element was essential to successfully refining the Marrow Cleansing Pill. Since she only possessed the Water Element, she naturally couldn’t succeed.

Shangguan You, of course, didn’t understand these principles.

She emerged from the space, doubts lingering in her heart, holding some Spirit Fruits in her hand. These grew abundantly inside, and she couldn’t finish them all herself. Since it was the New Year, she decided to take them out and make a salad for her family. Firstly, it was healthy, and secondly, it could enhance beauty and nourish the complexion.

Furthermore, she had clearly seen the redness on the corner of Aunt Ruoling’s mouth. Her aunt was truly kind to her, and she didn’t want to see any blemishes on her aunt’s face. Which woman doesn’t love beauty? She would make sure her aunt looked beautiful.

When Shangguan You emerged from the space, it was already two in the afternoon, and the others were still asleep. She could clearly hear Zhang Ma and Liu Ruoling bustling about.

It was New Year’s Eve, a time for happiness and joy. After a short nap, the two of them got busy. They had been too worried to sleep the previous night and hadn’t bought any groceries. They had just returned from buying vegetables.

"Zhang Ma, go and buy fish quickly! We can’t have New Year without fish. Hurry and see if it’s not too late," Liu Ruoling’s anxious voice rang out. They had just returned from grocery shopping and had forgotten to buy fish—a symbol of good luck for the New Year, an essential item.

"Oh, my poor memory! Madam, I’ll go buy it now," Zhang Ma said, also sounding anxious. It was New Year’s Eve; the market had been crowded in the morning, but by afternoon, most people had already gone home. The pedestrians they saw on their way back were all hurrying, and the vegetable market was nearly empty. If they didn’t go quickly, they might not get any fish.

"Aunt, Zhang Ma, let me go buy it." Shangguan You, wearing jeans, a beige sweater, and a beige trench coat, dashed downstairs and quickly said to them.

Liu Ruoling rejected her immediately without a second thought. The girl had to stay home; she couldn’t go anywhere, or they wouldn’t feel at ease. What if something else happened?

"Aunt, Zhang Ma, I can buy the fish. I’ll be right back, and I have protection. I’m safe. Dad and the others were busy all night, so let them rest. You two just get things ready here; I’ll be back soon."

Shangguan You picked up the car keys from the table and, while speaking, quickly headed out the door. This was a perfect opportunity to legitimately bring back her Spirit Fruits and the fish from the spring water.

"You, let Qing go with you. I’m not comfortable with you going alone," Liu Ruoling called out quickly from the doorway.

"Aunt, I’m just going to the supermarket. I’ll be back soon. Besides, the Hidden Guard is with me, so don’t worry. Let Brother Qing get some good sleep. I’ll be right back!" Shangguan You said, starting the car. She stepped on the gas and sped off.

"You, drive carefully," Liu Ruoling added, still worried.

"I know, Aunt," Shangguan You chuckled, her car quickly disappearing from their sight.

As soon as Shangguan You’s car left the military compound, she headed for the nearest supermarket. With the Hidden Guard following, she just needed to buy the items and then swap them out.

Shangguan You returned safely. Simultaneously, the Lin, Li, and Yu Families received the news, and the people they had dispatched to find Shangguan You all returned to their respective homes. Shangguan Rou, due to a gunshot wound in her foot, was admitted directly to the hospital. Li Wanying took care of her there, staying at the Li Family’s home at Shangguan Zhi’s insistence.

Although Li Wanying longed to return to the Shangguan Family, she knew she had to bide her time and find a way, given Shangguan Zhi’s temper. Now that Shangguan You had returned safely, the Shangguan Family’s hopes rested entirely on her.

The Shangguan Family lived in the military compound, while the Li Family resided in the municipal committee compound. Both the Shangguan and Yu Families had members in politics and the military, whereas the Li Family was solely in politics. Although the Shangguan Family also owned a house in the municipal committee compound, the entire family lived in the military compound to make it easier to care for the two elders.

Shangguan You’s car had just left the military compound when the Li Family received word. They quickly relayed the message to Li Wanying. By the time Shangguan You finished her shopping and came out of the supermarket, Li Wanying was waiting at the entrance, her eyes red.

Seeing Shangguan You emerge from the supermarket carrying her purchases, Li Wanying’s eyes welled up, and tears began to fall. She rushed forward and embraced Shangguan You tightly right at the supermarket entrance, weeping bitterly.

Onlookers at the supermarket entrance stared at the two of them with curious expressions—one woman was overly emotional, while the other seemed as indifferent as if to a stranger.

"You, it’s such a relief you’re safe! Do you have any idea how sad, worried, and distressed Aunt Li was? It’s so wonderful you’re okay!" Li Wanying sobbed, tears streaming down her face like rain, her voice choked with heartbreak.

"You, SOB SOB SOB, Aunt Li is so sorry! I couldn’t save you! I raised you from a child, cherished you more than my own daughter. Now that you’re grown, I’ve done things that hurt you all. It serves me right that you sent me away. As long as you’re living well, Aunt Li is content," Li Wanying continued, weeping profusely. She looked so utterly pitiful that many passersby cast disapproving glances at Shangguan You.