CHAPTER 449: CHAPTER 449: CONTRACT

Dr. Luo, are you trying to force Ji You into isolation? Ji You doesn’t know.

But—

Then, Dr. Luo’s next sentence suddenly made Ji You’s eyes light up!

Dr. Luo looked at Mu Jianling and asked, "Sword Spirit, do you still have that high-level soul artifact you got before?"

Mu Jianling nodded: "Yes."

Ji You immediately widened her eyes: "High-level soul artifact?"

Dr. Luo and Mu Jianling turned their heads in unison, glaring at Ji You and said in chorus, "None of your business."

Ji You: "..."

Ji You, not giving up, said softly, "I’m not coveting the high-level soul artifact... just— could I borrow it to observe?"

High-level soul artifact, ah!

Even if Ji You racked her brains, she couldn’t obtain one on her own. If she could just take a look at a high-level soul artifact and study it, maybe one day she could also make one by herself.

So—

She really wasn’t coveting Teacher Mu Jianling’s high-level soul artifact; she simply wanted to observe it.

Mu Jianling ignored Ji You.

So did Dr. Luo.

At this moment, the air was filled with an awkward atmosphere, but Ji You, thick-skinned as she was, felt no shame. Instead, she was still trying her best to plead, "Teacher Mu... I’ll just look at it, just a glance, only for a second... If not possible, even looking from afar would do..."

In the medical room, Mu Jianling, seemingly not hearing Ji You’s words, frowned and asked Dr. Luo, "Are these really the only two methods? Isn’t there another way?"

Dr. Luo also furrowed her brows and said, "These two methods are the safest and most secure. If we were to use any other, I cannot guarantee there would be no harm to her spiritual power."

After all, the realm of spiritual power is still beyond human technological control to this day, which means that medical treatments have to be conservative to avoid harming a person’s foundation when treating damage to spiritual power.

Natural food...

Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures...

High-level soul artifacts...

These are, without a doubt, the safest and most effective.

Upon hearing this, Mu Jianling had a grave look on his face.

Ji You, overhearing the conversation between her two respected teachers, lost the playful expression on her face in an instant. She knew that despite Dr. Luo and Teacher Mu Jianling’s various belittling and teasing comments directed at her, they truly did care about her health.

...

After a while.

Mu Jianling said, "There is a high-level soul artifact in my possession, but— it’s actually not mine. I’m merely keeping it for someone else."

Dr. Luo was taken aback, "In that case, isn’t it..." She had been relaxed before because she thought that with the high-level soul artifact in Mu Jianling’s possession, there should be no problem using it to treat Ji You’s spiritual damage.

But—

Since the soul artifact isn’t Mu Jianling’s, she couldn’t make decisions on her own.

Mu Jian seemed to remember something, his indifferent eyes staring into the distance, his gaze ethereal and profound. Suddenly, with a light chuckle, he spoke gently, "Though it is said to be kept on behalf, it’s not quite right. Before parting, an old friend mentioned, they gifted it to me, to use as I wish."

Dr. Luo did not continue to inquire further.

Ji You listened and felt a heaviness in her heart.

This old friend must be a very important, very significant person to Teacher Mu Jianling...

Suddenly, Mu Jianling brushed aside his previous melancholy, his tone casual as he said, "After all, a soul artifact is just an object; holding onto it is merely retaining a memory. Besides, I’ve already cherished it for over 50 years. The time has been somewhat long..."

Upon hearing this, Ji You could not remain at ease any longer and loudly said, "Teacher! I don’t want such a treasured item that you value so much."

Mu Jianling turned her head and gave Ji You a sidelong glance: "I didn’t say it was for you, don’t flatter yourself."

Ji You: "..."

Awkward.

The awkwardness was fleeting. Ji You quickly recovered her dignity and said with a laugh: "Ah ha... I was just scared that Teacher would really give it to me to use. I feel like I couldn’t handle it. Since that’s not the case, then that’s great."

Regarding the issue of how to restore spiritual power, Ji You had actually come up with a plan already. She currently had nine soul artifacts in her possession, seven of which were low-level artifacts that she could sell.

The money from the sale, Ji You planned, would be used to somehow get herself a mid-level or high-level soul artifact in return. If it could fix everything in one go, that would be best, but if not, she’d have to think of other ways.

...

In any case, Ji You always believed that as long as a person doesn’t trap themselves, they would definitely be able to find a way out.

Also—

Last night, when making the soul artifact, Boss, Second, Third, Fourth, Old Five, and Sixth, these strands of Spiritual Silk that seemed as clever as spirits, especially Fourth—so cunning—Ji You was so reckless, they surely would have given her a warning, right?

And the reality?

These Six Strands didn’t give any warning at all. What does this imply? Does it mean that the Spiritual Silk didn’t feel that Ji You’s actions were dangerous at that time? Or—

The reason was unclear to Ji You.

She believed that as long as the Spiritual Silk returned, she would certainly know the answer.

Therefore, Ji You wanted to buy a high-level soul artifact and even if she couldn’t get one, she at least wanted to secure a mid-level Soul Device. She believed that as long as she could draw out the vanished spiritual power, the problem might be easily solved.

...

In the meantime, after Ji You spoke, Mu Jianling looked at her with annoyance and suddenly produced a paper contract, handing it to Ji You with an extremely stern tone: "Sign it."

Ji You was stunned: "Ah? What is it?"

Dr. Luo smiled: "It’s a contract of servitude."

Ji You: "..."

Ji You thought Dr. Luo was joking, but Mu Jianling said coldly: "Dr. Luo is right, it is indeed a servitude contract."

Ji You: "..."

Ji You’s mouth fell open, "Teacher... that’s really not funny."

Mu Jianling asked: "Are you signing it or not?"

Ji You mumbled: "May I... take a look at this contract of servitude?"

Mu Jianling said: "Go ahead."

Ji You quickly opened it and took a glance. With that look, she couldn’t help but gasp. This contract, frankly, was no different from a servitude contract.

It stated that Teacher Mu Jianling would bear the costs of Ji You’s spiritual power restoration, and Ji You, in turn, would repay the debt through labor until the debt was cleared to gain her freedom.

As for what kind of labor Ji You would have to perform for Teacher Mu Jianling, there was only one clause: [Subject to the whims of Mu Jianling.]

Ji You’s mouth twitched, that was a bit too arbitrary.

Ji You asked: "Teacher... isn’t this contract a bit too hasty?"

Mu Jianling glanced at her and said: "Hasty?"

Ji You mentioned quietly: "It’s just... The section regarding the obligations of the indebted party seems to be drafted too rashly and vaguely, isn’t it? Are there specific, clear labor instructions?"

Hearing this, Mu Jianling’s tone was very casual: "Oh? That? I haven’t decided yet, I’ll go with how I feel later on."

Ji You: "..."

Ji You didn’t know what else to say.