Ye Lingshuang clenched her fists so tightly that her knuckles turned white.
She held her breath, waiting for the man before her to deliver the final verdict on her fate.
The air seemed to congeal.
Qian Daoliu, Ning Fengzhi, and the others also set aside their spectator's mindset, their gazes turning serious and focused.
Among the upper echelons of the Spirit Master world, it was no secret that only two Nine-Heart Begonia Spirit Masters could exist in the same era. Everyone was curious—how would this omnipotent senior handle such a problem?
Meanwhile, Lin Feng was having a brief exchange with the ever-annoying system in his mind.
"Hey, dog system, did you hear that?"
"Can an Immortal Herb really break the Nine-Heart Begonia clan's so-called curse?"
"Host, this system seriously doubts whether your intelligence is inversely proportional to your handsome face."
The system's voice was as venomous as ever.
"The Nine-Heart Begonia curse originates from a fundamental, rule-level flaw in the Martial Soul itself. An Immortal Herb is merely a plant containing a large amount of world energy."
"To put it simply, you can't fix a bug in a computer's operating system by feeding it stimulants."
Lin Feng's brow twitched almost imperceptibly.
Interesting. Even an Immortal Herb couldn't solve it.
"Of course," the system continued leisurely, "if the Host is willing to spend a certain number of points, there are items in the System Mall that can perfectly resolve this issue."
"Bloodline Origin Reversal Scroll. Price: 8,000 gourmet points. It can reshape the Martial Soul rules at their source, completely eradicating the curse."
"The Host's current point balance is sufficient. Would you like to exchange and use it immediately?"
"No."
Lin Feng rejected it without hesitation.
The next second, he did something that made everyone—especially Ye Lingshuang, still kneeling on the ground—feel their hearts sink.
He didn't even glance at her again. Calmly, he walked past her, returned behind the counter, and reclined once more in his exclusive lounge chair.
"Master~"
A seductive, bone-melting voice rang out.
Zhu Zhuyun was the first to recover. She gracefully stepped forward to Lin Feng's side, adjusting her posture with practiced ease.
The two astonishingly generous "sins" on her chest perfectly cushioned Lin Feng's head, allowing him to sink into them comfortably.
"Master, you must be thirsty. Have a grape to moisten your throat."
Hu Liena reacted quickly as well. She hurried over, her slender, jade-like fingers holding a peeled, translucent purple grape, which she carefully brought to Lin Feng's lips.
Her eyes, however, shot a subtle glare toward Zhu Zhuyun's "illegal pillow," cursing inwardly. Shameless dead cat.
Even the thin-skinned Zhu Zhuqing silently walked over, extending her small hands to gently massage Lin Feng's legs. Her strength was just right—though each press seemed slightly heavier than usual, as if venting some unspoken dissatisfaction.
From a distance, Dugu Bo's eyelids twitched violently.
Good heavens!
What kind of decadent life was this?!
As for Ye Lingshuang, still kneeling on the ground, seeing Lin Feng's dismissive attitude—and the sight of women surrounding him—made her heart plunge straight into a bottomless abyss.
He… rejected her.
Was it because what she offered simply held no value in his eyes?
As Ye Lingshuang desperately searched her mind for anything else—anything at all—she could offer in exchange for hope…
After swallowing the grape Hu Liena fed him, Lin Feng finally spoke again.
"Ye Lingshuang, is it?"
His voice was lazy, betraying no emotion.
"Hm?" Ye Lingshuang suddenly looked up, a faint spark of light rekindling in her dim eyes.
"If you really do have some understanding of flowers and plants, as Dugu Bo claims, and can properly take care of them for me…"
Lin Feng took another grape and continued casually, "then giving you an Immortal Herb isn't a big deal."
Boom!
The words exploded in Ye Lingshuang's mind like thunder!
Unspeakable ecstasy instantly washed away all her despair.
"Thank you, my lord! Thank you for your boundless kindness!"
She instinctively tried to kowtow, her voice shaking violently with excitement.
He agreed!
He actually agreed!
But Lin Feng's next words were like a bucket of icy water poured straight over her head.
"However, I must warn you."
His tone remained calm.
"An Immortal Herb cannot solve your Martial Soul's problem at all."
"Even if you consume one, at best your spirit power will increase by a few levels, and your healing ability may improve somewhat. But as for that so-called curse…"
Lin Feng paused briefly, then uttered two cold words.
"Useless."
Buzz—
Ye Lingshuang's mind went completely blank.
The joy on her face froze, then shattered inch by inch, transforming into a despair even deeper than before.
Useless?
An Immortal Herb… actually useless?
She stared at Lin Feng's calm, composed expression, a profound sense of powerlessness spreading through her entire body.
She knew someone of his stature had no need to deceive her.
If he said it was useless, then it truly was.
Did that mean the hope recorded in her clan's ancient texts… had been false from the very beginning?
Generations upon generations, exhausting their lives in pursuit of a legend—only to die with regret?
The blow was devastating. Her vision blurred, and her body swayed as though she might collapse at any moment.
Seeing this, Dugu Yan's heart ached. She hurried forward to support her.
"Lingling…"
But before she could finish—
Lin Feng's unhurried voice sounded once more.
"However, just because an Immortal Herb can't solve it doesn't mean I can't."
Ye Lingshuang trembled violently!
She snapped her head up, disbelief flooding her eyes as she stared at Lin Feng.
Everyone else froze as well, collectively groaning inwardly.
Senior, could you please finish your sentences in one go next time?!
"M-my lord…"
Ye Lingshuang's voice was hoarse, as if each word drained her strength.
"A-are you… telling the truth?"
"I never lie."
Lin Feng finally looked directly at her.
Ye Lingshuang collapsed forward on her knees, crawling to Lin Feng's feet.
"Please, Senior, save me! Please, Senior, save our Nine-Heart Begonia clan!"
She looked up at him, her small face streaked with tears like pear blossoms after rain—except that the tears were mixed with snot, her appearance utterly disheveled. But she no longer cared.
"Lingling is willing to give everything! Everything I have is yours! Please!"
Lin Feng looked at the girl sobbing hysterically at his feet, completely unmoved. If anything, he couldn't help cursing inwardly.
Who was the idiot who claimed that beautiful women always cried like pear blossoms after rain, making people feel pity?
That was utter nonsense.
Look at her now!
Her face was covered in tears and snot.
How was this beautiful at all?
"Since that's the case," Lin Feng said flatly, "you can stay and help me take care of these Immortal Herbs."
"As for whether your performance satisfies me—that will depend entirely on your own ability."
"As long as I believe you've done well, I will naturally help you resolve your problem."
The dust settled.
Ye Lingshuang wept with joy, repeatedly nodding and swearing oaths.
"Yes! Yes! Lingling obeys! Lingling will definitely not disappoint Senior!"
And just as the atmosphere turned joyful—
A voice filled with resentment and unwillingness finally burst out, unable to hold back any longer.
"Senior!"