Ye Liuxing was overjoyed.
For years, despite his father's protection, he had endured many sidelong glances and grievances due to his inability to cultivate.
The elders of the clan often used this as an excuse to confront his father, leaving him in a terrible state.
Now, Zi Linling's words had brought him immense surprise.
Ye Liuxing suddenly felt the whole world turn beautiful. This was the best news he had heard in years.
Overwhelmed with joy, he excitedly grabbed Zi Linling's arm and said, "Is this true? Then, Sister Zi, can I cultivate from now on?"
Zi Linling frowned and looked at the hands Ye Liuxing was using to grasp her arm.
She was unaccustomed to such contact; it made her feel as if she were being attacked.
Ye Liuxing followed her gaze and realized he had lost his composure.
He gave an awkward laugh and reluctantly let go of Zi Linling.
Zi Linling then nodded and continued, "That's right. After repairing your heart meridians, you will be able to cultivate..."
"That's wonderful, Sister Zi! Hahaha..."
Ye Liuxing burst into laughter, but his laughter inexplicably evoked a sense of sadness.
By the time he finally stopped laughing, his eyes were already a little moist.
Without experiencing the pain of falling from a genius to the ground, one could never understand his current frenzied state.
At this moment, Ye Liuxing had only one thought in his mind: he could cultivate immediately! He was no longer half a cripple!
He didn't even consider whether Zi Linling's words were true or false, because from the moment he first saw Zi Linling, he inexplicably believed every word she said.
But Ye Liuxing's unwavering trust in Zi Linling did not mean others would feel the same.
Take Ji Ran, standing beside him, for instance. He was looking at Zi Linling with disdain.
Repairing heart meridians? How could that be possible? This was something even Situ Jinglei, the only alchemist in the Tian Yuan Continent, could not achieve!
This woman was utterly shameless, daring to speak such nonsense so casually!
Ji Ran's impression of Zi Linling plummeted. He had already decided that he must prevent Ye Liuxing from pursuing Zi Linling.
Situ Yunfeng was first surprised, then his brow furrowed.
His grandfather had said that Ye Liuxing's condition could only be healed by a Great Returning Pill of at least six turns!
Therefore, Zi Linling's confident assertion made him worry for her.
Situ Jinglei's medical skills were undoubtedly superb. Over the years, he had treated countless patients without a single error.
Consequently, Situ Yunfeng had never doubted his grandfather's diagnosis.
But now, Zi Linling insisted that she could repair Ye Liuxing's heart meridians. This made Situ Yunfeng question whether Zi Linling truly possessed the ability or was simply speaking without thinking.
If she were merely speaking carelessly, people would likely just dismiss it with a laugh.
However, when Situ Yunfeng recalled Zi Linling's techniques when treating Ye Liuxing that morning, he felt a faint sense that Zi Linling might indeed possess some skill.
But after Zi Linling treated Ye Liuxing that morning, Situ Yunfeng specifically inquired and confirmed that she was indeed the third young lady of the Zi family, who had been labeled a cripple for twelve years.
A person called a cripple for twelve years suddenly possessing such remarkable medical skills was already hard to believe.
Now, to be told that this young girl, who had been a cripple for twelve years, had medical skills even more impressive than his grandfather's, was something Situ Yunfeng found utterly unbelievable.
How could this be? It was simply preposterous.
Situ Yunfeng moved closer to Zi Linling and said earnestly, "Little Lingling? Are you sure you can help him repair his heart meridians? Healing is no trivial matter, you must be cautious!"
As he spoke, he winked at Zi Linling, intending to remind her that it was still not too late to back out.
Zi Linling rolled her eyes at him and said, "I am sure I can! But is there something wrong with your eyes?"
Situ Yunfeng was taken aback for a moment before he understood Zi Linling's meaning.
He widened his eyes and exclaimed, "You ungrateful wretch! I was worried you might overpromise and then be unable to fulfill it. You took my good intentions as a slap in the face! You've angered me to death!"
Zi Linling said with a half-smile, "Oh? Then I should thank Young Valley Master Situ. However, your worries are unnecessary! When it comes to healing and saving lives, I never joke and I never speak recklessly!"
Situ Yunfeng, having been rebuffed, did not get angry. A glint flashed in his eyes, "Is that so? Then I shall eagerly await Little Lingling's performance."
Zi Linling sneered, "Then you are bound to be disappointed!"
Situ Yunfeng was surprised again and instinctively asked, "Why?"
Zi Linling's eyes twinkled with amusement, "Because I have no intention of treating him right now!"
As she said this, Ye Liuxing's heart sank to the bottom. The light in his eyes rapidly dimmed. He staggered back two steps and then slumped weakly onto the chair behind him.
"Hmph!"
Ji Ran let out a cold snort. "I knew you were just blustering! Young girl, if you can't cure him, don't brag, lest you harm others and humiliate yourself!"
Zi Linling shot Ji Ran a cold look and asked, "Who told you I can't cure him?"
Ji Ran looked a bit bewildered and stammered, "You can? Then why did you say you have no intention of treating him?"
Zi Linling rolled her eyes. "I said I have no intention of treating him *now*!"
She emphasized the word "now."
Ji Ran became even more confused, his head spinning from Zi Linling's words. "What do you mean?"
Situ Yunfeng also asked, "Yes, Little Lingling, what do you mean?"
Although Ye Lingyuan had remained silent, his intense gaze had never left Zi Linling. At this moment, he also looked at Zi Linling with curiosity, his eyes flashing.
Ye Liuxing's previously dimmed eyes rekindled with hope. He looked at Zi Linling expectantly, awaiting her answer.
What it meant to experience a rollercoaster of emotions, Ye Liuxing was now truly experiencing it firsthand.
Zi Linling rolled her eyes again. "First, I don't like someone's mood!"
As she said this, her gaze fell on Ji Ran. The implication was clear: that "someone" referred to Ji Ran.
Ye Lingyuan's lips curved slightly. He thought to himself, This woman really doesn't let anyone get the better of her!
Situ Yunfeng smoothed his hair and looked at Zi Linling with interest. He thought, Little Lingling really holds a grudge!
Ye Liuxing looked at Ji Ran in confusion and asked, "Elder Ji, have you offended Sister Zi?"
Ji Ran looked at Ye Liuxing awkwardly, unsure of what to say. He couldn't exactly tell Ye Liuxing that he had just wanted to kill Zi Linling, could he?