A flash of astonishment appeared in Ye Lingyuan's eyes. He thought to himself, this woman possesses a unique charm when she's confident.
A slight curve formed on his lips, his face held a smile, utterly unfazed by being exposed.
"It seems Miss Zi San has indeed learned peerless medical skills in her dreams!"
That deeply meaningful tone made Zi Linling's heart skip a beat. Could Ye Lingyuan have discovered something?
In truth, Zi Linling knew Ye Lingyuan was faking when she realized he hadn't truly woken up.
The reason she didn't expose him was because she needed him to spread some news for her.
This news was exactly what she had just told Xue Ying.
She had already obtained the medicinal herbs for refining the Muscle-Shaping Pill and Marrow-Washing Pill from Ji Ran. Coupled with the alchemy scripture she acquired in her past life, cultivation was only a matter of time.
After being considered a useless person for twelve years, she suddenly possessed miraculous medical skills and the ability to cultivate. All of this needed a reasonable explanation, didn't it?
Otherwise, it would surely attract a great deal of curiosity and suspicion, perhaps even the covetous gazes of certain individuals. This would lead to endless troubles for her.
While she wasn't afraid of trouble, dealing with it would consume a significant amount of time, thus affecting her cultivation progress.
Therefore, she needed someone to help her spread this reasonable explanation, and Ye Lingyuan was undoubtedly the best choice.
In the Tian Qi Kingdom, Ye Lingyuan held absolute authority. Once he made a decision, others would generally not doubt it.
And Ye Lingyuan, being as intelligent as he was, how could he not guess Zi Linling's intentions?
Since Zi Linling intended to use him, he might as well openly overhear her plans.
Rather than showing any displeasure at being used by Zi Linling, he even seemed to accept it willingly.
As for why, he couldn't explain it himself.
Therefore, he would not only do as Zi Linling wished but also perfect it.
Seeing Ye Lingyuan's ambiguous expression, Zi Linling couldn't help but feel the urge to test him.
"Your Highness the Underworld King flatters me. The path of medicine is vast and profound. Despite six years of diligent study in my dreams, I have only grasped its superficial aspects. I dare not claim the title of 'peerless'."
Ye Lingyuan's smile did not diminish. "Is that so! May I ask the name of the woman in your dreams?"
Zi Linling was shocked. Ye Lingyuan was indeed the resourceful God of War of Tian Qi; his considerations were flawless.
He was clearly reminding her that her previous explanation, while seemingly watertight, was not yet sufficient to fully account for everything.
However, just as Ye Lingyuan was exceptionally intelligent, Zi Linling was not a nobody.
She smiled faintly. "She only said her surname was Feng and did not leave a name. She also told me not to call her Master, saying we would meet when the time was right."
Ye Lingyuan inwardly sighed. While he was reminding Zi Linling, he also wanted to ascertain the truth of her words. However, the outcome was not what he desired.
Zi Linling's evasiveness, stating she knew nothing further, blocked his subsequent probing questions.
Her name: unknown, only that her surname was Feng.
Her identity: unknown!
Her whereabouts: unknown!
However, it was precisely because of this that Zi Linling's life was secured.
Consider this: Ye Lingyuan, already a Saint King realm expert, could not enter others' dreams.
Yet, the woman Zi Linling spoke of could enter others' dreams as easily as eating or drinking, indicating her immense cultivation.
Such a powerful being taught Zi Linling medical skills but refused to take her as a disciple. This left only two possibilities: either Zi Linling was her relative, or Zi Linling was her descendant.
In either case, if anything were to happen to Zi Linling, the entire Tian Yuan Continent would likely be insufficient to appease such a person.
Even more terrifying was that one wouldn't even know where this powerful individual was or when she might appear.
Therefore, Zi Linling's explanation had undoubtedly created a formidable backing for herself.
Never mind, since Zi Linling had said so, he would tentatively believe it.
Ye Lingyuan's thoughts raced, and within mere breaths, he had thoroughly analyzed the pros and cons of Zi Linling's words.
After the analysis, Ye Lingyuan lost the desire to question further.
He said with a hint of helplessness, "Since Miss Zi San is unwilling to say, this King will not press further."
Zi Linling's brow furrowed slightly. "Your Highness the Underworld King misunderstands. It is not that I am unwilling to speak, but that there is nothing to say!"
Ye Lingyuan's lips curved into a smile again. "If that is the case, then we should depart."
With that, he got out of bed and walked towards the door.
Seeing that he was no longer pressing, Zi Linling breathed a sigh of relief.
She strongly disliked these battles of wits. Not only did they tax her mind, but they were also exhausting.
If possible, she would prefer simplicity, but that word was destined to be unrelated to her.
Since they were to leave, Ye Lingyuan naturally needed to retract his divine sense.
He stopped abruptly. "Miss Zi San, prying does not require the use of one's eyes!"
Zi Linling, about to open the door, paused involuntarily at his words, confused. "What does Your Highness the Underworld King mean?"
"After breaking through to the Saint King realm, one forms a Sea of Consciousness to store divine sense, and divine sense can be projected outside the body."
Ye Lingyuan patiently offered a hint.
Zi Linling's heart leaped. She recalled that Ye Lingyuan had mentioned Ji Ran was in the middle stage of the Saint King realm. Did this mean her possession of a spatial ring had been exposed?
Ye Lingyuan saw through her worry. "Your secret is safe. This King has already shielded the entire room."
Zi Linling breathed a sigh of relief. "Is Your Highness the Underworld King not interested?"
Ye Lingyuan said haughtily, "This King is not interested in things that belong to women!"
Zi Linling blinked in surprise. "In that case, thank you, Your Highness the Underworld King."
"You don't need to thank this King. What you need is outside the door. Go and get it quickly!"
"What I need?"
Zi Linling was momentarily stunned, then realized Ye Lingyuan must be referring to the medicinal herbs he had extorted from Ji Ran.
A hint of joy flickered across her face.
With the herbs in hand, she could begin refining the Muscle-Shaping Pill and Marrow-Washing Pill, bringing her one step closer to cultivation.
Zi Linling took a silent breath and opened the door. Indeed, Huo Qinghe was standing at the doorway, holding the medicinal herbs.
Upon hearing the door open, the female attendant exclaimed in surprise, "Miss, you're out! Steward Huo has been waiting for a long time!"
Huo Qinghe also smiled and stepped forward. "Miss Zi, Elder Ji asked me to deliver this to you."
His tone was extremely respectful.
Firstly, he knew Ye Liuxing had feelings for Zi Linling. Secondly, he had just heard from Elder Ji that Zi Linling could completely repair Ye Liuxing's heart meridians.
Therefore, Zi Linling was now someone he could not afford to offend.
Zi Linling's breath hitched slightly, and she forced herself to walk forward calmly.
As she touched the familiar medicinal herbs, her heart fluttered.