Nannan was actually drawing a pattern on the ground!
The pattern was somewhat bizarre, resembling a cocoon, or a fish bubble, or even a droplet-shaped spaceship with an alien style.
In short, Ying Chen couldn't quite figure out what it was.
However, Ying Chen was certain of one thing: what Nannan drew was the evil entity in her mind!
Nannan had just had a glimpse of the entity's appearance while moving it!
And its cocoon-like exterior further confirmed Ying Chen's guess that it could resist any attempt to remove it!
"Hmm, what is this?" Elder Guo also noticed the pattern Nannan had drawn, frowned, and fell into deep thought.
After a moment, Elder Guo tapped his forehead with his finger, shaking his head repeatedly. "I feel like I've seen it somewhere before, but I can't recall where. I'm getting old, my memory is failing..."
Ying Chen had thought Elder Guo would recognize it, but instead, he said this.
However, since Elder Guo had some recollection, it meant the entity's origin could be traced.
Ying Chen immediately said, "Elder Guo, I failed to cure Nannan's muteness. Our bet is concluded with my failure, and I will uphold my promise to teach you a miraculous healing art. However, I hope you can help me find out what this evil entity in Nannan's mind is, what its specific effects are, and how to remove it."
"Once you find out, I can teach you another miraculous healing art as payment."
Upon hearing Ying Chen's words, Elder Guo repeatedly waved his hands. "No, no, no, the bet was voided long ago. It would be an unfair victory if I accepted this. Besides, this failure is not Master Ying's fault. Who could have predicted that the entity in Nannan's mind could resist removal on its own?"
"When I examined Nannan's condition before, I didn't do my job thoroughly either, failing to understand this entity. Come to think of it, I also bear some responsibility."
"Forget about the miraculous healing art. I will start searching for information about this entity immediately. I must have encountered it somewhere, perhaps in ancient texts or from a friend's tale. Give me a few days, and I will return with the answers to discuss further plans with you."
With that, Elder Guo turned to leave.
His ancient texts were all left at the Shennong Sect, and he intended to return there to pore over them.
Ying Chen's eyes flickered, and he suddenly called out to Elder Guo.
Before Elder Guo could ask what else Ying Chen needed, Ying Chen began to demonstrate a set of palm techniques.
He also accompanied it with a set of incantations.
The palm techniques were simple and not complicated.
Ying Chen finished demonstrating in a short while.
"This is the technique I just used, called 'Turtle Hand.' The technique itself is simple; the difficulty lies in the accompanying internal energy incantations. Your future practice should focus on the incantations. Once the incantations are perfected, you can use this art to treat illnesses and save lives."
"Essentially, for internal injuries and similar ailments, a single palm strike can clear stagnation, invigorate blood, and even bring back the dying."
Elder Guo was stunned. He never expected to "be forced" to learn such a divine art, a miraculous healing technique.
He opened his mouth, intending to say something to decline, but then he thought it would be too pretentious.
So, he bowed deeply to Ying Chen and said, "Thank you, Master Ying, for bestowing this art upon me! I will surely use it for righteous purposes, to heal the sick and aid the world!"
Ying Chen waved his hand. "No need for pleasantries. Go quickly and find information about that evil entity!"
"Yes." Elder Guo turned and left.
As he turned, the joy in his eyes was hard to conceal, much like a child who had received a longed-for toy.
Then, in the backyard, there was a brief moment of dead silence.
Min Ziqiong slumped to the ground, her face filled with disappointment and despair.
She had yearned for this day, only for it to end in such a result.
Her persistence and spirit of the past few days seemed to have been drained away at this moment.
She was like a deflated balloon, unable to regain her former shape.
"Sister, don't be like this... Didn't you hear Brother-in-law say that if Elder Guo finds information about that evil entity, they can discuss further treatment methods?"
"It's just a matter of waiting a few more days."
"If you don't trust others, don't you trust Brother-in-law?"
Min Ziqing came to Min Ziqiong's side, gently put an arm around her shoulder, and comforted her.
Min Ziqiong subconsciously looked at Ying Chen.
Ying Chen replied with a calm expression, "Rather than trusting me, trust Nannan more."
"The talent Nannan has displayed is even greater than I anticipated. The evil entity in her mind can at most suppress her temporarily, not forever. Even if I do nothing now and don't seek a solution, Nannan will be able to remove the foreign object in her mind on her own within five to eight years at least."
"I only feel indebted and cannot bear for Nannan to waste five to eight years of her childhood, which is why I want to resolve this matter quickly!"
"Therefore, you have no need to worry about Nannan. On the contrary, you should strive not to become a burden to Nannan."
"After all, cultivation is an extremely resource-intensive endeavor. Resources, companions, methods, and land – I can provide the latter three for her. However, for the first, 'resources,' I cannot."
"My money has great uses in the future, and there are also great gaps."
Hearing Ying Chen's words, Min Ziqiong's despair immediately subsided.
She also became energized.
Because she did not want to be a burden to Nannan!
Even more so, she did not want Nannan's cultivation to be hindered due to a lack of funds, thus preventing her from growing to the point where she could remove the foreign object herself!
From today onwards, she would work hard to earn money!
However, she was also shocked and surprised by Ying Chen's last sentence.
Ying Chen already had 150 billion, yet he claimed to be extremely short of money?
How much money could possibly satisfy Ying Chen, or be considered enough for him?
This was a classic case of "a summer insect cannot discuss ice." A summer insect dies in autumn and never sees winter, let alone the ice of winter.
Therefore, if you were to tell a summer insect about ice and snow in winter, it would never believe you.
Min Ziqiong, with her summer-insect-like mindset, naturally couldn't understand Ying Chen's definition of money.
Once the spiritual energy revival arrived, money would rapidly depreciate, while heavenly materials, earthly treasures, magical artifacts, and divine weapons would rapidly appreciate!
At that time, no amount of money would be enough!
The only way was to accumulate as many resources as possible now, in anticipation of the great tide of spiritual energy revival!
Let alone 150 billion, even ten times that amount wouldn't be too much for Ying Chen! He could spend it all!
"Alright, that's all for today. Go back and rest!"
"We'll make plans once Elder Guo has news."
Ying Chen said.
Then he left.
Min Ziqiong and her brother, carrying Nannan, also left the backyard.
Days passed by. They had expected Elder Guo to send news within three days.
However, a full week went by, and Elder Guo was still nowhere to be heard from.
Just as everyone began to suspect that Elder Guo, unable to find any information, was too ashamed to show his face, a person came panting and pushed open the villa gate.
A face as black as charcoal stood out conspicuously in the moonlight.
It was Elder Guo!