With Elder Guo's gaze fixed upon them, the siblings Min Ziqiong simultaneously looked at Ying Chen.
Now, their only hope rested on Ying Chen!
If even Ying Chen believed this蛊 (gu) was incurable, then Nannan would truly be destined for the same fate as the Han太子 (taizi - crown prince)!
Suicide!
Otherwise, she would be left to the mercy of the person who cast the 蛊, her talent stripped away. Her fate would likely be no better than death!
"All things have a way, thus they have a solution. How can there exist an unsolvable method in this world? 'Unsolvable' simply means insufficient attainment or low strength, failing to see the path to a solution!"
"I have three methods to break this 蛊."
"The first is as I mentioned before, waiting for Nannan to cultivate for five years. Once her realm is perfected, she can naturally eliminate and purge it herself."
"The second is for me to recover my cultivation and use a Heavenly-tier術 (shu - art/technique) from the 'Thirty-six Heavenly Forms' to forcefully suppress and kill this 蛊, while also ensuring Nannan's brain is undamaged. However, the time it takes for this could be very short, or very long. It could be as little as a year, or as long as ten years, with no definitive conclusion."
"The third, considered the simplest and quickest. Since this 蛊 appeared on Nannan, it proves that there are still successors to the Chi You Banner alive in this world. As long as we find him, we can find the method to break it. Even if we don't find a method to break it, killing him will remove Nannan's hidden danger forever. She can then patiently wait for the 蛊 to be cleared on its own."
Upon hearing the three methods proposed by Ying Chen, Min Ziqiong and the others breathed a slight sigh of relief.
The first method was a safety net.
As long as Nannan's cultivation realm reached the required level, she could clear the 蛊 herself.
The second method was a gamble.
If Ying Chen recovered his realm tomorrow, perhaps Nannan could speak tomorrow; if Ying Chen couldn't recover his realm for ten years, Nannan might have already undergone drastic changes within those ten years.
The third method was almost simultaneously identified by Min Ziqiong, Min Ziqing, and Elder Guo as the preferred choice at the current stage.
Besides its considerable feasibility, this method did not require waiting and could be implemented immediately.
At the very least, it provided a psychological comfort of "doing something is better than doing nothing."
Otherwise, everyone could only sit at home day by day waiting for Nannan's realm to mature or for Ying Chen's realm to recover, a torment and worry that few could endure.
"It seems you've all chosen the third option?" Ying Chen's gaze swept over their faces, obtaining their answer.
"Yes." The three nodded.
"Then I will trouble Elder Guo to inquire further about the Chi You Banner, and see where its successors are most likely to be hiding. We will sweep and flatten our way there!"
Ying Chen said this casually, with his hands behind his back.
His tone was unruffled, yet Elder Guo's heart pounded.
Elder Guo had thought Ying Chen would engage in some negotiation or transaction with the Chi You Banner, or perhaps employ some brilliant scheme. He never expected Ying Chen's approach to be just four words.
"Flatten our way there!"
Just like when Ying Chen had flattened the Shennong Sect back then!
However, an organization with the deep foundations of the Chi You Banner, how could it be as weak and easily bullied as the Shennong Sect?
Hadn't Ying Chen been too presumptuous with his words!
Elder Guo thought this in his heart, but said nothing aloud: "Very well, I will go to my friend now and ensure I gather all information regarding the Chi You Banner and the 'Soul Locking 蛊'!"
With that, Elder Guo wasted no time, carrying the expectations of everyone, and headed out the door.
This time, it was unknown how long it would take.
...
Elder Guo remained silent for another three full days.
During these three days, Min Ziqiong did not fall into the state of nervous worry and dread that Ying Chen had anticipated.
Instead, she became the complete opposite, transforming into a workaholic.
She organized the company's production framework, which would normally take a month to clarify, in just three days!
She truly displayed the demeanor of a formidable businesswoman!
To the extent that the entire Jianghai city praised her wholeheartedly!
Ying Chen knew that Min Ziqiong had taken his words to heart and had begun accumulating cultivation resources for Nannan.
Wealth, companions, Dharma, and land – "companions" did not refer to romantic partners, but to allies, who could be peers or elders, as long as they offered protection.
"Dharma" referred to techniques, the essence of "a true transmission in a word, a false transmission in ten thousand books."
"Land" referred to a dojo or a cave dwelling. With a dojo or cave dwelling, cultivation could yield twice the result with half the effort.
Ying Chen could provide all three of these for Nannan, and the best at that.
Only "wealth" was where Ying Chen felt a bit stretched at the moment.
This was because out of the 150 billion won from Hong Kong, 50 billion had been spent on the Mirage Realm.
The remaining 100 billion, while seemingly a large sum capable of many things, Ying Chen intended to go all-in and use it for a single endeavor!
Of course, how it would be used specifically, Ying Chen could only ponder carefully after Nannan's matter was resolved.
Another day passed.
Elder Guo had been gone for four days. Just as everyone thought Elder Guo would be gone for at least another week, they saw Elder Guo return at dawn on the fourth day, arriving under the starlight!
And to everyone's surprise, Elder Guo did not return alone; he had brought someone with him!
An old man wearing a Tang suit with a flowing beard!
Seeing the astonished looks on everyone's faces, Elder Guo sighed and explained, "This fellow is my old friend, his name is Gui Zhishun, and in our circle, we generally call him Xiao Guizi."
Upon hearing the name Gui Zhishun, a flicker of shock flashed across the faces of Min Ziqiong and Min Ziqing.
"Master Gui? Master Gui, who was just rated as one of the first batch of national treasure-level physicians by Dragon Country last year?"
The white-bearded old man waved his hand: "It's all empty fame, empty fame. Master this, Master that, it's all superficial. If you like, you can call me Xiao Guizi along with Old Guo."
Min Ziqiong and Min Ziqing exchanged glances, clearly not daring to be so presumptuous, and respectfully addressed him as "Master Gui."
It was Ying Chen, however, who indifferently uttered, "Xiao Guizi."
The atmosphere instantly became awkward with these three words from Ying Chen.
"Hmm? Is there a problem?" Ying Chen asked, sensing the strange atmosphere.
"No, no..." everyone shook their heads.
In their hearts, they thought: Master Gui was being humble, and Ying Chen actually took the opportunity to call him "Xiao Guizi"?
Setting aside his age, just his status and position – was this something Ying Chen could call him?
Master Gui's prolonged silence must mean he was angry!
However, they did not know that given Ying Chen's age, calling Master Gui "Xiao Guizi" was a great favor; calling him "grandson" would be an even greater one for Master Gui!
Let alone his status. If Ying Chen insisted that he was Master Gui's ancestor, it wouldn't be incorrect.
After all, two thousand years ago, Ying Chen was already the personal imperial physician to the First Emperor!
His status was infinitely higher than Master Gui's so-called national treasure-level physician!
"You are the master of Xuanmen that Old Guo spoke of?"
At this moment, Master Gui suddenly spoke, his tone stiff, as if he was truly displeased.