Chapter 183: I’ll Cry If I Can’t Help It
After settling Ye Huang and the others, Chen Yin returned to the main hall to speak with the Grand Witch. She had just finished organizing the massive piles of spirit stones and pills and was wiping the sweat from her brow when she heard his cheerful voice.
“Grand Witch, you kept your word and didn’t harm my friend. A pleasure doing business with you.”
The Grand Witch smoothed her dark green hair and sat back on her throne.
“That was just the ransom. I haven’t agreed to help you yet.”
“Let’s be straightforward, Grand Witch. Name your price.” Chen Yin gestured generously.
The Grand Witch thought for a moment. “Young Master Chen, you seem quite wealthy. Are you the chief disciple of some prestigious sect? Or perhaps the young master of a powerful clan?”
Chen Yin considered this. Although being Immortal Yu Ling’s disciple sounded impressive, it wasn’t quite the same as being a wealthy young master. Mount Yu was hardly a place of opulence.
“My sect prefers to keep a low profile. You probably haven’t heard of us.”
The Grand Witch’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
Seeing her hesitation, Chen Yin decided to goad her a bit. “Grand Witch, although we’re wealthy, we’re not made of money. What if you can’t cure her after all this? And seeing your hesitation, I’m starting to doubt your ability to handle this Life Returning Herb poison.”
The Grand Witch’s eyes flashed with anger, and she put her hands on her hips.
“Are you questioning the Wu Xuan Cave’s mastery of poisons?! Let me tell you, we’re the only ones in the world who know how to cure neurotoxins!”
“I need proof.” Chen Yin spread his hands. “How can I trust your words?”
“Don’t try to provoke me.”
The Grand Witch snorted and crossed her legs, her smooth, alluring curves on full display. “I, Bi Luo, am not one to take advantage of others. Since I’ve agreed to help, I’ll prove my sincerity.”
She said softly, “Do you know what a neurotoxin is?”
Chen Yin blinked, feigning ignorance.
“A neurotoxin is a poison that invades the brain, altering its structure. It’s the most dangerous type of poison. The brain is connected to the sea of consciousness, the most delicate and vulnerable part of the human body. Even for cultivators, damage to the sea of consciousness is incredibly difficult to heal. The Life Returning Herb, by creating addiction, subtly alters the brain’s structure, creating a deficiency that cannot be cured by ordinary methods.”
Chen Yin understood this. Even in his previous life on Earth, he knew that drug addiction could cause changes in the brain’s structure.
“So it’s incurable?”
“Not necessarily.” The Grand Witch shook her head. “It’s simple. Whatever changes the Life Returning Herb has caused in the brain, you just need to reverse them with another poison. It’s called ‘fighting poison with poison’.”
Chen Yin looked skeptical. “Is that safe? It sounds dangerous.”
“It’s simple, really.”
She said casually, “Just find a poison with the opposite properties of the Life Returning Herb. After a period of treatment, the brain will return to its normal state.”
“However, I’ve never heard of this ‘Life Returning Herb’ in this world before.”
“There’s only one way to find a poison with the opposite properties.”
“…The Phantasmal Harmony Ganoderma.”
Chen Yin listened intently.
“The Phantasmal Harmony Ganoderma is a mystical herb found deep within the Ten Thousand Mountains. It can perfectly mimic the effects of any other herb. It’s known as the ‘One Herb, Ten Thousand Forms’.”
“With it, creating an antidote to the Life Returning Herb would be a simple matter.”
“However,” the Grand Witch’s tone changed, “the Phantasmal Harmony Ganoderma is one of our most precious treasures. It takes centuries to mature.”
“No one knows when the last one matured.”
Chen Yin thought for a moment. “So, if I can obtain the Phantasmal Harmony Ganoderma, you’ll help us cure her?”
“Not so fast.”
A mischievous grin appeared on the Grand Witch’s face.
“I have three conditions for you~ Obtaining the Ganoderma is just one of them.”
Chen Yin’s lips twitched.
…She was truly a master negotiator.
“First, double the amount of spirit stones and pills you offered earlier.”
Chen Yin nodded calmly. “No problem.”
“Second, the Phantasmal Harmony Ganoderma is located in a dangerous secret realm deep within the Ten Thousand Mountains. Even past Grand Witches haven’t dared to enter it. I want you to accompany me. You’ll be responsible for my safety.”
“That’s fine.” Chen Yin had expected this.
“Third…”
The Grand Witch hesitated.
Chen Yin’s heart sank.
Even this miser was hesitant to ask. It must be something outrageous.
But to his surprise, she just frowned slightly and said softly,
“I want you… to take Lian’er as your disciple and teach her how to cultivate.”
“Using your best cultivation techniques.”
Chen Yin was stunned.
He hadn’t expected this.
Take Lian’er as his disciple?
“Why? Isn’t she your servant?”
Chen Yin asked, puzzled, “The Wu Xuan Cave is an ancient sect with a rich heritage. Why would she need to learn other techniques?”
“Don’t ask so many questions.”
The Grand Witch waved her hand dismissively. “Just do it.”
“If she doesn’t reach the Gathering Qi Realm within a week, I won’t help you.”
Although surprised, teaching a beginner wasn’t difficult.
And despite her naivete, Lian’er had excellent aptitude and a pure heart, perfect for cultivation.
Reaching the Gathering Qi Realm within a week shouldn’t be a problem.
He bowed slightly. “Very well. As you wish, Grand Witch.”
“After I’ve taught Lian’er, we’ll depart for the secret realm and find the Phantasmal Harmony Ganoderma.”
The Grand Witch waved her hand. “Go on. That annoying little girl is your responsibility now.”
Chen Yin nodded and left the hall.
The Grand Witch sat alone on her throne, her long eyelashes fluttering slightly, a hint of sadness in her eyes.
She stretched lazily.
“System.”
“Grand Witch.” A respectful, mechanical voice echoed in her mind.
“Do you have human emotions?”
“Our sole purpose is to assist our host in completing the plot records. Human emotions are irrelevant to us.”
“…Heartless and emotionless, just like beasts.” The Grand Witch scoffed.
“You’ve only fused with the Fragment for three days. There’s still much you don’t understand about me.”
The System’s tone was respectful, but its words were cold and unfeeling.
“Forget it, I’m not interested in understanding something like you.”
The Grand Witch pouted, a flicker of worry in her eyes.
…If those Shen Li fanatics were telling the truth…
When the Triennial Day arrives, will I be able to protect myself?
And that foolish girl… will she survive?
After leaving the main hall, Chen Yin was still puzzled by the Grand Witch’s request.
Why did she want him to take Lian’er as his disciple?
He pondered this for a long time, then looked up at Lian’er, who was standing by the door.
She was munching on the soft candy he had given her, her clear, bright eyes blinking at him curiously, her head tilted slightly.
Her expression seemed to be asking, Why does Big Brother look so troubled?
“You’re always so carefree and happy,”
Chen Yin sighed, “do you even know that your Grand Witch wants to throw you at me as a disciple?”
“What?”
Lian’er’s eyes widened in surprise, and she covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes welling up with tears. “Does the Grand Witch… not want Lian’er anymore?”
But then, her expression changed, and she shook her head vigorously.
“No, that’s not it. She wouldn’t abandon me.”
“She must think Lian’er is useless and wants me to learn some skills before returning to serve her.” She said, her voice filled with childish determination, waving her small fist.
Although Chen Yin didn’t understand her logic, it was a plausible explanation.
“Anyway, I’m your Master now.”
Chen Yin said seriously, “The Grand Witch said I have to teach you how to cultivate and reach the Gathering Qi Realm within a week.”
“I’m a strict teacher, so don’t cry.”
Lian’er blinked at him, her expression serious. “Don’t worry, Master. Lian’er doesn’t cry.”
Then, she hesitated and lowered her head slightly.
“Unless… I can’t help it…”
…That’s not very reassuring.
Chen Yin facepalmed. He suddenly realized that teaching this naive and slightly airheaded girl might be more difficult than he had imagined.
“We’ll start tomorrow. Go back and get some rest. Come to my room in the morning, and I’ll teach you how to cultivate.”
Lian’er nodded obediently, then bit her finger and asked in a childish voice, “But what if Lian’er can’t wake up in the morning?”
Chen Yin: “…”
“Will Master punish Lian’er if I’m late? Will you make me skip breakfast, or stand outside in the sun? Lian’er will be hungry if she doesn’t eat breakfast. Can you just punish me by not giving me radishes? I don’t like radishes. How will Master teach me? Lian’er can’t read. Please don’t make me memorize anything. And also…”
Chen Yin suddenly understood.
This must be why the Grand Witch didn’t want to teach her herself.
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