Southern Bean Country.
Ten Thousand Medicine Sect.
"Father, did you call me?" Lin Shanshan entered the study, a bit irritated, "I’m busy preparing for battle. If it’s not something very important..."
After Ning Zhuo left, he left the Spirit Hidden Willow at the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect, and entrusted Hua Guzi to take care of the willow tree.
Lin Shanshan and Hua Guzi’s relationship started out competitive but soon took a drastic turn and severely worsened.
The two began to clash at the Martial Arts Arena, but as they fought, they developed a friendship.
The two women became friends, seeing each other as formidable rivals, epitomizing a love-hate relationship.
As of now, due to their rivalry, Lin Shanshan and Hua Guzi’s skills have both advanced rapidly, becoming the most dazzling sights at the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect Martial Arts Arena.
Their record of wins and losses is about equal, but last time, Lin Shanshan narrowly lost to Hua Guzi. So this time, she’s determined, preparing thoroughly, hoping to reclaim her dignity.
Lin Bufan, as her father, naturally knows this situation well.
Lin Bufan was delighted with such development. After all, during this period of rivalry, his beloved daughter had indeed been making great progress in cultivation.
Lin Bufan handed a letter to Lin Shanshan, saying just one sentence that swept away his daughter’s grievance: "It’s a letter from Ning Zhuo."
"Ah! Ning Zhuo finally wrote to me?!" Lin Shanshan was instantly overjoyed.
Lin Bufan resisted his inner displeasure, shook his head with a cold smile: "This letter is for me; I just don’t feel like explaining it. You can read it first."
Lin Shanshan immediately used her Divine Sense to scan the letter several times.
Lin Shanshan’s expression of delight faded, though somewhat disappointed, her tone remained cheerful: "I didn’t expect Ning Zhuo has already reached Flying Cloud Country."
"I wonder what unique customs are there?"
"How did he come to possess so many Golden Cores? And they’re all Ghost Dao?"
"These are truly valuable, Father. Many prescriptions require Ghost Dao Golden Cores as ingredients."
Lin Bufan seeing his daughter speak favorably about Ning Zhuo, felt even more upset and shook his head again: "Many prescriptions? Can you list ten?"
Lin Shanshan rolled her eyes at Lin Bufan: "Father, why must you be so particular."
"Ning Zhuo wants to retrieve the Spirit Hidden Willow and wishes to trade Ghost Dao Golden Cores with me; this is a great thing!"
"Even if Ghost Dao Golden Cores aren’t common medicinal ingredients, such treasures are rare. We could even buy them first and resell them, benefiting greatly."
Lin Bufan nodded slightly: "Your last sentence indeed makes some sense."
Lin Shanshan was all smiles.
"The Spirit Hidden Willow has already recovered. Ning Zhuo must have an important purpose for wanting to use it."
"We must ensure this is accomplished."
"I say, we should form a caravan, bringing along Elixir Pills, Spirit Stones, and the Spirit Hidden Willow, and set off for Flying Cloud Country immediately."
"Father, the Spirit Hidden Willow is very rare and of great importance. If an accident occurs during a long-distance journey, it would be problematic. I can set out, meticulously caring for it along the way, ensuring it’s unharmed."
Lin Bufan stared at Lin Shanshan, his gaze seeming to pierce into her heart: "You want to see Ning Zhuo, don’t you?"
Lin Shanshan blushed slightly, then argued: "Ning Zhuo is my friend, and moreover, our ally. Of course, I miss my friend."
"I think Senior Brother surely wants to see him too."
"Father, don’t you want to as well?"
Lin Bufan shook his head: "Can my desire be the same as yours?"
He frowned: "Haven’t I told you? Ning Zhuo has already settled down in Liangzhu Country. His wife is Mu Lan, the sole heir of the General Mu Mansion!"
Lin Shanshan chuckled: "Father, it’s convincing for only so long. I’ve already investigated the situation in Thousand Peak Forest; Ning Zhuo was only forced into marriage with Mu Lan due to unexpected circumstances."
"The marriage isn’t real, it’s false."
Lin Bufan tapped the table lightly with his knuckles: "What if it were true? I think they make quite a match."
Upon hearing this, Lin Shanshan was quite displeased, her face immediately turned sullen: "Father, you’re bullying me! If mom were here..."
Mentioning her deceased mother, Lin Bufan’s face changed slightly, hit a soft spot, sighed: "Forget it, you surely know, Father only wishes the best for you."
"Sigh... take this letter and find Hua Guzi. Before Ning Zhuo left, he arranged for her to care for the Spirit Hidden Willow."
"Alright." Lin Shanshan nodded, about to turn and leave, she paused, "Father, I want to join this caravan, you can’t refuse me!"
Lin Bufan’s heart stirred, he tried asking: "Then if I leave Hua Guzi behind, only letting you join this caravan, how about that?"
Lin Shanshan was startled for a moment, then gritted her teeth: "This... isn’t good! Xiao Hua and I have a great relationship, we agreed on fair competition... let her go too!"
She smiled bitterly, then added: "Moving the Spirit Hidden Willow, surely can’t be hidden from her. Given her temperament, if she isn’t allowed to go, she might even decide to rebel."
Only then did Lin Bufan smile, waved to Lin Shanshan: "Go discuss with her for now."
"Forming a caravan isn’t that simple."
"In Ning Zhuo’s letter, he mentioned he’s also using Ghost Dao Golden Cores to trade with Zhu Xuanji. I’ll send a letter inquire Zhu Xuanji’s arrangements."
The Ten Thousand Medicine Sect, Southern Bean Zhu Family, and Persimmon Fire Ning Family have already formed a secret alliance.
The caravan must traverse Liangzhu Country and North Wind Country to reach Flying Cloud Country; the journey will not be peaceful and presents great challenges. Relying solely on the power of the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect to achieve this isn’t impossible, but the cost would be significant.