Several days ago, Ning Zhuo had borrowed the Spirit Hidden Willow to comprehend the Understanding Law Map, gaining a deeper understanding.
Such a treasure must not be easily exposed. Otherwise, it would easily attract covetous glances, and even lead to deadly disasters.
Human nature cannot withstand such tests.
Although right now, his relationship with Lin Shanshan and the entire Ten Thousand Medicine Sect was improving, he would never use the Spirit Hidden Willow to test the human nature of everyone in the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect.
There was no need to trigger this unnecessary risk.
After Ning Zhuo and Sun Lingtong's comprehension, six willow branches on the Spirit Hidden Willow Tree had completely withered, bare and heart-wrenching to behold.
Moreover, out of its survival instinct, the tree had completely absorbed the soil in which its roots were entrenched, which had now turned into sand, exhausted of its fertility.
Even so, the six willow branches on the Spirit Hidden Willow still remained wilted, though they had regained a slight luster, the recovery was very minimal.
Ning Zhuo was naturally worried that this condition would gradually drag the Spirit Hidden Willow into a more serious situation. Thus, quickly transplanting it had become an urgent matter.
"Even if it does not recover, we must at least maintain the condition of the Spirit Hidden Willow."
The Spirit Hidden Willow was a Golden Core Level existence. The higher the life level, the greater its demands from the external world.
He could no longer let the Spirit Hidden Willow continue in this manner!
Under circumstances dictated by necessity, Ning Zhuo thought about it and could only seek Lin Shanshan's help first.
Lin Shanshan did not refuse him.
After pondering for a moment, she said, "This matter is indeed difficult."
"We have many books in the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect library. I can take you to look at the indices and such to search."
"We need to first confirm what this Spirit Plant is. This, Young Master, must be confirmed by you."
"After confirmation, we can look at how to teach you based on the confidentiality grade of the related content."
"If the grade is very high, I'm afraid I alone may not be able to help."
Ning Zhuo sighed, "I have some bad feelings about this. When the Mountain God entrusted me, his expression was solemn, and he made such a point of instructing me; the Spirit Plant might have a significant origin."
"Alas, I have really run out of options. I came to bother Miss Lin only as a last resort. If it is too difficult, then never mind."
Hearing him say this, Lin Shanshan made a silent resolve, even if it was extremely difficult, to try her utmost.
She encouraged, "How can we give up easily without trying?"
"Let's try first at least, we need to at least confirm what it is."
"I alone might not be powerful enough, but I can also ask others for help."
Ning Zhuo rushed to express his thanks.
Thus, Lin Shanshan led Ning Zhuo to the Library again to flip through books on cultivating Spirit Plants.
True to Ten Thousand Medicine Sect, such books were vast like mountains and varied.
But the Spirit Hidden Willow was truly rare, and Ning Zhuo spent half a day before selecting a few books such as "Ancient Spiritual Plants", "Immortal Garden Oddities", "Spirit Extracts and Strange Tales," and more.
Ning Zhuo showed an apologetic expression to Lin Shanshan, "Miss Lin, I feel it is among these books. Looking at the index, there are many similarities."
Lin Shanshan frowned and sighed, "My goodness, the grades of these secret books are almost at the highest level."
Ning Zhuo was somewhat at a loss, "If it's too much trouble for Miss Lin, forget it. I'll think of another way, think again"
Lin Shanshan shook her head, "You are new here, unfamiliar with life. The only friend you have here is me..."
Upon saying this, the girl clenched her teeth, "I will do my utmost to fight for you, Young Master. Please go back first and wait for my message."
After thanking her, Ning Zhuo and Lin Shanshan parted ways.
Lin Shanshan pressed her lips tightly and paced around for a few circles before deciding that seeking her father was basically unworkable. Even if her father agreed, it would break the rules of the Sect.
As the cherished daughter of the Sect Leader, she naturally wanted to lead by example in following the sect rules, not wanting such things to happen.
"First, I'll go find the eldest senior brother; his authority is much higher than mine."
Lin Shanshan then went to the back of the Great Struggle Peak, crossed the deep pond and waterfall path, and arrived inside the Myriad Demons Cave.
"Little Junior Sister, why have you come to see me at this time?" The eldest senior brother, Linghu Jiu, was quite surprised to see Lin Shanshan.
Lin Shanshan spoke frankly, "Senior Brother, I need a favor."
"Whatever it is, just tell me!" Linghu Jiu laughed heartily, sitting on the stone bed, waving his arms, very straightforwardly.
Lin Shanshan pursed her lips and smiled, stepping closer and said, "Here's the thing. Senior Brother, do you remember Young Master Ning Zhuo?"
Linghu Jiu's eyes flickered slightly as he laughed loudly, "How could I not know? These days, every time you brought me food, you mentioned him. I've heard so much about him that my ears are almost calloused."
Lin Shanshan smiled and said, "Senior Brother, do you know? Young Master Ning Zhuo had a unique encounter at Mist Hidden Mountain and actually received a gift from the Mountain God. It's a wonderful Spirit Plant, at the Golden Core Level..."
Lin Shanshan elaborated on the full story.
Linghu Jiu listened carefully, and the smile on his lips gradually diminished a lot.
"So that's what happened," Linghu Jiu stroked his chin.
Lin Shanshan continued, "With my authority, I can't exchange those books from the library. I only hope to use your Identity Token."
"As for the Sect Points consumed, I will slowly repay you later."
Linghu Jiu pondered, "So many secret books, that's not little Sect Points consumption. Little Junior Sister, have you thought this through? You really want to help him this much?"
"You have already helped him a lot these days."
"It will take a long time for you to repay these Sect Points."
"My suggestion, just exchange one of them for him. It won't be too much of a burden for you."
Lin Shanshan shook her head, "That won't do. We've only seen the catalog and introduction. If the exchanged books don't contain the relevant records, we'd have to exchange them again."
"Let's just exchange them all in one go."
"As for Sect Points, although it's a lot, we can slowly repay it. You'll be able to pay it back eventually."
"I remember you have the most Sect Points among us, and since you can't use them anyway, why not lend them to me first?"
Linghu Jiu sighed, "As it's the junior sister asking, what more can I say?"
He reached over to his bedside and took out his Identity Token.
He stood up, walked to Lin Shanshan, and handed her the Token.
As he got closer, Linghu Jiu suddenly sniffed, "Wait, what is this smell?"
"Wine!"
"Such a fine aroma of wine!"
"Seems like, seems like it's Warm Autumn Wine?"
"Junior sister, you got Warm Autumn Wine and didn't offer any to your senior brother?"
Lin Shanshan sniffed herself, "How come I can't smell it? I clean up every day."
She gave Linghu Jiu a look, "Wine, wine, wine, all you think about is drinking. Warm Autumn Wine is at the Golden Core Level, it's medicinal wine, meant for treating Ning Zhuo's injuries. But you just want it to satisfy your cravings!"
"Maybe it's because I've been sparring with Young Master Ning Zhuo recently, teaching him Martial Arts, so I might have picked up some of the scent."
Lin Shanshan took Linghu Jiu's Identity Token.
"Senior brother, you've really helped me a lot this time, thank you so much."
She playfully waved at Linghu Jiu and then turned and walked away.
"Ah!" Linghu Jiu felt a sudden emptiness in his heart and reached out calling after her.
Lin Shanshan took a few steps, then turned to look at her senior brother, confusion on her face.
Linghu Jiu hesitated, then said, "Be careful…"
Lin Shanshan interrupted him before he could finish, "I know, of course!"
"Senior brother, don't worry."
"If Ning Zhuo asks for the cultivation methods of common herbs, he might later give it to the Ning Family to compete with our Ten Thousand Medicine Sect."
"But what he asked for are the cultivation books for rare and exotic herbs, which can't harm our Sect."
"I know what I'm doing!"
"See you tomorrow."
With that, Lin Shanshan hurriedly left the cave.
Linghu Jiu stood there, desolate, "I meant for you to be careful about yourself."
After a moment, he sighed and lay back down on the stone bed.
He closed his eyes, ready to sleep.
But his mind was troubled, and he could not fall asleep.
He felt something was not right, pondered it deeply, and suddenly thought of something!
"The medicinal wine that Ning Zhuo drank. How could the junior sister have come by its scent?"
"Teaching Martial Arts…"
"How did he teach it?!"
At this, Linghu Jiu suddenly sat up, his face no longer relaxed and easy but filled with urgency and anxiety.
He had always guarded the Myriad Demons Cave as a punishment, taking it with relish and contentment.
But now, he felt irritated and wanted to leave the cave.
He did some calculations.
"How many more months before I can go out?!"
Elsewhere, Lin Shanshan was acting swiftly, using Linghu Jiu's Identity Token to exchange several secret books.
She disguised herself and entered Little Struggle Peak to meet Ning Zhuo.
"Mission accomplished!" She handed all the books to Ning Zhuo.
Ning Zhuo was overjoyed, "Miss Lin, you've really helped me tremendously!"
"If not for Miss's great help, I fear I wouldn't have been able to obtain these precious books. I'm really grateful beyond words."
"How fortunate am I to have made a friend like you, Miss! Your action is like timely rain, easing the anxiety in my heart, truly fortunate. With such talents and beauty, Miss, Ning Zhuo being helped by you is indeed a blessing from the heavens!"
"I will keep today's kindness in my heart, and should there be a chance in the future, I will definitely repay it."
Flushed by the praise, Lin Shanshan's cheeks reddened slightly, "Young Master Ning Zhuo, you flatter me too much; there's no need for such praise."
Seeing how excited and sincere Ning Zhuo was, her own heavy sacrifices seemed momentarily light and insignificant.
All along, within the Sect, Lin Shanshan had always been the one assisted and conceded to.
She had never helped others to this extent!
Even if she had, it would only have been minor favors for acquaintances in daily life.
The friendship with Ning Zhuo, though not of many days and still filled with many novelties, involved helping on such a grand scale, an unprecedented life experience for Lin Shanshan.
Although their time together was short, Lin Shanshan believed in Ning Zhuo's integrity and trusted that this full-hearted assistance would bring about a wonderful response.