I’m Definitely Taking This Power-Fantasy Protagonist Role! Chapter 57

"Actually, I was planning to look around today to see if there are any Yu Xin Jiao that are about to bloom. With the vastness of Xin Lie Po, it's already the blooming season, so there should be others. If I mark the spots and time it right, I can be there on time next time to wait for the Yu Xin Jiao to bloom."

"Since Senior Brother Lin has agreed, why don't we look for them together?"

Lin Zhao Ren put away the jade box and, after a moment of thought, agreed, "Alright."

Looking down, he noticed Jiang Bai Yu squatting down, sniffing the already blooming Yu Xin Jiao with great enthusiasm, seemingly enchanted by the fragrance.

Jiang Bai Yu sighed inwardly, thinking to himself that this orchid, a specialty of the cultivation world, was truly stunning—delicate and beautiful, with a crystal-like quality and dreamlike flowers. Unfortunately, if picked now, it would quickly wilt. Otherwise, he would really want to take it back and put it in a vase to fill the room with its fragrance.

Just as he was lamenting, he saw a flash of spiritual light fall upon the flowers of the Yu Xin Jiao, and the surrounding spiritual energy immediately surged, like a drop of water hitting hot oil, exploding outward toward the Yu Xin Jiao.

This flower, which was said to wilt quickly once picked, was gently plucked by Lin Zhao Ren under Jiang Bai Yu's watchful gaze.

Lin Zhao Ren held the flower stem and casually handed it over, "Here, take it and play with it."

Jiang Bai Yu was taken aback, accepting the flower stem. The crystal-like orchid swayed gently, showing no signs of wilting, and he couldn't help but show a puzzled expression as he looked at Zhuang Wan.

Zhuang Wan was staring at the two of them, seemingly shocked, and after a long moment, she regained her voice, exclaiming, "Senior Brother Lin, you actually placed a seal on the Yu Xin Jiao to prevent it from wilting after it has released its fragrance!"

She glanced at Jiang Bai Yu, who was holding the Yu Xin Jiao, his face full of confusion, completely unaware of how much effort Lin Zhao Ren had put into picking the flower.

That seemingly casual seal was only possible because of Lin Zhao Ren's high skill.

For such a delicate flower like the Yu Xin Jiao, locking in its vitality instantly was something ordinary disciples couldn't achieve.

Having such a beautiful and fragrant flower in a vase in the room was a true delight.

Zhuang Wan's eyes sparkled, and she instinctively pouted, "Senior Brother Lin, I want one too!"

Lin Zhao Ren remained indifferent, "There should be more in Xin Lie Po. If you find one, you can pick it yourself."

Zhuang Wan deflated, "I can't keep it alive."

Lin Zhao Ren replied, "Then you can practice more; you'll succeed eventually."

Zhuang Wan looked at him with a forlorn expression, her eyes accusing him of being heartless, treating his adorable junior sister so coldly, refusing to fulfill even a small wish.

Seeing that Lin Zhao Ren was truly this unyielding, showing no signs of wavering, Zhuang Wan let her shoulders droop in defeat, "Senior Brother, I'm your adorable junior sister!"

Lin Zhao Ren replied, "So you should practice more. If you want to pick the Yu Xin Jiao in the future, you can do it yourself."

Zhuang Wan finally gave up, realizing that the cold-hearted Senior Brother Lin had not changed at all. He was still as unromantic as ever, showing no compassion or care for his junior sister, just as she had always known him to be.

But he had picked a flower for the new junior brother!

The junior brother had only squatted down to sniff the Yu Xin Jiao, and before he could say anything, Senior Brother Lin had already picked a flower for him to play with!

If it weren't for that, she wouldn't have had the illusion that Senior Brother Lin's personality had changed.

Oh, so Senior Brother Lin could also be gentle, but just not patient with others?

"The Yu Xin Jiao really smells so good, both fragrant and beautiful, but it's a pity there's only one." She heard the new junior brother express his regret, "Otherwise, I could put one in my room, and one in Senior Brother's room. By the way, does Master like the Yu Xin Jiao? I could give this one to Master, put it in a vase, and let Master enjoy the fragrance of the Yu Xin Jiao, which would surely lift his spirits."

"What's the big deal? We can just look for more," Senior Brother Lin said, looking at her and urging, "Let's go, stop daydreaming. Look around to see if there are any unflowered Yu Xin Jiao."

However, Zhuang Wan had already seen through his true intentions. Looking for unflowered Yu Xin Jiao was just a cover; the real goal was to find the already blooming ones!

Xin Lie Po was vast, and the Yu Xin Jiao flowers were special and beautiful, but when they weren't blooming, they looked just like ordinary weeds. The unflowered Yu Xin Jiao were quite inconspicuous, blending in with the lush grass, making them hard to spot. So, trying to stake out before the Yu Xin Jiao bloomed was no easy task, and often, by the time one found them, they had already bloomed.

Zhuang Wan was quite lucky to have found one that was already blooming. Searching for unflowered Yu Xin Jiao in such a large Xin Lie Po was quite challenging.

More importantly…

"This is Jin Yan Hua, which can clear heat and detoxify, nourishing the liver and improving eyesight."

"This is Lan Jing Cao, which has mild toxicity; touching it can cause skin numbness."

"Its rhizome can be used as medicine, called Bai Xiang Gen, a common alchemical material often used as an auxiliary ingredient to enhance the efficacy of potions."

While searching, Lin Zhao Ren would explain the surrounding medicinal herbs to the junior brother.

In the vast Xin Lie Po, there were quite a few wild medicinal herbs.

Just pulling aside a patch of grass might reveal a medicinal herb.

Zhuang Wan listened to the live teaching beside her, feeling a bit sour. It was just that she had never seen Senior Brother Lin be this patient and meticulous.

Did having the same master have such a big impact?

"Is this the Yu Xin Jiao?"

The keyword immediately struck a chord with Zhuang Wan, and she turned around sharply. Sure enough, her sharp eyes spotted a familiar cluster among the wild grass that the junior brother had just pulled aside. If he hadn't looked, she really wouldn't have noticed it.

She immediately rushed over, crouching down to take a closer look for a long while, and exclaimed in delight, "It's the Yu Xin Jiao, and there are two flower buds!"

Zhuang Wan was ecstatic, "Jiang Shidi, you did it!"

"Usually, a single Yu Xin Jiao only grows one flower bud, and it takes a year to grow another after it blooms. It's very rare to find one with two flower buds like this!"

"I'll stay here until it blooms!" Zhuang Wan decisively declared, her joy visibly radiating.

At this moment, she had completely forgotten her earlier complaints and didn't mind Senior Brother Lin's coldness anymore, her heart and eyes filled with the two flower buds of the Yu Xin Jiao.

Jiang Bai Yu was momentarily stunned, looking down at the Yu Xin Jiao, the flower buds had only just started to grow, and it was still far from blooming.

Lin Zhao Ren suddenly poured cold water on her excitement, "What about Master Nan Lin? Are you not concerned about her?"

Zhuang Wan's smile froze on her face as she glanced at the rare double-flower Yu Xin Jiao, struggling internally, gradually feeling pained.

Finally, with tears in her eyes, she said, "I'll come to check on it every day and let Senior Brother know when it's about to bloom."

Lin Zhao Ren did not respond directly but asked another question, "How is Master Nan Lin's health? Has she recovered?"

When it came to serious matters, Zhuang Wan's expression changed, and a frown appeared between her brows, "Master hasn't shown any improvement and refuses to let anyone check on her, saying it's just a minor injury. She knows her own body; she believes it will be fine after some time."

Lin Zhao Ren's brow furrowed, "Master Nan Lin is the same."

Zhuang Wan replied, "Could it be that Master Cang Feng is also like this?"

Lin Zhao Ren's face darkened, and without answering, his expression revealed the answer.

Zhuang Wan's heart sank, "Even Master Cang Feng is like this. I've heard that the other few masters also seem to be unwell and have been feeling off."

Lin Zhao Ren said, "When I left just now, I saw Master Zhangmen looking for Master. It must be something important."

Zhuang Wan asked, "Is it related to Master Dong Ling?"

Lin Zhao Ren replied lightly, "Not sure, maybe."

He continued, "The Yu Xin Jiao you wanted has been found. Just let me know when it's about to bloom. I have matters to attend to with the junior brother, so I won't keep you company."

With a swift farewell to Zhuang Wan, Lin Zhao Ren took Jiang Bai Yu and continued to wander around Xin Lie Po, searching from one side to the other.

The already blooming Yu Xin Jiao could be spotted from a hundred meters away, mainly because of its distinctive fragrance, so finding two more wouldn't be difficult.

Before long, Jiang Bai Yu was holding three Yu Xin Jiao.

On the way back, following his own suggestion, he placed one in a vase in Cui Luo Xuan, another in Lin Zhao Ren's Qiong Hua Guan, and soon the rich fragrance filled the rooms, creating a delightful atmosphere.

The third one was taken to Master, bringing the fragrance of orchids to You Ke Tai.

The headmaster, Zhong Hua, had already left, and only Master Cang Feng was in the room, staring blankly outside. A wisp of orchid fragrance wafted into his nose, and he suddenly realized that the Yu Xin Jiao from Xin Lie Po had bloomed.

The crystal-like orchid in the vase was highly ornamental and pleasing to the eye.

Jiang Bai Yu entered the room with the vase, meeting Master Cang Feng's gaze, and slightly bowed his head, "Master."

Upon seeing the Yu Xin Jiao, Master immediately recognized the seal's handiwork and smiled, "Zhao Er, Yu Er, you are thoughtful. The Yu Xin Jiao is beautiful; I really like it." He pointed to a spot, "Just place it here."

"Yes, Master."

Jiang Bai Yu looked at Master, hesitating, wanting to know what Master Dong Ling was deducing, but he couldn't bring himself to ask.

He was afraid it was bad news.

If the "disaster star" was something Master Dong Ling had deduced, it would be such terrible news.

Master said, "Still worried?"

Jiang Bai Yu nodded.

Master's eyes were soft, and he comforted him gently, "Your Master Dong Ling is capable and a good person; there's no need to worry."

"Protecting her from backlash is a price we willingly bear. Because we peered into the heavenly secrets, we have fallen ill for many days. After some time, it will naturally get better."

"You and Zhao Er are still young; some things are not for you to know right now. When you grow older and become the pillars of the sect, you will naturally come into contact with them. Knowing now will only add to your worries, disturb your cultivation, and affect your mindset."

"Yu Er," Master paused, "You and Zhao Er must take care of yourselves."

Jiang Bai Yu was stunned, feeling confused, "Master?"

Master gently coughed and waved his hand, "You may leave now."

Jiang Bai Yu placed the vase down and bowed, "Yes, Master."

As he walked out of You Ke Tai, Jiang Bai Yu was still pondering Master's last words, feeling that there was more to it.

Stepping into Qiong Hua Guan, a strange fragrance wafted towards him, and Jiang Bai Yu perked up, quickly walking over.

The spiritual food made with the Yu Xin Jiao looked rather plain at first glance. Lin Zhao Ren served a bowl in front of Jiang Bai Yu, with three petals floating in the clear broth.

"Come and taste it, see how it turned out."

Jiang Bai Yu beamed, "Thank you, Senior Brother! You're so nice!"

Lin Zhao Ren raised his chin modestly, "I was just afraid it wouldn't taste good, so I let you try it first."