Chapter 126 - 125: Spring and Autumn Insect

SWISH!

Lin Qinghan’s delicate foot suddenly slipped. Her graceful, sprite-like figure, which had been dancing lightly, instantly lost its balance.

The young woman’s other slender, fair leg kicked up more than ninety degrees. Her light blue skirt fluttered up, creating an enchanting and beautiful sight.

A scene like this.

For any red-blooded young man, what a breathtaking sight it was.

Luo Tian was no exception. A look of appreciation, bordering on fascination, appeared on his face.

He saw that Lin Qinghan was falling toward him, her face filled with delicate, helpless surprise.

"Careful!"

After his brief moment of fascination, Luo Tian’s expression shifted to one of being "caught off guard."

THUD!

With a soft cry, Lin Qinghan fell to the ground. A few strands of her dark hair scattered across her flushed face. Her skirt had ridden up, flawlessly revealing her long, snow-white, perfectly straight leg.

The awkward part was...

Lin Qinghan had fallen less than half a meter away from him.

Of course, Luo Tian had done it on purpose!

’She’s on the grass, so she won’t get hurt anyway.’

He didn’t particularly like Lin Qinghan, but he didn’t dislike her either.

Before she had confirmed his identity, she had been rather cold and disappointed, showing none of the sweetness and initiative she was displaying now.

It was only natural that Luo Tian was somewhat moved by her fresh, lovely appearance.

But in terms of looks and temperament, Lin Qinghan was a notch below Princess Yunxiu and fell even shorter when compared to Ning Xueyao.

One could imagine that if Luo Tian were just a mediocre student, Lin Qinghan would probably have abandoned him at a moment’s notice.

In contrast, during the three years when Luo Tian was at his lowest and most desolate, Ning Xueyao had accompanied him and cared for him with meticulous attention.

Just as he had truly begun to grow, the beautiful woman vanished without a trace.

"Ah..."

Lin Qinghan’s brow furrowed in pain as she clutched her ankle with a delicate hand.

Luo Tian froze. ’Did her first plan fail, so now she’s trying another?’

"Senior Brother Luo, I sprained my ankle."

Lin Qinghan’s bright eyes turned red and misty, revealing a trace of aggrieved helplessness.

Just now, she had indeed stepped on a slippery patch of grass and lost her balance.

With Lin Qinghan’s Cultivation in Body Technique, she could have steadied herself, but seeing the man she admired right in front of her, she gave in to a girlish whim.

She figured that as long as Luo Tian was a normal man, he would have instinctively reached out to steady her.

But what was both funny and exasperating was that Luo Tian had been so captivated by the beautiful sight of her leg and fluttering skirt that he forgot to catch her.

Lin Qinghan was confident in her own beauty; it never occurred to her that Luo Tian had done it on purpose.

"Sprained?"

Luo Tian was a bit suspicious at first.

But a sweep of his Spiritual Sense confirmed it—she really had sprained it!

The pained and aggrieved look on Lin Qinghan’s face wasn’t fake. It seemed her act had become real.

Luo Tian felt a strange sense of frustration.

In terms of seniority, Lin Qinghan was practically his junior sister, so he couldn’t just ignore her now.

"Let me see."

Luo Tian sighed inwardly and crouched down.

"Mm."

A sweet expression appeared on Lin Qinghan’s face as her tender, snow-white leg, beneath her skirt, was displayed up close before his eyes.

Luo Tian reached out, removed Lin Qinghan’s shoe and sock, and held her exquisite, snow-white foot. It felt cool, soft, and smooth to the touch.

Around her ankle, there was indeed a faint, reddish-purple bruise.

’Celestial Book.’

Luo Tian’s consciousness entered the Creation Celestial Book. In a brief moment, he used Inference to derive a Tuina Technique for circulating qi and blood.

This kind of Magic Technique was relatively low-level, and its cost was negligible.

However, in Lin Qinghan’s eyes, Luo Tian was just staring blankly at her leg and foot, filling her with a mixture of shame and anger.

「In that instant.」

Her pretty face became as vibrant as a dew-kissed flower, and her breath was as fragrant as an orchid.

Having obtained the Tuina Technique, Luo Tian’s eyes lit up. He then noticed the girlish, orchid-like fragrance wafting from her.

"I’ll perform some Tuina for you."

Luo Tian circulated a trace of True Qi and began to gently knead, press, and push on the young woman’s small, jade-like foot. The sensation was surprisingly wonderful.

During this process, Lin Qinghan’s eyes grew misty and moist. She let out a series of soft moans, as if she were about to cry from the pain.

"Does it hurt a lot?"

Luo Tian looked at her. ’The Tuina Technique I got from the Celestial Book can’t be that bad, can it?’

"No... it’s not..."

Lin Qinghan was overwhelmed with shyness, finding it hard to speak.

It wasn’t very painful. On the contrary, it was... far too pleasurable.

「A moment later.」

Luo Tian finished the Tuina. The reddish-purple bruise on Lin Qinghan’s ankle had miraculously disappeared, and her skin was once again like jade.

"That’s amazing! Senior Brother Luo, you’re an expert in medicine?"

Lin Qinghan’s face was flushed, her eyes sparkling like little stars as she gazed at Luo Tian with growing adoration.

"I’ve dabbled a little."

Luo Tian nodded slightly and stood up.

Lin Qinghan was still lying on the grass, cheeks flushed. She had hoped Luo Tian would help her put on her shoe and sock and then help her up.

Unfortunately, Luo Tian was clueless when it came to romance. A little disappointed, she put her sock and shoe back on and got up.

"Senior Brother Luo, could you give me some more pointers on my Swordsmanship?"

Lin Qinghan’s eyes were full of expectation.

Luo Tian instantly felt a headache coming on. Giving her pointers on her Body Technique had already caused this much drama. If they practiced swords, who knew what other trouble she would stir up.

「Just then.」

A servant from the pharmacy hurried over.

"Young Master Luo, a Royal Guard is waiting for you at the Outer Sect gate. He says the Eldest Princess has invited you."

The servant said urgently.

"The Eldest Princess? I’ll go right away!"

Luo Tian was overjoyed and immediately bid farewell to Lin Qinghan.

"Brother Luo, come visit the pharmacy again when you’re free. Qinghan has many questions to ask you."

Lin Qinghan smiled sweetly, revealing her dimples, the blush on her face not yet faded.

Her pure yet alluring charm left the servant beside them staring blankly.

"Alright."

Luo Tian immediately flashed away.

’The Eldest Princess? I think she’s an unmarried princess. Could she have designs on Brother Luo...?’

Lin Qinghan’s fine brows furrowed slightly, revealing a young woman’s sensitivity and suspicion.

Unconsciously, her way of addressing Luo Tian had changed to "Brother Luo."

...

Outside the pharmacy, Luo Tian had just stepped out.

"Master Luo, the Eldest Princess invites you to be a guest at her mansion."

A young Guard in his thirties said respectfully.

"Mm."

Luo Tian nodded. His gaze swept over the man. ’Not bad, a Royal Guard at the Ninth Layer of Meridian Opening.’

Looking further out...

A luxurious Golden Phoenix Carriage, pulled by two One-star Top Level, blackish-green great oxen, was parked outside the pharmacy, attracting a crowd of onlookers.

"It’s the carriage from the Eldest Princess’s Mansion!"

In front of Dongchuan Pharmacy, Brother Lin Dong, his father, and his brother were all startled but didn’t dare approach.

Led by the Royal Guard...

Luo Tian arrived in front of the carriage, and a delicate hand lifted the curtain.

"Eldest Prin— Miss Li?"

Luo Tian looked surprised to see a dignified and icily beautiful woman in courtly attire.

It was none other than the Eldest Princess, Li Manqing.

Luo Tian hadn’t expected the Eldest Princess to come and invite him personally.

"Get in."

The Eldest Princess smiled and beckoned Luo Tian to enter.

「Afterward.」

The Golden Phoenix Carriage departed, moving quickly yet smoothly, kicking up a cloud of dust and leaving a crowd of stunned onlookers in its wake.

「One hour later.」

The carriage arrived at the Princess’s Mansion.

Luo Tian felt as if he had entered a royal garden. The various landscapes and buildings all exuded nobility and elegance.

Inside a pavilion fragrant with the scent of osmanthus...

The Eldest Princess personally brewed tea for Luo Tian as they began to talk.

Luo Tian first expressed his gratitude.

Without the Eldest Princess, he could not have passed the two trials of facing Duke Dingyuan and the Law Enforcement Elder so easily, let alone strike back hard at his enemies.

"This is the respect a Master deserves."

A smile bloomed on the Eldest Princess’s icy, beautiful face, and her eyes showed genuine respect.

「Before long.」

Luo Tian got to the point. "Miss Li, is there something you need my help with for this invitation?"

Back when they parted ways after the Beast Tide, Luo Tian had sensed that this Eldest Princess still needed his help with something.

This was the perfect opportunity.

Luo Tian wanted to repay the favor.

"There is indeed a matter that requires Master Luo to take a look."

The Eldest Princess’s expression turned serious.

"In a few days, a rather high-end auction will be held in the Azure Cloud Kingdom Capital, organized by the ’Ziwei Commerce Association’ behind the Martial City."

’An auction?’

Luo Tian’s interest was piqued. He happened to be looking to sell the Jade Spirit Pills he had.

"At this auction, there will be several mysterious items. Among them is a peculiar medicinal ingredient called the ’Spring and Autumn Insect,’ which can restore one’s youth and grant them the vigorous energy of a young person."

The Eldest Princess paused.

’The Spring and Autumn Insect?’

’It can restore one’s youth?’

Luo Tian was amazed. ’To think such a wondrous item exists in the world.’

"Doesn’t that mean it can make someone immortal?"

Luo Tian asked.

"No, this insect doesn’t extend one’s lifespan. It only allows a person to return to their youthful state for a period of time, and it comes at a great cost," the Eldest Princess explained.

"The key is, the auctioneers do not guarantee the authenticity of this ’Spring and Autumn Insect.’ It looks extremely similar to a type of cordyceps, and distinguishing it requires profound medical knowledge."

"Alright, I’ll handle this."

Luo Tian agreed.

The Eldest Princess was a little surprised. She hadn’t expected Luo Tian to agree so decisively; she was originally planning to ask for his master’s help.

"Miss Li, rest assured. If it’s just a matter of authentication, I’m ninety percent confident."

Luo Tian said with a smile.

"That would be for the best."

The Eldest Princess was inclined to believe Luo Tian’s words.

After he agreed to help, the Eldest Princess tapped lightly on the table.

「Soon.」

A pretty maidservant brought over a Jade Box.

"This is a reward for you from the Monarch."

the Eldest Princess said with a smile.

Luo Tian took the Jade Box and, with a nod from the princess, opened it.

Hmm?

Inside the Jade Box lay a Deep Silver Ring, emanating a peculiar aura.

"Is this? A Spatial Storage Item?"

Luo Tian was a little surprised.

"That’s right. Infuse your True Qi into it and see," the Eldest Princess said with a smile.

Luo Tian infused his True Qi into the Deep Silver Ring and felt the special spatial Inscriptions within it.

「The next moment.」

Luo Tian sensed a space the size of a wardrobe. Inside was a pile of Spiritual Essence Coins and a waist token.

There were over a thousand Spiritual Essence Coins in the pile.

As for the waist token, it represented the bestowed title of Viscount.

In the Azure Cloud Kingdom, a Viscount was a title second only to a Prince, ranking among the nobility and enjoying various privileges.

"You’re too kind, Miss Li."

Luo Tian expressed his thanks.

The enfeoffment changed Luo Tian’s status from that of a commoner.

The Space Ring and the Spiritual Essence Coins were both things Luo Tian desperately needed.

Especially the Space Ring. He could store all sorts of miscellaneous items in it and would no longer have to carry a bundle on his back.

"Miss Li, with all this, I am now even more in your debt."

Luo Tian felt a little helpless. He had intended to repay his debt to Li Manqing, but instead, he was the one who had benefited greatly.

"If you’re willing, I also have two Ancient Scrolls preserved by the Royal Family. Many learned scholars have been unable to do anything with them."

The Eldest Princess said with a change of tone and a smile.

She spread her hand, and two Ancient Scrolls appeared out of thin air.

Luo Tian took them and saw that the writing on them was extremely ancient, with some parts blurred and illegible.

The Eldest Princess didn’t have high hopes; no one had been able to decipher these two Ancient Scrolls for several hundred years.

’Inference.’

Luo Tian’s consciousness swiftly entered the Celestial Book.

「Soon.」

The first Ancient Scroll was deciphered. It was a Pill Formula for preserving one’s youthful beauty.

The second Ancient Scroll.

Only a portion of its contents could be inferred; the Celestial Book Power was insufficient.

However...

The part that had been deciphered sent a jolt through Luo Tian’s heart, filling him with pleasant surprise.