Chapter 293 - 117: Age Dao Fruit, Marrying Emperor Xia, What’s a Small Loss?

Prime Minister’s Mansion, Inner Courtyard.

Jiang Lan had spent the previous night at the Desire Immortal Pavilion. The moment he returned to the courtyard, he saw a young girl standing gracefully before him.

It seemed she had been waiting there for him since early in the morning.

From a distance, her skin was as fair as ice and jade. It had a lustrous sheen under the moonlight, far paler and more delicate than that of an ordinary person, as if she were carved from ice and snow.

Up close, one could even see her almost translucent skin, so delicate it looked like it would break at a touch.

"Not bad," he commented casually.

You’Er was still dressed in a black blouse and skirt, cinched at the waist with a simple sash. The top of her bodice was cut into exquisite, petal-like shapes, accentuating her slender and delicate figure.

Her jet-black hair was so glossy it was almost reflective, falling quietly to her waist and making her look well-behaved and endearing.

Not a single scar remained on her body. Her face was fair and exquisite, her brows and eyes looked as if they were drawn in a painting, and her long, thick eyelashes fluttered like little fans.

Hearing Jiang Lan’s praise, the tips of her ears quickly turned hot and red, the change visible to the naked eye.

"Th-Thank you, Ma... Master..." She fiddled with her sleeves as she followed behind Jiang Lan.

Jiang Lan turned, reached out to ruffle her hair, and said, "The Snow Jade Skin Rejuvenating Ointment combined with the Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill worked much better than I expected."

"But that’s also thanks to your naturally delicate and beautiful features. No need to be too surprised."

You’Er’s face grew even hotter.

When she first saw her new appearance, she was so startled she almost didn’t recognize herself.

The person in the bronze mirror looked as if she had stepped straight out of a painting.

All the scars on her face had vanished, leaving it as smooth as a peeled egg.

In addition, the many hidden wounds and old injuries on her body had also mostly healed.

Her arm, which had been broken in the gladiator arena that day, was as good as new.

It was just a shame that she had waited eagerly for Jiang Lan to return yesterday, wanting him to see the changes in her, but he never came back.

She waited in the courtyard all night, but even when the rooster crowed at 5:00 AM, there was still no sign of Jiang Lan.

These past two days in the Prime Minister’s Mansion had been like a dream. Her food, clothing, and daily necessities were all of the highest quality. She had a comfortable and warm silk quilt, clean and delicious food, and she was no longer forced to fight to the death and get covered in wounds. Most importantly, she had a... Master who was very good to her.

"Do you like this kind of life?"

Jiang Lan casually pushed open the doors to his bedchamber.

You’Er’s current change in mindset was still within his expectations.

Her disposition was inherently simple and pure. She was grateful to whoever was good to her and wouldn’t harbor any ulterior motives.

"I... I like it..." You’Er said softly, following behind him.

Jiang Lan smiled. "It’s good that you like it. But I’m not keeping you by my side just to be a decorative vase."

You’Er followed him into the bedchamber. It was brilliantly lit and filled with a hazy mist from the lit Golden Lamp Incense Burner, making the room feel very warm.

At his words, she lifted her amber eyes and stammered, "W-What does Ma... Master want me to do?"

"I... I can do laundry, cook, boil water... and serve..."

When it came to serving him in bed, she became bashful and shy, trailing off without finishing the sentence. Perhaps she felt she wasn’t worthy.

"You don’t need to do these chores. I have other things for you to do for me."

"Here are a few Cultivation Techniques. I want you to learn all of them in the coming days."

"Once you’ve learned them, you can start working for me."

With a wave of his hand, Jiang Lan sent several Jade Scrolls, each enveloped in a stream of light, floating down in front of You’Er.

He had already prepared these Cultivation Techniques. They were the ones from the original story that Lin Fan had chosen to suit You’Er’s constitution and talents: Bright and Mysterious Decision, Mist and Smoke Divine Form Step, Illusory Moon Body, Void Spirit Rhinoceros Finger...

The current You’Er was a piece of uncut jade waiting to be carved. These Cultivation Techniques and Divine Techniques were perfect for allowing her to fully unleash her latent talents.

You’Er stared blankly at the Jade Scrolls for a moment before hastily taking them.

"I... I will definitely learn them as soon as possible," she said, her expression turning resolute and determined.

Back in the gladiator arena, she had never been exposed to any Cultivation Technique. Most of the time, she relied on her innate talent and skills to fight to the death with the inmates on death row.

Although the cultivation of those death-row inmates was sealed, the strength of almost all of them was still greater than hers.

If she’d had any cultivation strength, dealing with those inmates wouldn’t have been so difficult. But the gladiator arena wouldn’t waste resources like Spirit Stones on her...

So, even now, You’Er had not truly begun to cultivate. And yet, her body contained a Magical Cultivation comparable to the Third Realm, the Spirit Sea Realm.

Jiang Lan knew this, so he wasn’t worried that it might be too late for You’Er to start cultivating now.

As a member of the Ghost tribe, her greatest strength was her Void Talent.

Once her strength grew a little, she would be able to do many things for him.

For now, it was still the investment period.

After receiving the Jade Scrolls, You’Er began to pour all her focus into them, striving to learn them as quickly as possible.

Jiang Lan didn’t disturb her, letting her comprehend and study on her own.

「In the following days」, a subtle undercurrent began to stir within the Imperial Capital.

With the approach of the Southern Hunting drills, incredibly luxurious Cloud Boats and chariots arrived from all directions. They bloomed with mist and rosy clouds, bathed in Five-Colored Divine Light, and were shrouded in immortal fog—an incomparably grand spectacle.

The various Immortal Sect Lineages, eager to participate in the Southern Hunting drills, arrived with their younger generations led by numerous Elders. Everyone was rubbing their hands in anticipation, excited for the chance to make a name for themselves.