Ling family, Ling Luoyi and Ling Luofu were on their way to the Elder's courtyard.
"Master, you're still going with this plan. Spreading rumors without confirmation, relying entirely on their speculation," Guan Yue sighed.
"Rather than me exhausting myself trying to persuade them, it's better to create an 'enemy' for the Ling family. I don't believe that even with all this, the Ling family will remain in their current decadent state. As for those speculations, let them guess. Imagination can sometimes have surprisingly effective results."
"But Master, aren't you afraid that such a crisis might crush the Ling family? What if they give up entirely because of it?"
"If that were the case, the Ling family wouldn't be worth my time. I'd just destroy them and return to the Sacred Domain."
Guan Yue let out a long "Oh," and said, "So, Master, what you're doing is to test them."
"Not entirely. The Ling family has a certain fierceness in their blood, it's just dormant now. I want to try and awaken it."
"Like waking up a sleeping beast?"
"Yes. And there's a reason I'm not confirming those rumors."
"What is it?"
"We have to leave a sliver of hope for the Ling family's enemies. Otherwise, cornered, they might lash out, and I can't intervene right now. The Ling family would be finished."
"Master, you're truly cunning," Guan Yue exclaimed.
"What?"
Guan Yue's fur instantly bristled. Danger!
"Master, I mean, you're truly smart and resourceful."
"Guan Yue, you're out of snacks for next month."
With that, she severed the divine sense connection with Guan Yue, leaving Guan Yue to wail and beg for forgiveness in the space.
Before they knew it, they had arrived at the Fifth Elder's courtyard.
As they walked in, they saw the Fifth and Sixth Elders playing chess, with the Ninth Elder brewing tea nearby.
"Greetings, Fifth Elder, Sixth Elder, Ninth Elder."
The two bowed in a junior's manner.
"Eldest Miss and Third Miss have arrived, please sit," the Fifth Elder said with a smile.
They sat down, and Ling Luoyi said, "Elders, I don't need to state the reason for my visit, do I?"
"No need. When the Third Young Master came yesterday, we old men guessed it. So, Eldest Miss, you may begin."
"Alright."
Ling Luoyi was not polite. She lifted the trouser legs of the Fifth and Sixth Elders and examined them closely.
The reason for the Fifth and Sixth Elders' disabilities was different from Ling Jin's. Ling Jin's leg bone was merely broken and had not been properly treated over the years, whereas theirs had been severed just below the knee.
"The injuries of both elders are the same, so the healing method will also be the same. However..." Ling Luoyi said after her examination.
"However what, Eldest Miss? Please speak plainly. We are mentally prepared," the Sixth Elder said.
"Both elders' legs were severed just below the knee. After so many years, the wounds have lost all vitality. Therefore, to completely heal them, it will be necessary to make an incision three fingers below the wound. Combined with my elixirs, it should be curable within seven days."
The three elders looked at Ling Luoyi in shock, wondering if they had misheard. Such an injury could be healed.
"So, whether to proceed with the treatment is entirely up to the two elders."
"Eldest Miss, can it truly be healed?" the Ninth Elder asked, concerned.
"It will be better than the current situation, at least."
"Heal it! I'll do it!"
After the Fifth Elder spoke, he gathered his spiritual energy and slashed at his own leg.
Instantly, blood gushed out. The Fifth Elder gritted his teeth in pain, not making a sound.
Given his proud nature, the Fifth Elder would never allow himself to cry out in front of juniors.
"Fifth Brother!" the Sixth and Ninth Elders exclaimed, surprised by his swift action.
Ling Luoyi was momentarily stunned, then quickly stopped the Fifth Elder's bleeding.
After applying the powder, the Fifth Elder's leg stopped bleeding.
"Fifth Elder, you were too hasty. I hadn't finished speaking before you acted," Ling Luoyi couldn't help but say.
The corner of the Fifth Elder's mouth twitched.
Ling Luoyi took out a medicine bottle and said, "Fifth Elder, this is the elixir. After taking it, dissolve it in your body with spiritual energy to enhance the absorption of the medicinal effects."
The Fifth Elder took the bottle and said gruffly, "Finish what you were saying."
Ling Luoyi smiled and said, "However, as you absorb the elixir, your leg will experience intense pain. Therefore, you must take this elixir along with it."
Saying that, she produced another bottle of elixir.
The Fifth Elder took them, poured out one pill from each, and looking at the quality of the pills, asked, "What grade are these elixirs?"
"Third grade. Although they are third grade, their effects are comparable to fourth grade. They are the most suitable elixirs for you at this time."
"I won't be polite, since you have quite a lot anyway."
Ling Luoyi smiled, "Fifth Elder, these were specifically prepared for you, so of course, you can be unreserved."
The Fifth Elder snorted proudly and unhesitatingly swallowed the pills in his hand, dissolving them with spiritual energy. In a short while, his face contorted in pain, and he bit his lip tightly, not allowing himself to make a sound.
Seeing that the Fifth Elder had already begun, Ling Luoyi took out a porcelain bottle identical to the Fifth Elder's and said, "Sixth Elder, this is yours. The method is the same."
The Sixth Elder took it, unhesitatingly severed his own leg, poured out the elixir, swallowed it, and began circulating his spiritual energy.
Watching the two elders circulate their energy to absorb the medicinal effects, Ling Luoyi said to the Ninth Elder, "Ninth Elder, your foundation has been destroyed, and I cannot help you."
The Ninth Elder felt a pang of disappointment, but he also knew that a destroyed foundation was irreparable.
Ling Luofu looked on and asked, "Eldest Sister, is there truly no way?"
The Ninth Elder smiled and advised, "Third Miss, don't trouble Eldest Miss..."
Before the Ninth Elder could finish, Ling Luoyi interrupted, "Ninth Elder, repairing your foundation is impossible. Therefore, if you wish to continue cultivating, there is only one way."
"To cultivate anew," the Ninth Elder said faintly.
"Yes, that is the only way."
Ling Luoyi produced a cultivation technique and said, "This is the 'Savage Desolation Art.' It was created a thousand years ago by a Venerable One whose foundation was also destroyed. He created it out of unwillingness, and only those with a destroyed foundation can cultivate it."
Seeing that the Ninth Elder did not take it, Ling Luoyi said, "I know what you are worried about, Ninth Elder."
The Ninth Elder looked at Ling Luoyi, who continued, "Ninth Elder, rest assured, the Ling family now has ample time. Moreover, the Ling family needs strong individuals."
The Ninth Elder took the technique and suddenly asked, "Eldest Miss, where did you obtain these items?"
Ling Luoyi smiled enchantingly and said, "Ninth Elder will know in the future."
The Ninth Elder knew she didn't want to say, so he didn't press further.
Since he would know in the future, there was no need to rush now.
Seeing the Fifth Elder reaching his limit, Ling Luoyi said, "Ninth Elder, Fu'er and I need to go elsewhere, so we will take our leave now."
The Ninth Elder also saw the Fifth Elder's state and nodded.
The sisters bowed and withdrew.
*
The Imperial Palace, Qianji Hall.
The Crown Prince and the Eldest Princess had already informed the Emperor about the Ling family's visit today.
The Emperor looked at the medicine bottles on the table for a long time and said, "Did Eldest Miss Ling say anything else?"
"Reporting to Father Emperor, no," the Crown Prince and Eldest Princess replied respectfully.
"Very well. Take these elixirs back. Since Eldest Miss Ling gave them to you, you should keep them."
The Crown Prince and Eldest Princess exchanged a look and replied, "Yes."
The two withdrew.
"Third Brother, it seems Father Emperor has decided to forge a good relationship with the Ling family."
"Wan'er, the abilities Eldest Miss Ling has currently displayed are sufficient for us to build a good relationship with them."
"Third Brother, I know. It's just, Third Brother, haven't you noticed? The spiritual energy within the Ling Manor."
"I have noticed. There should be a spirit gathering formation within the Ling Manor."
"But Third Brother, you didn't tell Father Emperor."
"This is just our speculation. We'll report it to Father Emperor once it's confirmed. By the way, Wan'er, remember to tell your sisters not to antagonize the Ling family, especially Sixth Sister, who has always been fond of the Third Young Master of the Yuan family."
"I understand."