"What difficulty is there in that?"
Feng Tongtong smiled and passed, her beautiful eyes sweeping over with a hint of leisure. She leaned close to Bai Qianqian's ear and whispered a few instructions.
The simple words instantly made Bai Qianqian's eyes light up. She couldn't help but glance at the woman beside her, "As expected of the third young lady of the Feng family, truly intelligent."
Feng Tongtong didn't say much more. A smile played beneath her veil, and her eyes fixed fiercely on that slender, white figure.
Today, she was supposed to come with the First Prince. Unfortunately, the First Prince was severely injured and needed to recuperate, unable to leave the manor.
If it weren't for Feng Ninghe, how could she have ended up in such a predicament? This wretched woman must die!
Before she had walked a few steps, Feng Ninghe paused and turned to look behind her.
"Miss Feng, what is it?"
Bai Niannian also stopped, looking at the woman beside her with mild curiosity.
Just moments ago, Feng Ninghe had sensed someone staring at her. She had turned her head but saw nothing.
Facing the question, she frankly shook her head and denied, "It's nothing, perhaps just a feeling."
Bai Niannian didn't think much of it. She blinked her large eyes and looked at Feng Ninghe, "Miss Feng, are you really not considering taking on disciples?"
Looking at the expectant face before her, Feng Ninghe said with a hint of helplessness, "You know I am Immortal Xu's disciple. If you wish to learn skills, you should find Immortal Xu."
She didn't mind pushing all the trouble onto Old Man Xu.
"But I'd rather be your disciple. Immortal Xu is not young. He's not as carefree and unrestrained as you are. Such matters shouldn't bother the old man."
Bai Niannian spoke her mind directly.
When she saw Feng Ninghe reprimanding Bai Qianqian with such fearless freedom, a seed of admiration was planted in her heart.
As a daughter of a noble family, her every word and action had to be cautious. She also wished to be this unrestrained.
These words made Feng Ninghe slightly surprised, "Why do you wish to be my disciple?"
In the eyes of the world, she was Immortal Xu's disciple. Even if one were to take a disciple, it would be Immortal Xu.
A disciple was, after all, just a disciple, not comparable to a master.
Bai Niannian's persistence in wanting to be her disciple was truly unexpected.
Facing the question, Bai Niannian's eyes seemed to gleam with a faint light, filled with expectation, "Naturally, because you are powerful!"
"Miss."
At this moment, a maid hurried over, interrupting their conversation, "Master asks you to help entertain the guests."
The number of people attending the banquet was considerable, so it was normal to be overwhelmed.
Bai Niannian's features contorted. She had no choice but to turn her gaze to Feng Ninghe, "Miss Feng, I have matters to attend to and cannot stay longer. I shall take my leave now."
Before leaving, Bai Niannian leaned closer with her large eyes, her gaze filled with straightforwardness, "If you decide to take on disciples, consider me first. I am obedient and will never disappoint you."
Feng Ninghe couldn't help but smile lightly and readily agreed, "Alright, if I take on disciples, you will be the first I consider."
But she had no intention of taking on disciples.
She would leave the Li Kingdom sooner or later. This was not the time to take on disciples.
Watching Bai Niannian's departing figure, Xiao Zhao's eyes, as bright as glazed porcelain, held a hint of emotion.
"Master, this Miss Bai is truly persistent. But she has good judgment to want to be your disciple. Why not consider her?"
The world only sought to curry favor with Old Man Xu, unaware that the true master of the Medicine Valley was Feng Ninghe.
Bai Niannian was unaware of this, yet she was so determined to become a disciple.
Feng Ninghe shook her head, rejecting the idea. A layer of frost formed in her eyes, and her clear female voice slowly stated, "Xiao Zhao, only you know how difficult my journey has been. My enemies are countless. Taking on a disciple would only bring trouble to that girl."
Before her true enemies were dealt with, how could she afford to relax?
Xiao Zhao's large eyes instantly filled with heartache, and it drooped its head in dejection, remaining silent.
It had followed its master for a hundred years and had witnessed firsthand how its master was betrayed by those she trusted.
The grievances within the Li Kingdom were not yet settled, let alone the enemies far away in the Lin Kingdom.
Feng Ninghe's path ahead was still long.
After a moment, Xiao Zhao's fighting spirit reignited.
It opened its azure eyes, puffed out its round body, and moved its lips with determination.
"Master, don't worry. Xiao Zhao will definitely grow stronger. One day, we will fight side by side, and Xiao Zhao will protect you then!"
As an ancient Qilin, as long as it had enough time to grow, its strength would not be inferior.
At this moment, Xiao Zhao's eyes were filled with resolve, and its small fists were clenched tightly.
Every time it saw its master suffer, it wished it could take her place, that it would be the one suffering...
Seeing Xiao Zhao's small face filled with determination, Feng Ninghe's heart warmed involuntarily. She reached out and gently stroked Xiao Zhao's incredibly soft fur, "Alright, then I will wait for you to protect me."
Spiritual beasts and their hosts were meant to grow together and help each other.
If she became stronger, Xiao Zhao would also become stronger.
"And me!"
A ginseng sprout burst forth and hopped beside Xiao Zhao, its two tender leaves tucked at its waist. It opened its large mouth and eagerly exclaimed, "How can a battle be without me? I can heal your injuries!"
Before Feng Ninghe could speak, a disciple of the Bai family walked rapidly towards her, "Miss Feng, Madam says that in gratitude for your healing of Master, she requests you to go to the backyard. She wishes to gift you something."
The ginseng sprout, fearing its identity would be discovered, quickly retreated into Feng Ninghe's dantian.
After all, it was the ginseng sprout that was known to heal all things as long as there was a breath of life.
If its existence were discovered by the world, it would undoubtedly stir up another storm.
"What does Madam Bai wish to give me?"
Feng Ninghe raised her delicate eyebrows, slightly surprised.
Hadn't she already received a thank-you gift? Madam Bai was being so courteous as to offer another?
The Bai family disciple shook her head, "Madam did not elaborate. She only said that you would know when you arrived. Please follow me, Miss."
Feng Ninghe was puzzled but said no more, following the Bai family disciple.
The two moved forward rapidly.
As they walked, Feng Ninghe stopped, looking cautiously at the Bai family disciple leading the way, "Miss, are you sure Madam Bai is looking for me?"
This place was not far from the banquet in the front courtyard. The surroundings were deserted, and beside them was a bottomless spiritual pool.
The Bai family disciple lowered her head, concealing the sly glint that flashed in her eyes. She turned around to face Feng Ninghe and then let her gaze fall on the spiritual pool beside them.
"Miss Feng, why are you pushing me!"
The Bai family disciple was filled with panic. Without explanation, she grabbed Feng Ninghe's sleeve, attempting to pull her into the pond as well.
The sudden turn of events successfully made Feng Ninghe raise her delicate eyebrows. She took a step back, and the Bai family disciple, holding onto the corner of her sleeve, fell into the spiritual pool.
Xiao Zhao rubbed its large eyes and exclaimed in surprise, staring at the struggling Bai family disciple in the spiritual pool.
"Master, why did this Bai family disciple jump into the spiritual pool herself? Has she gone mad?"
"I can tell this spiritual pool is no ordinary one. Although the spiritual energy within the pool water is abundant, if one's cultivation is shallow and their state of mind is insufficient, falling into this pool will instead injure them with the cold energy from the water."