Chapter 213: Pies Really Fall from the Sky?

Chapter 213: Chapter 213: Pies Really Fall from the Sky?

"We haven’t had any outsiders here in decades," the soot-faced elder with the surname Shi said, smacking his lips. "If you want to stay the night, it won’t be for free."

The little fox in Chu Fan’s arms cowered in fear.

"Please tell us what you require, Senior!"

"Old Miao, what do you think we should ask for?" Old Man Shi asked the other elder.

"Why do I get the feeling you shameless old men are trying to squeeze them dry?" the old woman in the triangular bandana said, shaking her head, completely exasperated.

"I say, why just one night? Since they’re here, let’s have them stay for three years. They can serve us old folks for three years, and then we’ll let them go," said Old Man Miao.

"Absolutely not. If they stay for three years, where will we get enough food? Are you trying to eat me out of house and home?" the silver-haired old woman exclaimed, shaking her head vigorously.

"One Rejuvenation Pill. How about it?" Old Man Shi offered.

"I’ve already got one foot in the grave. What use do I have for a Rejuvenation Pill? Why wouldn’t you give me one a hundred years ago?" the silver-haired woman retorted, giving him a sharp side-eye.

"You’re not thinking, old woman. This young fellow looks strong. We can have him clear a few acres of land. It’s early spring; just have him plant some grain, and that’ll solve the food problem. Besides, when I go herb gathering, I’ll have someone to order around and carry my basket," said Old Man Miao.

"You old fools! Didn’t you hear the young man say his wife is ill? They’re in a rush to find the Hundred Flowers Wanderer!" the old woman in the square bandana said.

Chu Fan realized that not only did these four elders discuss things without any regard for his presence, but they also gave him absolutely no opportunity to get a word in.

Yun Xi, however, glanced at Chu Fan with amusement, seeing his bottled-up frustration.

Through their bickering, however, Chu Fan managed to glean quite a bit of information. Old Man Shi knew Alchemy. A Rejuvenation Pill... Judging by the name, he figured it must be some Elixir that could make a person young again.

The silver-haired woman mentioned she’d asked him for one a hundred years ago and he’d refused, which meant Old Man Shi must have been famous for his Alchemy even back then.

Old Man Miao often went to gather herbs, which meant he was a Pharmacist, and possibly even a Healer.

"If Mrs. Dugu hadn’t brought it up, I would’ve completely forgotten his young wife is sick!" Old Man Miao said, lightly tapping his forehead.

"So what if she’s sick? If it’s an illness Lao Yisheng can cure, there’s no reason the four of us can’t," Old Man Shi said.

"That does make sense," Old Lady Dugu said with a nod.

"So, how about it, young man? You two stay here for three years, and we’ll cure your wife," the silver-haired woman said with a smile.

A storm was already raging in Chu Fan’s heart.

’Is this for real?’

’From the way these four are talking, are they implying their medical skills are even greater than those of the Hundred Flowers Wanderer, Lao Yisheng?’

’They mention Lao Yisheng in such a casual tone, as if the Hundred Flowers Wanderer is just some junior of theirs.’

’But why have I never heard of them?’

"Look, the young fellow is still reluctant. He doesn’t believe we can cure his wife," Old Miao said with a chuckle.

Old Lady Dugu sized up Yun Xi, then added, "You know, it’s not that simple. None of us could cure this girl’s illness alone. Even if all four of us worked together, a cure isn’t guaranteed."

"Impossible!" Old Man Miao bristled at her words.

He walked over to Yun Xi and studied her from head to toe. His brows knitted together tightly, and he smacked his lips. "This... how is this possible?" he muttered, scratching his head in frustration.

Old Lady Dugu chuckled. "See it now, don’t you? That isn’t an illness. It’s Death Qi in her Nascent Soul. If it were up to me to treat her, I’d only have one method: remove the Nascent Soul. But if we do that, this girl’s entire cultivation will be destroyed."

"Old Man Shi’s Elixirs would only treat the symptoms, not the root cause. And Mrs. Liu, I suppose your Gu Poison would be useless too, right?"

Old Man Miao said indignantly, "If the four of us can’t do it, what the hell can that brat Lao Yisheng do?"

Chu Fan’s heart sank when he heard this.

’These four really did diagnose Yun Xi’s condition. But their conclusion is what truly made my heart sink.’

’They can’t cure her, and they’re certain Lao Yisheng can’t either.’

’Does that mean Yun Xi can’t be saved?’

’No, that’s impossible. Absolutely impossible.’

’Even if they can’t save her, I still have the Great Returning Pill on the third level of the Juntian Mirror, don’t I?’

Just as Chu Fan’s heart had turned to ice, Old Man Shi’s next words rekindled a sliver of hope.

"Individually, none of us could cure her. But if we all work together... it’s not entirely hopeless. The price, however, is immense."

"Seniors, no matter the price, whatever you require, I will do everything in my power to provide it," Chu Fan said, bowing deeply.

"Each of us four would have to expend ten years of our cultivation. How are you going to compensate us for that?" Old Man Shi shot back with a glare.

"I..." Chu Fan was speechless.

’Ten years of cultivation from each of them... That really is an impossible request. We’re complete strangers; they don’t even know our names. Why would they ever help me?’

’Besides, the four of them have already achieved Returning to the True Self. Power and wealth mean nothing to them.’

Chu Fan made up his mind. ’If this doesn’t work out, I’ll stick to the original plan: go to the Celestial Dao Palace and find the Hundred Flowers Wanderer. I also need to comprehend the Spear Dao as quickly as possible. If the Hundred Flowers Wanderer truly can’t cure Yun Xi, then it will be up to me to see if I can unlock the Juntian Mirror’s third seal in the month before the half-year deadline.’

’If neither of those paths works, I’ll come back here. No matter the cost, I’ll beg these four to save Yun Xi.’

’After all, we’ve only just met. They might have diagnosed Yun Xi’s condition at a glance, but I have no idea who they are, whether they’re good or evil. I can’t be reckless.’

"Girl, take off your veil and let me have a look," the silver-haired woman said.

Trusting her, Yun Xi removed her veil, revealing her unparalleled beauty.

All four elders couldn’t help but draw a sharp breath. The wrinkles on the silver-haired woman’s face deepened as she smiled.

"Be my disciple, and I’ll teach you everything I know about acupuncture. What do you say?"

"Why should she? Why should she be your disciple? Little girl, don’t listen to her! I’ll teach you all of my Medicinal Technique," Old Man Miao said, his eyes wide.

"Shoo, shoo! I’ve laid claim to this girl. If any of you try to steal her from me, I guarantee you’ll be seeing a pile of bugs tonight," Old Lady Dugu threatened.

Old Man Shi said with a grin, "My dear girl, let me tell you. Your face is indeed a thing of beauty, but looks fade. Take a look at these two old women. In their youth, they were both stunning beauties. And look at them now! Become my disciple, and I’ll teach you Alchemy. Rejuvenation Pills, Youthful Appearance Pills... you can make them for yourself whenever you want. I guarantee you’ll stay this beautiful for the rest of your life."

"Shameless!" Old Man Miao cursed, rolling his eyes.

"That’s right. This old fool is the most shameless one here," the silver-haired woman chimed in.

Yun Xi was taken aback by their sudden, intense interest and looked to Chu Fan for help, completely at a loss.

Chu Fan was running through the events in his head. It all felt like a dream.

’Is this my protagonist’s halo?’

’A protagonist’s halo?’

’Can things really be this coincidental?’

’Or is my luck just off the charts? Am I blessed by the heavens?’

’This is ridiculous, isn’t it?’

’Or do these four have some kind of ulterior motive?’