Zi Lingling, weary, continued, "Shave the Scarlet Blood Ginseng into slices and have him hold them in his mouth. This can quickly replenish his lost blood."
"As for the Dragon Whisker Grass and Seven-Colored Lotus Heart, give them to me. I will refine them into a medicinal liquid. Once he wakes up, soaking him in the liquid can help improve the resilience of his meridians."
"Additionally, I will give you one each of the Body Quenching Pill and Marrow Cleansing Pill. He can take them after he has fully recovered. After taking them, he can quickly regain his original cultivation level, and if he's lucky, he might even break through one or two minor realms."
After saying this, Zi Lingling could barely keep her eyes open from exhaustion.
Shen Wenqing finally recovered from his shock and surprise. "Patriarch Zi, are you telling the truth? Will Meteor be able to cultivate again soon?"
Zi Lingling nodded weakly. She was clearly utterly exhausted and unwilling to speak another word.
Shen Wenqing was overjoyed. "Thank you, Patriarch Zi! I have already arranged a room for you. Please go and rest!"
As he spoke, he handed the Dragon Whisker Grass and Seven-Colored Lotus Heart to Zi Lingling.
Seeing how tired Zi Lingling was, even reluctant to move, Ye Lingyuan's heart ached.
He took the Dragon Whisker Grass and Seven-Colored Lotus Heart from Zi Lingling, temporarily storing them in his Nine Dragon Ring. Then, he scooped Zi Lingling into his arms and asked, "Where is the room?"
Although Shen Wenqing desperately wanted to check on Shen Liuxing's condition, he also knew that Zi Lingling desperately needed rest.
Therefore, he had to suppress his excitement and personally lead the way for Ye Lingyuan.
The three left Shen Liuxing's room. Suddenly, Ye Lingyuan said, "If I were you, I wouldn't allow anyone to enter here!"
Shen Wenqing froze, then understood. Ye Lingyuan was reminding him.
He thanked him gratefully and then set up a barrier outside Shen Liuxing's room before continuing to lead Ye Lingyuan.
The room Shen Wenqing had arranged for them was not far away, within Meteor Courtyard, separated from Shen Liuxing's room by a hundred-meter-square garden.
Ye Lingyuan entered the room, placed Zi Lingling on the bed, and then dismissed Shen Wenqing.
"You can go back now. Everything else can be discussed after Lin'er wakes up!"
Shen Wenqing, as the head of the Shen family, had good judgment.
"If the two of you need anything, please tell the maids outside. I will go check on Meteor and prepare some food for you both!"
After saying this, he withdrew respectfully.
Once Shen Wenqing left, Ye Lingyuan turned to Zi Lingling and said, "Lin'er, sleep now! I'll be here with you!"
Zi Lingling moaned softly and then fell into a deep sleep.
Ye Lingyuan sat by the bed, never leaving her side. He held her hand and leaned against the bedpost, dozing lightly.
His divine sense, however, covered the entire courtyard.
It wasn't that he was being overly cautious; it was simply a matter of being prepared.
Zi Lingling slept until evening.
When she opened her eyes, she met a pair of eyes as dark as an abyss.
A hint of joy flashed across Ye Lingyuan's face. "You're awake?"
Zi Lingling said a little sheepishly, "How long have I slept?"
Ye Lingyuan said calmly, "Not long. Only three hours!"
"Three hours?"
Zi Lingling jumped out of bed and continued, "How could I have slept for so long?"
Ye Lingyuan stared at her with a smile, not saying a word.
Zi Lingling rubbed her forehead. "The Heart Restoration technique indeed consumes a lot of energy. It shouldn't be used lightly. By the way, where are the Dragon Whisker Grass and the Seven-Colored Lotus Heart?"
Ye Lingyuan's mind stirred, and the Dragon Whisker Grass and Seven-Colored Lotus Heart from his Nine Dragon Ring appeared in his hands.
Zi Lingling was surprised. "You have a spatial ring too?"
Ye Lingyuan chuckled. "The Nine Dragon Ring has been with me for nearly ten years. What's so strange about that?"
Zi Lingling suddenly understood. No wonder Ye Lingyuan had seemed so calm when she mentioned her Nine Spirits Ring.
It turned out he hadn't just seen pigs run, he'd eaten pork too!
"Nine Dragon Ring? Why is the name so similar?" Zi Lingling murmured to herself.
Ye Lingyuan asked, "Similar to what?"
Elder Du said, "Nonsense, the Nine Spirits Ring and the Nine Dragon Ring are a pair!"
Zi Lingling was shocked.
Because of Elder Du's words.
She looked at Elder Du in surprise and transmitted her voice mentally, "Elder Du, why have you never mentioned this before?"
Elder Du rolled his eyes. "You never asked!"
Zi Lingling was speechless.
How could she have asked? She didn't know about this connection!
"Tell me, what's going on?"
Elder Du collected his thoughts and said, "The Nine Spirits Ring and the Nine Dragon Ring are a pair of marital rings, crafted by a powerful couple for each other, symbolizing eternal togetherness.
"The Nine Spirits Ring and the Nine Dragon Ring can be used separately or merged. When separated, they are divine artifacts, but when merged, they become super-divine artifacts. However, to merge them, both parties must be in perfect harmony and genuinely love each other."
Zi Lingling said with great interest, "That's quite interesting. It's a bit like wedding rings in our world. By the way, Elder Du, what were the names of that powerful couple?"
Elder Du shook his head. "I don't know. I only know that they are witnesses to mortal love. Only those with destiny can see them and receive their blessings of love!"
"Oh, I see!" Zi Lingling said thoughtfully.
"Lin'er?"
Ye Lingyuan called out.
His Lin'er was clearly distracted while talking to him.
Although he could sense Zi Lingling's soul fluctuations and guessed she was communicating with the soul within her, that sudden feeling of being ignored made him slightly displeased.
"Lin'er?"
Ye Lingyuan called out again, softly.
Zi Lingling still did not respond.
"Lin'er?"
Ye Lingyuan's voice carried a hint of danger.
Zi Lingling still did not respond.
If that was the case, then...
Ye Lingyuan cupped Zi Lingling's neck with one hand, and his cold lips quickly pressed against hers.
Zi Lingling, having just finished communicating with Elder Du, felt a warm breath rush towards her.
Before she could react, she felt her mouth being sealed.
"Mmph..."
Her voice was muffled. Her teeth were pried apart, and a small snake[tongue] intruded.
A tingling sensation flowed down her throat, instantly spreading throughout her body, like an electric shock.
Zi Lingling's mind went blank, but she instinctively began to respond.
In just a moment, the feeling of suffocation made her dazed.
Suddenly, a large amount of air surged into her nostrils and mouth, clearing her mind.
"Lin'er, being distracted while talking to me is a punishment!"
Ye Lingyuan suppressed his heavy breathing and gazed intensely at Zi Lingling.
Zi Lingling, still savoring the lingering sensation, was jolted back to reality by his words.
She looked at Ye Lingyuan teasingly and said, "You just said... punishment?"