Though Zi Linling always appeared indifferent, she was most afraid of owing favors.
While she didn't know why Ye Liuxing acted this way, it didn't diminish the gratitude she felt.
Ji Ran's face showed impatience. He sneered, "Let you see? What's the point? If you have nothing else, don't hinder me from taking him for treatment!"
"If you plan to take him to Medicine King Valley, there's no need!"
Ye Lingyuan's clear, cold voice rang out at the opportune moment.
"What does the King of Underworld mean by this?"
Ji Ran's voice held a trace of coldness.
He didn't want to provoke Ye Lingyuan, but if Ye Lingyuan continued to obstruct him and delay the crucial time for treating Ye Liuxing, then he wouldn't be afraid of incurring the wrath of a powerful enemy.
"What do I mean?"
Ye Lingyuan slowly raised his dark eyes and said, "It's useless to go, because... the Young Valley Master of Medicine King Valley is right here."
The old Valley Master of Medicine King Valley, Situ Jinglei, paid no mind to the affairs of the valley; all matters were handled by the Young Valley Master, Situ Yunfeng.
As Ye Lingyuan spoke, he gestured towards Situ Yunfeng standing beside them.
Ji Ran followed his gaze and his eyes fell on Situ Yunfeng. "He is the Young Valley Master of Medicine King Valley, Situ Yunfeng?"
Ye Lingyuan casually fiddled with the jade thumb ring on his finger and stated with certainty, "Genuine, no doubt about it!"
Ji Ran was stunned. What kind of luck was he having today? Not only had he offended the renowned Heavenly Origin King of Underworld, but he had also offended the Young Valley Master of Medicine King Valley?
At his level, how could he not know the great name of Situ Jinglei? He was the only alchemist in the Four Great Empires, someone everyone revered like an ancestor.
And here he was, having directly offended Situ Jinglei's only son, which was tantamount to deeply offending Situ Jinglei to the point of no return.
Who didn't know that Situ Jinglei doted on his only son?
What was even more terrifying was that this Situ Yunfeng was also an exceptionally gifted individual. At only seventeen years old, his cultivation had already reached the mid-stage of the Yuan Condensing realm.
What was rare was that his medical skills had also reached the pinnacle. It was rumored that he had already begun to dabble in alchemy and had entered the introductory stage. This meant that in no time, the Four Great Empires would have another alchemist.
"Are you truly the Young Master Situ?"
Although Ye Lingyuan's words, coupled with his flamboyant red attire, were enough to indicate Situ Yunfeng's identity, Ji Ran still couldn't help but ask.
Situ Yunfeng performed his signature gesture.
He brushed aside a strand of long hair that fell over his forehead, took two steps forward, and said plaintively to Ye Lingyuan, "Ah Yuan, this is where you went wrong. How could you casually reveal this young master's identity!"
Ye Lingyuan shot him a glare and said coldly, "Speak human language!"
Situ Yunfeng shivered and took a step back, then turned to Ji Ran and said, "This young master is indeed the dashing, handsome, flower-attracting, and universally adored Young Valley Master of Medicine King Valley, Situ Yunfeng."
Ji Ran was stunned again. He wondered if this was truly the Young Valley Master of Medicine King Valley? He seemed like a buffoon. It was said that meeting someone was better than hearing their reputation, but this was the opposite.
However, a gentle smile appeared on his face as he said, "Young Master Situ is indeed young and promising! I am Ji Ran, an honored elder of the Ye family. You can call me Old Ji."
"Hmm."
Situ Yunfeng smiled and walked to Zi Linling's side, saying, "That Old Ji, this is Little Lingling, and she is also the wife of the Young Valley Master of Medicine King Valley."
Though he appeared unrestrained, he was perceptive and could clearly see that Ji Ran looked down on Zi Linling.
Therefore, he wanted to give Zi Linling a title, so that Ji Ran would no longer dare to belittle her.
But he hadn't expected that after he said this, all three people present changed their expressions.
Ye Lingyuan's face was extremely grim. He thought, "Situ, you've grown bold! I just said she was my woman, yet you dare claim she is the wife of the Young Valley Master of Medicine King Valley."
Ji Ran wore a bewildered expression.
What was going on? Didn't the King of Underworld say this woman was his woman? How could Situ Yunfeng claim she was the wife of the Young Valley Master of Medicine King Valley?
He gave Situ Yunfeng a strange look, then an astonished look at Ye Lingyuan, and finally his gaze fell on Zi Linling, revealing a hint of inquiry.
Who exactly was this woman? She could actually provoke two peerless geniuses to fight over her?
Ji Ran was not like that foolish Situ Yunfeng who thought Ye Lingyuan was joking. Therefore, in his opinion, the two of them were indeed vying for her affection.
However, if he knew that his own young master was also in this competition for affection, who knew what he would think?
Though Zi Linling knew Situ Yunfeng was trying to elevate her status, she couldn't help but exude a chilling aura. "Situ Yunfeng, if you dare to speak nonsense again, I'll rip out your tongue!"
What she didn't know was that her reaction greatly pleased Ye Lingyuan. Ye Lingyuan's originally gloomy face immediately cleared up.
Situ Yunfeng said aggrievedly, "Little Lingling, the betrothal gifts are already on their way. Are you still going to renege?"
Zi Linling almost spat out a mouthful of blood. "What betrothal gifts? Situ Yunfeng, you explain yourself clearly to me!"
Situ Yunfeng glanced at her weakly and whispered, "That's what I told the old man, otherwise, why would he be willing to part with two Soul Nurturing Grasses?"
"Situ Yunfeng, you..."
"Cough cough... cough cough..."
Just as Zi Linling was about to question Situ Yunfeng again, a series of coughs came from Ji Ran's embrace.
All four looked towards Ji Ran's arms and saw Ye Liuxing struggling to get up.
As he struggled, he called out, "Sister Zi, cough cough... you've touched all over Liu Xing's body. Cough cough... you must be responsible for Liu Xing!"
This sentence caused the entire scene to fall silent.
Ji Ran was dumbfounded. What was this situation? What did he mean by "touched all over Liu Xing's body"?
A wave of cold air emanated from Ye Lingyuan, as if he wanted to tear Ye Liuxing apart.
Zi Linling looked utterly bewildered. "Young Master Ye, what nonsense are you spouting!"
Ye Liuxing had been put down by Ji Ran. He looked at Zi Linling aggrievedly and said, "Sister, when you saved me, did you not touch and ride on me?"
Zi Linling's brow was furrowed, but seeing Ye Liuxing's frail appearance, she couldn't help but soften her heart. She patiently explained, "Young Master Ye, that is a method of saving lives, called chest compressions. Please don't misunderstand!"
Situ Yunfeng sneered and said, "Ye Liuxing, you are truly shameless! Little Lingling saved your life, and not only are you ungrateful, but you also slander her reputation?"
Ye Liuxing provocatively glanced at Situ Yunfeng, then, feigning grievance, weakly called out to Zi Linling, "But, Sister Zi..."
"Ye Liuxing, if you dare to say one more word, I will turn you into a real shooting star!"