However, Yun Zhonghe remained very calm. Although the sudden situation was indeed a bit unexpected, and even the Book of Prophecy sent a danger warning, indicating that the current situation was not optimistic.
But taking a step back, things had not yet reached a point where there was no room for maneuver.
As the saying goes, danger and opportunity coexist. The Book of Prophecy did not directly predict a bad ending for Yun Zhonghe, it only warned of danger, indicating that his next choice was crucial.
As long as he handled it properly, he might even be able to use this opportunity to significantly increase their favorability.
In fact, Yun Zhonghe already had a general idea in his mind, especially after seeing Lin Zhongyu's disappointed expression as she left just now, he felt the situation was relatively optimistic.
If Lin Zhongyu truly wanted to break off relations with Mu Jixue from the bottom of her heart, she wouldn't have been so dejected and sad.
"Let's go back first."
Yun Zhonghe said to Tao Jiu'er.
"Eh? Aren't you going to care about your two little girlfriends?"
"Cough, cough, what girlfriends? You can't talk nonsense like that. I just want to become their good friends."
Yun Zhonghe felt embarrassed. He was a pure love warrior and never did anything like NTR. He couldn't let such words be said carelessly.
...
Haste makes waste. The two of them had just argued and needed to calm down. Rushing to reconcile them would only be counterproductive.
So Yun Zhonghe wasn't in a hurry at all. On his way back to the Yun Mansion, he even glanced at the roadside stalls.
He saw a few bottles of concentrated heather essence again. If he remembered correctly, it should be useful in the town quest.
Concentrated heather essence has a strong irritating smell and can repel snakes and insects.
Yun Zhonghe had Tao Jiu'er pack up the concentrated heather essence he had taken a fancy to and take it back.
What Yun Zhonghe didn't notice was that before he and Tao Jiu'er left, a pair of unfamiliar eyes were secretly observing him.
"Lin Zhongyu is indeed related to this Yun Family Young Master. Is the rumor about Lin Zhongyu recovering her talent really related to him?"
Those eyes stared thoughtfully at Yun Zhonghe's back.
...
As soon as he returned to the Yun Mansion, Yun Zhonghe immediately went back to his small study and began to research the black wooden stick he had bought online.
The black wooden stick emitted a light and elegant fragrance, making those who smelled it feel refreshed and happy.
However, other than that, no unique features could be found at all.
Yun Zhonghe flipped through various ancient books, looking for a way to extract the ice heart grass.
The books said to split it directly, or to refine it in an alchemy furnace, but Yun Zhonghe was not at ease. It was best not to use such destructive methods unless absolutely necessary.
After all, it was a Grade Three item that he had finally obtained, and it could still increase Aotian's cultivation speed.
The faster Aotian cultivated, the faster he, Yun Zhonghe, would also Cultivate. Moreover, consuming ice heart grass could increase the probability of forming a nine-pattern Golden Core when forming a core, so he would also take off directly with her.
"This method seems worth trying. Extract the spiritual energy from an ice-attribute demon core and inject it into the black wooden stick. It might activate the appearance of the ice heart grass. Even if it fails, it won't damage the black wooden stick."
Yun Zhonghe couldn't help but click his tongue.
Only demon beasts at the Golden Core Stage have demon cores. In the game, demon cores are also Grade Three items and are quite valuable.
Trading one Grade Three item for another Grade Three item, Yun Zhonghe felt like he was losing terribly.
Clearly, in the game, no activation was needed at all; the ice heart grass could be obtained directly.
Could it be that he was too unlucky and got the most unprofitable method of acquisition?
Fortunately, the Yun Family had a deep enough foundation. It seemed they also had ice-attribute demon cores, so Yun Zhonghe ordered Tao Jiu'er to help him retrieve one.
After obtaining the ice-attribute demon core, he operated according to the method described in the book, extracting the demon core's spiritual energy and injecting it into the black wooden stick. Moments later, the dry black wooden stick actually regained vitality and bloomed an ice crystal flower.
"Huh? It really works!"
Yun Zhonghe said in surprise.
The petals were layered, like crystal, clear and transparent, emitting a charming light. An extremely dense cold air was released from the black wooden stick, and Yun Zhonghe immediately shivered.
He immediately put the ice heart grass into the ice cover he had prepared in advance, sealed it well, and prevented the spiritual energy from leaking out.
After losing the ice heart grass, the black wooden stick completely returned to being an ordinary object.
By the time Yun Zhonghe finished doing this, the sky outside had already darkened.
"No wonder Cultivators live much longer than Mortals. I feel like I haven't done anything yet, and the day has already passed."
But it was also just right. It was time to go and comfort the sad Aotian.
So Yun Zhonghe slipped out of the Yun Mansion under the cover of night.
...
Lin Mansion side courtyard.
Lin Zhongyu wasn't cultivating. She sat by the window, looking at the scene outside, her mood unable to calm down for a long time.
She had no motivation to Cultivate at all. Now that she had fallen out with Xue'er, she also had no reason to go to the Xuantian Sect.
"Alas..."
Lin Zhongyu sighed softly. Just as she was feeling restless, she suddenly heard a slight sound on the roof.
As soon as she reacted, she immediately saw Yun Zhonghe land by the window.
"Yun, Yun?! How did you..."
"Is it convenient? I want to discuss something with you."
Lin Zhongyu held her breath, her heart beating rapidly.
Every time she saw Yun Zhonghe, she always felt her heart flutter like a little deer.
Lin Zhongyu tried hard to remain calm: "Yun, how did you get in?"
"I just slipped in directly. Your Lin Family guards can't stop me."
Yun Zhonghe spoke as if he was talking about something very ordinary.
Lin Zhongyu was shocked. The Lin Family was not a small Family. The guards were generally at the Qi Refinement Stage, and there were even some Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivators on duty. It was not easy for Yun Zhonghe to avoid their eyes and ears.
However, Yun Zhonghe didn't care about Lin Zhongyu's surprise. With a flip of his hand, he handed a flower covered by an ice cover to Lin Zhongyu.
"Take this thing. Go find Mu Jixue now, give this to her, and then make up with her."
Chapter 25: She's Simply An Angel
Yun Zhonghe arrived suddenly and didn't give any explanation before giving the ice heart grass to Lin Zhongyu.
Lin Zhongyu's small head was full of big questions.
But lowering her head, she looked at the ice heart grass held in her palm. Although it was separated by the ice cover, she could feel the abundant extreme ice spiritual energy of the spiritual herb inside. Moreover, the ice heart grass faintly emitted a glow, and she knew at a glance that this was no ordinary item.
"Yun, what is this?"
Lin Zhongyu asked curiously.
Yun Zhonghe replied: "ice heart grass, a Grade Three spiritual herb."
"Grade, Grade Three?!"
Lin Zhongyu's head buzzed.
One should know that the vast Lin Family didn't even have a single Grade Three treasure, yet Yun Zhonghe produced a Grade Three item as soon as he made a move. This made Lin Zhongyu's little heart a bit unable to bear it.
"Yun, this is absolutely not possible. I have already taken so many things from you. I absolutely cannot accept such a precious item."
Lin Zhongyu decisively refused, wanting to return the ice heart grass in her hand to Yun Zhonghe.
Having been forced to accept Yun Zhonghe's five top-grade Foundation Establishment Pills and the Eight Desolations Swordplay before, she already felt unable to repay the favor. Now, if she accepted this Grade Three spiritual herb, she would simply be inhumane.
Even if she sold herself to Yun Zhonghe, she wouldn't be able to repay it.
But Yun Zhonghe refused to take it back. As the dignified Yun Family Young Master, how could he take back something he had given away? Wouldn't his status be too devalued?
He saw him cross his hands over his chest, a nonchalant look on his handsome Face: "If you don't want it, just throw it away."
"Ah?"
Lin Zhongyu's brain couldn't quite keep up. Yun Zhonghe's way of doing things was a bit overbearing.
But this kind of overbearingness was somehow not annoying.
No girl could resist this kind of unreasonableness.
In fact, Yun Zhonghe didn't know what to say to make Lin Zhongyu accept it with peace of mind. He couldn't possibly tell her, "I want to increase your childhood friend's favorability," could he?
The more words, the more mistakes. Since he didn't know what to say, he would say less. He would simply force her to accept it in a commanding tone.
Yun Zhonghe believed that for his sake, as long as it was not an excessive command, Lin Zhongyu would definitely comply.
After all, in the original game, Lin Zhongyu was also the type who was easy to talk to.
However, Yun Zhonghe thought for a moment and added a sentence: "This thing is specifically for Cultivators with ice-attribute Spiritual Roots. It has no value to me."
Lin Zhongyu blinked her beautiful golden eyes. She lowered her head to look at the precious ice heart grass and mumbled in her heart: Even if it's useless to him, he could exchange it with others for other Grade Three spiritual herbs. How could it be completely worthless?
She understood in her heart that this was Yun Zhonghe's excuse.
Yun Zhonghe: "Furthermore, I unexpectedly discovered this thing in that black wooden stick today. It was because Mu Jixue was present that I felt the strong fluctuations of ice-attribute spiritual energy inside and discovered this ice heart grass. It probably appeared because it has a connection with you. Since that's the case, I should return it to the person who deserves it."
Listening to Yun Zhonghe's "explanation," Lin Zhongyu's lips gradually curved upwards, and she suddenly burst out laughing.
Yun Zhonghe: "..."
Lin Zhongyu: "Sorry, I didn't mean to laugh at Yun. I just... suddenly remembered something happy!"
Yun Zhonghe's reaction just now made Lin Zhongyu couldn't help but think of Mu Jixue. She also always had that tsundere appearance.
Clearly, they wanted to care, but they deliberately pretended it was an accident or a coincidence, and acted as if they didn't care much.
Huh? Why are these two people's characteristics so similar?
Thinking of this, a strange feeling arose in Lin Zhongyu's heart.
However, she didn't think too much about it and looked at Yun Zhonghe's firm and pure eyes.
At this moment, Lin Zhongyu felt that if she refused again, she would be completely disrespecting Yun Zhonghe.
"But, is this really appropriate? Today, Xue'er said many excessive things to you, Yun. Many people misunderstood you, and even I found it hard to forgive."
Lin Zhongyu asked timidly. It was clear that she actually wanted to reconcile with Mu Jixue, but being caught in the middle made her feel it was difficult to handle.
Moreover, she felt that Mu Jixue was indeed wrong this time. She had already lectured Mu Jixue last time in the forest outside the city, yet she still said those words in front of Yun Zhonghe. This really couldn't be excused.
But in Yun Zhonghe's eyes, this was really no big deal. It was completely normal for good brothers to tease each other.
The better the relationship, the dirtier the talk. One day, Yun Zhonghe would even make Mu Jixue call him 'Daddy'.
"I don't care. Anyway, my reputation is already too bad to clean up. Let others misunderstand if they misunderstand. On the contrary, you can't break off relations with her over such a small matter. No matter what happens in the future, you can't easily say goodbye. Remember that?"
"For so many years, she has always been supporting you and comforting you. What she has given is no less than what I have, and I even think it's much more."
"Mu Jixue has been able to persist for you for more than ten years. Her perseverance and feelings for you are definitely beyond doubt. You should be more proactive and don't let her feel disheartened."
"Cherish the people around you, otherwise you will have regrets."
Yun Zhonghe earnestly advised, brainwashing the female lead, speaking well of Aotian, and telling the female lead to be firmly together with Aotian.
Only when you are good, can I be good!
Even if the sky falls, I'll hold it up. You two must stick together for me!
"Yun..." Lin Zhongyu was deeply moved. He disregarded past grievances, was tolerant and understanding. This intention...
Lin Zhongyu took a deep breath and said solemnly: "Don't worry, I will definitely reconcile with Jixue as before."
"Mhm." Yun Zhonghe nodded and smiled.
He was satisfied.
"But..." However, the next second, Lin Zhongyu raised her eyes and looked deeply at Yun Zhonghe.
At that moment, Yun Zhonghe always felt that some special emotion was surging in the female lead's eyes.
"Yun just said to cherish the people around me, but for me, Yun is also someone I cherish!"
"So please don't say things like you don't care about your reputation, and don't slander yourself. If Yun hurts himself like this, I will also be very sad."