Chapter 1068: Chapter 1068: The Consequence of a Heartless Man

Lin Tian looked at Xu Shaohui and asked, "Since you woke up, have you heard some news about Ruyan?"

"Yes, these days Bai Ping keeps telling me that Ruyan had her essence blood drawn out, and now her body is almost recovered. But I’m still not very reassured. I’ve had my essence blood drawn before, and I know exactly how it feels—it’s worse than death. To recover is as difficult as reaching the heavens, and I think you understand Ruyan’s situation best," Xu Shaohui said, "You just mentioned that you wouldn’t hide or deceive me."

It’s really unexpected, Xu Shaohui has been unconscious for five years, yet his mind is still so sharp.

Lin Tian kept a straight face, his lips curling slightly at the corners, clearly showing a smile. "I can’t avoid telling you this, although I indeed reported the good news and left out the bad. Ruyan is still asleep now, the Spiritual Qi left in her body by Senior Guard has already been exhausted, and her essence has been damaged. Aunt Xianrong mentioned that you might have a way."

"What?" Xu Shaohui’s eyes widened, truly not expecting the situation to be so severe. If Lin Tian hadn’t immediately helped him to smooth his Qi, he would have started coughing again.

"Even Xianrong has no solution, what could I possibly have?" Xu Shaohui said deeply, his eyes filled with anxiety.

"In the courtyard, the Bodhi Plum," Lin Tian mentioned.

Xu Shaohui’s eyes flashed with brilliance, his whole body tense as he looked at Lin Tian, "Who told you about the Bodhi Plum?"

"It wasn’t told by anyone, I read about it in the ’Four Pure Sutras of Bodhi’, and its traits match the plum tree in the courtyard," Lin Tian explained.

Xu Shaohui was somewhat taken aback, sighing, "I didn’t expect a young person like you to actually recognize the Bodhi Plum. Fortunately, you’re one of our family. Otherwise..."

The three words "our family" sounded so genuine, does this mean he’s silently acknowledging me as this son-in-law?

Xu Shaohui didn’t continue his words, but Lin Tian understood. Outsiders who know the secret of the Bodhi Plum cannot be allowed to live, as it is the Xu family’s greatest vulnerability.

"I understand Xianrong’s intention," Xu Shaohui said to himself.

He understood, but Lin Tian was confused. His words were only half-spoken, who could make sense of it?

Before Lin Tian could ask, Xu Shaohui said, "This is to awaken Ruyan’s Bewitching Heart physique..."

"Are you intending for Ruyan to start cultivating?" Lin Tian asked with an extremely odd expression, feeling a bit eager, a bit curious, but more than anything awkward.

Mei Ruyan was born with a bewitching nature, if she starts cultivating, it would surely be with Charm Techniques that match her bewitching nature.

Thinking of Mei Ruyan’s icy cold demeanor, transforming into a little vixen like Miaoqiu.

Just the thought of it made Lin Tian shudder all over, feeling extremely awkward. But... still very much looking forward to it!

"For now, this is the only way," Xu Shaohui said. "Her essence has been damaged, even you and Xianrong have no other options, and neither do I. Only through her cultivation, addressing it herself, can things possibly improve. We can’t be of much help."

"But given her current state, I’m completely helpless. My Spiritual Qi has a negligible effect on her. Just a few days ago, when using Spiritual Qi to circulate a Lesser Zhou cycle in her body, I don’t know how many Qi Increasing Elixirs I consumed, far more than what a normal person would require," Lin Tian said.

"Even the ancestor back then, when hiding Spiritual Qi within Ruyan, we don’t know how much effort it took. But Foundation Establishment Elixirs will be useful to her."

"I have plenty of Foundation Establishment Elixirs, but their quality is quite average."

Xu Shaohui shook his head, "Standard Foundation Establishment Elixirs are only suitable for ordinary people, and as she grows older, the effect of the elixir diminishes as well. The Foundation Establishment Elixir useful for Ruyan needs to include petal, root, and buds of the Bodhi Plum; these are what truly awaken the bewitching nature, but the Bodhi Plum is the Xu family’s biggest secret and cannot be shared with outsiders."

"I understand," Lin Tian nodded.

Xu Shaohui gazed at the ceiling, lost in thought, muttering to himself, "I wonder if this path is suitable for her..."

The Xu Family couldn’t accommodate Ruyan and her mother, forcing them out. Part of the reason was the pressure within the Xu family and from the Xv family; on the other hand, it was due to Mei Ruyan’s natural bewitching nature. With the experiences from hundreds of years ago with the Xu family’s ancestor, no one would tolerate Mei Ruyan growing up. To prevent her from an early passing, they sent them out of the Xu family.

Mei Ruyan didn’t understand this when she was young, thinking her father was heartless, hating him deeply. Later, as the truth unfolded, maybe her resentment would lessen somewhat.

Lin Tian also fell silent for a few seconds. When he raised his head again, his eyes were like the vast night sky, declaring decisively, "Rest assured, I won’t let anyone harm Ruyan, if any come, I’ll kill them!"

Xu Shaohui tilted his head, his gaze returning to Lin Tian. He smiled bitterly, "It seems both my daughters have chosen you."

"..."

That slip of the tongue sent Lin Tian into a bit of embarrassment. His relationship with Ruyan was still ambiguous, separated by that thin veil. Neither a nod nor a shake of the head felt right. What if Xu Shaohui turned hostile, and had someone chase him out of Xu Family Stream with sticks and dogs?

Clearly, Lin Tian overthought it. Xu Shaohui chuckled, "I mentioned before, we are similar people. Though we’re charming, we have genuine hearts. From Bai Ping’s words, I believe my judgment isn’t wrong. Even if it is, my two daughters likely won’t heed my advice, instead making our father-daughter relationship awkward."

Suddenly, Xu Shaohui’s gaze turned sharp, his aura becoming heaving. "Miaoqiu is someone I’ve watched grow up, having a strong-willed character. Once she’s committed, she won’t change her heart. If you do, that foolish girl might just hide away in silence. I’m different, even if I’m too sick to walk or speak, I’ll find a way to have someone chop off your head!"

Lin Tian nodded, "I believe you, but such a thing won’t happen."

"Better that way." Xu Shaohui grunted heavily, adding, "Regarding Ruyan, that girl’s nature is extreme, likely due to me, she hates men deeply, so getting close to you wasn’t easy for her. If someday you wrong her, as long as she’s not dead, she’ll hunt you down. Let me tell you, that girl has hated me for over twenty years, and thought multiple times about killing me. If I were just an ordinary person, she would’ve stabbed me full of holes by now."

He finished with a bitter smile. There are so many things in life beyond one’s control.

Saying so much, Xu Shaohui also felt tired. He waved at Lin Tian, saying, "You go ahead, I need some time alone."

"Alright." Lin Tian stood up, and as he reached the door, he paused, "Actually, for the past few days Aunt has been treating Ruyan like her own daughter. Deep down she doesn’t care about these matters, you’re just troubling yourself with pointless worries. Try to see beyond."

Xu Shaohui watched Lin Tian’s back as he walked away, lost in thought, and finally let out a deep sigh.