Chapter 73: Binding Bai Ling

Bai Ling, I'll accompany you.

Mm!

After dealing with the assassins who came for Bai Ling, Lu Xun accompanied her to buy alchemy materials.

Sorry, our materials have all been reserved; try other shops.

But a new problem has arisen.

They ran around all afternoon, yet couldn't buy any alchemy materials.

All shops' alchemy materials had been booked; Bai Ling couldn't get any at all.

It must be the Jia Clan Group's doing!

Lu Xun speculated.

It must be her!

Bai Ling was both angry and helpless.

Obtaining these alchemy raw materials isn't easy; either buy them or go out of the city to find them yourself.

The world is vast; in a short time, where could you possibly gather everything?

Many spiritual herbs and medicines are cultivated specially by various powers; wild ones are scarce.

Bai Ling sat on the riverbank hugging her knees, gazing blankly at the water.

Lu Xun sat down beside her.

The Jia Clan Group's move is like cutting off the fuel beneath the pot, completely severing Bai Ling's alchemy path.

Bai Ling, why is the Jia Clan Group targeting you like this?

He finally voiced the doubt in his heart.

She fears I'll snatch her heir position.

Bai Ling said softly.

You mean Jia Yuwei when you say 'her'?

Mm, it's her. She is the Third Miss of the Jia Clan Group and the most likely to inherit the family head position.

But you don't bear the surname Bai...

He stopped mid-sentence.

Because he noticed Bai Ling was crying.

This ever-optimistic, strong girl—Lu Xun had never seen her cry before.

He silently handed her a tissue.

Thanks.

Bai Ling took it and wiped dry her tears.

Back then, the Jia family head took a liking to my mother, forcibly possessed her, but his wife could not tolerate my mother...

Bai Ling softly spoke of past events.

The events differed somewhat from what Lu Xun had imagined, but not by much.

After Bai Ling's mother was driven out, she married a man named Bai Jianhua and gave birth to Bai Ling.

Bai Ling always thought Bai Jianhua was her father.

Bai Jianhua died in a catastrophe several years ago, and her mother consequently fell gravely ill.

On her deathbed, the mother told her she belonged to the Jia family and urged Bai Ling to return there, for that was her stage.

To fulfill her mother's dying wish, Bai Ling chose to return to the Jia family.

The Jia family head originally disliked her, but upon discovering her alchemy talent, he decisively accepted her.

Bai Ling also proved herself truly capable.

She unlocked the Nine Turn Elixir Meridian, this Heaven Earth Meridian.

She was a born alchemist.

Before reaching the First Realm, Bai Ling could already refine second-rank heavenly-tier elixirs; her alchemy talent was exceedingly rare even across Huaxia.

The Jia family head then intended to make her his heir.

That position originally belonged to the Third Miss, Jia Yuwei.

Up to this point, Bai Ling's future looked bright.

But who would have thought that after one alchemy attempt, her meridian suddenly went wrong, turning into a wasted meridian?

Her life took a sharp downturn.

The Jia family head wasn't ready to give up on her easily, but unable to withstand the family's disfavor, he forcibly expelled her from the Jia household.

Bai Ling did not give up.

She hoped to restore her meridian through constant alchemy.

At the same time, deep inside she harbored stubbornness, wanting to prove herself.

Thus she ran to Qingbei Jie, setting up opposite the Jia Clan Elixir shop to practice alchemy.

But she never imagined that Jia Yuwei, to deal with her, would personally take command, mobilizing the Jia Clan Group's resources to encircle and suppress her.

At the same time, she secretly employed underhanded tactics, posting a bounty on the dark web.

Although she was an alchemy prodigy, she hadn't yet grown; how could she oppose such a colossus as the Jia Clan Group?

Boss, thank you for your care these days; I've realized, this is my fate...

Bai Ling, don't give up.

Lu Xun interrupted Bai Ling's words.

He grasped Bai Ling's hand, encouraging: "We still have options; if the capital won't work, we'll go to other cities—I refuse to believe the Jia Clan Group can control all alchemy materials in the East!"

But, boss, I'm so tired...

Think of your mother; she definitely wouldn't want you to be like this.

Seeing Bai Ling had thoughts of self-destruction, Lu Xun brought up her mother.

This method indeed worked; a glimmer of light rose again in Bai Ling's dimming eyes.

Your mother is surely unwilling; she desperately hopes you can grow up and let the Jia Clan Group see just how formidable her daughter is!

You possess an Elixir Meridian; once it recovers, within the vast Jia Clan Group, no one can compare to you!

Lu Xun seized the moment, continually cheering Bai Ling on.

Boss, do you really think I can do it?

Bai Ling's gaze was like that of a drowning person clutching at the last straw, fixed on Lu Xun.

Hmm, you can definitely do it; you're not fighting alone.

Lu Xun looked into her eyes and said seriously, "You still have me!"

You still have me!

These four words made Bai Ling's eyes light up completely.

【Bai Ling's affection has reached 100%】.

【The host has defeated more than three Third Realm cultivators; strength assessed as Third Realm, now able to bind Bai Ling.】

At this moment, suddenly, the system's voice sounded.

Can we bind now?

Lu Xun was somewhat surprised.

He had thought he needed to reach the Third Realm, but the system judged based on strength.

The criterion is simple: defeat more than three Third Realm cultivators.

However, after affection reaches 100%, binding Bai Ling still requires intimate contact, at minimum a kiss.

For a higher return multiplier and Bai Ling's abilities, and also to help her recover her Elixir Meridian, kissing her is no problem.

The difficulty is how to do it; are we supposed to forcefully kiss Bai Ling?

At this moment, Lu Xun noticed Bai Ling's eyes shimmering with autumn waves, her face slightly flushed.

Indeed, he had just been looking at the system panel when his gaze happened to meet Bai Ling's, and it lingered a bit.

Better to pick the day than wait for an auspicious one.

Lu Xun decided to act decisively.

Taking advantage of the moment when the mood was right, Lu Xun boldly moved in.

Mmm~

Bai Ling's eyes widened as Lu Xun's sudden kiss left her body stiff.

【Binding conditions met; Bai Ling bound.】

【Current return multiplier: 30】

【Note: Bai Ling's Nine-turn Elixir Meridian, damaged and collapsed, can be repaired via Primordial Qi.】

【Reminder: The host can claim the binding reward.】