Main Chapter: The Stolen Remedy.

As Xuan Yu was gazing at the large collection of plant-life. Ara Ko cleared her throat.

"Senior Ancestor?"

Ara Ko took out a piece of candy and held it like something was written on it. With a half-serious expression, she said in a monotone.

"You are to watch Qing Ruo Xuan Yu and ensure he does not touch or interact with any of the plants. Do not mention any information on their effects and do not let him go anywhere near that plant.

I know you are unimaginative and straight-forward. So, if you can't come up with an excuse. Tell him that we are doing our best to preserve a favored hobby of the 4th Elder and as such are not willing to risk damage to the things our hero valued even by his own son."

Throwing the candy back in her pocket. Ara Ko turned to Xuan Yu.

"Didn't I tell you to call me Big Sis?"

"Does Senior Ancestor disagree with the higher ups orders?"

"You're pretty but not cute."

Ara Ko spoke resting a hand on her hip. Before she continued.

"First off, I'm a Silent Elder. I'm answerable only to Lord Ruo. And these orders aren't from Lord Ruo directly. They're from that bastard Ju An. Second, Xuan Shen's your dad and this…"

Ara Ko said stretching out a hand.

"…was all his. And despite all he's done they're fine with forgetting this fact when it's convenient. Kinda shit makes me happy I never went for kids. You can't trust anybody to look after them when you're dead."

Reaching into her pocket Ara Ko grabbed a candy, unwrapped it, then threw it in her mouth and crunched hard. After venting a little she continued.

"Finally, your parents were good to me and her. Even if she isn't doing what she is supposed to. I'll help you out whenever I'm in Ruo. So, pick two of any except…"

Ara Ko pointed at the three Xuan Yu had recognized before finishing up with "these three."

Xuan Yu had guessed those would be the three she had picked. The Undaunted Cloud had been able to get the information Qing Ruo had on those three but the others they turned up empty on.

The moss was known as Elder's Glory. Once a pinch of it was crushed and the resulting juices imbibed. It had the effect of allowing a person to relieve the memories they wished.

The "female" vines were called Winter's Kiss and the "male" vines were called Spring's Kiss. Together they were known as the Embrace of Winter and Spring. The scent of the crush then heated Winter half would put one into a half-death state that would halt the progression of poison, ailments, diseases, and injuries. Perfectly preserving one's life in the state they were upon usage. The Spring's Kiss treated under the opposite process would release the user. The Medicine Hall of Qing Ruo was currently focusing research on this.

And finally what Qing Ruo called the 36 Petal Lotus but what Duo Wen called the Golden Lotus. According to him it was supposed to have 50 petals and was an item that he had only seen in the hands of his Emperor.

This lotus was the thing that the Elders of Qing Ruo referred to as that thing. And every one of them was worried he would harm. A single petal of this plant was capable of filling one's Dantian by chewing on it. Using it, it would be completely possible for Xuan Yu or any cultivator to meet the Qi requirement to pass into each stage.

It was laughable that the remedy to him being a "waste" laid in his father's garden.

Of course, he would never be able to take it or use it freely. The Elders of Qing valued it too much, so much that they did not even sell it. Only using it for inside use.

"Can't decide? Let's walk around."

Seeing Xuan Yu lost in his thoughts Ara Ko suggested and took off. Following in her steps, Xuan Yu connected with her.

'Wake up.'

A yawn resounded in his ears and a sleepy voice answered with gibberish. Eventually, she fully woke up.

'Your dad really was amazing. You won't find stuff this amazing anywhere else. Some of these effects are ridiculous. Still, all this really lends credence to the title of Strongest Immortal.'

'I came here because I had doubts about the inheritance's worth. But now I have an opportunity to get two things from here. I don't want to waste it. Tell me what I need.'

'Yuyu, you know I'm not your ally. I always take something in return…'

'I'll follow one of your requests.'

Silence, as Xuan Yu, followed Ara Ko who was whistling as she strolled (sped) through the garden.

'Yuyu, are you sure. Unlike you...'

'I know. Which?'

'Aren't you being really rude for someone asking for a favor? Am I the one that just wake up, or is it you? Whatever near the northwestern end, there is a table with two potted plants take them.'

"Senior Ancestor."

Xuan Yu said coming to a stop and then took Ara Ko with him to the table.

It had three shelves with a different variation of plant-life on each set. Underneath white light was the only pair of potted plants on that table. One was grotesque a leafless plant hat bent and curled. Thick at the base and thin at the top. Sparsely set about throughout it there were pulsing white growths with brain-like ridges.

The other plant looked like a person hanging their head down. It was a somber gray color and being near its Xuan Yu heard the sound of soft crying.

"I'll be troubling Senior Ancestor."

Taking one of the plants with great care she took it and placed it in her pocket. Instead of bulging out the pocket or not fitting like one would expect it disappeared. Taking the next one she did the same.

'Why do I need these?'

Xuan Yu asked as he and Ara Ko made their way back.

'So, that you don't die.'

Despite the severity of the words Xuan Yu didn't slow or pause.

'Explain.'

A yawn was the only thing that answered him for a while.

'With how rude you were, no way. But since Yuyu is my favorite I'll give you a hint the Xuans are important, right?'

As they reached the entrance to the greenhouse Ara Ko stopped. Walking up to the Golden Lotus she knelt down and moved her hands to it. Activating spell after spell and with careful and gentle ministrations she plucked a petal. Now down to eleven petals, the Golden Lotus became a faded red.

Not paying it any further attention Ara Ko took an ornate box from her pocket and placed the petal in it. Then headed over to Xuan Yu and handed it to him.

"As a Silent Elder, I'm entitled to one petal every bloom. I haven't taken one yet, so I won't get into any trouble for it. And if I do it'll be just a scolding."

"Thank you."

Holding the box gently Xuan Yu turned and followed Ara Ko who had already walked off. Coming to a stop every few seconds to greet someone before they finally left.