Li Jiuchuan's Request

"Just met?" Hu Liena showed a puzzled expression.

"Yes."

Ye Tian lightly tugged on Hu Liena's golden hair, causing her to wince in pain. She frowned slightly, turning her gaze toward him.

Pointing at the girl in the blue dress, Ye Tian explained, "This is Lei Jiuchuan, from the Lei family of Golden Ao Island. The Lei family's fleet is quite large along the East Sea coast, and they have business dealings with me."

"So, you're here as a guest?" Upon hearing this, Hu Liena glanced at Lei Jiuchuan's fair profile, slightly relaxing her guard.

Her body instinctively leaned closer to Ye Tian to show their "special" relationship.

The uninvited visitor had a clear purpose.

She needed to stay vigilant.

Immediately, Hu Liena noticed her own emotional shift.

For a moment, she froze, realizing her jealousy was rather obvious...

Lei Jiuchuan walked gracefully toward Hu Liena, slightly bowed, and smiled sweetly. "Sort of, but my main purpose is to invite Ye Tian to visit Golden Ao Island."

After speaking, her beautiful eyes, filled with expectation, glanced at Ye Tian.

Ye Tian, however, showed no interest.

He had no desire to visit Golden Ao Island.

A gentleman avoids risky situations.

If he agreed to go, he'd need to bring some guards for his own safety.

Doing so would expose his hidden forces, something he didn't want.

Moreover, if the Lei family merely wanted to maintain friendly relations, there was no need for such a visit.

Their business ties were based on mutual benefit.

His goods, transported by the Lei family's fleet, could reach distant places and fetch more money.

This was a mutually beneficial arrangement.

As long as there were profits, there was no reason for either side to fall out.

If this beneficial relationship ended, no amount of goodwill would help.

Ye Tian pointed at the nearby Bibi Dong and tactfully declined, "My sister just returned from afar, and I don't want to leave home. I'm afraid I cannot accept."

This was half the truth.

With his sister at home, he wouldn't travel far.

Hearing this, Hu Liena smiled sweetly, feeling much more at ease.

It seemed Lei Jiuchuan didn't hold much weight in Ye Tian's heart.

She clasped her hands in front of her, appearing ladylike, with a subtle smile. "I'm really sorry, Miss Lei."

Hu Liena's words were like those of a victor, smiling triumphantly.

Even Bibi Dong looked amused, resting her jade hand against her forehead, her gaze shifting between Ye Tian and Lei Jiuchuan.

Hearing Ye Tian's response, Lei Jiuchuan paused.

With her looks, she had never been rejected before.

But as she glanced again at the two women beside Ye Tian, she found some answers.

The girl behind Ye Tian, with her long, pale purple hair and serious expression, resembled a snow goddess, her beauty rivaling or even surpassing her own.

Lei Jiuchuan hadn't expected Ye Tian's sharply handsome features, and even his sister was a rare beauty.

No wonder—their family genes were strong.

Her gaze shifted to the blonde girl beside Ye Tian, smiling sweetly.

This girl was equally stunning, with a charm that combined cuteness and allure.

Lei Jiuchuan had to admit she couldn't compare.

Seeing the appearance of the two women made Lei Jiuchuan feel a bit insecure.

But then she reminded herself that she wasn't here to compete in looks.

Quickly shaking off the thought, a trace of sorrow flashed across her delicate brows. She sighed softly and said:

"I'm actually here, Young Master Ye, to ask you for a favor."

"What is it?" Ye Tian stepped forward, removing his hand from Hu Liena's hair.

His first thought was that the Lei family's ships had been attacked by pirates.

But this seemed unlikely.

Lei Jiuchuan's grandfather, Lei Haitian, the Lei family patriarch, was an 89th-level Soul Douluo.

Moreover, as a Sea Spirit Master, his power was even more terrifying at sea.

No pirate would dare provoke the Lei family.

This was one of the reasons Ye Tian had chosen to partner with the Lei family for transporting his goods.

Lei Jiuchuan's expression dimmed, and she leaned forward, intending to whisper in Ye Tian's ear.

However, before she could, Hu Liena swiftly pulled Ye Tian behind her.

Her large, bright eyes filled with suspicion, and she said awkwardly, "There's no one else around. Why not say it out loud?"

She then whispered to Ye Tian, "Be careful. She might have ulterior motives."

Seeing Hu Liena's protective actions, Ye Tian couldn't help but feel a bit helpless. He had to admit, his little sister Nanna was really strong—she'd easily pulled him behind her.

Perhaps Nanna was doing this for his own good.

With a dry chuckle, Ye Tian stepped out from behind Hu Liena and looked at the gloomy-faced Lei Jiuchuan.

"Sorry about that. My sister is just overly cautious."

"It's fine. I was being too forward," Lei Jiuchuan replied with a faint, sad smile, waving it off.

She knew her relationship with Ye Tian was thin at best.

They hadn't even crossed paths before; this was her first time visiting the Butterfly Farm and meeting him.

If not for the fact that her family was involved in business with Ye Tian, she might not have even gotten to see him.

Her eyes reflected a mix of emotions as she finally decided to be upfront. Bowing slightly, she said:

"To be honest, I came here to ask for your help to heal my grandfather."

"My grandfather, in his attempt to advance to a Titled Douluo, ventured into the deep sea to hunt a 30,000-year-old soul beast, the Venomous Sea Lion. During the battle, he was severely poisoned."

"At first, we didn't notice anything wrong, but after absorbing the spirit ring and returning home, he's been suffering from intense pain in his heart and lungs, with his forehead turning increasingly dark. He stays conscious for shorter and shorter periods each day!"

She looked at Ye Tian earnestly.

"Please, Young Master Ye, for the sake of our business relationship, come to Golden Ao Island and heal my grandfather. Our Lei family is willing to pay one million gold soul coins as compensation!"

Hearing this, Ye Tian frowned.

Lei Haitian was poisoned?

This was a serious matter.

Golden Ao Island was strategically located, a key route for maritime trade.

Many pirates were eyeing that golden territory, and the only reason the Lei family had managed to stand firm amidst these predators was because Lei Haitian, an 89th-level Soul Douluo, could even wield the power of a Titled Douluo at sea.

Now that Lei Haitian was gravely poisoned, those pirates surely wouldn't sit still.

They'd definitely have designs on the Lei family and Golden Ao Island.

This trip to Golden Ao Island wouldn't just be about healing; there'd surely be swords drawn and danger lurking.

With this thought, Ye Tian shook his head internally. He didn't want to get involved.

One million gold soul coins meant little to him—it wasn't worth the risk.

The rewards didn't justify the potential dangers.

Besides, his greatest dream was just to live peacefully by the East Sea.

Ye Tian gazed into Lei Jiuchuan's hopeful eyes and sighed. "I'm still young and my medical skills are quite basic. My reputation in the East Sea only exists because I often treat people for free, and they're grateful."

He spread his hands. "Honestly, the illnesses I've treated are just common colds and bruises, nothing complex."

"Your grandfather was poisoned by the Venomous Sea Lion, but I've never encountered one, let alone treated its poison."

He confessed frankly, "So, I'm truly sorry, but I'm afraid I cannot help."

Lei Jiuchuan froze for a moment before gritting her teeth and saying, "The Lei family is willing to offer the soul bone of the Venomous Sea Lion!"

(End of chapter)