That day, when Yang Podi saw Ye Lingling, she seemed a little absent-minded, as if lost in thought or worried about something.
Seeing her expression, Yang Podi couldn't help but ask, "Lingling, is something wrong? You don't seem yourself today."
Ye Lingling hesitated for a long moment before speaking, "Podi, our relationship has been discovered by my family. My grandfather wants to meet you."
Hearing this, Yang Podi appeared a little conflicted. "Did your grandfather say anything? Will he oppose us being together?"
"I don't know. I only received a message from him saying he wants to meet you."
"Alright, no problem. Let's go to your home during this holiday break."
After thinking carefully for a moment, Yang Podi decided it was best to meet her grandfather.
For someone who had lived two lifetimes, Yang Podi was inexperienced in relationships, let alone meeting the family of a partner. This would be his first time meeting an elder in this capacity, and he felt especially nervous, worried that he might overlook something.
"Lingling, what is your grandfather like? Do I need to prepare anything?" he asked.
Seeing his slightly flustered state, Ye Lingling couldn't help but chuckle. "Podi, my grandfather has a great personality. He's the most renowned healing Soul Master in the Heaven Dou region, often referred to as the 'Benevolent Divine Healer' in the Soul Master world."
Hearing this, Yang Podi breathed a sigh of relief. "If your grandfather is kind, that's a relief. I just hope he won't give me a hard time."
"What are you saying? How could my grandfather possibly make things difficult for you?"
Over the next few days, Yang Podi was in a state of mild torment. After all, this was his first time meeting such an esteemed elder. It was also his first time visiting someone's home in this capacity, so he felt it was essential to prepare a gift.
Especially after hearing from Ye Lingling that her grandfather, Ye Renxin, was the only healing-type Soul Douluo on the entire continent, with a soul power of 81. However, due to his advanced age and limitations of his martial soul, his soul power hadn't increased for many years, suggesting his potential had been exhausted.
After careful thought, Yang Podi decided to prepare a gift—a jade box containing a rare herb—as a gesture of goodwill. He hoped the herb would be beneficial to Ye Lingling's grandfather.
When the holiday break arrived, Yang Podi and Ye Lingling left Heaven Dou Imperial Academy together. The Nine Heart Begonia Clan's residence was located just outside Heaven Dou City, and it only took half an hour by carriage to reach it.
To Yang Podi's surprise, the area around Ye Lingling's home was very peaceful. Aside from the Soul Masters stationed at the clan's residence, there were hardly any visitors, completely unlike the bustling scene he had imagined for a healer's home.
Noticing the confusion on Yang Podi's face, Ye Lingling explained, "Our Nine Heart Begonia Clan is primarily a family of healers. The residence is mainly for clan members, while the surrounding area is used for growing medicinal herbs."
"My grandfather usually lives at the medical hall in Heaven Dou City. He only returns to the clan residence for major family matters."
"Your grandfather lives at the medical hall? Wouldn't that be inconvenient?" Yang Podi asked.
"It's not inconvenient at all. My grandfather has dedicated his life to treating others. The medical hall is massive, covering dozens of acres of land, and it was specially approved by the Heaven Dou Empire to support his work. They wanted to ensure my grandfather could live peacefully in the city."
Hearing this, Yang Podi couldn't help but mentally remark: Land in Heaven Dou City is incredibly valuable, yet the empire allocated dozens of acres to the Ye family. They must be desperate to keep the continent's greatest healing Soul Master within their borders.
When they arrived at Ye Lingling's home, the two of them entered the main hall.
Sitting in the main seat was a thin elderly man with white hair and beard. Despite his advanced age, his skin was as smooth and delicate as that of a baby, making it hard to determine his exact age.
Upon entering, Ye Lingling introduced them, "Grandfather, this is my boyfriend, Yang Podi."
"Podi, this is my grandfather, the patriarch of our Nine Heart Begonia Clan."
Yang Podi quickly stepped forward and bowed. "Yang Podi greets you, Grandfather."
As he spoke, he presented the jade box, which contained a rare, one-foot-long ginseng—the legendary Ten-Thousand-Year Ginseng King.
However, Ye Renxin didn't take the box. Instead, he said, "Yang Podi, you are the grandson of Yang Wudi of the Breaking Clan. I met your grandfather not long ago. His knowledge of medicine and alchemy is profound—perhaps even surpassing mine."
Yang Podi immediately replied, "You flatter me, Grandfather. While our Breaking Clan excels in alchemy, we are far inferior to you when it comes to healing. You are recognized as the continent's greatest healing Soul Master."
Ye Renxin waved his hand dismissively. "In the field of medicine, skill is skill—there's no room for falsehoods. My Nine Heart Begonia is naturally suited for healing, but your Breaking Clan's expertise in medicine and alchemy is truly remarkable, especially considering you're not a healing-type or plant-type clan."
"Thank you for your kind words, Grandfather. Our skills are merely part of our family's heritage."
Standing nearby, Ye Lingling seemed a little impatient as she interjected, "Grandfather, Podi, you're meeting today because of me, yet all you're discussing is alchemy and medicine!"
With that, she took the jade box from Yang Podi and handed it to Ye Renxin.
Ye Renxin was momentarily speechless. Judging by his granddaughter's attitude, it seemed she was determined to take Yang Podi's side. It's true—when daughters grow up, they no longer belong to the family, he thought with a sigh.
After a brief silence, Ye Renxin finally spoke. "Yang Podi, do you truly wish to be with my granddaughter?"
"Grandfather, Lingling and I are deeply in love. I promise to cherish her for the rest of my life."
"Are you aware of the curse that afflicts the Nine Heart Begonia Clan?"
Yang Podi nodded. "Our Breaking Clan specializes in alchemy, so I've read about such things. I also know of two rare immortal herbs, the Lovesick Heartbroken Red and the Beautiful Silk Tulip. With these, I believe I can resolve the defect in Lingling's martial soul."
"I've heard of those two herbs, but no one has seen them for countless years. Many even doubt their existence," Ye Renxin remarked.
"Grandfather, I've already received information about them. Even if it takes a lifetime, I'll find these herbs for Lingling," Yang Podi said with conviction.
Ye Renxin seemed moved. "Yang Podi, I'm an old man now. My only wish is for my granddaughter to live a happy life and have someone to rely on."
"Grandfather, you can rest assured. As long as I'm here, I will always ensure Lingling's safety."
After Yang Podi's declaration, a heavy silence filled the room, creating a strange tension.
It was unclear how much time passed before Ye Renxin broke the silence and resumed the conversation.