Ye Jingyu gripped Gongsun Xiangyi’s arms, shaking her relentlessly, like a three-year-old child—utterly lost.

Feeling the immense force traveling up her arms, Gongsun Xiangyi winced in pain, her brow furrowing slightly, but the sight of Ye Jingyu’s devastated expression only caused a sharper ache within her own heart.

In all this time, she had never seen Ye Jingyu so undone. In her mind, he had always been a man of steady resolve, unflappable in the face of crisis; even if the sky fell, he would not let his composure slip. Yet now, for the sake of one woman, he was so utterly distraught. Did that woman truly hold such a vital place in his heart?

The vague, almost imperceptible distance Ye Jingyu had maintained since their return from Medicine City gnawed at Gongsun Xiangyi, causing her profound misery.

Amidst this distress bloomed fierce jealousy toward Luo Ling’er. If she were the one lying there now, would he be so frantic?

“Young Master, it’s not that I refuse to save the Princess; it truly is beyond my power. The Heart-Shattering Dream Fragrance has already permeated her vital organs. Unless the Celestial Deviation Fruit can be found within seven days, there is absolutely no chance of saving her!” Seeing the desperation burning in Ye Jingyu’s eyes, Gongsun Xiangyi finally spoke the harsh truth.

In the final analysis, she shared no intimacy with Luo Ling’er; they were rivals, if anything. The more Ye Jingyu agonized over Luo Ling’er, the more pain she felt. She even entertained a dark thought: if Luo Ling’er were to die now, would Ye Jingyu finally refocus his attention on her? But the moment she met the anguish etched onto Ye Jingyu’s face, she found herself completely unable to conceal anything from him.

“The Celestial Deviation Fruit? What is that?” Upon hearing that Luo Ling’er could be saved, Ye Jingyu instantly rallied, caring nothing for what the item was, only that there was hope—and where there was hope, anything was possible.

“It is a legendary poisonous fruit. I have never seen one in my entire life, nor do I know where it grows. I only read of it once in an ancient herbal scripture. Its greatest function is the ability to absorb all poisons. If the Princess consumes it, the toxin settled deep within her organs will be drawn into the fruit. Afterward, the fruit merely needs to be removed, and the Princess will naturally recover!” Having started, Gongsun Xiangyi held nothing back, revealing everything she knew.

“Besides absorbing poison, what other characteristics does that fruit possess? Any physical description?” Ye Jingyu’s eyebrow arched. Even if it was a mythical object, if it could save Luo Ling’er, he would never abandon the search.

“I’m not entirely clear, but I once heard that the Turbid Dragon feeds on this very fruit!” Gongsun Xiangyi continued.

“Meaning, if we find where the Turbid Dragon lives, we can find the fruit?” Ye Jingyu stated heavily.

“Theoretically, yes, that is correct!” Gongsun Xiangyi nodded.

“Very well. Within seven days, I vow to bring back the Celestial Deviation Fruit. My Lady, I take my leave now!” Ye Jingyu declared with force, immediately turning and rushing toward the exit.

Watching Ye Jingyu’s hasty retreat, a shadow fell across Gongsun Xiangyi’s eyes. She lingered no longer, following him out of the Eternal Joy Palace.

As for Noble Consort Li, upon learning there was a chance to save her daughter, a measure of relief settled upon her. She placed all her hope squarely on Ye Jingyu; at this moment, only he could bring her daughter back to life.

Leaving the palace, Ye Jingyu immediately sought out Zhuge Yishi. He knew that a creature like the Turbid Dragon, as precious as a Taotie, was something ordinary people had never even heard of, let alone knew its whereabouts. In terms of understanding the entire Douhun Continent, who among his associates could compare to Zhuge Yishi?

Right now, saving Luo Ling’er was paramount. As for who poisoned her, that investigation could wait.

At the Duke of the State’s Mansion, Zhuge Yishi was playing a game of Go with Nangong Shang when he suddenly felt the air tremble. Moments later, Ye Jingyu materialized before him.

“Brother Ye, what has happened? Why such haste?” Seeing the anxious look on Ye Jingyu’s face, Zhuge Yishi asked directly.

“Do you know of the existence of the Turbid Dragon?” Ye Jingyu cut straight to the point, skipping pleasantries.

“The Turbid Dragon?” Zhuge Yishi frowned, a look of confusion crossing his eyes. Why would Ye Jingyu ask such a thing? But seeing the urgency in Ye Jingyu’s expression, he began to explain.

“That is a legendary high-tier Desolate Beast, at least Level Eight or higher. It was sighted once over a thousand years ago, but has never appeared since. Brother Ye, what precisely has occurred?”

“Ling’er has been poisoned…” Ye Jingyu recounted everything that had transpired in the palace in the most concise terms.

“The Turbid Dragon does indeed feed on the Celestial Deviation Fruit, and the Celestial Deviation Fruit is indeed a potent antidote capable of devouring toxins. And the place in this world most saturated with poisons is undoubtedly the Blue Dream Marsh in the Southern Barren Wilds. If the Turbid Dragon or the Celestial Deviation Fruit still exists anywhere, it can only be there!” Zhuge Yishi said slowly after a moment of contemplation.

“Then that’s it. I must depart for the Blue Dream Marsh immediately. I entrust the matters of Yunjing to you; you must help me uncover the truth of Ling’er’s poisoning!” Ye Jingyu stated gravely.

“Rest assured on that front. However, the distance to the Blue Dream Marsh is tens of thousands of li. Even with Ni Bo’s speed, it would take three days and three nights—six days round trip. You only have one day to search…”

“Even if I only have the time to blink, I must go look for it!” Ye Jingyu interrupted before Zhuge Yishi could finish.

Hearing Ye Jingyu’s resolute declaration, Zhuge Yishi offered no further persuasion, merely advising caution.

Ye Jingyu nodded, let out a sharp whistle, and a black shadow streaked in from the distance. He vaulted onto Ni Bo’s back. The mount neighed loudly, flames erupting from its four hooves, transforming into a streak of black lightning as it bolted south.

(I spent a considerable amount of time researching today, causing a delay for you brothers. My apologies!)