“And what I’m betting on is that their plan won’t succeed this time,” Miao Xiaomiao smiled. “Since you’ve already decided not to go, no matter how many brilliant schemes they devise, they’ll be rendered useless because there’s no one to execute them against. Naturally, their plan will fail. So, as long as you don't go, it means I've won outright! Zhan Qingfeng and I made this wager in front of so many people; he absolutely cannot go back on his word, which means he has permanently forfeited this opportunity! And for the next hundred years, I will have the chance to enter the Spirit Herb Garden once every year. Even if I don't gain the Holy Tree's approval this time, I still have at least a hundred more chances!”

“So, while I might feel a little disappointed that you aren't going this time, I must still thank you,” Miao Xiaomiao said, preparing to take her leave after finishing her statement.

“Wait!” Jun Moxie leaped up as if injected with adrenaline. “Who said I’m not accepting the challenge? Where are they? Take me there!”

“Huh?” Miao Xiaomiao stared at him, dumbfounded. What fresh madness was this fellow about to display now?

“With this Young Master’s talent, how could I possibly lose to them? Take me! Watch me send them running in disarray! I certainly don’t want Miss Miao ending up as a widowed bride!”

Miao Xiaomiao stumbled, utterly speechless with anger, a knot tightening in her chest!

Just who was this person? Could he actually comprehend human language…?

Miao Xiaomiao was truly at a loss for words regarding this Young Master Mo!

She had clearly told him that if he stuck to his original plan—going home to sleep and skipping that so-called engagement—she would win.

Moreover, based on his initial intentions, not going had already been a foregone conclusion... No matter how one looked at it, her wager was solidly won! Thus, beneath her regret, Miao Xiaomiao also felt a touch of elation.

The regret was certain. After initially glimpsing the boldness, literary flair, and eloquence of this possessor of the Ethereal Body, her interest had surged significantly. Naturally, she wanted to delve deeper into what other capabilities this man might be hiding.

In her estimation, this Mo Junye was like a dense fog that no one could penetrate. The more she learned, the more unfathomable he seemed, as if concealing countless secrets, each one worthy of her astonishment, awe, and pleasant surprise.

At the very least, within the Illusion Mansion, there would never be a second Mo Junye! This man’s appearance had utterly overturned all of Miao Xiaomiao’s previous understanding of the term “Promising Young Talent!”

Especially the poetry he had casually uttered—every line was soul-stirring, compelling one to muse over it for a long time, utterly immersed and unable to break free.

It even conjured a subtle, exquisite illusion: perhaps on a late afternoon bathed in the setting sun, with a cup of fine tea, sitting quietly beneath flowering trees, watching the clouds drift by, one could contemplate Mo Junye’s flawless verses, spending an entire afternoon lost in them…

It was simply too beautiful, yet too melancholic, too helpless, perfectly striking a chord in a young girl's heart…

If he refused the appointment, she would undoubtedly lose the opportunity to uncover more of his secrets, which was inevitably a pity.

As for the joy, if, by some twist of fate, he actually went, anyone on Zhan Yuchen’s side was no easy mark. Even with his considerable talents, he would be utterly alone, especially given how limited his own Water-Sheep Profound Qi was. If those people targeted that weakness to humiliate him, they would have countless methods to do so. In that scenario, she would worry herself sick.

If he didn't go, it would spare him that ordeal of public humiliation. For him, the outcome was unequivocally the best!

Miao Xiaomiao absolutely could not bear to see such a talented and versatile young prodigy tormented by that group of profligate young lords; therefore, she preferred Mo Junye to stay away.

Of course, viewed from another angle, if Young Master Jun skipped the meeting and foiled Zhan Yushu’s plans, it would secure Miao Xiaomiao’s chance to manage the Spirit Herb Garden later—a win-win outcome, really!

But now, the fellow had suddenly reversed his predetermined course!

And he did it right after she joyfully informed him that she had won, securing her century-long opportunity to select candidates for the Spirit Herb Garden! He suddenly changed his mind at this very moment! With absolutely no warning! What was the meaning of this?

This sudden, unexpected shift caused Miao Xiaomiao to grind her teeth!

Could it be because of her sharp words earlier, that he had suddenly seen the light and changed his ways?!

Pah! Miao Xiaomiao wouldn't believe that possibility even if she were beaten to death!

I bet he just can’t stand seeing me win, can he?

She couldn't help but snap sharply, “Are you looking for death?”

Jun Moxie puffed out his chest proudly. “My lady, you give too much credit to those so-called noble scions. What can those trash heaps possibly do to me? In my eyes, they don't even possess the qualifications to compete with me! However, it was your words just now that changed my decision. If only you were going into that Spirit Herb Garden alone, surrounded only by old men, for a stunning beauty like you, peerless in charm, to spend all day with a group of elders—surely that would be dreadfully lonely. So, I thought, why don’t I accompany you inside?”

“What? You want to accompany me inside?” Miao Xiaomiao was utterly aghast. How did he know the Spirit Herb Garden was vast and desolate? And he even thought of accompanying me…

“Yes, I plan to go in with you, so we can look out for each other, and at least it won't be so dull! Speaking of the Spirit Herb Garden, I adore the scent of spiritual herbs. In fact, I enjoy cultivating medicinal materials myself normally. Whenever I enter such an environment, my spirits lift immensely,” Jun Moxie spoke without pausing, employing every trick of speech necessary to convince her.

“That idea of yours is rather interesting. Having a great scholar like you by my side would certainly alleviate a lot of boredom. But… the Spirit Herb Garden has its own strict regulations, especially the limitation placed on the younger generation: only one person is allowed inside at a time!”

Miao Xiaomiao worried, “Also, the Seven-Colored Holy Tree is extremely strict when selecting its compatible partner. Besides the candidate needing to be under twenty years old, they must also possess an aura of natural affinity to even qualify for selection. If too many people enter, the Holy Tree might get confused…”

Jun Moxie’s spirit suddenly roused. “According to you, this Seven-Colored Holy Tree actually possesses autonomous consciousness? Has it become a sentient… spirit?”

“That is actually the truth! However, the growth of the Seven-Colored Holy Tree’s intellect is extremely slow. According to my grandfather, three thousand years ago, the Holy Tree began to develop its own consciousness and rudimentary spirituality. But even now, its intelligence is equivalent to that of a five or six-year-old child. It acts purely based on simple likes and dislikes and cannot move freely. Sometimes, if it bears a Holy Fruit, and someone it dislikes comes to pick it, it will hide the fruit… much like a spoiled child throwing a tantrum…” When speaking of the Holy Tree, Miao Xiaomiao’s tone was as fond and indulgent as if speaking of her own mischievous child.

“Even the elders who enter the Illusion Mansion’s Spirit Herb Garden to gather spiritual essences are forbidden from stepping within a hundred-mile radius of where the Seven-Colored Holy Fruit Tree resides! If anyone enters that zone without permission, every single spiritual herb within that radius will wither simultaneously!”

“Only when it willingly extends a branch and permits transplantation can all the seniors of the Illusion Mansion pool their Profound Energy to communicate with it, allowing a single offshoot to be taken from its base. Then, the designated young candidate is sent forward to be observed by the Holy Tree. If, by sheer luck, they meet the standard of compatibility, that person will plant the offshoot within this hundred-mile area, where it will continue to be cared for by the Holy Tree itself. No one else is permitted to interfere…”

“It’s that miraculous?” Jun Moxie was stunned speechless. “It appears to be merely a tree! Yet it’s so domineering?!”

“Yes, otherwise why would our Illusion Mansion revere it as a Sacred Tree?” Miao Xiaomiao sighed.

“But if only one young person is allowed in each time, who established that rule? Can there be no exception?” Jun Moxie pondered for a moment, then asked.

“There are no exceptions. Records show that fifteen hundred years ago, the Illusion Mansion once sent in two young envoys simultaneously, but that action was met with ruthless expulsion by the Holy Tree! This led to the Spirit Herb Garden remaining unoccupied and unattended for the subsequent fourteen hundred years. It wasn't until a little over a century ago, when my father gained the Holy Tree's acknowledgment by chance, that he was able to resume stewardship of the garden. This place isn't managed simply because the higher-ups of the Mansion designate someone to take charge. The space of the Spirit Herb Garden is, in fact, the domain of the Seven-Colored Holy Tree! If it disagrees, no one can remain within it. Even my father, though recognized by the Holy Tree and currently managing the garden, is powerless to take even a single blade of grass or a single twig from the Spirit Herb Garden!”

“I see… I wonder how your esteemed father managed to gain its favor back then?” The more Jun Moxie listened, the more extraordinary this tree seemed to him!

“That incident isn't really a secret; all the elders of the Illusion Mansion know it. My father’s innate talent back then was extremely poor; the Mansion considered him a garbage constitution, utterly incapable of cultivating high-level Profound Qi. He could never even tread the lowest threshold to become a Sovereign Expert.”

Miao Xiaomiao’s face broke into a pained smile, as if grieving for her father’s past misfortunes. “Even my grandfather, who once held high hopes for him, eventually lost hope. Just then, my father was struck by a sudden, grave illness and was near death. Still, blood is thicker than water. Even though my grandfather wasn't overly fond of him, the Spirit Herb Garden had been vacant for fourteen hundred years, and the spiritual energy within had become condensed to an unimaginable degree. My grandfather used his authority to request permission from the elders to bring my father inside to heal using the garden's spiritual energy. Since that area had been empty for fourteen hundred years, everyone had already given up hope on it, and coupled with my grandfather’s immense prestige, they agreed to the request…”

“But no one expected that after entering, my father’s illness not only vanished but he unexpectedly gained the Holy Tree’s recognition. As for the precise process, I actually don't know the details.” (To be continued)