The young woman nodded, finding Long Xiao's words very reasonable.
She now held Long Xiao in great admiration, believing whatever he said, even if it went against conventional wisdom.
The young man beside her, seeing the woman lost in thought again, mused about becoming a Taoist priest, confident he would charm many women.
Watching the young woman's infatuated gaze, Long Xiao began to worry. He knew trouble would arise if Lin Xuan saw this.
While Long Xiao was busy deceiving the young woman, Lin Xuan watched from a distance, feeling deeply uncomfortable.
She thought, "This big liar, he followed that old swindler around selling fake medicine since he was a child, and he still hasn't changed. He's always trying to trick beautiful young women."
Yang Xiaoyue nudged Lin Xuan with her elbow and said, "President Lin, you need to be careful. Brother Long is scamming that young woman."
Lin Xuan magnanimously replied, "It's alright. He's just that kind of person. He's not really bad and won't do anything out of line."
"Sigh," Yang Xiaoyue sighed, "Sometimes women shouldn't be too generous. Men need to be kept in check, or they'll be spoiled."
As the two women discussed how to discipline Long Xiao, Long Xiao himself was growing uneasy under the young woman's adoring gaze.
"Why are you staring at me like that?" Long Xiao asked.
The young woman smiled and said, "Daoist priest, from which mountain do you practice? Do you still take disciples?"
Long Xiao was relieved by her question and replied, "This humble Taoist practices in Cloud-Soaring Cave and never takes disciples."
The young woman found the name of his practice location somewhat familiar, as if she had heard it somewhere before.
"Cloud-Soaring Cave, why does that sound so familiar? But I can't recall where I heard it," she said.
Long Xiao knew that if this continued, he would be exposed. He closed his eyes and stopped responding to her.
The young woman's interest in Long Xiao grew, and she didn't give him a moment of peace, asking a barrage of questions. Long Xiao answered them haphazardly.
After answering over a dozen of her questions, the young woman said, "Daoist priest, can you sell me some of your immortal pills for healing?"
Long Xiao looked at her and said, "To completely cure your illness, three or five pills won't be enough. My pills are made from the finest medicinal herbs from spiritual mountains, and the cost is very high."
"Isn't it a million per pill? I'll give you the money," the young woman said.
Not taking money when offered wasn't Long Xiao's style. Someone who had been poor since childhood had a peculiar fondness for money.
"To completely cure your illness, ten pills are needed. However, your current physical condition doesn't allow for so many. If you want to be cured, I can treat you with spiritual talismans."
Modern people are educated in Western science, and healing with spiritual talismans goes against scientific principles, so most people don't believe in it, and the young woman was no exception.
"Daoist priest, I'm still a little skeptical about spiritual talismans curing illnesses," the young woman said, looking at Long Xiao earnestly.
Long Xiao placed his right hand on his chest and said, "Boundless Taoist Venerable, this humble Taoist regards money as dirt, but I am a farmer."
"Daoist priest, I won't shortchange you on the money. Can you use a different method to treat me?"
Long Xiao shook his head and said, "Your illness can only be treated with spiritual talismans. If you don't believe me, you can first consult a doctor at the hospital and see how they propose to treat you."
"Daoist priest, it's not that I don't believe you, but the concept of healing with spiritual talismans is too mystical, and I find it hard to accept."
"What's so hard to accept about it?" Long Xiao smiled.
The young woman glanced around and asked, "Are you planning to burn spiritual talismans on the plane?"
Long Xiao shook his head and said, "Lighting fires on a plane, the flight attendants probably wouldn't allow it. But if I draw spiritual talismans on your arms and hands, they shouldn't object, right?"
The young woman thought for a moment and said, "What the Daoist priest says makes sense. I'll undress now, and you can start drawing."
As the young woman began to undress, Long Xiao quickly stopped her. "Don't do that! There are so many people here. Do you want to get me killed?"
"Didn't you say you'd draw on my arms and hands? How can I let you draw on my arms if I don't undress?" the young woman asked, confused.
Long Xiao felt guilty and looked back at Lin Xuan. Seeing her smiling at him, he felt even more uneasy.
Long Xiao actually had no interest in the young woman, but he was interested in money. When he became stronger in the future, he might return to the Long family and search for his missing parents. All these endeavors would require money.
"Actually, this humble Daoist's cultivation has already reached the Innate realm. When drawing talismans, I don't need cinnabar or brushes. I can just channel spiritual energy into my fingers and draw with them."
The young woman was stunned. Spiritual energy, Innate realm – she couldn't quite grasp how powerful Long Xiao truly was.
"Daoist priest, I didn't understand what you said, but I know your power is immense, and I believe you can cure my illness."
Long Xiao nodded and said, "My strength speaks for itself. It doesn't need anyone's belief; the result will show it."
The young woman held out her hands and covered her eyes, completely entrusting herself to Long Xiao.
Yang Xiaoyue nudged Lin Xuan again. "President Lin, Brother Long is about to make his move."
Although Lin Xuan felt uncomfortable, she didn't voice it. She looked at Long Xiao and said, "This guy is scamming for money again. He won't fall for this woman."
"President Lin, you are truly open-minded. Sigh, there's nothing to be done. Women are like this, especially those in love."
Yang Xiaoyue's words, "women in love," sent a tremor through Lin Xuan's heart. She wondered, "Has Long Xiao already found a place in my heart?"
While the two women were speculating about Long Xiao, he began to treat the young woman. He slowly extended his finger, narrowed his eyes in an air of profound wisdom, and quickly drew over a dozen circles on the young woman's palm.
As he drew the circles, Long Xiao emitted a trace of life essence, channeling it into the young woman's lungs.
Nourished by this life essence, the young woman's lungs rapidly regained their health.
The young woman felt a cool sensation in her lungs and found her breathing much smoother than before.
"I feel much better," she said.
Long Xiao smiled and said, "This is the benefit of healing with spiritual talismans. No matter how severe the illness, as long as there is enough fertilizer, the crops will surely grow well."
The young woman nodded and said, "What the Daoist priest says are all profound truths. I will give you plenty of fertilizer."
The young woman had more than ten ailments in her internal organs. If treated with medicine, even with Long Xiao's skills, it would take at least ten days to half a month. If sent to a hospital for Western medical treatment, it would essentially be treating the lungs and damaging the kidneys, treating the heart and injuring the liver, and she would never be able to leave the hospital for long until her death.
Long Xiao, using life essence and feigning movements, drew talismans over a dozen times, completely healing the young woman's internal organs.
With no more internal ailments and nurtured by the surplus life essence, the young woman felt as if she had a new body. It was incredibly satisfying, more so than she had ever felt in her life.
"This is wonderful, Daoist priest, I love you so much!"
The young woman lunged at Long Xiao, her mouth open as if to kiss him. Startled, Long Xiao tried to push her away, but his hand landed on her chest.
Feeling a soft, yielding sensation, Long Xiao quickly withdrew his hand, twisted his body, and slipped out from under her arm.