"Is this the legendary Wu Ling Pearl?"
She looked at the crystal-clear bead in Lu Zhu's hand and felt an immense spiritual power contained within it with just one glance.
"Indeed! I am the Saintess of the Wu tribe, but my mind is made up. I will naturally not touch the sacred artifact of my tribe. This Wu Ling Pearl is a divine item, sought after by all, and it has been in my possession! Since you are here today, I shall bestow it upon you!"
Lu Zhu nodded gently, a smile gracing her lips as she looked expectantly at Gu Qianying.
"How can such a divine item be gifted to me? Please keep it safe!"
Although the Wu Ling Pearl was valuable, it belonged to Lu Zhu. Even considering their past relationship, she couldn't be overly greedy!
To her surprise, Lu Zhu shook her head at this remark and looked at Gu Qianying with genuine sincerity, "Not so! This Wu Ling Pearl concerns you!"
Upon hearing this, Gu Qianying and Su Cheng exchanged glances, their expressions turning solemn. Sensing the shift in atmosphere, even young Yi Hao quieted down, no longer making noise.
"I know everything you experienced in Wu Yin Mountain, the hardships you endured in search of the truth behind the Luo Yan Map! However, I was afflicted by ač (gu), and some things I cannot recall clearly. But the truth of the Luo Yan Map is this Wu Ling Pearl!"
Lu Zhu slowly revealed the truth, her eyes filled with determination, her gaze softening as she looked at Gu Qianying with a hint of expectation.
"This..."
Gu Qianying could hardly believe that the truth she had been desperately searching for was contained within this purple bead. She couldn't help but feel a sense of emotion; the thing she had longed for was obtained so easily. Life was truly unpredictable!
Lu Zhu placed the bead into Gu Qianying's hand. Indeed, as soon as she touched the Wu Ling Pearl, a wondrous sensation arose, as if she and the bead had known each other for a long time.
"Does this bead have any peculiar properties?"
Seeing Gu Qianying mesmerized by the bead, Su Cheng gently patted young Yi Hao in his arms and asked carefully.
"This bead is an ancient divine item that somehow found its way to me. At that time, I knew nothing and simply thought it was beautiful, so I carried it with me. Later, after I was afflicted by the č (gu), I sometimes read ancient divine texts. Over time, I came to understand what this bead truly was!"
Lu Zhu explained the origin of the bead in detail.
"The books say this bead can revive the dead and heal flesh and bone, it can also beautify the complexion, grant eternal youth, and neutralize all poisons. In short, it is an invaluable treasure, and I rarely take it out!"
She added a couple more sentences.
At this moment, a cold wind swept across the mountaintop, jolting Gu Qianying out of her daze.
She realized she had been lost in thought and, with a clear mind, quickly pushed the shimmering bead back into Lu Zhu's hand, her expression serious.
"This item belongs to you. Since it is so wonderful, you should keep it safe. What if you need it yourself one day?"
These words were sincere, entirely for Lu Zhu's well-being. Now that she had decided to abdicate her position as Saintess, this could be her means of self-preservation should any accidents occur in the future.
"I absolutely cannot accept this! Please keep it!"
Gu Qianying emphasized again.
Lu Zhu stared at the returned bead in her hand for a long time. She then looked up at the sky, her eyes welling up with tears. After much thought, she still placed the Wu Ling Pearl into Gu Qianying's hand.
"I will keep this for you. Thank you!"
She clasped the Wu Ling Pearl tightly, her eyes filled with determination. Gu Qianying was her lifelong friend!
"Alright, let's not dwell on this. It's getting late, let's hurry!"
Su Cheng, who had been silent for a while, looked at the two women and then at the setting sun before urging them. They had to return to the Southern Yi Kingdom as soon as possible today!
"Okay! Let's set off quickly!"
Gu Qianying nodded, picked up young Yi Hao, and gently coaxed him. She smiled at Lu Zhu and took her hand.
"Where are we going?"
Lu Zhu asked. Although she had decided to go with them, a clear destination was still necessary for the future. After all, she had been a Saintess, and she couldn't simply abandon the matters of the Wu tribe, where her people resided.
"To the Southern Yi Kingdom. We need to handle an important matter there. Do you remember the Luo Yan Map incident?"
Seeing Lu Zhu's hesitation, even a hint of bewilderment, Gu Qianying felt a pang of sympathy. Everything that had happened in the past had made the girl before her both familiar and strange, causing her concern for the future. What she needed to do now was to help the girl beside her resolve her inner turmoil.
"It's alright, Lu Zhu. You don't need to act so mature in front of me. On this journey, you are not a burden to us, but an asset. Do you understand?"
Gu Qianying gently held her hand, offering words of comfort, feeling a mix of emotion and concern.
Knowing that the two women had more to discuss, Su Cheng tactfully took young Yi Hao to the nearby stables to fetch several fine steeds. Their journey to the Southern Yi Kingdom would undoubtedly require horses, and excellent steeds would save them a great deal of trouble.
When he returned, Lu Zhu and Gu Qianying were already holding hands, smiling at each other, as if their earlier awkwardness had vanished.
"You've made up?"
Su Cheng approached with young Yi Hao in his arms and asked, a satisfied smile on his face.
If Gu Qianying was happy, he was happy too. It was best for everyone to be cheerful.
"We never weren't on good terms. Did you find the horses?"
Gu Qianying chuckled playfully and asked softly.
Su Cheng waved his hand, and several dark red steeds trotted over, their hooves lightly tapping the ground.
Su Cheng helped Gu Qianying mount her horse. Gu Qianying turned to look at Lu Zhu and then at the empty steed beside them, asking again, "Lu Zhu, are you sure you want to come with me?"
Lu Zhu nodded firmly, lifted her skirt, and mounted the last horse without hesitation. She then looked at Gu Qianying and smiled gently.
Seeing her smile, Gu Qianying was momentarily stunned, as if she saw the Lu Zhu of the past, the little maid. Back then, they hadn't experienced so much, and they were the best of friends!
"Let's go!"
Seeing Gu Qianying lost in thought, Lu Zhu gently reminded her.
"Mhm!"
The group galloped away at full speed. In just three hours, they had returned to the Southern Yi Kingdom!