The Cultivator was a middle-aged man. As for whether he was from the Holy Land?

’Probably not. The man isn’t handsome.’

He didn’t fit Su Qi’s description of handsome men.

But Jiang Zuo had no interest in him. He was here to see the Ghost Cultivation Mark.

Soon, Jiang Zuo passed everyone and arrived at the bedside.

On the bed lay Xiaoye, her face pale. Her mother was watching over her from the side, looking just as haggard.

In Jiang Zuo’s eyes, he could see that Xiaoye showed no signs of being converted.

Or rather, the mark itself wasn’t very active. The reason its aura was leaking was simply because this girl, Xiaoye, was born with a weak constitution.

The Ghost Cultivation Mark was of a cold, yin nature. A normal person couldn’t possibly resist its debilitating effects, let alone a little girl who was already frail and sickly.

So, before the Ghost Cultivation Mark could even activate, its aura had already begun to leak out.

’This isn’t good for the Ghost Cultivators.’

Based on Jiang Zuo’s recent observations, he had discovered that many people had been branded with the mark.

Most of them were young, but they all shared a common trait.

They were all ordinary people.

The Ghost Cultivators’ marks were difficult to detect without a specific search.

This was especially true for ordinary people, who rarely drew any attention.

Jiang Zuo didn’t believe the Ghost Cultivators were just playing around. They must have their own agenda.

But Jiang Zuo didn’t know their true objective. He simply didn’t plan on exposing them, to ensure their plan could proceed smoothly.

He had discovered that the Ghost Cultivators would likely change their plans if they were exposed.

’Rather than have them keep changing things, it’s better to let them see it through to the end.’

’Then I can just dismantle it all at once.’

"Young man, have you figured anything out?" Boss He couldn’t help but ask, seeing that Jiang Zuo had been silent for a while.

Jiang Zuo nodded. "It’s not a big problem. It’s easy to solve."

Boss He was delighted, but the other Cultivator frowned. ’Is he trying to slap me in the face?’

"Little brother, you’re just an ordinary person. How can you know the girl’s condition with just a glance?"

Jiang Zuo didn’t turn around. Still looking at Xiaoye, he said, "That’s a foolish question. I don’t feel like answering it."

"You..."

’Does this guy really think Cultivators are all pushovers?’

Boss He immediately interjected, "Senior, Senior, please calm down."

He then quickly told the Cultivator that Jiang Zuo was connected to the Holy Land. Otherwise, if something really happened, no one could afford the consequences.

In the end, the Cultivator didn’t say anything more. He truly couldn’t afford to offend the Holy Land, especially while within its territory.

Finally, the Cultivator flicked his sleeve and said to Boss He, "You’re on your own. Don’t end up getting your own daughter killed." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

With that, the Cultivator left. Why would he stay?

To watch the other guy make a fool of himself?

’With the Holy Land backing him, what’s there to laugh at?’

Staying would only leave him feeling frustrated.

After he left, only Boss He’s family and Jiang Zuo remained. Jiang Zuo said to Boss He, "You all should step outside first."

Boss He and his wife exchanged a glance before finally stepping out.

They stood guard right by the door, feeling that nothing would go wrong.

After they left, Jiang Zuo took out an Array Stone and began to carve Runes into it.

’Saving this girl isn’t hard. I just need to seal the mark.’

’This way, no one will find out about the Ghost Cultivators’ scheme, nor will the Ghost Cultivators know that someone has noticed them.’

’And most importantly, it saves the little girl’s life.’

’It’s a win-win for everyone.’

Once the Runes were carved onto the Array Stone, Jiang Zuo placed it in Xiaoye’s hand. The next moment, the Array Stone emitted a faint glow, and the Ghost Cultivation Mark rapidly faded, finally becoming completely dormant.

A hint of color returned to Xiaoye’s previously bloodless face, and her breathing became much smoother.

A clear sign of vitality had returned.

Then, the Array Stone glowed faintly once more, and this light began to nourish Xiaoye’s body.

She instantly felt much better.

This Array was ineffective on Cultivators, but it was exceptionally good for ordinary people.

It was just like the Jade his aunt had given him, which had a similar effect.

Soon, Xiaoye began to wake up. She rubbed her eyes and sat up, then looked groggily at Jiang Zuo.

"Mister? Why are you here? Where are my mommy and daddy? I’m so hungry."

Jiang Zuo stood up and opened the door.

Boss He and his wife, who had been waiting anxiously at the door, instantly crowded around.

Just then, Xiaoye called out, "Mom, I’m hungry!"

Hearing those words and seeing Xiaoye sitting up, the He couple were completely stunned.

Xiaoye’s mother’s eyes welled with tears. She said immediately, "Okay, okay, Mommy will go get something good for Xiaoye to eat right now."

Her daughter had been unconscious since last night, her body ice-cold.

She had been scared to death back then. Now, seeing her daughter safe and sound, she would agree to anything she asked.

The feeling of recovering something you thought you’d lost is the most overwhelming of all.

But Boss He didn’t go to his daughter. Instead, he knelt directly before Jiang Zuo. "Thank you. Thank you."

He had hired many people, but none of them could do anything. They had even told him to prepare for the worst.

His daughter’s body had been so cold, but now she was well. Naturally, he had to express his gratitude.

Then Boss He immediately stood up and said, "I’ll go get the Spirit Stones right away."

Jiang Zuo’s expression remained unchanged from beginning to end. He said, "There’s no need. Just prepare a small pouch. I’ve left a piece of Jade for your daughter. It’s best if she wears it close to her body. It will keep her safe."

Boss He nodded in agreement.

Then, Jiang Zuo left.

For him, this was the best possible outcome: the Ghost Cultivators’ plan remained unexposed, and they hadn’t discovered the oversight.

Sweet Potato, however, had been on his shoulder the whole time.

Being hairless, it didn’t feel the cold. This was true even in the snow.

A Vermilion Bird Descendant that feared not the cold, but the heat.

Only after Jiang Zuo had left did Boss He go to Xiaoye’s side.

Xiaoye held the Array Stone and asked curiously, "Daddy, does this belong to that mister?"

Boss He nodded. "Yes, but that mister gave it to Xiaoye as a gift."

Then, Boss He took the Array Stone. The moment he did, he felt his whole body being nourished.

He stared in shock at the Jade in his hand.

He knew of such things. Buying a piece required a great price.

But Xiaoye already had something like this. Their daughter had always been frail, so they had spent a lot of Spirit Stones to buy one for her before.

’So why didn’t that one work?’

Just then, Xiaoye’s face turned pale and she said, "Daddy, it’s so cold."

Boss He was startled. He immediately put the Jade back in Xiaoye’s hand, and only then did her complexion return to normal.

At that moment, Boss He understood. This was no ordinary Jade—it was practically his daughter’s lifeline!

’This thing is completely different from what I thought it was.’

’This is definitely not something I could buy with just a few Spirit Stones.’

He found himself understanding Jiang Zuo less and less. ’Is he really an ordinary person?’

’Even if he’s related to a Holy Land Disciple, isn’t he being a bit too generous?’

But Boss He didn’t dare to think about it too much. He then put the Jade in a small pouch.

Then he hung it around Xiaoye’s neck. "Remember, you’re not allowed to take this off."

Although Xiaoye didn’t know what the Jade was for, she could feel that it was very comfortable, so she nodded obediently. "Mm-hmm."