Xin smiled faintly: "These items for planting flowers and grass are hard to come by and extremely limited, but cultivating some top-grade flowers and plants for these students to Body Refining and nourish themselves is worth it."
His tone was light, almost casual, as if discussing ordinary agricultural matters rather than resources that could influence cultivation progress. Yet within that simplicity lay a clear philosophy—these rare materials were not meant to be hoarded, but to be used as nourishment for growth. Under his view, even the most precious herbs gained their value only when they were consumed and transformed into strength.
"That's true. When we Cultivated back then, where did we have such good conditions? It's truly their luck that girls like Yaner met a teacher like you, Dean Xin."
Dugu Bo's voice carried a hint of nostalgia. His memories drifted briefly to earlier years of harsh cultivation environments, where even basic resources were considered luxuries. Compared to those times, the current academy almost felt like a completely different world—one where even top-grade medicinal herbs could be cultivated in abundance under Xin's guidance.
"However, Dean Xin, are all these flowers and plants you want for Bibi Dong from the Supreme Pontiff Palace? From what I know about them, this Bibi Dong is not a benevolent person. Teacher Xin, what is your relationship with her?"
After a brief exchange, Dugu Bo couldn't help but ask tentatively.
The old Poison Guardian's eyes were full of shrewdness.
He had spent decades observing human nature, and his instincts were sharp. Something about the situation did not align with his understanding of Xin's usual behavior. A figure like Bibi Dong—powerful, politically complex, and surrounded by the Supreme Pontiff Palace—was not someone who would normally be involved in such personal exchanges involving rare medicinal resources.
That Bibi Dong fellow has ill intentions towards Dean Xin!
The dignified Supreme Pontiff, instead of doing proper business in Spirit City, ran to Heart of Fire Academy to pester Teacher Xin!
It was fine when Teacher Xin didn't pay much attention to her before.
But in these past two days, Dean Xin has been very close to this Bibi Dong, and their demeanor is very intimate. He even prepared various sub-immortal grade rare flowers and plants for her, which seem to nourish blood, vitalize the Soul, and enhance Qi and mental force.
What should be done?
Yaner, Grandpa has high hopes for you, not just for your Cultivation, but also for carrying on the family line!
His thoughts wandered briefly into a completely different direction, mixing concern with overprotective instincts, as older generations often did when observing younger talents interact with powerful outsiders.
Xin smiled faintly:
"Poison Guardian, rest assured, I know what I'm doing."
His expression remained calm, without the slightest hint of tension or hesitation. It was the same composed demeanor he always carried when dealing with matters that others found complicated. That simple reassurance carried more weight than a long explanation.
"Then I naturally trust Teacher Xin's judgment. I just mentioned it in passing."
Dugu Bo scratched his head awkwardly, quickly easing the tone of the conversation. Despite his worries, he had long since accepted Xin's ability to make decisions far beyond what others could easily understand. If Xin said there was no issue, then he would not press further.
"However, I have one more matter to confess to Dean Xin."
Just as Xin closed the medicine box and prepared to leave, Dugu Bo was silent for a moment, then bowed to Xin with cupped hands.
Xin quickly helped Dugu Bo up, a hint of confusion in his eyes:
"Poison Guardian, what are you doing? You help me manage the flower garden, and I haven't even had a chance to thank you. What sin have you committed?"
His reaction was immediate, instinctive. He did not accept such formal gestures lightly, especially from someone who had been quietly assisting him for so long.
"Alas, it is precisely because Dean Xin trusts me so much and entrusted the flower garden to my care, yet I was careless. I only recently discovered that two sub-immortal grade flowers and plants were missing from the flower garden, and one immortal grade flower and plant was destroyed."
Dugu Bo led Xin to a patch of sparkling flowers and plants, pointing to a corner of lush vegetation and saying. Indeed, there was a withered immortal grade plant, seemingly damaged by improper harvesting methods, and remnants of the roots of two other plants, which must have been harvested less than thirty days ago.
The scene was subtle but unmistakable. The imbalance in the spiritual energy of the garden could still be faintly sensed, like ripples left behind in calm water. Even without inspection, it was clear that something had been removed deliberately rather than naturally lost.
Xin thought for a moment but did not pursue the matter:
"Poison Guardian, there's no need to blame yourself. With such large patches of flowers and plants to care for, it's normal for two or three to die. It's only human to not discover it immediately, so it's no sin."
His response was calm, almost indifferent, as though the loss was insignificant compared to the overall system he had built. There was no anger, no suspicion—only a quiet acceptance that not everything could be perfectly controlled.
"If they withered naturally, that would be fine, but I'm afraid… someone from the academy came to steal flowers."
Dugu Bo looked worriedly at Xin. After all, even he was tempted by so many precious flowers and plants, let alone those young girls in the academy.