My Sexy CEO Wife

"Don't lose heart! There must be a way!" Gao Fei consoled.

"What way could there possibly be?" Duanmu Hong gave a bitter smile, "In this world, only a defying heavenly secret technique can help me, but alas... the failure of the secret technique means that now, other than waiting for death, I have no second path to choose." Duanmu Hong resented the unfairness of the heavens; she hadn't committed any heinous crimes, so why did she have to suffer like this?

"You just said... you don't have long to live?" Gao Fei asked.

"Yes, my life force is severed; death could come at any moment."

"You certainly don't want to die, right?"

"Nonsense! If I could live, who would want to die? I chose to cultivate the defying heavenly secret technique originally because I didn't want to perish."

"I might have a way to extend your lifespan."

"What way could you possibly have?" Duanmu Hong scoffed.

"As far as I know, many spiritual medicines in this world can prolong life. If we could find one or two for you to consume..."

"My life force is severed; ordinary spiritual medicines are useless unless..."

"Unless what?" Gao Fei eagerly pressed.

"Unless you can find defying heavenly level spiritual medicine," Duanmu Hong said, "That's impossible! Defying heavenly level spiritual medicines are extremely rare; each appearance causes a frantic scramble. I too tried to find such spiritual medicine in the past, but regrettably, I never did." Here, Duanmu Hong paused, "By now, defying heavenly level spiritual medicines have long since vanished; they simply cannot be found."

"What is defying heavenly level spiritual medicine?" Gao Fei inquired.

"To be deemed defying heavenly level, spiritual medicine has to meet three criteria," Duanmu Hong explained, "First, the variety must be rare; second, it must have an exceptionally long growth period; and third, it must possess a certain degree of spirituality."

"Do Ginseng and Polygonum multiflorum count as defying heavenly level medicines?" Gao Fei continued.

"If ginseng and Polygonum multiflorum could grow for a million years, they would indeed be considered defying heavenly level medicines."

"A million years?" Gao Fei silently clicked his tongue, "How could that be possible! Ginseng that surpasses a century becomes a treasured medicinal material; it would have long been harvested."

"Exactly," Duanmu Hong sighed softly, "The patience of humans is limited; they simply can't wait a million years. Once ginseng or Polygonum multiflorum exceeds a century, it gets picked, and if it can survive for a millennium, it's considered a rarity."

After pondering for a moment, Gao Fei said, "Senior Duanmu, how about we make a deal?"

"A deal?" Duanmu Hong frowned, "What kind of deal? What are you scheming now?"

"I'll help you find defying heavenly level spiritual medicine, and you help me with some tasks; what do you think?" Gao Fei saw the immense strength of Duanmu Hong and wanted to bring her into his camp, to serve as his bodyguard. Just imagine, walking out with an ancient Great Cultivator, how awesome would that be?

"Don't indulge in wishful thinking," Duanmu Hong huffed, "You think you can subdue me? Dream on!" Gao Fei's cultivation was too low for Duanmu Hong to even consider it.

"Not subdue! A trade!" Gao Fei spoke earnestly, "I help you, you help me; a mutually beneficial exchange! How fair of a deal is that!"

"Fair my ass!"

"Senior Duanmu, do you truly not want to continue living?"

"I don't believe you can find defying heavenly level spiritual medicine." No matter what was said, Duanmu Hong simply looked down on Gao Fei.

Gao Fei smacked his lips and said in an even tone, "As the saying goes, don't fear the ten thousand; fear the 'what if.' What if I happen to have good luck and unwittingly come across defying heavenly level spiritual medicine?"

"Enough with the boastful claims," she dismissed.

"Can't you give me a chance? And give yourself a chance! Besides, you have nothing to lose, so why not try?"

"..."

"What's there to hesitate about? If I were you, I'd definitely agree; it's all gain and no loss for you."

...

Ultimately, Duanmu Hong was moved. Gao Fei had a point, why not give it a try? What if it succeeded?

"I'll make the deal with you," Duanmu Hong stated, "But I want to change the terms of the deal."

"Change?" Gao Fei blinked rapidly, "How would you change them?"

"You find one Defying Heavenly Level Spiritual Medicine, and I'll do one thing for you. You find two, and I'll do two things, and so on—fair trade."

"What? One Spiritual Medicine for one thing? No way! Absolutely not! I'd be at a huge loss! One Spiritual Medicine for ten things!"

"No, two things at most!"

"At least nine things!"

After some haggling, the two reached a consensus: one Defying Heavenly Level Spiritual Medicine for three favors.

"I have another condition," Duanmu Hong said, "I won't do anything that lacks morality or poses a danger to me."

"Rest assured." Gao Fei chuckled, "I'm an honest man! I would never make you do something bad! And I definitely won't let you take any risks!"

"You better start looking for the Spiritual Medicine. I don't have much time. I hope you can find it quickly," urged Duanmu Hong.

"Don't worry, I've still got something to say," Gao Fei said as he rubbed his hands together and smiled, "According to the rules, you should be paying a deposit."

"A deposit?"

"Yes! Looking for Spiritual Medicine is time-consuming and labor-intensive, and it could be dangerous. It is only reasonable for you to pay me part of the deposit, or let's call it operating funds. You can't expect me to fork out my own money to find the Spiritual Medicine, can you?"

"...That sounds somewhat reasonable..."

"It's more than just reasonable; it's extremely sensible!"

"...What do you want?"

"Give me some Amethysts, and a few Spiritual Treasures," Gao Fei demanded boldly.

"You sure have a big appetite," Duanmu Hong huffed, "I have no Amethysts, but I do have a few Spiritual Treasures. However, I can't give them to you."

"Ah?" Gao Fei said with a wry smile on his face, "Senior Duanmu, you can't be too stingy..."

"I really don't have any Amethysts."

"Then just give me a few Spiritual Treasures."

"No! The Spiritual Treasures have all been refined by me, and even if I gave them to you, you wouldn't be able to use them."

"..."

"However, I can give you an Elixir."

"An Elixir? What kind of Elixir? If it's Healing Pills, forget it, I have plenty of those."

"This Elixir is called a Forbidden-breaking Pill. It's something I spent several years refining. It contains terrifying Spiritual Power. After taking it, it can greatly enhance your Cultivation," explained Duanmu Hong.

"Huh? What? Uh! What did you say?" Gao Fei's eyes widened in shock, "A significant increase in Cultivation? Am I hearing this right?"

"You heard right. The Forbidden-breaking Pill is a very badass Elixir, it was even famous in Ancient Times."

"Give it to me, hurry up and give it to me!"

"Here you go," said Duanmu Hong simply.

A streak of white light flew out from the ancient tomb. Gao Fei reached out and caught it in his hand. He looked down and saw it was a crystal-clear Elixir, exuding an intoxicating medicinal fragrance, "Is this the Forbidden-breaking Pill? It looks truly extraordinary."

"Let me see, let me see," He Hentian leaned over from the side, reaching out to snatch the Elixir.

"Step off," Gao Fei was quick to hide the Elixir behind his back, glaring at He Hentian, "This Elixir is mine!"

"Look at you, all anxious. I just want to look at it, I won't take it," He Hentian said with a grin revealing his Snaggletooth, "Let me have a look."

"No peeking," Gao Fei shook his head.

"What a miser!" He Hentian muttered, "Fine, don't let me see then! I'll get my own!"