Ye Lian, who is mostly busy handling the Fiefs, found time herself to scout the Beiyue Manor herself.
Akane had too much time in her hands when they were in Modern Era and the red head herself had seen Tobirama's own sealing formula. Seeing Minato's own in Naruto Anime had kept her occupied for two months. Hiraishin is a complicated seal, it's different from Body Flicker altogether. Mainly because everyone has their own different way of compatibility. Modify it to suit the needs rather than the wants. Necessary first before desire. It's convenient going back and forth to the two Fiefs and Princess Royal Manor.
Which suits them fine, Akane forgone the seal that would left a Yellow Flash, because instead of flash, they are like.. Ghost, in a sense, like a phantom, fading or disappearing that would make other think they are hallucinating. It's actually more useful specially in times like this to not be noticed but let's face it, with all the madness the Shinobi world has, they are no less vain and would want to look cool. Otherwise why would they shout their attack techniques. For all the subtlety Shinobi emphasizes, declaring techniques are….
Anyways, back to the topic in hand, Ye Lian is not bad in seals herself. In essence all three of them are one and the same yet different.
"This is a strong barrier seal, keyed to those blood related." Ye Lian said as she looked closely and felt the air, "And if I am not wrong there is a faint, almost fading aura of the Black Jade… But if it involves a dangerous artifact, going in there u prepare is not an option. Perhaps waiting it out is the best." Ye Lian back away, for all the creepiness of the place, there are plenty of good quality herbs at the edges of the barrier.
As Ye Lian had mentioned before, the three of them are one and the same but has different interest. Otherwise why would the three of them split?
And Ye Lian is interested in Alchemy.
Akane had worked with Tsunade and Orochimaru to create Iryo-Fuin Jutsu to help Ninjas on duty. Akane herself learned Iryoninjutsu from Tsunade and Orochimaru. Both have different outlook in the field. Tsunade is pure doctor, Frontline medic, while Orochimaru pursued science. Both of their different field has common so more often than not, their studies intercepts. They have different views and perspective, it's good to give each other insights and Akane herself had her fair share of own knowledge, in alchemy that is. It was difficult to obtain the necessary herbs because while Elemental Nation has the common to mid grade herbs, the rare ones are usually located scattered across the realm in the Summoning Realms. Dealing with summon to negotiation on other Summons territory is a pain in the ass that took them years to by pass that.
And all those brain storming and using alternate herbs are great right now. To the management efforts of Ye Lian, open minded suggestion of Beiyue, and the ingenuity of Akane, they were able to make a few adjustment in Miyang and Qinghe to make array and spiritual functionalized machine to help make it better and easier to manage, the herbs are growing healthy but what Ye Lian wants is to try now. However, they are tight on budget lately so she can only hunt on the herbs.
Relying on the memories of Akane to guide her until she can integrate her own judgment and calculations.
Ye Lian took one look at Beiyue manor before she left. A few shadow clones had scattered so many Hiraishin Markers all over Linhuai City, outside the gates and the edges of Fog Forest and scattered inside of the Fog Forest
There is Water Drop Lotus near the border of Moonset Valley and Fog Forest. It will bloom soon and it's guarded Ivory Spider, a Level 10 Spirit Beast.
Upon arrival, Ye Lian narrowed her eyes at the sight of the other party arriving. Upon closer inspection, Prince Xiaoyao, Song Mi is there. So it must be his own people. Given he's an Alchemist, and Alchemist in this world, general standards…. They re weak as chicken. Perhaps there are few exception here and there.
Ye Lian wasn't like Beiyue who, despite growing a spine, still shrinks her neck down once in a while, it's more of a habit that they re still beating out of her and it's showing great progress, or Akane who's hot headed but would find it amusing to play the pig to eat the tiger and on times unintentionally flamboyant. Ye Lian is raised with the standards of the Ye Family. Between the three of them, Ye Lian is more of a Princess. And she is unlike Ye Xiu, that brat, amongst them, Ye Lian dislikes being low key the most but necessity first desire later.
It's different however if they acted separated. Ye Lian is more active outside than the two, and she knew that the two knew she's not keeping low key as they expected from her, it's the lowest they can bring out which is why Ye Lian didn't bother hiding her presence.
Plus, in the forest of green and web of spider silk, the Black hanfu and golden maple leaves. Ye Lian, in terms of appearance, looks like she's 22, Akane herself had regressed to age 18 to 20. Both are in their Prime.
"My Lady, are you also in for the Water Drop Lotus?" Song Mi smiled amicably, his fan in hand and he seemed interested. None of them could sense her level and she appear so sudden they didn't sense her approach. She must be really strong. The fact that she's alone spoke loudly of her confidence in skills and strength.
"Yes." Ye Lian agreed, "On the better note, I am also interested in the Ivory Spider." Ye Lian spoke, she size them up, golden eyes appraising their threat levels, just in case they would fight.
"Then we will not fight the Lady for the Lotus, there are more further in the Moonset Valley."
"Many thanks, your Highness for your generosity" Ye Lian spoke hut everyone could hear the unspoken words, 'Even if you didn't back down, I will still snatch it.'
Of course it did make the guards of Song Mi irritated and felt like this woman is too arrogant.
With that, permission granted and Ye Lian is much more relieved that she won't be making an enemy of the Chief Pharmacist of Carta Mainland, it would be a good thing to not be blacklisted form the Pill Fairs hosted by Prince Xiaoyao. Many alchemist would flock that event just so they could exchange notes and ask for pointers.
The location of the Snow Drop Lotus is unique. It's in the middle of a lake as big as a soccer field with a small little island by the size of a two and a meter radius but in the middle of the tiny little islet a meter radius is water and the lotus is there, two leaves and one flower, it looks as if it's made of water, not ice like, but like water itself. Deserving of its name. It's rich in Yin Energy too. However, it is surrounded by the web of the Ivory Spider its akin to a funnel shape like structure of its web. Using a boat will be plausible or riding a spirit beast. Not to mention, the web is very sticky, there is also the guardian Spirit Beast, Ivory Spider.
The web is cleverly constructed by the spider that it could strangle the flower if something happen to it.
It's basically saying, 'If I can't have it, no one else can!'. For a Spider you sure are dramatic. You actually knew mutual destruction method. It would have the last laugh.
Others may find it conflicting but not Ye Lian. From her sleeve, a black paper butterfly appeared and flew over to the tiny island, she is patiently waiting.
Ye Lian is not in the range and did not show any hostility, the a Ivory Spider didn't make a move but are staring at them. It disdained the paper butterfly and let it pass, it's a paper butterfly anyway.
Ye Lian chuckled behind her sleeve.
To be honest, Ye Lian doesn't need the Water Drop Lotus much, hat she want is the Ivory Spider.
Even so, the flower is a bonus.
The butterfly reaches its destination and Ye Lian disappeared like a phantom. She reappeared by the Lotus and immediately severed the strings around the Lotus. The soldier was alarmed and turned to her with a shriek of outrage and shock. It was too late, the Lotus, its leaves and even roots are now has been safely harvested by her. Even the water inside the little islet was drained in a barrel.
Ye Lian jumped to avoid the White Venom of the Ivory Spider. After all, it's one of the main ingredients in making Jade Potion, plus, it would dispel her.
Ye Lian chuckled as she stepped lightly on the web of the spider, Chakra made it possible to stick on the surface, stay afloat on water, or made it unable to slip on slippery surface, how is not possible to make it that she would be stuck on a sticky surface?
From the surprise look on the enraged spider, Ye Lian chuckled as she ran with ease on its web, dodging its attempts to trap, Ye Lian is obviously playing with it.
The Ivory Spider would make great substitution to the Ninja Wire. It's much more stronger, not to mention, the silk that they could make from weaving it. For all the scary and disgusting bugs around the Aburame, they managed the huge spiders in their forbidden forest well, otherwise, how else would the Konoha Shinobi have durable fabrics? Konoha Shinobi Uniforms are expensive for a reason. More so when it's costumized.
"Akane, would you be able to spare some shadow clones when I get back? Have them clean out two courtyards in the back, I'm bringing in an Ivory Spider." Ye Lian spoke through mind link, supposed she shouldn't disturb the red head since she's close to cracking the seal on Beiyue, Yan had been awfully helpful and cooperative
These past few months.
"Sure, First." Akane agreed readily.
"Then that's enough" Ye Lian spoke and took off. She slipped from the guard of the spider and got on its back, Ye Lian used her mental force instead to subdue the spider that shriek and tried to shake her off before its struggles ceased. While it did look easy and almost effortless in the bystanders' eyes, mental force took a toll on Ye Lian who used it the first time.
Ye Lian now stood on top of the Ivory Spider that is now docile and subdued without it being fussy.
"Follow me and in the future, I'll let you eat a lot of pills." Ye Lian chuckled
The Ivory Spider made a resigned and obedient noise.
Ye Lian has to thank the foresight of Akane who had bought a Pet Space Artifact, it was a cheap one before making their own.
"Come inside first."
The Spider didn't make a fuss and entered the Pet Space.
"My Lady is a Summoner and a Pharmacist?" Song Mi asked, curious and fascinated.
"Is there a problem with that?" Ye Lian raised a brow
"Not at all, My Lady. It just shows your talent and capabilities. Subduing an Ivory Spider with just your mind and not even forming a contract after, it's unheard of!"
"Just because you haven't seen it before doesn't make it impossible, your Highness." Ye Lian spoke calmly, "It just shows that you still haven't seen the world quite yet. It's best to keep one's mind open to things like this."
"My Lady is wise and insightful"
"En." Ye Lian looks impatient as if she didn't want to stay and chat anymore, finding him bothersome.
Song Mi, "….." alas, this is my first time being showed that kind of expression of impatience and as if I'm an annoying pest. Did I just got rejected? Was my charm regressing lately? I have to say…. This is really refreshing!
"If there isn't anything else, I will take my leave, excuse me, your Highness." Ye Lian bowed and turn to leave.
"My Lady, may I have the honor to know your name?" Song Mi asked, never in his life did he ask for a name of women who usually readily gave their name first or that he heard their names from his subordinate who usually readily supplied them first. There is only one person, that was the late Princess Royal….
"My name is Ye Lian."
"My Lady is married?"
"No. Why would you even ask that?"
"No reason, it's surprising you aren't" after all, not only attractive, but also strong. How is she not married yet?
"Speak for yourself, Prince Xiaoyao. Not even a concubine in sight let alone a wife, are you sure you're well?" Ye Lian looked at him up and down with doubt. Indeed, he's already way passed the age of marriage but he's not married yet.
Song Mi's pride as a man was struck with her gaze. My Lady where are you looking? Where are you doubting?! What do you mean by 'are you sure you're well'?!
"Then, My Lady-"
"Prince, you're so leisure and free, but never forget that some of us has important things to do, I don't have time to entertain you, I'll leave first." Didn't even give a chance to say more because she Hiraishin-ed home. After all, today is Ye Lian's time to cook lunch and the babies at home are hungry.
Song Mi stared at the spot where the mysterious and indifferent woman was. She didn't seemed to be older than himself, and it's not the vanity or beauty pills talking, he had seen her calloused hands and she had a light scar by her neck, so it means, it's natural beauty. She was fast, and disappeared so suddenly that the Chief Alchemist thought she was an illusion than a real person but he knew she was real. Still…
"Investigate who that person is and if she has been in Nanyi."
"Yes, Your Highness"
"…. Your Highness…. the Xiaoyao wangfu…. Finally welcome a wangfei?"
"You think too much, after all, I have the feeling the talent of that woman in Alchemy would even surprise me. At best, it's a flight of fancy."
Song Mi didn't see the doubts and disbelief of his subordinates.
Your Highness, doesn't that mean you are interested?