Life Extension Serena Can Create Miracles

William Wang Jinling and Holden Cui hadn’t come for small talk or emotional bonding. After only a few words, the three of them got straight to business.

This was Holden Cui’s issue, so he spoke first. Holden repeated what he’d told William, then, worried Serena might feel pressured, added self-mockingly, “Honestly, it’s my own incompetence. My grandmother has done so much for me, yet I still haven’t secured my position and let myself fall into this predicament.”

Serena didn’t know much about the Cui family’s internal affairs, but judging by the effort William had put in back then, she could guess a thing or two. She didn’t think this was Holden’s incompetence at all.

“This isn’t your fault. Life and death aren’t things humans can control. It’s just bad timing—you sent your sister to marry into Lyndaria, and right then your clan’s Matriarch fell ill. Both crises hit at once; no matter how skilled you are or how much power you have, it’s useless when your enemies are in the dark and you’re exposed.”

Serena was comforting Holden, but she was also being honest. William agreed, “You really can’t blame Holden for this. No one expected the Cui Matriarch to suddenly fall ill.”

“Grandmother is getting old. I should have paid more attention.” Holden’s eyes showed guilt, but he seemed a bit more relaxed.

Serena knew Holden wasn’t the type to crumble under pressure. He’d figure things out soon enough, so she didn’t keep comforting him. Instead, she asked, “So what’s your plan now? From what you’ve said, the Cui Matriarch’s condition doesn’t sound good. Sometimes, even doctors have no say over life and death.”

From Holden’s description of the illness, Serena knew she might not be able to help. When someone’s body is failing, even the best doctor can only barely prolong their life.

Holden had mentally prepared himself, but hearing Serena say it out loud still disappointed him. “So even you can’t do anything, Serena? Looks like there really is no hope.”

“It’s not hopeless. I can’t cure the Cui Matriarch, but I should be able to extend her life.” With good medicine to support her, the Matriarch wouldn’t die so easily—though...

As a physician, Serena believed that pouring medical resources into a dying elder was both wasteful and cruel. A life sustained solely by drugs was just another form of suffering for the patient.

But as the Phoenixfield Heiress and Holden Cui’s ally, she had to help him—and helping Holden meant helping herself.

“Extend her life? Serena, how long can you extend it?” Holden was visibly shaken, trying to stay calm, but his trembling hands betrayed his emotions.

If his grandmother could live three months longer, everything could change.

Serena knew how critical this was. After a moment’s thought, she answered conservatively, “At least half a year.”

“Half a year? Serena, you really can do it?” Holden’s eyes lit up with surprise and joy. Even William looked stunned. “Serena, you really can pull this off?”

To let someone at death’s door live for another half year—even the master of Mystic Healer Valley wouldn’t dare make such a claim. In that moment, both William and Holden felt something indescribable.

Was there anything in this world Serena couldn’t do?

When it came to her specialty, Serena was supremely confident. She caught both men’s shock and smiled gently, answering with conviction, “If you’d asked me two months ago, I’d have said one month at most. But now, I really am certain—I can guarantee your grandmother another six months.”

“You really can give my grandmother another half year? That’s amazing, Serena, you’re incredible!” Holden was so overwhelmed he couldn’t even sit still. He’d lost all his usual poise, but neither William nor Serena thought any less of him—they understood exactly how he felt.

Once Holden calmed down, William asked, “Serena, what method will you use to extend the Cui Matriarch’s life by six months?” This was crucial—he needed details. Holden’s eyes were bright, waiting for Serena’s answer.

Serena didn’t keep them guessing. She said directly, “Jade-Flora Orchid. I have Jade-Flora Orchid in my possession. With this herb, extending the Cui Matriarch’s life by six months is absolutely possible.”

William’s eyes lit up. “So that’s the treasure—you really can back up your promise, Serena.”

William was happy for Serena and Holden—if he ignored the flash of disappointment in his own eyes.

Jade-Flora Orchid, obtained in the last month or two, must have come from Serena’s adventures with Ninth Royal Uncle. Serena was his entire world, but he was only a small part of hers...

“Jade-Flora Orchid? Serena always has these incredible strokes of luck.” Holden couldn’t help but envy Serena’s fortune, but he also cheered for his own: “Serena, you really are my benefactor. Meeting you has changed my life completely.”

Holden’s words were completely genuine. He was just too overwhelmed to be anything but blunt.

“Serena can create miracles.” William had no doubt about that now. Serena had changed the destinies of many people—like him, and like Lyndaria’s Crown Prince Titus.

Without Serena, there would be no William Wang as head of the Wang Clan, no Crown Prince Titus in Lyndaria, no Crown Prince Jin Xing in Southlyn, and so on...

Without Serena, the Nine Provinces Realm would be dull indeed.

Half a year would be enough for the Cui Matriarch to last until Holden married William’s sister. Once Holden was married, the Matriarch could exert pressure and push him into the family headship. With Holden’s abilities and the Lyndaria royal house backing him, securing his position would only be a matter of time.

Holden never expected that the problem he’d worried about for so long would be solved so easily by Serena. He was overwhelmed: “Serena, you really can do anything. I honestly don’t know what my life would be like without you.”

He’d be dead already—no time for sitting around feeling sorry for himself.

Serena rolled her eyes with zero elegance. Just as Holden thought everything was settled, she poured cold water on him: “You’re not planning to pin all your hopes on the Cui Matriarch, are you?”

“In the Cui Clan, my grandmother’s authority is absolute. No one dares defy her.” Holden couldn’t hide his pride—he was genuinely proud of his grandmother.

“That may be true, but there are no walls without cracks. The Matriarch hasn’t shown herself for days—your uncles and cousins must have guessed something. Are you sure they’ll keep behaving now?” If they were truly obedient, they wouldn’t have gone behind Holden’s back, and he’d have taken power long ago.

Holden sighed softly, his scholarly face showing a tired smile. “I can handle them.”

“Are you sure? Is your so-called handling just passive defense?” Serena wasn’t trying to pressure Holden, but his temperament was different from William’s. William could cut off even family for power, but Holden still couldn’t do that.

“They...” Holden didn’t finish, but both Serena and William understood his meaning.

Being sentimental isn’t a flaw, but in a power struggle, it’s a fatal weakness.

Serena had to remind him: “Holden, you go soft on your brothers out of family feeling—but do you think they’ll go soft on you?”

Without waiting for Holden’s answer, Serena continued, “You’re already at a disadvantage. If you keep holding back, they’ll seize the chance to stomp you into the mud and never let you climb up again.”

“Holden, have you ever wondered why people close to you have betrayed you?” Serena answered her own question: “Besides threats and bribes, there’s another key reason—they see hope in someone else. Other than the Matriarch’s backing, you don’t offer any advantage over your rivals.”

In other words, Holden’s own people don’t believe he can win...