Fang Xuan gave a cold laugh, "The path of cultivation is an act of defying the heavens and fighting for one's fate. What do a few side effects matter? If one cannot even control their own desires, how can they hope to seek immortality!"
Taking a step forward, his eyes burned as he stared at the crimson pill. "As for this pill... why would I, your disciple, ever dare not to take it!"
Lu Qingsong was momentarily stunned by the response, but then a hearty laugh broke across his face.
"Good! Good! What a 'why would I not dare'! Fang Xuan, it seems I truly did not misjudge you!"
Fang Xuan was perfectly suited for his purposes—a youth with ambition, courage, and no qualms about taking shortcuts.
He solemnly placed the cold jade box into Fang Xuan's hands. "I bestow this pill upon you. Go back and refine it well to stabilize your cultivation. As for Wu Hao... I will create an opportunity for you. Remember, only the heavens, the earth, you, and I shall know of this."
"I understand."
"Go now," Lu Qingsong said with a wave of his hand, turning back to gaze once more at the spirit lake.
Fang Xuan said nothing more, turning to leave the restricted courtyard.
The item was indeed excellent, but as for killing Wu Hao...
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Whether to kill him, how to kill him, and when to kill him... those were matters that required careful consideration.
After all, the grand elder himself was an obstacle in his path to consuming the Qingyun Sect.
He looked up toward the direction of Sword Peak, spiritual power circulating beneath his feet as his speed suddenly increased.
........
Before long, he returned to the familiar, quiet valley.
The bamboo forest remained lush and green, the stream gurgled softly, and the small courtyard appeared peaceful under the afternoon sun.
Ning Xian stood behind the half-open bamboo window, watching Fang Xuan.
Although her spiritual sense had long since detected his return, her heart only truly settled once she saw his figure with her own eyes.
......
Just as Fang Xuan pushed open the courtyard gate—
With a creak, the bamboo door of the main house was pulled open from the inside.
Ning Xian stood in the doorway, her cool gaze falling upon him as she quickly scanned him, seemingly confirming he was unharmed.
She said nothing, merely reaching out to grasp Fang Xuan’s wrist. She gently led him into the room and closed the door behind them.
Being pulled along, Fang Xuan thought to himself that it had only been three days. Why did his Senior Sister’s behavior make it seem like they hadn't seen each other in three years?
Then he saw Ning Xian turn around, facing him as she raised her hands and began to unfasten the ties of his outer robe...
Fang Xuan thought, "???"
Starting already? This directly? He wasn't prepared... no, actually, it felt like he was always quite prepared.
Ning Xian's movements remained calm and natural as her fingers unfastened the toggles at his collar.
"Prepare for the medicinal bath."
Fang Xuan thought, "......"
Oh, a medicinal bath.
So why was it that every time she took off his clothes... it was never for anything fun.
Ning Xian stood slightly on her tiptoes, reaching behind his head with both hands to untie the green hair ribbon binding his hair.
This posture brought her almost flush against Fang Xuan’s chest. A faint, clear fragrance drifted from the top of her head, and a few soft strands of hair brushed against his chin.
Ning Xian was merely thinking about why her Junior Brother had grown so tall...
Last time when they kissed... she had to tilt her head back, which wasn't very comfortable...
Fang Xuan raised an arm, lightly encircling Ning Xian’s slender waist and drawing her a bit closer to his chest.
However, she didn't seem to notice, focusing entirely on her movements. She carefully folded the unfastened hair ribbon and placed it on the nearby table.
Only then did she lightly push against Fang Xuan’s chest, her voice even softer than before. "...Go to the bath barrel."
Fang Xuan finally released her, watching her back as she turned to prepare the medicinal bath.
.......
The bath barrel was already filled with steaming medicinal broth. The water was light brown and emitted a thick fragrance of spiritual herbs.
Ning Xian had already stepped outside the room.
Fang Xuan nimbly shed his remaining clothes.
The medicinal broth instantly enveloped his body. The pure, gentle medicinal power seeped through his skin and into his body, nourishing his meridians.
"Mm..." He let out a comfortable sigh, relaxing his body against the wall of the barrel.
His cultivation was rising, and now his Senior Sister had arranged his body tempering as well. As for sword intent... with her around, it would surely improve sooner or later.
He suddenly remembered the Crimson Sun Soul-Tempering Pill Lu Qingsong had given him.
With a thought, he retrieved the cold jade box from his storage ring.
Opening the box, the crimson pill lay quietly inside, emitting a sharp, exotic fragrance.
He had already checked it thoroughly; the pill itself was fine, and Lu Qingsong hadn't tampered with it.
He picked up the pill and tossed it directly into his mouth.
The pill melted instantly upon contact, turning into a searing, boiling torrent that rushed into his limbs and bones.
Fang Xuan let out a muffled groan. His skin instantly turned an abnormal crimson, and fine beads of sweat broke out on his forehead.
But at the same time, an indescribable, dry heat rose from his dantian, rapidly spreading through his entire body.
His heart began to race involuntarily, and the speed of his blood flow seemed to increase.
Naturally, Little Xuan also rose with vigor, flushed with intense heat.
He closed his eyes, silently operating the heart law of the Xuan-Yuan Mixed Qi Scripture, guiding the majestic medicinal power within him to circulate in an orderly fashion while attempting to calm the restless impulse.
Under the operation of his cultivation method, that dry heat was gradually suppressed and merged into his own spiritual power, instead adding a trace of masculine, fiery character to his energy.
After an unknown amount of time, the medicinal power was mostly absorbed.
Fang Xuan opened his eyes and exhaled a long breath of turbid air.
The crimson hue on his skin had faded, and he could clearly feel the changes within himself.
His physical strength was greater, his spiritual power was more condensed and searing, and his soul seemed clearer.
As for the influence of the so-called side effects...
He looked down.
Well...
Although Little Xuan was no longer so "excited," its presence felt more... lively than ever before.
It seemed these side effects were quite real and the effect was significant.
.......
He rose from the bath barrel, dried his body, and changed into the clean clothes his Senior Sister had prepared for him.
Once fully dressed, he pushed open the door and walked out.
The sunlight in the courtyard was perfect, and a gentle breeze rustled through the bamboo forest.
Ning Xian had her back to him, standing by a bamboo pole in the corner of the courtyard. Her sleeves were rolled up as she carefully hung the clothes he had just changed out of to dry.
Her movements were gentle as she shook out the fabric, smoothed it, and hung it on the bamboo pole.
"Senior Sister," Fang Xuan spoke softly.
Ning Xian stopped her task and turned around.
Seeing that he had finished washing and was standing there refreshed, a trace of tenderness flashed in her cool eyes.
"Have you refined the medicinal power?" she asked.
"Yes, more or less." Fang Xuan walked over, naturally taking an outer robe she hadn't yet hung up and helping her hang it. "Thank you, Senior Sister."
Ning Xian merely gave a light nod and continued her work. "Come to town with me this afternoon."
"Mm... alright."
"We need to restock many things. Winter is coming, so spirit rice will be hard to buy; we must store it in advance. We're also low on tea leaves, and the salt is almost gone."
Fang Xuan stood by her side and listened quietly. He enjoyed hearing his Senior Sister talk about these domestic trivialities.
And Senior Sister liked it too...
Rate on N.U.
