Liu Xi slowly opened his eyes, the depths of his gaze calm and profound like a boundless starry sky. A faint breath escaped his lips as he exhaled the turbid air from his chest.
He had just emerged from cultivation, and by habit, his Spiritual Power swept through the courtyard in all directions.
"Hmm?"
He noticed that Luo Yinzhu was already there, standing gracefully in the courtyard. A soft smile curved her lips, her mood seemingly pleasant.
Liu Xi smiled faintly. "It's been about seven days since we returned from Sound Valley's treasure vault. Since you're here, it seems the materials for the medicinal bath have been gathered again."
Meanwhile, Xiao Yixian remained in her room stabilizing her current 6-Star Dou Zun cultivation. Liu Xi knew that once she took the Zun Shi Pill, she would be able to break through to 7-Star Dou Zun in no time.
Thinking of this, he rose from bed, slipped on his boots, and walked over to the basin to wash his face and hands. When he turned back toward the courtyard, the corners of his lips lifted slightly.
'It's time to completely strip away the remaining cold poison from Valley Master Luo. With the purified Dou Qi contained within that poison, I should be able to break through to the Dou Zun realm soon myself. I'm really looking forward to that.'
Stepping into the courtyard, Liu Xi chuckled softly as he spoke. "Haha, I've kept Miss Yinzhu waiting. I was absorbed in cultivation and didn't notice your arrival."
Seeing Liu Xi appear, Luo Yinzhu's eyes brightened. A radiant smile bloomed across her delicate face as she replied gently, "It's quite all right. Mother isn't as weak as before. She specifically instructed me not to disturb Master Liu's cultivation because of this matter."
Liu Xi was a little surprised. Valley Master Luo was unexpectedly reasonable and kind—nothing like the haughty Dou Zun experts he had met before. Perhaps his identity as an 8th Tier Alchemist earned her special courtesy.
"Since Miss Yinzhu is here, I presume the materials are ready. In that case, let's not delay. I'll head over to help Valley Master Luo remove the remaining cold poison."
'Master Liu truly is a gentleman—gentle, honest, and completely free of the arrogance so common among other alchemists. He keeps every promise he makes…'
That thought lingered in Luo Yinzhu's mind as she looked at the young man beside her. A faint warmth rose in her chest, a subtle admiration she couldn't suppress.
"Thank you, Master Liu. Let's set out right away."
Liu Xi smiled lightly and nodded, walking toward the courtyard gate. Luo Yinzhu quickly followed, her pace light and graceful as she walked beside him.
As they moved, her long skirt rippled behind her like flowing water. From her slender white fingers, she removed a storage ring and handed it to him.
"Master Liu, this contains the second batch of ingredients. Everything has been prepared. Please, I'll be counting on you again."
Liu Xi took the ring with a casual flick of his wrist, rolling it between his fingers as he smiled. "There's no need to thank me. Since I've accepted Sound Valley's gift, of course, I'll do my best. Still, I must say, the bond between you and Valley Master Luo is admirable."
At those words, Luo Yinzhu's eyes softened, but a fleeting shadow passed through them soon after. A trace of guilt flickered deep within her gaze. 'If not for me, Mother would never have been trapped and poisoned all those years ago…'
Liu Xi noticed the shift in her expression but didn't pry. He smiled instead. "After today, the cold poison plaguing your mother will be completely eradicated. From now on, Miss Yinzhu will be able to spend her days freely with her mother again."
Luo Yinzhu nodded firmly. "Mm."
Inside the grand hall of the Sound Palace, the air was no longer frigid like before. The heavy frost that had once clung to every corner had vanished now that the poison could be contained.
Liu Xi clasped his hands behind his back as he stepped inside. His calm eyes landed upon the thick curtain surrounding the blazing jade bed, where a faint silhouette of a woman could be seen.
As he approached, a composed yet gentle voice drifted from behind the curtain. "Master Liu, you've come."
Liu Xi smiled. "I have. I'll prepare the medicinal bath first—Valley Master, please relax."
With that, he moved toward the rear of the bed, where the massive pool lay waiting.
Standing at its edge, he lifted his hand, two fingers gripping a storage ring. A pulse of thought stirred, and thousands of jade boxes appeared in midair, suspended above the pool.
A flicker of azure flame ignited between his fingers. With a flick, the flame drifted forward and burst into a blazing sea of fire hovering above the water.
"Let's begin."
His hands moved swiftly, forming seals as the flames roared higher. One by one, the medicinal herbs were refined, their essences dripping into the churning pool below.
Behind the curtain, Valley Master Luo sat upright on the jade bed, her gaze fixed upon the bubbling pool as dense fragrance filled the hall.
Recalling the last time—the searing agony that felt like having her flesh flayed from bone—her body trembled involuntarily.
Her brows tightened slightly, and she murmured softly, "That young man's methods are merciless. Last time, I screamed myself hoarse, and he still didn't hold back… fortunately, this will be the last time."
Time passed slowly. The number of floating jade boxes dwindled until, by the third day, only the last remained.
Finally, Liu Xi finished refining the final herb. He merged its essence into the pool, the bubbling liquid glowing a molten crimson hue.
Azure flames danced atop the surface, their light reflecting off the rising vapors. The preparation was complete.
"Valley Master Luo, you may enter the bath now. I'll recover my Dou Qi first—then we'll begin the final purging."
He sat cross-legged, swallowing a pill and closing his eyes. His breathing soon steadied as he entered a state of focused cultivation.
Behind the curtain, Valley Master Luo watched him silently for a moment before slowly standing. Beneath the faint glow of the flames, she slipped off her robes piece by piece until her fair, flawless figure gleamed like sculpted jade.
As the master of Sound Valley—and a mother—she was naturally conservative by nature. Were it not for the poison that tormented her body, she would never have imagined herself undressing before a young man to undergo such treatment.
With a light tap of her toes, her slender form arced gracefully through the air before plunging into the blood-red pool with a soft splash.
She held her breath, sinking until her entire body was submerged. The searing heat licked at her skin, pushing back the lingering cold deep within her bones.
An hour passed.
Liu Xi slowly opened his eyes, sensing the vast aura rising from within the medicinal pool. Valley Master Luo had already entered.
A strange expression flickered across his face. 'To think I'm witnessing a Half Saint in such a vulnerable state… I only hope she won't silence me afterward.'
He shook his head, dismissing the thought, and centered his mind. Forming a series of hand seals, he said evenly, "Valley Master Luo, I'm starting. The pain will return—but it will pass soon enough."
In the pool, Valley Master Luo's body tensed. She steadied her mind, clenched her teeth, and braced herself for the familiar agony that felt like her flesh and bones being scraped clean once again.
(End of Chapter)
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This Fanfiction Has Been Completed on P4 treon, For those who want to read 2 chapters ahead for free, you can find me on P4 treon by searching for my username: Fallen_Archangel_.
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