A soft breeze ruffled her bangs, and the small figure, wrapped in a large medicine robe, looked fragile. With only the two of them left to rely on each other, Bai Shuo had become one of Chong Zhao’s most precious people, alongside his pursuit of vengeance.
Unable to resist, he gently brushed a strand of hair from her face. “A-Shuo, I just want you to stay safe.”
Chong Zhao sighed, conjuring a light blanket to cover her. Suddenly, he coughed softly, a trace of blood seeping from the corner of his mouth, which he quickly wiped away. Without lingering, he disappeared beneath the old locust tree.
As soon as he vanished, Bai Shuo opened her eyes. She glanced toward where he’d disappeared, then quickly got up and dashed into the straw hut, rummaging through the box where she kept her medicinal supplies.
Opening a dozen pill boxes and finding them empty, Bai Shuo was at a loss. She turned to the old turtle, snoring away in the corner, and shook him awake.
“Old Hei, wake up! Wake up!”
The old turtle’s head bobbed, seeing stars as he came to, his four legs braced firmly against the ground. “What is it? An earthquake?!”
He opened his eyes to find Bai Shuo glaring at him, her eyes wide with frustration.
“Where are my pills?” Bai Shuo demanded, hands on her hips, eyes blazing.
The old turtle glanced at the empty boxes scattered on the floor, his shell trembling slightly as he stammered, “I… I noticed those pills had been sitting there a while. With all the rain lately, I was worried they’d spoil, so… I, uh, took care of them by eating them… early.”
“All of them?!” Bai Shuo could hardly believe it. “Those were ten grade-two pills! I spent over a year refining them!”
Seeing Bai Shuo’s face flush with anger, the old turtle quickly tried to soothe her. “Ah, well, those grade-two pills wouldn’t have done you any good. They help extend my lifespan. They’d only go to waste sitting there, and you can just make more.”
“No, I can’t! It takes at least three months to make one grade-two pill. There’s no time.” Bai Shuo’s face was filled with worry.
“Xiao Bai, is something going on?” The old turtle stretched his neck toward her, sensing the urgency.
“A-Zhao is injured,” Bai Shuo muttered gloomily.
“That kid Chong Zhao is hurt?” The old turtle was surprised. “Did that eight-legged creature get him?”
Bai Shuo shook her head. “There was a smell of blood on him—I can tell. It wasn’t from a demon’s wound, but…” She paused, suppressing her suspicion, and said gravely, “In three months, he’ll be competing at the ‘Wu Tong Martial Feast’ on Phoenix Island. He won’t have time to heal on his own.”
“That kid’s an Immortal Lord now. Even if you gave him ten grade-two pills, it wouldn’t help.” The old turtle yawned. “Girl, you’re worrying for nothing…”
“But a grade-one pill would work, wouldn’t it?” Bai Shuo seized the turtle, looking him squarely in the eyes.
The turtle sighed, speechless. “You don’t have any immortal energy; how do you plan to refine a grade-one pill?”
“You know a way.” Bai Shuo’s gaze was unwavering, full of certainty.
The turtle’s eyes darted around, and he chuckled nervously. “Come on, don’t joke around. I’m just a turtle; what could I possibly do… Ow, ow! What are you doing…”
Bai Shuo lifted the turtle, holding him above the herb cauldron. “I don’t care! You ate my ten grade-two pills, so you owe me! If you can’t produce a grade-one pill, then tonight, I’m having roast turtle!”
Crackling flames danced beneath the turtle shell, which remained unscathed, showing not the slightest sign of damage. Meanwhile, Bai Shuo’s hands pressing against the shell became red and swollen.
This herb cauldron, refined over hundreds of years and imbued with the essence of the sun and moon, was a rare cauldron for refining medicine. Its temperature could melt even the hardest celestial materials, let alone Bai Shuo’s hands. As her face turned pale, sweat beaded on her forehead, and she struggled to stay upright, the old turtle reluctantly shouted.
“Fine, fine! I’ll tell you! Just get your hands off me!”
Relieved, Bai Shuo hurriedly set the turtle down and asked eagerly, “Hurry, tell me!”
The old turtle spat out a pill and nudged it toward her, muttering, “Your hands are nearly roasted—rub this on them!”
Bai Shuo crushed the pill and applied it to her hands, which quickly returned to normal. Impressed, she smirked. “You sure do keep some good stuff hidden. You’re worthy of being my master.”
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