"Hehuan, do you think something terrible is about to happen to the Luoxian Sect?"
After Ji Qingyan left, the small courtyard fell quiet.
Yuan Shu leaned back in the lounge chair in the yard, a few grains of Crimson Sun Sand still lingering on her fingertips.
Ji Qingyan had brought this to show her not long ago.
Hidden within the crimson sand was a lot of gray dust. When probed with spiritual power, one could faintly sense highly active dark elements upon it.
The concentration of the fire element in the Crimson Sun Sand was extremely high; ordinary elements could not possibly infiltrate it.
Especially not the dark element, which would normally be burned and refined by the fire element.
But now, this dark element was mixed right into the Crimson Sun Sand, clear as day!
"Shushu, there is only one kind of dark element in this world capable of infiltrating the fire element—the Earth Demon Miasma."
"If I'm not mistaken, something terrifying is probably emerging from the bottom of Medicine Cloud Peak. The Luoxian Sect is indeed facing a major crisis!"
Yuan Shu raised an eyebrow, not surprised by the Hehuan tree's words.
Because she thought the exact same thing.
Only an Earth Demon, born from the very essence of heaven and earth, could possess such powerful Earth Demon Miasma.
And only Earth Demon Miasma could taint the intensely fire-attributed Crimson Sun Sand!
If an Earth Demon were to emerge, the entire cultivation world would likely be thrown into a panic.
Therefore, Yuan Shu didn't state it directly. Instead, she asked Ji Qingyan to thoroughly investigate the underground, especially areas with a dense concentration of dark element energy.
Flicking the dust off her fingertips, Yuan Shu's eyes darkened as her thoughts raced.
She had set her sights on the underground spirit vein of the Luoxian Sect and originally intended to take her time.
But now, the situation wouldn't allow it!
There was no telling when this hidden Earth Demon would appear, nor in what form.
She needed to get her hands on the spirit vein's origin power first!
...
The Crimson Sun Cave on Medicine Cloud Peak was where the peak nourished the Crimson Sun Fire.
The surrounding walls were fully inlaid with crimson fire-resistant jade, capable of withstanding high temperatures and the massive energy that the Crimson Sun Fire erupted with each time.
Yet at this moment, in the circular groove in the center of the cave where the flame was nourished, the once head-sized Crimson Sun Fire had shrunk to the size of a palm.
Its crimson, blood-drop-like color had also dimmed significantly, losing its former glory.
Another batch of top-grade spirit stones was poured into the energy groove.
Wisps of pure energy swiftly flowed toward the Crimson Sun Fire, causing the dim flame to bloom with a dazzling red light once more.
"Peak Master, the Crimson Sun Fire can be nourished normally now, but the spiritual fire's origin power seems to be lacking. The flame's size and volume are much smaller than before."
The elder in charge of managing the Crimson Sun Cave stepped forward and handed the recent records of the fire to Yao Qianci.
Yao Qianci looked them over, his brows knitting together.
The number of spirit stones required for nourishment was increasing each time, yet the power of the Crimson Sun Fire was weakening with every cycle.
This situation was highly abnormal.
However, he had already inspected everything in the vicinity that could be checked, and he still couldn't find the cause.
"Let's leave it at this for now. Continue supplying spirit stones at this frequency. As for the rest, we will wait until the Sect Leader returns from the Profound Fire Sect."
The issue with the Crimson Sun Fire was something probably only the Profound Fire Sect, who also possessed a spiritual fire, would understand.
Upon hearing of the incident at Medicine Cloud Peak, Qu Qing had already left for the Profound Fire Sect.
He was expected to return in a few days.
After giving his instructions, Yao Qianci turned and left the Crimson Sun Cave.
...
"Peak Master, Guest Elder Yuan has arrived. She is currently waiting for you in the study."
A medicine boy came over to report, and with just that one sentence, all the exhaustion vanished from Yao Qianci's body.
Yuan Shu was here!
He waved his hand, casting a cleansing spell on himself to sweep away the dust clinging to his robes, and then stepped into the study.
Yuan Shu was looking down at a book she had taken from the shelf; it was a rare manual on medicinal plants.
Inside were detailed introductions to rare medicinal plants, accompanied by some elegant, small brush-written annotations in the margins.
Hearing footsteps, she looked up and met Yao Qianci's smiling eyes.
"Shushu, what are you reading so intently?"
"I'm reading your annotations. They are very detailed and spot on." Yuan Shu waved the manual in her hand and casually placed it on the nearby desk.
She had to admit, Yao Qianci was truly a genius when it came to medicinal plants!
Just as she stood up, Yao Qianci flashed over and pulled her into a sudden embrace.
"Peak Master Yao?"
"Shushu, let me hold you. I... I think the fire poison in my body is acting up again."
Yao Qianci's voice, close to her ear, hesitated for a moment before speaking with a trace of weakness.
Yuan Shu blinked.
Fire poison from the Crimson Sun Fire?
This guy was acting again!
The corners of Yuan Shu's lips curled up slightly, but her face immediately displayed a nervous expression. She turned around, grabbed his lapels, and anxiously looked him up and down.
"The fire poison is acting up again? Are you okay? The books say that a fire poison flare-up is excruciatingly painful. How can just a hug be enough?"
Yuan Shu's face was filled with anxiety, a hint of struggle flashing across her eyes.
Then, as if she had made some sort of resolution, she suddenly stepped forward, cupped Yao Qianci's face in her hands, and kissed him right under his shocked gaze!
Yao Qianci's eyes widened in bewilderment. Sensing the scent of pear blossoms spreading across his lips, his Adam's apple bobbed uncontrollably.
Yuan Shu acutely sensed his nervousness.
Her hands slid down his jawline, quickly resting on his shoulders before wrapping around his neck.
She directly pried open his lips and teeth.
!
Yao Qianci was completely stunned. This... this was escalating so fast!
But he... he loved it!
Yuan Shu, she... she was actually being this proactive?
Seeing her stand on her tiptoes just to kiss him, Yao Qianci hurriedly reached out to wrap his arms around her waist, lifting her up a bit.
Seeing this, a smirk formed on Yuan Shu's lips.
If she remembered correctly, Yao Qianci was already at the Soul Formation stage!
With such strength and his Primal Yang still intact, if she could take him, she would surely level up several times in a row!
Since Yao Qianci wanted to act, she would play along and see just how long this guy could keep up his charade!
"Mmh..."
The rich scent of pear blossoms, mixed with an intoxicating aphrodisiac fragrance, enveloped Yao Qianci.
In just a moment, he was kissed so deeply by Yuan Shu that he couldn't help but let out a low groan.
Right at that moment, Yuan Shu lifted a leg and hooked it around his waist, clinging to him like an octopus.
Such an ambiguous posture and those powerful legs instantly sent a jolt through his mind, and he couldn't stop his hands from exploring upward along her slender waist.
At the doorway, the medicine boy who was about to serve tea looked up and caught sight of this eye-catching scene through the door frame.
Frightened, he nearly dropped the teacup and quickly trotted away, not daring to come close again.
After a long time, Yuan Shu finally released his lips, panting slightly.
Looking at Yao Qianci's handsome, flushed face, she blinked innocently and leaned in a bit closer.
"Peak Master Yao, do you feel a bit more comfortable like this? Has the fire poison in your body eased up a little?"
Yao Qianci's Adam's apple bobbed frantically, the rich pear blossom scent lingering on his lips and tongue still tangling his thoughts.
"Shushu..." his voice was even hoarser as his large hands held her tightly against him.
That was until Yuan Shu seemed to discover something. "Oh my, Peak Master Yao, your medicine pestle is poking me!"
