“Peak Master?”
“Peak Master!”
The elders and stewards of Medicine Cloud Peak crowded around, their faces filled with astonishment as they stared at Yao Qianci beside Yuan Shu.
Yet Yao Qianci seemed frightened by the people suddenly approaching him. He took two steps back and hid behind Yuan Shu.
Everyone’s eyes widened.
“W-what is going on?”
“Ahem.” Yuan Shu covered her mouth and coughed lightly. “Something went wrong. It’s a long story. Elder Hai, go and summon the Sect Grand Elder at once!”
The Sect Grand Elder was the pinnacle of medical skill within the sect. For Yuan Shu to request his presence, could it be that…
Elder Hai’s expression changed slightly. He hurriedly nodded. “Yes.”
…
“Shushu!”
A clear, melodious voice rang out from behind the crowd.
Yuan Shu turned around and saw Ji Qingyan’s handsome figure as he sheathed his sword.
Several disciples from the Medicine Garden followed behind him.
Clearly, they had been the ones attacking the restraining formation from outside just now!
Ji Qingyan waved for the people behind him to disperse, then quickly walked toward Yuan Shu.
When he stopped in front of her, his gaze involuntarily fell on Yao Qianci, who had his arms around her. His lips moved slightly.
The Peak Master of Medicine Cloud Peak actually liked Yuan Shu too?
How had he never known?
“Something happened to Peak Master Yao. His mind is currently like that of a child. We’ll explain everything after we get back.”
Yuan Shu reached out and took Ji Qingyan’s hand, leading the two of them back.
In a corner where no one noticed, Mo Shoudan stared murderously at Yuan Shu’s departing figure, gnashing his teeth in hatred.
He had never expected Yuan Shu to come out safely!
The restraining formation he had painstakingly arranged had actually failed just like that?
This Yuan Shu really was an annoyance!
However, judging from Yao Qianci’s damaged state of mind, the dark elemental spiritual energy should have already entered his body.
At least he had not failed the black-clad man’s instructions!
…
“So he became like this because the Earth Fiend Demonic Qi affected him?”
Ji Qingyan looked at Yao Qianci, who was staring back at him from across the table, his expression indescribably complicated.
Before today, he had deeply respected the Peak Master of Medicine Cloud Peak.
If Yao Qianci had been hugging anyone else today, Ji Qingyan would have shown him the utmost respect!
But now…
Yuan Shu had originally intended to send Yao Qianci back to his own residence.
Unexpectedly, the moment Yao Qianci learned that she was leaving, he immediately refused. No matter what she said, he insisted on following her.
With no other choice, Yuan Shu had to bring him to her guest elder residence.
Because Yuan Shu had held Ji Qingyan’s hand on the way back, the moment they entered the guest elder residence, Yao Qianci had forcefully pulled her into his arms. No matter how much she struggled, he simply refused to let go.
Although Yao Qianci’s mind had been affected, his strength remained intact.
Before Yuan Shu could even gather her spiritual power, he effortlessly scattered it!
Even with Ji Qingyan present, there was nothing either of them could do.
There was an entire major realm between the Divine Transformation Realm and the Nascent Soul Realm.
Neither of them was his match!
Although Yuan Shu was currently speaking with Ji Qingyan, she was sitting in Yao Qianci’s lap, his arms clamped tightly around her waist.
As if declaring his ownership, Yao Qianci watched Ji Qingyan with wary hostility.
Yuan Shu nodded seriously, then pushed a plate of fruit across the table toward Ji Qingyan, gesturing for him to eat.
“So don’t take it personally. He’s basically a child right now.”
Ji Qingyan’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He looked at Yao Qianci, then at Yuan Shu, wanting to speak but stopping himself.
Even if the Peak Master’s mind was impaired, he shouldn’t be treating Yuan Shu like this, should he?
Unless the two of them…
At the thought of that possibility, Ji Qingyan lowered his eyes slightly. They had already begun to redden.
Yuan Shu glanced at Ji Qingyan and immediately knew what he was thinking.
However, she did not explain.
Ever since he had caught her with Ji Yun, he should have known that he would not be the last.
He had not been the last before, and he would not be the last in the future.
If he couldn’t accept that…
“If the Earth Fiend Demonic Qi in the spiritual plants could have been an accident, then the restraining formation that appeared today was suspicious enough to prove that none of this was accidental.”
Ji Qingyan suddenly spoke, changing the subject.
Yuan Shu paused slightly and looked up at him. Ji Qingyan’s features were open and composed, and the anger in his eyes from moments ago had already vanished.
Had he… accepted it?
Or did he simply not care anymore?
Yuan Shu lowered her eyes and stopped thinking about it. She continued, “It is indeed suspicious. Whoever was targeting Yao Qianci knew that the restraining formation couldn’t hold him, but it could keep the people outside from rescuing him!”
If she had not broken in in time, Yao Qianci would likely have perished in the sea of spiritual flames while his mind was impaired.
“So… what do you plan to do?” Ji Qingyan looked up at her.
Yuan Shu raised an eyebrow, a gleam of interest curling the corners of her lips.
“Of course… use bait to fish!”
…
“Hey, have you heard? Peak Master Yao’s illness is almost cured! I heard his strength has even increased quite a bit!”
“Really? I thought they said his mind had been injured?”
“I saw him with my own eyes. How could it be fake? Guest Elder Yuan personally took him to see the Sect Grand Elder. You know how skilled the Sect Grand Elder is—treating Peak Master Yao was practically effortless!”
Outside the Scarlet Sun Hall, two junior disciples sorting medicinal herbs leaned close together and whispered.
Neither of them noticed the cold figure standing behind the rockery nearby.
Mo Shoudan abruptly snapped the dried medicinal herb in his hand. The gloom on his face deepened.
He was even beginning to suspect that Yuan Shu and he were simply destined to clash.
Why did everything he attempted become complicated and ultimately fail whenever Yuan Shu got involved?
He had gone to such lengths to scheme against Yao Qianci, finally maneuvering him into personally absorbing that dark elemental spiritual energy for the sake of those spiritual plants.
And then Yuan Shu had taken him away and cured him?
Mo Shoudan was both frustrated and anxious.
The black-clad man had told him that the dark elemental spiritual energy absolutely had to be absorbed into Yao Qianci’s body before anything happened in the rear mountain.
Otherwise, the other party would never let him off!
What would he do if Yao Qianci really was cured?
Mo Shoudan hesitated for a long time before deciding to see for himself.
Thus, he went to the path Yuan Shu and Yao Qianci had recently been taking to and from the Sect Grand Elder’s residence.
There, he personally saw Yao Qianci walking side by side with Yuan Shu, a faint smile on his face and an air of calm composure about him.
He spoke with the fellow disciples who approached him, measured and courteous. He was no different from the Yao Qianci of old.
Even his gaze toward Yuan Shu held a gentle warmth, as though his mind had completely recovered!
Mo Shoudan’s heart jolted.
Remembering the black-clad man’s instructions, he clenched his fists, a murderous glint flashing through his eyes!
…
“Shushu, I did well today, right? I definitely didn’t give anything away!”
After turning onto a secluded path, Yao Qianci blinked his clear, innocent eyes and leaned toward Yuan Shu, openly seeking praise.
Yuan Shu smiled, reached out to touch his face, and nodded approvingly. “You did very well!”
His performance as Yao Qianci had been completely natural, as though he had truly returned to normal!
Playing along with him, Yuan Shu had also been momentarily lost in the illusion.
But then she remembered that the two of them were originally one person, and that the current Yao Qianci also possessed his former memories. With that thought, she felt relieved.
“Then, Shushu, what’s my reward today?” Yao Qianci blinked his clear eyes and leaned closer to Yuan Shu.
