Chapter 46: Chapter Forty-Six: Ruan Xinli

Shi Ran didn't even know what she was doing; before her brain could react, her body had already rushed over, tightly protecting the little girl standing at the edge of the Crimson Blood Formation!

"Shi Ran!"

Someone behind her was calling her name, but she still charged forward without hesitation; countless stones struck her back, and Shi Ran felt her internal organs shift. She grimaced in pain, yet she waited until everything calmed down before asking the six- or seven-year-old girl in her arms, "Little sis, are you okay?"

The little girl gave a sweet smile, a strange glint flashing in her eyes: "I'm fine!" She then drove the dagger in her hand hard into Shi Ran's abdomen, saying, "But sister, you might not be so lucky!"

Shi Ran stared at her in disbelief, feeling the cold dagger twist wickedly in her flesh, pain spreading through her limbs; she could no longer hold herself up and slowly collapsed to the ground.

The little girl transformed, becoming a black-clad beauty with violet pupils, red lips, and elongated ears: "Sis, let me give you some advice—don't go around being such a do-gooder in your next life!"

After saying that, she laughed haughtily, glanced contemptuously at the rushing Ling Xiao, then turned and fled as demonic energy.

Ling Xiao arrived a step too late, seeing Shi Ran collapsed in a pool of blood; a strange panic rose in his chest, unsettling him so badly that his hands trembled slightly as he cast a staunching spell on her.

Fortunately, Shi Ran cherished her life and had a strong will to survive; her breathing soon steadied. Ling Xiao carefully lifted her, looked toward where the demonic energy had vanished, his eyes stern: "Excellent! Demon Clan! After a century of silence, you finally can't hold back and have appeared!"

"Master!" Gu Yusheng only came over after settling everyone, limping; his gloomy gaze swept over Shi Ran in Ling Xiao's arms, noticing she was obviously worse off than Mei Ruoxue: "Shi... Senior Sister, is she alright?"

"She's badly injured!" Ling Xiao clenched Shi Ran tightly, but gradually loosened his grip as various gazes fell upon them.

"How are your injuries?"

The Floating Dream Sect's disciples were alright; although some were unconscious and others bore wounds, overall they were still alive.

The Heavenly Void Sect's disciples were less optimistic—Wei Yuzhu and He Bi were absent, and Lei Zhi Gao was excessively selfish and ambitious. The three remaining junior disciples had decent cultivation, but under Lei Zhi Gao's words they feared mis striking villagers and hesitated.

Because of these reservations they couldn't fight freely; in this clash they lost the initiative early. Though the three were unharmed, they had fundamentally damaged their foundations, making it impossible to participate in the Lotus Secret Realm in the short term.

This incident was the Demon Clan bewitching people's hearts, directing cursed villagers to harm cultivators; although the villagers of Flood Lake Village also received due punishment, it also served as a warning to the cultivation world.

The Demon Clan has made a comeback; the cultivation world must also regroup!

However, these matters seemed far off to Shi Ran; she stared blankly at Ling Xiao, at his handsome brows and starry eyes, his long slender fingers, as he lowered his gaze to blow on the herbal medicine, slowly bringing it to her lips.

This scene was genuinely eerie! Shi Ran's hairs stood on end involuntarily, and she stepped back slightly: "Master, um, maybe I should do it myself!"

Ling Xiao looked up at her words, gave her a light glance; she immediately dared not move, obediently opening her mouth to be fed.

More than half a month has passed since the battle at Flood Lake Village; she and the three Heavenly Void Sect disciples with heavier injuries were bundled by Ling Xiao and sent to the logistics department of the Celestial Pivot Sect.

Elder Wen Ying of the Main Peak is the highest‑ranked medical cultivator in the cultivation world, and her two disciples, Ruan Xinli and Chu Yao'er, are top‑notch medical cultivators as well.

Of course, although they have Ling Xiao's face, there's no need for Elder Wen Ying to come down the mountain to treat these nobodies; Ruan Xinli alone is sufficient!

After finishing the bitter medicine that made her features scrunch up, she was about to get water when a hand appeared before her, palm holding a quiet honey candy.

Shi Ran looked up; the hand's owner, gentle as spring willow fluff, whispered, "Eat it; it'll take away the bitterness."

Shi Ran took the honey and put it in her mouth; the sweet syrup didn't let her heart settle back into her belly—Master felt off, very, very off!

Just as she was about to hint at something, a knock came on the door: "Venerable Ling Xiao, may we come in?"

It was Ruan Xinli and Wei Yuzhu, one in front of the other, left and right, their steps light; Shi Ran's eyes lit up, feeling the dim room brighten.

While Shi Ran was still dazed, Ruan Xinli had already finished stating their purpose: "Master said she still needs to stay a while on North Peak Mountain; Venerable, don't stand on ceremony—make yourself at home."

"Then I'll trouble you further," Ling Xiao gave a slight nod, his white robes fluttering, his bearing transcendent, tall and jade‑like, the posture of an immortal; Ruan Xinli and Wei Yuzhu couldn't help but blush.

Especially Wei Yuzhu, her eyes full of spring, wanting to speak yet shy; Shi Ran's alarm bells rang: "Master, I suddenly crave braised spare ribs—what if..."

Ling Xiao sighed: "... I'll go check the kitchen!" Wanting to eat braised spare ribs while still injured, he used that as an excuse to get rid of her.

Once Ling Xiao left, Wei Yuzhu let loose: "I'm about to burst from holding my breath—the Venerable's aura is too overwhelming; I dare not even breathe!"

Shi Ran felt she had misunderstood Wei Yuzhu, and embarrassingly poked her cheek: "Your face is red from holding your breath, huh?"

"What else would it be?!" Wei Yuzhu's eyes rolled: "It's definitely not that I'm after your Master! Rest assured, I only like your junior brother!"

Speaking of Gu Yusheng, Shi Ran involuntarily glanced at Ruan Xinli—she too was one of Gu Yusheng's consorts.

The gentlest medical cultivator wife, her kindness isn't a deliberate soft whisper; it's a warmth that flows from her very bones, like a thawing spring stream, silently moistening everything around her.

Her eyes are a haven of gentleness. Though perhaps not the brightest, they resemble warm jade soaked in clear spring water—clear and moist. When she looks at people, her gaze is focused and peaceful, bearing a natural inclusiveness and understanding, as if she could easily accept all fatigue and unease. As her eyes shift, there is no sharp edge, only ripples like a spring breeze over a lake, carrying a faint smile.

Her smile is the embodiment of gentleness—not showy, not fervent, but a natural soft curve at the corners of her lips, like a newborn moon rising, like petals gently unfurling.

That smile first spreads from the depths of her eyes, then slowly climbs to her lips, bringing a calming power that can easily smooth anxious wrinkles. Even unspoken, that tranquil smile seems to murmur: "The mortal world is fine; there's no need to panic."

Ruan Xinli met Shi Ran's gaze and said without humility or arrogance, "I came today merely to confirm!"

She suddenly drew close to Shi Ran, smiling with eyes bent like crescents: "Come to confirm, that red thread wrapped around Shi Ran!"