Chapter 308: Do You Call This Breathing?

In the wooden hut beside the herb pool, Ji Yue stared at the shattered porcelain shards on the ground, her face flushed, her gaze strangely altered.

She had seen only a glimpse, and her sole thought was that the girl's painting was far more than mere reference material.

But the girl's reaction was truly baffling.

It had already been used—so why did she act as if a single glance had burned her?

Yuan Caimei was now frantically helping Ji Yue clean up the broken teapot, her cheeks burning, her mind swirling in chaos.

She had indeed been tightly embedded before, but that had been with her own sister, the one who owned the mirror.

When sisters were together, the taller one bore the burden of embarrassment.

She only needed to stay silent, shut her eyes, follow along, and let things unfold as they would.

But now, without her sister to shoulder it, she still felt the shyness of a woman—no longer able to simply close her eyes and let herself be carried along.

Ultimately, it was because the Two-Instrument Soul-Replenishing Pill had accelerated the process, skipping the necessary steps of vows and mutual promises.

As she gathered the porcelain shards, her heart trembled, her eyes involuntarily flicking toward the window.

She knew the act of peeking had been discovered.

Ji Yue now brought a bamboo basket from the corner of the room, placing the shards inside while whispering softly: "Miss, the time is nearly right—we must add the medicine to the Young Master."

"I know…"

"If you're too shy, shall I go instead?"

"I'm not shy."

Yuan Caimei smoothed her robes, rose, lifted the medicine box from the table, took a few light breaths, then gently pushed open the hut's small door.

According to Yu Danzong's theories, soaking in medicinal broth was the best method for healing—not pills.

Because this method was gentler and maximized medicinal efficacy.

Yet Yu Danzong never publicized this method, primarily because they could not admit outsiders into the mountain for treatment, and crucially, bathing therapy was more complicated than pills, requiring three stages.

The first stage stabilized the injury, the second added medicine to heal the wound, and the third fortified the root.

Ji You sat with eyes closed, calm and still, when Yuan Caimei approached gracefully, walking to the pool's edge and crouching down.

Yuan Caimei's buttocks were exceptionally round and plump, appearing full and lush as she crouched.

She then meticulously extracted the powdered medicine from the box and scattered it into the pool water, pouring in the bottle of Nine Mysteries Tincture delivered by Dan Yangzi at the same time.

The entire process was professional, silent, and precise—like a proper little nurse.

"This dose will repair the injury and accelerate healing. Young Master, absorb it fully."

"I've already felt it…"

The Nine Mysteries Tincture's effect was astonishing—barely poured in, Ji You felt his damaged areas begin healing continuously, the pain instantly receding like a retreating wave.

He murmured softly, then quietly watched Yuan Caimei as her slender hand lifted, scattering the remaining powder and liquid one by one, eyes downcast, utterly focused.

Could it have been Ji Yue who peeked earlier?

Ji You couldn't help silently muttering to himself, but soon noticed Yuan Caimei sneak a glance at his groin.

Hmm—it was her. This girl must have some peculiar taste.

Ji You had experience: sometimes, openly staring at a naked body was dull—it was the accidental glance that truly stirred the heart.

Daughters of Yu Danzong appeared gentle and dignified on the surface, but some had secretly yellow hearts.

Like her, who outwardly called him "Young Master" with propriety, yet secretly drew lewd pictures in her room.

Yuan Caimei had no idea what Ji You was thinking; she finished adding the medicine with solemn seriousness, then quickly turned away, eyelashes trembling, hurrying back to the hut.

As the medicinal herbs fully mixed with the Nine Mysteries Tincture, the pool erupted in waves of divine light, steaming in the heat and seeping into his body.

Ji You's pale complexion visibly flushed with health, the tearing pain in his muscles swiftly vanishing.

Back in Anyuan City, had he received such treatment, Yan Shuyi would never have escaped.

The second soak lasted until the hour of Wei; during that time, he drank tea several times, each time catching a shadow appearing before the hut's window.

Yet when Yuan Caimei emerged from the hut after the soak, she was again the same composed, innocent nurse—as if she hadn't seen a thing.

"The second dose was potent—it will take several hours to dissipate. Young Master may rest briefly. I'll clear the used medicine from the pool and begin the third dose at Shen hour."

"Can I now use spiritual energy?"

"No. Spiritual energy occupies the meridians, severely hindering the medicine's dispersion and causing accumulation—it might turn the medicine toxic."

Yuan Caimei explained gently, then reached beside her and handed him a white silk cloth.

Ji You's eyes narrowed slightly at the sight of the cloth.

Last time, when he came to Yu Danzong with disciples of the Heavenly Book Academy, Yuan Chen had tricked him into Yuan Caimei's herb pool and caught her arriving to bathe.

Back then, she had covered his legs with just such a white cloth—now, her expression suggested the same.

The key was, though she'd covered him then, her room's painting proved she had studied him meticulously.

Besides, she'd even tasted him on New Year's Eve—now she acted so proper.

Thinking of this, Ji You couldn't resist reaching out to pinch her soft, rosy cheek.

Yuan Caimei flinched at his touch, her eyelashes trembling; then she realized he hadn't taken the white silk—and the splash of rising water grew distinctly audible.

In an instant, the daughter of Yu Danzong bit her thin lip; after a moment of silence, her eyes involuntarily lifted.

After hastily dressing, Ji You left the herb pool temporarily and walked to the front mountain.

Beneath the brilliant noon sun, Yu Danzong was a scene of ruin.

The disciples on the mountain were busy clearing debris and filling deep craters.

Before long, Yuan Chen came sprinting from afar.

He had helped Yuan Caimei bring Ji You to the herb pool, then been summoned away by the sect master; he'd barely left when he rushed to the back mountain and happened upon Ji You.

"Brother-in-law, are you alright?"

"After healing, my injuries are nearly gone. What were you doing?"

Yuan Chen turned toward Kaiyang Hall: "Father took me to meet the injured scions of noble families."

The Yu Danzong sect master had begun letting Yuan Chen take charge of the Sacred Artifact over a year ago—he likely intended to pass on the position.

But among the Seven Immortal Sects, Yu Danzong lacked combat strength, so inheriting the sect master's seat wasn't merely about receiving the Sacred Artifact.

Especially after yesterday's battle, the importance of marital alliances to Yu Danzong was clear.

Thus, at this critical moment, Yuan Chen needed to court those families to ensure they remained his foundation after he took power.

"Brother-in-law, did you know? Our sect is sealing the mountain and withdrawing from the world."

"For how long?"

Yuan Chen couldn't help sighing: "Father didn't specify a time, but from the elders' reactions, it'll be long. Brother-in-law, I may not be able to leave the mountain anymore—you must come visit me often."

Ji You ruffled his hair: "You saw what happened last night. After the sealing, you must take charge of the artifact seriously—stop being so careless."

"Alchemy is useless—it's better to learn Immortal Arts…"

"Nonsense."

Yuan Chen looked up at Ji You: "But if I could learn Immortal Arts like you, I could've helped last night."

Ji You shook his head: "This isn't Yu Danzong's fault—it's the age's fault. If the world were at peace and no fighting needed, you'd realize healing and saving lives is the greatest skill."

As they spoke, Wen Bin and Hong Zhen walked side by side from behind the collapsed Tian Shu Hall.

When they drew near, they instinctively slowed, their complex gazes toward Ji You tinged with fear.

Before the calamity struck, they had gone to the back mountain, trying to drive Ji You out of Yuan Caimei's courtyard.

But after seeing him slay three Wujiang cultivators yesterday, and then finding two more Wujiang corpses beside the mountain's great array, they realized how naive their earlier thoughts had been.

For him to kill them would be as easy as crushing an ant.

Hong Zhen and Wen Bin stopped, then bowed slightly: "Young Master Ji, a disciple saw you leave and reported to the sect master, who ordered us to escort you to the sleeping quarters."

Ji You had nothing else to do, so he nodded: "Lead the way."

"Please…"

Yuan Li's sect master quarters were the only building near the Nine Stairs that remained undamaged last night.

As Ji You entered with Wen Bin and Hong Zhen, he saw all the elders and inner-disciples gathered there, their gazes momentarily stunned at his arrival—as if the image of him wielding the sword to guard the mountain still roared in their minds.

Yuan Li rose from his seat, inviting Ji You into the rear chamber, while Dan Yangzi, Dan Xunzi, and the other elders followed him inside.