Two hours later, the setting sun dipped behind the treetops. The ground dimmed in color, and a slight chill seeped into the air.
Yang Yunhai stopped cultivating and stood up, stepping out of the forest.
He jogged toward the mimicry cultivation field where Zhu Zhuqing was, and as he approached, he saw her sitting gracefully on a bench at the entrance, quietly waiting. Her shapely legs were crossed to the side, and her fair hands rested elegantly on her thighs. Her posture was poised and elegant, her pale, oval face cool and serene,like an ice spirit. The next second, perhaps hearing footsteps, she turned to look at him and stood up quietly.
Yang Yunhai quickened his pace and walked over with an apologetic smile. "Sorry for making you wait."
"It's okay. I just came out myself," Zhu Zhuqing replied casually.
She really has changed, Yang Yunhai thought silently, his smile widening. "Let's go."
"Mm." Zhu Zhuqing gave a slight nod and followed beside him.
The two walked side by side toward the dormitory.
The March evening breeze wasn't warm or gentle, especially near the forested area. Along the path, they could hear the constant rustling of leaves on either side, and strands of cold wind brushed past, lifting their hair and bringing a chill.
Feeling the cold on his skin, Yang Yunhai suddenly glanced sideways at Zhu Zhuqing.
The wind had scattered the hair beside her ear, forcing her to reach up and tuck it back. Below her hairline, her exposed shoulder had tiny goosebumps from the chill.
Instinctively, Yang Yunhai moved his fingertips slightly, about to reach toward Zhu Zhuqing's lowered left hand.
But the next second, he remembered they had known each other for less than two weeks, and he quickly retracted his hand without a trace.
From the corner of his eye, he saw Zhu Zhuqing lower her head slightly and glance to the other side. A faint blush appeared on her cheeks,it was hard to tell whether from the cold or embarrassment.
Was I caught? Yang Yunhai's mind tensed up. He quickly turned his gaze forward again and pretended nothing had happened as they continued walking.
The wind blew on, and the two remained silent all the way back to the dormitory.
"Xiaohai, Zhuqing, you're back?" As soon as they entered, the teammates sitting on the sofa noticed them. Among them, Dugu Yan, who was leaning against Yu Tianheng, turned her head and gave them a quick glance. She nodded slightly and raised an eyebrow. "You two were out on your date for quite a while. Unfortunately, we already finished dinner. But we did save you some leftovers in the kitchen. Heat it up yourselves if you want to eat."
Yu Tianheng shook his head with a smile and looked at them. "Xiaohai, Zhuqing, don't mind her. Yan has a sharp tongue but a soft heart. You'll understand once you've spent more time with her."
"I get it, Brother Tianheng," Yang Yunhai said with a smile.
"You always get it," Dugu Yan said with a pout. "But even with all that understanding, you haven't won Zhuqing over yet."
A sudden bombshell. Zhu Zhuqing was momentarily speechless.
Yang Yunhai was also stunned. He quickly looked around at his teammates and changed the subject. "You guys keep chatting, I'll go heat the food."
With that, he strode toward the kitchen.
"I'll help too." Perhaps sensing that Dugu Yan's loose tongue might stir up trouble if she were left alone with her, Zhu Zhuqing quickly found an excuse and followed at a steady pace.
"Oh? Look at that,husband and wife working in sync," Dugu Yan teased.
Zhu Zhuqing instantly picked up her pace.
"Hmph." Dugu Yan raised her eyebrows smugly.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Yang Yunhai saw Zhu Zhuqing enter and smiled. "Since you're here, Zhuqing, help me heat the rice. I'll take care of the dishes."
He pulled out the leftover dishes from the cabinet and skillfully started the stove.
Zhu Zhuqing quietly went to the other side to heat the rice.
A little while later, they came out with their food.
At that moment, a gust of wind blew through the kitchen window and swept through the open door, rushing into the living room and hitting Dugu Yan on the sofa.
"Ahh," Her whole body shivered, and her expression turned pained.
Yu Tianheng's face changed immediately. He turned his head and said, "Xiaohai, can you close the kitchen door?"
Yang Yunhai was briefly stunned but quickly realized the problem and shut the door with his foot.
He exchanged a glance with Zhu Zhuqing, then quickly placed the dishes on the dining table and rushed to the sofa. Dugu Yan had wrapped herself tightly in a blanket, her face pale.
"Yan-jie, what's wrong?"
"It's nothing. Just an old illness,it'll pass," Dugu Yan replied through gritted teeth.
"She's had this condition since childhood, caused by something that happened back then. She can't be exposed to the cold," Yu Tianheng explained.
"I should've mentioned it earlier," he added, looking self-reproachful.
It seems Dugu Yan hadn't told Yu Tianheng about the poison in her body,probably to keep him from worrying. Or perhaps Dugu Bo didn't want others to link his condition to hers, so he asked her to keep quiet. Yang Yunhai pondered.
Just then, Dugu Yan said, "Tianheng, don't blame yourself. Who can be on guard all the time?"
Then she turned to Yang Yunhai. "Xiaohai, you don't need to take it to heart. I've had this issue for a long time."
"Yan-jie, could you let me use my spirit to sense your condition?" Yang Yunhai asked suddenly.
Dugu Yan looked puzzled. "What, your spirit can treat illnesses too?"
"Not exactly," Yang Yunhai shook his head. "But didn't I mention before that my spirit has some kind of special sensing ability now?"
"I thought maybe, through touch, I could sense something useful for treatment."
"It's enough that you care," Dugu Yan smiled faintly, though her gaze dimmed.
"But even my grandfather is helpless with this. It's not that easy."
"True, but still,what's the harm in trying? What if it helps?" Yang Yunhai said earnestly.
"Since Xiaohai is willing, let him try," Qin Ming chimed in from the side.
Although he wasn't hopeful, there was no harm in trying. Who knows, Yang Yunhai's evolved spirit might really have some unique effect. If it worked, it would be a boon for the entire team.
"Alright," Dugu Yan agreed and extended her right hand.
Yang Yunhai summoned his spirit, extended a vine to her wrist, and channeled a bit of spirit power to simulate sensing.
After ten seconds or so, he slowly retracted the vine.
"Well? Did you sense anything?" Dugu Yan asked.
Yang Yunhai shook his head slightly. "Sorry, Yan-jie."
"It's fine. Like I said,it's not that simple," she replied casually.
Then she turned to Yu Tianheng. "Tianheng, carry me to my room. I want to take a hot bath and lie down for a while."
"Alright," Yu Tianheng replied, getting up.
Just then, Yang Yunhai asked again, "Yan-jie, do you have any poison with you?"
"What? What's wrong with you? Thinking about taking poison and ending it all?" Dugu Yan's toxic tongue flared up instinctively.
"Come on, Yan-jie, what are you thinking?" Yang Yunhai looked helpless and explained, "My second spirit skill can absorb spirit power. I want to further develop it,maybe even try absorbing poison. That way, we'll have a counter if we face toxic spirits in the tournament."
"Sister Lingling's spirit has healing powers, but I don't think it can detoxify," he added.
"It can't," Ye Lingling, who had been silently sitting nearby, admitted openly.
Did he sense something? Dugu Yan wondered, but she didn't hesitate. Whether or not he picked up on something, his request wouldn't do her any harm. She reached to her waist and pulled out a vial of poison from her soul tool.
"If you use it all, just ask for more. I've got plenty," she said, tossing it to him.
Yang Yunhai caught it easily. "Thanks, Yan-jie."
"No problem." Dugu Yan nodded and turned to Yu Tianheng.
Understanding her cue, he scooped her up in a princess carry and headed upstairs.
"Alright, Xiaohai, Zhuqing, hurry and eat. Otherwise the food's going to get cold again," Qin Ming reminded them with a smile. "It's about time anyway. Everyone else, back to your rooms to cultivate."
"Yes." The team members nodded in unison, said goodbye to Yang Yunhai and Zhu Zhuqing, and returned to their rooms.
Once everyone left, Qin Ming also returned to his own room.
Seeing this, Yang Yunhai didn't delay. He called Zhu Zhuqing over, and the two sat at the dining table to eat.
Not long after, full and satisfied, they walked up to the third floor and returned to their rooms to cultivate.
If you want to read 40 advanced chapters and 3 new chapters daily, please subscribe to my : patreon.com/Moorowkeel