Qin Yao blushed as she released her grip, feeling embarrassed.
“Sorry, I got a bit carried away. Will this… cause trouble for you, Junior Brother?”
Yun Liu smiled and shook his head, finally showing his true face.
“Senior Sister, your soul and cultivation are both excellent. What you lack to become a third-grade apothecary is just a bit of experience. As it happens, I have a rather shameless request and need your help.”
“Of course! Just say it. As long as it’s within my power, I absolutely won’t refuse.”
Qin Yao nodded at once—she was more than willing, a hundred, a thousand times over.
She owed far too much.
“I haven’t even said what I need yet. What if I asked you to run a lap around Sighing Peak without a stitch of clothing?”
The Mistress of Xiangfang Pavilion widened her eyes and flicked his forehead.
“Dare you? Looks like you’ve learned bad habits from those little girls, even daring to tease your elder sister!”
Yun Liu’s expression suddenly turned serious. He bowed deeply and said solemnly, “To tell you the truth, I wish to invite Senior Sister to help me refine the Reversion Pill.”
“Reversion Pill… Me? No, no, I can’t. Even Mr. Kuai isn’t confident about this, how could I possibly…”
Qin Yao waved her hands repeatedly, her small face flustered, but Yun Liu caught her hand and stuffed a scroll into it.
“If I say you can, then you can!”
“This is the Retrospective Pill Formula. I’ve noted all the details inside. I’ve already gathered all the materials, except for the most important Three-Leaf Datura Fruit.”
“This… I…”
Qin Yao cradled the scroll, utterly shocked.
So Yun Liu had long since prepared, still seeking ways to save himself.
But this was a pill recipe for a third-grade Spiritual Medicine!
Across the Nine Provinces, which Elixir Cultivator wasn’t jealously guarding their own formulas, only passing them to a handful of true disciples, afraid that teaching the student would starve the master?
Even Mr. Kuai had only taught her some basic second-grade pill recipes over all these years.
Yet she hadn’t known Yun Liu for long, and he could trust her without reservation.
Even family wouldn’t share so generously!
Seeing such trust from Yun Liu, Qin Yao was left speechless, only staring dazedly at the pale-faced youth, her lashes quivering.
Was this really helping?
To take part in refining such a rare third-grade Spiritual Medicine was a tremendous opportunity—the benefits were all hers!
“I’ll trouble Senior Sister to be my apprentice this time. As long as you follow my instructions, I’m absolutely confident we’ll succeed. There might be some danger in the process, but I believe in you—it’ll be no problem!”
The youth spoke with a confidence that came from nowhere, his eyes shining like stars, his firm tone filling Qin Yao with certainty.
The Clear Mist Peak Senior Sister took a deep breath, regaining her calm and confidence, her gaze soft as water.
That’s right, we’re all family here. To refuse any longer would be petty.
“Not at all, it’s my honor. There’s no need for such distinctions between us. I won’t let you down.”
“That’s the Qin Senior Sister I know. There are some preparatory chores I’ll need you to help with from now on. I’ll give you guidance along the way. Honestly, with my current qi sea, it’s difficult to control the Huai Xin Spirit Fire on my own.”
Yun Liu coughed lightly, his body growing weaker, though his spirit remained strong.
The Yao Lu Disciples had no idea what the two sirs were busy with.
They only saw them deep in conversation, gesturing and taking notes, looking very serious—no one else could get a word in.
Most likely, it was about that Heaven-grade Foundation Establishment Pill promised to Her Highness the Princess?
Huo Tian Tian thought so, dragging the peeking Huangmao into the little black room, quizzing her on the Baicao Jing.
As an apprentice, she couldn’t even recognize the herbs—unacceptable!
The two of them worked late into the night, and when they came back to themselves, only they were left in the Rosy Fragrance Pavilion.
Qin Yao stretched lazily, finally having mastered the Reversion Pill, her admiration for Yun Liu reaching new heights.
The plan was meticulous, every angle considered.
This wasn’t just a pill recipe—it was a step-by-step beginner’s guide.
With this strategy, even that yellow-haired novice should have no problem, right?
Yun Liu bit his brush, pondering for a long while, nodding, then shaking his head.
He still felt that some parts weren’t entirely secure.
Watching the youth’s serious profile, the Senior Sister propped her chin, staring blankly, lost in thought.
If she really did become a couple with Junior Brother, bringing home a brother-in-law for Clear Mist Peak, wouldn’t that be nice?
Qin Yao was different from the other Shenhua Sect disciples.
She had no interest in that legendary sword master’s title.
Finding a kindred spirit to run the Rosy Fragrance Pavilion with, and taking care of her fellow sisters, that was her greatest happiness.
No, no, what am I thinking?
Junior Brother is much younger than me.
When he was born, I was already cultivating in the outer sect.
By seniority, his mother would be my…
But isn’t that just right?
Don’t let the fat water flow into outsiders’ fields!
A trace of “wicked thoughts” crept out from her consciousness, making Qin Yao cover her face in embarrassment.
She couldn’t help but peek at the youth’s focused expression through her fingers.
She had no interest in childish boys, but Junior Brother Yun didn’t seem like a child at all.
Mature and steady, calm in the face of change, he truly had the bearing of a great man.
“You’ve worked hard.”
Qin Yao imitated Junior Brother’s way of making spiritual tea, placing it gently on the table.
“Thank you, Qin Sister.”
“By the way, Junior Brother, do you have a girl you like?”
Senior Sister pretended to ask casually, never having heard the rumors circulating outside.
“No.”
Yun Liu was currently mixing a potion to suppress the monster from Canglang Gorge, lending a hand to his Senior Sister.
Qin Yao quietly let out a sigh of relief, changing the subject.
“That’s good, that’s good—no, I mean, I know a lot of nice girls. What kind of type do you like? Maybe I can introduce you?”
“Oh?”
The youth answered absentmindedly, not really listening.
“All the Clear Mist Peak disciples are excellent, just a bit wild. Xu Lin is a Yunhai Sword Guard from Beiyu, passionate and energetic, and very tall. The new disciple Master took in, Qile Ying, is great too—shy and introverted, just as quiet as you. Or do you prefer the petite and cute type? I don’t know the disciples from other peaks that well, but there are a few good choices around your age.”
“Are any of them as outstanding as you, Qin Sister?”
“Eh?”
With just one sentence, the Lady Boss closed her chattering mouth.
I was going to say, Senior Sister, you’re not getting any younger.
It’s about time you found a home. Instead of worrying about others, you should think about yourself.
At this rate, you’ll still be single when you reach Nascent Soul stage.
After speaking, Yun Liu picked up the materials and went into the pill room.
With so few people left at Celestial Phenomena Peak, they were about to lose another—he probably wouldn’t be able to help this good sister much longer.
Qin Yao stood frozen on the spot, her head once again buried in her chest.
“Nonsense!”
So annoying—why would Junior Brother say such things?
I was talking about “serious” matters!
But in her heart, the Senior Sister couldn’t be happier, pride welling up.
No matter how good the other disciples were, Junior Brother didn’t care for any of them—not even half as much as her.
Everyone knows, in games, choosing the right dialogue option to raise affection is crucial.
Whether you can unlock hidden quest lines depends on it. Yun Liu understood this well.
He just hadn’t expected such a little side quest to take on such a different flavor.
Never mind those spirit stones—right now, the Clear Mist Peak Senior Sister was so flustered, she might just bring the entire Rosy Fragrance Pavilion as her dowry.
The price of pushing too hard… was to offer herself in marriage?