Hurry Up and Take the Pill

Shen Jingchuan quickly stepped forward and handed over the velvet box with both hands:

"Hello Auntie, this is my first time visiting. It's just a small token of my appreciation, please don't mind."

Mother Meng reached out and took the box. It looked familiar, but she couldn't quite place where she'd seen it before. She didn't open it immediately, but simply smiled and waved her hand.

"You silly child, you're here already, why bring a gift? Make yourself at home."

"Of course, Auntie. It wouldn't make sense to come empty-handed on my first visit."

Shen Jingchuan quickly agreed.

"Okay, this is the only time. Don't let it happen again."

Mother Meng smiled so broadly her eyes crinkled, and placed the brocade box on the sideboard beside her.

"Please sit down, all the dishes are ready. Let's eat and chat."

The three sat down for dinner. The dishes weren't numerous, but each one was exquisitely prepared and refreshing. During the meal, Mother Meng pulled Shen Jingchuan aside to chat about everyday matters, and the two got along very well, creating a warm and pleasant atmosphere.

Meng Ke, however, was distracted. She picked at the rice in her bowl with her chopsticks, her mind completely on the brocade box. She was so preoccupied with wanting to know what treasures were inside.

After finally finishing their meal, just as Mother Meng was about to clean up, Shen Jingchuan got up to help, but she pulled him to the living room with a smile.

Meng Ke was quick; she piled up all the plates on the table, carried them into the kitchen, threw them into the sink without washing them, came out, grabbed a rag, wiped the table a couple of times, then turned around, picked up the brocade box from the sideboard, and strode over to the sofa in the living room.

"Mom, Jingchuan specially brought you a gift, why didn't you even open it?"

She placed the brocade box on the coffee table with an air of nonchalance.

Mother Meng came over with a cup of freshly brewed tea, smiling and shaking her head:

"Hey, I like whatever Little Shen gives me, what's the rush?"

"That won't do. It's only polite to open it in person."

Meng Ke urged him on, reaching out to lift the lid of the box.

"You're so impatient."

Mother Meng reached out and gently patted the back of her hand, scolding her gently:

"Girls are like that, once they grow up, they're gone; even a little cotton-padded jacket can let the wind in."

Despite her words, she still opened the brocade box herself. Inside lay a small, warm jade bottle. Mother Meng paused for a moment, then looked up at Shen Jingchuan.

"Aunt,"

Shen Jingchuan quickly explained:

"This is a health-preserving pill. I asked someone to search for it for a long time before I could get it. It can regulate Qi and Blood and blood, improve complexion, and prolong life. It's very good for your health."

He pondered to himself that this pill was originally meant for mortals, but after being thrown into the Ring, it was upgraded to a higher grade, and its potency should be much stronger than before. A mortal might not be able to withstand it if they took it directly.

Rather than letting her eat recklessly and cause trouble later, it's better to watch her take it in front of everyone. As a cultivator, I can help keep things stable and prevent any mishaps.

After thinking for a moment, he added:

"By the way, Auntie, there's a trick to this medicine; it needs to be taken as soon as possible, otherwise its potency will dissipate. I've had it with me for a while now, so why don't you take it now?"

A hint of hesitation crossed Mother Meng's face. Having lived most of her life, she had never heard of any longevity supplements. Anyone who dared to claim something so miraculous was probably just bluffing.

Shen Jingchuan noticed her concerns and softened his tone with a smile:

"Don't overthink it. It's just a mild tonic, nothing miraculous. Just take it for peace of mind; it can't hurt to help regulate your body."

"Mom, don't worry," Meng Ke reassured her from the side. "Jingchuan is the most reliable person. If he says it's useful, it definitely will."

Mother Meng glanced at her daughter and found it amusing. Nothing had even happened yet, and she was already wholeheartedly protecting the other woman.

She hesitated for a few seconds, thinking that since it was the child's good intention, and Shen Jingchuan's words didn't sound so exaggerated, there shouldn't be any problem.

"Okay, I'll try it then."

She picked up the jade bottle, uncorked it, and poured out a red pill. It looked quite large and had a faint medicinal fragrance.

Meng Ke quickly handed over a glass of warm water. The pill looked large when it entered the mouth, but it dissolved quite quickly, with a slightly sweet herbal taste. Mother Meng swallowed it with the warm water, and it slid down smoothly.

She had only been sitting down for half a minute when her expression suddenly changed. Her brows furrowed tightly, and she reached out to cover her stomach.

"Ugh..." she groaned, a layer of cold sweat instantly breaking out on her forehead. She doubled over in pain, her stomach cramping as if it were being twisted.

"Mom! What's wrong?" Meng Ke was so frightened that her face turned pale, and she stood up abruptly. "Jingchuan, come and see!"

Shen Jingchuan was also startled and quickly stepped forward to support Mother Meng. He placed his fingertips on her wrist and sent a wisp of Spiritual Power through her meridians.

He scanned the area with his Divine Sense and breathed a sigh of relief—it was nothing serious, just that the upgraded medicine was stronger than expected, and a mortal body couldn't handle it; the medicine's effects had impacted his spleen, stomach, and meridians.

"Auntie is fine, it's just that the medicine is a bit strong."

He gently comforted her, his Spiritual Power slowly spreading throughout her body, flowing along her meridians, helping to dissipate the medicinal effects.

With his Spiritual Power guiding it, the fierce medicinal effects quickly stabilized, slowly nourishing the body along the meridians. The cramping pain gradually subsided, and Mother Meng breathed a long sigh of relief, her complexion gradually regaining its color.

The medicine circulated for a Greater Celestial Circuit, and its effects were completely absorbed. Meng Ke, sitting beside him, stared wide-eyed, utterly dumbfounded.

The gray hair at Mother Meng's temples was visibly turning black at a rapid pace. Fine black mud, mixed with grease and carrying a faint fishy smell, began to seep from the exposed skin on her face, neck, and the back of her hands, which looked rather frightening.

Shen Jingchuan remained calm, explaining that this was simply the body expelling impurities as the medicine dissipated, a normal phenomenon.

A few minutes later, Mother Meng herself smelled the odor on herself. She looked down at the black mud on her hands and her face turned red.

"This... what happened..." She was a little embarrassed and quickly stood up. "I'll go tidy up. Please have a seat."

Hot water was flowing freely in the bathroom. Mother Meng scrubbed off a layer of greasy dirt from her body, and as soon as she was clean, she looked down and froze.