Yun Yun's Gift of Thanks, Returning to the Xiao Family

At that moment, in the inner hall of Qing Nang Zhai.

Yun Yun sat cross-legged on the bed, Dou Qi surging around her like a tide, her black hair moving without wind. She slowly opened her eyes, and stars seemed to flow within her pupils as the pressure of a Dou Huang powerhouse flickered in and out.

"Congratulations on recovering your cultivation, Sect Master Yun."

Lu Yu cupped his hands in salute, his voice warm and smooth.

Yun Yun's gaze shifted as she stared deeply at him. "Many thanks to Young Master Yu for saving me this time."

She stepped barefoot down from the bed, then suddenly took a step forward. "May I ask... if you can tell me your real name?"

Lu Yu subconsciously stepped back and gave a light cough. "Why ask if we have met before when fate has brought us together? Sect Master Yun, I merely came for Master Gu He's reward."

"Is that so..."

A sly glint flashed through Yun Yun's eyes, and her jade hand suddenly shot out like lightning. "Then let me see your true face!"

"Sect Master Yun!"

Lu Yu hurriedly turned aside to dodge, but he was still half a step too slow. Half of the silver mask was lifted away, revealing the sharply defined side of his face—his straight nose bridge, thin lips pressed lightly together, and that firm, resolute jawline.

The room instantly fell silent.

Yun Yun stared blankly at that faintly visible young profile, the cool touch of the mask still lingering on her fingertips. Her red lips parted slightly as if she wanted to say something, but she forcibly stopped herself.

Lu Yu quickly put the mask back on and smiled wryly. "What is the meaning of this, Sect Master Yun?"

"I..."

A blush rose on Yun Yun's fair cheeks. Her jade hand clenched unconsciously as she said in a low voice, "I only... wanted to remember what my benefactor looked like."

Lu Yu gave a helpless smile, but there was nothing he could do.

"I never expected Young Master Yu to be so young..."

Yun Yun spoke softly, then seemed to think of something and somewhat awkwardly gathered her robe. "Young Master, could you... step outside for a moment? I have just recovered and still need to regulate my breathing..."

Lu Yu paused slightly, then nodded. "Then Yu will take his leave for now."

He turned and walked out of the inner hall, only to see Gu He pacing back and forth in the outer room, his expression anxious. As soon as he saw Lu Yu come out, he immediately stepped forward and grabbed his wrist. "Master! Sect Master Yun, she..."

"She is fine now. She only needs to regulate her breathing for a while."

Lu Yu cupped his hands in salute and said solemnly, "Fortunately, I did not fail the task."

Gu He let out a long breath and clasped his fists solemnly. "I, Gu, always keep my word. As for the three pill-refining promises I made earlier, what do you need, Master?"

Lu Yu pondered for a moment, then said, "One Three-pattern Green Spirit Pill, one Spirit Dou Pill..."

He paused. "For the final pill, I would like to exchange it for a portion of Ice Spirit Cold Spring."

Gu He frowned, then said, "I do not have a Three-pattern Green Spirit Pill. Would two Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pills be acceptable as compensation?"

Lu Yu thought for a moment, then said, "Yes."

As soon as he finished speaking, Gu He nodded, then took three exquisite jade bottles from his Storage Ring and carefully placed them on the small table.

"These are two Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pills and one Spirit Dou Pill."

He pointed them out one by one, then finally brought out a jade box that exuded cold air. "As for this Ice Spirit Cold Spring, it is part of my elder brother Gute's collection. Its quality is absolutely superior."

Lu Yu took the jade box. The moment he lifted it open a crack, a wave of bone-chilling cold air rushed toward his face. Inside the box was a milky-white liquid, its surface covered in fine ice crystals that refracted a dreamlike halo under the light.

"What an extremely pure cold spring!" Lu Yu praised.

A hint of pride appeared on Gu He's face. Then, as if he had thought of something, he lowered his voice and said, "Since Your Excellency could undo the Five Snake Poison Brake Seal, you must have some connection with the Snake-human Race?"

Without batting an eye, Lu Yu closed the jade box. "Pill King, you are overthinking it. I merely learned a few detoxification methods through a fortunate coincidence."

While the two were talking, the bead curtain of the inner hall suddenly gave a soft rustle.

Yun Yun walked out slowly in a white dress. Though her face was still somewhat pale, the Dou Qi around her had already stabilized. Her gaze lingered for a moment on the jade box in Lu Yu's hand, and her red lips parted slightly as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, she only nodded lightly.

Then she raised her fair hand and took from her Storage Ring a suit of soft armor glowing with a deep-blue radiance. "This is the Sea Heart Armor. It was made from a strange metal produced within the belly of a Sixth-tier Sea Demon Beast, the Three-tailed Blue Whale. Its defensive power depends on the strength of its owner."

Her fingertips lightly caressed the flowing water patterns across the armor as she said gently, "If Young Master Yu had not saved me today..."

Lu Yu was just about to politely refuse, but Yun Yun had already handed the treasure armor, shimmering with rippling light, to him. It felt cold and supple in his hands, and he could faintly sense the surging water-element energy contained within.

"Sect Master Yun, this..."

Before he could decline, Yun Yun had personally draped the soft armor over him. Her slender jade fingers brushed unintentionally past the side of his neck, carrying a faint fragrance.

Gu He, who witnessed the entire scene from the side, stood rooted to the spot as unspeakably complicated emotions surged through his heart.

He had pursued Yun Yun for many years. When had he ever seen this cold and noble sect master be so close to another person?

"Ahem, it's time to go."

Hai Bodong's voice sounded at just the right moment, breaking the subtle atmosphere. Only then did Lu Yu come back to his senses. His fingertips tapped lightly on his Storage Ring, putting away the Sea Heart Armor, the Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pills, and the other treasures.

"Since Sect Master Yun is already unharmed, Yu will take his leave."

He cupped his hands in salute and spoke in a gentle voice.

Yun Yun's red lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to ask him to stay, but in the end, she only nodded lightly. "Take care, Young Master Yu." In those usually cool eyes, a barely perceptible trace of melancholy flashed.

Just as Lu Yu turned to leave, Gu He suddenly took a step forward. "Master Yu, please wait!"

He took a Jade Slip from his robes. "This is a token from Gu. If you ever need anything in the future, take this to any Alchemist Guild, and Gu will do everything in his power to help."

Lu Yu paused slightly, then accepted the Jade Slip solemnly. "Many thanks, Pill King."

When they walked out of Qing Nang Zhai, the setting sun was just right. Hai Bodong glanced at the tightly shut door behind them and said meaningfully, "Kid, you really made a killing this time..."

"In this old man's view, that Pill King Gu He may have lost more than he gained..."

"Old Hai."

Lu Yu gave a light cough, cutting him off, and changed the subject. "We should go find Little Fairy Doctor and the others."

Many days later, Wutan City, the Xiao Clan.

A splendid carriage drawn by four snow-white steeds slowly came to a stop. The curtain was lifted, and Lu Yu leaped down first, his black robe fluttering lightly. The Third-grade Alchemist badge on his chest shone brilliantly in the sunlight.

"We're finally back."

He turned and reached out, helping Little Fairy Doctor and Qing Lin down from the carriage.

Seeing this, the Xiao Clan guards hurried forward and bowed. "Mr. Lu! You're finally back. The clan leader has been talking about you these past few days..."

Before he could finish, a rush of hurried footsteps came from inside the manor gates. Xiao Zhan led several elders out quickly, his face full of delighted surprise. "Little Friend Lu, you've..."

His words stopped abruptly. His gaze locked firmly on the badge on Lu Yu's chest, and his lips trembled slightly. "Th-this is..."

Lu Yu smiled faintly. "I was lucky enough to pass the Third-grade Alchemist assessment. I've made Clan Leader Xiao worry."

Xiao Zhan looked as if he had been struck by lightning, and the elders behind him sucked in a cold breath.

A Third-grade Alchemist—even if Lu Yu was only a Xiao Clan Guest Elder, that status alone was enough to make the Xiao Clan's standing in Wutan City rise with the tide!

"Good! Good!"

Xiao Zhan's voice trembled with excitement. Then he suddenly noticed the Blue-robed Elder behind Lu Yu, and his pupils immediately shrank—this extraordinary old man actually made even him, a Five-star Great Dou Master, feel an inexplicable pressure.

Lu Yu turned slightly and introduced him. "This is Senior Hai Bodong. He is traveling with us for the time being."

Xiao Zhan hurriedly bowed, but stormy waves surged in his heart. An existence that could make even him feel pressure—could he be... a legendary Dou Wang expert?!

I'll update two more chapters today. Please spare a few monthly tickets.**