Xiao Yi Xian's Feelings

Gu He pondered for a moment, glanced at the expectant Fama, and said, "I'm not used to having people around while I refine pills." Seeing Fama's disappointment, he continued, "But Elder Fa took great care of me before I became successful, so I'll make an exception this once and let you observe beside me."

Hearing that turn of events, Fama could not help sighing. "Those past matters were merely a small favor. Since the Pill King is so generous, how could I be stingy? I will offer five sets of Imperial Pill ingredients and five sets of ingredients for other Sixth-grade pills as the Pill King's compensation."

"Hiss." Even with Gu He's composure, he could not help drawing in a cold breath. Of all the medicinal ingredients he valued most on this trip to the Imperial Capital, the ingredients for the Imperial Pill were undoubtedly at the top. Yet it would have been difficult to explain why a Dou Wang like him enjoyed collecting pills that helped Dou Emperor experts increase their strength, so he had claimed to be collecting ingredients for all Sixth-grade pills instead. His most optimistic estimate had only been to gather around ten sets of Imperial Pill ingredients, but Fama alone had covered more than half of that.

The others stared at Fama in shock. As expected of someone who had served as the Alchemist Association's president for decades. His wealth was simply beyond comparison. Just to observe a single pill refinement, he was paying a price equivalent to a Sixth-grade pill.

"Elder Fa, you are far too generous. It is only one observation session—why pay such a great price?" Although Gu He wanted those ingredients immediately, he still had to go through the proper motions, so he declined.

"The Pill King agreeing to let me observe is already a great favor. How could I shamelessly go without offering anything in return? Pill King, please do not refuse any further," Fama sincerely urged.

Seeing that Fama had put it so plainly, Gu He would only seem hypocritical if he continued refusing. He finally nodded.

"I'll be returning to the Misty Cloud Sect tomorrow. After refining a Sixth-grade pill in the Imperial Capital, I'll return to the Monster Mountain Range to refine the rest. Even if you deliver the ingredients now, you will still have to wait a few days before receiving the pills," Gu He explained to the five of them.

"Of course. Pill King, there is no need to hurry."

"We understand. Old He can take his time."

Once they had settled the matter, there was nothing else to discuss. After exchanging a few more meaningless pleasantries, they dispersed, and the five went their separate ways to gather the ingredients.

The Nalan Family arranged another carriage to send Gu He back to the Misty Cloud Sect's Imperial Capital residence.

After arriving, Gu He did not want to wake the people inside again. Using his Soul Power, he found an unoccupied spot and climbed over the wall. Upon entering the courtyard, he found Xiao Yi Xian sitting on a stone stool, resting her chin on the hand she had placed on the stone table.

Seeing Gu He return, Xiao Yi Xian happily said, "Master, you're back!"

"Xian'er, why are you still awake? It's already so late." Gu He sat on another stone stool, puzzled.

"I was waiting for you, Master! Besides, I can't sleep. I received so many things today, things I never would have dared imagine before." Xiao Yi Xian sounded troubled.

Gu He knew what she was worried about and comforted her. "Are you worried about whether you have the ability to accept these gifts? There is no need to worry. You are the disciple of Gu He, the Pill King. Those people are currying favor with you. If you accept their gifts, they should be happy, not you feeling uneasy."

Xiao Yi Xian said unhappily, "In the end, I'm still relying on your reputation to get by here. I'd rather return to Qingshan Town. At least there, I wouldn't have to depend so much on your name."

"Xian'er, what's wrong today? Did Ya Fei say something bad about me?" Seeing Xiao Yi Xian's unstable emotions, Gu He joked.

"No. Sister Ya Fei was very respectful toward me, but I want to earn others' respect by my own abilities while staying by your side." A mist clouded Xiao Yi Xian's eyes as she spoke excitedly.

Seeing that it was merely a little girl's pride at work, Gu He rubbed Xiao Yi Xian's head. "You're still young. Once you grow up, you'll have the ability to earn other people's respect."

Xiao Yi Xian blushed. But when she recalled what Ya Fei had said—that Gu He had likely remained alone all this time because he was pursuing the Misty Cloud Sect's sect master—she could not help feeling jealous. Xiao Yi Xian knew she should not harbor such feelings for her master, but so much had happened on the day Gu He accepted her as his disciple. It had planted a different sort of seed in her heart. She did not know whether she would lose this person who was both master and father to her if Gu He became involved with that Misty Cloud Sect sect master.

"Master, I'm grown up." Xiao Yi Xian narrowed her eyes and rubbed her head against Gu He's hand as she weakly protested.

Gu He had no idea that Ya Fei, wanting to grow closer to Xiao Yi Xian and driven by a woman's gossiping nature, had told her about such things. Otherwise, Gu He definitely would not have allowed Xiao Yi Xian and Ya Fei to sit together.

"Yes, yes. My adorable little kitten disciple." Seeing Xiao Yi Xian being so cute, Gu He could not help teasing her.

Seeing Gu He randomly give her a nickname, Xiao Yi Xian was "furious." She stood up, intending to ruffle Gu He's hair in return, but her legs had gone numb from sitting on the stone stool for so long. She had felt nothing while seated, yet the moment she stood, she could not help toppling forward.

Gu He hurriedly stood and caught Xiao Yi Xian to keep her from falling.

Lying in Gu He's arms, Xiao Yi Xian instead hugged him even more tightly. Sensing that something was wrong with her, Gu He gently patted her back and asked with concern, "What's wrong? If you have something on your mind, tell Master."

Xiao Yi Xian merely shook her head. "Master, let me lie here for a while."

Xiao Yi Xian did not know how to talk about liking her own master, much less how to say it to him. She could only hide in Gu He's arms like an ostrich.

Gu He vaguely guessed, though he was not certain. Seeing that Xiao Yi Xian had no desire to speak, he simply held her around the waist and stood in the courtyard.

After a while, Xiao Yi Xian thought that if she pretended to sleep, she could lie in her master's arms all night. So she adjusted her breathing and gradually made it even and steady, but it soon backfired. Although she had not cultivated today, dealing with people who had once seemed far beyond her reach had still drained much of her energy. If not for the worries in her heart, she should have fallen asleep shortly after returning. Yet now, lying in Gu He's arms, the unprecedented sense of safety quickly made Xiao Yi Xian, who had only intended to pretend to sleep, truly fall asleep.

Gu He looked at the sleeping Xiao Yi Xian with helplessness. Moving now would easily wake her, so he thought, then stood in the courtyard all night with Xiao Yi Xian in his arms.

The next morning, the gentle sunlight shone upon Xiao Yi Xian's face, seemingly covering her in a layer of holy radiance. Unfortunately, Gu He had his eyes closed, dedicating a sliver of his attention to cultivation, and did not witness this breathtaking sight.

Xiao Yi Xian's eyelashes trembled slightly as she opened her eyes. She raised a hand to her forehead to block the light.

Sensing that Xiao Yi Xian had awoken, Gu He opened his eyes. Their gazes met, and only then did Xiao Yi Xian realize that she was still lying in Gu He's arms.