A Moment of Warmth

The moonlight draped over the tranquil valley like a sheer veil, the faint fragrance of herbs drifting quietly through the cool night breeze.

Xiao Yi Xian carefully finished watering the last of the Blood-Coagulation Grass, then straightened up and gently rubbed her slightly sore and numb waist.

She habitually lifted her eyes toward the valley entrance—a ritual she performed every night before sleep, as if expecting something, even though she knew that expectation was so faint it bordered on nothingness.

Yet tonight, beneath the old tree at the valley entrance, there truly seemed to be a tall, slender figure.

Xiao Yi Xian froze, her heart instantly tightening with vigilance.

The area around Qingshan Town was not entirely peaceful; occasionally, mercenaries or those with ill intentions would pass through.

Subconsciously, she tightened her grip on the paralyzing powder hidden in her sleeve.

But the figure did not approach; he simply leaned against the tree, his tall, upright silhouette outlined by the moonlight, though his features remained obscured.

He radiated no aura of danger; instead, there was an inexplicable... tranquility about him.

Seeming to sense her gaze, the figure moved, stepping slowly out from the shadows of the tree and walking toward her through the moonlight.

As the distance closed, Xiao Yi Xian saw him clearly.

He was very young, his features not world-shatteringly handsome but exceptionally refined. His deep eyes seemed to hold a sea of stars under the moonlight, though a faint, lingering weariness lay in their depths, along with a sense of sedimented experience she could not quite grasp, as if he had weathered endless vicissitudes.

His temperament was unique—both as indifferent and distant as a far-off mountain, yet revealing a subtle, imperceptible gentleness at this moment.

He wore simple cyan robes, devoid of the bloody scent of mercenaries or the fluctuations of Dou Qi, looking much like a lost scholar.

Her vigilance eased slightly, but Xiao Yi Xian did not fully relax. She spoke softly, her voice as ethereal as a mountain spring: "May I ask... are you lost?"

Lin Hai stopped five paces away from her—a distance that neither made her feel pressured nor prevented him from clearly smelling the pure, herbal-scented aura unique to her.

He smiled slightly, the expression softening the indifference in his brow: "I smelled a very special herbal fragrance and found myself walking here without realizing it. I hope I haven't disturbed you."

His voice was gentle and pleasant, carrying a power that put one at ease.

Xiao Yi Xian was surprised; she had not expected him to come because of the scent of the herbs.

She had some confidence in her medical skills and her cultivation of herbs, but receiving recognition from a stranger still warmed her heart.

She loosened her grip on the paralyzing powder slightly, her tone softening: "Do you understand herbs as well?"

"I know a thing or two." Lin Hai's gaze swept over the herb field behind her, accurately naming several rare herbs and their characteristics, even pointing out that the yellowing tips of a Moonlight Grass might be due to water accumulation at the roots.

(Lin Hai knew this simply by asking the system.)

The surprise in Xiao Yi Xian's eyes deepened.

Among the herbs she grew, several were extremely obscure varieties that even the old physician in town couldn't fully identify. Yet this man could recognize them at a glance and even pinpoint their ailments? It seemed he didn't just know "a thing or two," but was deeply versed in the craft.

"Your observation is very accurate," Xiao Yi Xian said, her tone carrying the joy of meeting a kindred spirit. "I was just feeling that something was wrong with that Moonlight Grass. So it was water accumulation. Thank you."

"A small effort." Lin Hai smiled, his gaze falling on her fingers, which were stained with soil from her work. He naturally took a clean white jade bottle from his robes and handed it over: "The night dew is heavy, and cold air easily invades the body. Applying this 'Warm Jade Ointment' to your hands can dispel the cold and nourish the skin; it is beneficial for those who frequently handle herbs."

The bottle appeared ordinary, but its material was warm and moist—clearly no common item.

Xiao Yi Xian initially wanted to refuse, but the man's attitude was natural and sincere, without a hint of condescension or flattery, as if he were merely sharing a small item between friends.

Moreover, the name "Warm Jade Ointment" was exactly what she was currently researching, and the only reason she hadn't succeeded was that the finished product was too expensive, forcing her to study it herself...

Driven by an inexplicable impulse, she did not refuse immediately, but instead asked curiously: "Warm Jade Ointment? Is it formulated primarily with Warm Jade Lotus?"

A flash of appreciation crossed Lin Hai's eyes: "Correct. It also requires the addition of Three-Sun Grass and the juice of the Red Flame Fruit, refined with a special technique to lock in its warming and cold-dispelling effects without damaging the skin."

(Lin Hai again learned this by asking the system.)

The formula and technique he mentioned so casually made Xiao Yi Xian's beautiful eyes light up!

Her gaze toward Lin Hai changed instantly, filled with a thirst for knowledge and the joy of finding a soulmate.

"So that's how it can be balanced! I always thought the intensity of the Red Flame Fruit would destroy the gentleness of the Warm Jade Lotus..." She couldn't help but take a step forward, blurting out her thoughts to discuss it with him.

Lin Hai responded with ease, citing classics while explaining complex concepts simply. In just a few sentences, he resolved several doubts Xiao Yi Xian had regarding herb processing.

As he spoke, he looked at her with focused attention, listening earnestly to every word, his eyes gentle and accommodating.

Before they knew it, the distance between them had closed significantly.

Xiao Yi Xian had completely let down her guard, immersed in the wondrous world of herbs. Occasionally, she would break into a look of sudden realization and a joyful smile when a problem was solved—a smile so pure and clear that it was intoxicating under the moonlight.

Lin Hai naturally took the opportunity to place the white jade bottle into her hand, his fingertips lightly brushing her palm.

Xiao Yi Xian's body trembled slightly. A warm, moist current spread from the point of contact, instantly dispelling the night's chill, making her feel so comfortable she almost let out a soft sigh.

Her cheeks flushed, but this time she did not pull her hand away. Instead, she lowered her head and whispered: "Thank you... this is too precious."

"Herbs are meant to be used," Lin Hai said gently. "Keeping it with me would only let it gather dust. It is perfect if it can help you."

He looked up at the sky; the moon had tilted slightly to the west. "It is late; you should rest. As an outsider, it is not appropriate for me to linger."

A trace of reluctance stirred in Xiao Yi Xian's heart; the conversation tonight had made her feel an unprecedented sense of rapport and pleasure.

She spoke subconsciously: "It's alright... I usually sleep quite late." Realizing how that sounded, she felt it was improper and her cheeks burned even brighter.

Lin Hai looked at her flushed face, the smile in his eyes deepening: "Then may I come again tomorrow? I am quite interested in those rare 'Star Spirit Flowers' at the valley entrance, but they seem a bit withered. Perhaps we could take a look at them together?"

He had found a reason so natural that she could not refuse.

Xiao Yi Xian's eyes brightened, and she nodded immediately: "Alright! I was just worrying about what was wrong with them! Then... I will wait for you tomorrow?"

"Alright, see you tomorrow." Lin Hai said his goodbyes in a gentle voice, then turned and left, his figure quickly melting into the moonlight.

Little Doctor Fairy clutched the smooth, warm jade bottle in her hand, gazing in the direction where he had vanished. It felt as if her heart had been filled by the same warmth as the Warm Jade Ointment, and a strange, fluttering emotion quietly took root.

She had never encountered someone like him—powerful yet gentle, knowledgeable yet humble. It was as if he had descended from the heavens, perfectly aligning with every hazy expectation hidden deep within her heart.

She did not know who he was or where he had come from, but in this moment, she only wanted to look forward to the arrival of tomorrow.

As for Lin Hai, who was walking away, he glanced back at the solitary little wooden cabin under the moonlight and the girl in white still standing in the same spot, a flicker of complex pity crossing his eyes.

"Calamity Poison Body... In this lifetime, I will not let you endure it alone again." He whispered to himself, his tone resolute.

Their first meeting began with the scent of medicine, deepened by his talent, and became anchored by his gentleness.

The warming of their emotions was quietly completed amidst the moonlight and the fragrance of herbs—a process impossibly fast, yet so natural, as if it had been destined all along.