Ambiguous Farewell, Immortal Herbs, Here I Come!

Blue Tyrant Academy, Dean's Office.

The afterglow of the setting sun streamed through the wide, carved glass windows, bathing the room in a warm golden hue.

The air was suffused with... a faint, almost imperceptible atmosphere of intimacy.

Liu Erlong lounged lazily against the edge of the broad desk, the curves of her body breathtaking beneath the soft light.

She was not wearing her usual capable dean's attire, but had changed into a dark red velvet gown of soft, form-fitting fabric.

The gown's neckline was not particularly low, yet its perfect tailoring outlined the full, proud shape of her breasts in exquisite detail. As she leaned forward slightly, it formed a breathtakingly deep cleavage.

Her slender waist could be encircled in one hand, flowing down into the lush, pert curve of her hips. Through the slit in her dress, a rounded calf wrapped in sheer black silk appeared and disappeared from view, while the tip of her foot hooked an exquisite high heel and swayed it gently without thought.

Her smooth long hair was not tied up, spilling over her shoulders. Several playful strands hung over her smooth forehead and elegantly shaped collarbones.

Her face, usually stern and cool, was now flushed with an intoxicating rosy hue like a ripe peach. Her phoenix eyes shimmered with rippling light, containing less of a dean's sharpness and more of a mature woman's languid charm, along with a trace of...

the satisfied allure of someone who had been thoroughly indulged.

Her red lips were slightly swollen and glistened with moisture, while a smile that seemed both reproachful and pleased lingered at their corners.

She tilted her head back slightly, allowing Xiao Yin, standing before her, to fasten the buttons at her gown's collar one by one with his long fingers.

His movements were slow, and his fingertips occasionally, inevitably brushed against the delicate warmth of her neck, sending a faint shiver through her.

"Hmph... you little bastard... where are you putting those hands?"

There was a husky nasal note in Liu Erlong's voice. Rather than a rebuke, it sounded more like a seductive, coquettish complaint.

She raised a jade-like finger, pretending to swat away Xiao Yin's "improper" hand.

Not only did Xiao Yin fail to stop, he caught her extended wrist and gave it a gentle tug, drawing that fiery, voluptuous body radiating mature charm into his embrace.

Her warm, soft body filled his arms. That astonishing elasticity and fullness pressed tightly against his chest, causing Xiao Yin's gaze to darken.

"What? Is Dean Liu tearing down the bridge after crossing the river?"

Xiao Yin lowered his head, his scorching breath brushing Liu Erlong's sensitive ear. "Just now... who was the one clinging to me and refusing to let go?"

His meaningful gaze swept toward the slightly disheveled dean's chair behind the desk.

"You... shut up!"

Liu Erlong's face instantly flushed crimson. Embarrassed and annoyed, she punched his chest, though the blow was utterly soft.

She buried her burning face in Xiao Yin's neck, greedily breathing in his distinctive scent as she muttered,

"Are you really sure there won't be a problem with Dugu Bo? That place sounds downright sinister... and that Dugu Yan..."

Liu Erlong's tone was full of worry, with a faint, barely detectable sourness mixed in.

"Don't worry."

Xiao Yin tightened his arms, feeling the softness and attachment in his embrace as warmth welled up in his heart.

"Dugu Bo needs something from me, so he won't dare act recklessly. Although the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well is a dangerous place, it is also a treasure ground and will greatly benefit my cultivation. As for Dugu Yan..."

He paused, his tone carrying a hint of teasing. "She's merely a patient I saved in passing. In my eyes, she doesn't possess even one ten-thousandth of my dean's charm."

"You silver-tongued brat!"

Liu Erlong lifted her head and glared at him reproachfully, but the gleam flowing through her phoenix eyes betrayed how pleased she was.

She reached out and tapped Xiao Yin on the nose, forcing a fierce tone into her voice. "Remember this, damn it! Two months! At most, two months!

You had better come crawling back in one piece! If you lose even a single hair, or... or let that bewitching little snake girl steal your soul..."

She did not finish the rest, but the threat in her eyes was unmistakable.

"As you command, my dean."

Xiao Yin chuckled softly, bent down, and pressed a soothing kiss to her smooth forehead.

The intimate air flowed beneath the warm sunset glow, carrying the lingering tenderness of parting.

The two lingered together for a while longer, until the sky outside had completely darkened.

Xiao Yin released her, gave her slightly rumpled collar and hair one final adjustment, and his gaze returned to clarity and determination.

"I'm leaving. Wait for me to come back."

Liu Erlong stood by the window, watching Xiao Yin's figure melt into the academy's deep night until he vanished from sight.

The charm and languor in her phoenix eyes gradually faded, replaced by the sharpness and decisiveness belonging to the dean of Blue Tyrant Academy. Yet deep within her eyes lay an added weight of concern.

"You little brat... you must come back safely..."

The night was deep.

Xiao Yin's figure silently appeared once more at the entrance to the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well valley.

The Seven-Colored Poisonous Miasma laid down by Dugu Bo was utterly ineffective against him. With a slight circulation of the Black Cauldron's aura, the approaching miasma was silently devoured and broken down.

He did not disturb Dugu Bo, who was meditating with closed eyes on a cliffside platform at the other end, nor did he look toward the temporary wooden hut where Dugu Yan was recuperating.

His objective was clear—Immortal Herbs!

Moonlight spilled through gaps in the mist above the valley, draping those exotic flowers and rare grasses in a hazy veil.

Xiao Yin's gaze settled precisely upon several Immortal Herbs radiating astonishing energy fluctuations.

"Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew... temper the spirit eyes and pierce through falsehood!"

"Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid... strengthen the foundation, replenish vitality, and elevate the quality of Soul Power!"

"Infernal Delicate Apricot... temper fire affinity, forge the body, and strengthen the physique!"

"Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass... condense an icy heart and toughen the meridians!"

"Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum... an indestructible body, channeling force through all four limbs!"

"Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone... cleanse the marrow and refine the essence, creating jade bones and icy skin!"

"Aromatic Silk Beauty... absorb the essence of heaven and earth, capable of neutralizing all poisons!"

"How can I secretly pluck them without that Old Poisoner noticing?"

Xiao Yin secretly calculated in his heart.

Although he knew Dugu Bo did not recognize these Immortal Herbs, he could still sense their extraordinary energy. If Xiao Yin plucked them rashly, Dugu Bo would surely grow suspicious!

"There's a long road ahead... but I need to get Infernal Delicate Apricot and Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass as soon as possible. I still need them for Ice and Fire Golden Body Refinement!"

Two months slipped quietly by.

At the center of the valley, atop a flat black rock near the scorching Yang Spring.

Dugu Bo sat cross-legged with his eyes shut, dark green Soul Power flowing slowly around him like viscous venom.

His upper body was bare, exposing a lean back that nonetheless contained terrifying strength.

At this moment, his pale skin no longer had its previous sickly grayish pallor. Yet upon closer inspection, countless dark green markings could still be seen buried deep beneath it.

Xiao Yin stood behind him, his expression focused, fine beads of sweat forming at his temples.

He had not summoned the massive true form of the Black Cauldron. Instead, he merely held his right hand in the air over the Xinshu acupoint on Dugu Bo's back.

Within his palm, a concentrated stream of dark golden Chaos energy, solid as substance, slowly revolved, radiating the primordial aura of Devouring and refinement.

"Focus! Draw out the poison!"

Xiao Yin shouted softly, spiritual light spilling from his palm!

Buzz!

That mass of dark golden Chaos energy seemed to come alive, instantly burrowing into Dugu Bo's body!

"Urgh—!"