Visiting Nalan Jie

Wu Changqing took the hairpin and helped Yun Yun put it on, adding a touch of new color.

"Done."

Yun Yun touched where the hairpin sat, a hint of girlish shyness on her face as she softly asked, "Senior Sword Spirit, does it look good?"

"The hairpin I picked is definitely pretty."

"How shameless..."

"Of course. The hairpin is pretty, but it looks even prettier on your head," Wu Changqing said.

He did not know whether he was praising her or the hairpin, but Yun Yun took it as praise for herself and was delighted.

Ten compliments from others could not compare to a single word from Wu Changqing in making her happy.

"Senior, is there any gift you want? I'll pick one out and give it to you too," she said.

Since Wu Changqing had taken the initiative to give her a gift, she felt she should return one as well.

"I don't particularly want anything right now. Just give me whatever you like," Wu Changqing said.

"Alright, then I'll pick one for you."

Yun Yun was brimming with excitement as she considered what gift to choose for Wu Changqing.

But a voice suddenly sounded from behind them. "Teacher, Elder Wu, what are you doing here?"

The two turned around at the same time and saw Nalan Yanran.

"Yanran? Wh-what are you doing here?"

Yun Yun suddenly felt a little guilty, as though she had been caught red-handed doing something bad.

"I happened to come out to buy some things. I didn't expect to run into Teacher and Elder Wu," Nalan Yanran said.

She was carrying several items in her hands, apparently having already finished shopping.

"How is your grandfather?" Yun Yun took the chance to change the subject.

Nalan Yanran had returned home recently because her grandfather, Nalan Jie, had been afflicted by Branding Poison, and his condition had worsened somewhat lately.

At the mention of Nalan Jie's condition, Nalan Yanran's expression darkened. "Grandfather's condition still isn't very good. Elder Gu He personally came to examine him, but he was still at a loss."

"Elder Gu He said that the only thing that can save Grandfather is a legendary Heavenly Flame. But no one in the entire Jia Ma Empire is known to possess one. Not even President Fa Ma of the Alchemist Association has one."

Ordinary people did not know much about Heavenly Flames to begin with. Some did not even know what they were.

Now that Nalan Jie needed a Heavenly Flame to be saved, Nalan Yanran was equally helpless.

"Elder Wu, since we're here, let's visit Yanran's grandfather while we're at it," Yun Yun said.

As Nalan Yanran's teacher, she ought to pay him a visit.

"Alright, let's go."

The three of them headed toward the Nalan family.

Nalan family.

"Greetings, Sect Leader Yun Yun!"

Nalan Su personally came out to receive them.

"Patriarch Nalan, there's no need for such courtesy. This is Elder Wu of our Misty Cloud Sect."

"Elder Wu, this is Yanran's father, the current head of the Nalan family, Nalan Su."

Yun Yun introduced them to each other.

"I have long heard that Elder Wu is young and accomplished, a remarkable talent of his generation. Seeing you today, your reputation is well deserved indeed." Nalan Su warmly shook Wu Changqing's hand.

"You flatter me, Patriarch Nalan."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Yun Yun went to Nalan Jie's room to visit him.

Nalan Jie's condition was already extremely serious. For most of the day, he could only lie in bed and rest.

Yet when he saw Yun Yun enter, he still forced his aged body up to salute her. "I did not know Sect Leader Yun Yun would honor us with her presence. This old man failed to welcome you properly. Please forgive me."

"Senior Nalan, there is no need to be so courteous. Please lie down and rest quickly."

Yun Yun hurried forward to support Nalan Jie.

Nalan Jie was of the same generation as Yun Shan, making him Yun Yun's elder.

"This must be Misty Cloud Sect's newly appointed elder, Elder Wu?"

"This junior, Wu Changqing, greets Senior Nalan." Wu Changqing also saluted him.

"Elder Wu is too courteous."

The Nalan family naturally knew that the Misty Cloud Sect had gained a Dou Huang elder.

Moreover, compared to the other factions, the Nalan family was the only family that was genuinely happy for the Misty Cloud Sect.

The Nalan family and the Misty Cloud Sect were now deeply bound together. The stronger the Misty Cloud Sect became, the more benefits the Nalan family could gain from it. Naturally, they were pleased.

"Senior Nalan, how is your condition? Elder Gu He has already examined you, hasn't he?" Yun Yun asked.

Nalan Jie sighed and shook his head. "This old man has had this Branding Poison for many years. I even asked Elder Gu He to treat it back then."

"Elder Gu He had no solution then, and he still has no solution now. This old man has grown used to it."

He was currently holding on solely through his own immense Dou Qi. If he could not find a true solution, there would come a day when he could no longer endure it.

"After I return, I'll also think of a way to help. I'll see whether we can find another method for Senior Nalan."

Yun Yun was not an alchemist. In matters like this, all she could do was try to find someone who could help.

"Thank you for your concern, Sect Leader Yun Yun."

"Then Senior Nalan, rest well. Yanran, you can stay home a little longer and take good care of your grandfather," Yun Yun said.

"Mm. Thank you, Teacher."

After chatting casually for a little longer, Yun Yun and Wu Changqing left the Nalan family.

"Senior Nalan was originally the pillar of the Nalan family. Later, he was unfortunately afflicted by Branding Poison during a battle with magical beasts, and no solution has been found to this day."

"If a useful method still cannot be found, I'm afraid Senior Nalan will not be able to hold on much longer." Yun Yun sighed.

Naturally, she did not want to see Nalan Jie meet such an end.

But she was powerless to help.

"Only a Heavenly Flame can remove the Branding Poison. Unfortunately, none of us possesses one right now." Wu Changqing had not said much while they were at the Nalan family.

Because he knew that a Heavenly Flame truly was the only way to remove the Branding Poison.

And it was not yet time to go into the desert in search of the Green Lotus Core Flame.

"We can only leave it to fate." Yun Yun sighed.

It was already late. The two returned to the Misty Cloud Sect together.

"Senior Sword Spirit, I said I would give you a gift in return, but there wasn't enough time today. When I'm free in a few days, I'll give you one," Yun Yun said as they returned to the courtyard and were about to part ways, only then remembering that she had forgotten to buy a gift.

"Alright. I'll wait for you."

The two returned to their respective courtyards.

It was already quite late. Most of the sect's disciples had gone to sleep, and everything was quiet. Faint birdsong could be heard from the mountain woods nearby.

When Wu Changqing returned to his courtyard, he saw that the Little Fairy Doctor's room was still lit, its door half-open.

"It's so late, and you haven't turned off the light or closed the door. What are you doing in there?"

Wu Changqing walked over and saw the Little Fairy Doctor sitting at the table, grinding medicinal ingredients and preparing medicinal powder.

This girl was working so hard today?

He knocked on the door, startling the girl inside.

"Teacher? You're back!"

Seeing Wu Changqing, the Little Fairy Doctor hurriedly got up and opened the door.

"Mm. Why aren't you asleep so late?" Wu Changqing entered the room and looked at the medicinal powder on the table.

It was jet-black, and the Seven-Colored Poison Scripture lay beside it. She was probably preparing poison.

"I'm not sleepy yet, so I thought I'd prepare some medicinal powder."

The Little Fairy Doctor stood to one side, as obedient as a student being inspected by her teacher.