A Gift of Medicine, I Want You to Help Me Cultivate

Pushing open the doors of the Medicine Hall, Qin Yu was greeted by a rich medicinal fragrance that left him feeling refreshed.

There was no one yet at the counter inside the Medicine Hall where people registered and collected medicine, likely because it had only just opened.

Qin Yu stepped forward and asked the Medicine Hall's attendant about the price of Qi-Gathering Powder.

"Three hundred points?"

Qin Yu froze slightly, making sure he had not misheard.

A fourth-grade pill like Qi-Gathering Powder only cost three hundred points?

"Qi-Gathering Powder is indeed not low-grade, but this is Canaan Academy."

The Medicine Hall's attendant was an elderly man with graying hair. Seeing Qin Yu's puzzled expression, he explained slowly, with a hint of pride:

"Other than the new students each year, how many students in the academy are still at the Battle Qi stage? If it were priced too high, who could afford it?"

Qin Yu nodded in understanding. That was a reasonable explanation.

Canaan Academy's admission requirements were right there. Those who could enter had to be at least at the eighth stage of Battle Qi, and the weaker new students could hardly go challenge others in the arena.

"Besides, if it weren't for the sake of new students, those people from the Alchemy Department probably wouldn't even bother making Qi-Gathering Powder."

"Mm, exchange one Qi-Gathering Powder for me."

After pondering for a moment, Qin Yu took out his points booklet and handed it over.

The old man accepted the booklet and marked it. Then he turned around, took an exquisite jade bottle from the medicine cabinet behind him, and handed it to Qin Yu.

"Take it. One Qi-Gathering Powder. Inspect it on the spot. Once it leaves the counter, we bear no responsibility."

Qin Yu pulled out the stopper, and a faint, elegant medicinal scent drifted out.

Inside the jade bottle lay a pill the size of a longan, with a faint radiance flowing across its surface.

It was the first time he had seen a fourth-grade pill with his own eyes.

After confirming that everything was correct, Qin Yu replaced the stopper, tucked the jade bottle into his clothes, and left the Medicine Hall.

When he stepped outside, the sunlight happened to fall across his face, pleasantly warm.

Qin Yu narrowed his eyes, already having made up his mind.

This Qi-Gathering Powder was not for himself.

Xiao Yu had sparred with Xue Ni until late last night, leaving her whole body sore. She planned to rest for half the day and continue in the afternoon.

At that moment, she lay on her bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

"Yu'er!"

Suddenly, Xue Ni slammed the door open with a bang, startling Xiao Yu.

"Are you trying to die?! Why are you shouting like that?!"

Seeing Xue Ni so lively and energetic, Xiao Yu could not help sighing.

This girl really had too much energy.

"Ah, forget that. Hurry up and come with me!"

To her surprise, Xue Ni grabbed Xiao Yu's hand and anxiously dragged her outside the dormitory.

Qin Yu was standing outside the dormitory door, one hand hidden behind his back.

"Brother Yu? Why are you here?"

"I have something for you."

Qin Yu brought out the hand behind his back and held a jade bottle before Xiao Yu.

Xiao Yu looked down and saw three conspicuous words engraved on the jade bottle—Qi-Gathering Powder.

Her pupils widened slightly. She looked up at Qin Yu, disbelief written all over her face.

"Qi-Gathering Powder? You... where did you get this?"

"I exchanged for it at the Medicine Hall. Three hundred points."

Xiao Yu's lips moved, but for a moment, she did not know what to say.

Three hundred points.

Qin Yu had only earned six hundred points in total from taking first place in the new student test and defeating Zhao Yuan. He had spent three hundred in one go.

"Take it."

Before Xiao Yu could say anything, Qin Yu anticipated her response and cut off her words.

"You... why are you so good to me?"

After a moment of silence, Xiao Yu raised her head to look at Qin Yu, her eyes reddening slightly.

Qin Yu thought for a moment before giving a remarkably simple answer:

"Because you need it."

Xiao Yu froze. Her heart began to race uncontrollably.

Why was this person always so straightforward when he spoke?!

"Besides... once you break through to the Dou Practitioner realm, there's something I need your help with."

"What is it?"

Xiao Yu blinked curiously. Qin Yu was already a Nine-Star Dou Practitioner. What could she possibly help him with?

"I want you to help me cultivate."

"Help you cultivate?"

Xiao Yu was stunned, and countless thoughts immediately flashed through her mind.

Help him cultivate? How?

Was it that kind of cultivation method... one that required the two of them to be alone and make intimate contact?

Her face instantly flushed to the tips of her ears. Her heartbeat accelerated sharply, and she avoided Qin Yu's gaze, not daring to look him in the eyes.

Seeing her reaction, Qin Yu was somewhat baffled, but he continued explaining anyway:

"I just want to see whether cultivating with two types of Battle Qi together can improve cultivation efficiency."

So that was it...

Xiao Yu let out a sigh of relief, yet for some reason, she also felt a little disappointed.

"So, after you break through to the Dou Practitioner realm and finish switching cultivation methods, I need you to cooperate with me on a few experiments."

Xiao Yu took a deep breath to calm herself. She accepted the jade bottle and nodded solemnly.

"Once I break through to the Dou Practitioner realm and finish switching cultivation methods, I'll come find you immediately."

"Mm."

Qin Yu nodded and turned to leave.

"Brother Yu."

Xiao Yu called out to him.

Qin Yu turned back and met her gaze.

The girl stood at the doorway, holding the jade bottle in her hand. The corners of her lips curved upward slightly, and her eyes held an indescribable tenderness.

"Thank you."

"...You're welcome."

Qin Yu waved his hand and strode away.

Xiao Yu stood at the doorway, watching his figure disappear at the end of the corridor. She lowered her head to glance at the jade bottle in her hand, and the curve of her lips deepened further.

Help him cultivate...

Although Qin Yu had said it with a completely serious expression, Xiao Yu always felt that it was merely an excuse he had come up with.

He simply wanted to find a reason for her to accept this pill with peace of mind.

This guy...

Xiao Yu pressed the jade bottle to her chest, warmth filling her heart.

After giving away the Qi-Gathering Powder, Qin Yu did not return to his dormitory. Instead, he headed straight for the competition grounds.

Although he had defeated Zhao Yuan yesterday, the matter clearly was not over yet.

Fighting in the arena now and then could also count as gaining practical combat experience.

Qin Yu walked to the registration desk and was about to register a challenge when a familiar voice suddenly called out from behind him.

"Qin Yu!"

He turned around and saw Luo Zheng striding toward him.

That guy still had the same burly frame. His upper body was so muscular it looked like a wall, but his legs were so thin that one could not help worrying they might snap at any moment.

"You... were you waiting here specifically for me?"

Luo Zheng walked up to him and grinned, revealing two rows of white teeth.

"That's right! I came early this morning specifically to wait for you!"

"What are you waiting for me for?"

"To challenge you!"

Luo Zheng said it as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

Qin Yu raised an eyebrow, somewhat confused.

"Challenge me? What rank are you now?"

"Nine hundred and ninety-one."

Luo Zheng scratched his head and chuckled.

"I'm not ranked as high as you, but I can challenge you."

Qin Yu fell silent for a moment.

According to the points competition rules, there were no restrictions when someone lower-ranked challenged someone higher-ranked, but a higher-ranked student could only challenge opponents within fifty ranks below them.

The total points used to calculate rankings would not change even if one lost.

However, the points students held for exchanging resources at the Scripture Repository or Medicine Hall would have a portion deducted upon defeat and transferred to their opponent.

"You... sure?"