At those words, Han Chen froze awkwardly on the spot, his mouth hanging wide open. The man had already been gone for a while.
"Uh... Teacher, you woke up so early. The Worry-Free Pill... it's... it's..."
Seeing Han Chen stammer like that, Yun Yun could hardly fail to realize what the Worry-Free Pill was. She immediately spat in embarrassment, her face flushed.
"You've only been away for half a year, and you've already picked up bad habits."
"Teacher, rest first. I'll cook you something nourishing."
With that, Han Chen ran out of the room. After he left, Yun Yun tried to turn over, but her wound left her unable to move.
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of the soft armor on the table, and her face burned again. But her injuries were too severe, and before long, she fell asleep.
As the sky began to darken, Han Chen pushed open the door and came in.
"Teacher, are you feeling any better? I stewed something nourishing. Would you like some?"
Hearing Han Chen's voice, Yun Yun gave a quiet hum of assent.
Han Chen walked over, sat down in front of her, and began feeding her.
Yun Yun swallowed the warm soup in her mouth and looked at Han Chen.
"Little Chen, why are you in the Magic Beast Mountain Range? Didn't Yanran say you were staying in Wutan City to cultivate?"
Han Chen smiled at her question.
"Listen to yourself, Teacher. If I'm out gaining experience, of course I have to travel around. How could I improve if I stayed in one place?"
"Then... have you resolved your cultivation problem?"
"More or less. I met another expert who gave me some guidance."
At the mention of an expert, Yun Yun's eyes lit up. Even her own teacher had personally examined Han Chen's condition. Anyone capable of curing him had to be a Dou Zong-level powerhouse.
"That means you've been blessed with quite a fortunate encounter. What are your plans now?"
"I plan to travel for a while longer. I'll return in time for the Three-Year Agreement."
"Yanran told me about it."
At the mention of the Three-Year Agreement, a trace of emotion crossed Yun Yun's face. She shifted slightly, then continued.
"You handled that matter well. Compared with Yanran, I feel more at ease when you take care of things. Still... calling it an amicable divorce was a little inappropriate.
"He and Yanran may have had a marriage agreement, but they were never truly husband and wife. Though it was meant to sound better and preserve some dignity for the Xiao Clan, those elders still nagged Yanran for ages after she returned."
Hearing this, Han Chen's expression turned disdainful.
"Those old fossils who only know how to fight among themselves-I'll definitely get rid of them someday. Anyone with eyes could see it was just a turn of phrase. What, would Yanran be unable to marry anyone after an amicable divorce?
"If we could settle things peacefully, why make enemies everywhere? The Xiao Clan once had its glory too. Just as Xiao Yan said, he used to be a genius. How can we be certain he'll be mediocre in the future?
"They never think about strengthening the sect. All they do is cultivate cronies and carve up the profits. The Mist Cloud Sect is rotting in their hands."
Seeing Han Chen's indignant expression, Yun Yun knew he was deliberately putting on a show for her. She rolled her eyes at him and said irritably.
"You're still full of little schemes, aren't you? Even when talking to your teacher, you skirt around what you mean. Still, what you said is indeed true.
"The Mist Cloud Sect has already reached a critical point. Fortunately, we have you and Yanran. Once the two of you mature, perhaps the Mist Cloud Sect will welcome a new future.
"But... do find time to send word to your grandfather. He's already climbed Misty Cloud Mountain three times. He thinks we drove you away and hasn't shown us a pleasant face once."
With the serious discussion finished, Yun Yun turned to joking to lighten the mood.
Hearing Yun Yun describe how Nalan Jie had caused a commotion at the Mist Cloud Sect, Han Chen did not know whether to laugh or cry. Nalan Jie truly treated him impeccably, just like his own grandson.
Originally, Nalan Jie had forbidden him from joining the Mist Cloud Sect. After all, the Nalan Family were subjects of the Jia Ma Empire. Throwing all their talented youngsters behind the Mist Cloud Sect would alienate the Jia Ma Imperial Family.
He had already sent his own granddaughter there. If he sent his grandson away too, wouldn't that be an open declaration of rebellion?
But back then, Han Chen had only been thinking about finding a powerful thigh to cling to and had considered nothing else. Though Nalan Jie had been angry with him plenty of times over it, he still visited him often.
"That was an oversight on my part. I'll write a letter later. Teacher, please take it back for me when you have time."
Yun Yun nodded.
"Are you an Alchemist now? I saw your table piled with pills I've never seen before. Did that expert give them to you too? Do you have enough money? What about Dou Techniques and cultivation methods? Alchemy costs a lot of money."
Yun Yun's concern warmed Han Chen's heart. After setting down the bowl, he took a jade bottle from his Ring of Holding and poured out a pill that was purple all over.
"Teacher, this is for you!"
Seeing the fragrant pill in Han Chen's hand, Yun Yun's expression shifted slightly, and a blush spread across her cheeks.
"No... you can't... Chen'er, I'm your master."
"Huh? Teacher, what are you talking about?"
At Yun Yun's baffling response, Han Chen scratched his head, a look of confusion crossing his face.
"Teacher, this is called a Youth-Preserving Pill. It lets whoever takes it retain their youth forever and is very effective at preventing wounds from leaving scars. You don't need to refine it either. Just swallow it."
Realizing she had misunderstood, Yun Yun hurriedly spoke, her face red.
"Nothing. I thought it was... give it to me."
Han Chen brought the Youth-Preserving Pill to her lips.
Yun Yun said nothing more. She merely parted her lips and swallowed the pill, then spoke to Han Chen.
"All right, Little Chen. Your master is a little tired. Go outside for now."
Hearing her words, Han Chen shook his head, stood up, and turned to leave the room.
"Rest well, Teacher. Call me if you need anything."
Yun Yun lay in the dark room, her heart pounding in her chest.
"Youth-Preserving Pill..."
While the two rested, Xiao Yan was suffering bitterly in the Magic Beast Mountain Range. Only after running for an entire day did he finally find a hidden cave and duck inside.
Xiao Yan clutched his waist, panting heavily.
"My poor waist."
Hearing Xiao Yan's pained groan, Yao Lao stroked his beard and looked at him with a smile.
"Oh? What happened here? Paid the price, didn't you? That's what you get for letting a pretty face stir your desires."
"What do you mean, letting a pretty face stir my desires? I was afraid she'd be in danger. If she'd been left outside, she definitely wouldn't have survived."
Hearing Yao Lao say that, Xiao Yan immediately bristled. He was already in such a miserable state, yet his teacher was still standing there making snide remarks.
"Then what do you want me to say? Should I give you a massage?"
Yao Lao spread his hands, wearing an expression that said, So now it's my fault?
"You... forget it. I can't be bothered arguing with you. But Teacher, who was that Black-Robed Man today? How was he so strong?"
Yao Lao stroked his beard at the question, glanced sideways at Xiao Yan, and considered it before answering.
"Who was he... no idea. I'm not a roundworm in someone else's belly.
"But as for his strength, I roughly sensed it at the time. If he wasn't a Dou Shi, he was at least a peak Nine-Star Dou Zhe.
"And judging by how fast he fled today, he must know this area very well. Who knows? He might even be watching us from somewhere nearby."
"Really? Teacher, don't scare me."
Hearing that, Xiao Yan immediately tensed and looked around warily.
"I'm teasing you! Why dwell on that? Hurry up and heal your injuries. That sixth-rank magical beast has been conducting a massive search for that woman these past few days. This is our chance..."
Before you continue