Two hours later, the setting sun sank beneath the treetops, the ground dimmed, and the air carried a slight chill.
Yang Yunhai stopped cultivating and rose, stepping out of the grove.
He jogged toward the simulated training ground where Zhu Zhuqing was. As he approached, he saw her quietly sitting on a bench by the entrance, legs crossed to the side, pale hands folded elegantly on her lap. Her posture was graceful, her delicate face cool and distant, like an ice spirit. At the sound of footsteps, she turned her head and then stood up.
Yang Yunhai quickened his pace and came up to her, apologizing, "Sorry to keep you waiting."
"It's fine. I just came out too." Zhu Zhuqing replied lightly.
'She really has changed,' Yang Yunhai thought, smiling faintly. "Let's go."
"Mm." Zhu Zhuqing nodded slightly and followed in step as he walked.
The March evening wind wasn't warm, nor was it gentle, especially near the mountains. Along the path, the rustle of plants flanking the road mingled with gusts of cold air, blowing their hair about and raising goosebumps.
Feeling the chill, Yang Yunhai instinctively glanced sideways at Zhu Zhuqing. The wind had swept her hair across her ear, and she had to raise a hand to brush it back. Beneath her temple, her pale shoulder was dotted with small bumps from the cold.
On impulse, his fingers twitched, moving slightly toward her lowered hand—
Then, remembering they'd only known each other half a month, he stopped himself and drew it back without a trace.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Zhu Zhuqing lower her head, looking to the other side, cheeks tinged red. Whether from the cold or embarrassment, he couldn't tell.
'Did she notice?' Yang Yunhai's heart skipped. He quickly faced forward again, pretending nothing had happened, and they continued in silence until they returned to the dormitory.
"Xiao Hai, Zhuqing, you're back?" As soon as they entered, the teammates on the sofa looked up. Dugu Yan, nestled at Yu Tianheng's side, glanced at them, arched a brow, and said, "Your little date sure took long enough. Too bad, dinner's already over. But don't worry, we left some scraps in the kitchen. Heat them up yourselves if you want."
Yu Tianheng shook his head with a smile. "Xiao Hai, Zhuqing, don't mind her. Yanzi's temper is like that—sharp tongue, soft heart. You'll see after some time together."
"I know, Brother Tianheng." Yang Yunhai nodded with a grin.
"You 'know' so much, yet Zhuqing still isn't yours." Dugu Yan pouted.
"..." Zhu Zhuqing stiffened, completely at a loss for words.
Yang Yunhai was speechless as well. He quickly scanned the room and changed the subject. "You all chat, I'll go heat the food."
Without waiting, he strode toward the kitchen.
"I'll help." Zhu Zhuqing hurried after him, clearly wary of being left alone with Dugu Yan's mouth.
"Oh? So it's already husband-and-wife teamwork?" Dugu Yan teased again.
Zhu Zhuqing quickened her pace even more.
"Hmph." Dugu Yan lifted her chin proudly, satisfied with her little jab.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Yang Yunhai chuckled as Zhu Zhuqing entered. "Since you're here, help me warm the rice. I'll reheat the dishes."
He pulled leftovers from the cupboard, deftly lit the stove, and set to work. Zhu Zhuqing went to the other side and covered the pot to steam the rice.
Half a quarter hour later, they carried their food out together.
Just then, a gust of cold wind swept in from the window, through the kitchen door, and into the living room—blowing across Dugu Yan on the sofa.
"Hiss—" She shuddered, face suddenly pale, body trembling in pain.
Yu Tianheng's expression changed. He turned quickly, "Xiao Hai, close the kitchen door!"
Yang Yunhai froze, then realization struck. He rushed back and kicked the door shut. Meeting Zhu Zhuqing's eyes briefly, he set the food down and hurried to the sofa.
"Sister Yan, what's wrong?" he asked, frowning.
"I'm fine. Old ailment. Just need a moment." Dugu Yan gritted her teeth.
"Yanzi's had this since she was a child. She can't stand the cold," Yu Tianheng explained with guilt. "I should've told you earlier."
'So she hasn't told Tianheng about the poison in her body? Probably afraid he'd worry—or maybe Dugu Bo told her to keep it secret so others wouldn't link it to him.' Yang Yunhai thought.
"Don't blame yourself, Tianheng. You can't guard against every chill," Dugu Yan muttered. She looked at Yang Yunhai and forced a smile. "Xiao Hai, don't take it to heart. I've lived with this for years."
"Sister Yan, can you let me sense it with my martial soul?" Yang Yunhai asked suddenly.
Dugu Yan blinked. "What, your martial soul can heal?"
"Not exactly." He shook his head. "But you know, my martial soul has a special sensing ability now. Maybe if I try, I can feel something that could help with treatment."
"You're kind, but even my grandfather is helpless. It's not that simple." Her eyes dimmed.
"Still, trying costs nothing. What if it works?" Yang Yunhai pressed gently.
"Since Xiao Hai insists, let him try." Teacher Qin Ming interjected, nodding. "Even if it doesn't help, no harm done. But if it does... it could be great for all of us."
"Fine." Dugu Yan sighed and extended her hand.
Blue Silver Grass vines uncoiled from Yang Yunhai's palm and wrapped around her wrist. He sent a thread of soul power, pretending to probe.
After ten seconds, he withdrew the vine.
"Well?" she asked.
Yang Yunhai shook his head. "Sorry, Sister Yan."
"I told you—it's not that easy." She shrugged.
She turned to Yu Tianheng. "Tianheng, carry me back. I'll take a hot bath and rest."
"Alright." He lifted her in his arms.
Then Yang Yunhai spoke again. "Sister Yan, do you have poison on you?"
"What, planning to kill yourself with it?" Dugu Yan snapped instinctively.
"Sister Yan, come on…" Yang Yunhai rubbed his temple. "My second soul skill can absorb energy. I want to test if it can absorb poison too. If it works, I'll be better prepared against poisonous martial souls in the tournament. Sister Lingling's healing doesn't remove poison."
"True, I can't detoxify." Ye Lingling spoke softly from the corner.
'So he did sense something?' Dugu Yan thought, narrowing her eyes. But she didn't hesitate. Whether he knew or not, it didn't harm her if he tried. She pulled a vial from her soul tool and tossed it over. "Here. If you need more, ask me. I've got plenty."
Yang Yunhai caught it neatly. "Thanks, Sister Yan."
"No problem." Dugu Yan nodded and let Yu Tianheng carry her upstairs.
"Alright, Xiao Hai, Zhuqing, go eat before the food gets cold again," Teacher Qin Ming reminded. He rose, looked around, and smiled. "Everyone else, back to your rooms to cultivate."
"Yes." The team responded in unison, then dispersed.
After Qin Ming also left, Yang Yunhai and Zhu Zhuqing finally sat to eat. Once full, they went upstairs together and returned to their rooms to cultivate.
(End of Chapter)
---
This Fanfiction Has Been Completed on Patreon, There is 2 Chapters Ahead of Release for Free Memebers on my Patreon.
Support me if you like this Fanfiction.
Patreon,com/Fallen_Archangel_
(Remove comma for dot.)
Leave a 5 star Review and a Power Stone.