Ye Danxia acted as if she had only just noticed Han Xiaoyu. She turned around and showed a shy smile, "Fifth Senior Brother, you're back."
Han Xiaoyu's voice softened unconsciously, "Mm."
Ye Danxia said softly, "Fifth Senior Brother, your health isn't good. I was worried you couldn't take care of all these flowers and plants, so I came to help look after them. Did I overstep?"
As she spoke, Ye Danxia lowered her head a little bashfully.
Han Xiaoyu hurriedly said, "Of course not. I was just worrying about how to tend to them. It's good that you came to help, Little Junior Sister."
Ye Danxia's eyes rippled as she said gently, "If I can be of help, I'd be willing to come every day."
Han Xiaoyu's gaze grew even softer, "That would be wonderful."
Ye Danxia raised her eyes. The two looked at each other for a moment, and it seemed that some emotion began to quietly take root between them.
Han Xiaoyu's heartbeat quickened slightly.
Ye Danxia quickly lowered her head, though inwardly she sneered.
This Han Xiaoyu, he was nothing but a sickly weakling. Apart from Zhao Wuji's favor, he had nothing at all.
But Zhao Wuji himself might not be able to hold on much longer. What future could Han Xiaoyu possibly have?
The man worthy of Ye Danxia should be the strongest pillar in the world! The one she sought must be invincible, someone who could sweep away all obstacles for her!
Han Xiaoyu?
He was far from qualified!
The only reason she was being nice to him now was to get hold of the medicinal herbs he possessed.
Zhao Wuji adored this little disciple. Han Xiaoyu had been frail since childhood, so Zhao Wuji must have given him plenty of tonics and healing herbs.
Ye Danxia didn't believe he could've used up all of them. Even if most were consumed, over the years he must have accumulated a considerable amount.
With those materials, she could bring them to Yang Yun.
"Little Junior Sister, why don't you come in and sit for a while?" Han Xiaoyu invited.
Naturally, Ye Danxia accepted.
Having learned from the painful rejection she suffered from Zhou Li and Zhou Dai last time, Ye Danxia was far subtler this time.
She spoke softly, expressing concern for Han Xiaoyu's health.
Han Xiaoyu already had a good impression of her, and with such gentle care, his heart naturally warmed.
"I've been recuperating for many years, my condition is almost recovered. Now that Master is personally helping me, I'm about seventy or eighty percent better. In another year or two, I should return to normal." Han Xiaoyu said warmly.
Once he freed himself from this frail body, he would finally have the confidence to pursue what he wanted.
For instance, the Little Junior Sister before him!
If he was a healthy man, he would never have hidden his love in his heart, but straightforwardly confessed to her.
But there was no rush.
Cultivators lived long lives, one or two years was nothing. He could wait, believing that Little Junior Sister could wait too.
Ye Danxia continued showing care, but every so often she lowered her head and sighed, looking as though something weighed heavily on her mind.
Han Xiaoyu couldn't stand seeing her like that and quickly asked, "Little Junior Sister, is something troubling you?"
Ye Danxia looked hesitant, as if torn.
Han Xiaoyu pressed her with concern again and again until she finally said softly, "Senior Brother, I made some mistakes before. Though Master released me, he no longer looks kindly on me. I just feel a little sad, that's all."
At once Han Xiaoyu grew anxious, "How could that count as your fault? It's clearly that Yun Jin who schemed against you! And Second Senior Brother, he's under her control, willing to act as her lapdog. The two of them are truly despicable."
Ye Danxia showed a moved expression, "With senior brother believing me, I don't feel so much like a failure anymore. I've been wanting to explain, but Yun Jin's plots were flawless, I couldn't defend myself at all. Even Master must have grown distant from me."
"How could that be?" Han Xiaoyu said quickly. "Master still values you very much."
"Really?" Ye Danxia said faintly. "That Yun Jin entered the sect only a few months ago and already became a second-rank alchemist. They say talent is important in alchemy, but resources matter too. Without enough herbs to practice with, how could she progress so fast? For her to become a second-rank alchemist in just a few months, Heavenly Sword Peak must have secretly poured all its resources into her."
"And me…" Ye Danxia sighed. "Peak Master Huo Lie once said I also have great alchemy potential, but I've never had the chance to practice. Without practice, how can one improve? If only I had the kind of resources Yun Jin enjoys…"
As she spoke, she suddenly covered her mouth, "Senior Brother, I—I didn't mean it like that. I've made mistakes again and again, it's normal for Master to be displeased with me. I shouldn't expect too much."
Yet her eyes reddened slightly, as if deeply wronged.
Han Xiaoyu's heart ached. He hurriedly said, "Little Junior Sister! That Yun Jin is only a second-rank alchemist. With your talent, as long as you have enough resources, you'll soon surpass her! Once someone of influence is willing to speak on your behalf, your so-called crime can easily be cleared."
Ye Danxia lowered her gaze even more sadly, "Unfortunately, I'll never have such an opportunity."
Han Xiaoyu's heart stirred. He said at once, "Master has to divide resources among many, it's understandable if he can't allocate fairly. Over the years, I've saved up some materials. I'd like to give them to you to help with your cultivation."
Ye Danxia was ecstatic inside, this was exactly what she'd been waiting for!
But outwardly, she looked embarrassed, "This… how could I accept this? Senior Brother, you also need them for your cultivation."
"It's fine." Han Xiaoyu smiled reassuringly.
The sect may lack resources for others, but never for him.
He truly didn't think those resources were precious. If he ran out, he could simply ask Master for more.
After a few rounds of polite refusal,
Ye Danxia finally accepted, gratefully taking away a bulging storage pouch.
Han Xiaoyu watched her departing figure with a pleasant feeling in his heart.
He liked Ye Danxia quite a bit, and once his body fully recovered, he planned to confess his feelings.
Now that Little Junior Sister had accepted so many things from him, in a way, there was already an unspoken understanding between them.
Either she could return them.
Or if she didn't, that would mean she acknowledged herself as his Dao Companion.
Helping his future Dao Companion a little, Han Xiaoyu felt more than happy to do so.
After all, the charges weighing on her were like a ticking bomb, it's better to find a way to erase them.
She had a Heavenly Spiritual Root, and she had alchemical talent. If she could attract the favor of some powerful figure, all her troubles would be solved.
If even Yun Jin could have great figures fighting to recruit her, why couldn't Little Junior Sister?
Han Xiaoyu truly looked forward to Ye Danxia's rise.
The stronger his Dao Companion, the more benefits he would gain as well.
That night, carrying the items, Ye Danxia waited until dark before heading to the cave.
Yun Jin had long since placed a sensing talisman outside, the moment Ye Danxia arrived, she detected it.
Huan Huan's eavesdropping technique now covered a ten-li radius.
Holding Huan Huan, Yun Jin went to that ten-li boundary, and began listening to the conversation between the two of them.