The dilapidated main gate of the temple creaked loudly when pushed, like the death rattle of an old man.
Lin Che almost slammed open the broken door, stumbling into the side chamber. Moonlight streamed through the tattered window, illuminating Lin Ying curled up on the straw pile. Her small face was burning red, yet her lips turned purple-blue, her brows furrowed tightly—even in unconsciousness, she endured the agony of cold poison eroding her body.
The bamboo basket slipped off his back, and the century-old Blood Spirit Herb rolled out. A rich medicinal aroma instantly filled the entire temple.
He sat cross-legged, staring at the blood-red herb, then at his comatose sister, a rare look of confusion crossing his face. In his previous life, as a Transcendence Stage powerhouse, he had refined countless elixirs—but those were for cultivators. Lin Ying was only three and a half years old, a mortal child. How could her fragile body withstand the violent medicinal power of a century-old spirit herb?
Feed it crushed raw? Boil it in water? Or apply it externally? If the medicinal power was too fierce, his little sister's delicate body might burst apart on the spot.
[System Alert: Host detected losing common sense. Recommendation: Control the medicinal juice temperature at 37°C, feed at a 45-degree angle. Don't choke your sister to death.]
Lin Che's eyes lit up: "How to feed her? Detailed tutorial!"
[System Contempt: Finally remembered to ask me? Thought you were going to stuff the whole herb into her mouth.]
[Tutorial loading… 3D demonstration mode activated.]
A translucent panel popped up with a 3D image: Pluck three leaves, burn off impurities with spiritual flame, grind into powder, mix with warm water to a rice paste consistency, and feed in three doses. Wait one incense stick's time between doses to let the medicinal power seep in gradually. Protect her heart meridian with spiritual energy while feeding to prevent cold poison counterattack.
[System Supplement: Mortals taking century-old spirit herbs have a 73.6% mortality rate. But the cold poison in Lin Ying's body will neutralize it, instead boosting absorption rate. This is what they call fighting poison with poison—no compensation if she dies.]
"Shut up." Lin Che growled, but his eyes were filled with gratitude. This sarcastic system was really reliable in critical moments.
He quickly crushed the Blood Spirit Herb leaves, warming the medicinal juice with spiritual flame. Azure flames licked the bottom of the broken clay pot, and fine bubbles rose in the juice, making the aroma even stronger. The system acted as a top-tier nanny, broadcasting in real time:
[Medicinal juice temperature: 36.8°C. Perfect. Host actually has potential as a nanny.]
[Medicinal juice concentration: 98.7%. Exceeds expectations. Probability of suppressing Lin Ying's cold poison increased to 89.3%.]
[Friendly Reminder: Say something nice while feeding, like "Be good, drink this and I'll buy you sugar hawthorns." Kids eat that stuff up.]
Lin Che carefully lifted Lin Ying. Her body was as light as a feather—three years of malnutrition made the three-and-a-half-year-old look only two, her wrists so thin he dared not grip them tightly. Following the system's guidance, he formed a protective layer of spiritual energy around her heart meridian.
The medicinal juice melted instantly in her mouth, turning into a warm current flowing to her limbs and bones. Lin Ying's pale face quickly regained color, like a withered flower reborn with vitality. A faint golden light flickered between her brows, as if a golden butterfly was about to break free from its cocoon—but it soon faded, as if it had never appeared.
[Medicinal effect absorption rate: 87%. The remaining 13% will be excreted as impurities. Commonly known as: taking a dump.]
[Estimated excretion time: 3 AM. Recommend host prepare the latrine in advance—don't choke yourself.]
[Second feeding time: In half an hour. Don't be lazy, host.]
Lin Ying's eyelashes trembled, and she opened her eyes dazedly. When she saw Lin Che, tears streamed down her face: "Brother… you're hurt…"
"It's okay, brother doesn't hurt." Lin Che wiped the medicinal residue from her lips, pulled the cherished osmanthus candy from his bosom, and put it in her mouth. "Sleep. Everything will be fine when you wake up."
"Hmm…" Lin Ying sucked on the candy, clutching the corner of his robe tightly, muttering indistinctly: "Brother… tomorrow… I want sugar hawthorns…"
"Okay, brother will buy them for you." Lin Che patted her back gently. "Two skewers—one hawthorn, one strawberry. Promise."
"Promise… don't steal mine…" She fell into a deep sleep, her breathing steadying, still clutching the candy with a sweet smile on her lips.
Lin Che laid her down softly, covering her with the tattered quilt. Leaning against the wall, he began circulating the Cangxuan Soul-Devouring Art to recover the spiritual energy consumed in the previous battle. The only sounds in the temple were Lin Ying's even breathing and the occasional hoot of an owl in the distance.
[System Alert: 20 minutes left until the second feeding. Don't get so absorbed in cultivation that you forget, host.]