Chapter 099: So What?

If Xiao Jiu had not appeared, Yan Shu would certainly have felt awkward and overthought things. But after Xiao Jiu arrived, it was as if she had taken a pill for peace of mind—a guarantee that the male protagonist would never develop romantic feelings for her, so however they interacted, it wouldn’t matter.

After Xiao Jiu fell asleep, Yan Shu hesitated briefly before lying down herself. Though she wasn’t entirely used to it, the male protagonist was so at ease that if she continued to act coy, it would only make it seem as if she harbored some improper thoughts.

Aside from the initial awkwardness, she slept soundly through the night. When she opened her eyes at dawn, Xiao Jiu was already gone.

That was for the best—it spared her any embarrassment.

Of course, Yan Shu felt she was the only one who would find the situation awkward.

Days passed quickly in the valley, time always slipping by unnoticed.

At first, she kept track of how many days had passed. But as she planted spirit herbs one by one in each of the sixteen plots, time became a forgotten thing.

She still shared a bed with Xiao Jiu. From her initial discomfort and feigned composure, she gradually became accustomed to it.

Both she and Xiao Jiu slept very well; nothing embarrassing had ever happened, and every time she awoke, Xiao Jiu had already risen.

Xiao Jiu was the proverbial gifted and diligent child from someone else’s family—not only hardworking himself, but also forcing Yan Shu to work hard alongside him. Sleep was strictly regulated: once every ten days, no more. The rest of the time, they cultivated in meditation on the bed.

This peaceful, harmonious coexistence occasionally gave Yan Shu the feeling of an old married couple.

But as soon as that thought appeared, she slapped it away.

To be an old married couple with the male protagonist? She must have grown tired of living.

Days went by. One by one, she planted spirit herbs in each of the sixteen plots. Xiao Jiu’s progress was impressive as well; just days ago, he had managed to refine fifth-grade pills, nearly catching up to Third Senior Brother Liu Zhiqing.

Yan Shu thought, if Third Senior Brother found out, he would probably be so angry he’d cough up blood.

When Yan Shu had successfully planted thriving spirit herbs in all sixteen plots, she happily ran to the Medicine King to ask for the Earth of Resting.

The Medicine King stroked his beard and regarded her as if she were a fool. “Sixteen plots, each with different attributes and environments—this is a unique feature of the Earth of Resting. You’ve been planting for so long and still don’t know what kind of land you’re tending?”

Yan Shu: …

She blamed her own innocence.

Not understanding, she asked, “Master, how can I make the Earth of Resting follow me?”

“You’ve already earned its recognition by planting spirit herbs in all sixteen plots,” the Medicine King explained.

He went on, “The Earth of Resting is not so much a plot of land as it is an independent space. Once you’ve gained its acceptance, you need only a thought to enter or exit its space.”

“But there’s one thing you must remember—the Earth of Resting needs to absorb spiritual energy to keep its soil fertile and maintain its unique environment. Previously, I supplied it with spiritual energy. From now on, you’ll have to do it yourself.”

Another entity that devours spiritual energy.

Yan Shu asked, “What happens if there isn’t enough spiritual energy?”

“It will shrink,” replied the Medicine King. “If it doesn’t have enough, it will shut down the plots one by one to maintain itself. If more than half are closed, it will abandon its master and leave on its own.”

A piece of land with a temper.

Yan Shu suddenly felt her spiritual energy was nowhere near enough. She hadn’t fed her two little phoenixes or the golden-haired creature in days.

With that realization, she wondered if she was even a qualified owner.

Yan Shu suddenly remembered something. She took out the phoenix egg and asked, “Master, this is a phoenix egg. But phoenixes are divine beasts found only in the upper realm—do you know how to send them back?”

The Medicine King was startled, carefully examining the egg before looking at Yan Shu with a complicated expression. “This is indeed a phoenix egg. Where did you get it?”

Yan Shu recounted the origin of the egg.

The Medicine King’s gaze grew even more complex. “You mean to say, the egg chose you as its master of its own accord—and even calls you mother?”

Yan Shu nodded. “Yes!”

The Medicine King fell silent.

Seeing this, Yan Shu pressed, “Is there something wrong?”

“No,” he replied quickly. “Keep the egg well. Until you have absolute strength, don’t let anyone know it’s a phoenix egg.”

“As for hatching, there’s no need to rush. Feed it a little spiritual energy each day. Your cultivation is still too low—hatching it early wouldn’t be a good thing.”

Yan Shu nodded. Jin’er and Yu’er were probably still sleeping—she had been talking with the Medicine King for half the day, and the two little ones hadn’t made a sound.

She put the egg away and took out the Nine-Section Thunder Whip. “Master, would you look at this as well? Someone told me this whip has a spirit.”

The Medicine King glanced at the whip and immediately denied it. “Impossible. Only ancient treasures nurtured by heaven and earth or upper realm profound treasures can possess a spirit. Yours is merely a postnatal spiritual treasure forged by an ordinary craftsman—how could it have a spirit?”

“But it really does have its own consciousness.”

Seeing his disbelief, Yan Shu immediately transformed the Thunder Whip into a dragon.

The golden-haired creature appeared with a resonant roar, then affectionately nuzzled Yan Shu’s face.

As she stroked its golden mane, she said, “Look, Master—it really seems to have its own consciousness.”

The Medicine King: …

To have a phoenix egg choose its master, to have a postnatal treasure develop a spirit—just what kind of disciple had he taken in?

He looked at Yan Shu and tentatively asked, “Is there anything else on you?”

Yan Shu thought for a moment. “Not much else, just a Karma Fire Red Lotus.”

The Medicine King: …

The Karma Fire Red Lotus can burn away all causes and effects—it is the strongest artifact for both defense and attack.

“Just”—the word alone was telling. Even the Medicine King couldn’t help feeling a pang of envy. “Back in my day, if I had possessed the Karma Fire Red Lotus, I wouldn’t have had to fear being recognized and spend my days hiding.”

Yan Shu smiled softly at his words, then reverted the golden-haired creature to the Thunder Whip and put it away.

The Medicine King looked at her with mixed emotions. “When you travel outside, keep a few people by your side. I’m afraid there will be too many who covet what you have, and you won’t be able to fend them off.”

“Master, you jest,” Yan Shu replied cheerfully. “I understand well the wisdom of keeping wealth hidden.”

She joyfully took her leave. “I’m off to feed the little phoenixes and the Earth of Resting.”

The Medicine King nodded, watching her go. Once she had left, he turned and walked to where Xiao Jiu was refining pills.

He spoke with a hint of earnestness, “While your bond with Yan Shu is still shallow, you should forget about her.”

Xiao Jiu focused intently on refining, ignoring him.

The Medicine King continued, “Yan Shu is protected by the Heavenly Dao—she even carries its aura. Her origins are extraordinary. With such aura, her opportunities will only multiply.”

“Your spiritual roots are unusual, but in terms of fortune, you are clearly outmatched. The gap between you and her will only widen.”

Xiao Jiu added the final ingredient to the pill furnace, gazing at it with calm eyes. “So what?”