Published: February 24, 2025
“Why ask that? You should just focus on watching Master refine the elixir.” Tan Yun's tone was calm.
“Master, besides my parents, you are the person I am closest to. Can you please tell me?” Shen Subing smiled gently, almost like a child coaxing her parents.
“No,” Tan Yun responded decisively.
“I have spoken. No!”
Shen Subing’s beautiful eyes twinkled as she slowly rose, gracefully standing behind the cross-legged Tan Yun. She extended her delicate, boneless jade hands towards Tan Yun's back.
Tan Yun was startled, “What are you doing? Before you became my disciple, I made it clear that if you dared to lift my cold veil, I would expel you from the sect!”
“Master, you’re overthinking it. I wouldn’t dare without your permission.” Shen Subing smiled charmingly, placing her hands on Tan Yun’s shoulders and began to gently knead them. The pressure was just right, and Tan Yun felt quite comfortable.
Suddenly, a unique maiden's fragrance wafted from behind, penetrating Tan Yun’s lungs.
Under the Turtle Breathing Cold Veil, Tan Yun’s handsome face flushed slightly as he thought, “This girl’s body fragrance is really pleasant.”
“Master, is it comfortable?” Shen Subing opened her mouth slightly, her heavenly voice ringing in Tan Yun’s ears.
“Hmm, the touch is quite good.” Tan Yun replied with a smile, “In the future, when you have nothing to do, you can help me massage more. But why are your techniques so skilled?”
As soon as Tan Yun finished speaking, he felt a clear tremor in the jade hands on his shoulders, followed by a light tingling sensation trickling down his back. Tan Yun realized that it was tears dripping onto his back.
“Why are you crying like this?” Tan Yun asked softly.
“I’m not crying.” Shen Subing stubbornly insisted, wiping away her tears and continuing to knead Tan Yun’s shoulders.
Her tone made Tan Yun feel pity, “Master, after my father was falsely accused by Gongsun Yangchun, the sovereign stripped him of his cultivation level, reducing him to a helpless person.”
“When I was young, I often helped my father with massages, so over time, my technique became proficient.”
Hearing this, Tan Yun encouraged her, “You will have the day to take revenge on your enemies, trust me.”
“Hmm.” Shen Subing nodded her head, “Alright, no more talking about unhappy things. Master, since I am so filial to you, can you please tell me?”
“I really don’t know what to do with you.” Tan Yun shook his head, “I look like I’m just over twenty, right?”
“Ah... so young, let me take a look.” Shen Subing said curiously.
“I am currently refining elixirs. If you continue to be mischievous, you will forever be my named disciple!” Tan Yun’s tone turned colder.
“Master, please don’t be angry, I won’t look.” Shen Subing smiled awkwardly and moved away from Tan Yun, sitting cross-legged beside him.
...
Ten days later.
Shen Subing's spiritual sense enveloped the vessel within the Dan Ding, producing a melodious chime, “Master, according to the alchemical formula you recorded, the seventeen types of spiritual herbs have now fused into a dark green color and are emitting a faint fragrance. Can I now add the final ninth-grade spiritual herb: Ghost Blood Ginseng?”
“Hmm, that’s right.” Tan Yun responded, tossing a blood-red, human-shaped spiritual herb into the Dan Ding!
With a wave of his right arm, the lid of the Ding soared into the air and landed perfectly on the Dan Ding.
At this moment, as the Ghost Blood Ginseng slowly melted within the vessel of the Dan Ding, the dark green liquid began to thicken, transforming into twelve liquid elixirs, all glowing a dark green hue.
Once the liquid elixirs formed, they began to solidify at an imperceptible speed…
...
In the blink of an eye, eight more days had passed.
Dusk settled in, the sun sinking low.
At this moment, thirty-three days had passed since Tan Yun began refining elixirs.
Inside the Ice Clear Hall, Tan Yun, sitting cross-legged, took a deep breath and opened his eyes.