Li Yin nodded in agreement. The youth turned to examine the sick chick.
He pinched the chick’s wings and pulled them open for a close inspection. He also felt its plump body, seemingly checking for any issues.
With every raise of his hand or step of his foot, the silver ornaments adorning his body swayed and sparkled. They clinked softly with each collision, like a pure white pear flower branch rustling faintly in the wind.
Li Yin watched from the side. She simply squatted down to get a bit closer. As she watched, her gaze slid right past the chick and fixed on the beauty.
The beauty half-knelt on one knee, cradling the fluffy little animal. His skin was fair and translucent—different from Valley Master Ci Yuan’s pale, cold pallor. His complexion was healthy, with a faint flush of vital energy. His movements were efficient yet gentle.
Noticing the girl’s shining eyes, Wen Xunzhu assumed she was curious about the little animal.
He formed a hand seal to help the chick digest its accumulated spiritual power. As he did, he explained, “Little Madam, you may not know this, but these little ones are raised here. They don’t have much spirituality, but they can eat and drink just fine. The Valley Master likes to come feed them every few days…”
“The food isn’t spiritual rice or grains, but it’s mixed with crushed shells from spiritual grains. Those nourish the body, but if the little ones eat too much, they get indigestion and end up looking all listless.”
The girl stared at the beauty without blinking. “I see.”
In the shadows, the Purple Butterfly fluttered restlessly, flapping its wings up and down. Yet it didn’t emerge to interrupt their interaction.
A moment later, the youth set the chick down. “All good.”
Li Yin glanced at his bright smile, then looked down at the chick. It had perked up and scampered off.
With the chick cured—and following the Valley Master’s orders—the youth said to her, “Little Madam, come with me. I’ll show you around. The records on reincarnation can’t be summed up in just a few words, but I have a book in the pharmacy. I’ll grab it for you later.”
Li Yin nodded. The youth smiled and led her down the path.
As he turned and stepped forward, the silver ornaments on the beauty jingled pleasantly with each movement.
Wild fruits grew among the lush roadside plants. In a daze, Li Yin spotted a thread glinting faintly. She blinked, and a vibrant wild fruit fell into the youth’s hand.
Even though he seemed so approachable and kind, his moves were those of a high-level cultivator.
He cast a spell to wash the fruit clean. Dripping with water, it sparkled as he offered it to the girl.
“Little Madam, want to try one? This one’s not poisonous…”
Li Yin reached out to take it. Just as she picked it up, a spider abruptly crawled out from the back of the fruit.
She jumped in fright and let go. The fruit fell back into the youth’s hand—only for him to jump in surprise as well.
The spider had a plump abdomen and thick legs. It was a Purple-White Fat Spider. In the instant of freefall, it spat out a thread and dangled suspended below the fruit. By the time Li Yin reacted, it was slowly climbing back up the silk.
At that moment, a silver ornament at the youth’s waist popped open—evidently its usual home.
Wen Xunzhu flailed in a panic to catch it. The spider didn’t return to the magic artifact. Instead, it crawled up to his shoulder. Ignoring it for now, he apologized first. “Sorry, Little Madam… It seems to like you. No malicious intent.”
He cradled the fruit and wiped it repeatedly. He didn’t know whether to offer it again or toss it away, caught in flustered indecision.
“No worries. Is it your lifebound gu?” Li Yin didn’t mind. Recalling the Medical Poison Valley’s cultivation method of nurturing a lifebound gu, she added, “If I’m not mistaken, Valley Master Ci Yuan’s lifebound gu is a purple butterfly?”
From her save files, she didn’t recall seeing much of the target of conquest’s lifebound gu.
“Yes.” Seeing that the Little Madam wasn’t upset with him, Wen Xunzhu breathed a secret sigh of relief. He reached up to pet the chubby spider. “Mine’s different from the Valley Master’s butterfly. It can’t fly.”
The spider seemed to know it had done wrong and quietly coiled on his shoulder.
Since the spider had touched the fruit, the Little Madam probably wouldn’t eat it now. The youth held the fruit in one hand, a trace of annoyance flickering in his eyes. Then he heard the girl chuckle softly.
“Can I still try this fruit?” She didn’t seem afraid of his gu at all and asked with a smile.
The youth paused, then immediately brightened. “Of course—if the Little Madam doesn’t mind…”
Li Yin took the fruit and bit in. It burst with rich juice, sour and sweet. From the corner of her eye, she saw the youth beaming with joy. His emotions were so straightforward, plain on his face.
Watching the Little Madam taste it, the youth looked utterly content. He then began introducing the valley’s features.
“This area has always produced plenty of toxic creatures, but the crops grown on this land are non-toxic… Some poisonous spiritual plants complement the mist barrier. As they grow, they release toxic gas, and the mist barrier becomes the perfect environment for them.”
“The mist barrier is poisonous and disorienting, but if you take the valley’s medicinal herbs year-round, the toxicity lessens. Little Madam, stay away from the poison mist. Don’t get poisoned.”
In the distance, terraced fields cascaded downward, vanishing into a sea of fog at the end.
Disciples and mortals worked the fields. Spotting the youth pass by, many waved in greeting.
Li Yin saw the youth wave back. He must have quite the reputation in the valley.
In truth, he usually tended patients in the valley and rarely left. When he did venture out, it was as an itinerant healer. His fame wasn’t prominent among cultivators but was well-known among the nearby mortal commoners.
Wen Xunzhu continued, “Plenty of people come seeking medical treatment or to study. The valley teaches both medicine and poison cultivation, but everyone has their preferences and talents. Some disciples focus on medicine, others on poison. Some travel as wandering healers, while others guard nearby cities, towns, and villages…”
“This place is too close to the Demon Domain. Rumor has it the previous Valley Master was on good terms with the Demon Domain. To outsiders, the Medical Poison Valley was neither righteous nor evil. It wasn’t until Valley Master Ci Yuan took over that its reputation improved…”
As he spoke, he suddenly glanced sideways at the girl. A smile curved his lips. “Rather than saying Valley Master Ci Yuan’s succession improved things, it’s more like the Madam led people toward goodness. The Medical Poison Valley is no longer seen as a den of evil cultivators that everyone wants to beat down. It’s become a proper Dao sect now…”
“Little Madam, I…”
Li Yin gazed at his smile. He opened his mouth as if to say more when a shout came from afar, cutting him off.
“Doctor Wen! Hurry! That patient we just brought in is acting up again!”
The youth responded busily. The words he’d been about to say caught in his throat, leaving him at a loss. The Valley Master had ordered him to show the Madam around, but now the patient had an issue. He couldn’t decide.
“Doctor Wen?” The girl repeated the bystanders’ nickname for him with a beaming smile. “Doctor Wen, treating patients comes first. Let’s head over.”
With the Valley Master Madam speaking, it was as good as the Valley Master’s command. The youth had to obey—but what virtue did he have to hear the Madam call him Doctor Wen?
The innocent-looking youth murmured in response, “The Madam is right…”
The girl seemed to mean nothing by it, her eyes bright with amusement as she eyed his slightly reddened ears.
Unnoticed, the Purple Butterfly fluttered about in the shadows again.
Li Yin followed him to the infirmary. The Daoist Boy attending there eyed the unfamiliar face. “Doctor Wen, who’s this?”
The youth opened his mouth to answer—likely about to call her Madam. The girl quickly tugged his robe hem, interrupting. “I’m just a guest here.”
“Ri—… Um…” Wen Xunzhu paused. “A distinguished guest from the valley. The Valley Master asked me to show her around.”
The Daoist Boy didn’t pry and ushered Doctor Wen to see the patient. Li Yin trailed behind. She watched as the youth first sent his lifebound gu ahead. The Purple-White Fat Spider approached and bit the unconscious patient. The patient’s breathing quickly steadied, stabilizing for the moment.
A thread dangled, and the youth stood still. Even from a distance, he could take the pulse and diagnose.
“I’ll go get the medicine.” After a few breaths, Wen Xunzhu retracted the thread and his lifebound gu. He took two hurried steps before remembering the girl watching from the side. “Li—… Um…”
Not allowed to call her Madam, he seemed unsure what to say. Finally, he managed, “Come with me.”
Li Yin clearly saw his ears flush red again.
She didn’t tease him and followed straightaway. The pharmacy lay behind the infirmary—high walls lined with cabinets. Thin threads gleamed everywhere. It wasn’t abandoned; rather, they were traces of his life.
With a flick of his fingers, several drawers opened. In an instant, medicines were suspended on threads and drawn into his hands.
Busy mixing the medicine, Li Yin looked around. Aside from the faintly glowing threads, everything was spotlessly clean and orderly. Books were piled everywhere—medical texts stacked on the desk and chairs. As her gaze passed over them, one book stirred amid the pile. An invisible thread pulled it out and delivered it to her.
“Little Madam, this is the one—with the records on reincarnation.” The cultivator multitasked seamlessly, mixing medicine with unseen threads while fetching the book for her.
Li Yin reached out to take it. The youth thought of something and hurried over. He swiftly cleared away the clutter, making space for her to sit. He even placed a soft cushion there.
“Little Madam, take a look first. I’ll be right back.” Wen Xunzhu smoothed the cushion’s corners and invited her to sit.
Li Yin settled down with the book in hand. The youth smiled at her, about to turn back to his work, when he remembered something else. “Oh, right, Little Madam—why just now…”
He seemed puzzled and hesitant. Li Yin knew what he meant. “Keep it secret for me. I don’t want others knowing yet.”
At her request, the youth didn’t pry. He simply said, “Got it,” and turned to get back to work.
Li Yin watched him leave, then lowered her head. She flipped open the pages and carefully read the records on reincarnation.
Threads marked spots between the pages—likely the youth’s bookmarks. His handwritten notes were inserted amid the text.
Li Yin rubbed her hands in anticipation, hugging the book close as she refined her reincarnation backstory.
The youth’s notes even detailed methods for a reincarnated person to recover their memories. As a Medical Poison Valley cultivator, he elaborated on relevant techniques—all names of gu insects.
She pored over the arcane Cultivation World terms, which were all fog and confusion to her. Moments later, the distant jingle of silver ornaments approached.
“Sorry for the wait, Little Madam.” The youth soon appeared in view, carrying a tray. He set out a teacup and a dish of preserved fruits on the wooden tea table.
The preserved fruits were actually for delivering medicine to patients, but he’d grabbed some for the Little Madam to try.
“If there’s anything you don’t understand, just ask me.” He poured a cup of tea and handed it to her, then casually picked up a piece of fruit for himself.
Li Yin found his actions amusing and picked up a piece of dried fruit as well. The youth’s smile grew even warmer and more innocent.
Wen Xunzhu glanced at what she was reading. “Most of these gu require high-level cultivators to refine, and they take a long time to form. Some even need gu to nurture other gu. But the valley should have some sealed away for direct use.”
Li Yin turned a page. “Are there any cases of reincarnated people recovering their memories?”
Wen Xunzhu thought for a moment. A thread flipped the pages to a specific spot, which he pointed out to her.
“There are. Some used methods to recall their past life, others recovered on their own… Like waking from a dream to remember one’s former self, or gradually thinking of old friends day by day. Each has their own fate. Maybe it’ll come to you when the time’s right. We just don’t know where the Little Madam’s fate lies.”
Li Yin rested her chin on her hand atop the armrest as she listened.
This pure and beautiful youth before her—she had once taken a liking to him. Ci Yuan had sent him right to her, probably to test her.
The girl sighed soundlessly. The youth caught the subtle motion and immediately grew hesitant. “Is the Little Madam tired?”
He then chided himself. He really was too dense.
The Madam’s cultivation wasn’t high, and her bone age was young. She didn’t seem to train in body forging either. He’d actually forgotten to use a magic artifact to carry her and made her walk the whole way.
The girl’s sigh halted at once. Her eyes shone brightly at the youth, curious what he was thinking.
Meeting her sparkling gaze, the youth hesitantly offered himself, ears turning red. “Little Madam, if you don’t mind—besides medicine, I’m also skilled in massage. If you’re tired, I could help loosen your muscles and tendons for some rest…”
The Player suddenly let out a light chuckle.
If she actually let him give her a massage, who knew if Valley Master Ci Yuan would swoop in from somewhere.
Feeling he’d failed to host properly, the youth sank into self-reproach. Li Yin cut him off in time. “It’s fine. I’m not tired. Where to next?”
After confirming her expression several times, Wen Xunzhu finally relaxed.
He thought for a bit, then suddenly remembered something. With a serious expression, he said, “Next, a place related to the Madam!”
Li Yin figured it was somewhere nice. But when they arrived, a stone stele stood in the woods, with a neatly tended grave behind it. The so-called place related to her turned out to be her own Effigy Tomb.
The Player stood there in a daze. Beside her, the youth remained completely oblivious to the awkwardness.
This pure white pear flower branch was truly so innocent—he hadn’t even noticed she’d frozen.
He gazed at the stone stele as he recounted the past events. “Madam spotted me at first glance amid the crowd. The Medical Poison Valley Lord also thought highly of me. Not only did an elder teach me medicine, but he also arranged for me to travel outside and practice. Once I had made sufficient progress, the Valley Lord summoned me back to the valley and wanted me to remain inside from then on…”
He suddenly clutched his collar. “I studied the medical arts partly to repay Madam and the Valley Lord’s favor, but I was ultimately one step too late. By the time I returned to the valley, Madam had already passed away. I could only see her off on her final journey.”
The Player didn’t know how to respond to this.
“Seeing her off on her final journey” likely meant she had logged off and started over. In their eyes, she had fallen.
“Luckily,” the youth said, his sorrowful expression changing as he turned to smile at her. “Little Madam, you’ve come back.”
Li Yin was at a loss for words and softly acknowledged it. Then she heard him continue. “After Madam passed, the Valley Lord was truly heartbroken. He even entrusted me with helping handle Madam’s funeral arrangements.”
Wen Xunzhu recalled how, back then, the Valley Lord had summoned him back to the valley and instructed him to remain inside from then on. It seemed he had also ordered…
Right—he had ordered Wen Xunzhu to take good care of Madam on a daily basis.
If Madam hadn’t passed away, the Valley Lord had probably intended to arrange for him to serve as her personal physician or something similar.
The youth thought to himself.
He glanced again at the stone stele not far away.
Back then, after Madam passed, the Valley Lord had asked him to help handle her affairs. As an outsider, he really shouldn’t have gotten involved in such matters, but he hadn’t refused.
Although the Valley Lord usually appeared cold and aloof, showing him no favorable expressions, the Valley Lord’s deathly pallor at that time had been genuine. Moreover, Wen Xunzhu hadn’t been able to properly repay Madam, leaving him with true regret in his heart.
Thus, even when the Valley Lord required him to bow to Madam’s Effigy Tomb, he hadn’t refused.
Come to think of it, there were countless disciples in the valley, yet only he had bowed to the Valley Master Madam’s Memorial Tablet.
The simple-minded youth didn’t dwell on it. He looked at the cold stone stele, then at the lively Little Madam beside him, and couldn’t suppress a happy smile.
Madam. Little Madam.
Madam had returned, and now he had a chance to repay her.
“Little Madam.” Wen Xunzhu couldn’t help calling out. The girl responded and lifted her eyes to look at him.
Li Yin saw that the youth’s smile was bright and radiant.
“As long as Little Madam is happy, you can make me do anything,” he said.
The youth was as sunny and beautiful as a pure white flower brimming with sweetness, radiating an unwitting yet alluring fragrance.
Completely different from the Medical Poison Valley Lord.