On this day, Little Yu went to find Su Luo as usual.
"Su Luo, I learned a medicinal soup that's really good for the body at Medicine King Valley. I'll make it for you to try."
Having the opportunity to visit Medicine King Valley, Little Yu did a bit of homework and spent a few spirit stones to buy a recipe.
Little Yu had the habit of saving spirit stones, so her savings had been growing steadily.
"Then I can't wait to taste it," Su Luo replied with anticipation.
"I'll do my best."
Little Yu then began to cook the soup. Initially, she followed the recipe steps carefully, but it seemed the actual process differed from the recipe.
For example, after the Luminous Fruit dissolved and released green smoke, one was supposed to add Bai Xiang Dates. However, the smoke turned red almost instantly.
Little Yu was stunned, waiting for the green smoke to appear, but it never did. Only red smoke remained.
It was only then that she realized she needed to move on to the next step and quickly added the Bai Xiang Dates.
From there, one mistake followed another, and she ended up flustered and scrambling to complete the steps.
By the end, it didn't even matter how many were correct.
Medicine King Valley occasionally sold recipes, and while the contents were accurate, it was quite challenging for an amateur to craft a dish using just a recipe.
Little Yu was a prime example.
Though the soup was a failure, it wasn't completely ineffective. After all, the ingredients alone were quite nourishing.
It just paled in comparison to the original version.
"I think I messed up," Little Yu said, feeling dejected.
"It's alright. It smells so good—let's eat first."
After taking a few bites, it was indeed quite delightful, with a good taste and flavor.
As for it being a disastrous failure, that was unlikely. Creating a true disaster in the kitchen required talent and imagination.
Just as Su Luo and Little Yu were enjoying their meal, Nangong Xiyun arrived.
She didn't say anything but occasionally paced back and forth, making it impossible for Su Luo and Little Yu to ignore her.
They had grown somewhat accustomed to her presence over the past few days, though they couldn't quite figure out what Nangong Xiyun was thinking.
Su Luo said, "Elder Nangong, would you like to join us?"
"Sure."
Su Luo turned to Little Yu and whispered, "What should we do? I was just being polite, but it seems she's actually hungry."
"We'll just have to give her a portion."
Nangong Xiyun lightly tapped their heads. "If possible, could you say that in a voice I can't hear?"
Of course, there wasn't a sound she couldn't hear in that place. Su Luo had said it deliberately, trying to embarrass Nangong Xiyun.
Obviously, it didn't work.
The three of them shared the soup.
"Little Yu, the Bai Xiang Dates are the essence of this dish. Here, have some as a reward for your hard work."
"Thank you."
With Nangong Xiyun present, things naturally became a bit more restrained.
Nangong Xiyun mostly stayed silent, speaking only in a straightforward manner that made it difficult to gauge her thoughts.
Moreover, Su Luo wouldn't dare jest with Nangong Xiyun, nor did he have any intention of currying favor.
Otherwise, the three of them would have been happily chatting together.
Thus, the medicinal soup meal passed in an eerie silence, with Nangong Xiyun leaving a pile of herbs for Little Yu as a thank-you before departing.
"What do you think, Little Yu?"
"I don't know."
"Forget about it. Keep the herbs."
"Okay."
...
After leaving, Nangong Xiyun sighed silently. Su Luo hadn't made much effort to talk to her, and she couldn't bring herself to initiate conversation either. Little Yu also didn't have much to say to her, so their relationship hadn't progressed at all.
Nangong Xiyun had never realized how much trouble her icy persona caused. Being even slightly more proactive felt awkward.
Especially when it came to seemingly trivial matters, showing too much concern felt obvious and could easily reveal a crack in her facade.
Meanwhile, Little Yu and Su Luo usually talked about unremarkable things. Nangong Xiyun sometimes didn't know whether to join in.
And with her always maintaining a cold exterior, how could the others take the initiative to speak with her? Not to mention having a proper conversation—managing more than three sentences without an awkward pause was a victory.
So, that's what it's like to be me.
...
Time continued to pass, and soon, half a month had gone by.
Nangong Xiyun and Yin Youming eventually reached an agreement and exchanged hostages.
Yin Youming's plan to corrupt Lin Xuan had failed. There had been several close calls, but Lin Xuan had always managed to hold on.
It was quite baffling.
After multiple failures, Yin Youming recognized Lin Xuan's strong will and decided to temporarily abandon the plan.
Yin Youming believed that Lin Xuan had experienced too little and hadn't been thoroughly tested by the harsh realities of the cultivation world, so his inner darkness was yet to emerge.
He decided to let Lin Xuan go through more trials, believing that the more experiences he had, the more his mindset would be affected—whether for better or worse.
Yin Youming was betting that someday Lin Xuan would face a life-shattering despair, and falling into darkness would then become a natural outcome.
After all, Lin Xuan was still at the golden core stage, with a long way to go.
Also, half a month was quite a long time. Yin Youming couldn't afford to stay there indefinitely, and the two demonic disciples eventually needed to be exchanged.
The Heavenly Demon Sect had also sent representatives, no longer intimidated by Nangong Xiyun.
However, they couldn't fight within Medicine King Valley. The valley's owner had made it clear: no battles within or near the valley, or they'd be blacklisted.
If they wanted to fight, they could take it elsewhere.
The Heavenly Demon Sect agreed, and the Seven Stars Sword Sect had no objections. After half a month of pointless negotiations, they finally reached a deal.
On the final day, Situ Ye was still covered in wounds.
"Su Luo, I've been beaten for fifteen days straight, but you haven't suffered a single day. How do you explain that?"
"Because I'm handsome."
"Nonsense."
"Hehe, how do you know I wasn't beaten? Do you know what I went through when they took me out? You just don't know."
At this, Su Luo let out a painful scream, as if recalling something terrifying.
This spectacle momentarily quelled Situ Ye's anger. "What did you go through?"
"Honestly, I was beaten too, but I endured it silently. I even told them not to hit my face."
"I don't believe you."
"What do you mean? I've been so honest, baring all to you. Even my pride—keeping my face intact for fifteen days—I've given that up. If you don't believe me, whatever. Fact is, I lived like a king, feasting on delicacies, while the Seven Stars Sword Sect treated me like a royal guest."
Hearing Su Luo's words, Situ Ye found it hard to believe. How could Su Luo have been living like a king?
His words made sense, but the resentment remained, though it didn't erupt.
Situ Ye had long disliked Su Luo, and now that feeling had only intensified.
Nangong Xiyun arrived. "Let's go."
Situ Ye asked, "Where to?"
"Stupid, of course, we're being released."
"Really?" Situ Ye's spirits lifted at the news, even ignoring Su Luo's insult.
"Yes," Nangong Xiyun confirmed.
"That's great!" Situ Ye was immediately energized.
"Su Luo, you stay behind for now," Nangong Xiyun said, taking out her sword as she spoke.
Situ Ye instantly became alert. "You can bully me all you want, but you can't touch my brother. Nangong Xiyun, don't you dare!"
Situ Ye spoke sarcastically, hoping to provoke Nangong Xiyun.
What did he mean by "he will never let you off"? What did he mean by "don't hurt him"? Who did he think he was to order her around? She could slice him up if she wanted!
With that, Nangong Xiyun slashed at Situ Ye, leaving him dazed and disoriented.
Someone quickly dragged Situ Ye away.