Right now, Dugu Xianmeng was both excited and emotional. Zhou Sichen had gone to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, successfully entered and returned, bringing back a method to purge her body of poison.
He explained the options to her, and Dugu Xianmeng found them all feasible. The most effective, of course, was condensing a poison core.
Condensing the poison core wouldn't be too difficult—just time-consuming. As long as the deep-seated poison in her bones could be neutralized, the rest was manageable.
The poison in her body was congenital, inherited from birth, and had no known cure.
Even though she had used an ancestral method to transfer most of the poison into her soul bone, it was only a temporary fix, not a true solution.
The remaining toxins continued to invade her marrow as time passed.
Still, she had no complaints. Without the method of channeling the poison into her soul bone, she likely wouldn't have survived this long, given the lethality of the Jade Phosphor Five Poisons she cultivated.
Seeing Xianmeng's excited expression, Zhou Sichen took out three porcelain bottles from his soul tool.
Each bottle contained thirty pills—he had crafted them within the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well using his own blood and various nourishing herbs.
With the Xuan Tian Record as his guide, concocting such pills was no challenge for Zhou Sichen.
He named them Hundred-Treasure Detox Pills, and had refined five bottles in total, amounting to 150 pills.
Although the poison had penetrated deep into her bone marrow, consistent use of the Hundred-Treasure Detox Pills for three months would essentially purge her body completely.
While detoxifying her body, the new poison generated during cultivation could be condensed into a poison core. After all, her soul bone could no longer contain any more poison.
As long as her body remained free of future poison invasion, this would be a permanent cure.
In addition to detoxification, the pills had a nourishing effect, so Dugu Xianmeng's cultivation wouldn't stagnate—in fact, it might even improve.
During this period, she wouldn't be able to take any other immortal-grade herbs, so Zhou Sichen kept the rest in storage for her.
After accepting the three bottles, Xianmeng repeated her thanks over and over.
Zhou Sichen gently patted her head. "Didn't I promise you back then? Fulfilling it this soon is a pleasant surprise."
With eyes full of gratitude, Dugu Xianmeng looked at him. "Sichen, thank you. You're so kind~"
Yegu Yi, who stood to the side, couldn't help but feel a little awkward, but she didn't want to embarrass Zhou Sichen. She simply smiled and comforted Xianmeng.
Truthfully, she was sincerely happy for Xianmeng. With her poison problem resolved, Xianmeng's innate talent and strength would finally shine through.
Though the Dugu family had faded from the public eye for many years, perhaps Xianmeng would be the one to bring the Jade Phosphor Serpent's legacy roaring back to life across the continent.
Night had fallen. After reluctantly bidding farewell to Zhou Sichen, Dugu Xianmeng returned to her villa and immediately began implementing the detox plan.
She longed to free herself from the torment that had plagued her for over a decade. Now that hope was finally in sight, she clung to it more desperately than anyone else could understand.
Once Xianmeng had left, Yegu Yi didn't immediately tease Zhou Sichen. Instead, she said gently, "You've had a long trip. Go take a bath first."
Zhou Sichen was surprised. He expected to be interrogated. Her gentleness was unexpected, but the slight curl of her lips made him suspect it wasn't going to be that simple.
He took a careful bath, and upon returning to the living room, found Yegu Yi sitting cross-legged on the sofa, smiling sweetly at him.
His heart sank. Knew it—this won't be easy to get out of.
Putting himself in her shoes, if he saw Yegu Yi acting that close to another man, what would he do?
No need to think—he'd tear the guy limb from limb.
Luckily, he had already thought of how to explain. He sat beside her with a smile, but Yegu Yi's previous warmth had vanished. She lifted her flawless, jade-like leg and kicked him away.
"Don't get close. Sit over there," she said, her tone flat and nasal.
Zhou Sichen gave an awkward laugh. He didn't resist but also didn't want to completely retreat. He grabbed a cushion to shield himself from her long legs and sat beside her—still keeping a safe distance.
Her usual queenly aura returned, her smile gone. "So? I heard from Xianmeng that you two are fated to be together? She confessed, and you accepted?"
Zhou Sichen let out a helpless sigh. "I didn't accept."
Yegu Yi narrowed her eyes. "Not rejecting is the same as accepting."
"Did someone forget what they told me? Or were those sweet words just to placate me?"
She had always made her feelings for him clear, but she couldn't accept a two-faced flirt. Though Zhou Sichen and Xianmeng hadn't done anything explicit, they were undeniably close. Way too close for just a few days of interaction.
To outsiders, they would've seemed like lovers already.
Zhou Sichen knew his sister was truly angry this time. He dropped all pretense and responded honestly, "I got close to Xianmeng because of her talent and strength. What we plan to do in the future isn't something a couple of people can handle alone. Her help would make a huge difference."
Yegu Yi rolled her eyes. "You think I didn't consider that? If Xianmeng joins us, we basically get a future Poison Douluo on our side. Why do you think I became close friends with her?"
"I did want to use her at first, but she's actually really pitiful… and we genuinely clicked, so we became best friends."
"Even without you, I would've eventually brought her in. Now what? You're not just stealing my ally—you want to date her?"
Zhou Sichen looked sheepish. Don't be fooled by Yegu Yi's fifteen years—she was wise beyond her age. They had grown up together, scheming and planning for years. If he could think of something, so could she.
He couldn't keep lying. Telling the truth might earn her respect.
"I believe the most stable bonds are forged with people we consider family. If we tie people to us just through benefits, what happens when someone offers better terms?"
Yegu Yi snorted. "So?"
"I didn't plan any of this," Zhou Sichen said, "but she recognized me and started pursuing me right away—then confessed."
"I've only ever had you in my heart. But considering her ability, I figured I could use her affection to keep her close. Once we cross a certain line, she won't leave."
"I wouldn't share real treasures with someone who's not one of us."
Yegu Yi didn't know whether to be angry or amused.
On the surface, it sounded like he was sacrificing himself to build loyalty—but who knew if he was just tempted by Xianmeng's beauty?
No matter how sweet he sounded, she couldn't quite bring herself to feel happy.
Zhou Sichen leaned in and took out an embroidered box from his soul tool.
Before she could kick him again, he hurriedly offered the box. "I brought you a gift from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well."
Yegu Yi rolled her eyes but didn't resist when he held her leg. She peeked at the box curiously.
She sent a mental message, "This the immortal herb you mentioned?"
Zhou Sichen nodded.
He had only ever mentioned immortal-grade herbs to her—back when they were kids and he was still bragging.
He once said that if they ever found one of the Three Great Treasure Grounds, the herbs inside could form the foundation of a powerful team and drastically increase their chances of success.
Given how long he'd chatted with the girls earlier, Yegu Yi had already guessed the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was one of the Treasure Grounds—and that the herb in the box must've come from there.
And he was giving it to her first, before anyone else. That did warm her heart.
She hadn't been seriously mad—just wanted to see where she stood in his priorities.
She'd long accepted that Zhou Sichen probably wouldn't only have her in his future. That was just how the world worked.
In fact, she supported him taking in Xianmeng—better to bind someone that closely than risk betrayal. Their ambitions were too grand to tolerate disloyalty.
They hadn't told anyone, not even Old Master Zhou Zhenxuan.
To avoid leaks before their plan succeeded, secrecy was critical.
So pulling Xianmeng in like this? The safest move.
Her discomfort was emotional—but emotion couldn't be allowed to disrupt big plans. As long as she kept her own position secure, she wouldn't let a cunning fox steal her brother's heart.
She opened the box. A small white flower floated out, glowing with a crimson hue.
The Lovesick Heartbreak Red immediately captured her attention. It was breathtaking—but she couldn't imagine what it did.
The aura it gave off felt oddly familiar—then she remembered Zhou Sichen's crimson ten-thousand-year soul ring.
"What kind of herb is this?" she asked. "Why does it feel like your fourth soul ring?"
Zhou Sichen smiled. "This is the Emperor-Class Immortal Herb: Lovesick Heartbreak Red. My fourth soul ring gave me the ability to grow a clone of this flower once a year. It has half the potency of the original."
"I thought long and hard and decided this was the best one for you. You're currently at Rank 55—after taking this, you'll get a full-body refinement and might even break through to Rank 60. Your Martial Soul might evolve too."
Yegu Yi was shocked. "Even at half strength, it's this powerful?"
"A ten-thousand-year soul ring and bone probably wouldn't provide more."
Zhou Sichen nodded. "A normal immortal herb's worth is comparable to that combo—but this is emperor-class. You'll have to try it to understand just how potent it is."
Yegu Yi clutched the flower tightly. "Did you tell the teachers?"
"I did. They won't interfere with how I distribute what I bring back. I promised Elder Xuan one herb though."
She fell silent, then asked, "So you've already thought this all through?"
Zhou Sichen nodded. "No rush. We'll decide once we know where they stand."
Yegu Yi smiled faintly. "Whatever happens, we did use Shrek's resources. The teachers raised us. No matter what we achieve in the future, we can't deny what we've gained from them."
"I understand," Zhou Sichen said seriously.
He slowly pulled her into his arms. "Still mad? I admit I might've had a tiny bit of ulterior motive, but if you say no, I'll never go through with it."
Yegu Yi gave him a side glance. "I already accepted your gift. What do you want me to do—give it back?"
Zhou Sichen kissed her. "I knew you were the best. I'm really sorry. If you ever want anything, just say it—I'll make it happen."
She thought for a moment, then handed the flower back. "If you get one every year, take this one yourself. Your soul power needs to increase."
But Zhou Sichen gently pushed it back. "I've already consumed three immortal herbs. Taking more now might cause a clash of medicinal energies—it could backfire."
"This one is for you. I probably won't be able to take another until I reach Rank 70."
Yegu Yi finally relaxed. She also wanted to grow stronger—but Zhou Sichen's growth mattered more to their goals.
As long as he progressed rapidly, his Book of Contracts Martial Soul would gain stronger contracted beasts—and their team would grow even stronger.
Yegu Yi was never truly angry. With such a precious gift to smooth things over, they cuddled for a while before Zhou Sichen began guarding her as she absorbed the herb.
Love stories? They didn't care.
Power was what mattered most.
Letting treasures sit unused wasn't love—it was stupidity.
With enough strength, love follows naturally.
Without it? Others will fight you for it—and then what love will you have left?
****
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