Shen Tianhua's old face displayed a dazzling array of expressions.
In all his life, he had probably never eaten so much food in a single sitting.
Yet, in order to achieve a breakthrough, Shen Tianhua gritted his teeth and pushed forward.
He picked up the rice basin and dug in with a vengeance.
At this moment, the old gentleman was a true master of devouring food.
The one and only kind of master.
Even Ye Qingyun, who always fancied himself a mortal gourmand, had to concede defeat.
"Take it easy, old gentleman."
Watching the way Shen Tianhua was eating—as if he were fighting for his life—Ye Qingyun could not help but urge caution.
"No matter, this old man can handle it."
Shen Tianhua replied with his mouth full and mumbled words.
Xiao Shi, standing off to the side, focused entirely on devouring her own food, paying no attention whatsoever to Shen Tianhua's undignified appearance.
Ye Qingyun finished his meal quickly.
He simply sat there, watching this pair of frantic master and disciple.
As he watched, Ye Qingyun even felt a slight urge to vomit.
The three plates of dishes on the table had already been nearly licked clean.
Xiao Shi directly picked up the plate of scrambled eggs with tomatoes, dumped her rice right into it, stirred it vigorously with her chopsticks, and continued to gorge herself.
Shen Tianhua refused to be outdone.
He flipped the plate of braised pork directly upside down into his own basin.
Scraping every last piece of leftover meat and sauce from the plate until it was spotless.
Ye Qingyun stared in blank dismay.
Wasn't this a bit too exaggerated?
This looked precisely like the appetite of a starving ghost hurled into reincarnation.
Just how many years had it been since they last ate a proper meal?
A short while later.
Xiao Shi could take no more.
She abruptly put down her bowl and sat there letting out successive, heavy burps.
Ye Qingyun hurriedly poured her a cup of water, terrified that she might throw up right then and there.
Shen Tianhua glanced at his disciple.
Hmph!
Ginger is spicier the older it gets.
You little girl still need to practice cultivation for a few more years.
Shen Tianhua continued his struggle.
Yet at the same time, deep down, he felt extremely puzzled.
He had already eaten this much, so why hadn't he broken through yet?
Seeing that the basin of rice had already hit the bottom.
Shen Tianhua's stomach felt as though it was about to burst.
Right as Shen Tianhua managed to swallow the final mouthful of rice with great difficulty.
An unprecedented surge of energy welled up from deep within his body.
In an instant.
Shen Tianhua felt an incomparable sense of comfort wash over his entire being.
He felt as though he had instantly grown several years younger.
Earlier, merely by observing that lotus painting, his cultivation had broken through to the Heaven Reaching Realm (late), granting him an extension on his lifespan.
And at this moment, although Shen Tianhua did not break through in cultivation.
His physical body was once again radiating a renewed vitality.
Shen Tianhua could clearly sense that another whole century of lifespan had been added out of thin air.
This came as a tremendous and delightful surprise.
Even without a breakthrough in realm, gaining lifespan was an extremely rare and precious thing.
After all, having a longer lifespan meant having ample time to pursue even higher realms.
From this moment onward.
Shen Tianhua would no longer be plagued by the anxiety of approaching mortality.
"This old man... this old man can still eat!"
Shen Tianhua still wanted to keep eating.
He had figured it out now.
As long as he ate more, there would definitely be benefits.
Whether it was a breakthrough in cultivation or an increase in lifespan, these were precisely what he needed.
For this reason.
Even if it meant bursting his stomach open, he would grit his teeth and keep eating.
Ye Qingyun wore a speechless expression.
"Ahem, the old gentleman has an astonishing appetite, but the food I prepared has already been completely finished by the two of you."
Ye Qingyun brought out the empty rice pot to show them.
At the sight of this, master and disciple felt a mixture of regret and relief.
"Master, I feel a bit too full."
"Quiet, I feel like vomiting too."
Watching the expressions of the master and disciple, each looking more miserable than the last, Ye Qingyun could neither laugh nor cry.
"Have some digestion tablets."
Ye Qingyun produced two small pills.
These were concocted by his own hands.
Naturally, they were also produced under the strict tutelage of the system.
"Digestion tablets?"
Both Shen Tianhua and Xiao Shi wore puzzled expressions.
Yet since they were a gift from an expert, they were bound to be extraordinary items.
The master and disciple each swallowed one.
Before long, both of them felt their stomachs settle down considerably.
After each circulating their spiritual energy for a brief moment, the discomfort had practically vanished.
"Many thanks, Young Master Ye!"
Shen Tianhua, pulling Xiao Shi along with him, bowed respectfully toward Ye Qingyun.
Ye Qingyun waved a hand: "Old gentleman, you cannot keep eating like this in the future; ruining your health would never do."
He then turned his gaze toward Xiao Shi.
"You should persuade your master more often, and stop following him in these reckless binges."
The master and disciple felt extremely awkward.
If the food here hadn't been genuinely delicious while simultaneously raising their cultivation and extending their lifespan, they would never have eaten so much.
Yet upon second thought, Ye Qingyun's words likely carried a profound hidden meaning.
Shen Tianhua pondered deeply in his heart.
In a flash, it all became clear to him.
"The expert is warning me that haste makes waste, and biting off more than one can chew!"
In that instant, Shen Tianhua was filled with an even greater sense of shame.
Having cultivated for so many years, he should have understood this principle long ago.
Yet faced with temptation just now, he still failed to hold his ground, exposing his own fragile and undisciplined side entirely.
It was truly inexcusable.
An expert was indeed an expert.
He had seen right through him completely, yet still chose such a subtle and tactful way to awaken him.
"The young master's admonition, this old man shall engrave upon his heart."
Shen Tianhua bowed solemnly toward Ye Qingyun once more.
With the meal concluded, Shen Tianhua and Xiao Shi chose not to linger any longer and took their leave.
On this trip, they had successfully met Ye Qingyun and reaped a bountiful harvest.
It could be considered a journey well-made.
Ye Qingyun saw them out to the courtyard, watching as the two figures descended the mountain.
Reaching the foot of the mountain, Shen Tianhua looked back up at Fuyun Mountain, filled with deep emotion.
"Who would have thought that the expert dwelling within these mountains would be so extraordinary? Today has truly opened this old man's eyes."
"Master, since this expert lives in seclusion here, why don't we frequently come to pay our respects? Perhaps we could receive further guidance from the expert?"
Xiao Shi suggested.
Shen Tianhua's expression, however, sank.
"Never do such a thing!"
Xiao Shi was startled: "Why?"
"The expert lives in seclusion here to cultivate in tranquility, and even more so to experience the mortal world in the guise of an ordinary person."
"Did you not notice? From beginning to end, he never once carried himself as an expert, nor did he ever speak of matters related to cultivation."
"Perhaps this expert has already attained an unfathomably profound realm, having entirely forgotten his own status and truly treating himself as an ordinary mortal."
At this point, awe was written across Shen Tianhua's eyes.
"If we were to constantly come here and disturb him, I fear we would disrupt the expert's state of mind. Should we incur his displeasure, that would be a grave sin indeed!"
Hearing this, Xiao Shi felt her master's words made complete sense.
"It was this disciple's foolishness."
Shen Tianhua glanced at her: "As long as you understand, that is enough."
Just as master and disciple were about to leave, they suddenly noticed a woman approaching from afar.
The woman also spotted the pair and could not help showing a hint of confusion.
"You two, are you coming down from Fuyun Mountain?"
The woman stepped forward and bowed; it was none other than Bai SuyI.
"Indeed, are you heading up the mountain?"
Xiao Shi looked Bai SuyI up and down. Seeing that she was so young and possessed such exceptional beauty, her expression turned slightly peculiar.
"I am heading up the mountain to pay my respects to Young Master Ye."
Bai SuyI replied.
She was indeed here to find Ye Qingyun.
The last time she had accompanied Chi Yanyu to Fuyun Mountain, Ye Qingyun had personally treated her with a session of fire cupping.
Half a month had passed precisely.
And Bai SuyI had come as promised.
Shen Tianhua spared Bai SuyI a glance, instantly perceiving that this young woman's cultivation was not high—merely at the Spirit Opening (late) stage.
Her innate aptitude, however, was exceptionally good; she was a natural-born material for cultivation.
Compared to Xiao Shi, she was only slightly inferior.
An urge to take her on as a disciple stirred within Shen Tianhua's heart.
"Young girl, whose disciple are you?"
Shen Tianhua asked.
Not daring to be discourteous, Bai SuyI bowed deeply.
"Reporting to senior, this junior is a disciple of the Nine Spirits Sect."
Shen Tianhua nodded.
"Gongsun Yue's disciple... what a pity that with such fine aptitude, you fell under his tutelage. It's an utter waste of natural talent."
Bai SuyI felt rather awkward.
After all, she was a disciple of the Nine Spirits Sect, yet this white-haired elder before her was openly looking down on her master, Gongsun Yue.
This made Bai SuyI somewhat displeased.
"Senior, though my sect is small, I must ask you to mind your words."
Bai SuyI spoke up.
Xiao Shi curled her lip slightly.
"Do you even know who my master is? A mere Nine Spirits Sect—even if your master Gongsun Yue stood right here, he would have to call himself a junior in front of my master."
Bai SuyI grew somewhat angry.
"The two of you insult my sect. Even if my cultivation is low, I will defend the dignity of my master and sect!"
Xiao Shi was amused.
Being naturally headstrong and willful, she for some reason found herself immediately disliking Bai SuyI upon this encounter.
Seeing Bai SuyI looking ready to fight, she naturally welcomed it with open arms.
"Hh, with just that bit of cultivation? You dare to show off in front of me?"
Xiao Shi wore a look of utter disdain.
She took a single step forward, and her Origin Gathering Realm cultivation instantly burst forth.
Bai SuyI's expression changed drastically.
Origin Gathering Realm!
That was a realm standing high above the Spirit Opening Realm.
While Bai SuyI indeed possessed Spirit Opening (late) cultivation.
Facing a martial artist of the Origin Gathering Realm, she stood not the slightest chance of victory and would only be thoroughly crushed.
"To think she is of a similar age to me, yet her cultivation is so high?"
Shock gripped Bai SuyI's heart.
Looking smug, Xiao Shi gazed at Bai SuyI with a teasing glint in her eye.
"Well? Do you still dare to fight me?"
Bai SuyI remained silent.
Yet she still released her own cultivation aura.
Spirit Opening (late)!
Compared to Xiao Shi's cultivation, it was naturally quite a bit inferior.
Even so, Bai SuyI did not retreat.
Shen Tianhua did not intervene; he too wished to test Bai SuyI's true capabilities.
Just as the two young women were about to clash.
A sudden, deafening crack of thunder boomed across the sky.
The thunderous roar shook the earth and heavens.
All three present were startled.
Instantly, they raised their heads in unison to look at the sky.
The previously clear blue sky was now suddenly covered in rolling, dense dark clouds.
It looked as though a torrential downpour was about to strike at any moment.
Shen Tianhua furrowed his brow.
"Why is this weather changing so strangely?"
The very next moment, Shen Tianhua understood why the sky had shifted so abruptly.
For a True Dragon was weaving in and out of those dark clouds.
Churning the winds and roiling the clouds!
Shock sent tremors through Shen Tianhua's heart.
This was that very same True Dragon he had witnessed when he first ascended the mountain.
To think it was still lingering within the clouds.
Meanwhile, Ye Qingyun, up at the summit, was also staring up at the sky in bewilderment.
"Why is it suddenly going to rain?"
He hurriedly trotted out to the courtyard and quickly gathered up the clothes he had laid out to dry.
Muffled thunder rolled on, and the dark clouds grew heavier by the second.
Seeming to realize something, Shen Tianhua hastily urged Xiao Shi: "Let's leave immediately, and on no account stir up trouble."
Xiao Shi was taken aback, feeling somewhat confused.
Without offering any further explanation, Shen Tianhua grabbed hold of Xiao Shi and soared directly into the air.
Seeing the two depart so abruptly, Bai SuyI felt a mix of astonishment and relief.
And the moment they left, the heavily clouded sky suddenly cleared up once more.
As if the sudden thunder and dark clouds had never existed at all.
"What on earth is going on?"
No sooner had Ye Qingyun brought the laundry back inside than the weather cleared right up.
Muttering curses under his breath, he carried the clothes back out to dry them in the sun once more.
Before long.
Bai SuyI arrived at the mountaintop.
"Young Master Ye."
Standing outside the courtyard, she called out toward the interior.
Ye Qingyun pushed the door open. Seeing that Bai SuyI had arrived, he promptly invited her inside.
Bai SuyI stepped into the house.
"Young Master Ye, ever since that medical treatment you called 'fire cupping' last time, I've felt much better."
Bai SuyI said with a shy blush.
The memory of what happened when Ye Qingyun treated her last time caused her heart to flutter wildly.
After all, there had been other people present last time, so the feeling wasn't quite this intense.
But this time.
Only she and Ye Qingyun were here.
A lone man and an unmarried woman, sharing the same room.
And they were about to undergo treatment using such an unusual method.
How could Bai SuyI not feel bashful?
She had originally wanted to drag Chi Yanyu along with her, but Chi Yanyu was currently away from the Pingxi Prince's Estate.
With no other choice, Bai SuyI had to come by herself.
"As long as it's effective, we'll continue today."
Ye Qingyun said casually.
He had already fetched all the equipment needed for fire cupping.
Bai SuyI felt rather awkward.
"Young Master Ye, please turn around first."
Taken aback, Ye Qingyun hurriedly turned around.
His own breathing grew slightly hurried, and his heartbeat quickened.
There was no helping it.
He was a hot-blooded young man, after all.
The natural physical reactions would still occur.
"Ye Qingyun, you must keep yourself under control."
"You absolutely cannot do anything rash; she's a disciple of the Nine Spirits Sect, someone you cannot afford to offend!"
At the same time, a fierce internal struggle played out in Bai SuyI's mind.
What should she do if, after she undressed, Young Master Ye decided to do something to her?
Young Master Ye was a senior expert, someone even His Majesty the Martial Emperor visited in person.
If he truly wanted to do something to her, could she possibly resist?
Yet if she simply submitted, wouldn't that make her look far too frivolous?
Or perhaps... she should put up a symbolic resistance first, and then yield?
That seemed like the proper way things ought to go.
Harboring such thoughts, her face flushed red, and Bai SuyI quickly lay down on her stomach.
"Young Master Ye, I'm ready."
Bai SuyI said softly.
Ye Qingyun turned around.
Though he had seen it once before.
Last time, however, there had been others around.
The two experiences felt completely different.
"Ahem, then I shall begin."
Keeping his eyes straight ahead, Ye Qingyun began to focus on performing the fire cupping for Bai SuyI.
Both harbored their own hidden thoughts.
The atmosphere inside the room turned somewhat ambiguous.
And laced with an indescribable awkwardness.
Soon enough, all eight bamboo tubes were firmly placed across Bai SuyI's back.
Thoughtfully, Ye Qingyun even draped a blanket over her.
Seeing that Ye Qingyun seemingly had no intention of making any overstepping moves.
Bai SuyI felt a wave of relief, yet mingled deep within it was a trace of quiet disappointment.
"Ah, Young Master Ye is truly an otherworldly expert. In his eyes, I am probably no different from any ordinary woman."
Bai SuyI muttered inwardly in self-deprecation.
Half an hour later.
Ye Qingyun removed the bamboo tubes.
Just like last time, numerous tiny white worms were scraped out from inside the tubes.
Their quantity was far fewer than the previous session.
"It seems the parasitic worms within Miss Bai's body are already running out."
Ye Qingyun said with a smile.
Suddenly, however, he noticed that Bai SuyI's complexion had turned deathly pale.
A mouthful of fresh blood gushed from her lips.
She collapsed limply to the floor, plunging straight into unconsciousness.
This gave Ye Qingyun a terrible scare.
"What is the meaning of this?"
Ye Qingyun hurriedly hoisted Bai SuyI up and laid her onto the bed.
He touched her face; it was freezing cold.
Quite literally like a block of ice.
Not only that, but waves of chilling, ghostly mist drifted out with every breath she took.
The temperature inside the entire room began to plummet precipitously at that very moment.
It was as if they had been cast into an ice cave in the span of a single breath.
Utter panic seized Ye Qingyun.
"What kind of situation is this?"
He completely lost his composure.
This was the first time he had ever encountered such an incident, and he had no earthly idea what to do.
Touching Bai SuyI's forehead once more, he found it as cold as ice.
Under normal circumstances, anyone reduced to this state would have perished long ago.
Yet despite being chilled to the bone, Bai SuyI was still breathing.
"No, if this keeps up, someone really is going to die."
Anxiety gripped Ye Qingyun.
"Number Two, turn on the heating and crank it to maximum!"
This house of Ye Qingyun's came fully equipped with a heating system.
Linked to the whole-house smart system, it could be activated with a single command.
The heating kicked on, and gales of warm air poured into the room.
The indoor temperature began to climb.
Staring anxiously at Bai SuyI, terrified that the heating alone might not suffice, Ye Qingyun hurriedly fetched several hot water bottles along with two thick quilts, arranging them all over Bai SuyI.
After waiting a moment.
Ye Qingyun reached out to touch Bai SuyI's face again.
Though still bitterly cold, it seemed slightly better than before.
Ye Qingyun relaxed just a fraction.
"Could it be because the remaining worms inside her body are reproducing?"
This thought suddenly struck Ye Qingyun.
The parasitic worms inside Bai SuyI's body had already been largely purged by Ye Qingyun using the fire cupping method twice.
Yet remnants still lingered within her.
Perhaps the worms realized their numbers were dwindling and therefore began multiplying frantically, causing Bai SuyI to suffer this sudden crisis.
Unable to withstand such a massive surge of worms all at once, Bai SuyI's body had crashed into unconsciousness, her temperature plunging to freezing points.
"If only the system were still here."
At this moment, Ye Qingyun profoundly missed that infuriating Saint-Making System.
Yet the next instant.
A light flashed in Ye Qingyun's eyes.
Though the system had departed.
The knowledge imparted by the system remained firmly in his head.
All medical knowledge had been completely mastered by Ye Qingyun.
"In the current situation, according to medical principles, we must ensure her body temperature stops dropping while simultaneously eliminating all the worms in one fell swoop!"
Ye Qingyun furrowed his brow.
A targeted plan quickly formed in his mind.
Bai SuyI was a martial artist; her physique was inherently much tougher than an ordinary person's.
Moreover, the toxic worms had entrenched themselves within her body for many years, meaning Bai SuyI's constitution had actually developed a certain tolerance to them.
Now that Ye Qingyun had taken prompt action to prevent her body temperature from dropping further.
Valuable time had been bought for him.
Ye Qingyun immediately fetched his medicine chest.
It contained various standby medications, all compounded by Ye Qingyun himself.
While they couldn't cure major diseases.
There was one type of medicine, however, that Ye Qingyun always kept prepared at a moment's notice.
Antibiotics!
Now that was truly good stuff.