For a moment, Yue Lianyi stood there, at a loss, also puzzled by who could have dealt such a cruel blow to this beautiful person, resorting to such a vicious scheme, poisoning him to such an extent.
“Miss, Miss, where are you?” Pinger’s anxious call came from the cave entrance. Her mistress was already so frail, and it had taken much effort with the elixir to bring her back to health. What if something else happened? The more Pinger thought, the more anxious she became, tears nearly falling.
“Pinger, I’m here, what are you so anxious about? Your Miss can’t be carried off by wolves.” Carrying the white-clothed man, Yue Lianyi struggled out of the cave, with the mindset of treating a dead horse as if it were alive, intent on saving this stunning man. Hearing the familiar voice, Pinger turned around joyfully, only to see her mistress struggling to walk towards her with a man on her back. She hurried over to help.
“Miss, who is she? How did you disappear for a while and come back with such a stunning beauty?” Seeing the appearance of the person, Lian’er was also astounded. However, she was equally puzzled, wondering how a woman could be at the top of Mount Tianshan. What was even more astonishing was that the young miss had vanished for a moment; she searched everywhere but couldn’t find her, only to return carrying a beauty on her back. Knowing that this little maid must have been bewildered, Yue Lianyi laughed and said, “Lian’er, he is actually a man, not a stunning beauty. He should be called a stunning man, hahaha.” As soon as Yue Lianyi finished speaking, Lian’er was so shocked that she couldn’t close her mouth, staring in disbelief at the face that was as beautiful as a painting, unable to believe that such a person was actually a man. “Lian’er, I was in that cave over there. How could you not have seen me?” Yue Lianyi pointed to a nearby cave still emitting a cold light and spoke to Lian’er. Lian’er looked towards where Yue Lianyi was pointing, then at Yue Lianyi, and finally at the stunning man, utterly confused. What had actually happened? She saw nothing but a vast expanse of white fog, and the ground was dotted with glowing herbs. My heavens, what on earth was going on? Seeing Lian’er’s bewildered expression, Yue Lianyi immediately understood. It must have been the effect of the spirit stone that allowed her to see the cave. That cave must not be an ordinary one, but what secrets did it hold? Everything was shrouded in mystery. That cave was a mystery, and this white-clad man was an even greater mystery. Unconsciously, Yue Lianyi felt a firm determination in her heart to heal him.
The morning in Tianya Valley was enchanting, otherworldly, and uniquely fascinating… Unlike noon, when the fiery sun would make the entire valley burst with life; or the night, when the poetic moon would cast a mysterious veil over the valley. The morning in Tianya Valley was pure and ethereal, much like its owner, intriguing. A thin layer of mist enveloped the valley, and the plants here, covered with dew, looked like freshly bloomed lotuses, revealing their most authentic selves. The morning dew washed away their fatigue and dirt, and the rising sun awakened their vibrant spirits, looking forward to a beautiful day, showcasing their diverse beauty, adding a glow to the magnificent Tianya Valley…
In the peach blossom grove, the blossoms were in full bloom, competing in splendor. The pink flowers with their tender green leaves, the center of the five petals a light yellow, though not a rare variety, were a breathtaking sight in Tianya Valley. Originally named “Peach Blossom Valley,” it was famous for its peach blossoms. There were peach blossom formations, peach blossom tea, peach blossom honey… In the peach blossom village, there’s a peach blossom nunnery, and in the nunnery lives the peach blossom fairy; the fairy grows peach trees, selling their blossoms for wine money. Sober, he sits before the flowers; drunk, he sleeps beneath them; half-awake, half-drunk, day after day, year after year. He wishes to die amidst flowers and wine, not to bow before wealth and power; the dust of carriages and the tracks of horses are the interests of the rich, while wine cups and flower branches are the fate of the poor. If one compares wealth to poverty, one is on the ground, the other in the sky; if one compares poverty to the hustle of carriages and horses, one is at leisure while the other toils. Others laugh at me for being too crazy; I laugh at them for not seeing through. Don’t you see the tombs of the heroes of Wuling, without flowers or wine, now tilled as fields? Now, “Peach Blossom Valley” has become “Tianya Valley,” crafted by the heart and soul of Yue Lianyi. Tianya Valley, at the edge of the world, the corner of the sea, a place hard to find, yet the dreamlike paradise sought by all. Yue Lianyi still wore her pink gauze dress, sitting among the peach blossoms, sipping flower tea, immersed in the sea of flowers, feeling her mood lighten. Five days had passed since they returned from Mount Tianshan. Every day, she had been feeding him immortal herbs, consulting numerous medical books, and trying countless methods, but to no avail. That man, having left the thousand-year-old Xuan Ice Coffin, would decay and deform over time, so she could only keep him submerged in medicinal herbs.
“Lian’er, could you massage my shoulders? They’re so sore.” Recently, she had been deeply engrossed in medical books, not resting day or night, and her body was starting to feel the strain, especially her cervical spine, which ached terribly. Lian’er put down a large pile of herbs and, with a huff, walked over to Yue Lianyi. She was worried about her; her health was already poor, and staying up late would only make it worse, all for a man she didn’t even know, and a dead one at that. How could a mortal possibly revive the dead? She was worried that if she couldn’t save him, she might collapse first. Her young miss was truly beyond words. Her hands gently kneaded Yue Lianyi’s shoulders and neck, eliciting a soft moan of relief from Yue Lianyi, who was again lost in thoughts of medical texts and herbs.
“Girl, why do you look so pale? Has the medicine from Mount Tianshan lost its effect?” A hearty voice, filled with concern, came as Liu Huai Xu, clad in Taoist robes, appeared before Yue Lianyi. “Uncle, please sit. Lian’er, pour some tea.” It was Yue Lianyi who had invited Liu Huai Xu, hoping that this immortal Taoist might have a way to revive the man. She respectfully got up and led him to sit. “Uncle, this is peach blossom tea, a specialty of Tianya Valley.” Watching Liu Huai Xu nod with a smile, savoring the tea with a look of ecstasy, Yue Lianyi smiled charmingly and brought out a small bottle of mead from the side, uncorking it to release an intoxicating aroma mixed with the fresh scent of peach blossoms. Liu Huai Xu, upon smelling the aroma, opened his eyes wide. Seeing the desired effect, Yue Lianyi quickly said, “Uncle, this is one of the finest wines of Tianya Valley, ‘Immortal’s Drunkenness.’ I’ve saved it especially to honor you.” She poured the exquisite wine into a delicate cup, and as the fragrance intensified, Liu Huai Xu, whose greatest indulgence was fine wine, was already itching with desire, his deepest cravings awakened.
“Good, you have a good heart, girl. Uncle hasn’t spoiled you for nothing.” He reached for the cup to down it in one gulp, his eyes fixed on the fine wine. Yue Lianyi handed him the cup with satisfaction; this trick was indeed effective, and she couldn’t help but feel a secret joy.
After downing the exquisite wine, the aroma lingered in his mouth and nose, the refreshing scent of peach blossoms lingering between his teeth and tongue, the rich aroma of the wine intoxicating him. One cup was not enough; he wanted more.
