17: Chapter 17 Zhou Xiaoyun's Thoughts

Two days later, Xu Changkun and Zhou Xiaoyun set off for the Luoxia Mountain Range.

Zhou Xiaoyun wore form-fitting, pale green clothes that outlined her youthful and vibrant figure.

Her black hair was tied up, and she carried a small medicine basket on her back. Though she was a bit shy, her eyes would light up and she became more talkative whenever herbs were mentioned.

"Uncle Xu, Hemostatic Grass grows frequently on the outskirts of the Luoxia Mountain Range. There might be Cold Mist Grass under the damp cliffs, and if we're lucky, we might even find Moonlight Orchids..." She listed them off as if they were her family treasures.

Xu Changkun listened, asking questions from time to time.

As they ventured deeper into the mountains, the spiritual energy became slightly denser. Zhou Xiaoyun took a deep breath and carefully surveyed her surroundings.

Suddenly, her gaze fixed on a crack in the rocks, and her voice rose with surprise: "Uncle Xu, look there..."

Xu Changkun focused his gaze and saw several stalks of lingzhi with flowing luster; it was the jade marrow lingzhi mentioned by Senior Sister Liu Qingxu!

Just as he was about to step forward to harvest them, Xu Changkun's spiritual sense suddenly flared with a warning!

"Watch out!" he shouted lowly, pulling Zhou Xiaoyun behind him with one hand.

"Hiss—!" A venomous snake, entirely emerald green and as thick as a child's arm, poked its head out, its crimson tongue flickering.

This snake had a fleshy lump on its head with faint fluctuations of spiritual energy. It was actually a low-level demon beast—a Green-Scaled Snake!

Zhou Xiaoyun's face turned pale with fright, and she subconsciously grabbed Xu Changkun's sleeve.

"Don't be afraid," Xu Changkun said in a deep voice.

Sensing a threat, the Green-Scaled Snake suddenly lunged, spraying a cloud of foul-smelling green poisonous mist from its mouth!

Xu Changkun gave a cold snort. Circulating his spiritual power, he raised his hand and made a slashing motion in the air. A solid Wind Blade sliced toward the snake's head!

“Puchi!” The Green-Scaled Snake let out a miserable hiss, fell to the ground, twitched a few times, and then went still.

Zhou Xiaoyun watched in stunned silence, her eyes filled with a bit more admiration as she looked at Xu Changkun.

Xu Changkun dug out the three stalks of jade marrow lingzhi along with the soil and placed them into a jade box for preservation. Afterward, he found several accompanying Dew-Condensing Grasses nearby and collected them as well.

Zhou Xiaoyun's mind relaxed, and she let out a soft sigh of relief.

However, the moss beneath her feet was slippery. With a soft cry of "Ah!", she pitched forward.

Xu Changkun was quick to react, his long arm sweeping out to firmly catch her by the waist.

Still shaken, Zhou Xiaoyun fell directly into Xu Changkun's embrace.

The faint medicinal scent from the young girl, mixed with a sweet and delicate fragrance, quietly drifted into his nose.

Zhou Xiaoyun's hands subconsciously pressed against Xu Changkun's chest. Their cheeks were suddenly close, and they could hear each other's breathing.

She lifted her eyes and met Xu Changkun's deep gaze.

Zhou Xiaoyun's face instantly turned beet red, with the blush spreading even to her ears and neck. Her heart beat like a drum, and her breathing involuntarily quickened.

Xu Changkun looked down at the beauty in his arms; her eyelashes trembled slightly, her eyes were shimmering like water, and her delicate lips were slightly parted, offering a silent invitation.

As the mountain wind brushed past, a sweet and ambiguous atmosphere began to spread.

Xu Changkun's arm tightened slightly. Zhou Xiaoyun let out a soft whimper and closed her eyes, her face blushing a deep red.

Seeing her timid and delicate appearance, Xu Changkun felt a stir in his heart and slowly lowered his head.

Their foreheads pressed together, and their noses lightly touched.

After a long while, Zhou Xiaoyun buried her burning cheeks in his chest, her voice as thin as a thread: "Uncle Xu... no... I can't..."

"I... I want to... wait until after we are properly wed..."

Her voice grew smaller and smaller as she spoke. "Will... will you be angry?"

"Silly girl," Xu Changkun's heart softened, and he cupped her small face in his hands.

"How could I be angry? It was I who was too forward with you."

Hearing this, Zhou Xiaoyun's hanging heart finally settled, and her eyes were filled with emotion: "Thank you... I just feel that only then would it be complete, and only then would I be worthy of your kindness toward me."

"Alright, as you wish." Xu Changkun chuckled softly, his finger brushing against her reddened cheek.

Zhou Xiaoyun nodded obediently, her eyes full of attachment.

The next day, Xu Changkun planted the spiritual plants and herbs he had brought back from the mountains into the farmland he had purchased.

Zhou Xiaoyun stood to the side, watching curiously.

Xu Changkun formed hand seals, and the spiritual power within his body circulated according to the path of the Lesser Cloud and Rain Art.

Gradually, the faint spiritual energy in the air began to gather, and a white mist appeared above the field.

"Clouds, come." Xu Changkun barked softly.

The white mist quickly condensed, turning into a white cloud about half an acre in size, suspended above the field.

"Rain, fall."

A pitter-patter of rain drifted down from the clouds. This was no ordinary rainwater; it was infused with spiritual energy.

When the clouds dispersed and the rain stopped, the leaves of the spiritual herbs in the field were stretched out, giving off a faint sense of burgeoning vitality.

Zhou Xiaoyun watched, dazzled, and her admiration for Xu Changkun deepened even further.

"This is only the initial nourishment; rain will need to be applied regularly in the future."

"Xiaoyun, since you understand the nature of herbs, how about I leave this spiritual field to you to look after and manage?"

Zhou Xiaoyun's eyes lit up; taking care of herbs was her favorite thing to do.

"Yes!" She nodded heavily, her voice crisp.

Xu Changkun smiled and nodded, handing her the Spirit Plant Manual for the Lesser Cloud and Rain Art.