77: Chapter 77 A Deliberate Scheme! Inviting the Peerless Healer for a Walk in the Back Mountain

Pushing open the heavy stone door of the Heaven-Grade Pharmacy, the midday sunlight poured onto the wide bluestone steps, carrying a pleasant warmth.

Gu Yi held Valley Master Yan Shuyao's hand, and they walked out of the secret chamber where they had been in seclusion for many days side by side.

Dressed in a cyan, wide-sleeved immortal-style dress, Valley Master Yan Shuyao, illuminated by the sunlight, seemed less languid and frail than she had been by the medicinal bath, and possessed an added layer of dignity and holiness befitting the Valley Master of Medicine Valley.

The dark patterns of medicinal herbs outlined in silver thread on her skirt hem appeared and disappeared as she walked, and her three thousand strands of dark hair were pinned high with a warm, white jade hairpin, revealing a long, snow-white, and delicate nape.

Yet, this gentle Medicine Immortal, whom countless Medicine Valley Disciples revered and looked up to on ordinary days, was now obediently half a step behind Gu Yi.

She let Gu Yi's broad, warm hand tightly envelop her delicate hand, her fair cheeks still carrying a touch of moving blush that had not yet completely faded.

In those moist, beautiful eyes that always exuded reason and tolerance, there now remained only an inseparable, lingering affection, and her gaze had hardly ever left Gu Yi's handsome profile.

The two walked along the tree-lined path in the middle section of Medicine Valley, heading towards the back mountain at a leisurely pace.

Along the way, a gentle breeze blew, carrying waves of the fragrance of Spirit Medicine.

Along this journey, it was naturally inevitable to encounter some Inner Sect Disciples of Medicine Valley who were tending to the spirit fields or walking in a hurry.

When these Disciples looked up and saw the two walking towards them, almost all their movements came to a standstill at the same time.

"Clatter."

A jade medicine box held in a Disciple's hand fell into the grass, but he was completely unaware of it, only staring wide-eyed, as if he had seen some incredible illusion, fixedly watching the front.

In their limited understanding, their own Valley Master had always been a flower on a high peak, pure and untainted, maintaining an appropriate distance and politeness towards any Prodigy from the Central Plains or famous powerful figures who came to visit.

Let alone holding hands and walking with a man, even speaking a few extra words of idle chatter was rare.

But now, their Valley Master Yan Shuyao, whom they revered like a god, was actually walking through the valley hand-in-hand with a young man, like a little wife deeply in love.

The submission and dependence revealed between her brows was a charm they had not seen in over a hundred years.

Sensing the shocking gazes of the surrounding Disciples, Valley Master Yan Shuyao's cheeks burned slightly.

If it were in the past, she would have definitely pulled her hand back immediately out of concern for the dignity of the Valley Master.

But at this moment, after experiencing that transformation of body and soul, her state of mind had already undergone a heaven-shaking and earth-shattering change.

Valley Master Yan Shuyao not only did not let go of his hand, but instead leaned her body slightly towards Gu Yi, allowing their sleeves to overlap intimately in the breeze.

She used this most silent, yet most firm way to declare to the entire Medicine Valley where her heart finally belonged.

Gu Yi took in Valley Master Yan Shuyao's little movements, his finger bones holding her jade hand tightening slightly, giving her a reassuring response.

He met the fearful and complex gazes of those Disciples with a normal expression, not only without the slightest embarrassment, but instead hanging a gentle and refined smile on the corners of his mouth.

This calm and unhurried posture, like an immortal descending to the world, made those male Disciples who originally had some complaints have to secretly admire in their hearts, admitting that this was indeed a perfect pair of Dao Companions like a match made in heaven.

As the two went deeper, the surrounding buildings became fewer and fewer, and the bluestone path was gradually replaced by a dirt path covered with fallen leaves.

The primitive landscape belonging to the back mountain of Medicine Valley began to be revealed completely before the two.

Towering ancient trees blocked most of the sunlight, and the surrounding air became somewhat humid and cold.

This place was already outside the core coverage area of the Medicine Valley's Sect protection formation; usually, except for some Elders who needed to collect specific poisonous plants, few people would step into this desolate dense forest.

"Gu Lang, the terrain of this back mountain is becoming increasingly rugged. Your body has just recovered, let us walk slower."

Valley Master Yan Shuyao looked at the steep mountain road covered by vines and shrubs ahead, and reminded him with some heartache.

Although she herself was already a powerful figure in the Soul Transformation Stage, and flying through the air was just a matter of a thought, in order to accommodate Gu Yi's leisurely mood for a stroll, she willingly restrained all her cultivation, stepping on the muddy fallen leaves like an ordinary woman.

Gu Yi stopped, turned around, and very naturally reached out his other hand to gently brush away a thorny vine hanging on her skirt hem.

"It does not matter. With a Medicine Immortal like you guarding me without leaving my side, it would be difficult for my body not to recover."

Gu Yi's voice carried a bit of relaxed teasing.

He raised his eyes, his gaze passing through the overlapping branches of the ancient trees, looking towards a seemingly ordinary pile of rocks in the depths of the dense forest.

Relying on the information previously provided by the System, as well as his own keen perception of that "Qi of Creation," he knew very clearly that the "treasure-hunting rat" named Ye Fan was currently hiding in a secret cave not far ahead.

The "Turtle Dao" style.

This kind of protagonist who always fancies himself extremely smart, likes to hide in the dark to grow slyly, treats everyone in the world as fools to be toyed with, and finally jumps out to step on others' bones to show off, in Gu Yi's view, was even more disgusting than the arrogant and domineering Sword Emperor of his previous life.

Since you, Ye Fan, like to hide in the dark and dream.

Then I will personally walk into your dream, and right in front of you, crush your most cherished trump cards and the woman you desire most, bit by bit, thoroughly, for you to see.

"Gu Lang, what are you looking at?"

Valley Master Yan Shuyao looked in the direction of Gu Yi's gaze; except for a dark dense forest and a few giant rocks covered in moss, she did not discover any traces of Spiritual Plants.

A hint of doubt appeared in her gentle eyes.

"Nothing, I just feel that the scenery here has a unique quietness."

Gu Yi restrained the sharpness in his eyes, turned his head, and when he looked at Valley Master Yan Shuyao, his gaze turned back into an inseparable tenderness.

He took Valley Master Yan Shuyao's hand and continued to walk towards the direction of that secret cave, his pace seemingly casual, but in reality, every step was precisely stepping on the nodes that shortened the distance.

"Shuyao, how many years have you stayed in this Medicine Valley?" Gu Yi asked while walking, using a tone like family chatting.

Valley Master Yan Shuyao was slightly stunned, recalling her long years of cultivation, and answered softly: "I was adopted by the previous Valley Master since I was young. Counting it up, I have already spent a full 180 years in this Medicine Valley. From an ordinary herb-pounding girl, I walked step by step to the position of Valley Master today."

"180 years is indeed a very long time."

Gu Yi stopped at a relatively flat forest area.

He turned around, his hands naturally resting on Valley Master Yan Shuyao's rounded, fragrant shoulders, pulling the distance between the two extremely close.

"In these 180 years, you have poured all your thoughts into the Medical Dao and Sect affairs, becoming the gentle Medicine Immortal revered by people in the Central Plains. But..."

Gu Yi's voice lowered, carrying a kind of pity that struck the heart: "But, have you ever thought about taking off this Valley Master's long dress and living a few days of your own life? To see the vast world outside these hundred thousand mountains, to feel the taste of being protected wholeheartedly by someone?"

Valley Master Yan Shuyao's heart trembled violently.

For a long time, she had been accustomed to tolerating others, healing others, and bearing the rise and fall of the entire Medicine Valley.

No one had ever asked her if she was tired, and no one had ever said such words to her.

All that everyone saw was her strong and dignified Valley Master shell.

Only this man before her eyes saw through the loneliness and fatigue deep in her heart that she had never spoken to anyone about.

"Gu Lang..." Valley Master Yan Shuyao's eyes rimmed slightly red.

She raised her head, and that stunningly beautiful face was filled with uncontrollable emotion and deep affection.

"Actually, any rare wild Spiritual Plant is just an excuse."

Gu Yi chuckled, his slender fingers gently caressing her fair cheeks.

His black eyes reflected Valley Master Yan Shuyao's appearance filled with affection, his voice as if carrying a magical power that bewitched people's hearts.

"I just wanted to find a place without outsiders disturbing us before I leave for the Great Wilderness, to quietly look at you. I want to hear you say it again in this dense forest that belongs only to the two of us, that you are willing to accompany me to walk the rest of the road."

These sweet words, wrapping lies in extreme affection, were like a heavy hammer, completely smashing through the last bit of Valley Master Yan Shuyao's restraint.

How could she still care about searching for any traces of Spiritual Plants?

At this moment, in her world, there remained only this handsome, tall, and upright man before her who had made a promise to her.

"I am willing... Gu Lang, Shuyao is willing."

Valley Master Yan Shuyao's voice carried a slight tremble.

She took a half step forward on her own, leaning her plump and soft body completely into Gu Yi's broad chest.

She stretched out her arms, tightly wrapping them around Gu Yi's waist, closing her eyes, greedily absorbing the pure Yang Qi that belonged to him.

Gu Yi took the opportunity to tighten his arms, locking this stunning Medicine Immortal firmly in his embrace.

He lowered his head, resting his chin gently on top of Valley Master Yan Shuyao's head.

In a place where Valley Master Yan Shuyao could not see, Gu Yi's deep black eyes were looking over her shoulder, coldly staring at a huge rock less than ten zhang away in front.