Rong Hua was becoming more difficult to appease as she grew older, and the master-disciple relationship might become strained.
Elder Ye saw all the hesitation on her face and started to throw a tantrum.
"If you leave, then don't expect the Marrow Cleansing Pill. Take this Dragon Pearl back; I can't help you."
Shen Yue pursed her lips, "I will listen to Elder Ye."
Elder Ye nodded in satisfaction.
Shen Yue ultimately did not personally deliver the Marrow Cleansing Pill because the dragon poison was far more severe than she had imagined. Shen Yue had truly turned into a block of ice.
Silently, her entire body was encased in ice.
Before turning into a block of ice, Shen Yue only had a layer of frost on her, and her cheeks were covered in fine snowflakes.
The Marrow Cleansing Pill was ready.
When Shen Yue spoke, thick white mist billowed from her mouth, "Give this to Miss Yin in Xin Qing Hall. Don't say it's from me, so he doesn't overthink it."
Elder Ye sneered, "You're like this, yet you're still worried about your useless disciple."
Shen Yue's breathing grew weaker, "Thank you for your trouble."
As soon as she finished speaking, snowflake imprints appeared on her left cheek, and then half her face turned into frost.
Elder Ye brought the Marrow Cleansing Pill to Xin Qing Hall. It remained cold and desolate.
He saw a young woman under a tree, likely the Miss Yin Shen Yue had mentioned.
"Are you Miss Yin?" Elder Ye asked directly.
Yin Jing was holding an injured bird and looked at the unfamiliar Elder Ye with confusion, "My surname is indeed Yin."
Elder Ye strongly disliked Rong Hua, so he didn't want to say much and stated his purpose concisely.
"This is the Marrow Cleansing Pill. It will greatly benefit Rong Hua's cultivation. Please pass it on to him for me."
Yin Jing's eyes lit up. She carefully took the Marrow Cleansing Pill and gratefully bowed in thanks.
"Thank you, Immortal Master."
"You shouldn't be thanking me... Never mind, don't say I've been here either. Just say you found this Marrow Cleansing Pill by chance."
With these words, Elder Ye left.
Yin Jing, clutching the Marrow Cleansing Pill, went to the back mountain to find Rong Hua, who was still practicing his sword.
The man had grown taller, and although his features were handsome, he looked increasingly grim.
When Yin Jing arrived, Rong Hua wasn't practicing his sword but standing at the highest point of the mountain, gazing into the distance.
At times like these, Rong Hua exuded an air of endless loneliness and desolation, as if he roamed beyond the three realms without a place to belong.
But in reality, Rong Hua was simply waiting for someone to return.
Yin Jing walked up to him, and the man turned to look at her, "What is it?"
Yin Jing took out the Marrow Cleansing Pill from her embrace and presented it to the man, "This is the Marrow Cleansing Pill. It will be very useful for you."
Rong Hua did not take it. His gaze was focused and steady on Yin Jing, his eyes indifferent, his expression devoid of joy or sorrow, but lacking a sharp edge.
"Where did you get this?"
Yin Jing hesitated, then fabricated an excuse, "I begged someone for it. I saw your cultivation had been stagnant for years, so I went down the mountain to ask a master for one."
Rong Hua lowered his gaze. Seeing this, Yin Jing directly placed it in his hand, "Oh, take it if I give it to you, otherwise, it will be a waste of my heartfelt effort."
The man's overly somber brows softened slightly, and his thin lips curved into an unconscious gentleness, "Thank you."
Yin Jing smiled charmingly, her delicate face full of genuine joy, "Why thank me? Come on, I'm hungry, let's go eat something."
This time, Rong Hua did not refuse. He did not glance at the scenery behind him and followed the petite girl down the mountain.
The girl was quite boisterous, but she brought a bit of life to the desolate Xin Qing Hall.
Shen Yue plaintively complained to the system: [When I borrowed the Dragon Pearl, why didn't you tell me the dragon poison was so potent? I've turned into an ice block now, how can I complete the mission?]
The system said nonchalantly: [This teaches us a lesson: stealing things will always incur punishment.]
Shen Yue began to slack off: [Okay, in that case, I'll just stay frozen. Being an ice block is good, it's very cool.]
The system chuckled: [Don't worry, I'm here. How could I bear to let you remain an ice block? I'll give you a cheat in a few days.]
Shen Yue reluctantly accepted the special treatment the system offered.
Indeed, after a month, the ice covering her body slowly melted. Her limbs were stiff but movable. She used her spiritual energy to dry her wet clothes. As soon as she got out of bed, Elder Ye entered.
Seeing Shen Yue awake, Elder Ye was overjoyed, "You're finally awake. My bones are almost falling apart from all this trouble for you."
Shen Yue bowed, "Thank you, Elder Ye."
Elder Ye waved his hand.
"Your poison is not completely resolved yet. You'll need to come to me regularly."
Shen Yue agreed.
Two years passed in the blink of an eye for cultivators.
Xin Qing Hall was covered in falling snow year-round, but the snow would disappear upon touching the ground without accumulating.
A white-robed immortal stepped in, his robes pristine white, unstained. Silver lotus patterns shimmered faintly.
Snowflakes settled on the immortal's hair, blending with his white robes, making him appear exceptionally pure and peerless.
Xin Qing Hall had changed. It used to be merely cold and desolate; grand but empty. Now, the previously bare branches had sprouted tender buds, and there was a bird's nest on a tree, chirping busily.
Ordinary flowers and grasses were visible everywhere. They served no particular purpose, yet they brought joy to those who saw them.
Shen Yue walked in and saw Rong Hua... and that Miss Yin.
The two seemed to be painting together. Rong Hua stood nearby, watching, while Yin Jing occasionally turned to ask Rong Hua how the painting was coming along. At such times, Rong Hua would honestly reply.
"Very ugly."
Yin Jing was not satisfied with this answer. A look of defiance appeared on her clear and delicate face, "Where is it ugly? It's clearly beautiful. You haven't even painted as well as I have."
Rong Hua's eyes never left her.
As if teasing the young girl, he repeated, "Very ugly."
Yin Jing was about to argue further when she caught sight of a white figure out of the corner of her eye.
She quickly turned and saw it was Rong Hua's master.
Yin Jing lowered her eyes and bowed slightly, "Immortal Master."
The previously relaxed and warm atmosphere seemed to become stiff and awkward with the arrival of the white-robed immortal.
Rong Hua's expression remained unchanged. He slightly raised his eyebrows and glanced at the white figure, his tone indifferent, "Master."