Chen Yin felt a slight pang of disappointment.
In the end, he didn't hear what he wanted from Shen Shuanglian.
Still, he didn't dwell on it and instead turned his head and said, "It's about time. Are you hungry? I'll go find something for you to eat."
"No way." Shen Shuanglian struggled to get up. "You're injured. I'll—"
Before she could finish, Chen Yin gently pushed her back down and asked,
"Do you know how to cook?"
Shen Shuanglian dumbly shook her head.
"Do you know which fruits are edible and which aren't?"
Another shake of the head.
"Can you catch anything besides a rabbit?"
Still, she shook her head.
"Then stay put like a good girl. You're not in much better shape than I am right now."
Chen Yin stood up and glanced at the cave entrance. "I won't take long. If I'm not back within an hour, don't come looking for me. Run."
Shen Shuanglian opened her mouth to argue, but Chen Yin had already walked out of the cave without giving her a chance to speak.
The cave returned to its dark, silent, and slightly eerie chill.
Shen Shuanglian wrapped herself tightly in the outer garment Chen Yin had left behind, curling up on the ground as she stared quietly at the flickering candlelight.
The light wavered, and she couldn't help but lean closer, taking a soft sniff of the garment.
[You lied to him,] the system's voice suddenly broke the silence. [You don't have any pills with you. And you don't have the points to exchange for any from the system's shop.]
Shen Shuanglian remained quiet, staring at the firelight in a daze.
[If this continues, his injuries will heal quickly, but your condition will only worsen]
"It doesn't matter," Shen Shuanglian shook her head. "I probably won't die."
[If your foundation is damaged, your cultivation will stagnate. How will you face that girl in five years?]
"Injuries can heal. Cultivation can be rebuilt. If it comes down to it, I can perish together with that girl."
The system sighed, unable to argue further.
After hesitating for a moment, Shen Shuanglian spoke softly, "…I'm sorry."
"I'm so stubborn. I must be dragging you down with me, aren't I?"
[…Forget it]
The system's voice carried a rare tone of kindness. [We are different from you. The concept of life and death holds no meaning for us]
[If you truly don't want to follow the scripted path and live this way, then just live as you wish and be happy]
[Let's just consider this a fleeting encounter. Five years from now, we'll have nothing to do with each other]
Shen Shuanglian stared at the cave entrance for a long time.
After a moment, her gaze slowly grew firm.
"…I'll do as you say."
"Even if I give up, that doesn't mean other Chosen will."
"I need to make sure he's safe before I can rest easy."
The system fell silent, and the cave returned to its quiet stillness.
<+>
Leaving the cave, Chen Yin walked a long distance.
Though the Tiantu Abyss was hailed as the most dangerous place in the world, Chen Yin saw no sign of danger as he made his way. Instead, it was filled with lush greenery, vibrant flowers, and clear streams, resembling a paradise untouched by human hands.
The abundant vegetation and the sweet song of birds painted a picture of serenity, not peril.
Not only that, but Chen Yin spotted numerous rare herbs and mystical plants recorded in ancient texts, along with many exotic beasts. Most of them were docile and fled at the sight of him.
This wasn't the Tiantu Abyss; it might as well be renamed the Tiantu Paradise, Chen Yin couldn't help but grumble inwardly.
Honestly, many of the materials here would fetch a fortune if brought to the outside world. The sight of the medicinal herbs made his mouth water as if they were shining piles of spirit stones.
Unfortunately, most of these treasures required special containers to preserve their spiritual essence. Even if he picked them all, they'd lose their value before he could take them out.
Recalling what he'd read as a child when he sneaked into his master's treasury to peruse ancient texts, Chen Yin picked some herbs that could help restore meridians and gathered a few edible fruits.
He vaguely remembered reading that certain combinations of herbs had restorative effects, though he wasn't sure of the exact recipes. To be safe, he collected a large variety.
Now all he needed was some meat to replenish their strength.
Chen Yin's eyes locked onto a deer leisurely wandering not far away.
—Sorry about this, he thought silently.
With a swift motion, his pale sword flashed through the air. Before the deer could realize what had happened, its life had already ended.
Chen Yin walked over, expertly cut off the antlers, slung the deer over his shoulder, and started humming a tune as he made his way back.
But after only a few steps, he suddenly stopped.
A savage, guttural tiger roar echoed through the air.
Chen Yin turned his head toward the sound and spotted, in a nearby ravine, a massive tiger with violet-gold patterns covering its body. Its fierce aura exuded menace as it fixed its predatory gaze on him.
Chen Yin glanced at the deer slung over his shoulder, then back at the tiger.
—Got it. Looks like I stole this guy's prey.
Although the tiger's size seemed no different from a regular beast, Chen Yin could feel the palpable energy radiating from it. This was no ordinary animal.
A spirit beast. Judging by its size, this was a cub, but its aura suggested it had already reached the level of a novice cultivator.
Chen Yin scanned the surroundings. Not seeing any sign of the cub's parents or siblings, he set the deer down and flashed a sinister smile at the tiger.
"Hey, little tiger, are you mad I took your food?"
The violet-striped tiger growled low, its whiskers trembling slightly.
"Are you angry? Do you want to fight me?"
Chen Yin turned slightly, mocking it further. "Come on, bite me. If you manage to get me, I'll give your food back~"
Unable to tolerate him any longer, the tiger roared and leaped forward, its sharp claws slicing through the air with ferocious force.
Just as the tiger pounced, Chen Yin swung his sword, cutting a tree clean in half. The trunk crashed down on the airborne tiger.
"Yowl..."
With a pained cry, the tiger was pinned beneath the heavy tree, unable to move, and could only emit low, frustrated growls and labored breaths.
"Too young and too hot-headed," Chen Yin chuckled, sauntering over with an infuriating grin.
"Next time, keep your cool and assess the situation before making a move. Otherwise, you'll end up like this again."
He crouched down near the struggling beast. "But today, you're unlucky to have run into me. I've got a friend who's injured, and I need your monster core."
"Don't worry, though. It's just one core. You can cultivate for a few hundred years and make another."
The tiger's eyes filled with terror as it realized his intent. It whimpered pitifully, but Chen Yin ignored its cries, walking closer with a villainous smirk and his sword raised.
<+>
When Chen Yin returned to the cave, the sun was already high in the sky.
At the sight of him, Shen Shuanglian's previously anxious expression softened with relief, though a trace of reprimand lingered in her tone.
"You said an hour… I almost went to look for you."
"Sorry. I ran into something interesting on the way and took a bit longer."
Chen Yin threw the deer onto the ground and quickly started a fire.
Shen Shuanglian couldn't contribute much and sat quietly, watching him work.
"…Thank you."
"For what?"
"For taking care of me like this. I should be the one taking care of you."
"You took care of me when I was injured, didn't you?"
"That's… different."
"There's no difference."
Chen Yin calmly began roasting pieces of the deer over the fire. "I'm grateful that you saved me, Senior Sister."
"But a debt is a debt. I'll repay it, and that's all."
Shen Shuanglian hugged her knees, her expression dimming.
"No... other reason?"
"What reason does Senior Sister want to hear? I can make something up."
At his teasing, Shen Shuanglian pouted, dissatisfied.
"Are you always this good at sweet-talking girls?"
"Of course. It's an essential skill for getting by."
"But you've never tried sweet-talking me," she said, her eyes fixed on his. "Is it because I don't count as a girl?"
"If you want to hear it, I'll say it. But first—"
Chen Yin handed her a roughly carved stone bowl filled with herbal soup.
"Drink this."
Shen Shuanglian looked at the bowl, a rare trace of fear crossing her delicate face. Her head shrank slightly.
"Is it… bitter?"
"Medicine is always bitter."
"Can I… not drink it?"
"No." Chen Yin held the bowl out firmly, unwavering.
Shen Shuanglian struggled internally before finally taking the bowl. Gritting her teeth, she shut her eyes and gulped it all down in one go.
The next moment, her face scrunched up as she stuck out her tongue, looking utterly miserable.
"It's... it's so bitter!" she whimpered, her voice soft and childlike, almost as if she were pouting.
Chen Yin couldn't help but laugh at her adorable reaction.
"I finished it," she said.
"Good. Very obedient."
"Now it's your turn," she said, staring directly at him.
"My turn for what?"
"You promised to sweet-talk me so my mouth won't feel so bitter. Don't go back on your word."
Seeing her suddenly acting like a petulant child, Chen Yin teased, "I know a trick to cure bitterness."
"What is it?"
"Find someone to kiss. Share half the bitterness with them."
Shen Shuanglian's face flushed red, and she was too flustered to respond.
Chen Yin burst out laughing. This Senior Sister was far cuter than he'd imagined. Unlike Xiang'er, who was shy and gentle, Shen Shuanglian's cold demeanor made her rare moments of embarrassment even more amusing, as if she wanted to vanish into the ground.
It only made him want to tease her more.
Just as he was about to comfort her, a deafening tiger roar echoed outside the cave.
Shen Shuanglian's expression instantly changed, and she struggled to her feet.
"This aura… a Violet-Mane Thunder Tiger!"
"Be careful. An adult Violet-Mane Thunder Tiger is at least in the Upper Clarity Realm. Hide quickly."
She staggered toward the entrance, drawing her sword.
Meanwhile, Chen Yin awkwardly glanced at the pot where the monster core was cooking.
—Oops.
Looks like the parents came to avenge their kid.
<+>
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