Though the Wan Jian Sect is renowned for its swordsmanship, the sect encourages learning from various disciplines. Besides mandatory swordsmanship classes, inner disciples are expected to study three to five additional subjects.
Take Gu Baiyi, for instance. She begins her day practicing swordplay at the hour of Yin, attends swordsmanship lectures at the Sword Practice Hall by the hour of Chen, and then heads to the Alchemy Workshop by Si to study pill refining. She also dabbles in talismans, formations, and weapon forging.
In truth, she has no need to study alchemy. In her past life, Bai Yushuang was a legendary alchemist unparalleled in her field, passing down a lifetime of knowledge to her. Gu Baiyi had already mastered the art.
She was merely curious.
At this moment—
Boom!
Ji Rong, who was usually adept at alchemy and the prized disciple of Alchemy Master Pei Hui, had once again blown up the cauldron.
Using spiritual energy, Ji Rong quickly erected a barrier as though expecting this outcome, her pristine ice silk robe remaining untouched by the explosion.
Standing calmly amidst the aftermath, Ji Rong addressed the alchemy instructor, Fang Ze, with poise, "Sir, may I trouble you for another cauldron?"
Gu Baiyi glanced at Fang Ze's ashen face and couldn't help but smile.
Thankfully, Elder Ji was not teaching today. Had it been him, Ji Rong would likely have been thrown out in a fit of rage by now.
A new cauldron was brought in. Those nearby, wary after previous incidents, instinctively stepped back three paces.
"Hey, could you be more careful?" Dou Weiyi, seated directly in front, dismantled her spiritual barrier and turned around with an annoyed tone. "This is such a basic beginner-level pill. Blowing up the cauldron over and over—are you doing this on purpose?"
Looking at the unfamiliar ingredients before her, Ji Rong sighed inwardly. Why do they look nothing like the images in the game manual?
White Elm Fruit, Spider Silk, Golden Blossom Paste, Earthroot Grass—none of these resembled their names. Fruits didn't look like fruits; grass didn't look like grass.
Already frustrated, Ji Rong replied coldly to Dou Weiyi's mockery, "Yes, on purpose."
"You—!" Dou Weiyi was fuming.
Gu Baiyi chuckled softly, her gaze thoughtful as she observed Ji Rong.
Ji Rong proceeded to solemnly lift the cauldron's lid and ignite a fire talisman beneath it. A pure flame flickered at the cauldron's base. Donning gloves made from ice silkworm thread, she gently placed the ingredients into the cauldron in the correct order and with flawless precision.
A perfect beginner-level Rejuvenation Pill was theoretically crafted from Bai Zhi, Qiang Huo, Fang Feng, Tian Ma, Fu Pian, Tian Nan Xing, sulfur, realgar, and calamine.
A novice alchemist at the Spiritual Communication stage should have no trouble handling the True Flame required to produce a batch of smooth, pristine pills.
But as a modern soul, Ji Rong's approach to controlling the fire was hardly traditional. Instead of maintaining a gentle flame in harmony with the world's energy, her thoughts were preoccupied with high heat for rapid cooking, simmering for flavor, and scientific concepts like boiling points and solubility.
Gu Baiyi counted silently.
"One, two, three—"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The cauldron exploded spectacularly yet again. Fang Ze's face darkened as disciples shielded themselves silently with spiritual barriers.
Fang Ze approached, barely masking his frustration. "Ji Rong, perhaps you might consider partnering with other disciples for alchemy practice. It could yield better results."
"Sir, as you say."
Though Ji Rong's face remained impassive, she felt deeply embarrassed. She had long intended to find a partner.
Her eyes scanned the room, pausing on the sweet-natured Liu Ningxue, the wealthy Wei Zongqiu, and the arrogant Dou Weiyi, whose expression practically screamed, Beg me to teach you.
Each of them seemed eager to partner with her, but Ji Rong bypassed them all and headed straight for Gu Baiyi, who had already completed her batch of Rejuvenation Pills and even prepared Blood-Staunching Pills for the next class.
After all, Gu Baiyi had missed a month of lessons due to confinement, much like Ji Rong, and both needed to catch up on their scores.
Gu Baiyi was mulling over the rare ingredients for Cleansing Marrow Pills, which could only be found in the forbidden zone of the Myriad Medicine Valley. She'd need to venture there soon.
A faint, cool fragrance wafted over, akin to plum blossoms in full bloom.
Frowning slightly, Gu Baiyi turned to find Ji Rong seated beside her.
Still as stoic as ever, Ji Rong said matter-of-factly, "Junior Sister Gu, I must trouble you for guidance."
Gu Baiyi looked at Ji Rong, who, despite seeking help, exuded an air of aloofness. Strangely, Gu Baiyi didn't feel annoyed; in fact, she found Ji Rong's contradiction somewhat endearing.
Having observed Ji Rong's alchemy attempts, Gu Baiyi knew the explosions were not deliberate.
After all, not even an alchemy master could achieve such flawless explosions every time.
Hiding her thoughts, Gu Baiyi smiled warmly. "Guidance? Junior Sister wouldn't dare. Senior Sister, please proceed—I'll observe."
Ji Rong, having anticipated Gu Baiyi's capabilities, decided against partnering with anyone else. After all, none could compare to the protagonist, whose innate talent made her a saint of alchemy.
Relaxing somewhat, Ji Rong casually added ingredients and controlled the flame without care. Surely, with Gu Baiyi nearby, there wouldn't be another explosion.
As expected, Gu Baiyi frowned and gently grasped Ji Rong's hand. "Senior Sister, the flame cannot be so intense during alchemy."
Gu Baiyi's fingers were slender and well-maintained, their touch unexpectedly soft, leaving Ji Rong momentarily dazed.
As Gu Baiyi held Ji Rong's hand, her Tang-colored sleeve slipped slightly, revealing a pale wrist marred by scars.
The intricate lash marks, both shallow and deep, crossed over the otherwise jade-like skin.
Ji Rong's gaze lingered, a tinge of regret surfacing in her heart.
"Have you seen enough, Senior Sister?"
Gu Baiyi loosened her grip, letting her sleeve fall back down, once again covering the scar.
For some reason, though the person in front of her wore a smile in her eyes, Ji Rong was certain she had just glimpsed coldness—or perhaps even killing intent—in Gu Baiyi's gaze.
[Ding! Gu Baiyi's Favorability -10]
Ji Rong: "…"
Indeed, the female lead was as capricious as ever. Instead of fawning and clinging to her, it was better to work hard and rely on herself.
Still, Ji Rong felt guilty since she was the one in the wrong this time. She quickly averted her gaze, pretending to remain calm.
The two worked in silence, refining the pills. In just the time it took for one stick of incense to burn, under Gu Baiyi's guidance, a pot of perfectly round Restoration Pills was freshly completed.
"Thank you, junior sister."
"You're too kind, senior sister."
After exchanging empty pleasantries, their goals were achieved.
Ji Rong had intended to leave quickly, but unexpectedly, the small snow fox napping on the table suddenly woke up. Its round eyes fixated on the pot of freshly refined pills, entranced.
A bad feeling crept over her.
Sure enough, the snow fox eagerly took a few steps forward, then perched itself on the edge of the cauldron, staring curiously at the pills inside.
In the blink of an eye, it opened its mouth and swallowed nine pills in one go, crunching them noisily.
Damn it! Those pills were painstakingly refined!
Ji Rong kept a neutral expression, but inside, she was crying rivers of blood.
Gu Baiyi also fell silent.
The culprit wagged its fluffy tail, gazing at Ji Rong with an innocent and clueless look, softly letting out a "Woo?"
Playing innocent in front of me? If I weren't restraining myself, you'd already be flying with one punch!
At that moment, Ji Rong's mind was racing as she calculated the cost of the ingredients.
One Restoration Pill sold for 100 spirit jades. Nine pills amounted to 900 spirit jades. How much was snow fox fur worth again? If she recalled correctly, it fetched quite the price in the game.
Perhaps sensing Ji Rong's increasingly sinister thoughts, the snow fox shivered and shrank timidly into Gu Baiyi's arms, pitifully staring at Ji Rong.
For some reason, Gu Baiyi found the little snow fox oddly familiar. She smiled slightly, stroking its head and smoothing its fur.
Unexpectedly, the creature let out a contented hum, then happily rubbed against her and licked her wrist.
Ji Rong: "?"
Gu Baiyi was also momentarily stunned.
The snow fox continued licking for a while before seeming to grow tired. It leaped from Gu Baiyi's arms, sprawled onto the table, smacked its lips, and fell back asleep.
Ji Rong was shocked.
She had heard of "clingy admirers," but this was her first time encountering a "clingy fox."
What shocked her even more was what happened next—
Gu Baiyi frowned slightly and raised her wrist, revealing that the previously scarred skin was now smooth and unblemished.
The scar had vanished like magic.
Ji Rong was dumbfounded.
This… this casually acquired snow fox actually had a healing ability?
Moreover, based on the fox's behavior of eating the pills just now, Ji Rong was almost certain that this creature could level up and grow even stronger.
Gu Baiyi glanced at Ji Rong but saw only an indifferent expression on her face. Without saying much, she calmly picked up the snow fox, as if none of this surprised her.
She fell into deep thought. Could it be that Ji Rong already knew the fox had healing abilities?
Was that why Ji Rong had deliberately brought the snow fox along and kept staring at her arm? But why go to such lengths, taking such a roundabout approach?
Could it be…
[Ding! Gu Baiyi's Favorability +15]
Ji Rong noticed Gu Baiyi lower her head and let out a light chuckle before looking up again and softly saying, "Thank you, senior sister."
"It's nothing, just a coincidence," Ji Rong replied flatly.
It was the truth, after all—she hadn't known the snow fox could do this.
[Ding! Gu Baiyi's Favorability +10]
Ji Rong: "?"
However, her overly calm expression was misinterpreted by Gu Baiyi as feigned nonchalance.
"I see," Gu Baiyi said with a soft, graceful smile that sent chills down Ji Rong's spine.
It reminded her of the smile the female lead wore in the game before piercing the villain's heart with a sword.
Terrifying.
Unwilling to linger any longer, Ji Rong scooped up the snow fox and hurriedly left without a word.
Once again, the electronic voice echoed in her mind:
[Ding! Gu Baiyi's Favorability +5]
[Congratulations, Player! You've gained significant favorability in a single day. Your chances of survival look promising!]
Ji Rong felt no joy, only dread.
The female lead was no longer the harmless, naive girl she once seemed. Now, she was mercurial, as if afflicted by some grave illness.
After Ji Rong's departure, Gu Baiyi quietly cleaned up the pill cauldron's residue.
Fellow disciples passed by, laughing amongst themselves, but she merely glanced up, watching the figure in fluttering silk robes gradually fade into the distance.
As the crowd dispersed, her expression turned solemn.
Staring out at the falling snow, she was reminded of that fateful day at the Wan Jian Sect in her previous life.
The decisive battle had taken place amidst a heavy snowfall, just like today.
A woman in silk robes fell proudly into a pool of blood, her sword clattering to the ground.
Looking down at Ji Rong, she had asked, "Senior sister, when you crippled my cultivation, pierced me with a sword, and struck me off the cliff, did you ever feel even a tinge of regret?"
Covered in blood, Ji Rong had smiled and replied, "Not even a little."