Chapter 10: Feeding Yanxi Medicine and Sending Wanyin Wood Sculpture - After I Left, I Became Their Obsession.

In his previous life, Chen Li took the path of a solitary cultivator, unaffiliated with any sect or faction, and single-handedly forced open the gate to the Tenth Realm through sheer determination. He could be said to have mastered countless arts, yet his greatest prowess lay in swordsmanship. In the realm of the sword, Chen Li had tread as far as anyone before him had ever glimpsed. However, only Chen Li himself knew that the path had not ended—it was merely that he could not find the way forward. Thus, after his rebirth, he never wielded a sword, nor did he touch any sword-like implements. Yet, the intent of the sword within his heart grew even more formidable than at the pinnacle of his previous life. Taking a deep breath, Chen Li calmed his mind, his inner being clear as a mirror. Though he held merely a withered branch in his hand, his spirit had already ascended to another realm. This time, though not truly achieving the moment of "unsheathing," the remnant soul of this sin dragon would surely be a worthy test for his sharpness. Simultaneously, the dragon soul's enormous mouth opened wide, grotesque and nauseous black mist swirling within, compressing into a pitch-black sphere. The terrifying wave emanations twisted the space around it—it was clear the dragon soul was pouring everything into this last attack. Chen Li raised the withered branch in his hand, holding it horizontally. In that instant, a profoundly familiar sensation surged within him—a pure thrill, akin to the first time he ever held a wooden sword. As his thoughts aligned, the sword followed his will. When the withered branch descended, there was no sword technique, no martial flourish, merely an ordinary swing of the arm. Yet accompanying this motion was a white line that extended boundlessly across the heavens and the earth! The heavens lost their color, all voices were stilled! Only that line, severing delusion, remained, along with the clear, long-lasting hum of the sword. The light of the sword receded. The entire Falling Dragon Mountain range, along with the earth's seams beneath it, was silently cleaved into two, revealing a colossal, bottomless gorge. As for the dragon soul, at the moment that pure white line swept through, it, along with the destructive black sphere it had formed, was utterly obliterated, leaving not a trace. In the world, only a deathly silent awe remained. At some point, Ning Yanxi had opened her eyes, staring blankly at Chen Li's back. Her spirit roiled, unable to withstand the immense burden and mental shock from consuming the dragon energy. Her vision darkened, and she toppled, unconscious, to the ground. ... When Ning Yanxi gradually awoke, she found herself lying on grassy land by a tranquil stream. Not far away, Chen Li continued carving a wooden block with serene focus, as though that earth-shattering sword strike had never taken place. As Ning Yanxi pushed herself up, she immediately noticed anomalies within her body. An immense force coursed through her meridians, not yet fully refined, yet intimately connected to her essence, nourishing her blood, energy, and bones. Instinctively, she circulated her spiritual energy, feeling an unprecedented fluency and strength. "I... have I truly devoured it?" she murmured to herself. "Naturally." Chen Li's voice resounded calmly from where he sat, not looking up. "However, the dragon energy essence, gathered throughout an ancient true dragon's lifetime, is intensely rich. It cannot be fully absorbed overnight. This fortune will benefit you, even once you reach the Ninth Realm." Chen Li paused his carving, pulling out an ancient scroll that glowed with a warm luster, tossing it to Ning Yanxi. "This scroll can help you consciously guide and refine the dragon energy within, allowing you to wield it as freely as your own limbs, rather than passively endure it." Ning Yanxi received the ancient scroll, its surface exuding a precious aura. She looked at Chen Li, her gaze complex, finally expressing sincere gratitude: "Senior, I have no words to thank you for your great kindness." Chen Li merely smiled. What he gifted Ning Yanxi was merely a fortuitous chance she lacked in her previous life, destined as she was to become an empress due to her imperial mandate. The dragon energy would only benefit her further. As Ning Yanxi prepared to rise, a sudden wave of dizziness overtook her, her vision darkening as her body fell uncontrollably. A gentle breeze swept by, and Chen Li appeared soundlessly at her side. A warm, powerful hand steadied her shoulder, easing her to the ground. "The dragon essence is inherently domineering; its consumption will inevitably result in backlash, but fear not. This is only temporary exhaustion; a couple of hours’ rest will suffice." "Then... let us return after two hours," Ning Yanxi insisted resolvedly. Day had long broken by now, and as a nation's ruler, Ning Yanxi couldn't risk appearing weak and frail before her ministers; it would surely shake their morale. Chen Li sat beside her, speaking soothingly, "No need to worry. With my help, one hour will be enough." Even as he spoke, he swiftly produced a Bi Fang needle, tapping it precisely between Ning Yanxi's brows. A surge of cool, gentle, and pure energy flowed into her, soothing her tumultuous vitality and calming her agitated mind like a gentle rain. Next, Chen Li extracted several rarities of spiritual fruits. With a mere flick, the fruits floated in midair, dissolving and distilling under the nurturing influence of refined spiritual power into a bowl of fragrant, nectarous elixir. In her weakened state, Ning Yanxi could barely lift a finger, much less take the bowl of nectar herself, and so she could only lean against Chen Li, her lips parting slightly. The warm, sweet liquid slid down her throat, transforming into pure life energy that nourished her entire being. "Senior... you lack any pretense at all," Ning Yanxi noted softly. Chen Li continued, a smile playing at his lips, "Oh? Is it only fitting for one of great power to keep others at arm's length with haughty indifference?" Ning Yanxi shook her head lightly, mulling in silence before posing a question, "Are you a swordsman, senior?" "Indeed," Chen Li replied, scooping another spoonful of the medicinal liquid. "In the way of the sword, I have gained only slight insight." Though not versed in swordplay herself, Ning Yanxi had witnessed that breathtaking sword stroke, effortlessly splitting a mountain, and found it hard to believe it had come from slight insight. That sword's majesty would surely remain etched in her memory forever. "Open wide," Chen Li's gentle voice pulled Ning Yanxi from her drifting thoughts. Looking at Chen Li, who meticulously fed her the concoction, Ning Yanxi's emotions were complex and difficult to express, yet she silently complied, opening her mouth. ... After returning, Ning Yanxi swiftly and decisively rooted out deeply embedded spies and disposed of them without causing any disturbance. Any plans by Xi Country to decapitate their leadership had failed entirely. Confirming a mysterious protector by Ning Yanxi's side, they had no choice but to abandon such schemes for now. At the borders of the two nations, tensions began to mount again, inevitably leading to a conflict even larger than before. According to Ning Yanxi, Xi Country could not afford another defeat and was likely to dispatch two powerhouses from the eighth realm to the battlefield, with the last being held in reserve to deter neighboring countries. To this end, Ning Yanxi had put several safety measures in place. As for Chen Li, he didn't inquire too much about these arrangements. At that moment, he had quietly returned to the palace for Ning Wanyin's second treatment. After the previous experience, the atmosphere between them felt indescribably subtle. Once the treatment concluded, both remained tacit, neither speaking of what had occurred, as though it had never happened. "Here, this is for you," Chen Li said, retrieving something from his sleeve and handing it to Ning Wanyin. It was a lifelike wooden sculpture—of Ning Wanyin herself, with gentle brows, serene expression, and clad in a simple white dress. Ning Wanyin started slightly, the persistent gloom of recent days lifted from her heart in an instant. Her fingers trembled subtly as she accepted the wooden figurine with great care. "Senior... Is this a gift for me?" "Yes," Chen Li nodded, his voice gentle. "The craftsmanship is rather rough, I hope you won't dislike it." "No... I cherish it deeply." Ning Wanyin clasped the sculpture firmly, her voice soft yet unequivocally firm, "This is the most precious gift I've ever received." Noting the reverence in her demeanor, Chen Li gently advised, "Though small, keep it close at all times." "Senior," Ning Wanyin looked up, her gaze earnest, "I will not forget." By then, tensions along the borders between the nations had already risen, joining with the looming threat of a larger conflict, and Ning Yanxi would need every bit of fortitude to face what lay ahead.