13 - The Divine Physician’s Overbearing Wife

Chapter 13 Chu Ningyan couldn't understand what was so special about this dirty little errand girl that could make the senior sister so anxious about her. It was just a lightning strike; she had already been given healing pills. Wasn't the matter settled? Why wouldn't the senior sister be at ease and even want to take her away? Could it really be because of the girl's rare Heavenly Spiritual Root? But the suggestion to test her roots only came up afterwards. Chu Ningyan was puzzled. She scrutinized the small figure covered in soot and grime for a long while, unable to discern any special qualities. In the end, Chu Ningyan could only attribute her senior sister's actions to a fit of compassion. What other explanation could there be? A dignified cultivator at the Nascent Soul stage, could she really be bewitched? Chu Ningyan shook her head. Her senior sister's speed was increasing, and she was already one major stage behind, almost unable to keep up. She thought, if not for her being present and the girl's frail body unable to withstand spatial shifts, her senior sister would probably have directly teleported by now. Despite her thoughts, the vast distance between Fenghua Immortal Sect and Yi Miao Sect, spanning half a continent, meant even a Nascent Soul cultivator couldn't sustain maximum speed indefinitely. So Chu Ningyan spoke, "Senior sister, what do you intend to do with her?" Yun Moxue was very worried, seeing Yan Zhuguang furrowing her brows and her body tense. She wanted nothing more than to quickly return to the sect, find a safe place, and give the girl a thorough examination. It was only upon hearing Chu Ningyan's words that she realized her reaction had been rather excessive earlier. Perhaps it was simply being overwhelmed with concern? Yun Moxue checked on the girl again. She was not in life-threatening danger; the force of the tribulation lightning was still wreaking havoc inside her body, while the effects of the Luhua pill worked slowly to repair it. The tug-of-war was causing her pain and making her body tremble. There really was no need for such urgency; going too fast might actually hinder her recovery. Understanding Chu Ningyan's subtle hint, Yun Moxue finally slowed her pace a bit. "I'll take her to my cave for a proper examination and treatment first." Chu Ningyan caught up, having lost some distance earlier. As she looked at the small, unconscious bundle in Yun Moxue's arms, she asked, "Senior sister, are you planning to accept her as a disciple?" Having reached the Golden Core stage, Yun Moxue was already qualified to take disciples. Of course, being at the Nascent Soul stage, she had every right to do so. But Yun Moxue, as the renowned senior sister of Fenghua Immortal Sect, had the responsibility of assisting the sect leader in managing the affairs of the sect. She had always believed herself too busy to properly mentor a disciple, hence she never took any. Seeing her senior sister care so deeply for this little girl, could it be that she finally found someone she wanted to accept as a personal disciple? Though this little one was nothing more than an errand disciple from a lesser sect, she got lucky being struck by lightning, transforming her into a Heavenly Spiritual Root, perhaps worthy of the senior sister after all. Even if Chu Ningyan couldn't warm up to the little girl, she wouldn't oppose if senior sister wished for it. However, Yun Moxue pondered for a moment and shook her head. "Our spiritual roots don't align, so I can't guide her much. Once she's recovered, I'll introduce her to a suitable peer or elder." Being an ice element anomaly herself, Yun Moxue practiced the path of ice and snow, which was completely incompatible with wood attributes. If the girl, possessing a singular wood spiritual root, took her as a master, she'd have to forge her path alone, which would hinder her progress. Chu Ningyan, somewhat unimpressed, commented, "Not all sect members or elders only take disciples with matching spiritual roots. Senior sister, you needn't worry so much." "A master is merely a guide; her true path and cultivation depend on herself. Our sect's library should suffice for her studies. Besides, even if you can't guide her cultivation, you can support her with resources as a mentor. How could a master be of no use?" Yet Yun Moxue shook her head; despite these words, she was still unwilling to accept Yan Zhuguang as her disciple. It wasn't that she felt the girl unworthy of being her disciple. Yun Moxue just had an inexplicable feeling against forming a master-disciple relationship with her. It was a strange feeling, one Yun Moxue didn't wish to resist. Perhaps it was because she saw something of her own stubbornness in the girl, treating her as an equal rather than a junior. Upon discerning Yun Moxue's reluctance, Chu Ningyan naturally wouldn't force her. Instead, she thought aloud, "There aren't many in the sect who strictly practice wood-based spells." Wood spells are milder and more proficient in healing and cultivation, but in the realm of cultivation, individual strength remains paramount, thus pure wood spell practitioners are scarce. Even those with Heavenly Wood Spiritual Roots often dabble in other mystical arts. Chu Ningyan continued, "Elder Jiling from Xiaochun Mountain specializes purely in wood spells." Yun Moxue mused, "Xiaochun Mountain is quite a distance from Zhuxue Peak." Chu Ningyan nodded, "Your Zhuxue Peak is cold, whereas Xiaochun Mountain is where we cultivate spiritual plants. They're naturally not close." Yun Moxue pondered a bit, sighed softly, and said nothing further. Chu Ningyan noticed she didn't want to pursue the topic, so she fell silent, her curiosity remaining unsatisfied. What exactly was the senior sister feeling? Yun Moxue carefully shifted the girl in her arms. If asked why, she couldn't quite explain it herself. The rest of their journey was mostly silent. They traveled until dusk, finally returning to Fenghua Immortal Sect from Yi Miao Sect after nearly a whole day. Yun Moxue and Chu Ningyan flew through the gates of Fenghua Immortal Sect, the disciples on duty respectfully hailed, "Senior sister, Sister Roujian." Yun Moxue nodded to them and continued flying inward, quickly disappearing from view. The disciples exchanged glances, "It seemed like senior sister was carrying something?" "Looks more like someone?" "Should we report this to the elders?" "The elders' senses cover this area; surely they've already noticed anything. There's no need for us to report." "True." "There's no way senior sister would bring harm to the sect. You all overthink things. Could that be a new disciple she brought back?" "Why would she be carrying them, though?" "Perhaps something happened." Given Yun Moxue's character, even if she brought back a demon, people would assume it had value to the sect, and none would doubt her intentions toward the sect. Let alone the fact that she was cradling a person. The one carried seemed to be a child, not more than ten years old, likely a new recruit discovered by the senior sister, though brought back in an unusual manner. Even the elder stationed at the gate didn't stop or question when witnessing it. Whatever the case, they'd surely know by tomorrow. Yun Moxue entered the sect without obstruction, the explanations she had prepared not needed. Reflecting on this trust, she felt grateful for the trust given by the disciples and elders. "Sister," Chu Ningyan said, "now that we've returned to the sect, I'll head to my cave." Yun Moxue paused and nodded. "Thank you for accompanying me, sister." Chu Ningyan shook her head. "No effort for me at all. Senior sister, take good care of her. Another Heavenly Spiritual Root in our sect will be truly valuable when she matures." "Yes." Chu Ningyan and Yun Moxue parted halfway. Zhuxue Peak was deeper in the sect and required further travel, spurring Yun Moxue to speed up. Zhuxue Peak was perpetually snow-capped, from summit to mid-mountain a blanket of white, a chilling and piercing cold to behold. Yun Moxue entered its domain, forming a barrier of spiritual energy around her to ward off the cold. Normally, she didn't require such protection, but the small child in her arms did. Not once on this journey had the girl awakened, her fragile body unable to endure further harm. Yun Moxue's abode sat at the peak of Zhuxue Mountain, and although she'd frequently ascended and descended its heights, today felt dauntingly different. Upon finally reaching the courtyard, carved from ice jade, Yun Moxue exhaled a sigh of relief. While the surface of the ice-jade garden appeared frigid, its interior held a warmth mirroring that of the lower peaks. Scattered throughout, patches of green plants grew, not many but perfectly placed. Gently laying the girl on a bed within the chamber, Yun Moxue noticed that even in rest, she was curled into herself. Yun Moxue frowned slightly, smoothing her brow gently. Possibly due to pain, the girl's forehead was damp with sweat, mingling with the soot on her face, the sweat tracing white streaks through the grime. Yun Moxue wiped away the cold sweat, now having the opportunity to thoroughly check the state of Yan Zhuguang's body. The tribulation lightning's ferocity had damaged her meridians and muscles. Though the Luhua pill preserved her life, it could not purge the remnants of the lightning force within her. She required fresh medication for physical recovery or aid in expelling the lightning power. Yun Moxue could eliminate the lightning energy from Yan Zhuguang, but before doing so, it seemed prudent to clean her up a bit. The girl would likely be embarrassed upon awakening to see herself in such a state. Yun Moxue fetched a cloth, using her magic to dampen it and then gently warmed it before meticulously wiping the girl's face. When the cloth glided over the young girl's features, revealing her small face, even Yun Moxue was taken aback with surprise. The two times she'd seen this child before, she had been covered in grime, obscuring her true appearance. This was Yun Moxue's first time seeing her unobscured features. This little girl was truly beautiful.