14 - The Divine Physician’s Overbearing Wife

Chapter 14 Yan Zhu Guang woke up days later. Transforming her constitution on this dilapidated body clearly increased the system's difficulty. During this time, Yun Mi Xue had stayed by Yan Zhu Guang's side, both dispelling the thunder tribulation's force and healing her. Even though the system had quite the origins, it wasn't easy to operate under the spiritual sense of a Nascent Soul cultivator. Upon regaining consciousness, the system's voice came through weakly, "Dear Host, please don’t torment yourself like this next time." Tormenting the host was tormenting the system itself. Yan Zhu Guang thought to herself, she wasn't someone who indulged in self-abuse; how could she possibly enjoy tormenting herself? "Host, remember your current resolve!" the system reminded. The thunder tribulation's force within her had been completely dispelled, and her body, damaged by it, had been thoroughly repaired. Besides the body's congenital deficiencies, she was largely unharmed. As for those deficiencies, they'd have to be nurtured gradually over time. Her body had now been completely transformed into a Wood Spirit Body; these deficiencies would gradually be remedied as she deepened her cultivation. Once assured of her physical condition, Yan Zhu Guang opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was an unfamiliar ceiling. Before opening her eyes, she had already sensed her surroundings, so she wasn’t particularly surprised. Sitting up, the thin silk blanket slipped off her, and she noticed her attire had been changed to new clothes. "Your previous clothes were damaged by the thunderstrike," the system commented slyly, "You were gravely injured, dressed in tatters, and these past few days, it was your senior sister who cared for you." "Senior sister personally changed your clothes too," it added. Her heart was moved, and she looked around, noting Yun Mi Xue's absence from the room, leaving only herself inside. "Senior sister has been quite busy. After ensuring your safety, she went to handle her affairs. But, during your unconscious period, she would definitely come back to stay by your side whenever she had the chance," the system explained. "Mm." Yan Zhu Guang lifted her arm, observing the white dress she wore; it was somewhat akin to Yun Mi Xue's style, though it felt a little awkward on her. The dress fit well. However, as a menial disciple laboring in the spiritual fields for half a year, her hands were somewhat coarse, and this body once belonged to a little beggar, so her skin was far from good. Although possessing spiritual energy could easily nurture and improve it, for now, she was just an earthy little girl; such a beautiful dress seemed a bit mismatched on her. The system hurriedly comforted her, "Host, that's just your illusion!" "Really?" "Of course!" the system promptly responded, "If you don't believe it, I can show you a mirror!" Yan Zhu Guang gently touched the ruffled sleeves of her white gown, not saying anything more. When Yun Mi Xue entered the room, this was the scene she observed. The pretty little girl she had brought back was curiously tugging at her sleeves and pulling at her dress, evidently curious but not quite used to it. Such actions might appear silly on someone else, but done by Yan Zhu Guang, it exuded an inexplicable charm, endearing and cute, making one smile despite themselves. Yun Mi Xue chuckled, stepping into the room with a gentle voice, "Zhu Guang, you're awake?" Yan Zhu Guang, noticing Yun Mi Xue's entrance, widened her eyes, "Fairy Lady?" In a bit of a fluster, she attempted to get out of bed, but perhaps due to her recent recovery and her body being stiff from lying for days, her feet weren't cooperative, causing her to trip on the blanket and fall headlong towards the ground. Yun Mi Xue was also startled, and in her haste, she instantaneously appeared beside the bed, narrowly catching Yan Zhu Guang. Yan Zhu Guang shut her eyes, anticipating the pain, and the corners of her upward-turned eyes crinkled in the effort. Despite Yun Mi Xue's small frame tensing tightly, she couldn't help but chuckle softly, saying to the startled girl, "It's alright, you're safe now." Yan Zhu Guang blinked open her eyes, seeing herself held in Yun Mi Xue's embrace, her cheeks flushed. She gingerly moved out from Yun Mi Xue's arms, promptly clutching the troublesome blanket that nearly caused her to fall. Perhaps feeling her actions were impolite; she released the blanket, glancing at Yun Mi Xue with what seemed like a hint of embarrassment, then scratched her head and shyly murmured, "Thank you, Fairy Lady." Her nervous actions made Yun Mi Xue want to laugh, yet respecting the girl's pride, she held it in, finding the little girl unbearably endearing. Yun Mi Xue came from a prestigious cultivation family, and the girls she'd met were either spoiled young misses or composed and dignified ladies, never encountering such a shy little girl before. Though shy, if threatened, she'd bristle like a hedgehog, raising her spikes. How did such a character come to be? Yun Mi Xue couldn't help but wonder, recalling the internal injuries she discovered while healing her. The thought made her heart clench. Sitting by the bed, she pulled the small, bundled-up girl close, retrieving a prepared pair of shoes to help her put them on. With hands on the shoes, the girl whispered in a voice barely above a buzz, "Fairy Lady, I-I can do it myself." Yun Mi Xue relented, not pressing further. “Be careful next time,” she advised softly. “Mm,” came the timid response. Quickly donning her shoes, Yan Zhu Guang stood by the bed, hands clasped behind her, gazing at her toes momentarily before raising her head, “Fairy Lady, where am I? How did I get here?” Yun Mi Xue replied gently, “Do you remember what happened before?” Yan Zhu Guang’s eyes unfocused as she furrowed her brows in thought, “I remember coming up the mountain with the spiritual grain bug… reaching the summit…” “Ah, I remember the sky suddenly turning black, and then a purple light enveloped me; it was terrifying, painful…” Recollection of the fright and agony from being struck by lightning made Yan Zhu Guang shiver, “I think I got struck by lightning.” She didn't want to deceive Yun Mi Xue, so her words remained vague. “Don’t be afraid,” Yun Mi Xue comforted, holding Yan Zhu Guang’s arm, guiding her to sit beside her and gently patting her back, “It’s all over now.” Yan Zhu Guang gazed down, “Am I… am I a bad person?” Being a head taller, sitting side by side with Yan Zhu Guang’s head bowed, Yun Mi Xue could only see a dark, glossy crown of hair. This sleek black hair was groomed by Yun Mi Xue herself; despite surviving the tribulation, her hair hadn’t escaped unscathed like her clothes, becoming tangled and wild. With a graceful, fair hand, Yun Mi Xue smoothed the little girl’s tousled hair from earlier movements, “Why do you think that?” “I heard people say that only those who’ve done wrong are struck by lightning. I…” Yan Zhu Guang’s voice was lovely, still somewhat immature but pleasing, sending a pleasant shiver to the listener. Now, her speech carried fear, a subtle tremor, with such quietness that it evoked a protective urge, compelling one to comfort her. "Zhu Guang, you heard that bad people get struck by lightning. Do these bad people survive after being struck?" Yan Zhu Guang shook her head, “They say those struck by lightning die horribly, so… no one survives.” "But Zhu Guang, you're still here," Yun Mi Xue said, tender fingers gently rubbing Yan Zhu Guang’s head, "Have you ever heard that a tribulation is Heaven’s test for geniuses?" "Zhu Guang, you've passed the test. One day, you’ll grow to be someone remarkable." “Really?” Raising her head, Yan Zhu Guang’s eyes were red, a tear hanging on her eyelash, hesitant to drop, but her eyes brimmed with expectation, unwilling to let them down. “Yes, truly.” Yun Mi Xue brushed away that tear on her lashes, “Now, the Zhu Guang I know, didn’t fearlessly speak amongst cultivators stronger than herself, without shedding tears.” “I wasn’t crying.” If it weren't for the sniffle that followed, this declaration might have been convincing. “Yes, Zhu Guang wasn’t crying.” Yan Zhu Guang detected something in the tone, pursing her lips, yet looking around again, returned to her earlier question, “Fairy Lady, where am I?” “This is my residence.” “Fairy Lady’s dwelling?” Yan Zhu Guang said, “It’s amazing, so beautiful, entirely different from where I stay.” She tentatively touched the plush bedding under her. Before Yun Mi Xue could respond, Yan Zhu Guang quickly stood, bending low respectfully to Yun Mi Xue, “You must have saved me from the lightning, Fairy Lady. Thank you. I, Yan Zhu Guang, will repay your kindness, even if it means being a beast of burden.” Yun Mi Xue lifted her up, “Silly girl, I only brought you here. There’s no need for such gratitude.” “The one who provided your medicine was another sister.” "Another sister?" Yan Zhu Guang tilted her head. "I will repay that sister as well. But I won't forget Fairy Lady's kindness to me." Yun Mi Xue smiled, slightly helpless with her persistence. "Do you remember me saying before to cultivate well and come find me in the future? Your diligence in cultivation is the best form of repayment to me." Yan Zhu Guang nodded fervently. "I remember clearly." She smiled brightly, "I'm very happy that Fairy Lady remembered my name." She seemed easily satisfied. Then, she patted her head, "I don't even know what time it is now. I need to get back to work. Hopefully, the overseer won’t scold me." "Senior sister, how do I get back to the spiritual field area?" Seeing her still disoriented, Yun Mi Xue explained, "You are no longer at Yimiao Sect." "What?" The little girl was bewildered.