Forcing the Aloof Master to Madness - Chapter 33.1

Shen Lezhi stopped upon hearing the Medical Fairy’s words. Hearing suddenly that she was poisoned, her expression didn’t change much. She just paused slightly, then opened her mouth to ask the Medical Fairy: “Does Master know everything?”

The Medical Fairy nodded in response, curiously observing Shen Lezhi’s expression.

Unfortunately, Shen Lezhi merely nodded in understanding and didn’t ask any further questions.

The Medical Fairy pouted, immediately feeling bored.

But she also found Shen Lezhi strange. How could a person not be curious about a matter of life and death?

“You really don’t want to know what the poison is?” the Medical Fairy asked, not giving up.

Shen Lezhi shook her head: “I naturally want to know, but doesn’t my Master know everything? I’ll just ask Master later.”

“…” The Medical Fairy almost swore out loud. She was the dignified Medical Fairy! Others had to beg her just to ask about an illness. This person was right in front of her, but she wouldn’t ask her directly; she wanted to ask her Master???

Was she sick?!

Oh, she really was sick, and the Medical Fairy herself had diagnosed it.

This only made her more vexed.

Shen Lezhi received the Medical Fairy’s resentful and angry gaze, shrank her neck, and decided not to speak anymore.

She actually wanted to ask directly, but she felt that the Medical Fairy was trying to trick her and felt like the Master wanted to toy with her, so Shen Lezhi decided to keep quiet.

Anyway, she could ask Wang Xi. Besides, if it truly came down to life and death, Wang Xi should be more anxious than she was. Shen Lezhi wasn’t worried at all.

Senior Sister Xin Lan dared not speak a word on the side. The Medical Fairy was virtually lawless in the Wandering Scholar Academy. No one dared to offend her except for the Bamboo Heart Headmaster.

One, her strength was high, otherwise she wouldn’t have offended so many people and remained unharmed. Two, it’s said that you can’t offend a healer. Who can guarantee that they won’t be injured their whole life?

Moreover, cultivators’ practice is fundamentally an act against nature. The thunder tribulations they face become increasingly dangerous later on, and relying on medical cultivators to save their lives is highly probable.

The Medical Fairy’s behavior was so eccentric, yet no one dared to offend her.

Senior Sister Xin Lan never expected Shen Lezhi to be completely fearless and to even anger the Medical Fairy.

She was even unfazed when she heard she was critically poisoned and in danger.

Was this the confidence of Immortal Jiyue’s successor?

Senior Sister Xin Lan was terrified, yet also lamented that people were indeed different.

The Medical Fairy was so infuriated by Shen Lezhi that she didn’t want to see her anymore. She waved her hand, telling the two to leave quickly and not obstruct her view.

“Lezhi will take her leave first.” Shen Lezhi didn’t mind the Medical Fairy’s attitude. If the Master didn’t want to see her, she would leave.

It was just a shame that she hadn’t gotten to see the spiritual herbs in the herb hut. Senior Sister Xin Lan had described them so well, and she genuinely wanted to see them.

Senior Sister Xin Lan was so shocked when she heard this thought that she was almost speechless. This person had angered the Medical Fairy, but she was still thinking about spiritual herbs?!

Senior Sister Xin Lan was speechless.

Although Shen Lezhi didn’t get to see the spiritual herbs in the herb hut, Senior Sister Xin Lan still showed her a spiritual plant that the Spiritual Herb Hall had recently transplanted: the Celestial Immortality Ganoderma.

Shen Lezhi had learned in the Spiritual Plant Cultivation Manual that the Celestial Immortality Ganoderma is extremely difficult to cultivate. Its spiritual seed is very delicate, with very strict requirements for its growing environment. It needs to maintain a constant temperature year-round and must grow on high mountain cliffs.

But its appearance is extremely beautiful. In the bud stage, it is entirely pink. Once it blooms, the edges of the petals have golden speckles, shining brightly in the sunlight, as if dusted with gold powder.

And the fruit of the Celestial Immortality Ganoderma is even more beautiful when ripe. Tiny tendrils grow from the heart of the flower, resembling a small, upright human figure, which makes it particularly endearing. The name Celestial Immortality Ganoderma comes from this.

Its beautiful appearance has also led people to call it the “Lover’s Ganoderma.” It is said that by gifting it to one’s beloved, they will gain eternal love.

Although most people in the cultivation world are focused on achieving immortality and have long since abandoned romantic attachments, there are still many who hold onto the wish for a single lifetime with a single person.

This has contributed to the beautiful meaning of the Celestial Immortality Ganoderma.

However, the Celestial Immortality Ganoderma is more than just beautiful. Its petals and roots can be used in medicine and alchemy. It is a main ingredient for Spirit Replenishment Pills, and the heart of the flower is a material for forging Foundation Establishment Pills.

But the Celestial Immortality Ganoderma takes ten years to mature, and its growing conditions are too harsh, making it extremely valuable.

However, Senior Sister Xin Lan now showed Shen Lezhi a Celestial Immortality Ganoderma that had been transplanted into a Spirit Gathering Pot and was already in bloom and bearing fruit.

“This Celestial Immortality Ganoderma was originally going to be picked immediately when it was discovered, as it’s so rare to encounter one that has already borne fruit,” Senior Sister Xin Lan told Shen Lezhi. “But the Medical Fairy knew we were researching transplantation, so she insisted on leaving this Celestial Immortality Ganoderma for the Spiritual Herb Hall, allowing us to transplant it.”

Shen Lezhi’s eyes lit up as she listened to Senior Sister Xin Lan’s words. She truly hadn’t expected that there would be people in this world genuinely engaged in the research of spiritual plants.

The cultivators in the Spiritual Herb Hall generally have low cultivation levels. Senior Sister Xin Lan was already the top senior sister of the Spiritual Herb Hall, yet her cultivation level wasn’t much different from Shen Lezhi’s.

The first time they met and fought, Shen Lezhi was unarmed but was still not injured by Senior Sister Xin Lan, which was enough to show that the techniques the senior sister learned were not top-tier.

Seeing Senior Sister Xin Lan’s obvious excitement when talking about the Celestial Immortality Ganoderma, Shen Lezhi couldn’t help but smile softly.

“What is it?” Senior Sister Xin Lan stopped upon hearing this, thinking she had gotten too engrossed in her talk and smiling apologetically.

She knew Shen Lezhi should have some knowledge of spiritual plant cultivation, but the Spiritual Herb Hall was a little different from other spiritual plant cultivators. Most cultivators grew spiritual plants for harvest, for alchemy materials, medicine materials, and the value of the spiritual plant.

But the Spiritual Herb Hall was only for research.

Senior Sister Xin Lan thought Shen Lezhi found this boring, but Shen Lezhi shook her head, still smiling, “I just never expected that someone else would love spiritual plants this much.”

Senior Sister Xin Lan’s breath hitched. The other person used the word “also.”

Joy seeped into her heart. She truly hadn’t expected Shen Lezhi to understand the emotion she was expressing.

Just as she was about to say something more, she saw Shen Lezhi take off the Crying Soul Strand she had been wearing on her head. Her eyes lowered, and her gaze instantly softened.

She held it in both hands, as if holding a precious treasure, and whispered: “This is the flower I saved. It’s called ‘Little Crybaby’.”

This was the first time Shen Lezhi had the desire to share something she liked with someone. Even with Senior Sister Qi, she had never spoken about her love for spiritual plants.

And the Senior Sister Xin Lan before her reminded Shen Lezhi of her time in the research institute, where everyone gathered around a single topic, researching and experimenting wholeheartedly and tirelessly.

Senior Sister Xin Lan was slightly stunned when she first heard Shen Lezhi mention the Crying Soul Strand, but she was immediately drawn in by the content of what the girl said.

She only knew that Shen Lezhi always wore a mature Crying Soul Strand and had thought the person had questionable taste, as the Crying Soul Strand wasn’t exactly a beautiful flower. But she never expected such a history between them.

“It’s extremely delicate. It’s always crying, treating friend and foe alike, tormenting me every day. ‘Little Crybaby’ is the perfect name for it,” Shen Lezhi complained to Senior Sister Xin Lan, but her fingers gently stroked the Crying Soul Strand’s petals, her eyes extremely gentle.

The Crying Soul Strand could hear everything she said, and it grumbled a few times in protest.

[You are the delicate one, Master! You faint every day!]

Although Shen Lezhi was willing to share her connection with the spiritual plant with Senior Sister Xin Lan, she didn’t want people to know that she could hear the spiritual plant’s voice.

So, upon hearing the Crying Soul Strand’s words, she merely raised an eyebrow slightly, controlling her emotions and not responding.

It was rare for a spiritual plant to gain sentience, but not unheard of. So, when Senior Sister Xin Lan saw the Crying Soul Strand’s petals slightly sway upon Shen Lezhi’s words, she was only mildly surprised.

What made her even happier was that she understood the significance of Shen Lezhi sharing this with her.

It was the same feeling she had now: the exhilarating feeling of finding a kindred spirit, knowing that someone else loved spiritual plants so much.

Shen Lezhi was expressing the same feeling to her.

Senior Sister Xin Lan smiled genuinely. Her fingertip touched the Crying Soul Strand, and Wood-attribute spiritual energy filled the surroundings. Shen Lezhi instantly felt this acutely and quickly blocked the enthusiastic behavior of the Wood-attribute spiritual energy trying to madly drill into her body.

Shen Lezhi had a headache. Wood-attribute spiritual energy would attract spiritual plants, and the Crying Soul Strand was no exception.

Although it wasn’t the same as Shen Lezhi’s sweet-smelling special spiritual energy, the abundant Wood Spirit made it comfortable enough to stretch its body, and its petals opened and bloomed.

Senior Sister Xin Lan meant well, but it was difficult for Shen Lezhi, who felt like she was being besieged by rabid fans.

She quickly backed up a few steps, awkwardly saying she had other things to deal with and had to leave first.

Senior Sister Xin Lan didn’t doubt her and waved goodbye.

Shen Lezhi left on her sword. She was originally going to find Wang Xi to ask about the poison in her body. She only knew that the Sect Master must have poisoned her and later planted the Malevolent Yin Curse, but both of those should have been resolved. She didn’t expect there to be more?

She just assumed it was all the Sect Master’s doing. Although the Medical Fairy had spoken gravely, if it were truly a matter of life and death with no cure, Wang Xi should have told her already.

Shen Lezhi first returned to her residence to change her clothes. Wang Xi had previously said she would teach her the remaining moves of the first ten forms of the Jade Profound Sword Art. It was a good time for Shen Lezhi to change into comfortable attire.

She flew to Wang Xi’s courtyard on her sword. The scenery here was truly too different from Linglong Peak. The scattered petals from the ancient peach tree in the courtyard were a sight one would never see on Linglong Peak. A cool breeze blew, and Shen Lezhi caught a whiff of a sweet fragrance.

Even Wang Xi, standing alone and isolated in the courtyard, seemed to be infused with this sweet scent. Shen Lezhi stopped in front of Wang Xi. That ice-and-snow-like aura seemed to emit a hint of gentle sweetness now.

Shen Lezhi blinked. She suddenly wanted to taste it. Would snow with added sweetness taste like ice cream?

As she thought this, she subconsciously licked her lips. This tiny movement was caught by Wang Xi.

Wang Xi’s gaze shifted, meeting Shen Lezhi’s carefully raised eyes. Shen Lezhi’s eyelashes fluttered in shock, and she nervously avoided looking at the Master again.

“You are late,” Wang Xi said coldly.

Shen Lezhi seemed to hear some dissatisfaction in her voice, but the surrounding spiritual energy remained unchanged.

Shen Lezhi had found it strange the last time. The stillness around her made her feel unaccustomed.

She was used to the constant turmoil around Wang Xi, which made her tired of resisting but allowed her to feel Wang Xi’s presence every moment.

Moreover, in that situation, Wang Xi’s emotions were easy to guess, unlike now. Shen Lezhi couldn’t discern any changes from that cold face at all.

Not everyone can precisely analyze the micro-expressions of an ice block at any given time, okay?

If she had that skill, why would she have gone to an agricultural university in the modern era? She would have tried for a police academy.

In the past, it was purely due to the connection of the Exquisite Heart and Wang Xi’s almost never-concealed spiritual power.

So why did she conceal it from her now?

Shen Lezhi didn’t know, but she felt a little disappointed.

“Your disciple admits her mistake,” Shen Lezhi lowered her head to apologize and didn’t explain why she was late. She had no interest in sharing her spiritual plant affairs with Wang Xi.

Wang Xi was not her confidante.

Wang Xi’s gaze was subtle. She knew the deeper meaning of the girl admitting her mistake without giving a reason. Yun Sha had previously reported Shen Lezhi running off to the Spiritual Herb Hall.

The most famous feature of the Wandering Scholar Academy was the challenge arena. The arena used a ranking system. The higher the rank, the greater the rewards and the more attention received from the major sects.

Furthermore, many people came specifically to showcase their skills in the arena. Practicing in the arena was also a way to grow.

Yun Sha had told Shen Lezhi all this, but the girl had never gone once. She lingered in the Spiritual Herb Hall, and now she was late even for her sword lessons.

Wang Xi lowered her eyes, deciding not to care about Shen Lezhi’s behavior.

“Your disciple just saw the Medical Fairy. She said your disciple is poisoned and could die at any moment,” Shen Lezhi tilted her head slightly and asked softly, “She also said Master knows what the poison is.”

Wang Xi naturally knew what the poison was. Her expression instantly froze, and her knuckles tightened.

“It is a Gu poison,” she said in a cold tone, as if she didn’t care about the matter. “Your Master won’t let you die easily.”

She spoke with such certainty that Shen Lezhi took it as a solemn guarantee. Her previously worried heart completely relaxed.

“Was it the Sect Master who poisoned me?” Shen Lezhi asked, though she was already certain this was the case.

Wang Xi didn’t answer, merely turning around and saying coldly: “Begin your sword practice.”

Since the Master said this, Shen Lezhi didn’t press further.

“Wait, Master,” Shen Lezhi suddenly called out again. Without the Master’s spiritual power fluctuations to judge by, it was difficult to tell if Wang Xi was happy or not.

Let’s just assume she’s not happy.

Shen Lezhi took out a potted plant from her storage ring. The pot body was golden in color, with the edges curved like a lotus leaf. Complex shallow brown patterns ran across the pot body—it was a high-quality Spirit Gathering Pot.

Planted within was an Autumn Wind Maple Flower.

This flower, as its name suggests, is planted in the wind and rain of summer and blooms when the maple leaves drift in autumn.

Its petals are very much like maple leaves, but their vibrant red color makes it appear more passionate and beautiful.