Chapter 20: A Transformation of Talent
A surge of delight rose in her heart, and she hurriedly opened her system backpack to check. In the very first compartment lay a jade-green lotus seed, shrouded in primordial mist and exuding an ancient, rustic aura—it was evident at a glance that this was no ordinary item. Since she was in the Medicine King Valley, she refrained from taking it out or consuming it on the spot, intending instead to find a secluded place later. She understood well the principle that wealth should not be flaunted.
With the task completed, Chu Yuyao finally felt the weight lift from her heart, her mood soaring. She closed the system backpack with a flick, her gaze sweeping the surroundings. She discovered that Shangguan Yuheng was no longer in the study; who knew where he had gone. The ancient books on the desk were tidied neatly, as though the events of last night were nothing but a fleeting dream.
She lowered her eyes to inspect the robe she wore—its craftsmanship exquisite, the material superior, engraved with arcane formations and faintly scented with medicinal herbs. Clearly, it was a man’s garment. Her expression became somewhat peculiar. This cold-hearted lotus, perhaps, was not always so cold-hearted?
She lifted the robe, rose from the couch, folded it neatly and set it aside, preparing to depart. Just as she turned to leave, the study door was gently pushed open.
She looked up.
Shangguan Yuheng entered, carrying a cup of fragrant tea. Sunlight spilled over him, outlining his tall, elegant figure, his countenance radiant and gentle like jade, his brows and eyes as finely drawn as a painting—truly a refined gentleman in a troubled world.
“Awake already? It seems Junior Sister Chu slept well last night. Your snores startled the bluebirds under my eaves more than once.” His tone was as calm as if commenting on the weather.
Chu Yuyao: “……”
Whatever gratitude she had just felt disappeared in an instant.
She forced a smile. “Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother Shangguan. I must owe this restful sleep to the auspicious feng shui of your study.”
She handed him the folded robe. “I appreciate your kindness in lending me clothes.”
Shangguan Yuheng glanced at it indifferently, making no move to accept it. “It’s been tainted—just throw it away.”
Her hand froze midair, her lips twitching as she stared at the costly robe in her grasp. This cold-hearted lotus was, indeed, as merciless as ever.
Unceremoniously, she tossed the robe back onto the couch. “If Senior Brother dislikes it, then it shall be discarded.”
She felt no regret anyway.
With that, she turned to leave.
[Host, good news! Shangguan Yuheng’s favorability increased by fifteen points last night. Current favorability: minus eighty. Keep up the good work!]
Hearing the voice in her mind, Chu Yuyao halted, incredulously turning to look at Shangguan Yuheng.
Had this cold-hearted lotus really granted her favorability last night?
And a whole fifteen points at once?
---
She couldn’t help but reassess the man before her.
He still appeared gentle as jade, his face adorned with a mild, spring-like smile, yet his eyes were deep as pools, seeming to pierce straight through to one’s soul.
Would a man like this truly feel any affection for her?
Doubt flickered in her heart, but she quickly suppressed it.
Regardless, an increase in favorability could only be a good thing.
Retracting her gaze, she wasted no more time and strode away.
Her task of sharing a room with him was complete; there was no reason to linger in the Medicine King Valley.
Her top priority now was to find a quiet, hidden place to consume the ancient primordial lotus seed, thereby transforming her useless aptitude. Then, she could begin planning how to enter the Demon’s Lair in search of the millennial ice toad.
...
Meanwhile, as Chu Yuyao left the Medicine King Valley, news quickly reached Qinfang Pavilion.
Yun Shuwan had just finished her meditation when a female disciple entered to report.
“Senior Sister Yun, terrible news! That ugly wretch from the Heavenly Dao Sect didn’t spend the night in the Saint’s side courtyard, but slept in the Saint’s study. I heard the Saint stayed in the study the whole night and only left at dawn.”
Yun Shuwan’s face changed, nearly spilling her tea as jealousy surged forth, her voice icy cold. “Is this true?”
The reporting disciple bowed her head even lower, not daring to hide anything. “Absolutely true. This morning, the cleaning disciples saw her leave the Saint’s study with their own eyes. The Saint… even spoke with her.”
“What did they say?” Yun Shuwan’s fingers whitened as she pressed the question.
“They were too far to hear clearly, but the Saint seemed… to smile. Chu Yuyao was holding a robe, and judging by its style, it belonged to the Saint,” the disciple recalled, uncertain.
With a sharp crack, Yun Shuwan’s teacup shattered to powder in her grasp, though her lips curled in a faint smile. “And where is she now?”
The disciple shivered and replied hurriedly, “Chu Yuyao has left Medicine King Valley. I don’t know where she’s gone.”
“All right, I understand. You may go.”
She waved her hand, and the disciple hurried away as if fleeing.
With a sweep of her arm, every porcelain vessel and precious herb in the room were smashed to pieces.
Fragments scattered across the floor.
Even Yun Shuwan herself was not allowed to enter her senior brother’s study, forced to wait outside in the courtyard—so why should that ugly wretch be permitted?
Because she once had a nominal, hollow marriage with her senior brother?
Because she shamelessly clung to him, with that revolting, monstrous face more terrifying than a ghost?
---
Forcing herself to calm down, Yun Shuwan muttered, “Good. She’s gone—out of sight, out of mind.” But the fire in her heart only grew fiercer. Why should a useless, ugly wretch earn her senior brother’s favor, even share a room with him?
Her gaze fell on the pot of Spirit-Calming Grass on the windowsill, its leaves drooping lifelessly, watered yesterday with tea—whether from the heat or something else, it now looked thoroughly wilted.
She sneered, and with a flick of her slender hand, the pot smashed to pieces, leaves and porcelain flying.
“Chu Yuyao, you’d best not cross my path again.”
...
Unaware of the events in Qinfang Pavilion, Chu Yuyao had already left the Medicine King Valley. She did not return to the Heavenly Dao Sect, but instead found an isolated, deserted cave to enter, preparing to refine the lotus seed and transform her worthless aptitude.
Choosing a clean spot, she sat cross-legged, opened her system backpack, and carefully took out the ancient primordial lotus seed.
The seed felt warm and smooth in her palm, its green surface swirling with light and saturated with dense primordial energy—clearly, no ordinary item.
Without hesitation, she swallowed it.
At once, a torrent of power exploded within her body, and Chu Yuyao almost believed she would be torn apart.
Agony flooded every inch of her, her bones and meridians feeling as though they were crushed and then reassembled, while the surging energy rampaged through her, leaving her pale and drenched in cold sweat.
“Damn system, come out here! Why does it hurt so much? You could have warned me, so I’d be prepared!”
Curled up on the ground, shivering in pain, she muttered curses through gritted teeth.
[Host, the primordial lotus seed is remodeling your spiritual roots. Of course the process is a bit painful—bear with it, it’ll soon pass…]
The system’s voice held a hint of guilt.
“A bit?”
Chu Yuyao was speechless. This was more than a bit of pain—it was agony that made her wish for death.
The torment blurred her senses; she rolled on the ground, biting her lip until it bled.
She didn’t know how long it lasted.
Eventually, the annihilating pain receded, replaced by an unprecedented lightness and clarity.
It felt as though a thousand-pound weight had been lifted; every pore breathed in the world’s spiritual energy at an astonishing speed.