Duo’er was taken aback when she heard Lin Yin’s words.
She hadn’t expected Lin Yin to show no hint of coveting her Magic Treasure, which was completely different from her impression of the cultivation world.
No matter how powerful a senior was, when faced with a junior’s top-tier Magic Treasure, they would be unable to resist the temptation.
Many couldn’t understand why a highly skilled master would try to snatch something from a junior.
But if you pictured the scene—imagine a stray dog running up to you, holding several hundred RMB in its mouth—anyone would likely say: “Young friend, you won’t be able to handle such an opportunity. Quickly hand it over to this old man, and you can exchange it for two sticks of Huotui Chang!”
But Lin Yin only offered comfort.
This scene also slightly changed Jiang Che’s opinion of Lin Yin.
At that moment, for some unknown reason, although the effects of the sedative had long worn off, Jiang Che felt a strange sensation rising again.
“Ugh!”
He let out a muffled groan as the strength in his supporting arm suddenly drained away.
His whole body went limp, as if his bones had been sucked dry, barely supported by Duo’er before he collapsed.
What was happening?
A sudden, overwhelming wave of exhaustion swept through him without warning, rapidly consuming his entire body.
Jiang Che felt something rapidly draining away—flowing straight toward his abdomen.
At the same time, a tearing pain in his belly made sweat bead cold on his forehead.
Seeing Jiang Che collapse into Duo’er’s arms, Lin Yin’s heart tightened.
She hurried forward to check on him.
Jiang Che’s face twisted in pain, his vitality rapidly fading from his skin.
Duo’er panicked upon witnessing this.
Wasn’t he fine just moments ago? How could it have changed so suddenly?
“What… what’s going on? I didn’t do anything!”
Lin Yin ignored Duo’er and quickly examined Jiang Che, noticing that his already thin Spirit Power was converging toward his Dantian.
But because his Spirit Power was so weak, his life force was rapidly draining away.
Without hesitation, Lin Yin shouted to Duo’er, “You! Kiss him!”
Duo’er froze. What did that mean? This wasn’t the story of the Qingwa Wangzi and Sleeping Beauty!
And wasn’t this moving way too fast? This development was downright bizarre!
While Duo’er’s mind was in chaos—almost forgetting her own surname—Lin Yin gave her no time to resist.
Lin Yin’s gaze sharpened, and her slender, cold fingers pressed down on the back of Duo’er’s head with an irresistible force.
“Mmph!” Duo’er felt an immense power surge, her head uncontrollably tilting forward.
The next second, her lips were pressed tightly against Jiang Che’s.
Duo’er’s lips met his, feeling only softness and a familiar scent.
Before, the scent had been masked by rouge and the aroma of dinner, but now she realized! This was the boy she had seen by the spring!
As for Jiang Che, at the moment Duo’er’s lips touched his, a pure stream of Spirit Power spread from her lips into his body.
It extended inward until it was fully absorbed by his Dantian, disappearing without a trace.
Once Duo’er realized she had kissed a boy, she immediately struggled, but Lin Yin paid her no mind, firmly holding her down while closely observing Jiang Che.
Meanwhile, Duo’er felt the pearl at her abdomen acting up, Spirit Power surging outward as if the pearl itself was assisting Jiang Che. She found this puzzling.
After a while, Jiang Che’s complexion returned to normal, and only then did Lin Yin release Duo’er.
Duo’er suddenly pushed away, fiercely wiping her lips with the back of her hand.
Her emotions were a tangled mess—shame, anger, and frustration—all because that was her first kiss!
And she had given it to a boy disguised as a girl, forced upon her no less… just thinking about it made her feel stifled.
Yet, beneath it all, a strange, tiny spark of secret delight bubbled up like a water bubble, disturbing her shame.
Lin Yin didn’t bother with Duo’er’s feelings. Her entire focus was on Jiang Che.
She carefully probed deeper into his Dantian with her refined divine sense, like a worm devouring everything inside.
Originally, Lin Yin intended to eliminate the parasite, but it was deeply rooted in Jiang Che’s body.
Forcibly removing it could harm him.
She was unwilling to let Jiang Che suffer any injury.
Staring at Jiang Che’s pale, quiet face, Lin Yin felt as if an invisible hand was squeezing her heart.
Regret, anxiety, and unbearable pain swirled through her eyes.
She had to save him!
No matter the cost!
This thought grew wildly in her heart.
She suddenly opened her eyes, all hesitation replaced with determination.
Rising slowly, she gripped the Qingluan Sword and approached the still-dazed Duo’er, who was wiping her lips.
“Shifu… what are you holding the sword for?”
Lin Yin took a deep breath.
“Hand over your Magic Treasure. I don’t want to hurt you. My disciple’s condition is critical and needs your treasure.
I won’t take it for nothing. Once you give it to me, I will help you cultivate!”
“Ah?”
Duo’er’s heart skipped a beat and instantly sank.
“No! I can’t give it to you! It’s mine!”
She screamed sharply, the sound echoing throughout the cave.
She had been refining that pearl for three years, developing a bond with it, treating it like her very life. No matter what, she couldn’t hand it over.
Besides, if she did, her cultivation would regress.
If her mid-stage Qi Refining level slipped further, she would reveal her true form and fall back to the cruel bottom of the food chain.
She couldn’t pay such a high price for someone she had just met.
“I’m sorry.”
Lin Yin apologized softly as her divine sense and aura locked Duo’er down, preventing her from moving.
Duo’er wanted to activate the pearl but realized its Spirit Power had been massively drained just now.
She was completely powerless.
Reluctantly, she closed her eyes.
After a long while without any sword strike, she opened her eyes and saw Jiang Che standing in front of her.
“Che’er… what are you doing?”
“It’s obvious, isn’t it? You can’t hurt her.”
Though weak, Jiang Che’s tone was resolute.
“Though I don’t know exactly what’s happening to my body, I suppose you want to use her Magic Treasure to help me, right?”
“Mm…”
Lin Yin replied but seemed unsure how to respond further.
“Let me say this one last time—I’m not your disciple. You don’t have to do this for me, and besides… this Yao is innocent.
If you really want to hurt her, then kill me instead. I’m already a broken life.”
Jiang Che said this and turned away.
His hand tentatively brushed Duo’er’s cheek, noticing the cold tears already streaming down her face.
Honestly, he quite liked Duo’er’s cool body—it was perfect for summer.
“Sorry for lying to you. I’m not a girl. My name’s made up too. I’m Jiang Che, and I’m about twelve years old.”
Duo’er was speechless.
Lin Yin, meanwhile, was engulfed in a surge of black aura.
Her eyes lost their luster, jaw clenched, and her hand gripping the sword trembled uncontrollably.
Years ago, Jiang Che had shown this side when he was protecting a Demon Clan member.
In a fury, Lin Yin had resorted to punishment.
“Jiang Che!”
A sudden scream shook Lin Yin’s soul awake. Her once dull eyes regained their former brilliance.
But what she saw made her eyes widen in disbelief.
She didn’t understand why her sword had already pierced Jiang Che’s back, penetrating through his chest.