Dashing Student

Chen Nanqiang propped himself up, the intense pain in his chest making his vision go black for a moment.

Blood dripped down from the corner of his mouth, spreading a dark red stain on his blue robe. He gritted his teeth and solemnly cupped his fists in salute, "Thank you, Senior Sister, for saving my life."

He knew that if it hadn't been for Senior Sister Liu's timely appearance, he would surely have perished at Zhao Kai's hands today.

Liu Rushuang glanced at him indifferently, her gaze cold as if she were looking at a mere plant: "No need to thank me."

Her jade hand lifted slightly, the white silk returning to her sleeve like a spiritual snake, shining with a lustrous sheen under the moonlight: "I intervened to uphold the sect's rules, it has nothing to do with you."

The night breeze brushed through the bamboo grove, lifting a strand of her dark hair across her forehead.

Her delicate profile looked almost otherworldly beautiful under the moonlight, the shadows cast by her long lashes hiding the emotions in her eyes, exuding an aura of aloofness that warned off strangers.

"However..." she suddenly turned, the hem of her snow-white dress tracing an elegant arc in the moonlight: "Zhao Kai is not one to let go of grudges easily. He won't just let today's events slide."

Chen Nan's lips curved into a wry smile, provoking his wound and causing him to cough up several mouthfuls of blood: "How could I not know that he is someone who bears grudges?"

The blood splattered onto the green bamboo leaves, appearing especially glaring under the moonlight.

Since disrupting Zhao Kai's schemes upon first entering the small world, he had harbored a deep resentment towards him.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have bribed other disciples to attack him during the assessment.

Nor would he have demanded his soul blood to control his life.

This manner of doing things clearly showed his narrow-mindedness.

Liu Rushuang was surprised upon hearing this: "How could a loose cultivator like you offend Zhao Kai?"

Chen Nan sighed and began to narrate how he had saved a bullied young girl from Zhao Kai at the entrance to the small world that day.

When speaking of Zhao Kai's disgraceful conduct at the time, there was still disdain in his eyes.

"What was the name of the girl you saved?" Liu Rushuang suddenly interrupted him, a rare disbelief appearing on her usually cold face.

"Liu Yiyi!" Chen Nan answered matter-of-factly, soon noticing the change in her expression and cautiously asking, "Could it be that Senior Sister Liu knows Liu Yiyi?"

Liu Rushuang took a deep breath, the shock in her eyes gradually subsiding: "She is my niece." Her voice remained cool, but now carried a bit more warmth.

Chen Nan managed a smile, wincing again from the pain, his brow furrowing: "What a coincidence." He had not expected that the girl he had casually saved that day would turn out to be Senior Sister Liu's relative.

"Thank you, Junior Brother Chen, for saving my family member at the foot of the mountain." Liu Rushuang took out a small white jade bottle from her storage bag and handed it over to Chen Nan.

The bottle was translucent, with a faint spiritual light flowing within: "Consider this bottle of Jade Dew Pills a token of gratitude; it can heal your injuries and will not delay tomorrow's assessment."

"Thank you, Senior Sister Liu!" Chen Nan hurriedly accepted it with both hands.

The jade bottle felt cool to the touch, and it still carried Liu Rushuang's unique, cold fragrance, making his heart flutter slightly.

Liu Rushuang's gaze softened somewhat: "Since you saved my family member, I can make an exception to answer one question for you. Feel free to ask anything you wish to know!"

Chen Nan's heart leapt with joy, ignoring the pain in his chest, he quickly said: "May I ask Senior Sister Liu if you know of a new disciple named Nie Xiaoyu within the sect?"

As he asked this question, his voice trembled involuntarily, his eyes full of anticipation.

"You know Junior Sister Nie?" Liu Rushuang frowned slightly, scrutinizing Chen Nan with suspicion.

The name Nie Xiaoyu was unfamiliar to most disciples of the Yuantian Sect, yet he could name it accurately, suggesting a deep connection.

A trace of tenderness flickered in Chen Nan's eyes: "She is the one I hold dear in my heart. We lived together in the secular world, but a few days ago she was taken to the small world by experts from the Yuantian Sect."

"I am participating in the Yuantian Sect's assessment this time just so I can find her."

Liu Rushuang's eyes showed a hint of understanding as she softly said, "Junior Sister Nie has indeed been brought into the Yuantian Sect."

She paused, her tone carrying a touch of admiration: "She possesses an extremely rare Innate Spirit Root and has now been accepted as a disciple by the Sect Leader."

Seeing the concern on Chen Nan's face, she added, "Junior Sister Nie has exceptional talent and is personally guided by the Sect Leader; you need not worry about her safety."

"But you should focus on healing your wounds, restoring your cultivation, and preparing for tomorrow's assessment."

Chen Nan solemnly bowed, "Thank you, Senior Sister Liu, for your guidance!"

Knowing that Xiaoyu was safe and had received such an opportunity, the weight lifted off his heart.

Liu Rushuang nodded slightly, saying no more.

With a light tap of her toes, she soared into the air, her white robe floating gracefully.

The moonlight outlined her with a silver edge, her slender figure like a celestial being descending to the mortal realm, disappearing into the vast night in the blink of an eye.

Chen Nan gazed in the direction she left, unable to come back to his senses for a long time.

The coolness of the jade bottle in his hand reminded him of the assessment the next day.

Chen Nan sat cross-legged, carefully cradling the small white jade bottle in his palm.

Under the moonlight, the translucent bottle shone with a gentle luster, inside were three emerald green pills rolling gently.

He took a deep breath and pulled out the bottle stopper, and immediately a refreshing medicinal fragrance wafted out, reminiscent of a pine forest after the first snowfall or dewy morning orchids—invigorating and refreshing.

He poured out a Jade Dew Pill and placed it in his palm.

The pill was about the size of a soybean, deep green like jade, with fine cloud patterns on its surface, emitting a gleaming light under the moon.

The pill felt cool in his hand, yet carried a touch of warmth, its texture wonderfully intriguing.

"What a fine pill!" Chen Nan praised silently, without hesitation placing the pill into his mouth.

As soon as the Jade Dew Pill entered his mouth, it turned into a cool liquid that slid down his throat.

The taste was a blend of sweetness with a hint of bitterness, unexpectedly refreshing and invigorating.

The medicinal power quickly spread within his body.

Chen Nan felt a cool aura rise from his Dantian, like a spring stream in early spring, flowing slowly to his limbs and bones.

Where this aura passed, the burning pain was immediately reduced, and a tingling sensation at the site of his broken ribs, indicating rapid bone healing.

He immediately circulated his cultivation technique, guiding the medicinal power through his meridians.

With the operation of True Qi, the full potential of the Jade Dew Pill was unleashed.

Chen Nan was surprised to find that his injured meridians, flesh, and bones were healing visibly fast.

Gradually, the medicinal power began to converge on his chest.

With his inner sight, Chen Nan observed fresh, pink flesh growing around his wounds.

Most remarkably, a thin, emerald-green light film covered his damaged organs, healing his internal injuries at a slow but steady pace.

Chen Nan's entire body was enveloped in a faint green glow, fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, and wisps of white steam rose from his head.

Meanwhile.

Zhao Kai also arrived at a secluded cave abode, bowing deeply with respect: "Master, I was unable to obtain Chen Nan's soul blood, but I have brought a drop of his fresh blood. I wonder if it is of any use to you, Master!"