Junior Sister, your physique is rather frail; you need some medicinal elixirs to strengthen it.

There, spread open, lay an ancient animal skin book.

The pages of the book had turned yellow, and the edges and corners were mostly damaged, making it look extremely old.

The pages were filled with demon race characters that Su Ji could not understand, looking like ghostly scribbles.

Beside those demon characters, he saw some elegant handwriting.

It was Su Jiu's handwriting.

She seemed to be trying to translate this ancient text, or perhaps, recording her own insights.

He carefully picked up the animal skin book, afraid of making even the slightest noise and waking Su Jiu on the bed.

He moved closer to the window and, by the sunlight, carefully read the annotations Su Jiu had left.

...The Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox race possesses a bloodline of extreme yin and purity. It is inherently complementary to the extreme yang and unyielding bloodline of the Great Xia Imperial Family. Together, they can consolidate the foundation, cultivate vitality, and jointly comprehend the Great Dao...

After the great catastrophe, heaven and earth became flawed, the Great Dao was incomplete, and yin and yang lost their balance...

He continued reading.

The Imperial Family's bloodline is tyrannical. Without the mediation of the complete laws of heaven and earth from the upper realm, its masculine energy...

In the beginning, when souls blend, one can borrow its power to break through bottlenecks and greatly advance in cultivation. However, this is like drinking poison to quench thirst.

Yet, the power of this bloodline easily disrupts the yin and yang balance within the body, like maggots attached to the bone. Yang cannot be too strong, nor can it be too weak, otherwise it will continuously gnaw away at the origin of the soul.

For our race, it is like a scorching sun burning the heart, a steel knife scraping the bones.

So... that was how it was?

He finally understood why Su Jiu had become so weak.

Why she was lethargic all day.

She wasn't tired.

She was using deep sleep to delay the dissipation of her soul's origin.

And the main culprit behind all of this was no one else.

It was himself!

It was him at the Dragon Locking Abyss, forcibly merging spiritual energy with her to overcome his so-called inner demons.

It was him, helping her condense her second tail, repeatedly forcing his tyrannical Imperial bloodline into her world.

He looked at the pale and haggard sleeping face on the bed, feeling as if his heart was being ruthlessly squeezed by an invisible giant hand.

Why didn't she tell him?

As soon as this thought popped up, Su Ji twitched the corners of his mouth.

It seemed quite normal actually...

How could she tell him?

Did he expect her to blush, squirm, and say to him, Senior Brother, the medicinal bath you gave me last time was too strong. Although I didn't really like it, I seem to be a bit addicted to it, so... could you give me some more?

With Su Jiu's aloof and cold personality, she would probably rather die than say such words out loud.

Su Ji slowly let out a long breath.

Forget it.

He would just have to play the villain himself.

He carefully placed the animal skin book back in its original place, his movements so gentle for fear of disturbing the peace in the room.

He took one last look at the figure on the bed, his gaze complex, and then silently exited the room.

...

Su Ji did not leave the courtyard immediately.

He stood in the courtyard for a moment, sorted out his somewhat chaotic thoughts, then walked around to the front door and raised his hand to knock.

But halfway up, his hand paused.

Knock?

Too polite.

Not his style.

Besides, what if this little fox pretended to be asleep and refused to see him?

Su Ji rolled his eyes, and a plan came to mind.

He cleared his throat and then started to howl.

Junior Sister!

The sun is already baking your butt, why are you still sleeping in? Were you thinking about me so much last night that you couldn't fall asleep?

His voice was full of energy, without the slightest concealment.

Creak—

Su Ji kicked the door open.

And then pushed his way in.

At this moment, Su Jiu was sitting pretty on the edge of the bed.

She was only draped in a thin Daoist robe, her long hair scattered casually, and her beautiful, clear face was written with displeasure at having her sweet dreams disturbed.

She rubbed her sleepy eyes, looked at the energetic guy at the door, and spoke weakly.

What are you howling for?

Since a month ago.

She had set up several arrays in this courtyard. Ordinary disciples would find it hard just to get close.

Only Su Ji.

Could barge right to her door so silently.

I just missed you, that's all!

Su Ji chuckled, strode in, and when he reached Su Jiu's side, casually rubbed her head.

Su Jiu swatted his hand away in disgust while yawning.

Say what you have to say quickly. I need to go back to sleep after you're done.

Su Jiu lay directly back on the bed.

She pulled the thin quilt over her head.

How could Su Ji let her have her way.

He followed with a quick step, sat right on the edge of the bed, and yanked off the quilt Su Jiu was about to cover herself with.

What sleep!

Look at yourself, how pale your face is!

Su Ji said this while pretending to reach out and check Su Jiu's forehead.

Su Jiu was startled by his action and slapped his hand away: Get lost, get lost, don't touch me.

After speaking, she seemed to realize her tone was too harsh, and turned over somewhat awkwardly, facing her back to him.

I'm fine, just a little tired.

Tired?

Su Ji looked at her weak appearance, feeling even worse in his heart, but his mouth still kept that frivolous tone.

I think you're not tired, you're weak.

Junior Sister, your constitution is no good. You need some spiritual medicine to nourish it.

Get lost.

Seeing this, Su Ji stopped talking nonsense.

He suddenly reached out and, before she could react, grabbed Su Jiu's ankle.

He pulled her from lying vertically on the bed to lying horizontally.

Su Jiu let out a short cry of surprise.

Her face instantly flushed red.

Ashamed and angry, she struggled to get up.

Su Ji! Let go of me!

Let go?

I am now invincible in this world. I do whatever I want.

Su Jiu's heart trembled, and an absurd thought uncontrollably popped up from the bottom of her heart.

He... he knows?

Impossible!

You...

Su Jiu opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but found her throat felt as if it was blocked by something.

Su Ji looked at her shocked and uncertain appearance, the smile on his face growing even brighter.

He no longer hesitated, directly lowered his head, and used his mouth to block all her unspoken words.

A soft touch, carrying a hint of coldness.

Su Jiu's mind buzzed, instantly going blank.

She wanted to push him away, but couldn't muster a trace of strength in her entire body.