Side Effects

In the southern suburbs of Huangzhong City, deep within a wind-sheltered dense forest.

A more elaborately designed camp was being set up in full swing.

Straw figures were draped in armor, tents were arranged in a staggered formation, and small squads disguised as patrols deliberately left tracks around the camp's perimeter.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the dense forest, two people sharing a horse were looking for a suitable testing ground.

"Deacon Gu, this place should do."

Shangguan Yunying reined in the horse, leaped lightly to the ground, and looked around.

Towering ancient trees blotted out the sky and the sun, with only scattered rays of daylight filtering through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled shadows.

The faint sounds of the decoy camp being set up could be heard in the distance, further highlighting the tranquility of this spot.

Gu Chengyin dismounted after her, stretching his somewhat stiff muscles and joints.

He then looked at Shangguan Yunying, his gaze falling on her profile, which still bore a faint flush.

Ever since those few instances of using the enhancement, the Chief Lady-in-Waiting had been acting a bit strangely—her eyes darted away in avoidance, and her breathing was often slightly erratic.

"Master Yunying."

Gu Chengyin spoke, deciding to cut straight to the point: "It was a bit inconvenient on horseback. Since we still have some time, and you are at the Foundation Establishment realm with sharper perception than mine, could you help me record the effects of this enhancement?"

Shangguan Yunying's heart skipped a beat. Forcing herself to stay calm, she nodded: "Alright, your breathing technique is quite unique, and I was actually hoping to observe it again."

She walked over to a slightly more open clearing in the woods, faced Gu Chengyin, and sat down cross-legged.

She then focused all her attention on sensing true qi, while Gu Chengyin stepped in front of her, closed his eyes in concentration, and began to circulate his breathing technique.

Soon, that unique aura began to emanate from his body once more.

Only this time, thanks to the quiet environment and his focused mind, Gu Chengyin's grasp of his own body was much clearer.

He could feel the true qi vortex in his dantian spinning faster, transforming wisps of pure energy in rhythm with his breathing.

It merged into his limbs and bones, subtly strengthening every minute structure of his muscles, skeleton, and meridians.

"As expected, it primarily acts on the foundation. Although the explosive enhancement isn't strong, it excels in being enduring and comprehensive, making it beneficial in the long run."

Gu Chengyin thought to himself. With a shift in his mind, he attempted to guide this enhancing power forward and outward.

The target, naturally, was the beautiful woman sitting in front of him.

An invisible ripple spread out like a water wave, precisely enveloping Shangguan Yunying.

Shangguan Yunying's delicate body suddenly trembled!

The sensation this time was far clearer than when she was on the bumpy back of a horse!

This power was not a simple enhancement of physique and true qi.

It was like the gentlest of warm currents, pervasively seeping into every one of her meridians, and even... reaching straight into her spiritual altar and sea of consciousness!

Under the effect of this enhancement, she felt all her five senses amplified. The fragrance of the forest soil, the subtle rustling of leaves rubbing together, the murmuring of a distant stream, and even Gu Chengyin's steady, powerful breathing—all became exceptionally clear.

But what truly made her lose her composure was the ensuing emotional catalysis and sensory synchronization!

Gu Chengyin's state of mind as he focused on circulating his cultivation method, his exploration of power, and even the calmness and prudence hidden deep within him.

All of these seemed to be vaguely transmitted over by this bizarre enhancing power.

At the same time, her own emotions faintly resonated with this transmitted state of mind!

A strong sense of intimacy and trust flared up in the depths of her heart like wildfire!

Images of Gu Chengyin's actions over the past few days flashed before her eyes: his flawless and calm calculations, his composure in the face of desperate situations, his occasional flashes of mischievousness, and the strange fluttering in her heart brought on by that phrase, Master Yunying...

These fragments, originally suppressed at the bottom of her heart by her rationality, instantly swelled under the catalysis and connection of this enhancing power!

(He... is so outstanding... possessing superior intellect, a resolute mind, and even such astonishing talent in cultivation...)

(Her Highness trusts and relies on him so much... His future is bound to be limitless...)

(Was he... worrying that this cultivation method might affect me just now? Is he... caring about me?)

(What... what is wrong with me? My heart is beating so fast, my cheeks are burning, and I don't even dare to look at him...)

(Could it be... I... have fallen in love with him?!)

This thought exploded in Shangguan Yunying's mind like a clap of thunder!

She snapped her eyes open. Her beautiful eyes were rippling with moisture, her cheeks flushed as if intoxicated, and she stared blankly at Gu Chengyin, who was still circulating his energy with his eyes closed.

The forest was silent; there was only the rustling of the breeze sweeping through the leaves and the drum-like pounding of her own heartbeat.

Gu Chengyin happened to finish this round of breathing at that exact moment. He slowly withdrew his energy and opened his eyes.

What greeted his sight was Shangguan Yunying's unusual appearance—her eyes brimming with tender emotion, looking as if she had something to say but was holding back.

"Master Yunying?" Gu Chengyin took two steps closer in confusion.

"What's wrong? Is there a problem with the enhancement?"

Seeing her react this way, Gu Chengyin also grew secretly vigilant. Could his buffing effect actually have some side effects?

He had to figure it out; otherwise, it would be bad if it left behind any hidden dangers.

As Gu Chengyin approached, the warm aura unique to his enhancement caused Shangguan Yunying's breath to hitch, and her entire body nearly went limp on the ground.

She opened her mouth, only to find her throat dry, her voice thin and trembling:

"I... I'm fine... It's just that this effect seems a bit unusual."

She hurriedly averted her gaze, not daring to meet Gu Chengyin's eyes, terrified that he would see through the affection that was practically overflowing from them.

Her heart was filled with embarrassment and confusion, along with an indescribable intertwining of sweetness and panic.

Gu Chengyin's brow furrowed deeper. Anyone could tell that there was something wrong with Shangguan Yunying's current state.

Her breathing was chaotic, her gaze darted around, and her cheeks were flushed red—she looked like a completely different person from the normally aloof and self-possessed Chief Lady-in-Waiting.

"Unusual? Unusual how?" Gu Chengyin pressed, his tone turning serious: "Yunying, this is very important. Are you experiencing abnormal emotional fluctuations? Or is there somewhere else you feel uncomfortable?"

His questioning carried pure inquiry, but to Shangguan Yunying's ears, it sounded like the concern of a lover.

It made the fire in her heart burn even more fiercely. Biting her lower lip, she used almost all her willpower just to barely string her words together:

"It... it does have some effect... My perception was magnified, and my emotions are... a little out of control..."

She spoke incoherently, completely afraid to elaborate on what those emotions specifically were: "But... it doesn't seem to be harmful... It's just... hard to adapt to all at once..."

Gu Chengyin looked thoughtful. It seemed that his attributeless breathing technique was not as simple as merely enhancing one's foundation.

It seemed to also be capable of magnifying the other party's perception and emotions on a mental level, perhaps even producing some kind of empathic effect.

If used on the battlefield, it should be able to boost morale and strengthen synergy.

But if applied as a single-target enhancement, it would likely result in the kind of side effect Shangguan Yunying was currently experiencing.

This was definitely something to keep in mind.

"I understand."

Gu Chengyin nodded. Looking at Shangguan Yunying's still-red ears and flickering gaze, he softened his tone: "It was my lack of consideration. Master Yunying, please regulate your breathing and calm your mind. You absolutely must not let the enhancement affect your mental state."

"Mhm..."

Shangguan Yunying replied softly and began to close her eyes to regulate her breathing, forcing herself to calm the boiling tide in her heart.

However, the concern in Gu Chengyin's voice just moments ago, along with the lingering warmth of his presence, had been seared into the depths of her heart like a brand.

Some things, once ignited, are nearly impossible to extinguish.