Gu Baiying frowned slightly. “Is that why you weren’t affected by the illusion?”
“I think so,” Zanxing replied. “Earlier, when I was confronting the Mirage Woman, I felt the shark demon scale reacting, but I wasn’t sure if I could activate it with my level of cultivation. So I deliberately provoked her to buy some time.” She glanced behind her.
The azure light enveloped the chamber, safely encasing the two of them, forming a barrier.
“How are you?” Zanxing helped him up against the wall. “You mentioned snake venom earlier…”
“I can’t move,” Gu Baiying interrupted.
Those bitten by the demon snake would experience paralysis, and maintaining consciousness alone was already a challenge. Zanxing noticed sweat beading on his forehead and the blood spreading from the wound on his chest, which looked alarming.
She tried to open the Qiankun Bag but found it still wouldn’t open. After several attempts, she had to give up. Zanxing tried to stay calm and reassured Gu Baiying, “It’s alright, pythons are usually non-venomous. If it were truly venomous, with a bite that big, you wouldn’t have survived this long. Let’s wait a bit, once the snake venom wears off, we can find a way to meet up with our fellow disciples.”
“The shark demon scale won’t hold out for long,” he said calmly.
“That doesn’t matter. I can protect you,” Zanxing said as she adjusted his robe.
The young man scoffed at her words. “When have I ever needed anyone’s protection?”
Zanxing paused and looked at him. “Needing help isn’t something to be ashamed of, Martial Uncle.”
Gu Baiying was stunned for a moment, then noticed Zanxing’s actions and angrily demanded, “Yang Zanxing, what are you doing?”
Zanxing’s hand had slipped inside his robe. Unlike the Taiyan Sect’s thin robes, Gu Baiying preferred wearing a sturdy and elegant robe. Both his outer and inner garments were pristine white, made of exquisite, soft satin that looked impeccably clean.
With a swift motion, Zanxing tore his inner garment, making a ripping sound. Gu Baiying’s face turned bright red, but before he could speak, Zanxing said, “The Qiankun Bag won’t open, so we’ll use this to treat your wound.” Without waiting for his consent, she placed her hands on his shoulders and pulled his robe open.
“…Yang Zanxing!”
“I can hear you. No need to shout so loudly,” Zanxing replied, continuing to pull at his clothing. The white robe was pulled down to his waist, exposing his lean body. “It’s just to treat your wound. You don’t need to act like some chaste and pure man.” As she spoke, her gaze froze.
Gu Baiying’s skin was fair, with the skin beneath his robe appearing similarly pale but not delicate like a woman’s. It was firm and resilient, likely due to years of dedicated cultivation. Now, with his robe pulled down, she could see two gruesome, bloodied holes in his chest, as if they had been pierced by snake fangs.
Zanxing paused, unable to continue for a moment.
She had known Gu Baiying’s situation was dire, given that the Mirage Woman had pushed him to this point, but she hadn’t anticipated the severity of his wounds.
“You…” She wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words. Finally, she asked, “Does it hurt?”
Gu Baiying’s gaze shifted as he looked away nonchalantly. “Obviously, the snake’s fangs are venomous. I’ve lost sensation, so I don’t feel much.”
Zanxing nodded and began to wrap the torn white fabric around his chest, pulling it tight with a swift, clean motion.
Hiss— Gu Baiying drew in a sharp breath and angrily said, “Yang Zanxing, are you trying to murder me?”
Zanxing glanced at him sideways. “I thought you said it didn’t hurt?”
He immediately fell silent. After a moment, he stared at her suspiciously. “Are you doing this on purpose to get back at me?”
Zanxing ignored him and continued wrapping the bandage around him. Her movements were gentle, and as she reached around his back, it felt almost like an ephemeral embrace.
Being so close, their breaths intermingled. Gu Baiying frowned slightly, seemingly unaccustomed to such intimate contact, but being unable to move, he had no choice but to submit to her care. Zanxing tied the final knot and looked up, meeting Gu Baiying’s scrutinizing gaze.
His eyes were beautiful, clear as a still lake even in their current dire situation. Seeing Zanxing remain silent, Gu Baiying asked, “Hey, why that gloomy expression?”
“Is your meridian problem very serious?” Zanxing asked softly.
Gu Baiying was taken aback. “Why are you asking this all of a sudden?”
“I heard the Mirage Woman say you were unwell and showed signs before. Why didn’t you say anything?” Without waiting for his response, she continued, “Is there any way to fix it? Duzhou is vast; surely there must be some miraculous herbs, spiritual fruits, or elixirs that can repair meridians?”
These words seemed to irritate Gu Baiying. His expression turned a bit annoyed, and his tone became harsh. “Do you think spiritual fruits and elixirs are as common as cabbages on the roadside, easy to find?” He scrutinized Zanxing. “Besides, what does this have to do with you?”
Zanxing didn’t understand his sudden hostility. She replied earnestly, “If you’re in danger, of course, I would be worried.”
He hadn’t expected Zanxing to respond so straightforwardly and was momentarily stunned. After a while, he turned his head awkwardly. “Stop pretending to be kind. I haven’t exactly been nice to you, and now you say you’re worried? Who are you trying to fool?”
Though his words were harsh, his tone was softer than before.
Zanxing felt a headache coming on. She said, “Is this the time to be discussing this?” As she reached out to pull Gu Baiying’s robe back up, his hand stopped her.
She looked up in surprise.
Gu Baiying’s grip on her hand seemed to take all his strength. He asked, “Yang Zanxing, how much of your energy do you have left?”
“Not much. Although I’m not affected by the Mirage Woman’s illusion, I did drink the water in Wufan City. My energy is being suppressed by the rules here.”
The chamber fell silent. Mimi flicked her tail uneasily.
He released Zanxing’s hand and slowly removed his red hair tie, placing it in Zanxing’s palm.
Zanxing was puzzled. “This is…”
“It’s called ‘Zhuyan,’ a gift from the sect leader. It has an escape spell inscribed on it. With my soul power, it can help someone escape any perilous situation. It’s a life-saving artifact.” Gu Baiying looked at Zanxing’s palm. “Fortunately, it wasn’t in the Qiankun Bag.”
“You don’t mean…”
“You’ve inherited my mother’s legacy and are destined to save the Three Realms. Even though I can’t see what makes you special yet, you can’t die here.” He paused before continuing, “In the Secret Realm of Li’er Country, you retrieved my mother’s relic for me. Giving you Zhuyan makes us even.”