Chapter 44: Rolling Pills Together

Yun Jiao felt that she might have gotten herself entangled with a certain small animal. Ever since she treated that gray wolf and the panda, the little fox had obviously decided her place was a pet hospital. It came running every few days — at first, bringing wolves and pandas with injuries was one thing. But later it started showing up with pregnant ones, those with diarrhea, hair loss, bald spots… it was getting ridiculous.

Yun Jiao thought about it and decided she needed to do something. Otherwise, all her time would be spent treating the fox’s friends.

“What’s this?”

The suddenly-appearing Ancestral Master curiously picked up a pitch-black little ball and sniffed it.

“Just some oral medicine pills,” Yun Jiao answered casually while rolling another ball in her hands.

“Oral?” Night Abyss frowned slightly — then moved to pop it into his mouth.

“Wait, you can’t eat that!” Yun Jiao yelped and, quick as lightning, snatched the pill away. Just because she made it didn’t mean he could eat anything! How could a Celestial Master ancestor lose his brain whenever food appeared?

“These are for the little fox. People can’t eat them.”

“Fox?” Night Abyss’s brows furrowed, displeased. Why was there something for a fox but not for him? He leaned closer and inspected the ball again, then curiously picked up another one. “These are just ordinary herbs, and they’re unrefined. Not even a trace of spiritual energy has been activated. What use is such a pill?”

“It’s not a cultivation pill — just simple herbal medicine.” Yun Jiao explained seriously. “It’s for colds, fevers, inflammation, pain relief… this way, for things like hair loss or minor injuries, the fox won’t have to keep bringing animals to me.” Otherwise, she really would become a veterinarian.

“Mm.” Night Abyss nodded at last. Watching her roll pills with great focus, he couldn’t help but reach for the prepared herb paste and imitate her. Within moments, a neat, round ball appeared in his palm.

He blinked at it, eyes suddenly lighting up like he’d discovered a new world. Setting the pill aside, he eagerly grabbed more paste and rolled faster. Soon, a neat row of little balls lined up beside his right hand.

Yun Jiao: “…”

…Was he getting addicted to this?

She took a closer look at the pills he made. Whether it was because he was an immortal or just because he hadn’t washed his hands, she couldn’t tell — but there seemed to be a faint, soft white glow around the row of pills he’d rolled.

She glanced again at the man now fully absorbed, rolling faster than she was and catching up quickly. Unable to resist, she asked, “Ancestral Master… have you really never made this kind of pill before?” He looked like he was having the time of his life.

“Mm.” He nodded and rolled even faster. “In the past I only needed to refine elixirs directly.” After a pause — perhaps worried she wouldn’t understand — he added seriously, “Those don’t need rolling.”

“…Right. Of course.” Yun Jiao’s mouth twitched. You think everyone loves rolling pills like you now?

She sighed, then asked curiously, “What do you usually do in the temple, Ancestral Master?”

“Sleep. Cultivate.”

“And when you’re not sleeping?”

Night Abyss frowned as if recalling something annoying, then after a moment said with clear disgust, “Teach those stupid disciples.” Clearly, he thought that was worse than sleeping.

Yun Jiao blinked and suddenly had a bold guess. “Ancestral Master… have you really never gone out to see the outside world?” How reclusive could he be?

“I once went out… to look for someone.” His brows furrowed tightly, his face practically wrote terrible experience.

“And then?”

“After that, the disciples begged me to stay and guard the temple. Most mortals outside are ignorant, even worse than the temple disciples, so I agreed. Besides, the ones out there are all small fry — not worth my time.” He spoke with perfect seriousness.

“…So you really never left again?”

No wonder he was so fascinated with rolling pills, like someone who’d never seen the world. Turned out he truly hadn’t.

Yun Jiao didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Clearly, those disciples had tricked him into staying — probably just to keep him here. Why? She thought of how easily he could produce powerful cultivation manuals and couldn’t help but suspect a conspiracy.

Then something else struck her. “I heard from the old man that you already ascended to immortality long ago. Why stay here in the mortal world instead of going to the Immortal Realm?”

Night Abyss’s hands paused mid-roll. His frown deepened, and after a while he said quietly, “The Immortal Realm is not a good place. To me, mortal, immortal, or underworld — there’s no real difference.” It was all the same.

“…You’re just a homebody, aren’t you? Totally a recluse!” Yun Jiao thought helplessly. You’re just too comfortable here to move!

Night Abyss, meanwhile, grew more annoyed remembering his foolish former disciples. Looking back at Yun Jiao, he finally felt soothed again. Squeezing another pill in his hand, he suddenly offered, “Would you like to learn alchemy?”

“Alchemy?!” Yun Jiao blinked. Then she thought about it — she was currently studying spiritual medicine, but hadn’t touched pill-making yet. Still, complex cases often required pills. If she could refine them herself, it would be far more convenient. After all, medicine and alchemy go hand in hand.

Seeing her hesitate, Night Abyss solemnly added, “Alchemy doesn’t require rolling.”

“…Obviously. Unlike someone who’s gotten addicted to it.” Yun Jiao was speechless.

Then she frowned thoughtfully. “But I don’t have a spiritual vein. Doesn’t alchemy need controlling spiritual energy for fire and heat?”

“No matter,” Night Abyss replied without a care. “You can add a few fire-control formations to the furnace. That’s enough to handle the flame.”

If she didn’t need a spiritual vein, that solved everything. She nodded. “Thank you, Ancestral Master.”

“Mm.” Night Abyss was pleased with this bright and eager little disciple. Countless alchemy techniques flashed through his mind. Out of habit, he raised his hand to conjure a book — but both his hands were full of half-rolled pills and he was reluctant to let go. After a moment’s thought, he settled for another approach: “Come closer.”

“Ah?” Yun Jiao was startled but instinctively stepped nearer. “Ancestral—”

She didn’t finish. Night Abyss suddenly leaned forward, lowering his head and moving toward her, his whole body coming closer and closer. That divine, impossibly beautiful face dropped straight toward hers — about to brush against her own. Her forehead suddenly went cold as an immense flood of unfamiliar information surged into her mind.

Yun Jiao didn’t have time to process it. Her eyes flew wide; her heart skipped and then pounded violently. A wave of heat shot up from her chest, burned across her face; some strange rush of feeling overwhelmed her. Her normally calm, clear mind snapped with an audible crack.

For the first time in her life, instinct overpowered reason. Almost reflexively, she swung her hand up hard.

Smack!

A sharp slap landed squarely across his face, leaving a perfect five-finger mark.

Night Abyss: “…”

Yun Jiao: “…”

(End of chapter)