Chapter 209: Chapter 141: Fish Transformation Disease; Lotus Seed Soup (2)

"It’s good that you have this intention." Ji Xueruo then asked, "Did the people at the Jade Ring Pool tell you what this illness is?"

"They said it’s called the Fish Transformation Disease. Besides me, there were two maidservants at the Jade Ring Pool who had the same illness before, and they both recovered."

"Transforming into a fish, huh? Do you know how this illness started?"

Xiaoyu shook her head, "They don’t know either."

"If they don’t know the symptoms, how did they cure you?"

"The lotus seeds from the Jade Lotus in the Jade Ring Pool are a detoxifying Spirit Medicine. I eat one every day, and the illness gradually improves. But to recover completely, it will take some more time."

Lotus seeds... Ji Xueruo looked at the lotus seed necklace in her hand, which the Yu Family once considered a family heirloom that they couldn’t bear to consume. Now Xiaoyu could get them easily. No wonder she felt such a sense of disparity.

"Xiaoyu, do you remember how you contracted this strange illness?"

When Xiaoyu was ill, she was in so much pain, often in a coma, unable to communicate at all.

Xiaoyu pondered for a moment, then replied, "I really don’t know. At the time, I just knew I was sick, feeling terrible lying in bed, constantly wanting to drink water, but no matter how much I drank, it wasn’t enough. In the end, I could only soak in the fish cellar, and then I turned into that condition."

"This illness is really unheard of..."

"Don’t worry, Miss Ji, the Immortal Master told me they are taking this illness very seriously, and they will definitely figure it out soon."

"I hope so."

Ji Xueruo sighed. If Xiaoyu also recovers, then the thorn that couldn’t be properly removed would also heal. In this fairyland-like Jade Ring Pool, was she overthinking things... 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

"Miss Ji, have you completed what you needed to do in the Jade Ring Pool?"

"Almost, just a few more days." Ji Xueruo nodded.

"That’s great! The Jade Ring Pool is really wonderful!" Xiaoyu cheered.

"Hmm." Ji Xueruo responded softly and continued, "You should rest well. I’ll come to see you in two days, and once you’re recovered, I’ll give you some gifts to help you ascend to immortality sooner."

"Thank you, Miss Ji! You’re so kind!"

Ji Xueruo simply nodded, finally bidding farewell to Xiaoyu with a glance, then disappearing into the night.

Xiaoyu continued sitting in the wooden tub. She ran her hand over the scales on her calves, and the black blood seemed to be moving, gradually spreading to her feet.

Behind her, Yui Zhen silently emerged, like a ghost gradually taking shape in the darkness.

"You’ve done well, Xiaoyu. Here’s your reward."

Yui Zhen slowly opened his hand, revealing three fresh white lotus seeds, exuding a refreshing fragrance.

Xiaoyu was startled by the sudden arrival. She expected Yui Zhen would come, but not so unexpectedly.

"Mr. Zhen." Xiaoyu respectfully bowed.

Yui Zhen acknowledged with a soft sound, walked to the edge of the tub, and looked at Xiaoyu’s agile legs marked with black veins and scales, his eyes growing more infatuated:

"Becoming more and more beautiful..."

"Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Zhen. It’s all thanks to the Jade Ring Pool. But by deceiving her like this... will it really work?"

"Deceive? Which of your words was false?!" Yui Zhen’s voice suddenly turned cold as iron, glaring at Xiaoyu, "Or do you inwardly feel that this truly is an illness?"

"I dare not!"

Xiaoyu’s face turned pale with fright, as she struggled to rise and kneel. Yui Zhen pressed her shoulder down to keep her still.

"You’re still in a critical stage of transformation. Don’t move!"

Yui Zhen’s tone was chilling, as if plunging one into an ice cave. He sighed softly and then spoke gently:

"Xiaoyu, don’t forget that when you were three, your grandfather knelt on the deck begging me to take you into the Immortal Sect, but you had no Spirit Vein, and I refused him. Now you’ve suddenly developed a Spirit Vein. You must understand, this isn’t an illness. It’s a blessing from the water god."

Xiaoyu trembled all over, nodding her head vigorously.

"This is merely the process from mortal to immortal. Do not fear it; embrace it, feel its beauty... Isn’t it the one transforming you into what you are now?"

Yui Zhen, a gentlemanly and handsome middle-aged man, half-shrouded in shadow, gently ran his fingers over Xiaoyu’s face in a rapturous manner:

"Were you ever this smooth-skinned, scorched by the sun and wind? Weren’t you always self-conscious about being dark? Don’t worry, upon becoming immortal, you’ll be as fair and flawless as they are, turned into a beloved fairy..."

Xiaoyu’s shivering gradually calmed, and her legs pressed tightly together.

"And don’t you want your grandfather to receive the water god’s blessing too? He’s very old; if he doesn’t become immortal, he’ll soon be in the grave..."

Yui Zhen lifted Xiaoyu’s chin, raising her head. Xiaoyu slowly lifted her gaze, her eyes resolute.

Yui Zhen saw her expression and smiled contentedly.

He delicately pried open Xiaoyu’s mouth, and she eagerly extended her tongue to reach for the three lotus seeds, as if addicted.

...

The night sky was like a vast black ocean, silent, vast, and mysterious.

Ji Xueruo walked along the wooden path, her steps steady.

She didn’t understand, even though Xiaoyu was fine, what else she was worried about?

If the Jade Ring Pool truly wished her harm, within their domain, she had no means to resist.

She sighed lightly; at first, she felt somewhat proud that she could see through the hidden secrets of the Jade Ring Pool. Now she realized, with a thousand-year foundation, how could she unravel its mysteries?

Now she only hoped that the Lotus Heart would mature soon, so she could take it back to the Snake Race.