The little white cat, like a ball of pure white fluff, had just crawled over her hand. It was hardly bigger than her palm. Its tiny claws clung tightly to her clothes as it gently nestled into her embrace, whimpering softly. The sound was faint and delicate, as if it were trying to be endearing.

After finishing a round of acupuncture, Ning Xuan’s concentration had been so intense that a light sweat beaded on her forehead. Yet, despite her best efforts, she still couldn’t probe the conditions within Yun Han’s Spiritual Sea. That mysterious Spiritual Domain seemed to be shrouded by something, making it impossible to peer inside.

Now that the treatment was done, Ning Xuan’s focus softened. She took a closer look at the patient on the bed. Even with his eyes closed, his face possessed an undeniable, refined beauty. His complexion was as pale as winter snow, exuding an air of fragility. He was a broken sort of beauty.

’What a pity,’ she thought. ’Such a beautiful man, yet he’s about to die. It’s a truly tragic fate.’

"I’m sorry, Sister Zhu," Ning Xuan said, rising to her feet with an apologetic look for Zhu Hongying. "His Spiritual Sea isn’t responding. I can’t save him."

Ning Xuan was skilled in Alchemy, pharmacology, and her Acupuncture Skill. On past team missions, she had always served as the medic, so she naturally felt a sense of guilt when faced with a patient she couldn’t cure.

"No, Miss Ning! Your treatment is working!" Zhu Hongxing exclaimed, his face alight with excitement. "His Life Force has increased!"

"Brother, is that true?" Zhu Hongying asked, her own excitement becoming impossible to hide after hearing what Zhu Hongxing said.

"It’s true," Zhu Hongxing said with absolute certainty. "I’m very familiar with the fluctuations in Yun Han’s Life Force. It’s been in a state of constant decline lately. But just now, right after Miss Ning applied the needles, his Life Force increased."

"But the technique I just used was a Spirit Awakening needle technique, which mainly regulates the Divine Sense. His Spiritual Sea is still sealed and showed no reaction at all." Ning Xuan did know how to use the Rejuvenation Needle Technique, which could stimulate Life Force. However, once used, that technique would rapidly and irreversibly consume a person’s Life Force. She had used it once before, not long ago, on an assassin from the Slaughter Pavilion.

Medical arts in this world all targeted injuries and illnesses, treating symptoms. A fundamental source like Life Force could only be gradually depleted; it was incredibly difficult to enhance or extend it through external means. Therefore, any medicine or item that could prolong one’s Life Force was considered an exceptionally rare treasure.

"I don’t know what technique you used, Miss Ning, but it’s definitely working." Judging by the excitement on Zhu Hongxing’s face, he wasn’t lying.

Skeptical, Ning Xuan glanced at the patient on the bed. She leaned over, her fingers closing around Yun Han’s cold wrist as she prepared to probe his meridians with the energy gathered at her fingertips.

She had checked his pulse when she first examined him; his circulation had been sluggish, his pulse deep and thin. Now, it seemed to have changed slightly, but it was largely the same as before. Ning Xuan was uncertain. "If it’s truly effective, I’ll perform acupuncture on him again this afternoon. If there isn’t much of a change, I’ll have to leave after that session."

Ning Xuan felt it was a shame for Yun Han to lose his life so young, but that was the extent of her feelings—a simple sense of pity.

Ning Xuan reached for the kitten nestled in her embrace. The little cat had originally been lying by Yun Han’s pillow and seemed to be his pet. "Mew..." The kitten tightened its grip on her clothes, refusing to release its claws. It seemed to have made up its mind and wouldn’t let go.

Ning Xuan glanced at Zhu Hongying in embarrassment and tried to pull a little harder. She held the kitten’s soft body but didn’t dare to use too much force, afraid she might hurt it.

"Please, don’t, Miss Ning," Zhu Hongying urged, afraid Ning Xuan would accidentally hurt the kitten. "Since Little White likes you, why not let him keep you company? He’s very well-behaved. You can just focus on your own affairs and pay him no mind."

Besides, Ning Xuan wasn’t leaving the mountain just yet, and Little White had only woken up after her arrival. It was a good arrangement to let him stay with her.

After Ning Xuan exited Yun Han’s room, Yan Fuzhen and Lin Mo, who had been waiting outside, immediately and silently fell in behind her. Zhu Hongying personally led Ning Xuan to a courtyard not far from Yun Han’s residence. The courtyard was situated in a deep, secluded area, and its entrance was a traditional, circular moon gate.

Pushing open the moon gate revealed a long corridor overgrown with blooming wisteria. At this time of year, most flowers had already withered and fallen, but the wisteria vines clinging to the green-tiled roof and white walls were unseasonably laden with butterfly-shaped blossoms, each cluster shimmering with a pearlescent luminescence.

"Yun Han brought this vine back from one of his campaigns. It has always bloomed this profusely." Zhu Hongying’s fingertips brushed against the flowers, and light purple petals drifted down onto her hand.

Ning Xuan gazed up at the beautiful vine, feeling a wave of emotion. The courtyard of her home on D618 Star was completely barren—not a single blade of grass grew. In fact, it wasn’t just her yard; the entire city was bare. People didn’t dare plant anything in the urban districts, supposedly to prevent invasions by Exotic Plants. All human residential zones had been subjected to a purification process that made them unsuitable for plant life.

The courtyard was paved with green flagstones. In its center stood an octagonal pavilion made of a lustrous, glass-like material that seemed to flow with light. The pillars were inlaid with star-patterned bronze studs arranged to form a celestial map. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

The furnishings inside were even more magnificent. The wall sconces were shaped like lotuses, the incense burner like a crane, and the wine cups on the table were all crafted from Crystal Stones of pure energy.

"Miss Ning, thank you for all your hard work. This courtyard was prepared especially for you. I hope you like it!" Zhu Hongying said to Ning Xuan after surveying the courtyard and rooms and finding everything in order.

"You really shouldn’t have gone to all this trouble," Ning Xuan said, feeling a bit awkward. "I’m only here to treat Young Master Yun Han. I might have to leave this afternoon."

Yan Fuzhen, who was following behind them, had already discreetly inspected the entire room and courtyard. After confirming there were no issues with the house, he returned to his position close by Ning Xuan’s side.

"Now that you’re here, Miss Ning, you are my honored guest. I must ensure you rest well. Little Mo," Zhu Hongying said, turning to Lin Mo, "Miss Ning is your Contractor. You must serve her well."

"I know. You can rest assured, Auntie." Lin Mo, who had been trailing silently behind them, blushed faintly at her words. ’He wasn’t sure if Zhu Hongying had seen something, but he knew she was reminding him to be more proactive in his Contractor’s presence.’

After escorting Ning Xuan and confirming everything was satisfactory, Zhu Hongying took her leave.

Lin Mo saw Ning Xuan sitting in a high-backed chair in the outer hall, her eyes closed in rest. The little white tiger was still clinging to her chest like a fluffy ornament. He poured a glass of water, brought it to her, and asked, "Contractor, would you like some water?"