Chapter 100: You Drugged Me?

"What a joyful and fulfilling day it has been," Lu Ye murmured, idly toying with the small bell-shaped spirit tool inside the carriage.

Liusu Workshop was approximately thirty *li* from Yingshan, the location of the Vagrant Cultivators' Society, so a carriage was used for all travel to conserve both time and spiritual energy. Low-level cultivators could not yet fly, and even a seventh-level cultivator like Dong Shuye could only glide for short distances in the air. Consequently, low-level cultivators typically relied on horses or carriages for travel. Those with greater capability might tame a spirit beast, which was undeniably more imposing and fitting for a cultivator's status than a mere horse. Tamed spirit beasts could also accompany cultivators in battle, proving far more useful than horses. The Spirit Creek Battlefield was home to numerous wild beasts and spirit beasts; Lu Ye himself had encountered a pack of wolves upon his arrival, and Amber was also a native of this battlefield. Horses, too, were naturally found here.

Today, Lu Ye had spent the entire day assisting Hua Ci, witnessing firsthand her unique approach to healing injuries and ailments. Her methods were incredibly crude, yet their effectiveness was undeniable, explaining why so many injured cultivators sought her out. Lu Ye had initially assumed she was a black-hearted miser, but his observations today challenged that notion. While Hua Ci's fees for treating cultivators were certainly not low, she would grant extensions to impoverished individuals who genuinely couldn't afford immediate payment, allowing them to settle the balance within an agreed timeframe. Of course, such verbal agreements held little sway. Vagrant cultivators lived precarious lives, never knowing when their lives might end, and some would inevitably fail to honor their promises.

Consequently, despite a day of tireless work, the spiritual stones collected amounted to fewer than twenty. Considering the cost of the medicinal herbs and Hua Ci's own labor, the actual profit was quite modest. Despite this, Hua Ci still gave Lu Ye two spiritual stones as compensation for his help that day. She was truly a contradictory woman.

Feeling a slight weight on his shoulder, Lu Ye turned his head to find Hua Ci asleep, her body slumped against him. Lu Ye remained still in his original position, gently channeling spiritual energy to cultivate the small bell-shaped spirit tool in his hand.

That night, after finishing his blade practice and taking a bath, Lu Ye sat cross-legged on his bed, ready to meditate. Suddenly, he remembered something and rose to leave. He approached the adjacent bamboo building and knocked on the door. A moment later, Hua Ci opened the door. She appeared to have just bathed, as the room was steamy and her hair still damp. Seeing Lu Ye, she looked puzzled. "Is something wrong?" she asked.

"I have a few bottles of elixirs I can't identify, and I was hoping you could help me," Lu Ye explained. Besides Spirit Nourishing Pills and spiritual stones, he had also acquired several unknown elixirs from the Nine-Star Sect young master's storage bag. As a medical cultivator, Hua Ci was likely well-versed in pharmacology. Hearing Lu Ye's request, she stepped aside. "Come in," she invited.

Lu Ye entered and quickly observed that the room's furnishings were as simple as his own, indicating that Hua Ci was not a person concerned with elaborate decor. "What elixirs are they?" Hua Ci asked, casually tying up her long hair and gesturing for Lu Ye to sit.

Lu Ye took out the bottles of elixirs. Hua Ci picked up a bottle, opened it, and poured out a single pill. She observed it carefully, then brought it to her nose to sniff. "This is a Five-Poison Pill," she said with a frown. "If consumed by a cultivator below the fifth level of the Spirit Creek Realm, it can be fatal, or at least cause severe mental confusion." With a look of disgust, she set the pill down and picked up another bottle. After a moment, she announced, "This is a Meridian-Scorching Elixir, a highly virulent poison specifically designed to target spiritual meridians. If a Spirit Creek Realm cultivator accidentally ingests it, their meridians will undoubtedly suffer damage."

Bottle after bottle, each contained either a potent poison or some other illicit elixir. Lu Ye inwardly scoffed, reaffirming his belief that the Nine-Star Sect young master was truly a despicable individual. Hua Ci picked up the last bottle and couldn't help but glance at Lu Ye. "Where did you acquire these?" she asked.

"War spoils," Lu Ye replied simply.

Hua Ci understood immediately. The last elixir was a strange pink color, and a sweet scent wafted from it as soon as it was removed from the bottle. Hua Ci paused, surprised. "This is..." Unsure, she brought the elixir closer to her nose for a clearer sniff.

*Clink.* The elixir suddenly slipped from her grasp and fell. Hua Ci reached up, pressing her hand to her forehead, her body swaying precariously. She quickly braced herself, propping her elbows on the table.

Lu Ye was stunned. "What's wrong?" he asked.

"You... you drugged me?" Hua Ci stammered, staring at Lu Ye as her face rapidly flushed crimson. Her beautiful eyes became clouded and hazy, and though her words were accusatory, her soft tone, combined with her current disoriented state, created an unusual allure.

Startled, Lu Ye vaguely understood the purpose of the last elixir. He quickly waved his hands. "I didn't! Don't be ridiculous!" What a disaster. He had only intended for Hua Ci to identify these unknown elixirs, never imagining the Nine-Star Sect young master would possess such potent and insidious drugs. Hua Ci had already slumped forward onto the tabletop, completely still.

Lu Ye quickly moved to check on her, confirming she had merely fainted. Staring at Hua Ci sprawled on the table, Lu Ye felt a wave of dread. Though it was an unintentional blunder, this incident absolutely could not be revealed; otherwise, the members of the Vagrant Cultivators' Society would undoubtedly tear him to shreds.

After a moment's thought, he stepped forward, gently lifted Hua Ci, and carried her to the bed. He tucked her in before quietly pushing the door open and leaving, feeling a pang of guilt. However, he quickly returned, collecting the bottles of elixirs from the table. With the door securely closed once more, Lu Ye hastily retreated to his own room.

Hearing the rapidly receding footsteps, Hua Ci, who was lying in bed, suddenly opened her eyes, covered her mouth with the blanket, and silently burst into laughter. Although the pink elixir was indeed unsavory, as a fifth-level medical cultivator, she was not so easily incapacitated. Her entire act had merely been an impulsive prank to tease Lu Ye. Lu Ye's reaction, however, had genuinely surprised her; his character was remarkably upright. It was a pity. If he had been a vagrant cultivator, admitting him into the Vagrant Cultivators' Society wouldn't have been out of the question. However, he clearly hailed from a prominent sect, destined to walk a different path from them.

At dawn, Ruan Lingyu hurried to knock on the door. Hua Ci opened the door, and Ruan Lingyu handed her a jade bottle. "Brother Yi Ye left sometime earlier," she explained, "and took a horse, leaving this behind." Hua Ci took the jade bottle, opened it, and found ten Spirit Nourishing Pills, likely intended as payment for the horse. She nodded. "If he's gone, he's gone," she said. Although their time together had been pleasant, she knew they were not on the same path and would eventually go their separate ways. She had actually sensed Lu Ye's intent to depart yesterday; his injuries were no longer severe, and there was no reason for him to remain with the Vagrant Cultivators' Society. Therefore, Hua Ci was not surprised by his departure.

Ruan Lingyu sighed, feeling a bit disheartened. The Vagrant Cultivators' Society had few members because Hua Ci's admission requirements were very stringent, and she didn't accept just anyone. She had hoped Lu Ye might join the society and bolster its strength, but now he had simply left without a word. This left her feeling dispirited for the entire day.