Chapter 1292: Don't Overthink It

"What's wrong with you?" Yan Xuehen was startled, but quickly composed herself, her face stern as she said, "I won't fall for your tricks this time."

But the other person didn't respond; their body simply went limp and began sliding underwater.

Yan Xuehen thought he was deliberately taking advantage of her. Startled, she instinctively recoiled, simultaneously raising a hand to her chest to prevent his head from touching her.

To her surprise, Zu An remained completely unresponsive and sank entirely beneath the water.

Only then did Yan Xuehen realize he had truly fainted. Frightened, she rushed over and pulled him up. "A'Zu, what's wrong? Don't scare me!"

Reaching out to check him, she immediately discovered his vital energy was in complete disarray, and the previous cracks had reappeared on his skin, with faint red blood seeping out.

"Why is this happening?" Yan Xuehen was greatly alarmed. These were clearly the backlash symptoms after activating his 'Jian Lai' technique.

But hadn't she given him the Primordial Spirit Dew to temporarily seal his condition? According to her estimates, he should have been able to last for at least another hour.

Her gaze fell upon the steaming hot spring nearby, and a realization suddenly dawned on her. This hot spring was incredibly potent, capable of dissolving even the chilling poison of the terrifying Snow Maiden. Could it be that the heat and medicinal properties of the spring had entered his body mid-cultivation, dissolving and neutralizing the effects of the Primordial Spirit Dew?

As a Grandmaster, she quickly deduced the most probable cause in a short time.

Her expression shifted between concern and frustration. She had originally planned to discuss with Zu An how to treat his backlash once he regained consciousness, but now it was her problem alone again.

She was a Grandmaster and the Abbey Mistress of White Jade Capital; few in the world possessed more knowledge of cultivation than she did. Yet, despite all her learning, she could find no method to treat Zu An.

Unless...

But if she did that, how could she face him afterward? How could she face Chu Yan, or anyone else?

Yan Xuehen's lips were almost bitten to bleeding. Her gaze fell upon Zu An's face, noting his pained expression even in unconsciousness. Memories of him desperately saving her on several occasions recently flashed through her mind.

"Yan Xuehen, oh Yan Xuehen," she thought, "he's saved your life multiple times, and you're still agonizing over such a trivial matter?"

"Supreme Emotionlessness," she reasoned. "Even if that were to happen, it would be nothing more than fleeting clouds. Yes, it makes no difference."

She kept telling herself this.

Finally, a look of resolute determination appeared on her face, and her whole being seemed to glow with a sacred light.

She lowered her head and kissed Zu An's lips, transferring her vital energy into his body.

While their previous embrace, where their cultivation circulated between them, was indeed a form of Taoist dual cultivation, it was only in a broad sense. True dual cultivation, however, required the two individuals to reach the most intimate state for the Dragon and Tiger energies to merge, allowing the innate Yin and Yang energies to fully integrate.

Combined with the healing function of Zu An's own Primordial Chaos Scripture, she believed it should be able to resolve the nearly catastrophic backlash.

As someone from a Taoist sect, Yan Xuehen naturally knew the relevant techniques. In her younger days, there were indeed fellow disciples who harbored intentions toward her, but she was inherently aloof and looked down on such individuals. Later, as her strength grew and her transcendent, independent demeanor became more pronounced, no one dared to entertain such thoughts about her again.

Previously, deep within the Yu family's mine in Cloudmount Prefecture, she had even been prepared to do this to save Zu An and repay his kindness.

Unexpectedly, his own cultivation method was unique, and he had healed his injuries by being with Yu Yanluo.

That had left her quite embarrassed, especially when Yun Jianyue had mocked her for it.

She never imagined that after all that, she would still have to rely on this method to save him in the end.

However, she was no ordinary person. While she might have agonized over a decision beforehand, once made, she became exceptionally resolute.

She knew Zu An's condition couldn't be delayed, so she actively began transferring her vital energy and guiding him.

She was glad she had previously taught him the "Supreme Emotionlessness Scripture," making it quite easy to guide the energy flow within his body now.

After allowing their vital energies to circulate between them for several cycles, laying a solid foundation, only the final step remained.

Yan Xuehen's jade-like cheeks were already flushed crimson. A month ago, she would never have believed she would voluntarily do such a thing with a man.

With a soft, drawn-out sigh, she followed her sect's cultivation method to help guide Zu An's blood and energy.

She was quickly startled, thinking something had gone wrong with her method, fearing it might cause his blood and energy to explode.

However, she immediately recalled the monsters' comments from Zu An's battle with the Golden Crow Prince in the Snake Clan, which had ended with clothes torn. She inwardly spat, "No wonder he was mistaken for a donkey."

Although she had previously claimed no regrets, when it came down to the final moment, she was somewhat frightened.

"Does it really have to be like this...?"

Once she took this step, there would be no turning back.

Her face showed a struggle, but she quickly calmed down, looking at the man so close to her with a complex expression. "I must have owed you in a past life."

Immediately, she ceased her resistance, and her entire body gradually submerged into the water.

Zu An, still unconscious, let out an indistinct mumble. Yan Xuehen, however, frowned deeply, a pained expression on her face.

"Why are there so many lovesick men and women in the world for something so uncomfortable?" she wondered.

Yan Xuehen had no time to ponder further. She hurriedly concentrated on circulating the profound incantations of her Taoist sect, guiding the primordial Yin and Yang energies to fully merge.

A Taoist charm seemed to flow between them, and the vital energy from the entire cave and hot spring surged desperately towards them. The cracks on Zu An's body visibly diminished and even began to slowly heal.

At first, Yan Xuehen orchestrated everything, guiding the energy flow within their bodies according to the methods recorded in Taoist scriptures. But later, a sudden suction came from his body, and he began to guide her instead.

Yan Xuehen was surprised, but quickly realized that this was how he had healed Yu Yanluo in the mine; he was clearly quite skilled in this method.

A touch of bitterness welled up in her. "No wonder he's so skilled," she thought. "Even when unconscious, his body can automatically circulate vital energy."

What surprised her most, however, was that his cultivation technique could take the upper hand even when he was unconscious, proving its level was far above the Taoist secret arts she knew. How was this possible? What she knew was already the most profound cultivation method in the Taoist sect for this purpose.

Although she found it unbelievable, the fact was before her eyes. She could only secretly pay attention to the path his cultivation technique took in circulating vital energy, hoping to gain some insight.

Unfortunately, it wasn't long before her mind became muddled. No matter how calm and detached she usually was, she was, after all, a blank slate in this regard. How could someone inexperienced remain completely unperturbed?

After another while, Zu An's body trembled slightly. It seemed his spiritual injuries had been repaired, and he slowly began to regain consciousness.

He felt as if he had just had a dream, finding himself among the clouds, which were as soft and comfortable as cotton.

He was somewhat puzzled. Shouldn't he be severely injured and in pain? Why was he having such a pleasant dream instead?

Just as he was about to groggily open his eyes, his vision suddenly went dark as he felt a soft, warm hand cover them.

"Don't open your eyes!" Yan Xuehen's voice, tinged with shame and annoyance, reached his ears. Compared to her usual coolness, it now seemed to have a slight tremor.

Zu An was taken aback, but gradually regained full consciousness. At their level of cultivation, they didn't even need their eyes to perceive things. Was Yan Xuehen being foolish, making such a mistake?

However, sensing the intimate scene in the hot spring, he felt as if he were in a dream, unable to believe it was real.

Yan Xuehen's snow-white skin was now covered in a deep blush. Clearly, she realized she couldn't hide this from him, so she softly said:

"This is for your healing. Don't let your imagination run wild."

***

"Brother Shen!"

"Hmm."

As Shen Changqing walked along the road, he encountered acquaintances. They would exchange greetings or nod to each other.

But no matter who it was.

Everyone's face was devoid of superfluous emotion, as if they were indifferent to everything.

To this, Shen Changqing was already accustomed.

Because this was the Demon Suppressing Division, an organization responsible for maintaining the stability of Great Qin. Its primary duty was to slay demons and monsters, though it also had some other side tasks.

It could be said.

In the Demon Suppressing Division, every person had much blood on their hands.

When a person is accustomed to seeing life and death, they become indifferent to many things.

When he first arrived in this world, Shen Changqing was somewhat unaccustomed, but he eventually grew used to it over time.

The Demon Suppressing Division was vast.

Those who could remain in the Demon Suppressing Division were all powerful experts, or individuals with the potential to become experts.

Shen Changqing belonged to the latter category.

The Demon Suppressing Division was divided into two professions: Suppressing Envoys and Demon Exterminators.

Anyone entering the Demon Suppressing Division started as a Demon Exterminator, the lowest tier.

From there, they would gradually advance, eventually hoping to become a Suppressing Envoy.

Shen Changqing's predecessor was an apprentice Demon Exterminator in the Demon Suppressing Division, the lowest rank among Demon Exterminators.

Possessing his predecessor's memories, he was also very familiar with the environment of the Demon Suppressing Division.

It didn't take long for Shen Changqing to stop in front of a pavilion.

Unlike other grim places in the Demon Suppressing Division, this pavilion stood out like a crane among chickens, exuding an unusual tranquility amidst the bloodshed of the division.

At this moment, the pavilion's main door was open, with people occasionally entering and exiting.

Shen Changqing hesitated for only a moment before stepping inside.

Upon entering the pavilion, the atmosphere suddenly changed.

A scent of ink mixed with a faint hint of blood assailed him, causing his brows to instinctively furrow before quickly relaxing.

The bloody scent on everyone in the Demon Suppressing Division was almost impossible to wash away.