Chapter 26: Fattening for the Slaughter
This Sun and Moon Scripture was truly mysterious…
Mingyan pondered. He had wanted to try the secret technique, but he decided against it for now. The Huang family would need his blood soon. If he suffered severe backlash and was injured, the blood extraction would be delayed.
He needed to nourish his body these next few days. He would be losing a lot of blood soon… The more he thought about it, the stranger it felt. Unable to focus on cultivation, he left his room and went out into the courtyard.
The peach tree was still laden with spirit peaches. Grown in this energy-rich environment, the peaches were imbued with spiritual energy. If a mortal ate one, it would likely extend their lifespan.
This tree was brought back from Yaochi by Feiyan’s aunt. He had forgotten to ask Feiyan about suitable wood for a bow stave…
For cultivators, the bow was the important part; arrows were expendable. With enough spiritual energy, one could even create arrows from pure energy. Naturally, Mingyan also wanted a bow as his weapon.
He wondered about the Immortal Peach Tree… No… That was a treasure of the Yaochi Sacred Land. If he used its wood for his bow, Ning Feixuan would be heartbroken. She was the Yaochi Holy Maiden and might even become the next Queen Mother of the West…
“Young Master Ming, why not pick one and try it? They’re quite delicious.” A female voice spoke behind him. Mingyan turned and saw Huang Junyi, whom he had met in the carriage. He quickly bowed. “Elder Huang…”
“Hmm? Elder? I don’t like that title. Call me Sister.” Huang Junyi smiled playfully, approaching him and looking him over. “Come on, call me Sister. Let me hear it.”
“This… I’m friends with Feiyan, and you’re her elder…” Mingyan hesitated. He couldn’t address her as “Sister.” It would be disrespectful.
“Feiyan is Feiyan, and you are you. Call me Sister. Come on.” Huang Junyi’s smile didn’t waver, but she didn’t press closer. However, her gaze remained suggestive, making Mingyan uncomfortable.
If he called her “Sister,” it would be disrespectful. If he didn’t, it would be rude to Huang Junyi, Feiyan’s second aunt, who was related to her by blood, unlike her other aunts.
She was Huang Junru’s younger sister and Huang Qingfei’s older sister.
“Not giving me face?” Huang Junyi’s smile widened, her eyes sparkling, her fragrance intoxicating. Although Mingyan wasn’t completely inexperienced with women, he couldn’t handle Huang Junyi’s forwardness. He stepped back, muttering softly, “Sister…”
“That’s more like it. I’m eighteen, only two years older than you.” Huang Junyi smiled charmingly. “Little brother, I must thank you properly. If it weren’t for you, my younger sister wouldn’t know when she’d wake up…”
Mentioning Huang Qingfei, her playful demeanor faded slightly. “I hope… she can truly wake up…”
Mingyan had been about to comment on her claiming to be eighteen, but seeing her concern for Huang Qingfei, he remained silent. No one could be absolutely certain. He hoped his blood would be effective and awaken Huang Qingfei, but he couldn’t make any promises. What if she didn’t wake up?
Huang Junyi tapped his forehead playfully. “Feiyan asked me to bring you some things. Take good care of yourself these next few days. Our entire family’s hopes rest on you.”
He had thought Huang Junyi was beautiful when he first met her, but now, she seemed even more stunning, comparable to Feiyan. Her touch made his heart race. He thought of Ning Feixuan to calm himself and nodded. “I’ll do my best.”
Huang Junyi’s gaze intensified, making him blush again. He didn’t know what to say.
Seeing his embarrassment, Huang Junyi smiled brightly, her own face flushing slightly. “You’re quite handsome, little brother. It’s the first time I’ve seen Feiyan so concerned about a man… I think you two would make a good match. Do you have feelings for Feiyan?”
Mingyan felt flustered. Feiyan’s second aunt was like a succubus… Why was the Family Head so cold and aloof, while her sister was so passionate and alluring? He couldn’t handle it. Hearing her question, he thought of Ning Feixuan to steady his heart and shook his head firmly. “Feiyan and I are just friends. I have no other intentions. Second Aunt… cough, Sister, you don’t need to worry.”
“Worry? Why would I worry? I think you two are a good match.” Huang Junyi smiled. “But if you don’t have any feelings for her, then forget it.”
She stepped back, her gaze no longer suggestive, and handed him a small, exquisite pouch. “These are tonics and spirit fruits to nourish your body and expel impurities. If anything happens, tell Feiyan immediately.”
Her sudden shift to a serious demeanor made Mingyan both uncomfortable and relieved. So, she had been acting flirtatious because she thought he had feelings for Feiyan. After confirming he didn’t, she became formal… This seemed even more problematic…
He accepted the pouch. It felt incredibly light. Were there really things inside? He was curious but remembered Huang Junru’s carriage. It must involve some kind of spatial manipulation. He didn’t ask.
Huang Junyi smiled and left.
Quite decisive… Mingyan watched her go, frowning slightly. He had felt something was off, and now he realized what it was.
It wasn’t just her shift in demeanor. That was a problem, but not the biggest one.
It was… Huang Feiyan had said the women of the Huang family didn’t marry outsiders, so why did Huang Junyi seem to support him and Feiyan being together? This reminded him of the rumors Feiyan had mentioned… Because of those rumors, she had suitors. This meant the rumors likely concerned the Huang family’s marriage customs.
The Huang family didn’t marry outsiders or allow men to marry in because they had the Phoenix Blood Pool. By drinking the Phoenix blood, they could conceive without needing partners.
Therefore, the rumors must be about the Phoenix blood, perhaps claiming it was no longer effective, which was why suitors had appeared.
Feiyan had called them rumors, but Huang Junyi’s attitude was strange… Could it be true?
This must be a serious matter, something Feiyan couldn’t easily reveal. Mingyan decided not to ask. He had no solutions anyway.
He returned to his room and opened the pouch. It probably had a fancy name, but Huang Junyi hadn’t told him. As expected, it was spatially expanded. He peered inside and saw a surprisingly large space… But he could store these spirit fruits in his Qi Sea. This pouch must be for those who hadn’t reached the Illuminating Sea Realm. The Huang family probably didn’t know he could access his Qi Sea at the Great Brook Realm. Feiyan must have kept it a secret…
Mingyan smiled. This friendship was proving to be quite valuable.
Now, it was time for the fattening-up process, preparing for the blood extraction…
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