Ye Lingling gazed into those clear, bright eyes, and the fire in her heart failed to ignite after all. She simply let out a soft sigh.
"Liuyun, when did you get back?"
"Just now."
Ye Lingling narrowed her eyes slightly. "How much... did you hear?"
"Neither too much nor too little. Just enough to hear that you were worrying about me so much you even put your cultivation aside." Zhao Liuyun stroked her soft hand and laughed softly. "A person should live for themselves first; don't go delaying your cultivation just for me."
"Who—who's worried about you!" Ye Lingling abruptly turned her face away, her cheeks flushing crimson. "I just... I just—"
She rubbed her eyes, finding an excuse: "I just didn't want the family's efforts to go to waste! Even less did I want you to lose your life right after talking so big!"
"Fine, let's leave it at that then."
Zhao Liuyun stared deeply into Ye Lingling's beautiful large eyes; the redness around her eyelids was quite prominent.
"Were you crying?"
"What nonsense? I wasn't crying!" Ye Lingling felt she would die of embarrassment. Her cheeks burned, and she could only give a cold huff. "Let go of me! Don't touch me again!"
"I'm going to consume the Whale Gel now. Don't stand here being a nuisance."
Zhao Liuyun asked, "Do you need my help?"
"?" Her heart hammered wildly, and her eyes, filled with a mix of affection and shyness, suddenly widened.
Had becoming the disciple of a Title Douluo made him so bold all of a sudden? To actually say such frivolous things.
Hurriedly breaking free from Zhao Liuyun's palm, she clutched the Whale Gel and rushed into her room as if fleeing for her life. Closing the door, Ye Lingling leaned her back against the panel and covered her burning face, her breath feeling incredibly hot.
Zhao Liuyun watched the closed door, the smile on his lips not yet fading. Ye Lingling was thin-skinned; if he teased her any further, she might truly get angry. This current state of push-and-pull was just the right balance.
"The medicinal properties of twenty-thousand-year Whale Gel are overbearing. Don't be greedy; don't take too much at once," he reminded her warmly through the door.
Zhao Liuyun had [Hypnosis] to calm his mind; despite his young age, his reactions would not be too extreme. Ye Lingling, however, was nearing her coming-of-age year—a young girl in the springtime of her youth. She was, after all, different from him.
There was no response from inside the room for a long time. Zhao Liuyun didn't mind; he smiled and turned to leave, heading toward the pharmacy.
By the window lattice, Ye Lingling held that piece of deep yellow Whale Gel, her gaze following the receding figure. Only when he had vanished from the courtyard did she softly whisper an answer in her heart.
"I know..."
Zhao Liuyun didn't worry about her. Having returned to the estate, he needed to report to the head of the family.
Detoxifying Dugu Bo would take at least half a year. During this period, he could continue to accumulate [Physician] experience. The condition for the second class advancement of [Physician] was to successfully treat over a thousand people. His current progress was at 592.
There was a specific nuance to "successful treatment." The emphasis was on "success." Even in a world filled with the mysterious powers of the Douluo Continent, many chronic diseases could not be completely cured by ordinary herbs. Medical consultations were expensive; for common minor ailments, most people would just buy some ready-made pills to get by. Those who stepped into the Ye family clinic often suffered from conditions that were no longer mild. Whether they could be cured often depended somewhat on luck.
In the pharmacy, Ye Ren looked up at the youth at the door, a flicker of irrepressible joy passing through his eyes.
Zhao Liuyun spoke in a clear voice with a smile, "Head of the family, I have returned."
"It is good that you are back. Did you... obtain your wish?"
"Yes. I have become His Excellency's disciple."
"Good!" Ye Ren couldn't help but clench his fists. The name Dugu Bo might not be of great use to the Ye family, but for Zhao Liuyun personally, the man was a vital stepping stone on the path to becoming a powerhouse. Obtaining spirit rings, guidance in cultivation, and even the connections of a Title Douluo—from now on, Zhao Liuyun would receive support from many sides and had the potential to grow into a truly powerful Spirit Master.
Ye Ren nodded slightly, his tone gentle: "It's time to change how you address me, Liuyun."
"Uh—" Zhao Liuyun was briefly stunned. If he followed the relationship with Ye Lingling, should he call him "Father"?
Ye Ren laughed: "It's still too early for that. Just call me Uncle Ye."
Zhao Liuyun nodded happily, "Uncle Ye."
Time flowed like a river, and half a year passed in the blink of an eye. The Ye family clinic was as busy as ever, with the flow of people never ceasing through the seasons.
"Thank you, Physician Liuyun," an elderly grandmother said, her hands trembling as she held Zhao Liuyun's hand, thanking him repeatedly.
"You are quite welcome. It is my duty," Zhao Liuyun replied with a gentle smile.
Though young, his medical skills were exquisite. More precious still was his warm and approachable demeanor, which put people at ease. There were many who sought him out for treatment, but unfortunately, he still hadn't reached the 1,000 mark.
"See you next month, Grandma."
This elderly woman suffered from a stubborn head ailment that was difficult to eradicate; she could only take medicine long-term to alleviate the pain. Since Zhao Liuyun began practicing here, she alone had contributed nearly a hundred experience points. Unfortunately, because it couldn't be radically cured, it didn't count toward the number of successfully treated people. At least, not with her financial resources.
Watching the white-haired figure hobble away on her cane, a slender, fair hand gently took hold of Zhao Liuyun's right hand.
"What are you looking at? It's time to head to the Dugu estate."
The speaker was Ye Lingling. Thanks to the favor Zhao Liuyun enjoyed as a genius disciple, Dugu Bo extended that affection to her as well. Ye Lingling had accompanied Zhao Liuyun to the Dugu estate to play many times. Over time, she had finally shed her past prejudices. She also knew about the deep poison Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan suffered from due to their martial souls.
Today was the time to deliver the antidote. The final dose.
Since the detoxification began, the remaining toxins had become as stubborn as maggots in a bone. Even adding more blood would not budge them. They only had to wait for this last sliver of toxin that could still be drawn out to be completely neutralized. Once the poison stopped eroding their bodies and all symptoms vanished, they would be considered fully recovered.
"Ah, let's go," Zhao Liuyun replied, checking the tools in his spirit tool. He carried his medicine-making tools and the ingredients with him; the medicine would be prepared and consumed on-site.
Inside the Dugu estate, under the burning gazes of Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan, Zhao Liuyun used his blood to prepare two pills. He calmly handed them over. "Teacher, Sister Yan, please. This is the last dose before you break free from your cage."
It was also time for the [Physician] second class advancement.
"Good disciple, I'll go detoxify first!" Dugu Bo snatched a pill and swallowed it, a look of profound relief appearing on his face. Before his voice even faded, his figure vanished into thin air like wisps of smoke.
A ripple of surprise and joy spread through Dugu Yan's eyes. She whispered, "Little Liuyun... thanks." Since learning the truth about her family's martial soul, she harbored deep gratitude toward Zhao Liuyun.
"Go and refine the medicine quickly," Zhao Liuyun urged warmly. This was also precious physician experience.
"Next time, Tianheng and I will invite you and Lingling for an outing. No excuses," Dugu Yan winked at him and went to consume the antidote. Though she was arrogant, she treated Zhao Liuyun—Dugu Bo's only disciple—quite well, acting like a warm elder sister.
After Ye Lingling offered her well-wishes, she said nothing more. She simply leaned against Zhao Liuyun and asked softly, "Will it be all over after this?"
"Yeah. Once this is done, they will be without shackles."
After answering, Zhao Liuyun waited silently.
In his sea of consciousness, a clear chime seemed to ring out: [You have devoted yourself to treating a chronic illness, displaying divine skill to cure an incurable disease. [Physician] Class Experience +1]
It was here!
A surge of emotion welled up within him. He stared intently at the jumping text on his panel, his anticipation spreading like wildfire. Finally:
[Experience for [Physician Lv1] has been satisfied. Conditions for second class advancement met. Proceed with second class advancement?]
"Advance!" Zhao Liuyun shouted in his heart.
[Class: Physician Lv1] suddenly stretched and shifted. In its place was the new class: [Medical Sage Lv2 (31,681 / 100,000)].
[Class Trait: Focus Lv2 (Effect unchanged, intensity increased. Increases class experience gain efficiency by 100%)]