He half-dragged, half-supported Zhao Yuwei to sit down at the stone table in the courtyard, and then magically pulled out several items from his storage bag.
A bowl of steaming spirit rice porridge, several plates of delicate side dishes, and a small pot of warm spirit fruit wine.
"Here, eat something quickly."
Xiao Feng handed the bowl and chopsticks to Zhao Yuwei, his tone much gentler: "This is Baiweizhai's new Snow Lotus Spirit Rice Porridge, which is very good for restoring vitality."
Zhao Yuwei looked at the food in front of her, which smelled delicious, but she had no appetite at all.
She knew her body's condition; eating anything wouldn't help, and would only accelerate the spread of toxins.
She gently pushed the bowl away and shook her head: "Thank you... but I really can't eat."
Xiao Feng's smile froze for a moment, then he forced it back on: "You have to eat, even if you can't! Just do it for me, okay? Eat a little bit, or I'll get angry."
He picked up a spoon, scooped up a spoonful of porridge, and held it to Zhao Yuwei's lips, coaxing her like a child: "Come on, open your mouth, ah—"
Looking at Xiao Feng's feigned ease, and seeing the undisguised worry and heartache deep in his eyes, Zhao Yuwei felt a lump in her throat and almost burst into tears.
She knew Xiao Feng meant well, but she... really didn't want him to worry about her anymore.
"Senior brother..."
Her voice choked with emotion, and her eyes reddened: "Please don't do this... I know my situation... You don't need to waste your energy..."
Seeing her like this, Xiao Feng felt even more distressed.
He put down the spoon, reached out and gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, his movements incredibly tender: "Silly girl, what nonsense are you talking about? With your senior brother here, how could anything happen to you? Have you forgotten, I'm an unkillable cockroach!"
He paused, looked into Zhao Yuwei's eyes, and said, word by word, with utmost seriousness, "Yuwei, believe me, everything will be alright. You just need to... hang in there a little longer, okay? Just for my sake, hang in there until... tonight."
He deliberately emphasized the words "tonight".
Zhao Yuwei was slightly taken aback, as if she had picked up on some hidden meaning in Xiao Feng's words.
She raised her teary eyes and looked at Xiao Feng. Her lips moved as if she wanted to ask something, but in the end she just nodded, her voice trembling slightly.
"Hmm... I believe you, senior brother."
She picked up the spoon and began to sip the porridge.
Although she still had little appetite, she forced herself to eat because of Xiao Feng's words and the determination in his eyes.
Xiao Feng breathed a slight sigh of relief when he saw that she was finally willing to eat.
He stayed by her side, chatting casually about interesting things in the sect, trying to create a relaxed atmosphere and dilute the heavy despair.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the bamboo leaves, casting dappled patterns in the courtyard.
Time passed slowly, and the air was filled with the faint aroma of porridge and herbs, as well as a hint of barely perceptible tension.
Xiao Feng knew that midnight was approaching.
He could only leave quietly and head to Hantan Cave after Zhao Yuwei fell asleep.
Tonight will be a high-stakes gamble between him and death.
The stakes were Zhao Yuwei's life, and his own.
He can only win, he can't afford to lose!
It's almost midnight.
His heart was pounding, like he was carrying a rabbit, feeling all pounding in his chest.
Since the agreed time has arrived, we absolutely cannot delay any longer.
Looking at Zhao Yuwei beside him.
The hand that held the teacup trembled almost imperceptibly.
The clear tea in the cup swayed, reflecting his complex expression.
He added enough "Drunken Immortal Powder" to this cup of tea to make a cow fall into a deep sleep for three days.
"Senior Brother Xiao, what are you thinking about?"
A crisp, melodious sound came from behind me, carrying a hint of drowsy laziness.
Xiao Feng snapped back to his senses, quickly suppressing his emotions, turned around, and forced a smile that he tried to make as natural as possible.
"It's nothing, Yuwei. It's late, and you seem a little tired, so I made you a cup of calming tea. Drink it and get some rest."
Zhao Yuwei rubbed her eyes, walked to the table, and took the teacup.
Caught off guard, she gave Xiao Feng a sweet smile, a smile as pure as a mountain spring, which instantly pierced Xiao Feng's heart.
But if we don't do this, are we just going to watch her die?
Xiao Feng cursed himself in his heart, but his face remained gentle.
"Drink it quickly, the medicine will be less effective if it gets cold."
Zhao Yuwei hummed in agreement, obediently drank the tea in her cup in one gulp, and smacked her lips, saying, "The tea that Senior Brother brews is really delicious."
Seeing her completely unconcerned demeanor, Xiao Feng felt a pang of sadness and bitterness in his heart.
He turned his face away, not daring to look into her eyes again, afraid that he would not be able to help but tell the truth.
Not long after, the drug took effect, and Zhao Yuwei's eyelids began to droop. Her body went limp, and she slumped into the chair, falling into a deep sleep.
Xiao Feng sighed softly, stepped forward, and carefully picked Zhao Yuwei up in his arms.
Her body was light, like a feather, and her warm breath brushed against his neck, carrying a faint fragrance.
He moved gently, as if afraid of disturbing the precious treasure in his arms.
Stepping out of the room, the night breeze was slightly cool.
Xiao Feng carried Zhao Yuwei, his steps steady yet swift as he walked towards the secluded area deep within the back mountains.
The moonlight cast long shadows of the two people.
After passing through a dark, dense forest, a dark cave entrance appeared in the distance, from which wisps of cold air emanated, and the chill was bone-chilling as one approached.
This is the Cold Pool Cave.
Everything was already arranged around him.
A jade bed emanating a chilling aura, several eerie blue soul lamps, and some bottles and jars exuding a strange herbal scent.
As Xiao Feng approached carrying the unconscious Zhao Yuwei, the old man's cloudy gaze swept over her pale face before turning to Xiao Feng's dry lips, his voice hoarse as he spoke.
"Boy, the time has come. I'll ask you one last time, are you really sure? Once this 'Tethering Technique' is activated, all the strange poison in her body will be transferred to you. The feeling... tsk tsk, it's no joke, you'll be lucky to escape with your life!"
The old man's tone carried a sense of experience and advice: "You are still young, with a bright future ahead of you. Why risk your life for a woman? There are plenty of good women in this world, you..."
"Senior, there's no need for further words!"
Xiao Feng interrupted the old man, his tone resolute and without the slightest hesitation.
He lowered his head and gazed deeply at Zhao Yuwei's peaceful sleeping face in his arms.
Her face was not clearly visible in the candlelight, but now, illuminated by the cold moonlight and the dim glow of the soul lamp, it possessed a fragile beauty, and her long eyelashes trembled gently like butterfly wings.
Scenes from the past involuntarily surfaced in my mind.
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