Because the azure robe belonged to Xiao Jietian, it hung loosely on Xuan Yi's frame—sleeves draping past her fingertips, collar slipping wider than intended.
At that precise moment, as she bowed deeply in gratitude, the neckline parted just enough.
Xiao Jietian lifted his gaze—and froze.
His line of sight landed squarely upon the soft, snow-white valley framed by the loosened fabric.
Xuan Yi, sensing the sudden stillness, followed his eyes in puzzlement.
The next instant, realization struck like lightning.
She shot upright, jade fingers fumbling to clutch the collar closed. Crimson tide rushed from her cheeks to the tips of her ears in an uncontrollable blaze. Even her breathing grew uneven, shallow gasps betraying her composure.
"Ahem."
Xiao Jietian gave a light cough and immediately turned his head toward the cave mouth.
Tonight the moon hangs so large and bright… its silver light spills across the mountains like fresh-fallen snow. Truly a fine night for contemplation.
An awkward silence descended, thick enough to be cut with a blade.
Xuan Yi sat rigidly upon the stone, head bowed low, earlobes still burning. This was the first time any man had glimpsed her so unguarded—and she could not even blame him. The fault lay entirely with the ill-fitting robe.
Xiao Jietian, saying nothing, simply reached for more dry branches and fed them to the fire.
Yet beneath his seemingly casual movements, the flames subtly shifted—drifting closer to her side, adjusting until the warmth bathed her without scorching, a gentle cocoon against the morning chill.
Xuan Yi's lowered lashes trembled faintly.
She noticed.
He opened the small earthen pot simmering at the fire's edge, poured the steaming herbal infusion into a white jade cup, then channeled a thread of cool Dou Qi to bring it swiftly to a comfortable warmth.
A cup appeared before her without a word.
Xuan Yi paused, lifted her eyes, and met Xiao Jietian's calm, unruffled gaze.
"You've only just awakened. Drink. I've infused it with several soul-nourishing spirit herbs—it will do your sea of consciousness good."
He tapped the rim lightly with one finger, a quiet invitation.
Xuan Yi reached out. Their fingertips brushed for the briefest instant.
Her body stiffened imperceptibly—then steadied.
"Thank you."
She accepted the cup, fingers tightening around its smooth warmth. Her gaze dropped to the faintly rippling surface; in the reflection she saw her own pale face and unfocused eyes.
How long had it been since anyone prepared something so carefully just for her?
First the fire, repositioned without fanfare. Now this cup—exactly what her damaged soul craved most. Meticulous. Thoughtful.
Unconsciously, the corners of her lips curved into the faintest, softest smile.
Xiao Jietian noticed.
"What? Afraid there's poison inside?"
Xuan Yi shook her head, grip tightening further. A small, genuine laugh escaped her.
"No. If you harbored such intentions, there were countless opportunities while I lay unconscious. Why wait until now?"
She lifted the cup to her lips.
Warm liquid slid down her throat, carrying the faint, elegant fragrance of moon ginseng, soul-calming orchid, and several rarer herbs besides.
The moment it entered her body, her weakened soul phantom quivered gently—as though bathed in warm spring rain. A nourishing current flowed steadily through her sea of consciousness, quietly mending frayed edges.
As an alchemist herself, she recognized the signatures at once.
These were no common tonics.
The value of these soul herbs alone could move even a seventh-grade grandmaster.
She set the empty cup down gently.
Her gaze lifted to meet his once more, carrying a trace of genuine bewilderment.
"Why use such precious herbs on me?"
Before he could answer, she recalled the fleeting flash of surprise in his eyes when she first spoke her name.
"You… know who I am?"
Xiao Jietian leaned back against the stone, regarding her steadily.
"I have heard the name Xuan Yi before. One of the three great giants of the Pill Tower, peak ninth-revolution Dou Zun, peak eighth-grade alchemist. Perhaps I saved you precisely because of your identity—hoping this life debt might one day yield greater returns."
Xuan Yi looked deeply into his eyes, then glanced toward the simmering pot—already prepared long before she awoke.
She had lived in seclusion for decades. Even within the Pill Tower, very few knew that one of the three giants was a woman, let alone outsiders.
Therefore she was utterly certain: before she spoke her name, this man had never known her face.
Xuan Yi shook her head gently.
"Your eyes carry an arrogance that overlooks the nine heavens and ten earths. You are not the sort of person who would scheme so pettily for profit."
Xiao Jietian chuckled, meeting her gaze without evasion.
"And if it was simply because of your beauty? Lust at first sight, perhaps?"
Xuan Yi arched a delicate brow, lips curving in an expression that clearly said: Do you truly expect me to believe that?
"My sixth sense has never failed me. You are not that kind of man. Moreover—though I was unconscious, a faint trace of awareness remained. You never once crossed that line."
She paused, then continued with quiet confidence:
"With your appearance and bearing, if you so wished, you need only lift a finger in any city and countless beautiful young women would throw themselves at your feet. There would be no need for such underhanded means."
A soft, amused laugh escaped her.
"Besides… don't all you men prefer youthful, blooming flowers?"
Xiao Jietian fell silent.
His gaze paused.
Then he shook his head with a helpless, wry smile.
Seeing his reaction, Xuan Yi felt she had guessed correctly. She pointed lightly toward the stone bed where the two little girls still slept soundly.
"From their features alone, one can tell their mothers must be peerless beauties. How could a man with such exquisite taste possibly stoop to forcing an injured stranger?"
Xiao Jietian's head-shaking paused mid-motion.
He lifted his eyes to hers, a trace of helplessness mingled with deeper meaning flashing through them.
"I never imagined… that one day my character would need to be vouched for by my own two daughters."
Xuan Yi glanced at his rueful expression and smiled slyly—fox-like, yet warm.
She could not explain why, but sitting here trading words with this man felt strangely… comfortable. As though she had stepped back into a long-forgotten version of herself.
"Though I am injured, my judgment of people remains sharp."
"Indeed." Xiao Jietian accepted the praise without false modesty—it was simply the trouble of being too outstanding. He continued lightly:
"In truth, it was the two little ones who found you first. They begged me to save you. And as their father… how could I disappoint them when the matter lay within my power?"
The fire crackled softly between them.
Outside the cave, morning mist drifted like silk veils across the peaks.
Inside, two souls—both carrying hidden scars—sat in quiet understanding, the first fragile threads of karma quietly weaving themselves tighter with every shared glance and unspoken word.