The Villain Marked the Protagonist's Fiancée (Through the Book) - Chapter 11

Yun Xiao took out the iron pot she had bought on her way back and began adjusting the proportions of various medicinal materials while meticulously recording her progress. She remained completely unaware that Xie Yunfan was already on his way to the Illusionary Mist Forest.

After finishing the latest batch of pills, she stored them in a bamboo tube and placed it alongside the others she had prepared earlier.

Staring at the seven or eight bamboo tubes arranged on the table, she fell into deep thought.

Without anyone to test the pills, she couldn’t determine which one was the true Pheromone Suppression Pill.

Should I test them myself?

Yun Xiao approached the Cold Pool and found A’Luo meditating on a stone. Gazing at A’Luo’s delicate profile, she hesitated, her words catching in her throat.

A’Luo gently parted her crimson lips. “Speak plainly.”

Yun Xiao sat cross-legged opposite A’Luo and said truthfully, “I need you to help me enter the Wildfire Period. Only then can I create an effective Pheromone Suppression Pill.”

According to Yun Xiao, the Wildfire Period was equivalent to her Flood Season.

A’Luo’s brow furrowed slightly. “Your Heat Period hasn’t ended yet,” she reminded her.

“I understand,” Yun Xiao replied earnestly. “But if we can create the true Pheromone Suppression Pill soon, you’ll be able to safely navigate your Flood Season alone, even without me.”

Although the Flood Season differed somewhat from the Wildfire Period, the feeling of losing control over her body and reason remained deeply unsettling. In the Cultivation World, where the strong preyed on the weak, even a moment’s carelessness could be exploited, costing her life.

She wished A’Luo well.

A’Luo opened her eyes and met a pair of eyes brimming with concern and affection. Yun Xiao tilted her head slightly, gazing at her without blinking, her eyes shimmering like starlight in the lingering twilight.

That light pierced A’Luo’s heart, bringing a flicker of warmth to her icy world.

She murmured softly, “Why?”

Hadn’t they come together solely for mutual physical satisfaction? Why was Yun Xiao treating her so kindly?

Yun Xiao averted her gaze, feigning nonchalance. “Didn’t I promise you? Besides, once I develop the Pheromone Suppression Pill, I can use it myself later.”

In that moment, Yun Xiao admitted to herself that she was afraid—afraid her feelings might disgust or burden A’Luo.

During their earlier intimacy, Yun Xiao had mentioned taking responsibility.

A’Luo had replied, “We’re merely satisfying mutual needs. Don’t dwell on it.”

A’Luo had also mentioned leaving for her Sect in half a month.

That made sense.

Brushing aside the faint unease in her heart, A’Luo responded, “Alright. What do you need me to do?”

Yun Xiao composed herself, her voice uncertain. “You’ll probably have a rough few days. Also, to ensure we don’t neglect our work, I’ll need you to remind me.”

A’Luo immediately understood Yun Xiao’s meaning. Since her Heat Period hadn’t yet passed and she still needed Yun Xiao’s help to alleviate her discomfort, she nodded and said, “Alright.”

Relieved, Yun Xiao retrieved a pitch-black medicinal pill and swallowed it.

This pill was a byproduct of her attempts to create the Pheromone Suppression Pill. Shortly after the medicinal materials were added to the pot, an indescribable odor had caused her physical discomfort, a sensation that felt strangely familiar.

She soon realized the source of that familiarity. As the medicinal aroma intensified, her glands began to heat up and throb.

She suspected that the pill, formulated with a specific ratio of ingredients, could stimulate her glands and trigger the Wildfire Period.

The exact effects, however, would only be revealed after taking the pill.

Of course, she kept these thoughts to herself, not sharing them with A’Luo.

Within thirty breaths, Yun Xiao felt her glands begin to pulse. She quickly warned, “Stay at least ten miles away from me until I call for you.”

With that, she used the Light Body Technique to return to her Cave Abode, swiftly stowing the bamboo tubes and pot into her Storage Pouch before rushing out to the edge of the Defensive Formation.

She grabbed a bamboo tube, poured out a pill, and swallowed it, simultaneously monitoring her internal changes and scribbling down her observations.

It didn’t work. She tried another.

After testing all the pills in the tubes, her negative emotions remained undiminished.

Channeling her Spiritual Power to suppress the surging energy, Yun Xiao retrieved her cauldron and began refining the pills one by one, following the plan outlined in her notes.

After refining only two batches, she found herself unable to concentrate. Frantically searching for A’Luo, she seized her roughly and pressed her lips against A’Luo’s, her voice trembling as she whispered, “A’Luo, I want you.”

A’Luo didn’t reproach Yun Xiao. Instead, she wrapped her arms around Yun Xiao’s neck and gently took her earlobe between her lips.

Yun Xiao abandoned all restraint, dragging A’Luo into the Cold Pool for a night of unrestrained passion. Had A’Luo not called a halt, Yun Xiao might have gone even further.

Reluctantly parting, she returned to the site of yesterday’s experiments to continue her work.

Today’s efforts yielded results. The pills she consumed reduced her negative emotions and quelled the inner turmoil.

Building on this progress, Yun Xiao adjusted the proportions of the Medicinal Materials once more.

Five days passed in a blur. A’Luo had witnessed every moment of Yun Xiao’s tireless efforts.

Moved by her dedication, A’Luo didn’t ask her to stop.

Yun Xiao was right: only by creating the Pheromone Suppression Pill could A’Luo avoid feeling so helpless during the Flood Season.

If they could also develop a pill to suppress the Heat Period, A’Luo wouldn’t have to set aside time each year to suppress it manually. Alternatively, she could simply rely on Yun Xiao’s help to relieve her, since their Heat Periods coincided during this time of year.

After careful consideration, A’Luo decided this approach was viable and resolved to discuss it with Yun Xiao later that evening.

At the edge of the Defensive Formation, Yun Xiao held a freshly made pill. Without hesitation, she tossed it into her mouth and swallowed.

Within the time it takes to brew half a cup of tea, the burning sensation in her glands returned to normal, and the overwhelming urge to destroy everything vanished.

She had succeeded.

Yun Xiao rushed excitedly to A’Luo, presenting the genuine Pheromone Suppression Pill. “Look, I did it!” she exclaimed. “You won’t have to suffer during Flood Season anymore!”

A smile blossomed on A’Luo’s lips, as radiant as a spring flower. “Thank you,” she said warmly. “I owe you a favor.”

Placing her hopes on Yun Xiao had been a last resort.

Fortunately, Yun Xiao had lived up to her word and successfully created the Pheromone Suppression Pill.

It was precisely because of this that A’Luo was willing to grant Yun Xiao a favor.

In the Cultivation World, cultivators rarely made promises lightly. To receive a favor from A’Luo, a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, was akin to obtaining a golden token.

Yet Yun Xiao couldn’t bring herself to be happy. Wasn’t this just A’Luo drawing a line between them?

Forcing down the bitterness in her heart, she mustered a smile. “Alright.”

“Could you give me the recipe?” A’Luo asked, knowing her request was a bit much. “Just in case I can’t find you, I can handle things myself in an emergency. How about a trade?”

Yun Xiao turned away, her voice hoarse. “No need,” she said, tearing the recipe from her notebook with trembling hands and offering it. “Here.”

A’Luo immediately noticed Yun Xiao’s distress. “What’s wrong?” she asked, concerned. “You—”

Yun Xiao cut her off. “Nothing,” she insisted. “Just tired. I’m going to rest.” Before A’Luo could reply, she had already used the Light Body Technique to vanish.

Lying on the stone bed, Yun Xiao stared blankly at the sword marks on the ceiling.

During her solitary mission to Heavenly Wave City to assassinate the Lord of Heavenly Wave City, she had instinctively plucked vibrant roadside flowers, wanting to give them to A’Luo. She had bought trinkets in the market, thinking of A’Luo. Even while looting treasures from the Lord’s vault, her first thought had been whether a particular magical artifact would suit A’Luo.

It was only then that Yun Xiao belatedly realized her feelings for A’Luo had long surpassed mere responsibility. She wanted to be with A’Luo every day, to see her smile, to dwell within her heart.

Alas, all this was her own wishful thinking. Just as when she had presented those gifts to A’Luo, A’Luo had only reluctantly accepted them after much persuasion.

Wake up! she told herself. Don’t forget the Male Lead is still hunting you. Do you really want A’Luo to be hunted alongside you?

The moment this thought struck her, Yun Xiao dared not indulge in her melancholy any longer.

Yes, she thought. I’m burdened by karma and have a fierce battle ahead. I have no right to wallow in these petty romantic feelings.

She sat up in bed, retrieved a High-Grade Spirit Herb from her Inner Space, and tossed it into her mouth. Closing her eyes, she began to refine the herb’s Spiritual Energy.

Whether it was because she was nearing the end of her Heat Period or due to the Pheromone Suppression Pill she had taken, her inner desires remained dormant. In just two days, she completely refined the Spirit Herb, and her cultivation smoothly advanced to the peak of the Nascent Soul stage.

When Yun Xiao emerged from her Cave Abode, a flicker of relief flashed through A’Luo’s eyes—a relief she herself didn’t even realize she felt. A’Luo asked gently, “How are you feeling? Any lingering discomfort?”

Yun Xiao declared energetically, “I’m bursting with energy!” She smacked her lips. “I’m craving hotpot. I bought a bunch of spices at the market, so I’ll hunt down a Demonic Beast to cook.”

A’Luo, unusually not dampening her enthusiasm, asked, “What can I do to help?”

“Catch two fish,” Yun Xiao instructed, taking a step forward before retracting it. “Just catch them. I’ll kill them when I get back.”

Stepping outside the Defensive Formation, she spread her Divine Sense, finally locking onto a Fifth-Tier Heaven-Devouring Giant Wolf two hundred miles away.

Unbeknownst to her, the moment she left, someone triggered the formation.

A’Luo’s senses sharpened. She saw four intruders wearing the disciple robes of the Heavenly Evolution Sect. With a flick of her hand, she sent them crashing to the ground.

“Get out,” she snapped.

The highest-ranked disciple, a late-stage Golden Core cultivator, scrambled to his feet. His gaze flickered across A’Luo before he ventured cautiously, “May I ask if Senior is Senior Sister Fang of the Azure Cloud Sect?”

He introduced himself, “I am Zhong Qiu, a nominal disciple of the Sword Peak of the Heavenly Evolution Sect. Martial Uncle Xie should arrive in three days.”

The Martial Uncle Xie he mentioned was none other than Xie Yunfan.