Chapter Twenty-One: The Apothecary’s Elixir, the Glazed Heart

In this way, amidst Xia Ye's continuous refining and adjustments, a month passed in the blink of an eye.

During this period, whenever he wasn't busy refining medicine, he would take opportunities like delivering meals to exchange a few words with Chen Duo. He taught her simple common sense, slowly opening up her inner world and helping her accept the name "Chen Duo."

It must be said that his "cat-raising theory" was truly sound. After a month, Chen Duo was no longer as bewildered as she had been at the beginning; she was able to leave her room and engage in outdoor activities.

This was exactly the "adaptation" he had mentioned before. If ordinary animals could learn, then surely a human, even a supernatural being, could too. Once she confirmed that she would not be subjected to any "punishment," the girl gradually began to open up.

Of course, compared to an ordinary person, Chen Duo remained cautious and timid. Her nervousness had not vanished, but it was no longer born from the "fear of punishment," but rather a fear of the "unknown."

For someone who had lived in that mountain cave for twelve years, everything in the outside world was strange and terrifying. The first thing Xia Ye had to do was help her perceive and accept this "brand new world," and everything had proceeded quite smoothly.

One early morning...

"Namo, he la da na, duo la ye ye. Namo, a li ye. Po lu jie di, shuo bo la ye..."

Deep in the forest, beside a waterfall, Xiao Zizai sat cross-legged on a stone platform. With eyes closed to clear his mind, he softly recited the "Buddhist Meditation Mantra."

Beside him, Chen Duo sat in the same posture, eyes closed in meditation. The sound of the mantra echoed in her ears, calming her body and mind as she became fully immersed.

This was also at Xia Ye's instruction, who said the meditation mantra would help the girl soothe her inner anxiety. By listening to it often, she could more quickly release her mental burdens and emerge from the shadows of her past.

In the process, Xiao Zizai discovered that the girl was genuinely interested in the mantra and became deeply absorbed every time. Thus, he recited it for her daily—a gesture that helped her while also serving his own practice.

A moment later...

As the recitation concluded.

"Hoo..."

Xiao Zizai exhaled a long breath, smoothing away the final ripple in his heart, and opened his eyes.

He turned to look at Chen Duo. She seemed to be still immersed, so he was in no rush and continued to sit in quiet meditation.

After a month of contact, Xiao Zizai had a very distinct feeling about Chen Duo—that she was "clean."

Although she had been trained by the Medicine Immortal Association for twelve years, she remained like a blank sheet of paper. The poisonous insects within her body could not soil her; instead, they only highlighted the purity of her heart.

Perhaps... this was the destiny of a "Gu Child Candidate."

In order to ensure they would obey orders after their training was complete, the Medicine Immortal Association had intentionally kept them isolated from the outside world. From childhood, they had been devoid of distractions, and naturally, their hearts remained pure.

This was precisely the main reason Xia Ye had chosen the "Medicine Master Glazed" path for her. Only by starting as a blank slate could one achieve "Glazed" perfection, and only with a pure heart could one remain unstained by dust and enter the "Realm of Radiance."

About ten minutes later, Chen Duo slowly opened her eyes. At least during the time she spent listening to the mantra, she showed no signs of nervousness, her expression incomparably calm.

However, soon after, when she caught sight of her surroundings, cold sweat began to bead on her forehead. Her hands immediately gripped her thighs, and she began to tremble slightly.

"It’s alright, Duo Duo. Don't be afraid. I'm here."

At that very moment, Xiao Zizai's magnetic voice resonated, reaching Chen Duo's ears like a clear spring, instantly calming her down.

Nearly a month of listening to the mantras and finding stillness had fostered a sense of closeness toward this composed, mature, and calm uncle. Her small hand subconsciously grabbed the corner of his clothing, and she finally steadied herself.

Just then...

"Old Xiao! Duo Duo! Breakfast is ready!"

Xia Ye’s voice rang out from behind them. They turned to see him standing there with his hands behind his back, a smile on his face.

Toward this older brother who had always spoken to her with such gentle, soft tones, Chen Duo felt a similar sense of comfort. With both of them by her side, she felt completely at ease.

Returning to the wooden cabin, the three sat down for breakfast. Xia Ye gave Xiao Zizai a look, signaling that he was ready.

By last night, he had finished refining the pills for Chen Duo. There were two in total, sufficient to allow her to be reborn and welcome a new life after escaping her shackles!

Thus...

"Duo Duo, how have you been feeling these past two days? How are the poisonous insects inside you? Is there any trouble?" Xiao Zizai asked casually while eating.

"..."

"It hurts a little."

Chen Duo remained silent for a few seconds before answering in a low voice, her eyes darting nervously between the two, as if fearing their reaction.

"It hurts?"

Hearing this, the two exchanged a glance and immediately showed concern.

"How does it hurt? Are the insects getting out of control?"

"Mm."

Chen Duo nodded.

"That won't do; we must treat it immediately!" Xiao Zizai looked at Xia Ye.

"Yes, I've been researching this for some time, and I've already refined a pill that can completely control the poison. This is perfect." Xia Ye nodded and smiled at Chen Duo.

"How about it, Duo Duo? Do you want to be completely free from this pain? You've been suffering for a long time, haven't you?" he asked softly.

"..."

"I want to..."

Chen Duo paused for two seconds again before tentatively replying. Seeing that both men appeared pleased and showed no signs of blame, she couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.

"Good! If you want to, then that’s settled! Let's finish our breakfast, and we'll begin the treatment right after!"

With a wave of his hand, Xia Ye finalized the plan, and they continued eating.

Without a doubt, this was a small performance he and Xiao Zizai had coordinated to guide Chen Duo into expressing her own will. After all, there was a difference between something "imposed upon her" and something "she herself desired," and it was also to eliminate any unnecessary hidden dangers.

Just like that, the three finished their breakfast quickly, and Xia Ye took Chen Duo to the treatment room. But just as he was closing the door...

*Thud!*

Xiao Zizai suddenly held the door panel.

"Everything will be alright, right?"

It was evident that he was worried.

"Rest assured, even if something happens to me, she will be perfectly fine."

Seeing this, Xia Ye smiled slightly and gave him his word, then reached out to pat his shoulder.

"Alright, Old Xiao, just wait outside. Think back to your own time—I'll be done quickly."

"..."

Glancing at Chen Duo, who was sitting on the medical bed, Xiao Zizai nodded. Concern makes one anxious, so he quickly released his hand and helped Xia Ye close the door.

Afterwards...

"Duo Duo, sit for a moment. I'll get your medicine."

Turning to smile at Chen Duo, Xia Ye walked to the medicine cabinet, opened it, and took out the two pills he had just finished refining.

One was entirely emerald green, overflowing with the aura of life. The moment it was taken out, it emitted a faint fragrance that filled the room with the scent of nature.

The other was orange-yellow and as transparent as amber, within which a few small orange-yellow dots could be seen swimming—resembling the "Original Gu" in some ways.

These were the pills Xia Ye had spent the month refining: the emerald one was the "Medicine Master Pill," and the orange-yellow one was the "Glazed Heart." Together, they formed the "Medicine Master Glazed."

"Here, Duo Duo, take these two pills. Once you take them, you won't feel any more pain..."

He placed both pills into Chen Duo's hands, offering a gentle smile.

"Oh... okay."

Looking at the two pills in her palm, Chen Duo did not hesitate much. She was already accustomed to taking medicine, and she tilted her head back and swallowed them...

*Gulp!*

A few seconds later...

*Whoosh—*

As the medicinal power dispersed, a light began to shine from within her body. Her skin gradually became translucent, her meridians became clearly visible, and streaks of emerald green and orange-yellow flowed and spread within them...

Her entire being resembled glazed glass!