Ever since coming to this world, Ning Xuan had been diligently improving her strength to ensure her own survival. Though she wasn’t particularly satisfied with the local cuisine and had once entertained the thought of discovering and seeking out delicacies, she had reined in all such notions after surviving an assassination attempt.

The dishes tonight, especially the crystal-clear, amber-colored fine wine, reminded her of the home she could no longer find. It had only been half a year since she had come to this world, yet it already felt like a lifetime ago to Ning Xuan.

’I wonder if I’ll ever be able to return to Tianhe City.’

Lost in this melancholy and urged on by Zhu Hongying’s insistent encouragement, she unconsciously drank a great deal. The lamplight cast flickering little flames within the crystal cup. Ning Xuan propped her flushed cheek on her hand, watching the amber liquid create tiny ripples as it swirled. ’Is this my seventh cup, or my eighth?’ she wondered, counting the empty celadon goblets on the table. The cool touch of porcelain spread from her fingertips.

This Hundred Fruit Brew was a specialty of the Seven Star Divine Mountain. It was brewed with a special recipe using nearly a hundred types of Spirit Fruits and was exceedingly precious. Lin Mo had only ever had a single cup at a family banquet. He knew this brew could improve circulation and stimulate the rapid flow of Bloodline Power, making it a valuable treasure for accelerating one’s Cultivation. The fact that his aunt had brought out so much at once showed just how highly she regarded Ning Xuan.

Lin Mo looked at Ning Xuan’s flushed cheeks and hazy gaze, and wondered if he should keep pouring her wine.

"This wine... it tastes like roses. It’s delicious." Her words trailed off in a soft, drunken sweetness, and the alcohol vapor reddened the corners of her eyes. Feeling the liquor go to her head, she began to circulate the energy in her body, intending to dissipate its effects. She had dared to indulge in the fine wine because she believed its effects could be neutralized by Spiritual Energy. Since her energy could circulate through her meridians just like Spiritual Energy, it should logically have the same effect.

To her surprise, the moment her internal energy touched the wine flowing through her system, it was like pouring boiling water into hot oil—BANG! It instantly exploded. Her blood began to boil as an overwhelming tide of Fire Element Energy surged from the depths of her bloodline, searing her blood vessels, muscles, organs, and bones. The scorching pain shot straight to her mind, instantly sharpening the senses that had been dulled by the alcohol.

The Guiding Spirit Scripture began to circulate automatically, refining the energy and drawing it into her meridians and acupoints. Some of the refined energy overflowed from her body and was absorbed by the fluffy, ball-like white kitten.

"Mrs. Zhu, thank you for your generous hospitality. I’m afraid I can’t hold my liquor, so I’ll be returning to rest now." Suppressing the endlessly churning energy that was surging within her, Ning Xuan shakily stood up. She managed a smile and cupped her fists in a salute to Zhu Hongying before turning to leave.

Yan Fuzhen darted forward from behind to steady Ning Xuan. But Lin Mo, who was closer and had been keeping an eye on her the whole time, saw her waver and instantly reached out to support her.

Ning Xuan shook them both off with a displeased frown. "Don’t touch me. I can walk on my own."

Ning Xuan staggered back to her residence, the Purple Vine Courtyard, and immediately found a room to meditate and cultivate. Amidst the active Fire Element Energy, a fiery red little bird flickered in and out of existence. The energy she refined slowly coalesced, forming the bird’s flame-like red feathers. Gradually, the Little Red Bird began to look more solid and vibrant than before.

Her blood was still boiling. Ning Xuan opened her right hand. The Black-red Vine in her palm extended dozens of black filaments, which pierced into her boiling blood vessels. They snaked through her veins, absorbing certain unrefined substances from her blood.

Time passed, second by second. The fiery red little bird flapped its newly plump feathers, poised to spread its wings and fly. After some time, her boiling blood gradually calmed, and the spiritual power surging within her Spiritual Sea had also grown somewhat stronger. Ning Xuan stretched, a little tired after cultivating for so long. Now that the boiling energy had subsided, the lingering effects of the alcohol washed over her. She felt very sleepy and knew she needed to get some rest.

As Ning Xuan stood up, the little white cat, which seemed to have fallen asleep, dropped from her arms with a soft PLOP. She had long forgotten about the little accessory clinging to her, and being still a bit groggy, she failed to notice it fall.

Seeing Ning Xuan emerge from the training room, Lin Mo, who had been waiting outside, approached her with concern. "Contractor, how are you feeling?"

Ning Xuan gave Lin Mo a soft smile and reached out to pinch his cheek. "I think you’re pretty cute!"

Lin Mo’s face flushed bright red. "Contractor, the sun isn’t up yet. Are you going to get some sleep?"

Ning Xuan giggled. "That’s right, I’m going to sleep. Don’t follow me. I want to sleep alone."

Although Ning Xuan was groggy, she wasn’t so out of it that she couldn’t recognize anyone. Looking up, she saw Yan Fuzhen was also nearby and went off to bed, relieved.

Zhu Hongxing’s fingers swiped rapidly across the holographic screen, where Yun Han’s life-monitoring data flickered on a virtual projection. When his finger stopped on a steadily rising energy waveform, Zhu Hongying’s eyes welled up with tears. It wasn’t just the clear, visible increase in the data on the monitor; they could also distinctly sense a significant change in the frequency and depth of Yun Han’s breathing.

"Brother, it’s really working! Yun Han’s condition is improving," Zhu Hongying said in disbelief.

"Yes. It’s not just his Life Force that has increased; the circulation and vitality within his body have also markedly improved."

"Hong Ying, didn’t you previously invite Master Jiang Ren, an expert in the Acupuncture Skill? Did he not come at the time?" Zhu Hongxing asked.

"He came," Zhu Hongying replied with certainty. "Master Jiang even performed acupuncture on Yun Han, but it had no effect. Over the past year, we’ve truly tried every method imaginable."

"Then why is it working now? Could the technique be different? Is Ning Xuan really just a commoner from a Low-class Star? If so, how would she know the Acupuncture Skill?" Zhu Hongxing mused.

"I don’t think it’s just due to the Acupuncture Skill," Zhu Hongying said. "Brother, think about it: why does Little White cling to her and refuse to let go?"

"When genetic compatibility is extremely high, a Companion Spirit will instinctively draw close to someone. It’s said that this is because under special circumstances, a Companion Spirit can obtain energy from them. Do you think it’s possible that Little White is drawing energy from Ning Xuan and then feeding it back to Yun Han?" Zhu Hongying speculated.

"That can’t be," Zhu Hongxing said, shaking his head. "Ning Xuan’s Level is low, and her Companion Spirit has only just awakened; it hasn’t even taken form yet. How much Bloodline Power could she possibly have, and how much energy could she produce? Yun Han’s Level is high, and the White Tiger is a Mythical Level Companion Spirit. Even though it has devolved, its Level hasn’t dropped. Its energy quality requirements are extremely high. All that highly pure energy we gathered was useless, so how could it possibly obtain energy from Ning Xuan?"