Zhong Yi's chess skills were, without a doubt, those of a master.

After just a few dozen moves, he had completely blocked his opponent's chess paths.

The old man's face turned crimson with frustration, and he cursed under his breath.

He had spent the past three days diligently studying his ancestral chess manual, determined to defeat his opponent using his Old Ancestor's methods, but he hadn't expected to lose so quickly.

"That's not right... Old Ancestor said that no one would be able to solve it within three hundred years, so how could this happen..."

The old man stroked his goatee in puzzlement.

Zhong Yi struggled to suppress his laughter.

This chess manual, to him, was simply too outdated.

"Oh well, oh well, a bet is a bet... I, an old man, have nothing to give you, but if you fancy this ancestral Pill Formula, then take it."

The old man was thoroughly convinced of his loss and readily pulled a brocade pouch from his pocket, tossing it to Zhong Yi.

"【Side Quest (Ancestral Chess Manual) completed!】"

"【Reward obtained: Lost High Grade Body Tempering Pill Formula x1】"

Seeing the System notification, Zhong Yi was immediately overjoyed, jumping up and down with delight.

"Hahahaha! Fellow Daoists, Suteir's immortal path is secured!!"

...

Zhong Yi spent half a day collecting the medicinal ingredients mentioned in the Pill Formula from the immortal peak outside the town.

He then spent a bit more time going to the market to find someone to refine them.

Refining Medicinal Pills was quite fast; he could get the goods as soon as he paid.

Although it defied common sense, Cultivators were already accustomed to such things, having seen them countless times in Lu Ze's Illusion Realm.

Zhong Yi returned to the inn, overjoyed, holding the Pill Formula.

Immediately after, he realized another very serious problem—

The method of use for this Body Tempering Pill Formula was to grind it into a powder for a medicinal bath.

After listening to Zhong Yi's red-faced explanation, a flush of crimson flashed across Suteir's cheeks.

"Li Ang..."

Suteir pointed at the large wooden tub in front of her, looking at Zhong Yi with a mix of belief and doubt.

"You're not trying to look at me, are you..."

"Ptooey, ptooey, ptooey! I-I am absolutely not that kind of person!!!"

Zhong Yi's face turned crimson, and he quickly waved his hands, flustered like a young boy.

"This Pill Formula is incredibly precious and must be used with a medicinal bath to... to be effective..."

"And, and..."

"I'm only responsible for preparing the medicinal liquid for you; I absolutely will not step into this room, rest assured!"

Zhong Yi, at this moment, spoke too much without realizing it.

He looked quite awkward and flustered.

But to his surprise, no behavior points were deducted.

Which meant... Li Ang's true self would likely react similarly in this situation.

Seeing Zhong Yi's reaction, Suteir immediately found it amusing.

"Cough cough..."

The young girl lightly coughed twice, teasing him deliberately:

"Li Ang, you saved my life, so it's only right that I repay you by pledging myself to you..."

"N-no more nonsense! Let's get started quickly!!!"

Zhong Yi loudly interrupted, and without another word, went to fetch hot water.

Behind him, the girl's bell-like laughter could be heard...

The medicinal liquid was quickly prepared.

Amidst the young girl's teasing laughter, Zhong Yi pushed Suteir into the bathing room, then firmly shut the door.

The bullet comments were immediately amused by this scene.

"【Old Zhong, you speak so eloquently about cultivation, but why are you acting like an inexperienced little brother now?】

"【To be honest, it doesn't seem faked.】"

"【Suteir completely dominates in this aspect~】"

"【I'm very curious what would happen if Old Zhong really went in.】"

"【Streamer, I'll send you a Ten Thousand Swords Return to Origin, can you take us in to see?】

"【A bunch of beasts! She's still just a child!】

...

"W-what Ten Thousand Swords Return to Origin? How can we, people of the Righteous Path, have such depraved thoughts!!"

Facing the bullet comments' teasing, Zhong Yi firmly shook his head.

In fact, even if someone wanted to do that, it would be impossible to achieve their goal.

With the character behavior System in place, "Li Ang" would not allow players to do such things that crossed the line.

At this moment, Zhong Yi and Suteir, who was in the wooden tub, were only separated by a door.

The young girl cupped the medicinal liquid in her hands, and the pitter-patter of splashing water, generated by the splashes, seeped through the door crack into Zhong Yi's ears.

Although it was just the sound of ordinary flowing water, Zhong Yi felt restless, and his face turned crimson.

"This shouldn't be..."

Zhong Yi murmured to himself, then indeed discovered something was wrong.

Under his character panel, there was a pink negative status effect: 【Irritated】.

Clearly, this was actively added by the Illusion Realm, representing Li Ang's current psychological state.

He was probably a shy and reserved fellow... Zhong Yi smiled helplessly and silently recited a Mind-Cultivation Technique to calm himself.

"Li Ang, what are you doing?"

Behind the door, the young girl's clear voice was slightly muffled, and Zhong Yi couldn't help but imagine Suteir speaking amidst the thick steam.

"I-I'm reciting a Mind-Cultivation Technique that I'll teach you later."

Zhong Yi's old face flushed, and he quickly lied.

"Li Ang..."

"Hmm?"

"Have you really never thought about it?"

"What?"

"About me pledging myself to you or something?"

The young girl's voice carried a hint of laughter at the end, clearly meant as a tease.

"..."

Zhong Yi immediately fell silent.

It was his first time encountering such a situation, and he truly didn't know how to answer...

"Am I not pretty?"

"No, you are very beautiful."

"Then why are you not interested in me at all?"

"Listen, Suteir, you're still young..."

"I'm not a child anymore!"

"Alright, alright... Suteir, soak well, and don't let anything below your head emerge from the water."

Zhong Yi scratched his head and quickly changed the subject.

"Li Ang, come in for a moment."

"Until you have fully absorbed the medicinal power, dried yourself, and put on your clothes... that is absolutely impossible."

"Hmph, boring Li Ang."

The young girl's voice carried a slight hint of disdain, which made Zhong Yi realize she was joking, and he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The air fell silent, with only the pitter-patter of water remaining.

"Ah!!!"

Suddenly, a scream came from inside the bathing room.

"What's wrong!?"

Zhong Yi quickly stood up.

"It hurts... It hurts so much! This medicine has a problem!!!"

The young girl let out a terrified shriek.

Zhong Yi didn't have time to think and quickly pushed the door open.

"Are you alright!?"

In the dense steam, Zhong Yi could only see a pair of incredibly delicate young girl's feet dangling over the edge of the wooden tub.

And the young girl's face, faintly visible with a mischievous smile.

"Hehe~"

Only then did Zhong Yi realize it was Suteir's prank.

Fortunately, the bathing room was full of steam, and the medicinal liquid was an opaque dark green, so nothing could be seen.

"You..."

Zhong Yi was about to speak.

The young girl cupped a handful of water and threw it at Zhong Yi... 【Congratulations! Suteir has successfully undergone Body Tempering and her Rank has increased to 1.】