BOOM!
As a powerful wave of spiritual energy erupted from Qiao Fengyi's body, a simple question appeared in Huang Shi's mind.
How is it possible that she broke through so quickly? Does she also have some sort of special talent?
[Responding to host: The individual Qiao Fengyi's natural cultivation talent has been held back by the poison plaguing her body.
Now that the poison is slowly being removed due to the host's Golden Light of Purification, Qiao Fengyi is now able to gradually return to her natural talent as a cultivator and absorb the spiritual energy previously consumed by the poison to strengthen her cultivation base]
What the hell? Does that mean the Purple Rose Poison inside her body was taking away a portion of her spiritual energy every time she cultivated?
[Affirmative, host.]
Holy shit… how the fuck did she reach the 1st level of the Nascent Profound Realm with that thing occupying her body?!
Despite these thoughts, he was genuinely happy for her. Even though things weren't official between them yet, he had already begun to consider Qiao Fengyi his woman deep inside of his heart after the passionate kiss they shared and the secrets she had told him about herself.
If after all that I still back down from pursuing her and wanting her to be mine, could I even be considered a man?
WHOOSH
After a couple of minutes of stabilization, Qiao Fengyi finally gained full control over her rampaging spiritual energy. She stood up from the bed and casually waved her hand as glimmers of green flames appeared at her fingertips.
These green flames were very distinct from his golden Sunfyre flames. Their power did not seem to be derived from the sun, but from something entirely different.
Hey, System, what are those green flames?
[Responding to host: The individual Qiao Fengyi appears to have been born with a natural Earthly Flame embedded within her dantian. This allows her to have exceptionally high control over all types of fire-type spiritual energy and greatly increases her battle prowess and alchemical ability.]
Earthly Flames? How is that different from my Sunfyre flames? Which is stronger and which is weaker?
[Responding to host: An Earthly Flame is a gift from heaven and earth and is considered to be on the same level as an Earthly Physique, with enough resources and a sufficient opportunity it has the chance to evolve in a heavenly flames, on the same level as the host's heavenly physique]
Damn, what the fuck… so she has a type of fire that's on the same level as an Earthly Physique just randomly born inside her body? And that thing even has the chance to evolve into something on par with my physique?
Isn't that too fucking crazy?
[The host should remember that he has the System. If anyone can be considered crazy, it is the host.]
"…Okay, that's actually fair."
Huang Shi gave a wry smile. Because he had been so deeply immersed in his own thoughts, he hadn't noticed that everyone in the room was silently staring at him, as if waiting for him to speak.
In fact, even Qiao Fengyi was standing beside him, looking intently at his face.
The situation might have continued like this if it weren't for a loud cough that suddenly came from behind them. Qiao Qinghe clearly couldn't bear the awkward silence any longer and finally spoke up, breaking it.
Instantly, Huang Shi snapped out of his daze. Instead of looking at the person behind him, he immediately turned his attention to Qiao Fengyi. He quickly took her hand, looked deeply into her eyes, and spoke in a concerned tone.
"How is it? Are you okay now? I've removed the poison from your skin and muscles for today. Tomorrow we can deal with your bones and tendons, and on the last day we can cleanse your blood and organs."
Despite his words, Qiao Fengyi chose not to respond immediately. She simply looked directly into his eyes before finally giving him a beautiful smile.
"You know, I'm technically still not your girlfriend… don't you think it's quite bold of you to be holding my hand so easily like this when my so-called family is here?"
Huang Shi suddenly shivered as his expression changed.
He had just remembered something very important that he had completely forgotten.
He instantly let go of her hand and turned around, only to find himself staring at the stormy expression of Qiao Qinghe—the Head Grand Elder of the Medicine Hall also known as Qiao Fengyi's grandfather.
Although, from what I remember, they don't exactly have an amicable relationship…
Even so, Huang Shi tried his best to put on an amiable smile and keep his voice calm as he spoke.
"Grand Elder Qiao Qinghe, this junior Huang Shi pays his respe—"
"Alright, boy, that's enough. I know who you are. Everyone here knows who you are. What I want to ask is: what is your relationship with my granddaughter?"
Qiao Qinghe cut him off with a cold expression on his face, completely ignoring the fact that Huang Shi had just helped Qiao Fengyi remove almost a third of the poison that had plagued her for most of her life. Instead, he immediately tried to establish his authority in their relationship.
Ah shit… of course the old man is going to be protective of his granddaughter. Fuck…
Despite the cold tone, Huang Shi didn't retaliate. He knew that if he wanted to openly have Qiao Fengyi as his woman, he would need to build at least an amicable relationship with Qiao Qinghe.
This was because, even if Qiao Fengyi and her grandfather didn't currently have a good relationship, it was clear that she still cared for him deep inside.
After all, the first thing she did when they returned to the Medicine Hall earlier was call for Grand Elder Qiao Han to go back and help her grandfather.
Huang Shi was just about to give a polite response to the cold tone her grandfather had used when, all of a sudden, he felt a soft and warm sensation wrap around his right arm.
He shivered in shock.
Qiao Fengyi, who was now standing right beside him, and had her arm wrapped around his suddenly spoke in his place.
"What do you want, old man? After abandoning my mother to die that day, you still think you have the right to act like my grandfather? Who do you think you are?"