Investiture of the Gods: Childhood Sweetheart Daji, Starting with Quasi-Saint Cultivation

On the way, Bixiao kept blaming herself and asking about Su Yunbai's condition, her tone full of worry and tenderness.

Su Yunbai responded "weakly," occasionally trying to comfort her with a few words, which made Bixiao feel even more distressed.

[Ding! The target person continues to show concern; intimacy level +100.]

[Ding! Close physical contact (helping each other out), intimacy level +50.]

[Current Intimacy Level (Debt): -55275 points.]

Although he was still in a negative 50,000, Su Yunbai was in a good mood.

This "blood-vomiting performance" was incredibly effective!

Back at Yuelai Inn.

Bi Xiao carefully helped Su Yunbai to his own room.

Let him lean against the bed.

She busied herself pouring him water and gently wiping away the "cold sweat" (simulated by the system) from his forehead with a silk handkerchief.

I sat by the bedside and never left.

"Fellow Daoist Yunbai, are you really alright? Do you want me to help you heal your injuries?" Bixiao looked at him expectantly, her eyes still red.

"Really...really, you don't need to..."

"Fairy...you were also frightened...go back...and rest...I...will be fine after a night of recuperation..."

"I'm not leaving!" Bixiao said resolutely. "I'll stay here and watch over you! What if... what if you cough up blood again?"

Her attitude was resolute, clearly because she was terrified by the sight of Su Yunbai vomiting blood earlier.

Su Yunbai chuckled inwardly, but on his face he showed a look of "helplessness" and "touched".

"Then... thank you for your trouble, fairy..."

He closed his eyes and began to "regulate his breathing".

His breathing was still weak and disordered, but it seemed to have stabilized a little bit.

Bixiao sat on the edge of the bed, quietly watching his pale yet still handsome profile.

My heart was in turmoil.

That terrifying illusion just now...

The price Fellow Daoist Yun Bai paid for her...

His weak yet still self-comforting demeanor...

An unprecedented emotion, a mixture of gratitude, heartache, dependence, and some vague feelings, quietly grew and spread in her heart.

She gently reached out her hand, hesitated for a moment, and then carefully took Su Yunbai's hand, which was placed by the bedside.

His hands were a little cold.

Bixiao gripped his hand tighter, wanting to offer him some warmth.

[Ding! The target person has initiated intimate physical contact, intimacy level +200.]

[Ding! Deep emotional resonance achieved, granting an additional 500 Intimacy Points.]

[Current Intimacy Level (Debt): -54575 points.]

Although Su Yunbai had his eyes closed, the system's prompts told him what had happened.

He grasped Bixiao's slightly cool hand in return, squeezed it gently, then released it and continued "regulating his breathing".

This subtle response made Bixiao's cheeks blush slightly, but her heart felt sweet.

Night deepened.

The candlelight flickered.

In the room, only the soft breathing of the two people could be heard.

One is "severely injured and weak," while the other watches over her with heartache.

The relationship, in the quiet of the night, silently warmed up.

On the system panel, the number of over -50,000 seemed less anxiety-inducing due to the quiet night and the soaring favorability rating.

[System Notification: Affection level 70, reaching the 'Sparkling Feelings' stage. The host's 'Severely Injured and Weak' state is expected to last for three days (maintained with system assistance). It is recommended to use this period for deep emotional communication and cultivating dependence. After three days, the host will 'slowly recover'.]

[Special Note: When the target's favorability reaches 80 or higher and the emotional bond is deep enough, you can attempt a formal binding. Binding with Bixiao (98 points) is estimated to yield extremely generous rewards, potentially allowing you to pay off all loans in one go with a substantial surplus! Please seize this opportunity!]

Su Yunbai responded in his mind, "Understood."

He cautiously opened his eyes a crack and looked at the person watching over him by the bedside!

Bixiao was already a little sleepy, but she forced herself to stay awake.

As night deepened, the candlelight flickered.

Bixiao stayed by the bedside, looking at Su Yunbai's pale face, feeling both guilty and heartbroken.

She had never seen anyone pay such a price for her.

That mouthful of glaring blood, that instantly dissipated aura, and those blurry yet heartbreaking fragments in the illusion!

……

They all weighed heavily on her heart like giant stones.

Su Yunbai "adjusted his breathing" for about an hour.

His breathing was still weak, but it seemed to gradually stabilize.

He slowly opened his eyes, his gaze still somewhat unfocused, but clearer than before.

"Fellow Daoist Yunbai, how are you feeling?" Bixiao immediately bent down and asked with concern.

Su Yunbai looked at her pretty face, which was so close to his, and her expression was full of worry. His heart stirred slightly.

The time has come.

He didn't answer her question. Instead, he sighed softly, his voice still weak, but with a unique tenderness.

"Bixiao...may I...call you that?"

Bixiao was taken aback for a moment, then nodded: "Of course."

"Bixiao..."

Su Yunbai repeated her name, his gaze fixed on her face, focused and deep!

"You know what... just now... I thought... I might not make it..."

Bixiao's face paled: "Don't talk nonsense! You'll be fine!"

Su Yunbai forced a weak smile.

"That's not what I meant..."

He paused, as if gathering his strength, or perhaps carefully considering his words.

"I mean... in that moment of blurred consciousness... what flashed through my mind... wasn't fear of death... nor regret for the Great Dao..."

His voice was soft, yet every word was clear, striking Bixiao's heart.

"The one I'm thinking of... is you."

Bixiao shuddered and her eyes widened.

"I was thinking... if I were to die like this... what would you do?"

"You just saw such a terrible sight...you must have been very scared and helpless..."

"Nobody told you what it was...nobody told you what to do..."

"You're all alone... in this unfamiliar city..."

"I... can't rest easy."

Bixiao's eyes instantly reddened.

Tears rolled down my cheeks without warning.

Su Yunbai raised his hand, his fingertips trembling slightly, and gently wiped away the tears on her cheeks.

The movements were gentle and careful.

"Don't cry..." His voice softened even more, "I'm still... alive, aren't I..."

Bixiao grabbed his hand and held it tightly, as if he would disappear if she let go.

"Why...why did you do this..." she choked out, "We've only known each other for a few days...why would you go to such lengths for me..."

"Yes...it's only been a few days..." Su Yunbai murmured, a hint of confusion appearing in his eyes, which then turned into a deeper tenderness!

"But some people... you can know them your whole life and they'll never be true strangers. While some people... you only need one glance to feel like you've known them for a very, very long time."

He gazed into Bixiao's eyes, those bright eyes now brimming with tears, reflecting his image.

"Bixiao...do you know her?"

"The first time I saw you outside the city... you descended from the sky like a startled fawn, your eyes sparkling, clearly flustered but trying to appear calm..."

"Back then, I thought...this fairy...is really interesting."

"Later, I accompanied you as we strolled around the city... I watched you drool over the sugar figurines, clapped and cheered when you listened to storytellers, and your eyes curved into crescents when you ate something delicious..."

"Unlike other aloof immortals, you are flesh and blood, capable of laughter, playfulness, curiosity, and capriciousness..."

"You live...so real, so vibrantly."