The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

The campfire burst forth with a string of tiny sparks, scattering into the night like a handful of glowing fireflies.

The firelight flickered, sometimes bright and sometimes dim.

Bingyou quietly climbed up to Tangxi Xue's side without anyone noticing.

"Cute little Orihime, here I come!"

It curled up into a ball, nestled against her robe, looking completely content.

"This guy... he really does have a strangely good eye."

Xingmi peeked half her head out from Tangxi Xue's sleeve, glanced at Bingyou with her dragon eyes, and then silently withdrew.

Out of consideration for their shared clan, he reluctantly agreed to give him a piece of his master's clothing.

He suddenly became very curious.

"I wonder what my brother looks like now? He's so powerful, his true form must be incredibly imposing, right?"

"Don't I deserve a grilled fish?"

Jiu Fangzhi's voice rang out coolly.

He ladled out a bowl of mushroom soup, held the rough earthenware bowl with his slender fingers, and handed it to Si Xingxuan.

The soup is clear and bright, with a rich mushroom aroma.

Si Xingxuan took the soup bowl, glanced at the clear soup inside, and raised her eyebrows slightly.

He lowered his head and took a small sip.

Yes, it's highly poisonous.

"Tsk—Master is so old, aren't you afraid of getting a sore throat? Fine, I'll give you one."

He picked out the smallest one and handed it over, then, the moment Jiu Fangzhi took the fish, he sprinkled a handful of newly refined Spring Breeze on it.

The powder was extremely fine and light. When it landed on the crispy fish skin, it melted into it instantly without changing its color in the slightest.

"I am only nine years older than you."

Jiu Fangzhi took the grilled fish, her eyelashes drooping slightly, and smelled the medicinal powder sprinkled on it.

Highly poisonous.

With a blank expression, he took out a celadon medicine bottle from his storage bag, uncorked it, and sprinkled a layer of medicine powder evenly on it.

Using poison to fight poison, and achieving proper neutralization, results in a rare and highly desirable seasoning.

He took a bite of the grilled fish.

The fish is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with the oil and medicinal aroma blending together in the mouth, making it truly delicious.

As for the poison that Si Xing hangs down—ha, how naive!

He personally taught his apprentices the art of poison.

Want to poison him?

The person in this world who could poison him hasn't been born yet.

"Tsk."

Si Xingxuan looked down at the bowl of mushroom soup in her hand and took another sip.

Old Deng's poison skills have improved again.

This bowl, overflowing with poison, truly shows the deep bond between the two master and disciple.

"It looks delicious."

Tang Xixue sat opposite the campfire, resting her chin on her hand, her starry eyes gazing curiously at the master and disciple.

The two men drank with great relish, as if the mushroom soup were some kind of exquisite delicacy.

She had no idea that the master and disciple weren't drinking soup, but exchanging poison with each other, all while wearing nonchalant smiles.

"Zhizhi, are you thirsty? Have some water."

Si Xingxuan quickly put down the soup bowl and handed over the water bottle he was carrying.

The kettle was the very one she had given him; its silver, openwork body shimmered with a warm luster in the firelight, and the bell on the lid jingled softly.

Is it poisonous?

Tang Xixue took the kettle and casually asked a question.

It's just these three words.

Si Xingxuan's eyelashes trembled violently.

The color drained from his fair and handsome face.

His eyes flushed red almost instantly, like a peach blossom being crushed and its juice staining the corner of his eye.

A layer of moisture welled up in her eyes, and in the firelight, she looked as if she were about to cry, as if the tears would overflow from her eyes at any moment.

"Zhizhi, you have to believe me—"

He was eager to explain, but didn't know where to begin.

"I was just asking casually, don't worry."

Tang Xixue's heart softened a little when she saw him like this.

She reached out and took the kettle, naturally unscrewed the lid, brought the spout to her lips, tilted her head slightly, and took a slow, deliberate sip.

The firelight illuminated the lines of her upturned chin, and the slight movement of her throat made Si Xingxuan forget to breathe.

Of course, she checked it very quickly before drinking it.

But there's no need to tell this little crybaby this detail.

He would probably be even more upset if he knew that she didn't completely trust him.

The water is the sacred spring water of the ancient kingdom of Lian Ge, clear and sweet. As it flows from the tip of the tongue and down the throat, a very subtle warm current spreads through the limbs and bones, as if gently enveloped by the afternoon sun of spring.

She put down the kettle, handed it back to him, and smiled.

"It tastes great."

Si Xingxuan took the kettle in a daze.

When his fingertips touched the pot, he suddenly realized that she had just drunk from it.

He had been using this kettle for many days.

Her lips were touched by the spout of the teapot, and it was the same teapot he had used.

His handsome face turned bright red in an instant.

He suddenly raised the water bottle and took a big gulp, trying to calm his erratic heartbeat with water.

But the moment the water touched his lips, he remembered that she had just drunk from it.

His heart clenched.

It was as if a drum had been struck hard inside his chest.

He slowly put down the kettle, his slender fingers tracing the edge of the kettle, where the warmth of her fingertips seemed to still linger.

He was so shy that even the warmth of the campfire couldn't compare to the burning heat on his cheeks.

"Junior sister, don't believe him."

Jiu Fangzhi's voice rang out slowly and deliberately, like a bucket of cold water being poured over someone's head.

"This kid always likes to poison people secretly."

The voice just fell.

Tang Xixue's expression suddenly changed, and the remaining blood on her lips vanished in an instant.

Her eyelashes trembled, and her body swayed, like a leaf blown from a branch by the wind.

"Meow."

Yin Kong immediately perked up its ears and meowed. Xing Mi suddenly poked its head out from its sleeve, its dragon eyes widening abruptly.

Si Xingxuan was closest to her, and almost instinctively reached out to catch her as she slumped over.

Her waist was so slender that, even through the thin fabric, he could feel her body heat rapidly fading, turning her body cold.

He carefully placed her on his lap, letting her lean against his arm, his voice trembling with urgency.

"Weave it!"

"The Star-Binding and Moon-Folding Ceremony—"

Jiu Fangzhi suddenly stood up, his black robe billowing in the wind, and his eyes behind the silver mask were as cold as poisoned blades.

"What did you give her to drink?"

"I only gave her some spiritual spring water to drink, I really didn't poison her."

Si Xingxuan's voice was trembling.

His fingers had already touched Tang Xixue's wrist, and his fingertips touched her cool, watery skin. His heart sank.

He examined her for a moment, and her pupils contracted slightly.

In his arms, her breath was fading at a rate he could sense, her pulse as thin as a thread that might snap at any moment.

Jiu Fangzhi strode over and scooped Tang Xixue out of Si Xingxuan's arms, letting her lean against his lap.

His fingers pressed against her pulse point, and when his fingertips touched that cold skin, his brow furrowed sharply.

"Have you forgotten you're covered in poison? You're letting her use your water bottle? Are you crazy?"

He spoke in a very low voice, through gritted teeth.

He was practically driven mad by his apprentice.

What is the concept of a body with a body of ten thousand poisons?

Si Xingxuan has been immersed in poisons since birth.

His blood, his breath, and everything he touched were imbued with the most potent poison in the world.

Doesn't he know how ruthless he is?