Chapter 740: Advice from a Devoted Lover and the Second Round Begins

“Then let’s wait a little longer,” Zhang Deming replied after a moment of silence. “When Senior Sister Qiaoru awakens, she will completely fuse with the Medicinal Herbs, becoming one with them.

“Therefore, I plan to wake her right when you two are about to advance. When she awakens, having fully fused, she’ll be in a brief, perfect state.

“Breaking through at that moment will be a significant boost to her advancement. That’s why I don’t want to waste this opportunity. Even though we could briefly awaken her now, I’ve held off.”

Upon hearing this, Fanx Yunfei said, “Then how long must we wait? The closer hope is, the more unbearable the days become. I’m starting to wonder if my thousand years of self-discipline were all for naught.”

“Senior Brother, don’t say that. It’s only natural to feel this way! Let’s wait another three years. That will give the younger generation of your Fanx Family time to prepare more Auxiliary Materials.

“It will also allow Senior Sister Qiaoru’s condition to reach its absolute peak. After all, the advancement for you both was already going to be difficult. During this preparatory stage, we must seize every opportunity, accumulate every possible advantage, and maximize our chances.”

“Three years…” Fanx Yunfei sighed. “Waiting three years under these circumstances feels longer than the past three hundred. I can feel Qiaoru’s presence every day, and yet nothing has changed.”

Zhang Deming paused for a moment. “Senior Brother, you could use this time to go out and travel. After all, once you’ve advanced, you likely won’t be able to wander about as you please for the first century.”

Fanx Yunfei shook his head. “Forget it. I’ve gotten through millennia like this; I’m used to it. Besides, what if she wakes up while I’m gone and I’m not the first person she sees? That would be a real shame.”

Zhang Deming: “…”

‘Are you the very definition of a lovesick fool?’

‘Whatever. This is not a situation I can afford to get mixed up in. You go on being the epitome of pure love; I’ll just get this over with and be on my way.’

As these thoughts flickered through his mind, Zhang Deming stood up and said, “Senior Brother Fanx, let’s begin. I still have to attend the second round of the assembly later! I’ve been incredibly busy lately!”

Fanx Yunfei nodded. He rose and walked with Zhang Deming to the Spirit Field, where he began deactivating layers of protective wards.

Watching Fanx Yunfei, Zhang Deming’s face twitched. “Senior Brother Fanx, Senior Sister Zhou’s condition is stable now. She doesn’t need such delicate care. You could really take down some of these Arrays, you know.”

“It’s fine. It’s no trouble, and I’m used to it. Besides, it’s better to be careful,” Fanx Yunfei replied, continuing to disable the protections.

‘I… You might not think it’s a hassle, but I do!’

As Zhang Deming grumbled to himself, Fanx Yunfei finished deactivating all the protections. Zhang Deming stepped forward nimbly and carefully began the nurturing process.

“Junior Brother Zhang, you’ll be staying in the Sect for the time being, right?” Fanx Yunfei asked, looking at Zhang Deming, who was shimmering with Spiritual Light as he worked.

While tending to the Medicinal Herbs, Zhang Deming nodded. “Yes, I should be. I probably won’t leave the Sect until the assembly is over.”

“Then come a few extra times during this period. You still owe a few visits from before, don’t you?” Fanx Yunfei said.

“…” Hearing this, Zhang Deming’s hands paused. He looked up to see Fanx Yunfei’s expectant gaze.

‘Forget it.’ He had been clocking in at this Wu Earth Secret Realm for a year just to cultivate this connection. It wasn’t worth being lazy and leaving a bad impression now.

Besides, for the sake of his relationship with the Fanx Family, making an extra trip was no big deal. It was a connection worth fostering.

With that, Zhang Deming nodded. “I’ll come one extra time this ten-day period, but that’s it. Senior Sister’s condition is already developing at its limit. Three times a month is the optimal amount of care.

“If it weren’t for the missed session last month, you could put a knife to my throat and I still wouldn’t come any extra times. Doing so wouldn’t be helping you; it would be harming you. Harming both of you.”

Fanx Yunfei’s face lit up with joy. “Then I’ll have to trouble you, Junior Brother.”

“It’s no trouble. This is part of my duty, after all. I accepted the benefits, so I must naturally provide the best care possible. It’s the basic professional integrity of us Spirit Nurturing Masters.”

As he spoke, the surrounding Spiritual Light dissipated. The Spirit Nurturing Technique was complete. Zhang Deming clapped his hands together. “Alright, that’s it for today. Senior Brother, you can reactivate the protections. I still have things to attend to, so I won’t impose any longer.”

With that said, Zhang Deming turned to leave.

“I hear you enjoy casually browsing the Daoist Callection, Junior Brother Zhang?” Fanx Yunfei spoke up.

Zhang Deming froze mid-turn. ‘Is this… a background check? Why bring this up now, after a year? Is it because of what just happened?’

As his thoughts raced, Zhang Deming turned back to face Fanx Yunfei and nodded. “Yes, that’s right. I do enjoy browsing the Daoist Callection. I like to look at this and that, and occasionally research some strange and unusual Techniques.”

Fanx Yunfei paid no mind to the credibility of Zhang Deming’s words. He simply reached out and tapped the air, causing a Light Screen to appear. He grabbed at the screen, pulling a phantom image into his hand and tossing it toward the Identity Jade at Zhang Deming’s waist.

Zhang Deming watched as the Identity Jade flashed with Spiritual Light. He looked up at Fanx Yunfei, confused. “Senior Brother Fanx, what was that…?”

“I may be half a cripple, but I’ve at least been around for many years. Some special privileges still come with that.

“I can’t do anything about the Celestial Spirit Scripture Pavilion Main Pavilion, but I do have some authority when it comes to the Scripture Pavilions on White Rock Peak and Liuli Peak, which are under the Miscellaneous Affairs Department.”