[She first leans close to you, sniffing around like a curious puppy.]
[Her delicate face breaks into a mischievous grin.]
["Master, you smell so nice~"]
[Dan Zhu rubs her head, pouting. "No need to hit me just because I guessed right!"]
[You shoot her an exasperated glance. "Weren't you the one who said you loved the scent of incense? Forget already?" You raise your hand as if to flick her forehead again.]
[At your reply, Dan Zhu's expression shifts from surprise to delight. Her hand presses unconsciously against her chest, feeling her racing heartbeat, her cheeks dusted pink.]
[Distracted by the medical text in your hands, you miss the girl's flustered state. Irritated by her clinginess, you chide, "Have you finished today's lessons? Hurry up and get to work!"]
["Yes, Master!" Her reply is oddly cheerful, unlike her usual grumbling.]
[Watching her skip away, you're baffled. This girl usually despises the tasks you assign—what's gotten into her today?]
[The whims of a young heart are truly unfathomable.]
[Time flows swiftly. Your research on the Ambrosial Arbor progresses slowly but steadily.]
[With the project delayed, you devote more time to mentoring Dan Zhu.]
[The girl shows remarkable talent in medicine, especially flame-based techniques like alchemy.]
[She absorbs your teachings like a sponge.]
[Soon, under your supervision, Dan Zhu begins her first clinical practice.]
[Even geniuses falter at their debut. Dan Zhu's solemn expression as she examines the patient makes the poor man tense, convinced he's terminally ill.]
[Observation, auscultation, inquiry, palpation… She follows your teachings meticulously.]
[But when it's time to prescribe, she hesitates, her brush hovering nervously.]
[You pat her head gently, offering reassurance.]
["Trust your judgment. If anything goes wrong, I'm here."]
(Patient: …Um, my opinion doesn't matter?)
["Mhm!" Dan Zhu nods firmly, drafts a prescription, and hands it to you for review.]
[You skim it. "A solid, cautious formula," you praise first.]
[Her face brightens—until you add, "But given the patient's cold-damp constitution, add warming tonics. Also, overuse may cause qi deficiency, so we should include…"]
[After your critique, Dan Zhu revises the prescription with swift precision.]
[With her first success, her nervousness melts away.]
[She grows confident, diagnosing and prescribing independently.]
[To avoid undermining her, you mostly observe, only occasionally commenting.]
[Soon, her prescriptions show few flaws.]
[Watching your disciple flourish, you smile in pride.]
[Centuries pass. At last, your research yields a breakthrough!]
[You secretly absorb the Abundance energy within the Arbor.]
[With the Loufu's Denizens of the Abundance and Alchemy Commission under your control, the Scalegorge Waterscape is an impenetrable fortress.]
[Neither the Six Charioteers nor the Cloud Knights detect a thing.]
[The Arbor's power grants you strength rivaling an Emanator of Abundance.]
[Yet this is merely one phase of your plan. Preparations begin for the next step…]
[One day, after seeing patients at the Alchemy Commission—]
[Your lips quirk imperceptibly as you remain seated.]
[Slender arms slide around your neck from behind.]
[Were this anyone else, they'd already be dead.]
[But you don't move.]
["Maaasteeer~" a honeyed voice whispers in your ear.]
["Little Dan Zhu. Finished your research? Any insights?"]
[The one clinging to you is none other than your beloved disciple.]
[The years have matured her into a stunning woman—a scarlet serpent shedding her innocence, now alluring and fiery.]
["Master, stop calling me 'little'! I've been an adult for ages~" She pouts, her chest pressing against your head just noticeably.]
["Alright, little Dan Zhu. Get to the point," you reply, unfazed.]
[She huffs but quickly launches into excited findings about her Abundance-tainted specimen research.]
[You listen, interjecting occasionally, though your mind is elsewhere.]
[Suddenly, you boop her nose.]
["What mischief are you plotting now, little one?"]
[She sticks out her tongue. "Who, me? And I'm not little." She arches her back pointedly.]
[Her curves are impressive for her age, but her antics remain childish to you.]
[You ruffle her hair. "Yes, yes. Our Dan Zhu is all grown up."]
[Recognizing the patronizing tone, she puffs her cheeks like a blowfish.]
[Then her eyes gleam with sudden mischief.]
[Hands behind her back, she adopts a detective's pose. "A man suddenly wearing incense has two motives: One, to mask odors. As for the second…"]
[She drags out the pause. "Master, did you get a girlfriend?"]
[Your finger shifts subtly from the poison-laced ring compartment.]
[Instead, you flick her forehead.]
["What nonsense fills that head of yours?"]
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