Chapter 68: Origin (Part 3)

Lin Fan suppressed the surging emotions in his heart, slowly stood up, walked to the door, and pulled the door open a crack.

Outside the door, Bai Yi was wrapped in a slightly worn green robe, his brow carrying a hint of weariness from a long journey.

"Come in."

Lin Fan hesitated slightly, but eventually opened the door and gestured for him to enter.

Bai Yi stepped lightly into the room and crouched by the fire, rubbing his hands together to soothe the cold.

His gaze swept the room, finally landing on the little fox in Lin Fan's arms, a look of pity flashing in his eyes.

"Where are you taking it?" Lin Fan asked.

"Liangjing," Bai Yi replied calmly.

"I am going to participate in the Liangjing assessment. Passing through this place, I didn't want to disturb you, but the wind and snow were too heavy, so I had no choice but to come here for shelter."

"The Liangjing assessment?" Lin Fan was slightly startled. Liangjing? Wasn't that where the Xuanyin Qin Sect was located?

As soon as he finished speaking, Bai Yi's gaze returned to the little fox in Lin Fan's arms.

A trace of worry flashed across his face, and his tone softened: "This little fox probably won't live much longer."

Lin Fan's heart gave a sudden jolt, and his gaze involuntarily lowered, looking at the curled-up Bai Youyou in his arms.

After consuming the silver fish, her physical strength and spirit had recovered somewhat.

But now she was starting to tremble slightly again, her snow-white fur even duller than before, appearing somewhat withered.

Bai Yi said softly: "The cold toxin in this little fox has already suppressed its vitality; if it is not treated soon, it will not live long."

"My family has been in the medical profession for generations. If you trust me, why not let me try to treat it? Perhaps I can still save its life."

As he spoke, he carefully reached out his hand, wanting to pick up the little fox.

"Stop!" Lin Fan's expression changed drastically as he pushed Bai Yi away. He thought to himself, 'This little fox is Bai Youyou's true form. If I give it to you, how am I supposed to flirt with her?'

Bai Yi paused slightly, but he did not show any sign of anger. Instead, he smiled, calmly withdrew his hand, and said gently:

"It was presumptuous of me."

He then took a small rice ball from his bosom and handed it to Lin Fan.

"This is a glutinous rice ball I carry with me. It has been specially prepared and might be able to dispel the cold toxin. You can try feeding it to her."

Lin Fan looked at the rice ball Bai Yi handed over with suspicion.

Before he could decide whether to take it, the little fox suddenly leaped from Lin Fan's arms, nimbly pouncing on Bai Yi's palm and snatching the entire rice ball.

"Hey, little fox—"

Before Lin Fan could finish his sentence, the little fox had already swallowed the rice ball in a few gulps.

As the rice ball entered her stomach, a faint white mist suddenly emerged from her previously weak body—it was the cold toxin being forced out!

The cold air on the little fox gradually dissipated, and her withered fur actually regained its soft luster.

"Awoo—" The little fox stretched her limbs and chirped happily, as if the injuries inside her body had healed by more than half in such a short time.

Lin Fan watched this scene with a calm heart.

He knew that this was merely the memory world correcting history; what was meant to happen would always happen.

However, under the influence of the world's rules, his expression involuntarily revealed intense surprise and confusion.

Lin Fan was shocked internally; he felt as if he had turned into a puppet being manipulated, his every word and action guided by an invisible force.

He could only act according to the arrangements of the memory world; even his smiles and frowns seemed to be meticulously designed.

"Is this the terrifying aspect of the memory world…"

Bai Yi looked at the shocked Lin Fan, unconcerned, and simply smiled as he looked at the little fox before him, saying indifferently:

"It's just a small trinket. If it finds it useful, I have plenty more. You can take them with you; they'll be good for emergencies on the road."

"Many thanks."

Bai Yi nodded lightly, turned around, found a corner in the room to sit down, and said nothing more, simply closing his eyes to rest, as if everything had nothing to do with him.

The night passed in silence, and the next morning arrived.

The wind and snow seemed to have gradually stopped.

Lin Fan woke up from meditation and felt that his injuries had recovered, but he vaguely felt that his arms were empty.

Looking over, he saw the little fox already snuggled at Bai Yi's feet, curled up docilely.

Lin Fan's heart sank; he understood that he must seize the time to obtain more clues about Bai Youyou and Bai Yi in order to establish favorable conditions.

He originally wanted to ask: "Where did Bai Yi study, and what arts does he practice?"

But when the words reached his lips, they inexplicably turned into:

"Brother Bai, I see that you and the little fox are quite fated; why not keep her by your side and take good care of her!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, Lin Fan's heart sank sharply, and alarm bells rang in his mind.

Was this what he wanted to say? He knew clearly that those words were absolutely not his original intention, but rather his speech being forcibly twisted by the memory world.

"Damn it, to think it could influence me to this extent…"

Lin Fan gritted his teeth secretly. He clearly wanted to get close to Bai Yi to find out more intelligence, yet he was guided by the world's rules to try to send Bai Youyou back to his side again.

Bai Yi was slightly surprised upon hearing this, but immediately showed a gentle smile:

"Brother Lin's words are exactly what I think. Since this little fox doesn't resist me, let me take care of her for a while."

After speaking, he looked down at the little fox snuggled at his feet, his eyes filled with a bit more pity and tenderness.

"Then I will trouble you, Brother Bai."

Lin Fan muttered to himself, now that Bai Youyou has returned to Bai Yi's side, I should be able to ask some of my own questions now, right?

"Brother Bai, I see that you have an extraordinary bearing. May I ask which sect you studied under? Is this trip to the capital for the sake of entering Liangjing to cultivate?"

As soon as he spoke, Lin Fan felt a slight relief; the world's rules indeed did not interfere!

Perhaps, as long as he did not touch upon Bai Youyou's core memories, he would be able to find more room for maneuver in this world.

Bai Yi smiled slightly, stroked the little fox in his arms, and said:

"I studied under the Hanshan Medical Sect of Medicine God Valley, and my family has been based on the Dao of medicine for generations.

This trip to the capital is specifically for the medical assessment in Liangjing.

As long as I can pass the assessment, I will be able to enter Liangjing, become an imperial physician, and benefit more of the common people."

Lin Fan nodded, calculating inwardly:

"Medicine God Valley's Hanshan Medical Sect? It seems this Bai Yi indeed has some background in the original memory.

Bai Youyou might achieve Rebirth because of his medical skills, and thus become dependent on him… By then, no matter what decision he makes, Bai Youyou will trust him unconditionally."

Lin Fan frowned slightly, then turned and asked with a smile:

"Brother Bai, your medical skills are so brilliant, you will certainly pass the assessment with ease.

But I wonder if the Liangjing assessment is limited only to physicians? Although I am not proficient in the Dao of medicine, I have also dabbled in arts and Qin techniques.

I wonder if I can participate as well?"

Bai Yi pondered for a moment upon hearing this: "The scope of the Liangjing assessment is extensive, covering various Domains such as alchemy, arts, music, and the Dao of medicine.

Anyone with outstanding talent can participate. If Brother Lin is interested, why not travel with me?

This way, we can exchange pointers on the road and get to know each other better."

Hearing this, Lin Fan quietly breathed a sigh of relief, but his face revealed a happy smile:

"In that case, I will impose on you, Brother Bai."

His gaze fell once again on the little fox at Bai Yi's feet, seeing her snuggled against Bai Yi's leg, occasionally looking at him with her snow-bright eyes, revealing a hint of confusion.

Lin Fan felt a stinging pain in his heart, but he forcibly suppressed that emotion and said nonchalantly:

"Brother Bai, this little fox and you hit it off immediately, and now she doesn't want to leave your side. It seems she is destined to have a deep connection with you in the future."

Bai Yi heard this, lowered his head to gently stroke the little fox's head, and laughed softly:

"The little one has had a rough fate. Now that it has been detoxified, it must be grateful to me. I fear it will follow me from now on to repay the kindness!"

Lin Fan's face twitched, his smile remaining, but his heart gave a jolt. 'The girl I wanted to flirt with just followed you like that? Damn it!'

He suppressed his emotions and revealed a calm smile:

"The journey to Liangjing will surely be full of twists and turns. I hope Brother Bai will take care of me."

"Brother Lin is too polite." Bai Yi smiled gently and gestured with his hand.

"The day has dawned, and the wind and snow have stopped; it is the perfect time to set off. Why don't we leave now and try to reach Liangjing as soon as possible."

Lin Fan nodded, turned to pack his bags, and a flash of cold light flickered in his eyes.

"A memory world? I accept the challenge."