Chapter 7: Defeat Me

Beautiful. Too beautiful. A gauzy veil as light as cicada wings clung to her supple curves, tracing a flawless figure with merciless clarity. Skin like fresh snow held a tempting flush, and paired with that stunning face, the scene was nothing short of intoxicating. "I… I feel like something's wrong." Bianca Balam's panicked voice snapped Seth Santee back to himself, and he cursed inwardly. His self-control still wasn't enough. "What's the problem?" Seth stepped up to the tub. His gaze did not settle on Bianca. He deliberately looked away, refusing to let his eyes linger on her body. "My blood is getting hotter," Bianca said, breath unsteady. "It feels like it's about to go past what I can endure. I don't know if I should keep going." Bianca had always struck him as composed, almost unshakable. Yet in that moment she was in outright turmoil, as if some terrifying force churned inside her. She did not even have the presence of mind to care about propriety, letting herself remain exposed in front of him. If Zane Lafontaine ever found out, he would go mad enough to cough blood. Seth frowned. In the Poison Emperor's memories, there was no such situation. "Get out first." Only when he spoke did Bianca remember she had worn nothing but the thinnest gauze, afraid thicker clothing would interfere with absorbing the medicinal effects. And she finally realized something else. In his eyes, her body had no secrets left. Bianca kept her head down, trying to pretend nothing had happened. She had barely pulled on her outer robe when the violent power in her blood seemed to break loose completely, crashing through her organs. She spat a mouthful of blood on the spot. Seth caught her before she collapsed. The softness against his arms made his mind sway for an instant. He had no time to indulge it. He seized her wrist at once and checked her pulse. "I overlooked something," Seth said, his expression flickering. "Am I going to die?" Bianca looked at him, eyes trembling. It felt as if that force inside her was tearing her apart. What kind of poison could be this vicious? "With me here, you won't die." It was a simple sentence, yet it stirred something deep in her. A strange light surfaced in her beautiful eyes. "Forgive me." Seth's voice stayed flat. He brought two fingers together and struck down in rapid succession on several major acupoints along her back. "Your realm is the Sixth Level of the Bitter Sea Realm," he said, steady and precise. "But this medicinal effect was meant for someone at the Ninth Level of the Bitter Sea Realm. The power inside it is too fierce for you to bear. It isn't poison. I'll clear your meridians and guide that power into your Bitter Sea. Try circulating your Cultivation Art and absorb it." As the acupoints on her back opened under his fingers, Bianca immediately felt relief. Warmth flowed through her, and even the circulation of her True Essence became smoother, freer. "And also…" Seth hesitated, then still flicked his fingers again. There were a few acupoints on the front. Bianca's face turned even redder. Seth had not touched anywhere improper, but in all her years, no man had ever laid hands on her body. Remembering the earlier scene, heat spread from her cheeks down her neck, and even her skin seemed to burn. "What's going on? Your temperature isn't coming down?" Seth's senses were sharp. He noticed her heat rising again and could not help his surprise. "N-no. It's my own problem," Bianca blurted. "I'll regulate my breathing and circulate my energy." Seth seemed to understand. He turned his head away. "You cultivate first. Call me when you're done." With that, he left the room. Bianca let out a long breath. The tight knot of embarrassment and tension eased. Then a thought struck her like a bell. He had just pushed the medicinal power through her acupoints. That meant he had used True Essence! With her quick mind, she pieced it together at once. If that was the case, then his Cultivation Level had not been crippled… or at least, it had not been completely crippled. She did not dwell on it. Forcing herself to steady her mind, she began to circulate her Cultivation Art, drawing in that domineering medicinal force. After the time it took an incense stick to burn… "Thank you, Seth." Bianca opened the door. She was still as radiant as ever, smiling brightly at him. "You made a Realm Breakthrough?" Seth asked, startled by the change in her aura. "I have to thank you for that," Bianca said, excitement spilling through her composure. "If you hadn't helped open… open my acupoints, I wouldn't have been able to absorb the medicinal power so smoothly. Seth, your medical skill is incredible!" She had expected it would take months to achieve a Realm Breakthrough. Yet in one leap, she had stepped into the Upper Three Levels of the Bitter Sea Realm. All of it came from Seth. Seth gave a bitter smile and shook his head. Only he knew the truth. What he mastered was not medicine at all, but Poison Arts. Still, poison was not only meant for killing. "Since the medicinal effect has been verified, Cyrus can soak as well," Seth said. "Cyrus's body is weak. He shouldn't soak every day. Once every two days is fine, one hour each time." "I'll follow your instructions to the letter," Bianca said, trusting him without reservation. Just then, several guards from the Balam family strode over and bowed to Bianca. "The Second Master of the Showyer family has arrived. The young master sent us to inform you, Miss." "Kane Showyer." Seth's expression turned cold. Kane Showyer was Landon Showyer's father. Seth had killed Landon. Kane's purpose for coming was obvious. "I'll go see him," Bianca told the guard. "I'll go with you," Seth said. "You're a guest of the Balam family, and our benefactor," Bianca replied with a gentle smile. "This kind of matter shouldn't trouble you. Leave it to me." Seth was genuinely surprised. He had already given them the prescription. For the Balam family, his usefulness should have been limited. Yet Bianca still chose to shield him. Her character spoke for itself. Cyrus Balam lay sick in bed. To make an enemy of the Showyer family, even to oppose them outright, would put the Balam family in a terrible position. Seth could fight his way through blood and steel, but he could not guarantee Joy's safety. "Evelyn Showyer is said to be your equal," Seth said with a faint smile. "From what I've seen, she's nowhere close. I didn't choose the wrong friend. I'll go check on Cyrus." "All right. I'll trouble you to look after him," Bianca said. As she watched Seth's back, it was as if she had made some decision. Determination flickered in her eyes. Then Bianca headed to the main hall and met the furious Kane Showyer. "Where's Seth Santee?" Kane roared. "Tell him to get the hell out here!" "The Showyer family really doesn't think much of the Balam family," Bianca said, her presence sharp and unyielding, not the least bit inferior to an elder. "A guest of the Balam family isn't someone you can just take because you feel like it." "The Balam family?" Kane sneered. "Without Cyrus Balam, what makes your family worthy of being mentioned in the same breath as the Showyer family?" Bianca and her brother's expressions tightened. Had the news already leaked? Bianca recovered quickly. Confidence returned to her gaze, and her voice rang out clear and firm. "You want to take Seth Santee," she said. "Fine. But first… defeat me."