Chapter 81: The Healer’s Promise

Qingyun Sect, Main Hall of the Sect Master.

The atmosphere was solemn and dignified. Only from the purple-gold incense burner in the center did tendrils of calming, green smoke unfurl.

Shen Zhaoqing had already been settled into the warm chamber behind the main hall, attended closely by two female disciples who had accompanied Bai Zhileng from Penglai Immortal Palace.

Standing composedly in the center of the hall, Bai Zhileng’s voice rang clear as jade beads scattering across a plate. “To summarize, the patient’s internal condition can be described as a ‘Dao Source Degradation’.”

She had coined a completely new medical term.

Dan Chenzi nodded repeatedly as he listened.

“The Dao Source Body is inherently the origin of all life in heaven and earth. Logically, those possessing this constitution should be immune to all spells and repel all evil. However, the Dao Source energy within Miss Zhaoqing exhibits extremely unstable signs of degradation.”

“Its root cause lies in two diametrically opposed Great Dao Laws, which have used her body as a battlefield for several days of brutal erosion.”

Bai Zhileng paused, allowing everyone a moment to process her words, before continuing.

“Firstly, there is the extremely potent and ominous World-Ending Demonic Energy. Its source should be some ancient demonic weapon, and its nature is fierce, consuming her vitality with an intent to kill and destroy.”

“Secondly, there is the profoundly chilling and emotionless Supreme Forgetfulness Sword Intent.” As she spoke, her gaze subtly drifted towards Gu Chang’an, who stood in the corner, exuding an aura that warned others to keep their distance. “Its nature is pure and absolute, severing karma and annihilating emotions. This power is also stripping her of vitality, though in a much colder manner.”

“One is being roasted by fire, the other frozen by ice. Miss Zhaoqing’s Divine Soul and meridians are already riddled with countless wounds, like a piece of glazed glass covered in cracks.”

“My nine needles just now, named ‘Nine Revolutions Life Renewal,’ actually only used nine different medicinal forces to forcibly construct a ‘bionic life cycle’ within her body, temporarily isolating the two forces and buying her a chance at survival.”

Upon hearing this, Dan Chenzi could no longer contain himself. He slapped his thigh in excitement. “Divine skill! Truly divine skill! To construct a cycle using medicinal force as a bridge, this old man… this old man has never heard of such a thing! Holy Maiden, please accept my bow!”

As he spoke, he bowed deeply again, only to be glared back into place by Xuanweizi’s sharp gaze.

‘How embarrassing. Utterly embarrassing.’

Xuanweizi cleared his throat and asked in a deep voice, “Holy Maiden, then in your opinion, how should we proceed with a complete cure?”

This was the crucial question.

Bai Zhileng had been waiting for precisely this. She smiled faintly. “The method for a complete cure is quite intricate, requiring three steps.”

“The first step is to strengthen her foundation. We must use the unique Longevity Spring water from Penglai Immortal Palace to wipe her body and warm her meridians daily for forty-nine days, repairing her damaged physical foundation and making her ‘glazed shell’ less fragile.”

“The second step is to guide and disperse. Once her physical body is stable, we must begin to address those two overbearing forces. The demonic energy is extremely yang, requiring a slow neutralization with extremely yin medicine. The sword intent is extremely cold, thus needing a gradual dissolution with extremely yang substances.”

“This process must be flawless. Both medicinal forces must be injected simultaneously in a perfect ratio to maintain the balance within her body. This process will require at least three months, during which she cannot be disturbed by anyone, especially not by any similar sword intent or demonic energy.”

Her words were practically aimed directly at Gu Chang’an.

Gu Chang’an’s face paled further.

“The third step, and the most critical, is the ‘Return to Origin Pill.'” Bai Zhileng’s tone became unprecedentedly solemn. “When the immortal and demonic energies have been largely dissolved, we must guide her own Dao Source power to regain control of her body.”

“This process requires an ancient divine artifact, the Longevity Incense Burner, as a medium, and my own innate vital blood as a catalyst, combined with hundreds of rare heavenly treasures, to refine the ‘Return to Origin Pill.’ This will help her complete the reshaping of her life Dao Law in one fell swoop.”

“If this step succeeds, she will not only fully recover but also truly gain mastery over her constitution, free from future worries.”

Strengthen the foundation, guide and disperse, return to origin.

Longevity Spring, yin and yang neutralization, Longevity Incense Burner, Return to Origin Pill…

Xuanweizi took a deep breath, knowing he had no other choice.

“Good,” Xuanweizi slowly uttered a single word. “From today onwards, Zhaoqing’s treatment will be fully entrusted to Holy Maiden Bai. The entire sect, all her needs, shall be met with full cooperation. No one is permitted to interfere with the Holy Maiden’s treatment for any reason.”

“I object.” The moment the words fell, an icy, bone-chilling sword intent abruptly erupted within the grand hall.

Gu Chang’an slowly raised her head.

Immortal Gu.

Bai Zhileng’s smile didn’t falter in the slightest. She didn’t even move, allowing the sword intent, potent enough to freeze the Divine Souls of Nascent Soul cultivators, to envelop her. “May I inquire about your esteemed opinion?”

“My junior sister’s safety is mine to protect. Outsiders need not concern themselves.”

Each word was squeezed through clenched teeth.

“Oh?” Bai Zhileng tilted her head, revealing a slightly puzzled yet innocent expression. “But, just now in the Sword Pavilion, Immortal Gu’s protection seemed to… almost cost her her life, didn’t it?”

“You!” A thick layer of white frost instantly condensed upon the pillars of the main hall.

Xuanweizi’s expression shifted, and he sharply reprimanded, “Chang’an, do not be impudent!”

However, before Xuanweizi could move to suppress her, Bai Zhileng merely sighed softly, her voice filled with helplessness and compassion.

“Immortal Gu’s sword intent is utterly pure and unyielding, advancing without hesitation. Zhileng deeply admires it.”

She spoke slowly.

“But Miss Zhaoqing’s body can no longer withstand even the slightest collision.”

She lifted her eyes. “The way of a healer lies in guiding and dispersing, not in suppression. Blindly using your powerful force to suppress is like trying to mend a shattered porcelain with a sledgehammer; it will only break it more thoroughly.”

“Your sword can slay demons, eradicate devils, split mountains, and cleave seas, but it cannot heal her.”

“I understand your worries, and I comprehend your feelings.”

“But if you truly care for her well-being, then please… trust my judgment. Let go, Immortal Gu. Entrust her to me.”

“I will ensure she lives.”

Above the main hall, the icy sword intent receded like a tide.

Gu Chang’an stood there, her face ashen as paper.

She stared at Bai Zhileng, and within her hollow eyes, two clusters of cold, undying flames ignited.

After a long silence, she squeezed out a few words through gritted teeth: “If anything happens to her…”

“I won’t let anything happen to her,” Bai Zhileng interrupted, smiling. “I promise.”

Gu Chang’an said no more.

She gave Bai Zhileng a deep, lingering look, then turned and walked out of the Main Hall of the Sect Master without another word.

She did not spare Xuanweizi or Dan Chenzi another glance from beginning to end.

Xuanweizi let out a long sigh, his face filled with helplessness.

Bai Zhileng bowed to Xuanweizi. “Sect Master True Monarch, since this matter is settled, Zhileng would like to find a quiet and stable place for Miss Zhaoqing’s recuperation. Does the sect have any recommendations?”

Her gaze subtly drifted towards the deepest, most spirit-rich area of the Qingyun Sect’s back mountain, shrouded in mist.