Chapter 3: The Golden Core Appears to Save Shaoying

This person was named Lu Ying; he joined the Taishang Sect two years ago. In less than a year, he had already loosened his sinews and bones to break through Body Tempering, and now, after just over a year, he had already reached the Qi Refining Second Realm. Given time, he would certainly be able to clear his meridians and reach Foundation Establishment.

It must be said that the place where Lu Ying had been abandoned that day was the entrance to Peiyuan Cave. After Lingxiang stabilized his toxicity, she went to investigate again. Although that place was rich in Spirit Qi, it was not the location of a spirit vein; it was merely because the terrain was lower than the surroundings, with overlapping mountain rocks causing the Spirit Qi to accumulate there.

However, this cave was indeed a treasure trove. The stone milk and stalagmites formed over the years, nourished by the Spirit Qi, were of a quality that was incredibly delightful.

Such beautiful items were truly excellent for alchemy; Lingxiang used her internal energy to harvest two pieces and placed them into her Universe Bag.

This Universe Bag was originally a supreme treasure of the Yuanqing Sect, an object left behind by an ancient master, capable of storing a hundred treasures and containing a hundred things. Yet, it was unremarkable in appearance, and because Lingxiang had adorned it with some trinkets according to a young girl's whims, and because so few people knew of it, it was even less noticeable.

As for why it was in Lingxiang's hands, that is a story for another time, which shall be set aside for now.

Returning to Xunfeng Daoren, when he saw the person lying on the bed, it was indeed the missing Lu Ying. But now, his complexion was sallow, his lips were dark red, and there was even a festering trend around his neck, which was truly alarming.

He hurriedly stepped forward to check the pulse; the pulse was weak and the breath shallow, appearing as if it were on the verge of exhaustion!

"Little girl Lingxiang, what is the reason for this with my disciple?"

"Isn't it obvious? He's been poisoned."

"I naturally know these are symptoms of poisoning, but why did he end up in such a state?"

"I am a practitioner of alchemy and enjoy wandering through the mountains and wilderness. Having heard that your sect is rich in treasures, I naturally had to explore the mountains a bit."

She certainly could not let this old man know about her going out in the middle of the night to investigate the Nine-leaf Chonglou. But since he was a wily old fox, rather than being evasive, it was better to openly admit her actions—though she could not be too obvious; it was enough for everyone to understand without saying it.

"I lost track of time while traveling the day before yesterday, which led me to accidentally enter the Lingjing. I happened to encounter him, so I saved him while I was at it."

She then leaned into Xunfeng Daoren's ear and said: "I happened to encounter some disgraceful matters of your sect there. The reasons for this are detrimental to your sect's reputation and not suitable to be told to outsiders. It is better to save the person first!"

Xunfeng Zhenren's arrival at the guest courtyard naturally attracted attention. At this moment, some people from outside the sect who were visiting had gathered at the door. Although Lingxiang's purpose made him very dissatisfied, it was not easy to lash out in front of so many outsiders.

"It's just that the mountains are shrouded in Spirit Qi, and the poison of this venomous creature cannot be solved by ordinary means, so for these two days, I have only been maintaining his life. I had intended to find a method of treatment, but who would have thought it would suddenly worsen today? I had no choice but to trouble you, True Person, to come and see for yourself."

She had fed him Anti-Poison Pills for two days, hoping to find the Nine-leaf Chonglou and save him along the way, but who would have thought the Taishang Sect would hide it so deeply? Having no other choice, she had to stop his pills.

How could Xunfeng Zhenren not hear the subtext in her words? The meaning was nothing more than: she knew how to save him, but she would not do it for free.

At this time, a yellow-robed Daoist stepped forward, performed a Daoist salute, and said: "Why not let me try?"

One could see this Daoist had his brown hair tightly bound, long eyebrows like whiskers, narrow and long phoenix eyes, and wide sleeves like clouds. He looked somewhat like an immortal, but his cheekbones were unusually prominent, and the handlebar mustache on his thin lips made him look like a clown in costume.

"I am Chiyanzi, a wandering cultivator." As he spoke, he bowed again: "I encountered a similar condition during my travels in my early years."

Xunfeng Daoren hurriedly stood up to return the salute: "Then I will have to trouble you, fellow Daoist." As he spoke, he glanced at Lingxiang.

Lingxiang tilted her head, looking completely indifferent.

Chiyanzi checked Lu Ying's breath and took his pulse for a while. After pondering for a moment, he took out a pill that looked to be of only Middle Grade quality from his bosom, fed it to him, and then tapped the acupoints all over his body, using internal energy to urge the pill to take effect.

After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Lu Ying's lip color gradually faded, his sallow complexion receded slightly, and he seemed to be improving.

Seeing this, Xunfeng Daoren was overjoyed and hurriedly took Chiyanzi's hand to express his gratitude.

While the two were still exchanging pleasantries, someone shouted: "He's vomiting blood! He's vomiting blood!"

They saw Lu Ying's face turn deathly pale, with fresh blood gushing from his mouth.

Seeing this, Chiyanzi hurriedly checked his pulse; it was suddenly rapid and then slow, flickering in and out, as if he were on the verge of death.

This panicked Xunfeng Daoren, who hurriedly asked for the reason.

Chiyanzi shook his head, bowed apologetically, and said: "Forgive my lack of skill; I truly do not know why..."

Now Xunfeng Daoren was even more anxious and wanted to step forward to circulate his energy to inspect his meridians and internal organs.

Seeing this, Lingxiang hurriedly shouted to stop him: "If the True Person does this, it will only cause him to lose his life to the Yellow Springs!"

Everyone present was shocked. Truly, a newborn calf is not afraid of a tiger; where did this girl come from, daring to speak such wild words in front of Xunfeng Zhenren?

Xunfeng Daoren was also shocked, and then he became angry.

"I respect you as a heaven-sent talent and young and ignorant, so I have tolerated you in every way. Now that my sect's disciple is already in this state, you are still so arrogant and unreasonable. What is the meaning of this!"

Lingxiang was not annoyed by Xunfeng Daoren's scolding and said calmly: "Originally, I had a ninety percent chance of saving him, but after Senior Chiyanzi's tossing, it has dropped to fifty percent. If the True Person performs any more heaven-defying methods, there will be no chance of survival at all."

These words made Chiyanzi's old face flush, but he did not speak.

Upon hearing this, Xunfeng Daoren thought carefully: This girl was indeed not panicked at the beginning, and just now she disregarded etiquette to stop him, which shows that what she said was not false.

Observing that he had withdrawn his magic power, Lingxiang knew he had listened, so she spoke: "Although I had selfish motives at the beginning, he did indeed need your sect's spirit medicine to be saved at that time."

She walked slowly toward Lu Ying and took a pill from her waist. Immediately, the whole room was filled with fragrance. One could see this pill emitting golden light; it was actually a Supreme Grade Life-Prolonging Pill!

Everyone present gasped: Such a pill is worth a thousand gold and hard to find; it is known that there were only three such pills in the world, all of which went missing many years ago. What is this girl's background, to be able to have such a treasure, and not show the slightest bit of stinginess!

Xunfeng Daoren was also shocked, and then his face showed shame: This was far more precious than ten Body Tempering Pills; even the two Marrow Cleansing Pills from before could not compare to this one! This girl was actually able to put aside past grievances to save his sect's disciple, showing a greatness of character that made him truly ashamed!

Lingxiang fed the Life-Prolonging Pill to Lu Ying to help him swallow it, but she did not use any Dharma Technique to circulate the pill through his body. Instead, she took out silver needles to seal his five acupoints: Baihui, Xuanji, Tanzhong, Qihai, and Guanyuan. She then signaled the young Daoist to help him sit up and sealed another five acupoints: Wind Talisman, Divine Path, Lingtai, Xuanzhu, and Yaoyangguan, twisting the silver needles from time to time.

This operation took about a quarter of an hour, but Lingxiang was sweating profusely. These major acupoints were of vital importance; if one were not careful, it would take a person's life.

"My cultivation is shallow; I must trouble a master to help him circulate the Small Heavenly Circuit."

Seeing her like this, Xunfeng Daoren knew that this method was very taxing, and just as he was about to form seals and raise his energy, he was stopped by Lingxiang again.

"True Person, do not panic. This circulation of the Small Heavenly Circuit requires coordination with my needle placement. Senior Chiyanzi is a knowledgeable person, and I hope he will assist me." Lingxiang said, bowing to Chiyanzi.

Chiyanzi was just blaming himself for his lack of skill, which had caused Lu Ying to fall into danger. Hearing her request, he hurriedly stepped forward and replied: "I will certainly do my utmost!"

He then placed his palms against Lu Ying's and raised his energy to circulate his power.

"Senior, you may begin now, but do not be too hasty. Once I have finished lifting the needles, you may withdraw your technique."

After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Chiyanzi's forehead was wet and his cheeks were red, and Lu Ying was the same. Only then did Lingxiang begin to lift the needles.

She first lifted the Yaoyangguan acupoint, and after about half an hour, she lifted the Xuanzhu acupoint. After another half an hour, she lifted the Lingtai and Divine Path acupoints one after another, with only a snap of the fingers between the two. After that, she kept twisting the Baihui acupoint and did not pull the needle out.

Only then did Xunfeng Daoren realize that she was going to open the Ren and Du meridians for Lu Ying! If that were really the case, then this favor would be a huge debt!

At this time, Lingxiang quickly twisted the Xuanji, Tanzhong, Qihai, and Guanyuan acupoints, and in the snap of a finger, she lifted the silver needles from these four acupoints and the Wind Talisman acupoint, and finally lifted the Baihui.

"Senior, quickly withdraw your hand, be careful of self-injury!"

Hearing this, Chiyanzi hurriedly withdrew his power and then began to regulate his breath on the side.