Chapter 60: The Scattered Red Petals Fly Past the Swing

The sect lessons had already begun these past few days, and Long Qi and Zhao Wuyang were able to attend as usual, but Liu Xia was somewhat dispirited; if one were to ask why, the reason lay with Banxia.

Ever since Banxia had witnessed Lingxiang's talisman arts, she had held her in high esteem, thinking day and night that if she could learn a trick or two from her, she would surely benefit boundlessly.

But she was not close with Lingxiang, so how could she strike up a conversation? She had fretted over this for a while, but then she had a second thought: during the martial arts demonstration, Liu Xia had said those talismans were a gift from a friend, and the one who had activated the talisman power at the time was Lingxiang. Viewed this way, wasn't the friend in Liu Xia's words none other than Lingxiang?

Since that was the case, by getting close to Liu Xia, she would naturally have the chance to see Lingxiang again!

And so, whenever it was time for the afternoon lessons, Banxia would always pester Liu Xia, either talking about this and that or showing excessive concern, disturbing Liu Xia so much that his heart would pound; he was even cautious when going out, terrified of running into this woman who gave him such a headache.

This woman could turn her face faster than flipping a book; there was no telling what kind of expression she might wear toward him one day—she was truly someone not to be trifled with.

On this day, Long Qi and the others were eating together in the Public Kitchen. When Banxia saw them, she walked over carrying her food. Liu Xia was sitting with his back turned and did not see her. By the time Banxia opened her mouth, it startled him so much that the winter melon soup he had just taken into his mouth sprayed out, landing all over Long Qi's face.

Yet Banxia, the culprit, remained oblivious and sat down beside Liu Xia to start talking.

"Eh? Why are you all still in the mood to eat here?"

Seeing Banxia sitting at his side, Liu Xia's whole body tensed up, and he didn't dare to respond, fearing that this woman would seize the opening to say something else. Long Qi, however, was somewhat curious and asked while wiping his face why she would say that.

"Eh? Aren't you friends with the Qingwei Peak Master? How could you not know such a big thing happened?" Banxia looked puzzled; could it be that what Liu Xia called "friends" was only one-sided?

Ah! Could it be that Liu Xia likes that Qingwei Peak Master!?

Banxia speculated to herself, and a look of pity even appeared on her face: since ancient times, the most sentimental are the young men; the sturdy grass has intent, but the gentle breeze is heartless...

Long Qi, however, was curious—what could have happened at Qingwei Peak? Thinking this, he asked.

"Ah! So you really don't know!" Banxia looked surprised and recounted everything she had heard while cleaning at Hufeng Hall yesterday about the explosion of the Qingwei Peak pill furnace.

"I heard the Qingwei Peak Master was refining a pill at the time, and I don't know if she is alright now," Banxia said, stuffing a mouthful of cucumber into her mouth.

Long Qi stood up the moment he heard about the pill furnace exploding, not to mention hearing Banxia say that half of the Xianyun Abode had been blown away; he could only think about whether Lingxiang was injured.

In truth, it was not as serious as Banxia had described. The pill furnace in the courtyard of the Xianyun Abode had indeed exploded, and the flying debris had indeed set the thatched cottage on fire, but Lingxiang was, after all, someone who had been refining pills for many years, and she had sensed something amiss with the furnace shortly after Fuyin the Perfected One left.

At that time, Lingxiang had just seen Fuyin Zhenren out of the courtyard gate and returned to the furnace to sit cross-legged, regulate her breathing, and perform fire-control techniques. However, just as she was peering into the furnace, she was shocked to discover that the ingredients inside were not balanced, and the airflow was beginning to surge violently.

Seeing the situation, Lingxiang hurriedly performed hand seals, using her left hand to weave the Bolan Buqing Jue to protect herself, and her right hand to use the Surging Sea Tide technique to cover the furnace.

It was a coincidence: the heat inside the furnace expanded, and as soon as it met the coldness of the Water Art, it exploded instantly like a volcanic eruption, spraying internal fire everywhere, which set the thatched cottage ablaze.

But fortunately, Lingxiang was decisive; if she had ignored the expansion of the furnace at that time, it might truly have blown up half of the Xianyun Abode as Banxia had said.

As for the firelight Fuyin Zhenren had seen at that time, it was not caused by the pill furnace, but rather the phenomenon of the Fire Spirit Bead on Lingxiang's body absorbing the furnace fire.

This furnace fire had been nurtured by Lingxiang with her own cultivation all along; although it could not compare to the Samadhi True Fire in Nezha's Nine-Dragon Divine Fire Cover, it was still extremely pure and deeply loved by the Fire Spirit Bead.

The moment the cauldron exploded and the Surging Sea Tide technique collapsed, the Fire Spirit Bead flew out on its own and devoured the furnace fire completely.

However, the scattered ingredients did indeed set fire to various parts of the Xianyun Abode. Fortunately, Lingxiang was skilled in the methods of the Five Elements and used water arts to extinguish the remaining fire, though two side rooms were still damaged.

Lingxiang was naturally not unscathed. The situation had been urgent at the time; she had only focused on casting spells to minimize the damage and had not paid attention to her surroundings. By the time she realized the danger, it was already too late. The shattered furnace lid smashed down directly; she only had time to avoid her vital points, but her legs were struck, and after a moment of pain, they lost all sensation.

Fortunately, Fuyin Zhenren had not gone far. Upon rushing back and seeing the unconscious Lingxiang, he immediately began to provide aid.

"The leg bones are shattered; I fear she will have to suffer some," Fuyin Zhenren said, looking at Lingxiang's bloodied legs, and sighed softly.

Fortunately, Tumi Xianzi had left behind a few Bone-Mending Pills back then, and Lingxiang had cultivation; if it had been anyone else, those legs would have been ruined.

Thinking this, he instructed one of his disciples to go to the Sect Leader to request a Bone-Mending Pill, then carefully moved Lingxiang to the inner chamber. The blood that dripped along the way was truly startling.

Shangqing Zhenren was discussing matters with Qianyuan Zhenren when he heard the report from the messenger. He hurriedly had Hanyang go to Zhenheng Pavilion to fetch a Bone-Mending Pill, and the group headed toward the Xianyun Abode.

Just as they finished their movement technique, the two True Persons hurried inside, only to see another disciple of Fuyin Zhenren carrying out bloody water. Hanyang was shocked at the sight—could Lingxiang be so severely injured?

When they entered the inner chamber, they saw Fuyin Zhenren fully focused on picking out bone fragments for Lingxiang. Qianyuan Zhenren hurriedly asked about Lingxiang's injuries.

"Senior Brother, do not be anxious. Now, while she is unconscious, I must pick out the bone fragments from her wounds one by one. Only after she takes the Pill will they be able to heal properly, otherwise, there will be lingering complications," Fuyin Zhenren said, gently picking out a small bone fragment and placing it on a tray to the side. There were already several large and small bone fragments there, bloody and gore-stained, which made Hanyang's heart ache.

He had always treated Lingxiang like a younger sister and had never let her suffer any hardships since she was small; even when she was punished to copy scriptures, he often helped her forge them. Now that Lingxiang was injured like this, how could he not feel heartache!

"Will there be any long-term concerns?" Shangqing Zhenren's heart was not as calm as his expression; if something were to happen to Lingxiang, how would he answer to his own master?

"With Tumi Xianzi's ability, this Bone-Mending Pill will certainly be able to make the bones grow back well. In daily life, she should be no different from an ordinary person, but since these are newly grown bones, they will inevitably be inferior to the original ones. If she encounters a rainy day, I imagine there will still be lingering pain," Fuyin Zhenren said, carefully examining Lingxiang's wounds, too busy to say much more.

However, everyone understood the implication: it seemed that techniques like the Cloud Treading Step would be things Lingxiang would no longer be able to practice in the future.

As long as she could be like an ordinary person and her life was not in danger, it was a great fortune.

Thinking this, Shangqing Zhenren sighed deeply.