Chapter Sixty-Five: The Sage Physician’s Disciple

Xu Xing had left, carrying Zi Yan as he flew by sword toward the inn. Zi Yan’s condition was dire—her body ice-cold, her skin deathly pale, her lips tinged blue.

The rain beneath the night sky’s curtain had gradually ceased; it was no longer a torrential downpour, nor was it the gentle mist of dawn.

Several red lanterns hung outside the inn, casting a warm glow upon the night. The wind lingered by the lanterns, keeping them company in the stillness.

Upon reaching the inn, Xu Xing entered. At the counter, a man leaned idly against the doorpost. Seeing Xu Xing arrive, the man stepped forward, glanced at Zi Yan, and sighed, “Ah… The rain in Lantern City was heavy today, wasn’t it?”

“Yes, it was indeed. But you had the leisure to watch the rain from indoors?” Xu Xing paused, answering with a trace of curiosity.

“This young lady… she’s quite remarkable, but…” The man trailed off, prompting Xu Xing’s anxiety. “What is it? Please, tell me! What’s wrong with her?”

In his haste, the man pulled Xu Xing toward the cellar. It was pitch-black below, but a bronze lamp fought back the darkness. The passage was not long; at the end, they entered a spacious room.

At the cellar’s center lay a Bagua diagram, with eight different objects placed at each corner—items representing the five elements, along with a wisp of cloud, some caught lightning, and a lump of pitch-black matter sealed within.

“My name is Zhou Cangsheng,” the man introduced himself. “Truth be told, I noticed you two long ago. In fact, we’ve met before—when you were exerting yourself in your room, I appeared.”

Xu Xing recalled the incident and realized it was a misunderstanding. He had merely been activating the sword array banners; apparently, Zhou had misinterpreted his actions.

But Zhou claimed to have been watching them for some time. What did that mean? Had their tracks been exposed all along? Was Zhou Cangsheng some powerful figure toying with him, or perhaps testing him? Xu Xing felt thoroughly bewildered.

“I don’t understand what you mean. We’ve never met before—how could you possibly know who we are?” Xu Xing questioned, his confusion deepening. There had been no previous encounter—how could Zhou recognize him at first sight?

Was this man another hidden master? Was he toying with Xu Xing in the shadows, or perhaps putting him through some test? The thought left Xu Xing even more at a loss.

Zhou Cangsheng did not explain further. He pointed at the Bagua array, signaling Xu Xing to lay Zi Yan down within it.

Xu Xing hesitated, but there seemed no better option. Zhou Cangsheng appeared harmless, with no ill intent.

As Xu Xing placed Zi Yan within the formation, the array activated—dappled streams of light unfurled, carrying with them a mesmerizing, enchanting melody that lingered in the air. Xu Xing himself found it hard to resist falling under its spell.

Zhou Cangsheng, however, was not so affected. He sat cross-legged before the formation, hands resting on his knees. Fierce spiritual energy surged from within him, slowly filling the Bagua array.

A miraculous scene unfolded—the formation began to manifest a lotus flower, its radiance blossoming in seven colors throughout the cellar. The lotus within the Bagua array shed its petals one by one, each petal drifting down and brushing against Zi Yan’s skin.

Zi Yan’s body became immaculate, purer than any celestial maiden—sacred and inviolable.

Suddenly, a piercing sound rang in Xu Xing’s ears; he hurriedly covered them, but the noise seemed to shatter his mind from within.

He dared not rise, remaining rooted to the floor. After a long while, Zhou Cangsheng nudged him with a kick, and Xu Xing finally uncovered his ears and looked up toward Zi Yan in the array.

At that moment, Zi Yan resembled the clouds at the horizon, tinted gloriously by the afterglow of sunset.

“What… what is happening?” Xu Xing asked.

Zhou Cangsheng paced in place, his expression grave. Then, as if struck by sudden realization, he chuckled softly, casting a glance at the anxious Xu Xing and breaking into laughter. “How could I forget? The most important thing was right beside me all along. My memory’s failing me—so that’s how it is.”

Without warning, Zhou gripped Xu Xing’s arm, holding him immobile, and produced a silver needle. He pricked Xu Xing’s skin, letting a few drops of bright blood fall onto the sacred lotus.

Instantly, the blood was absorbed, and a column of multicolored light gathered, enveloping Zi Yan.

“What… what is this?” Xu Xing asked, still bewildered.

Through the dazzling light, Xu Xing could see Zhou Cangsheng’s features clearly: the robust vitality of a young man, though his eyes held a mingling of warmth and an even greater measure of steely cold and pressure. He was, without doubt, a man of extraordinary skill.

“It’s because of you—take out the decayed wood you carry at your waist,” Zhou demanded.

That piece of rotten wood again—Xu Xing knew its significance, the sacred tree of Seaside City. Yet, how did Zhou Cangsheng know of it?

Could he be the one Xu Xing had sought all along? It was possible; the technique he had just performed seemed genuinely effective, for Zi Yan’s condition had stabilized.

Zhou Cangsheng waved his hands before Xu Xing’s face, pulling him from his reverie. “Hey, you—have you lost your mind? Don’t worry, her injury is now under control.”

Xu Xing, raising his brows in surprise, looked at Zhou, setting aside his other doubts for the moment. The swordmaster had said that the creature invading Zi Yan was a Golden Core realm Essence-Draining Worm—a Golden Core! Not something a mere Foundation Establishment practitioner could handle. And yet, it had been resolved so easily?

“Hey, what’s wrong with you? You look completely bewildered,” Zhou teased.

“Uh, it’s nothing. But wasn’t Zi Yan invaded by a Golden Core-level worm? How did you resolve it so easily? Are you some kind of legendary healer?”

Xu Xing bowed slightly, his gesture full of respect.

Zhou seemed caught off guard by Xu Xing’s display; he rapped Xu Xing on the head. “You brat, what healer? I’m just a minor figure, not some legendary physician!”

But Xu Xing was not convinced. The lessons he’d learned from Kong Mo’s misfortune made him cautious; he would not repeat the same mistake. So, falling to one knee, he pleaded tearfully, “Please, Master Healer, save her! Zi Yan means everything to me—I cannot lose her, just as Great Shu cannot lose Seaside City.”

A hush fell over the cellar. Zhou Cangsheng finally spoke, “Listen, I told you—I’m no legendary healer. But I do know the man you speak of; I am his disciple. That’s how I know about her condition—the demonic grass from the decayed wood has possessed her. Don’t dwell on it.”

He paused, then continued, “And there’s something else—the other soul within Zi Yan grows ever more rampant. You must find my master, or soon, no one will be able to save her.”

Xu Xing managed a bitter smile. Was Zhou really not the healer? Perhaps he was indeed the legendary physician’s disciple, which would explain his understanding of Zi Yan’s plight.

Xu Xing pressed on anxiously, “Do you know where your master is?”

“I’m looking for him myself. The old man is elusive; I haven’t seen him for years. Perhaps he’s roaming the world somewhere… or perhaps…”

“Perhaps what?”

“Perhaps he’s deep in study.”