"With me and Xu Chu protecting the Holy Son in close quarters, there's hardly anyone in the mortal realm who could harm His Highness," Dian Wei said in a deep, resonant voice. "However, if the Holy Son's enemies were to learn that he's undergoing the Trial, they would undoubtedly cause trouble in the shadows. So, we must keep His Highness's identity a secret.
"Otherwise, if the Holy Son is forced to lift his cultivation seals, this Trial would be considered a failure, and he'd have to wait decades before attempting to break through to the Nascent Soul stage again."
"So that's how it is. Rest assured, Holy Son, this emperor will spare no effort to assist you in overcoming this Trial of Worldly Experiences," the Qing Emperor replied.
"Mm. Good." Xiao Feng nodded slightly. "As long as I successfully pass this Trial of Worldy Experiences, I won't forget those who contributed. I can grant you a cultivation technique that will take you all the way to the Foundation Establishment stage."
"Many thanks, Holy Son."
Even the Qing Emperor couldn't hide his excitement upon hearing this and quickly bowed to Xiao Feng.
After all, a Foundation Establishment cultivator could live up to three hundred years. As long as the Qing Emperor reached that stage, he'd have plenty of time to figure out how to obtain the subsequent cultivation techniques.
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, Xiao Feng let out a surprised sound. "Truly, you can wear out iron shoes in fruitless searching, yet stumble upon what you need without lifting a finger. Who would've thought I'd encounter a Calamity-Bearer here?
"Dian Wei, Xu Chu, wait here. I'll personally meet this Calamity-Bearer."
"As you command, Master!"
After watching Xiao Feng leave the main hall, the Qing Emperor couldn't suppress his curiosity and asked, "Might I ask, Divine Envoys, what exactly is a Calamity-Bearer?"
"Calamity-Bearers are unique individuals encountered only by those undergoing the Trial of Worldy Experiences. Their fates intertwine with the tribulation-taker's, affecting the trial's intensity and duration," Dian Wei explained, glancing at the Qing Emperor.
"Different Calamity-Bearers require different approaches—some must be killed, others subdued. Making the right choice can weaken the trial's power and shorten its duration, while a wrong move will intensify and prolong it.
"Because their fates are intertwined, we outsiders must never interfere when the Holy Son deals with a Calamity-Bearer. Otherwise, the Heavenly Dao will see it as cheating and amplify the trial's difficulty."
"Oh—" The Qing Emperor nodded in sudden understanding.
Meanwhile, Xiao Feng arrived at a side hall of Qing Temple.
It was a much smaller shrine, enclosed by blue stone walls.
At the center of the side hall stood a large incense table covered with a yellow silk cloth, its edges draping down to the floor.
On the table sat an exquisite porcelain incense burner, from which three sticks of incense emitted a soothing fragrance.
The walls were adorned with murals resembling oil paintings, depicting mythological tales like Yu the Great taming the floods.
Xiao Feng's gaze swept the room before finally settling on the incense table. A playful smile curled his lips as he walked over unhurriedly.
Lifting the yellow silk cloth, he revealed a young girl in a white dress.
Her delicate features were pale, and her large, expressive eyes peered timidly at Xiao Feng. In her hand was a chicken leg with a small bite taken out of it.
Blushing under Xiao Feng's intense stare, the girl asked softly, "Wh-Who are you?"
"I am Xiao Feng. May I ask the lady's name?"
"I— *cough* *cough*—"
Before she could finish, her face flushed an unnatural red, and she broke into violent coughs, spitting out a small mouthful of blood.
Seeing this, Xiao Feng grabbed her slender wrist and checked her pulse.
"This is…"
Feeling her weak pulse, Xiao Feng frowned. "Consumption?"
Surprised that he'd diagnosed her so quickly, the girl exclaimed, "You know medicine too?"
In her experience, doctors were always middle-aged or elderly men. This was her first time meeting someone as young as Xiao Feng who practiced medicine.
"Of course. My skills are quite exceptional, passed down from the 'Demon Physician' Jiang Chen," Xiao Feng boasted proudly under her curious gaze. "Consumption is nothing. Even if your heart were stabbed through, as long as you hadn't been dead for more than two days, Jiang Chen could bring you back by replacing your heart."
"Really? He can even revive the dead? That Jiang Chen must be incredible!"
The girl was first astonished by Jiang Chen's prowess, then asked eagerly, "Can you find him for me? To treat my consumption?"
"I'm afraid not. Jiang Chen is elusive by nature, and with her mastery of disguise, no one can find her unless she chooses to reveal herself."
Seeing her hope fade into disappointment, Xiao Feng changed tack. "But something like consumption doesn't require Jiang Chen's intervention. I can cure you myself."
"R-Really?"
Her large, watery eyes sparkled anew with hope.
"If you don't believe me, I can treat you right now. It won't be a complete cure in one session, but I can alleviate your symptoms enough to stop the coughing for three days."
"Then I'll trouble you."
As Xiao Feng used a special massage technique infused with Dou Qi to stimulate her acupoints and ease her condition, Fan Xian arrived outside Qing Temple.
Fan Xian had been lured there by the Qing Emperor's covert arrangements.
Originally, the emperor had planned for Fan Xian and Lin Wan'er to meet privately, hoping to dispel the former's resistance to the arranged marriage.
But the arrival of Xiao Feng and his group had thrown all those plans into disarray.
Now that Lin Wan'er was identified as a "Calamity-Bearer," the Qing Emperor dared not let Fan Xian interfere. Instead, he had Gong Dian shoo the young man away.
After over half an hour, Lin Wan'er's first treatment session concluded, her face flushed crimson.
Though she did feel noticeably better, Xiao Feng had also touched every part of her body during the process.
"Miss Lin, there's no need for embarrassment. To a physician, patients have no gender," Xiao Feng said with an inward smirk, maintaining a solemn facade.
"With this first session complete, your consumption has improved significantly. After three or four more treatments like this, your condition will be fully cured."
(End of Chapter)