Question: How would you feel if a friend, whom you thought was gravely ill, suddenly appeared before you looking surprisingly well?
Yuwen Yu was stunned, and after a long pause, hesitantly remarked, "You've gained weight?"
"I haven't gained weight," Song Jincheng firmly denied, his days filled with stress as he stayed close to the demon lord, concerned for his friends' lives and virtues while also caring for a demonic snake. "I've been under a lot of pressure recently and indulged in sweets, leading to some slight puffiness. It will go away soon."
Yuwen Yu pondered for a moment before agreeing, "I must have been mistaken."
A lengthy silence fell between them.
Song Jincheng was the first to snap out of it, fervently apologizing and swearing to the heavens that he had no ill intentions. "Please don't be mad," he pleaded, coming just short of kowtowing to his unfortunate friend.
Yuwen Yu stared blankly for a moment before asking, "Why would I be angry that you're well? Isn't that a good thing?"
Who would wish misfortune upon their friend? Discovering it was a misunderstanding was, naturally, cause for celebration.
Song Jincheng considered this and found himself unable to rebut the logic.
Both seemed to have resolved their misunderstandings. Song Jincheng, a man with a heart as open as the sea, who never held grudges, confirmed that his friend was not angry and that his friend's father wouldn't punish him for the sake of Song Qingshi. Relieved, he picked up the ring-shaped magical tool in Yuwen Yu's hand, shook it to hear the bell, and chuckled, "I feel like I've seen something like this somewhere before."
Song Qingshi finally grew accustomed to Yuwen Yu's aura and shifted his attention to the magical tool in Song Jincheng's hand, exclaiming, "Isn't this a Tiger's Claw Bell?"
All eyes turned to him.
"This is a bell used by itinerant doctors. They wear it while gathering herbs to scare off wild animals and signify their profession," Song Qingshi elaborated, noticing Song Jincheng's confused expression, "In rural areas, the bell would be rung to alert people that medical assistance was available."
Song Jincheng finally understood, "Ah, I see."
"I find it hard to believe," Song Qingshi was incredulous. "You're a disciple of Medicine King Valley; shouldn't you know the history of these medical tools? I remember it's written in many medical books; have they all disappeared?"
"They haven't," Feng Jun smiled gently, "He's just being negligent and tarnishing the reputation of Medicine King Valley, displeasing the Master. He certainly needs more guidance."
Song Jincheng shivered, unconsciously touching the top of his head, feeling his hairline receding.
The crowd grew increasingly puzzled. Why would Moyuan, a sword cultivator, use a Tiger's Claw Bell, an item associated with medical cultivators? Since the cultivation world had banned killing and looting, Tianwu Sect handed over the Tiger's Claw Bell to Song Qingshi without any reservation, asking him to investigate what it really was.
Being well-versed in ancient texts due to his research into ancient prescriptions, Song Qingshi was more than qualified to analyze the situation.
After reading the inscriptions on it, he chuckled and explained, "This isn't a weapon; it's a riddle left by Moyuan Sword Monarch. He said he spent his lifetime trying to solve this puzzle, going to the point of madness, but never found an answer. In a moment of lucidity, he used a cherished object to create this illusion array, sealing a wisp of his divine consciousness inside, hoping someone in the future could find the solution."
He named the array "Unsolvable," indicating that although there was no danger in attempting the puzzle, and anyone above the Foundation Establishment stage could enter. Even if the puzzle wasn't solved, the participant would be rewarded with either a unique sword technique or a rare prescription from his divine consciousness. If someone did solve it, they would inherit his legacy.
Feng Jun studied the array and confirmed that what Moyuan Sword Monarch had said was true.
The activation method for the magical artifact requires the simultaneous burning of two different types of mystical fire. This will automatically set the array in motion, transporting everyone in the vicinity into an illusory realm.
Tianwu Sect is a swordsmanship-focused sect, where every member is passionately devoted to the sword. The disciples are extremely eager to learn the sword techniques of Master Moyuan. Yuwen Yan has been organizing expeditions to seek out these mystical fires, yet they are rare treasures hoarded by major sects, and immediate results are unlikely.
Song Qingshi extended his hand, allowing the Red Lotus Mystic Fire and Netherworld Ghost Fire to appear in his palm. Solving challenging problems was his hobby, and he relished difficult questions. Realizing he had access to the necessary mystical fires, he proposed a collaboration to Tianwu Sect: "Let's solve the problem together; you can have the sword techniques, and I'll take the medicinal formula."
He is not a sword cultivator, so there's no competition between them.
After all, Song Qingshi hails from the Peak of Immortality; there's no fear of him reneging on the agreement. Even if he were to, Tianwu Sect wouldn't have any recourse.
Feng Jun also expressed interest in Master Moyuan's riddles.
After a moment of contemplation, Yuwen Yan agreed to collaborate.
Song Jincheng made a fuss about joining, aiming to bring back a medicinal formula as a tribute to Mr. Yue in hopes of reducing his sentence. In the end, except for Haolong, who had no interest and volunteered to keep watch, everyone wanted to try their luck in the rewarding—even if unsuccessful—magical array.
The array has no limitations on the number of participants.
Tianwu Sect decided to make it a collective activity. Everyone would try their luck; perhaps someone fortunate or foolish enough would accidentally solve the riddles. Even if they failed, gaining some sword techniques would still be beneficial. Yuwen Yan went to consult with the elders, rallied all the disciples, made preparations, and agreed with Song Qingshi on a time to enter the array to solve the riddles collectively.
Song Qingshi once again experienced the exhilaration he felt in an examination room—a sheer delight.
...
Come nightfall, an enthusiastic Song Qingshi pulled Feng Jun into a study session. The two sprawled on the bed, thoroughly reviewing the materials related to Master Moyuan. While Song Qingshi was jotting down notes, Feng Jun suddenly placed a hand on his lower abdomen, gently massaged it, and whispered, "May I take a look inside?"
"Sure," Song Qingshi immediately understood, relaxing his body and dissipating his defensive spiritual power. He moved aside the mystical fires within him and unreservedly opened up his dantian and meridians, saying, "Feel free to examine."
For cultivators, exposing one's dantian in this manner signifies absolute trust, willingly placing one's life in the other's hands.
While using the persona of Mr. Yue, Feng Jun had already examined Song Qingshi's body while he was unconscious and noticed some subtle injuries to his dantian and meridians, likely a consequence of a self-destructed primordial spirit. He wanted to probe further but was hindered by the mystical fires. Seeing Song Qingshi's improved condition, he decided to address these injuries ahead of time, despite the array seeming harmless.
He gently extended his spiritual sense into the dantian and carefully inspected each meridian, encountering several obstructions.
The sensation of another's spiritual power flowing through one's meridians felt strangely tingling, akin to ants crawling.
Song Qingshi couldn't stand it and squirmed, pleading, "Is it over yet?"
"Hold still, don't move," Feng Jun said, distressed and anxious at the sight of the scarred dantian. Seeing Song Qingshi becoming increasingly restless, he deployed the Blood King Vines to tightly bind his hands, feet, and waist to the bed, prohibiting any struggles. He quickly smoothed out the meridians, reassuring him, "There, it won't hurt."
Without waiting for consent, he promptly brought out a full set of golden needles, as well as several kinds of elixirs he had prepared in advance.
Upon seeing those pills, Song Qingshi felt a sudden sense of alarm—Zifu Pills, Golden Lotus Mystic Fire Pills, Meridian Reconstruction Pills—each one was an extremely rare and high-grade elixir. What they had in common was their ability to quickly mend the dantian and meridians. And then there was... the pain, the overwhelming discomfort...
Although he knew how to refine these pills, he didn't have access to the necessary ingredients. His original plan was to spend a few years healing his dantian and meridians gradually. He hadn't anticipated that Feng Jun would come prepared with both instruments and medicines, ready to forcefully accelerate the process.
Song Qingshi calmed himself and suddenly felt a bit shy. He had long suspected that Feng Jun's cultivation level was not merely at the Foundation stage, but likely far higher than his own. Now that Feng Jun was willing to transfer spiritual power to him and forcefully open up his meridians to aid his cultivation, it was a good thing. This method was highly effective and rapid, but it required great skill from the healer and would be somewhat detrimental to Feng Jun's own cultivation level. Even if he were a boyfriend, it seemed inappropriate to ask this of him...
Yet, he knew Feng Jun was right. The sooner his dantian and meridians were repaired, the better; no room for sentimental hesitation.
Feng Jun reassured him, "Relax your body, don't be afraid. Leave everything to me."
Song Qingshi nodded resolutely, "Okay."
He gave up struggling, allowing the Blood King Vines to strip away his clothing, exposing all his skin.
Feng Jun harbored no lustful thoughts; instead, he used his spiritual sense to locate the obstructions within the meridians, then swiftly inserted the needles. Employing unique techniques that Song Qingshi had previously researched, he performed localized anesthesia to minimize the pain. He had prepared for this for many years and practiced countless times; his expertise was evident.
Observing Feng Jun's skilled needlework, Song Qingshi finally relaxed.
Feng Jun inserted eighty-nine golden needles into Song Qingshi's body. Feeling uneasy, he bound him again with Blood King Vines and administered the Zifu Pill intended for dantian repair. The elixir dissolved, initially bringing a warm, comforting sensation that quickly escalated in heat.
Over the years, the Peak of Immortality had accumulated numerous celestial techniques and secret methods. Feng Jun had researched several safe methods for transferring spiritual energy. Seeing that Song Qingshi had closed his eyes in comfort, he seized the opportunity to pour a large amount of spiritual energy into the dantian, maximizing the effect of the elixir. Not only did he repair each and every injury, but he also expanded Song Qingshi's dantian to the peak of the Foundation stage, constantly circulating, soothing, and stabilizing it.
Song Qingshi felt as if a roaring fire had been lit within his dantian, almost bursting from Feng Jun's overwhelming spiritual energy. He realized that Feng Jun was not merely trying to repair him with a modest amount of energy but was aiming for a complete Golden Core transformation. In pain and desperation, he struggled and cried, "Stop! It's ruined! You have to stop! You can't do this!"
Feng Jun coldly responded with a single word: "Endure."
The world of cultivation was fraught with dangers; one's level of cultivation was of utmost importance, and he couldn't afford to indulge Song Qingshi in this matter.
Song Qingshi endured, tears almost escaping his eyes. Barely adjusting to the swelling sensation in his dantian, his mind went blank. Just when he thought it was over, Feng Jun forcibly opened his jaws and fed him the Golden Lotus Mystic Fire Pill and the Meridian Reconstruction Pill.
Feng Jun passed a sip of spirit tea through his lips to help dissolve the medicines, again comforting him, "No pain."
The anesthesia from the golden needles indeed eliminated the sensation of pain, but what remained was an unbearable itchiness.
Feng Jun himself had tried these medicines a few times and didn't find them too difficult to endure.
Unfortunately, Song Qingshi's body was extremely sensitive. While he could endure pain, he couldn't bear itchiness. Tormented by the medicine, tears flowed down his cheeks. Bound and unable to scratch himself, he cried for a long while, finally losing his sanity and begging, "Please, spare me. Let's do this another time. I can't take it anymore, really..."
Seeing him in such agony, Feng Jun also felt some regret. But to infuse his spiritual energy and help him form a perfect Golden Core, these hardships were inevitable. Since the medicines were already active, there was no turning back; it was better to finish in one go. Holding Song Qingshi, he continued to soothe his meridians with spiritual energy, repeatedly apologizing in a soft voice, "I'm sorry, it will be over soon. After this, you're free to hit me, to curse me..."
Song Qingshi, with the remnants of his rationality, whimpered softly, "Don't."
Feng Jun kissed his lips and, steeling his resolve, poured spiritual power into him once again.
Song Qingshi broke down in tears anew.
...
Song Jincheng and Yuwen Yu were strolling and chatting leisurely in the courtyard.
Hearing faint cries coming from the guest room, Yuwen Yu asked with concern, "What's happening?"
Song Jincheng listened carefully and, recognizing it as Song Qingshi's voice, understood that a tragedy was unfolding. He sighed and forcibly pulled away a naive-looking Yuwen Yu, "They are intensively studying; don't interfere, don't ask, close your eyes, and let's pretend this never happened…"
He believed his brother could persevere through the ordeal with the aid of the medication.