Wei Zhengrong held the five-year-old girl in his arms, speaking to her with careful patience.
"Jian Lu Zūnshàng is a kind person. When you see her, greet her properly. Do whatever she asks you to do, and don't be afraid. Big Brother will be right there with you."
The little girl was his younger sister, Wei Xueru. She was small for her age, her complexion pale as though born frail. With almond-shaped eyes and a delicate nose, she was already showing the makings of a beauty.
"I understand, Big Brother. I sneaked out today. Father and Mother won't punish us, will they?"
Wei Xueru's voice held a trace of nervousness. She knew her brother had brought her out of the clan grounds to seek treatment, but she also feared their parents might blame him.
"Don't worry, Xue Ru. Your brother will handle everything."
Wei Zhengrong spoke with bold assurance.
At that moment, Ting Feng approached. "Zūnshàng says the two of you may go straight in."
Wei Zhengrong nodded in thanks. "Much obliged." He led Wei Xueru inside.
"Greetings to Jian Lu Zūnshàng!"
Wei Xueru knelt respectfully before Jian Dan. A gentle wave of spiritual energy lifted her up.
Dressed in a light blue fairy skirt, she gazed up at the smiling elder before her, her almond eyes brimming with curiosity. Being near this powerful senior felt oddly comforting. She wondered if he could truly cure her illness.
"Xue Ru, come here. Let me take a look at you."
Jian Dan beckoned, and she walked over with tiny steps. She placed a hand on her wrist, sending a thread of spiritual energy as fine as a hair into her meridians, while her divine sense enveloped her completely.
That thread of energy sank into her meridians as though stepping into thick mud—unable to advance an inch. Her meridians reddened under the strain. Pain flashed across her face and her body trembled slightly, making Wei Zhengrong's heart ache.
Jian Dan quickly withdrew the energy, though his divine sense continued its examination. Wei Xueru's sea of consciousness was unopened, her dantian intact, but her meridians were like stone—sealed solid, as though the channels were filled with hardened resin.
If one tried to force them open, they would shatter. If one burned them with strange fire, she, being mortal, could not survive it. No wonder the Wei clan had given up on her.
After a moment, Jian Dan called out, "Ting Feng."
"Zūnshàng, what are your orders?"
"Take our little guest to the back garden of Tianyue Peak for a stroll. Let her enjoy the scenery."
"Yes, Zūnshàng." Ting Feng looked to Wei Zhengrong.
Wei Zhengrong understood. He picked up his sister and said softly, "Xue Ru, go with this big brother for a walk."
"Alright."
She nodded obediently, asked no questions, and left holding Ting Feng's hand.
Wei Zhengrong turned back, tense, and bowed.
"It can be treated," Jian Dan said calmly, "but it will take some time."
Relief flooded Wei Zhengrong's face, his smile growing—until Jian Dan's next words almost made him lose control.
"Xue Ru was not born this way. Someone drugged her. The only reason she has lasted until now is because she was carefully nurtured from a young age."
"Zūnshàng… what kind of drug?" Wei Zhengrong asked through clenched teeth.
"Nothing rare. Just the lowliest of cultivation-world tricks—'Solid Spirit Powder'."
Wei Zhengrong's eyes darkened. He had heard of this—a method used purely to harm.
"But… how could even my Wei clan's Ancestor fail to detect it?"
"This drug was used very subtly. As the name suggests, Solid Spirit Powder hardens the spiritual power in a cultivator's meridians, making it unusable. Xue Ru is a mortal and has never cultivated, so naturally she has no spiritual power in her meridians.
However, because she was frail from birth, she has been nourished by spiritual herbs since childhood. Their power seeped into her body through her skin and organs, leaving faint traces of spiritual energy. Over the years, these traces built up. Once the drug was administered, those traces slowly hardened, creating the false appearance of 'stone meridians'."
Jian Dan's eyes swept over him, reading the storm within.
"So, her meridians can be freed either by cultivating on her own until the drug's effects dissolve… or by external force to dissolve or expel the hardened parts."
"Zūnshàng, the first method is impossible. Xue Ru has never cultivated. We've tried the second, but it would destroy her meridians entirely."
"You are letting your worry cloud your judgment. Have you never heard of 'returning from the brink of death'?"
"Her body can't withstand it."
"Enough. Don't stand here with a funeral face. Go tell Xue Ru she'll be staying here for a few days."
"Yes, Zūnshàng. Thank you for helping my sister. I will never forget your kindness."
Jian Dan waved dismissively. "I can handle Xue Ru's problem. But your Wei clan's internal strife is none of my concern. You deal with it yourself."
"Yes, Zūnshàng. I understand."
Wei Zhengrong found Xue Ru in the flower fields behind Tianyue Peak. Ting Feng kept his distance, standing ten steps away. Xue Ru sat cross-legged among the blooms, with a faint breeze winding around her.
Wei Zhengrong's eyes lit with joy. Her affinity with wind spiritual energy far surpassed that of anyone in her generation—no wonder she had been targeted.
"Xue Ru, come with me to see Zūnshàng."
She opened her eyes at his voice and stood. "Big Brother, are we saying goodbye?"
"No. Zūnshàng likes you and wants you to stay here for a while to treat your illness."
"Really? If Zūnshàng cures me, I'll be able to cultivate?"
Color returned to her small face, joy dancing in her eyes.
"Of course. Has your brother ever lied to you? Come, let's go thank Zūnshàng."
"Alright. Hurry, Big Brother."
Jian Dan accepted her thanks and kept her in his cave residence, planning to start treatment that night.
After Wei Zhengrong left Tianyue Peak, his face was so dark it could drip water. To harm a child in such a way—it was as unforgivable as killing one's father. He had duties at the Law Enforcement Hall and could not leave yet, but once Xue Ru's meridians were healed, he would return to the Wei clan to speak to his parents.
Jian Dan worked like a tireless bee that day, only returning to his residence under the starry sky.
"Zūnshàng, Miss Xue Ru has already gone to bed. She tried to wait for you but couldn't. She's in the guest quarters."
"Alright. I'll go see her."
In the guest room, Jian Dan found Xue Ru sleeping soundly. With a wave of her sleeve, she deepened her sleep, then spread his divine sense, holding her body still while condensing a wisp of chaotic energy at her fingertips.
This time, the chaotic energy met no resistance. It forcefully dissolved the blockages in her meridians and absorbed them into itself. As it moved forward, the once hair-thin strand of chaos grew thicker. Jian Dan split off a new thread to enter another meridian, working methodically.
In just half an hour, Xue Ru's main meridians were unblocked.