Lu Jin was no fool. From their conversation, he quickly deduced that the Heavenly Master believed Wu Tong possessed the means of resurrection.
Instantly, his burning gaze shifted from Zhang Huaiyi to Wu Tong, making the latter distinctly uncomfortable. Just as Wu Tong was about to speak, Rongshan arrived pushing Tian Jinzhong in his wheelchair.
The moment Tian Jinzhong entered, his eyes swept across the gathering until they landed on Zhang Huaiyi. His body visibly relaxed, tears glistening in his eyes.
"Senior Brother Tian..." Zhang Huaiyi's voice choked with guilt as he took in Tian Jinzhong's limbless state. He hadn't imagined his sworn brother would go to such lengths to keep their secret.
"Junior Brother Huaiyi? It's really you? I thought Rongshan was lying to me, but..."
Tears overflowed as Tian Jinzhong's wheelchair drew nearer, his voice thick with decades of pent-up emotion.
"Enough of this sentimentality," the Heavenly Master interjected, cutting short what threatened to become an emotional reunion. "Now that Big-Ears has returned, I won't be letting him leave again."
The matter of Zhang Huaiyi's resurrection couldn't become public knowledge. Not only would old enemies come calling, but every power hungry for the secret of cheating death would descend upon Dragon Tiger Mountain.
For Zhang Huaiyi's safety, the Heavenly Master had decided—he would remain under the mountain's protection indefinitely. Here, at least, the Heavenly Master could guarantee his safety.
As the mood settled, Wu Tong stepped forward. "Heavenly Master, since Elder Tian has arrived, I'll begin the treatment immediately."
Time was precious—his visitor pass had only three days remaining.
"Treatment? What treatment? I'm neither injured nor ill." Tian Jinzhong looked genuinely puzzled before following everyone's gaze to his own body. His eyes widened as they met the Heavenly Master's confirming nod.
"Can... can this broken body truly be healed?" Tian Jinzhong's voice trembled with barely restrained hope.
After losing his limbs all those years ago, he'd been so devastated that he'd attempted suicide—only to be stopped by the previous Heavenly Master. Though he'd eventually made peace with his condition, the longing for wholeness had never truly faded.
Who wouldn't wish to walk again?
"Rest assured, Elder Tian. This presents no particular difficulty for me." Wu Tong's confident smile brooked no doubt.
Seeing Tian Jinzhong's barely contained excitement, the Heavenly Master nodded. "Since young friend Wu Tong is certain, let us proceed without delay. I suspect Jinzhong has waited long enough."
At this, Wu Tong moved behind the wheelchair. "Heavenly Master, I'll require a quiet room without disturbances."
"Rongshan," the Heavenly Master instructed immediately, "take your uncle and young friend Wu Tong to the meditation chamber."
As Wu Tong wheeled Tian Jinzhong away, Rongshan fell into step beside them. "Brother Wu Tong, I'll guard the door personally. No one will disturb you."
The normally composed priest couldn't hide his emotion—Tian Jinzhong had practically raised him. With heartfelt sincerity, he bowed deeply. "And... thank you."
Wu Tong accepted the gesture gracefully. "Don't worry, Brother Rongshan. Elder Tian's condition is well within my capabilities. He'll be walking again soon."
Only when the door closed behind them did Rongshan's vigil begin, his stance at the entrance as immovable as the mountain itself.
Inside the chamber, Wu Tong carefully lifted Tian Jinzhong from wheelchair to bed.
"Elder Tian, I'll begin by removing necrotic tissue from your limbs to facilitate regeneration. This will be painful—you'll need to endure it."
The old master chuckled ruefully. "Child, I've endured this pain once before. Do what you must."
Nodding, Wu Tong set to work. From his Taiji Spirit Guide, he produced:
A scalpel-sharp dagger
Medicinal alcohol purchased en route
A lighter
Clean towels
A basin of water
And finally, with utmost care—a vial of faintly glowing green liquid
This last item was his most precious creation: Life Water Version 3.0.
Distilled from plant-type spirit beasts and rare herbs, this represented the pinnacle of his alchemical skill. Where Versions 1.0 and 2.0 could heal wounds, only this third iteration could regenerate lost limbs.
Of the original nine vials—each costing a fortune to produce—most had been traded to powerful factions or used to secure alliances. Only three remained.
Today, one would be spent here.
Working efficiently, Wu Tong:
Filled an alcohol lamp and sterilized the blade in its flame
Quenched the glowing metal in cold water
Wiped it clean with medical gauze
Folded a towel into a thick pad
"Bite down hard, Elder Tian."
As Tian Jinzhong clenched the fabric between his teeth, Wu Tong raised the blade.
Flash!
The steel moved faster than sight, shearing away decades of scar tissue in four precise strokes.
"Mmnnn—!!!"
Agony ripped through Tian Jinzhong's body—the same unbearable pain he'd suffered decades ago. Only the towel muffled what would have been screams heard across Dragon Tiger Mountain.