After escorting his sister back to her room, Xiao He immediately ordered the servants to guard her closely. She was not to take a single step outside. Only then did he go to visit his father, who was still in seclusion.
At the entrance to Xiao Ye's secluded cultivation chamber, Xiao He bowed respectfully and asked,"Father, have your injuries stabilized?"
An aged voice sounded faintly from within. "He'er, the spirit herb you brought back was quite effective. My wounds have stabilized, and my cultivation has stopped deteriorating. You've done well."
Hearing this, Xiao He's expression relaxed noticeably. He replied without hesitation, "Father, I've already found a method to fully eliminate the hidden danger from your injuries. As soon as your cultivation stabilizes, we can begin the treatment."
Silence lingered in the chamber for a long time before a weary sigh echoed out. "He'er, I know the state of my injuries better than anyone. There is no such thing as a cure. Unless I abandon my cultivation entirely and never practice again, there is no way to eradicate it."
Xiao He's expression shifted. "Father, please don't even think about that. I truly have found a solution. The process will be painful, but if you can endure it, we can cut off the problem at the root."
Xiao He understood all too well. If his father's cultivation were abolished, he wouldn't survive for long. Once Xiao Ye died, the Xiao family would inevitably fall into chaos. He hated that his own strength wasn't high enough to suppress those monsters hiding within the clan.
Xiao Ye asked slowly, "He'er, have you found a way to remold the spiritual root?"
This was the only possibility he could think of.
Xiao He answered with certainty. "Yes, Father. I've found a method to rebuild your spiritual root. The first step is to dissolve the one currently corrupted by demonic energy. That way, the evil energy will be purged completely. Afterward, once the new spiritual root forms, you'll be able to cultivate again."
Xiao Ye's brow furrowed ever so slightly. In all his years of cultivation, he had never heard of a method in the Weiyu Realm that could regenerate spiritual roots. He voiced his doubt. "He'er, how exactly is this done? Through a pill? A spiritual plant? Or perhaps a formation?"
Xiao He answered smoothly, without a flicker of hesitation. "I found a millennium-old Vitality Grass with the help of a friend. We've already entrusted a Grade-Five alchemist to refine the pill. A formation will assist the process too. The pill isn't finished yet, and I haven't spoken a word of this to anyone. Not even the Xiao family members know."
"Father, you understand better than I do. Since your return, the clan has been restless. Aside from me and Sister, no one truly hopes for your recovery. Please, you must protect yourself."
Xiao Ye took a deep breath. Xiao He's words suggested he was at least half confident in this method. Considering the scheming within the clan, he could only respond bitterly, "He'er, if this cannot be done, don't force it. I don't want you or Lei'er to get hurt. You are both good children. Even if you leave the family, you can thrive. I will make arrangements for your future. You two must look after each other."
Xiao He bit his lip, eyes reddened, staring toward the chamber. After a moment, he finally said,"Father, please let me try just once. If it fails, at least I will have done all I could. I won't have any regrets. But if I don't even try, I will never be able to let it go."
"…Very well. Do as you wish. If it fails, then it's just my fate."
After exchanging a few more words, Xiao He left his father's secluded chamber.
No sooner had he gone than Xiao Ye coughed up a mouthful of blood. A sinister voice rang beside his ear.
"Look at your son. He's doing everything to save you, while your clan waits eagerly for your death. If not for them, you wouldn't have attracted me in the first place. And now you want to drag me down with you? How ironic."
Xiao Ye wiped the blood from his lips, trying to still the twitch in his face. His voice was cold. "Evil cultivators deserve death. I do not regret my decision."
"Haha. But what about your children? Are you really willing to leave them behind? If you die with me, that's all well and good. But do you think your clan will show them mercy? The moment your body turns cold, they'll be driven out like stray dogs."
The voice stabbed like needles with every word.
"Hmph. Don't worry. Even if I die, I'll make sure they have a path forward."
"Is that so? I just fear your children won't last that long. Don't underestimate the greed of the Xiao clan. Hahaha!"
Xiao Ye's brows knitted tightly. He formed a hand seal, forcibly suppressing the voice. A thin wisp of black qi silently withdrew from his face. The secluded chamber fell silent once more.
Meanwhile, Yun Xi's group of five continued their journey, pushing day and night without rest. Whenever their flying boat couldn't cross mountainous terrain, they opted for teleportation arrays.
Because this mission was a rescue operation for Wei Lingkai, the teleportation spirit stones for Lin Keyang, Zhang Lingrui, and Cao Yi were all covered by Yun Xi and Wei Chenyin.
Even Yun Xi, who currently wasn't short on spirit stones, winced a little at the rate they were being burned. Still, the result was worth it. In just five days, they arrived in Xiaohe City.
As they exited the teleportation hall, Yun Xi took a whiff from the scent pouch at her waist, suppressing the wave of nausea and dizziness. It was already a vast improvement compared to her first experience with teleportation.
Wei Chenyin's eyes swept the street. Without hesitation, she pointed out a young Qi Refining cultivator to act as their guide.
The boy, at the second layer of Qi Refining, cupped his hands respectfully. "Seniors, where might you be headed?"
"Do you know where the Xiao Manor is?"
"I do."
"Then take us there."
"Of course. Would the seniors prefer to walk or ride firemanes?"
Yun Xi smiled. "We'll walk. It'll be nice to take in the sights of Xiaohe City along the way."
"Very well. This way, please."
The boy moved swiftly to the front and led them down a wide stone-paved street. As they walked, the five glanced around, taking in the scenery.
The boy was a lively talker and eagerly shared all he knew about Xiaohe City's layout and the places worth visiting for cultivators. It was clear he had grown up here.
Yun Xi seized a pause in his chatter to interject. "Do you know if anything major has happened in the Xiao family recently?"
The boy thought for a moment, then replied, "The Xiao family's patriarch, Xiao Ye, was gravely injured over a month ago. I heard he was wounded during a battle with an evil cultivator."
"Did he kill the evil cultivator?"
"Of course. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been injured so badly. I heard his cultivation even dropped. Since then, the Xiao family has closed their gates. People say there's a power struggle brewing over the patriarch position."
He lowered his voice for the last part, but the five of them still heard every word clearly.
Wei Chenyin asked, "Then who's in charge of the Xiao family now?"
The boy scratched his head. "They say it's the patriarch's son. But I don't think the other family members recognize his authority. I don't know the details."
Zhang Lingrui crossed his arms. "Where's the best place in this city to get information?"
"That would be the 'Luoying Teahouse' in the city center, Senior."
As they talked, they didn't slow down. One incense stick's time later, they arrived at the gates of the Xiao Manor.
Yun Xi tossed the boy three low-grade spirit stones and sent him off. After adjusting her hairpin, she stepped forward and knocked on the door.