"Huh?" Mengmeng stared blankly at Ye Xuan, thinking she must have misheard. As a martial artist, she knew very well: due to each person's unique physique and cultivation method, their true energy always had distinct properties. Under such circumstances, it was utterly impossible to channel one's true energy into another's body like in fantasy dramas or novels, whether for healing or empowerment. Doing so would at best damage the recipient's internal organs, turning them into a cripple, and at worst, result in instant death—or even a backlash that severely injured the one attempting the transfer. It was a surefire way to court death!
That was why Mengmeng thought either she had misheard or Ye Xuan had spoken in error. Just as she was about to speak up, Ye Xuan cut her off sharply, "What are you standing there for? Hurry! Otherwise, it'll be too late!"
His expression was grave, his eyes fixed on Cui Qiang's chest. Moments ago, after tearing open Cui Qiang's shirt, he had seen dark red lines forming over his heart. These bloodlines crisscrossed into a bizarre pattern.
Ye Xuan knew what this meant: once that pattern was fully formed, Cui Qiang—if fortunate—would become a mindless puppet, enslaved by someone else. If his body couldn't endure the pain, his heart would rupture and he'd die instantly.
Right now, the bloodlines were rapidly converging toward the center of the pattern. The moment they fully merged, not even a god could save him.
Startled by Ye Xuan's urgent shout, Mengmeng trembled, then rushed forward without hesitation. As instructed, she pressed both palms against Ye Xuan's back and began circulating her inner technique, directing her true energy through her arms into his body.
As the energy flowed in, Ye Xuan's dried-up meridians quivered under its nourishing effect, a tingling sensation spreading through him. It wasn't painful—on the contrary, it felt blissfully soothing. So much so that Ye Xuan couldn't help but let out a soft, euphoric groan.
The sound snapped Mengmeng out of her trance. Alarmed, she instinctively tried to halt the transmission, but before she could move, a calm whisper entered her ear: "Don't worry. It's safe. Keep going."
The simple words carried a strange power that instantly dispelled her fear and calmed her mind.
"I must be insane... actually choosing to trust him," she muttered inwardly. But her hands never stopped channeling energy.
Bit by bit, her true energy surged into Ye Xuan's body, gradually gathering into a small stream. Carefully, Ye Xuan guided it toward his palm. Since this wasn't his own energy and his body was far too frail, he handled it with extreme caution.
Soon, with one full cycle completed, the energy successfully pooled in his palm. Ye Xuan turned and called, "Needles!"
Luo Yanlan, already waiting nearby with the needle pouch, stepped forward and presented it with both hands.
Ye Xuan waved his arm gently, brushing his palm over the leather pouch. In an instant, more than ten silver needles flew out as if pulled by invisible threads, hanging motionless in the air.
"Telekinetic Control?!" Mengmeng gasped from behind.
This technique was something only top-tier experts in the Xuanwu Realm could pull off. Even then, they could only manipulate one object at a time. But Ye Xuan was controlling over a dozen needles simultaneously—a feat she had never even heard of.
"How... how is he doing this?!"
Shocked and confused, Mengmeng lost her focus. The energy transmission faltered, and the silver needles in midair began trembling violently, as if they could fall at any moment.
"Stay focused! Don't lose control!" Ye Xuan barked.
Although still stunned, Mengmeng understood that this was a critical life-or-death moment. She took a deep breath, steadied her mind, and fully committed to her technique. Her eyes never left Ye Xuan, watching his every move like she was searching for some hidden truth.
Ye Xuan ignored the scrutiny. From the moment he decided to save the boy, he had prepared to reveal his abilities.
With the incoming energy now stabilized, Ye Xuan's eyes sharpened. He moved his fingers slightly, manipulating the floating needles. After a few trembles, they began to emit a faint green glow.
"This... this is..." Mengmeng's eyes widened in disbelief.
"The Spirit-Guiding Needle!" Luo Yanlan exclaimed, excitement and shock filling her gaze, like a devout believer witnessing a divine miracle.
The Spirit-Guiding Needle was an ancient acupuncture technique passed down from celestial beings. It was said to possess the power to bring the dead back to life. Ye Xuan's grandfather, Ye Ran, had once obtained a fragment of the technique and earned the title of divine healer because of it. After his death, people assumed the art had vanished forever.
Yet now, not only was Ye Xuan performing it, but the glow indicated a level of mastery even Ye Ran hadn't achieved.
Luo Yanlan was stunned. If Ye Xuan had such profound medical skill, why had he never revealed it? Not even when his father, Ye Tingyun, was critically ill.
Had Ye Xuan used this technique back then, his father might have survived. And he... wouldn't have needed to marry into the Mo family, would he?
After much thought, Luo Yanlan could only come up with one explanation: Ye Xuan had mastered the technique only after his humiliation and frustration from being forced into marriage. That would explain everything.
As the two women stood in shock, Ye Xuan began guiding the needles into Cui Qiang's body.
The moment the needles pierced flesh, a green light enveloped Cui Qiang, silencing his groans and stilling his trembling body. He lay there, eyes closed, as if peacefully asleep.
Under the glow, the bloodlines on his chest writhed violently, struggling and twisting like living things trying to flee. But the light gave them nowhere to hide. After a dozen breaths, they hissed like burning embers quenched by water and vanished without a trace.
Just then, Cui Qiang suddenly jerked upright and coughed violently. From his mouth shot out a black-and-white beetle. The moment it emerged, the green light incinerated it into ash.
With the parasite gone, the rot on Cui Qiang's neck began rapidly fading. In moments, his skin looked normal again.
"Whew..." Ye Xuan finally let out a long breath and willed the needles to return to the pouch. But as he was putting it away, Mengmeng, who had been standing beside him, suddenly rolled her eyes and collapsed.
"Mengmeng!" Luo Yanlan rushed forward and caught her just in time.
At that very moment, a loud creak echoed from the entrance. The sliding partition was yanked open, and Cui Hao stormed in with his two brothers.
"What the hell is going on?! What happened to my brother?!"