"Then… then is there really no other way to treat her? I can tell this girl comes from an extraordinary background. She has a storage ring on her, perhaps with precious millennial spiritual herbs. If those are used, would there not be a chance to save her?"
The kind-hearted fisherman asked with worry.
The elderly physician let out a heavy sigh.
"Even if she truly has an extraordinary background, even if she has millennial spiritual herbs, in the face of such symptoms, this old man can only say one thing: it is beyond saving."
The fisherman stood blankly at the doorway, watching the physician's retreating figure. He could only turn back toward the bed where Pei Xianqiao lay, sighing softly.
"Poor child, you may be fated to lie in bed for the rest of your life. I do not know if you have family or a sect. If you wake up, just tell me, and I can send you back."
He murmured the words gently to her.
Unknowingly, a tear slipped down Pei Xianqiao's cheek. "What did you just say? You are not speaking to me, right?"
"Silly child, it is only you and me here. My wife and son went out fishing. Of course I am speaking to you."
After that, whatever else the fisherman said became blurred in her ears.
She could not bring herself to believe any of it. Everything before her eyes felt like illusion and deceit.
"That is not me. I am the chosen of heaven, the favored daughter of fortune. Elder Shang and my master have always told me so…
Right, and what about the Spirit of Realm Stabilization? Where is Little Spirit? Where is the phoenix? They all said I was the one chosen by the Heavenly Dao!"
…
In Central Domain, within Wuxiang Sect.
"Great news, great news indeed!"
Han Huijun clutched the sound-transmission talisman in his hand, laughing aloud as he rushed straight from the main hall into Shen Yuefu's quarters.
"Junior Brother Shen, it turns out we were wrong! Elder Yue's little disciple really can dissolve that strange miasma!"
He shouted in excitement.
Shen Yuefu listened silently to Yue Qingsu's voice coming through the talisman.
"Did he see with his own eyes the miasma being dissolved by the pill?"
Han Huijun laughed. "How could that be false? All the disciples present saw it with their own eyes. The moment the pill was fed, it took effect immediately!
Our Wuxiang Sect no longer has to fear such strange miasma!" He threw back his head and laughed heartily.
Shen Yuefu narrowed his gaze. "Was my guess wrong then… If her spiritual power can truly dissolve the miasma, does the sect master know when she will return?"
At that, Han Huijun's laughter faltered.
"Alas, Elder Yue was far too impatient in this matter. I know he dotes on his disciple and wanted to make her name known, but news of this spread too quickly. Pei Xianqiao has not even replied to his message. Now not only Central Domain, but even the Southern Region, Bei Ming, and Western Sea have all heard that the miasma in Qingshui County was resolved by her!"
Shen Yuefu frowned slightly. "That is no good. She has yet to form a Yuányīng. Only within the sect can her safety be guaranteed."
"I thought the same. But Elder Yue is not worried for her at all. I spoke with him for half the day, and it was useless!"
Han Huijun crossed his legs on the chair in frustration.
Shen Yuefu said thoughtfully, "Perhaps Elder Yue knows something we do not. Did he say when Pei Xianqiao would return?"
Han Huijun curled his lip. "He said today, though who knows exactly when. For his disciple's sake, even I was kept in the dark!"
"Has Elder Yue received any sound-transmission from her?" Shen Yuefu asked suddenly.
Han Huijun shook his head. "No. I have no idea how they keep in contact!"
In a sudden movement, Shen Yuefu stood up sharply.
The shock made Han Huijun's legs tremble, nearly toppling him off the chair.
"What is it? Did an assassin sneak into your room?"
Shen Yuefu pressed his lips into a thin line, his eyes dark and conflicted.
"According to Pei Xianqiao's habits, if she were to arrive at the sect today, she would have sent me a transmission talisman by now."
Han Huijun froze. "… The two of you, in private?"
"Nothing of the sort!"
Before he could finish his sentence, Shen Yuefu cut him off coldly.
Han Huijun suddenly leapt up. "If what you say is true, does that not mean something has happened to Pei Xianqiao? She is the hope of our sect. Nothing must happen to her at such a time!"
"I only speculate. On matters concerning her, Elder Yue must surely know better than I."
Shen Yuefu gazed at the sky outside, then sat back down, his voice calm again.
Han Huijun stared at his face for a while. In his mind, Yue Qingsu's handsome features flashed briefly.
"No! He still does not compare to you!
You are the one who truly understands Pei Xianqiao!!
You are far more handsome than him! The number one sword master of Central Domain, who would not admire you!"
Shen Yuefu: "…"
As the master of a sect, was it not reckless to base sect decisions entirely on someone's face?
Han Huijun, however, seemed oblivious to any flaw in his logic. He tensed, grabbing at the air before him as if it were Shen Yuefu's sleeve.
"If Pei Xianqiao truly has met with disaster, what are we to do? Wuxiang Sect must not decline under my leadership!"
Shen Yuefu cast him a cool glance.
"If such a thing were to happen, the solution would be simple."
Han Huijun steadied himself. "And what solution is that?"
Shen Yuefu replied evenly, "Pass the position of sect master to Elder Yue."
Han Huijun: "… What a convenient way to shirk responsibility!"
"If you do that, would Wuxiang Sect not fall apart just the same?"
He collapsed onto the floor, clutching his head in frustration.
"These are but my speculations. As you yourself said, they may not be accurate. Perhaps the situation was urgent, and she had no time to send a transmission talisman."
Shen Yuefu's tone softened in consolation.
Han Huijun's frantic tugging at his hair eased slightly. He turned to glance back at him.
"Then the thing I, as sect master, should be praying for most is Pei Xianqiao's safe return to the sect!"
"The sect master speaks reason."
Shen Yuefu answered faintly.
Han Huijun suddenly broke into silly laughter, slapping his forehead. "I was simply too happy today, which is why your few words swayed me!"
But in truth, that only revealed the depth of his worry.
The more important Pei Xianqiao became, the more he feared something would happen to her on the road.
Shen Yuefu looked at his foolish smile without another word.
Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a streak of light rushing swiftly toward the hall. His gaze dimmed. He looked at Han Huijun with a glint of pity.
"Sect master, bad news! Bad news!"
The streak of light drew nearer, resolving into the figure of a Wuxiang Sect disciple.
Han Huijun's heart sank the moment he heard the voice. He could not stop himself from glancing toward Shen Yuefu.
"This cannot be… No, no, it cannot be as you said. It cannot be that accurate!"
He shook his head furiously, then darted forward and seized the disciple.
"Tell me it is not about Pei Xianqiao!"
The disciple, his head ringing from the booming voice, stammered out dazedly, "Pei Xianqiao… something happened to her!"
"What?!"
Han Huijun let go of him in horror, his wide eyes locking blankly on Shen Yuefu.
"You were right. The sect master's position should be handed over!"
Shen Yuefu: "… Perhaps the situation is not as bad as you imagine."