Chapter Seventeen: Healing Wounds and Departing

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Ye Hongling quickly caught Huo Qing as he collapsed, a trace of panic flashing across her delicate face. She examined Huo Qing’s body, battered and bruised, and a wave of guilt surged within her. This time, Huo Qing had fought desperately and slain three powerful masters of the Heavenly Spirit Realm, but in doing so, he had thoroughly offended both the Han family and the Prince’s Mansion of Tianshu Commandery. Such enmity was destined to be relentless and unyielding.

“No, we must leave here immediately,” Ye Hongling said through gritted teeth as she carried Huo Qing on her back. Not a single moment could they afford to linger.

Just as she was about to depart, a familiar, aged chuckle stopped her in her tracks.

“Hehe, young friend, please wait. Our lady has summoned you—if she intervenes, she will surely be able to heal Huo Qing’s wounds.”

Ye Hongling turned sharply to see Meng Yuanzheng approaching with a smile. He stepped aside and gestured toward a raised platform where a woman, her lips curved in a seductive smile, waved gracefully. It was Dongfang Yushu.

Ye Hongling hesitated. She was uncertain of Meng Yuanzheng’s true intentions and could not fully trust even the stunningly beautiful Dongfang Yushu. Yet, was there any other choice? Could she safely carry the gravely injured and unconscious Huo Qing to the exam’s end alone?

After a moment’s thought, she bit her lip and nodded firmly. “Very well, we’ll rely on you.”

…

Late at night.

“Injury is too severe; his primordial foundation is damaged. Even with my intervention, a full recovery is unlikely,” an elderly man with a pale complexion sighed as he rose in a finely appointed room. On the bed before him lay the unconscious Huo Qing.

“Sir, please find another way!” Ye Hongling’s face paled as she gripped the old man’s arm anxiously.

He hesitated, then exhaled deeply. “His wounds will heal slowly, but I fear his foundation may be permanently impaired. It may be nearly impossible for him to ever break through to the Heavenly Spirit Realm again.”

“What?!” Ye Hongling’s face turned ashen. For a prodigy like Huo Qing, this news would be devastating.

“Please leave now,” came a soft, melodious female voice. Dongfang Yushu, dressed in a vivid red gown and moving with enchanting grace, appeared.

The elderly man bowed and withdrew. Dongfang Yushu glanced at Ye Hongling, then at Huo Qing, smiling warmly. “Young lady, Huo Qing’s injuries are serious, yes, but I refuse to believe that such an extraordinary person would simply fall.”

She produced a jade vial containing a single drop of golden liquid shimmering with a vibrant jade green light, pulsating with life.

“This is Jade Tempering Saliva; it can repair surface wounds, but when he will awaken depends on his fate.”

Dongfang Yushu handed the vial to Ye Hongling, covering her mouth as she chuckled softly.

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Ye Hongling’s face brightened with gratitude. “Thank you, Miss Dongfang!”

“No need. Give him this to drink. That is all I can do.”

With that, she stretched, revealing an alluring silhouette that held every eye captivated before turning to leave.

Meng Yuanzheng hurried after her, lowering his voice in surprise. “Miss, the Jade Tempering Saliva is extremely valuable. That bottle alone would fetch 150,000 spirit crystals at auction. Besides, even if Huo Qing’s surface wounds heal, his foundational injury means he cannot advance further. Isn’t this investment a bit unwise?”

Dongfang Yushu halted, her seductive eyes deepening with resolve. “Whether it’s worth it isn’t for us to decide now. Huo Qing’s talent is exceptional—not just in Tianshu Commandery, but even among the many prodigies in Shenghuang Commandery, none can rival him. If he can restore even a fraction of his foundation, that alone would be a successful investment. Then, the crisis in Shenghuang Commandery might finally be resolved.”

Crash!

The medicine bowl in Meng Yuanzheng’s hand fell to the floor. He looked up incredulously. “Miss, you mean to say… you want him to become my Shenghuang Commandery’s…”

“Enough of that,” Dongfang Yushu interrupted with a wave of her hand. After a moment of silence, she continued, “I only know that I have made a decision I will never regret.”

…

Tianshu Commandery, Han family.

In a spacious main hall, the atmosphere was heavy and oppressive.

A group of elders sat cross-legged on the floor. At the head sat a venerable man exuding immense spiritual energy, his face shadowed and his fingers playing with two fiery red iron spheres.

This was Han Liancheng, head of the Han family and a master who had reached Fusion Realm.

Suddenly, a figure stood among the group, his own spiritual energy formidable and face dark with anger.

“Han family head, has the murderer who killed my son Li Ying been brought to justice?”

This was the head of the Li family; his son Li Ying had been slain by Huo Qing on that day.

Han Liancheng narrowed his eyes coldly. “Our family sent two elders at the late Heavenly Spirit Realm to capture Huo Qing. They should have succeeded by now…”

At that moment, the upper hall trembled violently. Two jade plaques dimmed, then cracked sharply from the center.

“Impossible!”

“What is happening? The life tokens of elders Han Chenfeng and Han Yunfeng have shattered?!”

“Who could kill them? Who dares?!”

Chaos erupted in the hall.

Boom!

A tangible wave of murderous intent swept through, terrifying spiritual energy surging with overwhelming malice, sending hearts racing.

“Huo Qing! If I do not capture you alive and tear you apart, then I, Han family head, am not fit for this position!”

With a savage gleam in his eyes, Han Liancheng vanished from the scene in an instant.

…

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Days later, Huo Qing awoke from his coma near afternoon.

“Where is this? How did we end up here?” he asked, sitting up abruptly, wincing in pain and grimacing.

“Huo Qing, you’re finally awake!” Ye Hongling, who had been dozing by the bedside, immediately brightened with relief. “This is a pavilion room arranged by Miss Dongfang Yushu for your recovery.”

“Dongfang Yushu?” Huo Qing questioned.

Ye Hongling was about to speak when a sultry voice spoke.

“Huo Qing, you’re awake at last. Your little girlfriend has been taking good care of you.”

Dongfang Yushu approached with a teasing smile, swaying her enchanting figure as she looked at him.

Huo Qing was momentarily stunned, glanced at Ye Hongling, and noticed the blush rushing to her cheeks.

Ye Hongling shook her head. “Miss Dongfang, that should be my thanks to say. Without you, Huo Qing and I would be in serious trouble.”

She then recounted in detail how Dongfang Yushu had cared for them after Huo Qing’s grievous injuries and collapse.

When finished, Huo Qing’s expression grew solemn. “I am deeply grateful to Miss Dongfang for saving us. If there is ever anything I can do in return, please do not hesitate to ask.”

He did not question why Dongfang Yushu had helped them; regardless of her motives, this enormous favor alone was enough.

“You’re here to participate in the Canglan Sword Sect’s examination, right? While sorting Huo Qing’s belongings earlier, I found this,” Dongfang Yushu said with a laugh, holding up a jade token.

Huo Qing took a deep breath. “That’s right. Considering the time, today is already the tenth day. We should be heading over.”

Ye Hongling nodded.

Dongfang Yushu thought for a moment, then smiled brightly. “It’s still some distance from the Black Demon Abyss. I’ll escort you part of the way.”

She moved to the courtyard, and with a flash of light from her ring, a large flying spirit vessel materialized.

“A flying spirit ship?!” Huo Qing was stunned into silence. Even in the previous world, such a thing was precious beyond measure. Who exactly was Dongfang Yushu?

“Hehe, hurry up. I’ve already set the coordinates for you,” Dongfang Yushu said with a coquettish smile.