For the first 20 or so needles, Xiao Cheâs handling was very effortless . However, when sweat started to appear on his forehead, the left hand holding the needle also started to tremble . In addition, his movements clearly slowed by quite a bit . Before, he could pierce one needle in the space of a breath, but then it gradually turned into several breaths⌠after thirty needles, it took longer and longer each time .
If Xia Qingyue looked back, she would notice that while Xiao Che was giving acupuncture treatment, he always used his left hand . He wasnât left-handed at all, and itâs even less true that his left hand was more skilled . Rather, it was because the Sky Poison Pearl was contained in his left hand .
Whenever a silver needle pierced down, the Sky Poison Pearl in his palm would lightly flicker once . Following the silver needles, the Sky Poison Pearlâs power silently entered Xia Qingyueâs body . Of course, this power wasnât some kind of poison, but rather was a purifying force . The Sky Poison Pearl had the ability to purify the worldâs tens of thousands of poisons . In addition, this âpoisonâ didnât necessarily have to be a life ending kind of poison, but also included poisons that damaged the bodyâs interior, as well as superfluous impurities . However, this wasnât necessarily as simple as washing the marrow and cutting the artery . To use the power of the Sky Poison Pearl was the main reason that he racked his brains today figuring out how to give Xia Qingyue acupuncture treatment .
To disperse the cold air and clear the meridians were only side effects and pretenses . What he was really doing was âopening the profoundâ for Xia Qingyue .
One minute passed⌠ten minutes passed⌠a quarter of an hour passedâŚ
Wisps of cold air slowly rose from each and every silver needle . After a full half an hour had passed, Xia Qingyueâs back had been pierced by a full fifty four needles . Xiao Cheâs hands finally stopped moving at this point but after stopping for not even half a minute, he once again reached out, both hands dancing . He removed each and every needle from Xia Qingyueâs back with incomparable swiftness . In the blink of an eye, all of the fifty four needles had vanished from Xia Qingyueâs back .
Xia Qingyueâs jade back was still luminously snow white, like the purest of white jade . Under Xiao Cheâs extremely skilled technique, not a single mark was left .
âItâs doneâŚâ Xiao Che, having recovered all the needles, breathed a long sigh of relief .
The moment all the silver needles were removed, Xia Qingyue felt as if she were floating through heaven, her entire body indescribably warm and cozy . It made it hard for her to believe, through her stupor, that this was indeed her own body .
She threw her clothes back on and immediately used her profound strength . As the Frozen Cloud Arts rushed forth, she almost jumped in fright, because her profound strength transferred practically the moment the thought crossed her mind . The speed at which it circulated within her body was a cause for joy, as it was many times faster than it was before .
Even after practicing the Frozen Cloud Arts for four years, she still frequently had moments when she couldnât completely control it . However, now, feeling the Frozen Cloud Arts circulating through her body, she was completely certain that with her body in its current state, she could completely control it . The speed at which the Frozen Cloud Arts circulated also, as a natural result, improved by a tier!
She did not have many hopes to begin with, so she was pleasantly surprised from the bottom of her heart at this kind of result . At the same time, she was also overwhelmingly shocked⌠shocked that everything that Xiao Che had spoken of had in fact been achieved! Furthermore, the results were even better than he said they would be!
She believed that her current body state would even startle her own master, if she were to see it!
âNow⌠do you believe me?â
Xiao Cheâs voice echoed next to her ear, but seemed to be especially hoarse and weak . Xia Qingyue returned to her senses and looked towards Xiao Che . He was powerlessly leaning against the headboard . His forehead and all of his clothing had already been soaked in sweat and his complexion was pale enough to frighten, like he had just survived a severe illness .
Thinking about how every needle had been accompanied by profound strength, an aching feeling suddenly appeared in her heart⌠a feeling similar to being pricked . This feeling threw her mind into disorder, because she shouldnât have any feelings of heartache for this person that she could only share the status of being married, and nothing else, with .
âI believe you⌠I believe that you really are a spirit doctor . â Xia Qingyue gave him a complex look: âIt turns out that you, who had been looked down upon by everybody in Floating Cloud City, actually had such an shocking ability⌠But, you clearly know that I donât have any kind of affection for you . After one month, I will still forever leave you⌠Why expose all of this to me? Why grant me such a large favor and⌠try so hard for me?â
Favor⌠this was really an incomparably immense favor .
âThree reasons . â The powerless Xiao Che panted and was gasping for breath, but still smiled with his entire face: âAlmost everyone looked down on me and you had even more reason to look down on me . But you didnât, and instead have always protected my pathetic dignity to the best of your ability⌠Last night, you went out to look for me because you were worried, and also silently delivered a blanket for me⌠Everyone who treats me well, I will forever treat them even better!â
Xia Qingyue: ââŚâ
âThe second reason⌠You are, all in all, my wife . â
Xia Qingyue opened her mouth a few times, but couldnât find the words .
âThe third reason is also the most important reasonâŚâ The smile on Xiao Cheâs face turned vague: âI thought that your appearance after undressing would be a lovely sight to see . â
ââŚâ Whenever Xiao Che took liberties with her using his vulgar mouth, she would always treat him with a cold indifference . However, this time, watching the vulgar smile on his pale face, she couldnât bring herself to be angry .
âThe explanation is over . â Xiao Che extended a hand towards the medicinal pot that he had brought: âQingyue my wife, go pour out the medicine in that medicinal pot and drink it . â
Xia Qingyue gave him a very deep look, then walked over without asking what kind of medicine it was . She poured the concoction from the pot out and swallowed it in one gulp .
âThis is the first treatment . If you want to keep this current state forever, you need a total of seven âtreatmentsâ . The best time is at three in the morning because this the one time in the day when the Ying qi is the heaviest and result of the treatment, the best . Of course, whether we proceed or not, the decision lies with you . â
After saying all of that, Xiao Che closed his eyes in exhaustion . It definitely wasnât an act, his physical strength had truly been gravely overtaxed .
âHave a good rest . â Xia Qingyueâs gaze became even more complex . After she quietly spoke, she walked outside and soundlessly closed the door .
Standing in the center of the courtyard, Xia Qingyue raised her hands and looked at her palms, the expression in her eyes hazy .
What kind of person is he really?
At the very least, Iâve always judged him wrongly⌠All of Floating Cloud City have also judged him wrongly .
After Xia Qingyue left, Xiao Cheâs body had also fallen completely and crookedly onto the bed . He rested there, not wanting to move at all, his mouth occasionally uttering a vague mumble .
âHuhu⌠My current stamina is too poor . I almost collapsed from fatigue just opening the profoundâŚâ
âIf master knew that I actually had the other person take off her clothes, he might be angry enough to come down from heaven to teach me a lesson⌠After all⌠I could practice acupuncture through clothing at the age of thirteen⌠and could practice acupuncture through clothing with my eyes closed at fifteen⌠huhu⌠to sleepâŚâ
âŚâŚâŚâŚâŚâŚâŚâŚ
The entire Xiao Clan had been immersed in an extremely different atmosphere every since they received the letter from the Xiao Sect . Clan master, elders, performed their duties each day with great diligence . From morning to evening, they prepared to greet them for fear of showing the least bit of neglect . The younger generation, as if on steroids, trained even harder . They all dreamed of having a breakthrough in these next few days, thereby increasing the chance of being brought back to the Xiao SectâŚ
However, all of this clearly had nothing to do with Xiao Che . He could be counted as the most leisurely person in the entire Xiao Clan .
Today, at the Xiao Clanâs rear mountain .
This was the cemetery opened up in the rear mountains by the Xiao Clan . After a member of the Xiao Clan died, it was more than likely that they would be buried here .
Xiao Lie quietly stood in front of a gravestone, his white hair, the result of having been through many changes and sorrow, fluttering freely in the wind . The wind whistled . Everything else was desolate .
On this gravestone, the two words âXiao Yingâ were engraved .
â⌠Ying Er, I know that ever since childhood, you dreamed of fulfilling your ancestorâs hopes and returning to the Xiao Sect . To shake off this abandoned blood of ours . Now, this opportunity has finally arrived, itâs just⌠a entire sixteen years too late . â
The expression in Xiao Lieâs eyes was misty . He stiffly stood there, his mouth uttering an involuntary sort of mutterâŚ
âI know, even though so many years have passed, that you still have many concerns⌠Che Erâs profound veins have been deformed since his childhood⌠This is also fine . Even though heâs destined to be mediocre all his life, but without action, there wonât be struggle and hatred . Now, Che Er is already married . I hope from now on he can always live on peacefully⌠Even though heâs not your real child, he is still the one that you two spent your lives, and the life of your child, to protect . I will also protect his peace to the best of my abilityâŚâ
*Snap*
A quiet snapping sound entered Xiao Lieâs ear, startling him . He returned to his senses in a flash and turned his head, shouting in a low voice . âWho?â
Following his shout, Xiao Yulongâs figure walked over from behind a thick and solid tree at the center of the courtyard . He looked at Xiao Lie distractedly, walked forward a few steps and assumed the proper etiquette of a junior: âYulong greets Fifth Elder⌠I did not think that Fifth Elder would even be here? Did Yulong disturb Fifth Elder?â
Xiao Lieâs eyes revealed his turmoil⌠His heart was just then filled with sorrow and he was despondent for a time . It was unexpected that he didnât discover someone approach this place . He also didnât know if this Xiao Yulong had heard his monologue just now . He furrowed his brows and asked: âYulong, what are you doing here?â
Xiao Yulong promptly responded: âXiao Sectâs emissaries will arrive tomorrow . Father believes that this is a large event that will change the Xiao Clanâs fate, and believed that he should inform his grandfather . So he had me come⌠To accidentally disturb the Fifth Elder, Yulong made a mistake . â
âThen did you hear what I just said?â Xiao Lieâs voice became cold and stiff all at once . An imposing aura abruptly pushed against Xiao Yulong .
The strength of a someone at the peak of the Spirit Profound Realm was more than what Xiao Yulong could withstand with his current ability . As his complexion paled, he immediately shook his head: âYulong also just arrived . If Fifth Elder hadnât just then spoke, I wouldnât have discovered Fifth Elder . I definitely didnât hear Fifth Elder say anything⌠If Fifth Elder does not wish to be disturbed, Yulong will immediately leave!â
Xiao Lie couldnât spot any gaps in Xiao Yulongâs expression . His thoughts relaxed a bit and his aura retracted . His expression also eased: âForget it, itâs nothing . The Xiao Sect emissary will arrive tomorrow . You are the most likely to be selected . When that time comes, you will be reviving our bloodâs greatest wish . â
âFifth Elderâs words are heavy . Yulong doesnât deserve them,â Xiao Yulong humbly said .
Xiao Lie nodded towards him and turned around to leave this place .
After he left, Xiao Yulongâs expression gradually changed subtle . He rubbed his chin with his right hand and muttered with a frown: âDonât tell me⌠if this is true, this would be really interestingâŚâ