Chapter 713: Chapter 367: The Jade Girl Awakens, Enemies Meet, Li Xian’s Tall Tales, Deception and Trickery
Fuyou Residence emerged from the depths of Dongran Lake. The lake was radiant, with beautiful scenery unfolding one after another. It was mid-April, the spring was warm, vitality was flourishing, and everything competed to bloom brightly, with a climate that was pleasant.
After experiencing various events at the Flower Cage Sect, Li Xian fled to Dongran Lake. He successfully escaped and was reborn, feeling indescribably joyful, suddenly finding everything fresh and beautiful. On this day, he lazily lay in the courtyard, hands behind his head, looking up at the warm sun. The white clouds gathered and fluffed together, forming various shapes. Occasionally, a bird flew into the clouds, and he mused silently:
"It’s been several days since Master left, and the first two patients have both recovered and left. Only the third patient remains with an elusive cause of illness. I’ve been studying the ’Medical Heart Sutra’ for more than ten days, and yet I’m still at a loss. It seems my medical skills are far from being a source of pride. I still need to slowly hone and improve them. Once she is cured, I will ascend the lake’s shore, and this journey will finally end."
"Dongran Lake is dangerous and treacherous, and I dare not set foot here lightly in the future without sufficient strength. Although the Water Altar is full of filth, it is not without its heavenly beauty, with beautiful scenery and good-natured people. Unfortunately...I don’t know how they will handle things."
"As for that Jade Girl, she should be unable to find me and has likely returned to the Water Altar to regroup. They should have emerged by now, but perhaps they haven’t gone far. Indeed...Master instructed me to wear a face mask in the future when practicing medicine. Although I don’t understand the purpose, I think it’s a wise suggestion. With this face, I carry the notorious name of the Flower Thief. If recognized again, I will not avoid another pursuit. Wearing a mask is just right."
Dongran Lake is vast like the sea, with expansive waters. Without paddling himself, he let the lake waves carry him. For over a dozen days, he hadn’t necessarily touched the shore. Fuyou Residence drifted through a cluster of aloe. Li Xian wielded his sword to harvest it.
He utilized the "Miao Hand" trait to weave a mask from the aloe, exposing only his eyes while the rest was covered. Li Xian donned the mask and looked at his reflection in the lake, finding it hard to recognize himself, feeling very satisfied. The water here was clear, and the temperature warm.
In recent months, he had faced danger repeatedly and then busied himself with medical studies, never having washed clean. Although purging impurities with exhaled breath kept him clean, he still wanted to bathe freely, washing away all misfortune and adversity.
He retrieved a flower cord and tied it to a corner of the wooden residence. Suddenly, he thought: "The flower cord can be easily recognized, better to discard it!" He untied the knot and threw it into Dongran Lake. Then he found some medical bandages, one end wrapped around his waist, and the other tied in the residence.
With a splash, he jumped into the lake. The surface water was warm, but the deeper it got, the more bone-chilling it became. Li Xian shouted freely, bathing with abandon, feeling supremely refreshed with his spirits lifted. He felt the vastness of the world, free to explore joyfully. His life was full of hardships, having narrowly escaped death countless times. This rare escape filled him with an irrepressible desire to vent his emotions.
After washing his body clean, he tugged on the bandage, climbing back into Fuyou Residence. On his way, he caught a few green fish from the lake, skillfully fried them in oil. Tasting the delicious flavor, he felt his life was not in vain.
［You swim freely in the world, my heart is elated, Skill Level +1］
［Only I have a Heart Skill］
［Skill Level: 2156/10000 Minor Achievement］
...
［Medical Virtue Sutra］
［Skill Level: 56/0］
［Description: You already recite the first small section smoothly.］
［Medical Heart Sutra］
［Skill Level: 21/0］
［Description: You barely read it fluently, but do not understand the principles. Without a teacher’s guidance, read it a hundred times, and its meaning will reveal itself.］
［Ghost Vein Four Absolutes］
［Skill Level: 2/0］
［Skill Level: Not yet mastered, but the foundation has been laid.］
...
Fuyou Residence drifted to a peaceful water area. In the distance, several fishing boats were visible. The fishermen casting nets noticed "Fuyou Residence" with curiosity and pointed and discussed among themselves, but dared not approach easily. Although there was no entrapment here, it was not in the deep part of the lake, yet far from the shore, and the water bandits were numerous. Like startled birds, the fishermen assumed any strange occurrence was a cunning plot by water bandits and never dared to approach rashly.
Li Xian enjoyed the leisure, ignoring their presence, reading a book aloud, never slacking. Su Fuyou’s whereabouts had vanished, leaving Li Xian to self-study the Ghost Doctor’s legacy. His diligence led to accumulating Skill Level, gradually comprehending the principles in the texts. These fulfilling days brought boundless joy.
Thus, another two days passed. Li Xian practiced martial arts, studied medicine, read scriptures, and treated illnesses. He kept Fuyou Residence clean and bright, making daily progress while still having the leisure to admire the lake’s beauty, enjoying relaxing days of peace.
That day, he still couldn’t identify the cause of the patient’s illness.
Li Xian sighed deeply: "The medical principles taught by the Ghost Doctor differ vastly from those passed down by Madam. The deeper I delve, the more I find the Ghost Doctor’s unique. This third patient is peculiar, and my current medical skills may not work effectively. I might try using Ghost Vein Four Absolutes, supplemented by the Medical Heart Sutra."
Inside the sickroom.
The person lay cocooned in silence for over twenty days. Breaking the illness required eye contact, speaking could disperse it. Only hearing the illness through Ghost Ear and keeping the soul with Ghost Hand could be exerted.
Li Xian closed windows and doors, held his breath, listening intently, his ears quivering slightly. The sound of lake ripples, mosquito wings, mist floating, and wooden residence creaking poured into his ears like a stream. Then suddenly dispersed, leaving everything blank in an instant.
Ghost Ear did not heed mundane noises. Yet, suddenly, he heard whispered "babblings," softly murmuring, lingering by the ears. At times they came from the east, at times drifting from the west, as if dozens of ghostly souls were conversing in the sickroom.
These babblings disturbed the mind greatly, and upon closer listening, made one agitated and restless, even driving one mad. Li Xian, having thoroughly read the "Medical Virtue Sutra," cultivated a calm mind and remained unperturbed in his first attempt at "Ghost Ear Listening to Illness," finding it incredibly fascinating.
Among the myriad "babblings," hidden was half a line of truth. Finding the truth, he perceived the illness’s cause, identifying the ailment’s root. Li Xian comprehended: "It turns out it’s not a strange disease but poisoning! No, not poisoning—it was an opportunity too profound to digest! Thus, the soul remained dreaming, unresponsive to any summons. This way, it’s not hard to treat."
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