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*****
Although Tang Xian was surprised that Su Wen had recognized her identity and pointed out the Boundless Palace backing her, she was not overly shaken. After all, it was not incomprehensible for a Heavenly King or Heavenly Emperor to be aware of the Boundless Palace, or even the identity of the wife of its Second Palace Master.
However, a seed of doubt remained in Tang Xian's heart. She searched through her memories but could find no record of a powerhouse named Su Wen at the Heavenly King or Emperor level.
"This meridian diagram should serve as sufficient proof of my capability." With a wave of Su Wen's right hand, a single page flew out. A human anatomical structure rapidly took shape upon it, intricately detailing a vast network of meridians.
Witnessing the dense, complex distribution, Tang Xian suppressed the shock rising in her chest and carefully examined the pathways. As she cross-referenced the diagram with the meridians she knew from her own cultivation, she was stunned to the core.
At the very least, every Heavenly Energy circulation route from the cultivation methods she practiced could be found within this diagram. The locations were identical. While individual human structures might vary slightly, the general placement and existence of the meridians were consistent. Even if specific coordinates drifted, the surrounding clusters and flow patterns matched perfectly.
Based on this, Tang Xian was almost certain of the diagram's authenticity. To have mapped the meridians to such an extraordinary degree was incredible, but that wasn't the most vital part. The key was that this distribution was far more comprehensive than any knowledge possessed by the Boundless Palace.
Tang Xian's heart pounded. The Boundless Palace was proficient in every attribute except the Saint attributes. They housed Heavenly Jewel Masters of nearly every elemental type, and their inheritance was both complete and rigorous. Beyond just cultivation manuals, their collection of Consolidated Equipment Sets for every level was incredibly rich. Given such a deep well of knowledge, their understanding of human meridians was naturally top-tier.
And yet, Su Wen possessed a map that was even more exhaustive. This alone spoke volumes about the depth of his research.
Zhou Shuiniu stared intently at the diagram. His personal experience wasn't as broad as Tang Xian's, but he noticed a different, more personal detail.
"This... is a meridian distribution modeled after Weiqing?" He took a sharp breath, speaking the realization aloud with disbelief.
The silhouette was a perfect one-to-one recreation of Zhou Weiqing's frame. As for the internal meridians, the portions Zhou Shuiniu recognized aligned perfectly.
Every person's internal meridian placement varies slightly, which is why practitioners must rely on their own talent and intuition to find the approximate locations described in manuals. Zhou Shuiniu had been obsessed with his son's condition and had checked his meridians countless times; he knew the location of the primary channels by heart.
In this diagram, every meridian he knew was exactly where it should be.
In such a short span of time, he has mapped Weiqing's interior so thoroughly? Zhou Shuiniu's eyes widened, a complex expression of disbelief and forced acceptance flitting across his face.
Tang Xian's beautiful eyes rippled with emotion. She grabbed one of Zhou Weiqing's hands, injecting a sliver of Heavenly Energy to carefully probe his body while cross-referencing the diagram. Her chest heaved with exertion and surprise.
After a long silence, she looked at Su Wen and sighed.
"Senior, I am truly humbled by your research into the path of meridians." She didn't know how long Su Wen had studied the boy, but based on the scene, they hadn't been in contact for long. To grasp someone's internal structure so clearly in such a short window was simply terrifying.
Perhaps it was a specialized talent or technique, but even if so, it was a move Su Wen had likely developed himself. Tang Xian turned to Zhou Shuiniu. The decision was now his. Su Wen's mastery of meridians might very well be the best on the entire continent. If they missed this chance, there truly might never be another solution for the boy.
Zhou Shuiniu's face shifted through a dozen emotions. Beside him, Ling Zihan was weighing the potential gain against the loss. She looked at her son frequently, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. The thought of the danger and agony he might endure made her heart feel as if it were being squeezed. Even with the Senior's guarantee to save his life, she couldn't help but fear the "what if." This man was so powerful that if an accident happened, who would they even turn to for justice?
"Dad, Mom, please just agree. I can tell this Senior isn't the type to boast," Zhou Weiqing spoke up, urging his parents.
Cultivating Heavenly Energy was something he fantasized about every single night. Now that a precious opportunity was laid before him, he knew with absolute certainty that if he didn't seize it now, he would regret it for the rest of his life. This might be his only chance to change his fate.
"Sigh... Alright." Zhou Shuiniu finally relented.
Ling Zihan couldn't hold back a sob; she covered her face and turned away.
"Senior, I entrust Weiqing to you." Zhou Shuiniu bowed deeply to Su Wen.
"Rest assured. The Technique of Immortality has many extraordinary effects. If this boy succeeds, he will undoubtedly stand at the pinnacle of this continent."
With the matter settled, Su Wen asked Zhou Shuiniu to find a quiet, secluded location. They wouldn't do this at the Marshal's Mansion. The aura of the Dark Devouring God Pearl was too terrifying and wicked; simply bringing it out briefly had already attracted Tang Xian. If it were fully activated at the mansion, Zhou Shuiniu feared it would cause a city-wide panic.
Of course, he didn't realize that Su Wen had intentionally released the aura specifically to draw Tang Xian out.
Deep within the Star Forest.
This was a place where Heavenly Beasts held dominion. However, with the presence of Su Wen, Tang Xian, and Zhou Shuiniu, the local beasts posed no threat. They traveled to a secluded, tranquil valley in the innermost reaches.
"A Zong-level Heavenly Beast resides here. She possesses the Life attribute. Years ago, I was fortunate enough to receive her healing and support, which allowed me to reach my current level of cultivation," Zhou Shuiniu explained.
A Life-attribute beast helping a Darkness-attribute Jewel Master? Su Wen's gaze turned curious. What was the beast's angle?
"The Heavenly Star Snail?" Tang Xian remarked.
Zhou Shuiniu nodded. "Correct. The beast living here in seclusion is indeed the Heavenly Star Snail."
The Heavenly Star Snail absorbed the power of the stars and converted it into life force. Why she would help Zhou Shuiniu remained a mystery to Su Wen and Tang Xian. Zhou Shuiniu led the group to a waterfall within the valley.
"Senior, Zhou Shuiniu has come to ask a favor."
"What is it?"
A snail, three meters large and shimmering with starlight, slowly rose from the surface of the water. Her gaze swept over Su Wen and Tang Xian, appearing extremely wary. However, she clearly maintained a level of trust with Zhou Shuiniu.
"Senior, do you remember Weiqing?" Zhou Shuiniu pulled the boy forward.
"Oh? The meridian blockage?"
"Yes. This Senior is going to help Weiqing reshape his meridians. I hope to perform the procedure here, as the rich life aura in this place provides an extra layer of safety."
Reshaping meridians? "What grand capability," the Heavenly Star Snail said, looking at Su Wen. It was impossible to tell if she was praising him or mocking him.
(End of Chapter)