Xu Yang's heart nearly stopped. "Ling Yuan!" He caught him before he could hit the ground, one hand supporting his shoulders while the other hurriedly wiped the blood from the corner of his lips. "Hey... hey, open your eyes!" His voice, usually loud and carefree, shook with panic. Ling Yuan didn't respond. His face had become frighteningly pale.His breathing came in shallow, uneven breaths, each one weaker than the last. More blood slowly spread across the front of his robes.
Xu Yang's hands trembled uncontrollably. "No... no, this isn't funny." He gently patted Ling Yuan's cheek, forcing a smile that broke almost immediately. "Wake up... stop scaring me." The small clay cup slipped from Ling Yuan's hand and rolled across the courtyard, spinning in uneven circles before quietly coming to rest against a stone step.The faint sound shattered the peaceful silence and was enough to wake the others.
Qing Li stirred first, rubbing his sleepy eyes as he sat up."Xu Yang...why are you shouting?" Then his eyes landed on the blood."...Ling Yuan?" He stumbled to his feet and hurried over, his heartbeat pounding so loudly he could barely hear anything else.Hei Long's eyes snapped open as well. The moment he saw Ling Yuan lying motionless in Xu Yang's arms, the usual calm in his expression disappeared completely. Without saying a word, he rushed over and knelt beside them. Almost at the same time,Wang xio was already there, his movements quick but steady. He reached for Ling Yuan's wrist, pressing two fingers lightly against his pulse. His brows slowly drew together, and the longer he remained silent, the tence atmosphere became.
Xu Yang looked at him desperately. "What?" His voice cracked. "Say something!" Wang Xio didn't answer. His eyes remained fixed on Ling yuan's face.Qing Li dropped to his knees beside Ling Yuan, panic clear across his face. "What happened?" he asked, looking back and forth between Xu Yang and Wang Xio. "He was laughing with us just now! He was completely fine!" Xu Yang slowly lowered his head, unable to meet anyone's eyes. "...No!" he whispered hoarsely. "He wasn't."
Everyone looked at him at once. Xu yang swallowed hard, guilt tightening in his chest. "He'd been coughing since earlier... and he kept saying strange things. I thought... I thought he was just tired." His fingers clenched around Ling Yuan's sleeve. "I should've noticed... I should've known something was wrong."Qing Li stared at him in disbelief before shaking his head. "Why didn't you tell us?" His voice trembled. "We could've helped him!"
Xu Yang shut his eyes tightly. "I didn't think..." His breathing became uneven. "I didn't think it'd become this bad."Hei Long gently reached for Ling Yuan's hand. The moment his fingers touched the back of it, his expression changed. Ling Yuan's skin was unnaturally cold, almost like ice despite the warmth of the summer night. Hei Long quietly turned Ling Yuan's hand over, studying the faint bluish veins beneath his pale skin. "...This isn't normal!" he murmured.
Wang Xio slowly nodded without lifting his eyes. "He's right."Xu Yang looked between them anxiously. "Then what is it?" His voice was filled with desperation. "Tell me what's happening to him!"Hei Long remained silent for a long moment before carefully pulling Ling Yuan's sleeve back just enough to reveal part of his wrist. Everyone leaned closer. Beneath the skin, faint silver lines shimmered for the briefest moment before fading again.
Qing Li's eyes widened as he stared at the faint silver lines beneath Ling Yuan's skin. "...What was that?" he asked, his voice barely louder than a whisper. Wang Xio's expression grew unusually grave as he slowly lowered Ling Yuan's sleeve. "His spiritual veins..." he said quietly, "...they're breaking." Xu Yang frowned in confusion, his panic growing with every passing second. "What's wrong with them?" he asked urgently.
Wang Xio slowly withdrew his hand from Ling Yuan's wrist and looked down at his pale face. "They're breaking apart from the inside" Xu Yang's eyes widened as he instinctively tightened his hold on Ling Yuan. "No..." he whispered,shaking his head. "That's impossible." Wang xio closed his eyes briefly before answering in a low voice. "It shouldn't be possible." He slowly opened them again, his gaze heavy with worry. "...But it's happening."
Qing Li looked back and forth between Wang Xio and Ling Yuan,His voice trembled, "..Can they be healed?" Wang Xio remained silent for second then he replied. "...I don't know." Xu Yang stared at him in disbelief. "What do you mean you don't know?" His voice cracked with panic. "You're the smartest one here! There has to be something... some medicine... some technique!" Wang Xio slowly clenched his fists, frustration flashing across his usually calm face. "If there was, I'd already be doing it."
Xu Yang looked down at Ling Yuan, his eyes red with panic. He carefully brushed the loose strands of hair away from Ling Yuan's forehead, forcing his trembling hands to stay steady. "You're going to be okay!" he whispered,with pause he continued,"You always tell us not to panic... so wake up and say it again." He gave a weak laugh. "Come on... this joke isn't funny anymore."
Ling Yuan remained completely still.Qing Li bit down hard on his lower lip,his hands shaking uncontrollably. "There has to be something..." he murmured. "There has to be." He suddenly looked at Wang Xio again. "Think! You've read more books than anyone. There must be something you've seen before!" Wang Xio closed his eyes for a brief moment, searching through every piece of knowledge he had ever learned. Ancient texts... forbidden records... medical scrolls... nothing matched what he was seeing.
"I've only read about this once." Wang Xio's quiet voice drew everyone's attention.Xu Yang's heart sank as he looked at him anxiously. "Then tell us!" he urged. "What did the record say?" Wang Xio lowered his gaze, his expression growing heavier. "...It was incomplete." Hei Long gently held Ling Yuan's cold hand, never taking his eyes off him as he asked softly, "What did it say?"
Wang xio took a breath before answering. "It described someone whose spiritual veins began collapsing for no apparent reason. Their own spiritual energy started devouring itself until nothing remained." Qing Li stared at him, fear written all over his face. "...And?" Wang Xio remained silent for a brief moment before quietly replying, "...The record ended." Xu Yang frowned in disbelief. "Ended?" Wang Xio nodded slowly. "It never said whether that person survived." Qing Li slowly lowered his head, refusing to believe what he had just heard. "...No!" he whispered weakly. "...There has to be more than that."
Hei Long carefully wrapped both of his hands around Ling Yuan's, trying to warm them with his own. After only a few moments, his expression changed. "His hands are getting colder!" he whispered. Xu Yang looked down and felt Ling Yuan's fingers for himself. They were colder than before. "No..." he muttered as he hurriedly rubbed Ling Yuan's hands between his own. "Come on... warm up..." He rubbed them harder,"Ling Yuan... don't do this. Please..." His voice cracked, and his hands trembled uncontrollably.
Suddenly, Ling Yuan coughed blood again. Everyone immediately leaned closer. They saw thin line of blood slowly slid from the corner of his mouth,"Ling Yuan!" Xu Yang cried as he quickly supported him more carefully, terrified he might slip from his arms. Ling Yuan's eyelashes trembled faintly before his eyes slowly opened just a little. His gaze was unfocused, as though he couldn't clearly see the faces surrounding him. "...Xu..." he whispered so softly that everyone had to strain to hear him.
Xu Yang's eyes brightened with hope. "I'm here!" he answered quickly, leaning so close their foreheads were almost touching. "I'm right here!" Ling Yuan struggled to breathe. His lips parted again. "...Don't..." Xu Yang nodded rapidly without waiting for him to finish. "I won't! I won't go anywhere! I'll stay right here!" Ling Yuan gave the little shake of his head. "...Don't... tell..." Xu Yang frowned anxiously. "Ling Yuan?" he whispered. "Tell who? Tell who what?"
Ling Yuan tried once more to force out the rest of his sentence, but no sound came. Instead, his entire body suddenly stiffened. His fingers curled weakly against Xu Yang's sleeve then he coughed again.His mouthful of blood spilled from his lips,soaking the front of his robes and splashing onto xu yang's trembling hands. Xu yang's face turned pale as he pulled Ling yuan closer without thinking and shouted with all the fear in his heart, "LING YUAN!"
His arms tightened instinctively around Ling Yuan,"Stay with me!" he pleaded, his voice trembling uncontrollably. "Don't close your eyes! Look at me, Ling Yuan... please, just look at me!"Ling Yuan's breathing became increasingly ragged.His eyelids fluttered weakly, trying to stay open, but exhaustion kept dragging them closed again.Qing Li felt his chest tighten painfully. "Do something!" he shouted, turning toward Wang Xio. "You have to do something!" His voice cracked under the weight of panic. "You can't just watch this happen!"
"I am trying!" Wang Xio replied with visible frustration.He quickly formed several hand seals, and a soft blue spiritual light gathered between his fingertips before flowing into Ling Yuan's body. Everyone watched with hope.For a brief moment, nothing happened. Everyone held their breath as wang xio's blue spiritual energy continued flowing into Ling Yuan's body. Then, without warning, the gentle blue light suddenly shattered into countless tiny fragments, scattering into the night like pieces of broken glass before disappearing completely.
Wang Xio's pupils shrank in shock."It rejected my spiritual energy." Xu yang looked at him in complete disbelief. "What?" Wang xio slowly lowered his trembling hands, staring at them.His voice was unusually heavy as he explained, "His spiritual veins have become so unstable... they can't even accept outside spiritual energy anymore." Qing Li shook his head, refusing to accept it. "No... there has to be another way!" he said desperately. "There has to be! We can't just sit here and watch!"
Hei Long quietly reached into the small pouch hanging from his waist and carefully removed several fresh white flowers. His movements were gentle and reverent, as he placed them beside Ling Yuan.Closing his eyes, he silently circulated his spiritual power. A soft white glow spread from his fingertips into the flowers, and countless tiny glowing petals slowly floated into the air before gently drifting down onto Ling Yuan's body.
For one brief moment, the pale light surrounded him peacefully, making him look as though he were simply asleep.Hope flickered inside everyone's hearts. Then... one by one... every single flower suddenly began to wilt. Their snow-white petals slowly turned gray before crumbling into fine dust that scattered across the ground. Hei Long froze. His breathing stopped. "...No..." he whispered in disbelief. His hands trembled slightly as he stared at the empty stems. He had never... not once... seen his flowers die like that.
Xu Yang slowly lifted his eyes from the withered flowers back to Ling Yuan, and the last fragile piece of hope inside him began to crack. "Even your flowers..." he whispered brokenly. Hei Long slowly closed his empty hands, his usually calm expression filled with helplessness. "They couldn't heal him." Ling Yuan managed to lift one trembling hand. His fingers searched weakly through the air until they lightly brushed against xu yang's wrist. Xu Yang caught his hand with both of his, "I'm here!" he whispered quickly, his voice shaking. "I'm not leaving."
A faint smile slowly appeared on Ling Yuan's pale face.He said,"...You..." Every word seemed to exhaust him. "...still... cry..." Xu Yang froze then he realized tears had already been falling freely down his face. He let out a weak laugh through his tears,trying desperately to smile for ling yuan's sake. "You noticed..." Another tear slipped from his cheek and fell softly on the back of Ling yuan's hand. Xu yang tightened his grip slightly, refusing to let go. "So what if I'm crying?" he said, forcing a smile that trembled at the edges. "You're the one coughing up blood. You're not allowed to laugh at me right now." Then Ling yuan laughed little before anyone else laughed ling yuan body trembled and he coughed again.
"Ling Yuan!" Xu Yang supported him more carefully, one arm behind his shoulders while the other wiped the blood away with his sleeve."Don't force yourself to talk. Just rest, alright? We'll figure something out. We always do."Ling Yuan slowly shook his head. "No..." His voice was barely audible."Listen!" Xu Yang leaned closer. "I'm listening. I'm listening." He lowered his head until he was only inches away. "Say whatever you want."
Ling Yuan's eyes slowly moved across the faces surrounding him. Qing Li, who was desperately holding back tears. Hei Long, whose empty hands still trembled from the flowers that had withered. Wang Xio, whose usually composed face had become filled with helplessness.His gaze softened. "Don't..." he whispered weakly. "...blame... yourselves..."Qing Li shook his head. "How can we not?" His voice cracked. "We're supposed to be your friends. We should've noticed something was wrong!" Hei Long lowered his head quietly. "I couldn't help you." Wang Xio slowly clenched his fists. "Neither could I." Ling Yuan shook his head. "None... of you..." He paused to catch another painful breath. "...did... anything... wrong..."
Xu Yang bit his lip so hard it nearly bled. "Stop talking like this." He tightened his grip on Ling Yuan's hand. "You're making it sound like..." His voice broke before he could finish.
Ling Yuan quietly looked at Xu Yang, his unfocused eyes still carrying the same familiar gentleness despite the pain he was enduring. His pale lips moved slightly. "...Xu..." Xu Yang leaned closer, gripping his hand a little tighter as if afraid it would disappear. "I'm here!" he answered without hesitation, his voice trembling. "I'm right here."
Ling Yuan struggled to draw another shallow breath before speaking again. "Promise..." Xu Yang nodded so quickly that tears slipped from his eyes again. "Anything!" he said desperately. "I'll promise you anything." Ling Yuan closed his eyes for a brief moment, gathering what little strength he had left. When he opened them again, a faint smile slowly appeared on his face. "Keep..." He paused to breathe, each breath sounding painfully weak. "...smiling!" Xu Yang froze completely. His lips parted, but no words came out. "...What?" he whispered.
Ling Yuan looked at him quietly, his smile becoming just a little warmer despite how exhausted he looked. "You..." he murmured softly. "...Smile... better." And hearing that Xu Yang sobed before he could stop it. He lowered his head,his shoulders shaking uncontrollably as tears continued falling onto Ling Yuan's hand. He held that hand carefully against his forehead as though it were the only thing keeping him together. "I don't want to smile!" he whispered hoarsely through his tears. "Not if you're not here to see it." He continued,"You've always been the one reminding me to smile... so how am I supposed to do it without you?"
Qing Li quietly turned his face away, unable to watch any longer as tears rolled silently down his cheeks.Hei Long lowered his head, his fingers unconsciously tightening around the empty flower pouch at his waist. Wang Xio remained kneeling beside Ling Yuan, but something suddenly caught his attention. His expression changed instantly. "Wait." His voice was low, yet urgent enough to make everyone immediately look toward him.Wang Xio's eyes remained fixed on Ling Yuan's arm, his face slowly turning pale. Xu Yang quickly followed his gaze. Thy saw faint silver cracks beneath Ling Yuan's skin had spread even farther. They no longer stopped at his wrist or forearm and they continued creeping upward little by little,moving relentlessly toward his heart.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on the silver cracks spreading beneath Ling Yuan's pale skin. They had reached halfway up his arm now, moving so slowly that they were almost impossible to notice, yet each passing moment carried them closer to his heart. Xu Yang stared at them with trembling eyes before something suddenly flashed through his mind. He froze for only a heartbeat before quickly reaching into the inner pocket of his robe. "Wait..." he whispered. "There might still be a way."
Everyone turned toward him.Wang xio frowned. "What did you remember?" Xu Yang took a shaky breath. "When I was training, my master once taught me a protective spirit charm. He said it wasn't meant to heal injuries, only to temporarily stabilize spiritual energy when someone's life was hanging by a thread." Wang Xio's expression became serious. "That technique..." he said quietly. "It's very weak. Against ordinary spiritual injuries it might help, but Ling Yuan's spiritual veins are collapsing. It may not work at all."
Xu Yang lowered his eyes toward Ling Yuan without hesitation. "I don't care if it only helps for one breath." His voice gradually became firm. "I'll still do it." Wang Xio wanted to stop him, but the determination in Xu Yang's eyes left him speechless.Without another word, Xu Yang bit the tip of his finger and blood slowly welled up before he carefully began drawing a small spiritual seal across Ling Yuan's wrist. His fingers moved with surprising steadiness despite how badly they trembled only moments before.Crimson lines intertwined into delicate symbols, and as the final stroke connected, the seal released a faint golden glow.
Xu Yang gently placed both hands over Ling Yuan's hand and slowly closed his eyes. "Please..." he whispered so quietly that only he could hear himself. "Just this once... listen to me." Warm spiritual energy began flowing from his body into the glowing seal. The golden light slowly grew brighter, wrapping itself around Ling Yuan's wrist before spreading toward the silver cracks beneath his skin. Everyone held their breath.Qing Li unconsciously clasped his own hands together. Hei Long watched without blinking. Wang Xio remained perfectly still.
Several long moments passed but nothing happened.The golden light flickered uncertainly as though it might disappear at any second. Xu Yang's face gradually turned pale from the spiritual energy leaving his body, but he refused to stop. Sweat rolled down his forehead as he continued pouring everything he had into the tiny seal. "Come on..." he whispered desperately. "Please..." Then, almost too slowly to notice, the silver cracks stopped moving. They no longer crawled toward Ling Yuan's heart. The terrifying advance simply... halted. Ling Yuan's breathing, which had been painfully uneven, slowly became steadier. The deep frown between his brows gradually relaxed, and the tightness in his body eased little by little. The painful expression that had remained on his face for so long softened.
And everyone sighed together at same time.Qing li nearly collapsed onto the ground from relief. Hei Long quietly closed his eyes, a faint smile appearing on his usually calm face. Wang Xio immediately reached forward and carefully examined Ling Yuan's wrist again. His fingers rested against the pulse for several moments before he slowly looked up. "It isn't healing him completely." he said honestly. Xu Yang gave a tired smile, his breathing still uneven from exhaustion. "I know." Wang Xio nodded slowly. "But it slowed the collapse."
Qing Li let out a shaky laugh as he wiped away the tears he hadn't even realized were there. "That's enough," he said quietly. "For now... that's enough." Hei Long gently picked up one of the fresh flowers lying beside Ling Yuan.This time it remained healthy in his hand instead of withering into dust. He looked at it silently before letting out the smallest breath of relief. "They're alive!" he murmured. "The flowers aren't rejecting him anymore."
Ling Yuan's eyelashes trembled softly. Very slowly, he opened his eyes just enough to see the anxious faces surrounding him. His gaze eventually settled on Xu Yang, whose clothes were stained with both blood and tears. Ling Yuan's lips curved into a tiny, exhausted smile. "Thank..." he whispered weakly. "...you..." Xu Yang shook his head so hard that another tear slipped down his cheek. He laughed quietly through his tears before gently squeezing Ling Yuan's hand. "Don't thank me!" he said softly. "Just stay alive." His voice cracked as he smiled. "That's all I want." Ling Yuan looked at him quietly before giving the faintest nod. His eyes slowly closed again, but this time his breathing remained calm and steady as peaceful sleep gradually claimed him.
For several moments, nobody spoke. They simply listened to the sound of Ling Yuan breathing. Eventually Wang Xio slowly stood, his expression thoughtful. His brows remained tightly furrowed as though he had remembered something buried deep within old memories.Qing Li noticed immediately. "What is it?" he asked. Wang Xio remained silent for another moment before quietly saying, "There is... one person." Everyone looked at him at once. Xu Yang immediately stood. "Who?" Wang Xio folded his arms as he searched through his memories. "Master Bai Xun." Qing Li blinked. "I've never heard that name before." Wang Xio nodded slightly. "Very few people have. He's an elderly physician and one of the greatest spiritual scholars of his generation. Most people believe he disappeared decades ago."
Hei Long looked up quietly. "Where is he now?" "Far beyond the western mountains!" Wang Xlxio answered."He built a small residence deep within the valleys where almost nobody goes. He spends his days studying ancient medical records and forgotten spiritual techniques." Xu Yang stepped closer. "If anyone knows how to save Ling Yuan..." Wang Xio nodded. "...It's probably him." Qing Li's eyes brightened with hope. "Then what are we waiting for?"
Xu Yang looked toward the sleeping Ling Yuan before speaking firmly. "We're leaving tomorrow morning." Qing Li crossed his arms. "And if this old master refuses to help?" Xu Yang smiled faintly. "Then we'll keep asking." Qing Li grinned. "If asking doesn't work..."He cracked his knuckles dramatically. "we'll drag him back with us." Wang xio sighed. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that." Even Hei Long quietly nodded in agreement. "I'd rather convince him peacefully." As they spoke, Ling Yuan, though still resting with his eyes closed, seemed to hear every word. A faint smile appeared on his peaceful face by seeing everyone determined.
Next morning they went to moutain.Crystal-clear streams flowed gently beside the narrow stone path, their water sparkling beneath the rising sun. Far away, waterfalls poured endlessly from steep cliffs, filling the valleys with a soothing roar, while colorful wildflowers covered the grassy slopes like a living blanket.Xu Yang walked beside Ling Yuan from the very beginning of the journey, his eyes constantly drifting toward him every few moments. "Are you feeling dizzy?" he asked quietly. "Do you need to stop?" Ling Yuan smiled faintly and shook his head. "I'm alright." Xu Yang frowned. "You said that yesterday too." Ling Yuan looked away with a helpless smile. "...I'm still alright." Qing Li, who had been walking ahead, turned around dramatically and sighed. "Can both of you stop talking like an old married couple for five minutes?" Xu Yang glared at him. "Mind your own business." Qing Li folded his arms proudly. "See? Even when you're worried, you're still rude." Ling Yuan laughed before coughing softly into his sleeve.The smile instantly disappeared from Xu Yang's face. "See? That's exactly why I'm asking!"
The mountain path gradually became steeper, forcing everyone to slow their pace. Loose stones rolled beneath their feet while twisted tree roots crossed the narrow trail. Without saying anything,Hei long quietly stepped closer to Ling Yuan and gently supported his arm whenever the path became difficult. Ling Yuan looked at him with gratitude. "Thank you." Hei Long simply shook his head. "You don't need to thank me." Qing Li glanced back and smiled teasingly. "You know... we're going to start charging you if you keep saying thank you." Ling Yuan blinked in confusion. "Charging me?" Qing Li nodded seriously. "One thank you equals one meal after you recover." Xu Yang joined in. "He's right." Ling Yuan looked between them before smiling helplessly."That sounds unfair." Qing Li laughed. "Good. Then stop thanking us."
Meanwhile, Wang Xio walked quietly a short distance behind them with an old yellowed map spread carefully across his hands. His eyes moved repeatedly between the faded markings and the surrounding mountains, making sure they hadn't taken a wrong path. Xu Yang glanced back. "Are we close?" Wang Xio nodded slightly without looking up. "If the map is accurate... another valley." Qing Li sighed dramatically. "You said that an hour ago." Wang Xio calmly folded the map halfway. "And we're one valley closer than we were an hour ago." Qing Li stared at him before looking at Xu Yang. "Did he just make a joke?" Xu Yang looked equally confused. "I think he did." Hei Long quietly added, "...I'm not sure either." Wang Xio looked up at all three of them. "Keep walking." Qing Li immediately grinned. "Definitely a joke."
After another stretch of climbing, Ling Yuan slowed noticeably. His breathing became heavier, though he tried hard to hide it. Xu Yang immediately noticed. "Let's rest." Ling Yuan shook his head. "No... we're almost there." "I don't care if we're almost there," Xu Yang replied firmly. "You're sitting down." Before Ling Yuan could protest, Xu Yang had already guided him toward a large flat stone beneath a flowering tree. Hei Long quietly handed Ling Yuan a small bamboo flask filled with water. Ling Yuan accepted it with both hands before lowering his head slightly. "...I'm sorry."
Everyone looked at him. "I'm slowing all of you down."Silence followed for only a second before Qing Li sighed loudly and sat beside him. "Can you stop apologizing already?" Ling Yuan looked at him. Qing Li lightly flicked his forehead. "We're walking because we chose to." Xu Yang nodded firmly. "Exactly." Hei Long quietly smiled. "You would do the same for us." Wang Xio folded away the old map and looked directly at Ling Yuan. "You're not a burden." His voice remained calm as always, yet every word carried undeniable sincerity. "Never think that you are." Ling Yuan looked at each of them one by one. Warmth slowly filled his tired eyes, and this time he didn't apologize again. He simply smiled.
Not long afterward, the forest suddenly opened into a quiet valley hidden between towering cliffs. A lonely wooden cottage stood near the edge of a crystal stream, surrounded by countless rows of carefully cultivated medicinal herbs. Bundles of drying plants hung beneath the roof, filling the air with a rich herbal fragrance. Small wind chimes carved from pale green jade swayed gently beneath the eaves, producing soft, clear melodies whenever the breeze passed through. Butterflies drifted among the flowers growing around the cottage, while sunlight filtered gently through the surrounding trees.
Sitting outside the cottage was man with long snow-white hair that flowed freely down his back. His robes were simple and plain,He slowly ground herbs inside a heavy stone bowl, his movements steady and unhurried. Although he never once looked toward the approaching footsteps, he spoke before anyone had the chance to announce themselves. "You've taken longer than I expected."