Chapter 18 Master Bai

Not paying attention to the person following behind, Xu Qing carried Lei Dui forward while taking out the white pill from the pouch to feed him. Perhaps due to the effect of the white pill, or perhaps the efficacy of the Seven-Leaf Grass, gradually, Lei Dui's complexion stopped being as dark. However, the foreign substance within his body was too dense, and for the moment, Xu Qing's current amount of white pills was not enough to suppress it completely. Thus, he remained in a coma, clearly indicating that this journey into the forbidden zone had a significant impact on him. Therefore... in the deep night, on the way back, when Xu Qing encountered several scavengers trapped in the fog, despairing, he allowed them to follow him at the cost of a white pill, listening to the sound of their footsteps as they moved forward together. Of course, there would still be some unwise individuals among them, but these people ultimately became the objects of envy for those who followed Xu Qing, making them more in awe of him. Most speculated that he was likely a person with innate powerful spiritual force. Because only such individuals could move freely within the fog. Xu Qing had heard about this type of person from Luan Ya before, and it was also something he had considered when he first used the white pill to save others, hence he had this cover and did not worry about exposing his own secrets. With more than ten white pills accumulated, Lei Dui’s complexion finally showed some recovery, changing from dark to a bluish hue, and his breathing strength noticeably increased compared to before. At the same time, Xu Qing also discovered that the feedback power from the shadow could not exist for long. At this moment, as he continued forward, the fog he sensed ahead gradually became less transparent and more blurred, as if it would soon resemble how others perceived it. Fortunately, they were not far from the outside. Thus, while the vision began to blur, with Xu Qing's speed increasing, the darkness of the sky gradually dissipated. As the morning sun rose and the dawn light fell upon the earth, he, carrying Lei Dui, finally saw the world outside through the gaps in the branches and leaves. Xu Qing's emotions stirred, and his body swayed as he leaped over the boundary, stepping out of the jungle. The moment he stepped over the cold boundary, the outside wind, carrying warm sunlight, fell upon Xu Qing. The light was too bright, causing him to squint, and standing there, he took a deep breath of the fresh air outside. At the same time, those followers behind him also regained their vision as they approached the boundary. One by one, filled with excitement from having survived near-death, they all rushed out. The moment they stepped into the outside world, they were all exhilarated; an old man even knelt down directly, kissing the earth's soil. At that moment, they finally saw Xu Qing's appearance and the Lei Dui he was carrying. The former might not be recognized by many, but the latter was known by all. Therefore, when Xu Qing and Lei Dui's figures entered their sight, their impressions of Xu Qing surfaced. "Child!" "Lei Dui!" The four or five followers trembled, but at the sweep of Xu Qing's gaze, they instinctively fell silent. Xu Qing's earlier actions against those with ill intentions and his indifference had already intimidated them. Not bothering with them, Xu Qing withdrew his gaze, his body swaying as he prepared to head straight for the camp. Just then, two figures rushed over from a distance, flying swiftly toward them. It was Zhen Zi and Luan Ya; they had returned and were not waiting in the camp but anxiously waiting outside. They had already discussed that if Lei Dui and the others did not come out today, they would have to re-enter to search for them. Thus, seeing Xu Qing's figure from afar, the two rushed over at full speed. They also noticed Lei Dui being carried by Xu Qing; Zhen Zi's eyes narrowed sharply, but the next moment, when they fell on Xu Qing, they softened. Luan Ya's expression also changed, and a killing intent spread as he scanned the followers who had come out with Xu Qing. Each of these individuals breathed quickly, all on high alert. "They are not involved, and thankfully for them, otherwise Lei Dui might not have been able to hold on." Xu Qing spoke, dispelling Luan Ya's killing intent. All those who followed him breathed a sigh of relief as they looked at Xu Qing, filled not only with awe but also with gratitude, and thus they clasped their fists at him before departing. After they left, Zhen Zi stepped forward to assist Lei Dui from Xu Qing's back, but Xu Qing stopped him. "Let Lei Dui sleep a little longer; I can still manage," Xu Qing took a deep breath. "Alright, let’s return to the camp and take the captain to see the doctor," Zhen Zi nodded, taking out a white pill to feed Lei Dui while Luan Ya accompanied them on the left and right, the three of them racing toward the camp. On the way, Luan Ya wanted to ask something several times but ultimately couldn't help but ask, "What about the barbarian ghosts? Is the Blood Shadow squad still pursuing?" Xu Qing fell silent, and after a while, he quietly spoke, "The barbarian ghosts have mutated and died in battle." These words caused Zhen Zi and Luan Ya to pause, their expressions solemn. Even though they had mentally prepared themselves, sadness still grew in their eyes, and Luan Ya appeared somewhat lost. Until Xu Qing's second sentence made their bodies tremble, and they instantly looked at Xu Qing, disbelief in their eyes. "The Blood Shadow squad has been completely annihilated." Xu Qing lowered his head, slowly continuing as he walked. "So that’s why the captain's injuries and foreign substance are so severe..." Luan Ya murmured, as if he had found the answer, but Zhen Zi beside him wore a strange expression, feeling that this matter might not be as it seemed, thus he stared deeply at Xu Qing, not asking further. Xu Qing did not explain nor mention the singing, as that was Lei Dui's secret; whether to speak of it or not was not his decision. Thus, the three of them raced onward, and shortly after, they returned to the camp, immediately heading to the area where the well-known doctor was located among the incoming caravan. The appearance of the Thunderbolt squad made those waiting in line there feel the murderous intent emanating from them. Seeing the unconscious Lei Dui, the person at the front of the line immediately smartly made way. Thus, the Thunderbolt squad quickly stepped into the tent first. The tent was large, filled with a strong medicinal aroma. Inside, besides some armored guards, there was a scavenger looking anxious as he received treatment. Treating him was a thin old man, dressed in a plain but very clean gray robe. His face was lined with wrinkles, but his eyes were extremely bright, full of wisdom, like stars, seemingly able to see through a person's heart at a glance. On either side of the old man sat a boy and a girl. The boy was about the same age as Xu Qing, dressed in a blue satin long robe, with a black jade hairpin on his head, and a dragon-carved jade pendant hanging at his waist, with golden tassels spilling over the edge of the mat. The boy was handsome and tidy, but at this moment looked somewhat sleepy, resting one hand on his chin while holding a medical book with the other, seemingly lacking the energy to read, occasionally yawning. On the other side was a girl about sixteen or seventeen, wearing a similar blue long dress. Beneath her cascading long hair was a standard oval-shaped face, with fair skin and a stunningly beautiful countenance. A pair of bright eyes, clear and sparkling like stars, noticed the boy beside her dozing off. She smiled slightly, lowering her head to look at the medical book in her hands. Yet in that smile, her eyes curved like crescent moons, seemingly overflowing with a spiritual charm. Between her frowns and smiles, the noble aura she exuded naturally flowed forth, leaving people awestruck by her elegant and ethereal radiance. This golden boy and jade girl possessed a purity that scavengers had seldom seen, making Luan Ya feel somewhat ashamed, and even Zhen Zi glanced at them a few more times. As for Xu Qing, he looked at the medical book in their hands with a hint of envy, but quickly withdrew his gaze, directing more attention to the doctor in front of him. At that moment, the doctor finished speaking to the scavenger he had been treating. As the grateful scavenger left, he washed his hands in a copper basin, raised his head to look at Xu Qing and the others. His gaze swept over, first landing on Xu Qing, seeming to carry some profound meaning, then looking at the Lei Dui he was carrying, he slowly spoke, "Put him down." For some reason, under the old man's gaze, Xu Qing felt a bit nervous, as if he were back in the slums facing a teacher. Thus, with Zhen Zi's help, they carefully laid Lei Dui down flat in front of the old man. At this moment, Lei Dui also slowly started to wake up, seeing the inside of the tent, he was momentarily stunned, and saw the doctor and Xu Qing and the others. Just as he was about to get up, the old man spoke lightly, "Lie down properly." This made Lei Dui look at the doctor; after their eyes met, Lei Dui silently climbed up, supported by Zhen Zi, and bowed to the doctor. "I've sustained some injuries, but they brought me here; I don't want to trouble Master Bai anymore, I'm fine." "You know me?" The old doctor looked at Lei Dui with some confusion. "I saw Master Bai from a distance many years ago," Lei Dui nodded respectfully. Master Bai looked at Lei Dui deeply, slowly speaking, "Your recent injuries aren't serious, the foreign substance in your body has also been suppressed and isn't a major issue. However, the exhaustion of your spirit is clearly due to recent emotional fluctuations that have harmed your heart meridian. "Adding these together, while it may be somewhat troublesome, it's still manageable; it can be treated, but... these are not the main issues. "The key is the hidden injury from years ago in your body. You should have had your foundation destroyed by someone in your early years; your current cultivation is obviously rebuilt, right? To reach your current level after having your foundation destroyed is no easy feat. "However, with all these combined, you have exhausted everything. Ordinary medicines won't work, and I have no power to help. I can give you a prescription; how much it can cure depends on your fate. "But you must remember, starting from now, you cannot continue practicing or absorbing energy, otherwise the foreign substance will increase again, causing a relapse of your hidden injuries, then... you will undoubtedly die." Master Bai's words made Zhen Zi and Luan Ya silent; they knew about Lei Dui's foundation being destroyed. Xu Qing was unaware of this and looked at Lei Dui, suddenly recalling the blood-red female boots from the singing in the forbidden zone. "Is there really no other way?" Zhen Zi asked in a low voice. "There is, if you can find heavenly materials and earthly treasures like the Destiny Herb, you can naturally extend your life. I heard that a plant appeared in this nearby forbidden zone years ago." Zhen Zi fell silent, Luan Ya's eyes showed anxiety, Xu Qing looked at Lei Dui, while Lei Dui's expression was calm, smiling slightly. "It’s nothing serious; it’s just an old problem. I won’t bother Master Bai anymore," Lei Dui said, bowing to Master Bai, signaling Xu Qing and the others to leave. Xu Qing and the others each thanked Master Bai, holding onto the prescription given by him as they departed. However, with something on his mind, Xu Qing couldn't shake the feeling that when he thanked and left, Master Bai's gaze towards him carried a hint of scrutiny. Along the way, the Thunderbolt squad remained silent. After returning to Lei Dui's residence, Zhen Zi and Luan Ya wanted to say something, but were sent away by Lei Dui. Until they left, Lei Dui took out some tobacco from the house, pulled out a smoking pipe from his pouch, stuffed it, lit it, and took a deep drag. As he exhaled the smoke, he let out a long sigh, looking at Xu Qing with a concerned expression, waving his smoking pipe with a smile. "I couldn't smoke in the forbidden zone, but it feels so good to smoke a bit after returning. This thing works better than any medicine." Xu Qing was about to speak. "What do you want to eat today? I’ll cook a meal for you... accompany me for a drink," Lei Dui interrupted, seemingly not wanting to hear Xu Qing's response. Xu Qing silently looked at him, nodding after a while. "I want to eat snake." ---- After reading the chapter from yesterday, I see that everyone liked Chapter 16. Thank you all for your support; it gives me more motivation and enthusiasm to write. (End of this chapter)