Chapter Seventy-Three: Ongoing Treatment

Heaven only knows how furious Bai Shengyun was when he saw her like this, but with her gravely wounded and on the brink of death, the celestial fox’s primal force within her began to rage once more. If he did not act quickly, it would not be long before Xie Yingying departed this world.

The thought of Xie Yingying’s impending death filled his heart with an indescribable feeling. Bai Shengyun was puzzled, for he had never experienced such an emotion before, nor did he understand where it came from. There was a faint irritation and a sour ache in his chest, as if… as if he did not want Xie Yingying to die just like this.

It was precisely because of this strange and inexplicable feeling that the violent fury in his heart was suddenly suppressed. Lowering his gaze, he began to soothe the celestial fox’s primal force within her dantian.

The chill and Huo Tianqing’s spiritual power had failed to pacify the celestial fox’s primal force, but as soon as Bai Shengyun channeled his blazing spiritual energy into her, the primal force gradually stabilized. No longer did it recklessly try to devour Xie Yingying’s golden core; instead, it began to use the power within her golden core to slowly repair the fissure that had split it open.

But the path Xie Yingying cultivated was different from Bai Shengyun’s; their powers clashed, and the searing pain made her bite her lip hard.

Seeing this, Bai Shengyun’s eyes darkened, yet instead of withdrawing, he increased the flow of his spiritual energy, making the pain even more unbearable for her. She struggled incessantly in his arms, but his grip was unyielding, and wounded as she was, she could not break free.

Just three paces away, Huo Tianqing grew anxious and was about to step forward, but from the purple-gold bell leaped several electric serpents, flashing scarlet tongues at him.

Bai Shengyun turned his head slightly, casting him a cold, warning glance.

Huo Tianqing had no choice but to abandon the idea of rescuing Xie Yingying from his hands.

First, the purple-gold bell was an ancient magical artifact, formidable in power; a confrontation with either of them might once again endanger the already dying Xie Yingying. Second, only Bai Shengyun seemed capable of pacifying the celestial fox’s primal force within her, sparing her some of the pain.

Yet the agony wracking Xie Yingying’s body grew worse and worse, as if flesh and blood were being gnawed by evil spirits and her bones rotted with poison.

The torment did not fade even after a quarter of an hour; instead, it drove her to constant screams, and before long, her vision went black and she fainted.

Just before losing consciousness, she had only one thought: Bai Shengyun, if I ever get the chance, I will make sure you die…

When Huo Tianqing saw her faint, anxiety surged within him. He instinctively took a step forward, only to see the electric serpents grow into giant pythons, hissing their warning.

As for Bai Shengyun, he remained utterly unruffled. Although Xie Yingying had passed out from the pain, the situation within her body was already improving—at least, her life could be preserved for the time being.

However, whether Xie Yingying, so grievously wounded by three different forces, could cling to life depended on her own fate. No matter how hard Bai Shengyun tried, he could only help her this far.

Looking at her unconscious in his arms, Bai Shengyun’s face showed scorn. He muttered, “With cultivation so shallow, it’s no wonder a minor injury nearly kills you.”

He scooped Xie Yingying up and looked coolly at Huo Tianqing, saying coldly, “Where is her room? Lead the way.”

Seeing Bai Shengyun withdraw his power and speak thus, Huo Tianqing realized Xie Yingying was already much improved.

He had a hunch—Bai Shengyun had gone through all these hardships to infiltrate the Demonic Sect, but not to kill her.

With this thought, he was somewhat relieved, but soon a violent anger flared in his heart. The air around him turned colder and more sinister, and a thin frost crept beneath his feet.

When Bai Shengyun noticed his inaction, his voice turned icy. “If you want to see her die, I’ll kill her right now.”

Huo Tianqing’s eyes narrowed at these words, a flash of killing intent passing through them as he replied ambiguously, “I suppose I’m not the only one who doesn’t wish to see her die, am I, young emperor of the Celestial Fox clan?”

“In that case, I trust you haven’t forgotten what path I cultivate.” His face was contemptuous, a cold laugh escaping his lips, and his eyes held a detached indifference toward the dying, as if he had long grown accustomed to matters of life and death.

Gritting his teeth, Huo Tianqing turned and left the cave, leading Bai Shengyun to Xie Yingying’s chambers.

Afterward, however, he did not report the incident to the great elders of the Demonic Sect; instead, he set up a vast formation across the entire palace, so that anyone seeking to probe within would see only illusions, and those within were completely cut off from the outside world.

He knew in his heart that if the others found out, there would be only one fate for him—death.

Yet, seeing Xie Yingying lying unconscious, lips pressed tight, he resolutely made his decision.

Bai Shengyun noticed the formation the moment it was activated, clicking his tongue in mockery. “The notorious Lord of Ten Thousand Ghosts, and you still care about your disciple’s wellbeing.”

Huo Tianqing closed his eyes and said nothing.

But Bai Shengyun had no mind for further mockery. He had only stabilized Xie Yingying’s golden core; the fissure remained unhealed. Now he had to mobilize the celestial fox’s primal force within her again, using it to mend her core.

During this process, Xie Yingying awoke several times from the pain, but each time, she fainted again soon after.

Ten full hours passed in this cycle. Bai Shengyun continuously manipulated the celestial fox’s primal force, steadily injecting his own spiritual energy into her to temper the domineering nature of that power.

At last, sweating from head to toe and drained of power, he absorbed the spiritual energy from the surroundings, refining it again and again, until he had managed to repair her golden core somewhat.

Feeling dizzy, Bai Shengyun withdrew his power and turned to glare impatiently at Huo Tianqing, who had watched him intently for ten hours straight.

Seeing this, Huo Tianqing spread his hands in feigned innocence. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

Bai Shengyun merely clicked his tongue and turned away.

He was utterly exhausted and had no interest in answering.

No sooner had he turned his head and caught his breath than Xie Yingying slowly opened her eyes, feeling unbearably hot and drenched in sticky sweat, as though she had been roasted beneath the scorching sun.

“Yingying.” Huo Tianqing’s voice was suffused with joy.

Hearing him, Xie Yingying turned toward the sound—only to see—

“Bai Shengyun?!” she exclaimed in shock, bolting upright. The sudden movement wrenched her internal injuries, causing her to gasp in pain. The cold air she inhaled triggered a fit of coughing.

Eyes brimming with tears from the coughing, she finally caught her breath, then leapt out of bed with the speed of a startled rabbit.

Bai Shengyun’s expression darkened. In a blink, he stepped forward, grabbed her by the collar, and deposited her back on the bed.

Xie Yingying was utterly bewildered, staring at his thunderous face before glancing over at Huo Tianqing.