Chapter 776: Xuanbing Meiren
Though they were somewhat disappointed not to receive a definitive answer from Kang, since Feng Xiao had allowed them to enter, they could personally ascertain Yang Haoran's current condition and question Feng Xiao directly. There was no need to compel Kang to speak.
Inside the alchemy lab, the four didn't find Feng Xiao. Following the power fluctuations emanating from her, they hurried to the area specifically designated for treatment.
There, they found Feng Xiao, and also Yang Haoran, lying on the sickbed.
"How is his condition?"
With a knot of apprehension in her heart, Xu Meijing spoke to Feng Xiao, who stood beside the sickbed.
She had already voiced the question; though the others were anxious, they remained silent. They knew that if they spoke, they would only ask the same thing, and repeating the query held no meaning.
Feng Xiao was carefully observing Yang Haoran's condition. Hearing the question, she withdrew her gaze from him and turned to look at Xu Meijing and the rest.
"I’ve meticulously treated Brother Yang's wounds and applied my specially formulated muscle-regenerating medicinal powder. After some time, his wounds will heal completely, leaving not even a scar. However. . ."
They all knew that Feng Xiao's helpless expression was not a good sign.
Their already anxious hearts now grew even more so. None of them spoke, waiting for Feng Xiao to continue.
"It's just that the faint life fluctuation within Brother Yang's body—I've tried numerous methods, but none have succeeded in strengthening it substantially. It has only received a slight boost, making it just a little better than at first. To truly invigorate Brother Yang's life fluctuation, I still need to come up with other approaches."
The others grasped the implications of Feng Xiao's words. The moment her voice trailed off, Xu Meijing immediately cut to the chase and asked.
"So his life is saved, right?"
Feng Xiao nodded. Although her gesture affirmed Xu Meijing's question, not a trace of joy was visible on her face. From this alone, it was clear that the situation was likely far more complicated than they had imagined.
"Brother Yang's life is indeed saved, but only temporarily. If his current condition is left unattended, that faint life fluctuation within him will slowly diminish with the passage of time, until it finally vanishes completely. At that point, his physical body will certainly not be salvageable."
At this, Feng Xiao shifted her gaze from the group, looking at Yang Haoran lying on the sickbed, and then continued.
"What I can do now is, while ensuring that Brother Yang's faint life fluctuation doesn't diminish, I'm using various relatively gentle medicines to awaken this subtle life force, allowing it to gradually strengthen and grow. However, this process is quite lengthy and absolutely cannot be achieved in a short time. Moreover, the longer it drags on, the more unforeseen variables there will be. It would be fine if no accidents occur, but once something unexpected happens, then the situation will be. . ."
Though Feng Xiao didn't explicitly finish her sentence, a mere thought was enough to know that her unsaid words were certainly not promising.
"Xiaoxiao, is there truly no way to rapidly boost Brother Yang, the Underworld Officer's life fluctuation in a short amount of time?"
Bai Xue, her expression anxious, questioned Feng Xiao. She worried that if too much time passed, Yang Haoran might indeed suffer some unforeseen accident.
"You all saw me give Brother Yang a Dānyào yesterday. That Dānyào is currently the most potent healing medicine I possess. Under my activation, it successfully stabilized the faint life fluctuation within Brother Yang and even strengthened it somewhat, but that was all it could achieve. Afterward, I tried other methods, but their effect was not significant."
Feng Xiao let out a low sigh, her tone and expression both steeped in a profound sense of powerlessness. She gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear with a finger, then continued.
"With my current abilities and resources, I've exhausted every method at my disposal. More effective approaches aren't nonexistent, but I simply don't have the resources for them."
The few who had been filled with disappointment suddenly found hope rekindled upon hearing Feng Xiao's words.
"Whatever resources you need, speak freely. No matter what it is, I will find a way to get it for you."
Hope bloomed in Xu Meijing's heart, and she quickly spoke to Feng Xiao, her voice urgent.
"Yes, yes, yes! Whatever you need, just say it! As long as Brother Yang, the Underworld Officer, can be rescued, I'm willing to pay any price!"
Bai Xue also quickly declared her support. Although the others present remained silent, their gazes were fixed intently on Feng Xiao.
"If I can find the Xuanbing Meiren, I am confident I can restore Brother Yang's life fluctuation to normal in a short amount of time."
Under the watchful gazes of the group, Feng Xiao spoke, but her words caused expressions of bewilderment to appear on everyone's faces.
"Xuanbing Meiren, what is that?"
Xu Meijing likewise had no idea what Feng Xiao meant by "Xuanbing Meiren," so she quickly pressed for an explanation.
"The Xuanbing Meiren is a rare heavenly material and earthly treasure. They are impervious to severe cold, growing only in places of extreme frigidity, rooting themselves deep within ice layers. They absorb extreme cold qi as their nutrient for growth, and their vitality is extraordinarily tenacious. The colder the location, the more they thrive, and relatively speaking, the easier they are to discover there."
Feng Xiao continued her explanation, then waved her hand, using her power to conjure the image of the Xuanbing Meiren before their eyes.
It was a peculiar plant, only the size of a palm. Its entire form glowed ice-blue, and though it was a plant, it possessed a distinct head and face. Upon its head grew shimmering ice-blue crystals, circling its crown to form an ice-blue flower.
Below its head was the graceful upper body of a woman. Its lower half was a slender branch, without feet. Its hands were raised, making it look exactly like a beautiful woman mid-dance, only her movements had been abruptly frozen.
"This is the Xuanbing Meiren. Due to its form closely resembling a gracefully dancing woman, coupled with the fact that it only grows atop profound ice, it was thus named 'Xuanbing Meiren'."
As her words faded, Feng Xiao dispelled the Xuanbing Meiren she had conjured before her, then continued to address Xu Meijing and the others.
"The Xuanbing Meiren's vitality is exceptionally tenacious. If we can find it and use it as medicine, I have great confidence that I can restore the faint life fluctuation within Brother Yang to normal in a short period."
Although Feng Xiao didn't offer a hundred percent verbal guarantee, her tone exuded intense confidence. The others could all discern that as long as they could find the Xuanbing Meiren, this heavenly material and earthly treasure that grows in places of extreme cold, Feng Xiao would definitely be able to restore Yang Haoran's life fluctuation to normal.
"How much of this Xuanbing Meiren do you need?"
Xu Meijing continued to press, knowing nothing about alchemy and therefore unaware of how much of this heavenly material and earthly treasure Feng Xiao would require.
"One plant is enough. However, the Xuanbing Meiren is extremely rare; it's not as easy to find as you might imagine. While it's true they tend to thrive more in colder regions, that's only a relative statement and doesn't mean places of extreme cold are teeming with Xuanbing Meiren."
Feng Xiao's caution did not alter Xu Meijing's expression; she didn't even frown.
"How to obtain the Xuanbing Meiren—I will figure it out, so you don't need to worry. Furthermore, I will deliver this Xuanbing Meiren into your hands in the shortest time possible."
Xu Meijing spoke, then turned to leave, but Feng Xiao suddenly interjected to stop her.
"Wait."
Xu Meijing turned around, her face puzzled, and looked at Feng Xiao with an uncomprehending gaze. She remained silent, waiting for Feng Xiao to elaborate.
"I see your injuries are not light. How about I treat you first? It won't be too late for you to seek out the Xuanbing Meiren afterward. Furthermore, the Xuanbing Meiren isn't something one can find instantly just by looking; it requires not only time but also a certain degree of luck. So, there's no need to rush this very moment."
Xu Meijing didn't even think about it, shaking her head decisively.
"I don't want to waste time."
With these words, Xu Meijing once again prepared to depart, only for Feng Xiao's voice to call out from behind her.
"Then take a few Dānyào with you before you leave; that way, it won't waste your time."
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