Shen looked at the revealed back of Yu Donghao. His eyes lit brightly in the dimly lit room as he surveyed Yu Donghao’s dantian with his Qi. Yu He stood at the corner of the room.

Suddenly the door opened as Yu Ruyan entered the room. The prospect of Shen healing a severely injured Dantian amused her greatly. Not even a year ago he didn’t have good knowledge about medicine, now he wanted to heal an injured Dantian, just how ridiculous was this?

Shen didn’t mind Yu Ruyan as he took out a small box. When he opened the box, a glow of golden light brightened the box. Shen took out six Golden Needles, as they danced on his palm like glittering gems.

“Shen, you…” The set of Golden Needles greatly surprised Yu Ruyan. Those were definitely acupuncture needles, in fact, 12 inches acupuncture needles. So far, she never saw him to even touch needles, let alone performing acupuncture. However, seeing how skillfully he handled those needles, she shut her mouth.

The profession of Alchemist and Physician was different, while the former was respected more in the world of nine continents. The latter hardly had any reputation. This wasn’t because the profession didn’t have benefits, it was only because most of the techniques performed from ancient times were gradually lost.

Performing acupuncture was naturally harder than alchemy, and also dangerous. The Alchemist can find out the effects of their pill according to the recipe or after verifying the pellet after refining. On the other hand, a simple accident during the treatment from the physician can harm the patient rather than help. Of course, for those unfortunate accidents, they were mostly criticized and the value of Alchemists only went higher.

“There might be some pain. Please bear with it,” Shen warned as his gaze focused, the needles in position.

“Bring it on, this old man here is afraid of everything, but pain. If I truly recover, I wouldn’t even mind getting slashed by a thousand knives and pierced by a thousand blades.”

Yu Donghao’s injury was much severe than Baili Jingwei. Unlike Baili Jingwei, his injury was old and meridians withered. To heal Yu Donghao, firstly, Shen must revitalize and heal his withered Dantian. Only then, would Yu Donghao be able to circulate his Qi again. The golden needles glowed green and blue, as Qi from Nature, Wood and Water element flew into the golden needles while Shen inserted them into various segments of old man Yu’s Dantian.

Surrounding the dantian, six golden needles pierced Yu Donghao’s back as they transferred Water, Wood and Nature Qi to his meridian channels.

The Dantian was of paramount importance to cultivators. Not only was it the most critical portion of the human body, but it was also the weakest. The first golden needle was inserted.

Yu Donghao acted as if he insensitive to pain, and even when Shen inserted the sixth needle, he only flinched slightly.

A sheen of perspiration could be seen on Shen’s forehead. No matter how familiar he was with the process, he always concentrated his best during acupuncture. Inside the Absolute Alchemy Manual, there’s a saying, “One needle to bestow life, and one needle to destroy.”

It’s possible to save one life with one needle, however, it’s also true the other way. One misstep and Yu Donghao might never be able to regain his cultivation.

The six golden needles were only auxiliary support. The Water Qi moistened Yu Donghao’s dead and withered meridian while Nature and Wood Qi poured vitality to strengthen the weak channels.

Two green needles of different shade slowly formed on his hands. These were the main needles to heal the Dantian. As they directly pierced into Yu Donghao’s dantian, he let out a suppressed groan.

Yu Ruyan eyes shone brightly. Yu He couldn’t tell what those needles were but Ruyan was different. The two needles forming out of nowhere astonished her greatly. She recognized both the Wood and Nature Qi immediately. Before she saw him using Silver and Earth Qi of Xiantian. However, such a thing perplexed her as there was nothing called Dual Qi of Xiantian.

Only those cultivating Legendary Rank or above techniques can get an element when they break through to the Xiantian realm. There was no exception in the long river of history. Even if they cultivated Divine Cultivation Techniques, they would possibly not get more than one Qi of Xiantian Element.

Ruyan felt as if some giant hammer smashed against her body. All common sense she had about the cultivation of this world seemed to be broken apart. The cultivation path didn’t look as restrictive as she thought of anymore. It seemed something more magical and grand.

Shen hadn’t realized the changes in Yu Ruyan, he wholeheartedly devoted himself to heal Yu Donghao. Under the combined might of Wood and Nature Qi, Yu Donghao’s atrophied Dantian began to gradually recover its original shape.

The rate of recovery, as well as the vibration of the golden needles, had a direct correlation to Shen’s rate of energy consumption.

Yu He worriedly stood by the side, as she wiped the perspiration of Shen away with a little cloth every so often. She was slightly red in the face because she was doing such a couple-like action with Shen in front of Yu Ruyan and her grandpa. Still, she bit her lips and continued to persist as she was anxious for both Shen and Yu Donghao.

Approximately one hour later, Shen’s eyes were already blood red. He removed the needles one by one as his body trembled involuntarily. The process wasn’t as much draining as he thought but it definitely exhausted him mentally.

“Grandpa Yu, try to activate your Qi. But please limit it as much as possible, do not overly exert it.” Shen instructed as he took deep breaths to match his breathing.

Yu Donghao shut his eyes, and momentarily, snapped them open. A look of crazed happiness could be seen in the depths of his eyes as he emotionally exclaimed, “Am I dreaming...?”

Looking at the joyful countenance of her grandpa, tears streaked down the face of Yu He. She speechlessly stared at Shen, hoping that what she guessed was right.

Even Yu Ruyan was speechless. He actually managed to cure the atrophied Dantian of Yu Donghao? What on earth was he...? He was always mysterious, but suddenly she felt she didn’t recognize Shen anymore. In just a few short moments she saw two inconceivable things from the same person.

Shen did not notice the different expressions reflecting in the eyes of Yu He and Yu Ruyan. But that look in Yu He’s eyes did not escape the notice of Yu Donghao. This moment, the joy he felt, was indescribable!

“Hahaha!” Yu Donghao couldn’t control his laughter as the hand that was holding on to Shen trembled with excitement. “I didn’t think that I would survive to see this day. How can I thank you? How about this, just tell me what I can do for you. As long as I can do it, I would do it!”

Yu Donghao finished his sentence as he shifted his gaze knowingly to Yu He. Yu He lowered her head abashedly, not daring to look at her grandpa nor Shen.

“Grandpa Yu, you are too polite. We are a family how can I ask something for you?” Shen smiled, the things Yu Donghao could give he could naturally take.

“No, how can I accept this. Regardless of what requests you make, as long as it is within my power, I would definitely help you with it.”

Looking at how passionate Yu Donghao was, Shen nodded. He could somewhat understand the helplessness and despair of Yu Donghao, falling from Xiantian to a cripple. Living a life worse than death! At least, such life he couldn’t imagine himself in Yu Donghao’s position.

“Any requests?” Shen glanced at Yu He. Yu He noticed that glance, as she frantically shifted her gaze away, her heart thumping rapidly.

“Anything.” Yu Donghao sincerely said.

“If you don’t mind... I would like to ask Yu He to be my Dao Partner...” Shen awkwardly said as Yu Ruyan was just behind Yu He, watching everything.

“Hahaha, great! Great!” Yu Donghao’s laughter was brighter than usual as he continued, “This lass has only eyes for you, she didn’t choose wrong, not wrong! Of course, I don’t mind!”

Yu He couldn’t take her shame anymore. She ran backward only to bump on Yu Ruyan. She was so embarrassed that she wanted to find a hole to hide her face.

Yu Donghao was about to say something but Shen hurriedly interrupted, “Grandpa Yu, you should take rest now. I will prescribe some pills and herbs for you to heal faster. Although there’s no danger, if you want to return to your previous condition first, you will still need half a month with the help of these herbs.”

“Great, I’ll listen to you!” Yu Donghao had his eyes brightened. His previous cultivation, the Xiantian realm! In just half a month he will return to his peak form.

Shen let out a sigh of relief. Yu Ruyan was his guardian, it wouldn’t be weird for Yu Donghao to say something which would be inappropriate considering their true relation.

Yu Ruyan mused, her eyes reflected a hint of amusement. If Shen’s current attainment was known among the public, even big families like the Duanmu family would be under his legs. They could only hope to please him and earn his favor. Not to mention, he was still young, his future potential could be only described as monstrous.

As everyone left Yu Donghao alone to rest, Yu Ruyan suddenly cracked a smile, “You brat, still keeping secrets from me!”

“Who’s the brat? I’m definitely not!” Shen immediately argued, “Honestly, it was nothing much. Just a bit of luck and enlightenment.”

Both Yu Ruyan and Yu He was surprised. Enlightenment in needle techniques? Both of them understood it wasn’t as simple as Shen said. Shen’s movement wasn’t definitely someone who just finished learning. They were fluid and much experienced!

“I see, now you got another ‘Dao Partner’. Aren’t you happy?” Yu Ruyan joked. Yu He blushed deeply, but she didn’t miss the word ‘another’.

“What about you? You got another sister.”

It was unknown where Shen got the courage from, but he boldly asked.

Yu He had a weird feeling. She felt she understood something, at the same time she didn’t.

“Of course, I’m prepared for a few more.” Ruyan also laughed, but it seems she had some plans in her mind.

“Eh?! You... you too!” Yu He suddenly realized that Yu Ruyan and Shen’s relationship wasn’t as she thought. And the word ‘sister’ definitely cleared her doubt. She knew his ambiguous relationship with Feng Wuxi and Shi Qingzhuang, but who would’ve thought even Yu Ruyan... She suddenly realized what he meant by being too greedy.

TheBoredDreamer

So, Bored heard some of you wanted to hear his tantrums.
Welp, he is a busy person but it can't be helped if that's what you want.

My original plan was to put AST on hold for a week or at most two.
In the meantime, I would write the original novel and a few occasional releases for LLS.

However, the first draft for the original wasn't that great and didn't turn out the way I wanted.
The second draft... well, it was just worse.
By the time, I was writing the third, I just couldn't write anything.
Let alone the original, I couldn't even write AST or LLS.

Finally, after two whole weeks, which is the third week. I could barely write again.
Which is why I disappeared for three weeks. When I wanted to stop releasing AST only for one week.