82: Chapter 82 Leaving the Clinic

In the blink of an eye, seven days had passed in a rush. For Li Qing, every single minute and second of these seven days had been exceptionally agonizing.

Ever since he bought the soul-condensing herb and Soul-Condensing Beads back from Luoshui Hall, he had not left the small courtyard that Xue Ying had arranged for him even once, staying by Zhou Yao's bedside every day, caring for her without taking a single step away.

Divine Doctor Wei had specifically instructed him on how to use the medicine, and Li Qing had memorized every word, not daring to be even slightly careless.

Every day before dawn, he would get up to start a fire and brew the medicine. First, he would carefully wash the soul-condensing herb, pinch off the tiny withered yellow tips, then put the three Soul-Condensing Beads together with the soul-condensing herb into the medicine pot, slowly brewing it over a low fire.

While brewing the medicine, he dared not let his mind wander. He would guard the medicine stove, stirring the medicinal liquid from time to time, fearing that if the heat were too high, it would burn, or if it were too low, the medicinal efficacy would not be released.

When the medicine was brewed and had cooled to a warm temperature, he would carefully help Zhou Yao up and feed it to her little by little with a small spoon.

Zhou Yao remained in a deep sleep, and swallowing was very difficult for her. Li Qing would patiently feed her one mouthful at a time. A bowl of medicine often took nearly half an hour to finish, for he was afraid of spilling the liquid and also afraid of choking her.

Fortunately, the medicinal efficacy of this soul-condensing herb and the Soul-Condensing Beads was truly miraculous, making the eight hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones he had spent well worth it.

During the first three days, Zhou Yao's aura was constantly fluctuating, sometimes so weak it was almost imperceptible. Her complexion was as pale as paper, without a hint of blood, and her brows were tightly furrowed, clearly showing she was in pain.

Li Qing saw this and felt anxious. He would sit by the bedside, guarding her, occasionally checking her breath and feeling her pulse.

It wasn't until the fifth day that her condition finally improved. The rise and fall of Zhou Yao's chest slowly became steady, no longer fluctuating as it had before, and her tightly furrowed brows gradually smoothed out.

Seeing this, Li Qing's suspended heart finally dropped a little, and for the first time in these few days, a look of relief appeared on his Face.

After caring for her like this for another two days, by the morning of the seventh day, Zhou Yao's condition had completely stabilized. She lay quietly on the bed, her Face no longer showing a trace of pain, and her breathing was even.

Seeing this, Li Qing felt a sudden surge of wild joy. Not daring to delay, he immediately stood up and walked quickly out of the small courtyard to invite Divine Doctor Wei to come and re-examine Zhou Yao.

Divine Doctor Wei was in the front hall organizing medical books. Upon hearing Li Qing's request, he put down the book in his hand and followed Li Qing to the small courtyard.

He walked to the bedside, sat down, and extended three fingers to gently rest on Zhou Yao's wrist. First, he took her pulse, then closed his eyes, channeling a trace of spiritual power, and carefully probed into Zhou Yao's body to check the condition of her Divine Soul.

After about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, Divine Doctor Wei slowly withdrew his hand, opened his eyes, nodded at Li Qing, and said with a hint of gratification in his tone:

"Not bad, it's even better than I expected. Her Divine Soul has completely stabilized, there is no longer a risk of it dissipating, and all her bodily functions have returned to normal."

Hearing this, Li Qing's heart, which had been suspended for a full seven days, finally settled completely. His tightly tensed shoulders instantly slumped. He let out a long sigh of relief, feeling his entire body relax, his eyes slightly hot, and his heart filled with gratitude.

He bowed deeply to Divine Doctor Wei, bending his waist very low. His voice was slightly hoarse due to the exhaustion and excitement of the past few days. "Thank you, Divine Doctor Wei, thank you for your help in saving her. If not for your method, Zhou Yao probably wouldn't have been able to hold on. This great kindness, this Junior will keep in his heart."

"No need for such formalities. A healer should treat illnesses and save people. Besides, I am also doing this for the sake of Fairy Luobing; you don't need to take it too much to heart."

Divine Doctor Wei waved his hand, his tone indifferent, but looking at Zhou Yao on the bed, he added a few more words.

"However, I must say the ugly truth first: her condition is only stabilized now, not completely cured. Her Soul meridians have suffered severe damage. Ordinary Medicinal Pills and Spiritual Plants can at most maintain her condition; there is no way to completely repair it."

"These past few days, I have specifically looked through many ancient medical books and checked many relevant records. To make her completely recover, there are only two ways. Either find those Soul Cultivators who specialize in cultivating the Dao of the Soul; such Cultivators are skilled at nourishing and repairing the Divine Soul, and by using their exclusive Soul Cultivation Technique, they might be able to slowly nourish her Soul meridians and perhaps cure her completely. Or, find a soul-restoring pill. This Medicinal Pill is a supreme treasure specifically for repairing Divine Soul damage. As long as you can obtain one and have her take it, her injuries will be completely cured and will never recur."

"Soul Cultivator! soul-restoring pill!"

Li Qing silently repeated these two terms in his heart, firmly memorizing every word. He secretly swore that whether it was finding a Soul Cultivator or a soul-restoring pill, even if he had to turn the entire Yingshui City upside down or travel through all the surrounding markets, he would definitely find them.

He knew he could not stay at the Wei Family Medical Hall for long. He immediately said respectfully to Divine Doctor Wei, "Senior Wei, we have disturbed you for many days, and it has already been enough trouble for you. Today, since her condition has stabilized, this Junior will take Zhou Yao and take his leave, no longer disturbing you, Senior."

Upon hearing this, Divine Doctor Wei began to urge Li Qing to stay.

Li Qing understood in his heart that Divine Doctor Wei meant well, but he still shook his head, his attitude very firm. "Thank you for your kindness, Divine Doctor. This Junior accepts your good intentions, but I still wish to take Yao Yao and leave to search for a Soul Cultivator or a soul-restoring pill."

It wasn't that he wasn't grateful for Divine Doctor Wei's shelter and care; it was truly because he harbored concerns in his heart that he dared not speak of.

Divine Doctor Wei was a genuine Foundation Establishment Master and a prominent figure in Yingshui City. Under the nose of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, he was constantly on edge, feeling oppressed all over, as if a pair of invisible eyes were watching him at all times, making it difficult even to breathe.

More importantly, he had the great secret of the Portable Cave Abode on him. The Immortal Cave contained all his belongings and many treasures that could not be revealed to others.

In this medical hall, he dared not enter the Immortal Cave at all, fearing that one careless mistake would reveal a flaw and be detected by Divine Doctor Wei.

If a Foundation Establishment Cultivator were to know he had a Portable Cave Abode, and if they were to develop covetous intentions, even if he had the token given by Luo Bing in his hand, he would never be able to protect himself and Zhou Yao.

Luo Bing's token could at most make Divine Doctor Wei hesitate out of consideration for Face and not actively make things difficult for them. But if he were to discover Li Qing's secret, Li Qing could not guarantee whether he would remain indifferent.

He didn't want to live this kind of life of constant fear and vigilance for even one more day. Only by leaving this place and finding a place where no one would notice him could he be completely at ease.

"Very well, very well. Since you have made up your mind, I will not stop you. However, the outside is not as safe as the medical hall. You are bringing a girl who is in a coma, so you must be careful in everything. If you encounter difficulties you cannot solve later, or if Zhou Yao's condition relapses, feel free to come find me again. I will always have a place for you here."

"This Junior will keep it in his heart. Thank you again, Divine Doctor."

Li Qing bowed deeply to Divine Doctor Wei again to thank him, then turned and walked to the bedside, carefully picked up Zhou Yao who was still fast asleep, and walked quickly out of the gates of the Wei Family Medical Hall.

Watching Li Qing's departing figure, Xue Ying, who was standing to the side, approached Divine Doctor Wei with some confusion and asked in a low voice, "Master, are we just letting them go like this? We were originally taking care of them for the sake of Fairy Luo Bing. Keeping them here would have allowed us to earn a favor from Fairy Luo Bing and also look after Miss Zhou Yao. Letting them go, what a pity."

Divine Doctor Wei stroked his beard, looking at the direction of the doorway, and said indifferently, "They are determined to leave. If we force them to stay, it will not be building a good relationship, but creating enmity. This Li Hu does not look old, but he has a heavy mind and is hiding things in his heart. There is no need for us to force him. Let him go."