8: Farewell and departure

Morning dew condensed into frost on the window lattice. Xiao Bing stood still in Han Yue's small courtyard, his hands forming Seals. A wisp of blue-black lightning flickered at his fingertips, sometimes transforming into ice crystals, and at other times bursting into electric arcs. The Fusion of Core Lightning of the Earth's Core and Mist Lightning of Extreme Cold had already lasted for more than half a month, but every time he activated it, a faint stinging pain would still come from his Meridians.

Spiritual Thunder Fusion Rate: 79%

Warning: Forcibly using high-level Dou Techniques may lead to backlash.

Footsteps came from behind him, and Han Yue walked over, holding a bowl of Medicinal Pill soup. Her silver hair glowed softly under the morning sun, but the dark circles under her eyes showed that she hadn't rested well these past few days.

"How do you feel today?" She handed the Medicinal Pill soup to Xiao Bing. When their fingertips accidentally touched, a faint silver light flowed between them—this was the resonance phenomenon of the Moon Essence Contract.

Xiao Bing took the Medicinal Pill bowl and drank it all in one gulp, the bitter Medicinal Pill liquid making him frown: "Much better. Any movement from your uncle's side?"

Han Yue's expression dimmed: "Yesterday, I received a Family letter; Father has fallen ill." She clutched the corner of her clothes, "Uncle took the opportunity to take over most of the Family's power, and... and he even announced that he would expel me from the clan."

Xiao Bing put down the Medicinal Pill bowl and gently pressed her trembling shoulder. The telepathy brought by the contract allowed him to clearly feel Han Yue's inner pain and struggle.

"We're going to the Han Family," he said in a deep voice.

Han Yue suddenly looked up: "No! Uncle now has three Dou Emperors assisting him, and..."

"We're not breaking in," a blue light flashed in Xiao Bing's eyes. "Your father's illness is suspicious; it's very likely a poison from Han Feng. I have a way to cure it."

He took out a small Jade Bottle from his Storage Ring, which contained "Spiritual Thunder Essence" refined using the System's functions these past few days—a byproduct of the Fusion of two Spiritual Thunder, capable of curing all poisons.

Hu Jia's voice suddenly came from outside the courtyard gate: "Are you two done being lovey-dovey? The Vice Principal is looking for you!"

Inside the Vice Principal's office, Vice Principal Hu Qian was talking with a black-robed old man. Seeing the two enter, the old man's sharp gaze immediately locked onto Xiao Bing: "Is this the young man who absorbed the Core Lightning of the Earth's Core?"

"This is Grand Elder Su Qian of the Inner Academy," Vice Principal Hu Qian introduced. "He just returned from Central Plains."

Grand Elder Su Qian stood up, his Dou Sect level pressure inadvertently revealed: "Han Feng has been blocking outside the Canaan Academy with people from the Black-Corner Region for half a month now." He looked directly at Xiao Bing, "We need to solve this problem."

"I can leave the Academy," Xiao Bing said calmly.

"Foolish!" Grand Elder Su Qian slammed the table and stood up. "Do you think handing you over will solve the problem? Han Feng is colluding with the Soul Hall, plotting against the entire Canaan Academy!"

Xiao Bing and Han Yue exchanged glances and told him about Han Feng possibly poisoning the Family Head.

Grand Elder Su Qian stroked his beard and pondered for a moment: "So, solving the Han Family Head's poison will undermine Han Feng's legitimacy?" He suddenly showed a meaningful smile, "Coincidentally, this old man has a plan..."

Three days later, a piece of news shocked the Black-Corner Region—the Eldest Young Miss of the Han Family returned with a miraculous Medicine Pill that could cure all poisons, publicly challenging Han Feng's authority!

In Han City Plaza, Han Yue stood alone on a high platform, facing Han Feng and his cronies who were eyeing her covetously. She held up the Jade Bottle, her voice clear: "This is the Spirit Medicine that can cure the poison my father was afflicted with. If Uncle has a clear conscience, why would he stop me from treating my father?"

Han Feng's face was gloomy. A Soul Hall Protector beside him whispered: "Don't fall for it. Killing your niece in public will have too bad an impact. Let her treat him; that old man was poisoned with 'Heart Devouring Powder,' which is incurable!"

Under everyone's gaze, Han Yue fed the Spirit Medicine into the unconscious Han Family Head's mouth. After a moment of silence, the old man suddenly coughed violently, spat out a mouthful of black blood, and then opened his eyes!

"Yue'er..." The Han Family Head weakly held his daughter's hand, but his gaze sharply looked at Han Feng, "Rebellious brother! You poisoned me, and now you want to harm my daughter?"

The scene immediately descended into chaos. The experts from Canaan Academy hidden in the crowd took the opportunity to strike, and Grand Elder Su Qian directly confronted the Soul Hall Protector.

In the melee, a blue-black lightning bolt suddenly descended from the sky, accurately striking Han Feng! Xiao Bing appeared beside Han Yue at some point, and the power of the Core Lightning of the Earth's Core caused the surrounding temperature to plummet.

"You..." Han Feng looked at Xiao Bing in horror, "You can actually control the Core Lightning of the Earth's Core?!"

Xiao Bing didn't waste words, sending Han Feng flying with a single Ice Lightning Tribulation. This attack seemed fierce, but it actually held back—Han Feng was, after all, Han Yue's paternal uncle, and his life or death should be decided by the Han Family.

The battle ended quickly. The Soul Hall Protector saw the situation was unfavorable and fled first, and Han Feng's cronies scattered like a collapsing tree. After regaining some strength, the Han Family Head publicly announced the revocation of all Han Feng's powers.

Night fell. Inside the Han Family Ancestral Hall, Xiao Bing was meditating. Although the battle during the day was short, it was still a considerable burden for him, who had just Fused with Spiritual Thunder.

"Thank you," Han Yue walked in softly, holding an ancient wooden box in her hand. "Father asked me to give this to you."

Xiao Bing opened the wooden box; inside was a fragmented Jade Slip, with strange patterns carved on it.

"This is a secret map passed down through generations of the Han Family, recording the whereabouts of 'Heavenly Frost Thunder,'" Han Yue explained. "Father said that since the Core Lightning of the Earth's Core has recognized you as its master, this Heavenly Frost Thunder should also belong to you."

Xiao Bing's heart trembled—this was precisely the goal of the System's next main quest!

Obtained Key Item: Heavenly Frost Thunder Clue (1/3)

Hint: The Jade Slip needs all three pieces to be located.

Han Yue looked at Xiao Bing's focused profile and suddenly asked: "You're leaving, aren't you?"

Xiao Bing looked up, moonlight spilling onto them through the window lattice. The connection of the contract made it impossible for him to lie: "There are things I need in Central Plains."

"I know." Han Yue forced a smile. "Father hopes I'll stay in the Family to reorganize affairs, but..." She took a deep breath, "In three months, I'll go to Central Plains to find you."

Just as Xiao Bing was about to say something, the System suddenly issued an alert:

Detected Soul Hall tracking mark activated!

Location exposed! Recommended immediate evacuation!

Almost simultaneously, a black chain tore through the air, heading straight for Xiao Bing's throat! Han Yue reacted extremely quickly, a Moon Essence barrier instantly forming, but the chain strangely curved, wrapping around the wooden box containing the Jade Slip.

"Soul Hall's lackey!" Xiao Bing roared, sending an Ice Lightning Tribulation towards the roof. Amidst the scattering tiles, a black shadow, clutching the wooden box, shot into the sky.

"Hahaha... Thank you, young friend, for the treasure!" The black shadow laughed eerily and disappeared into the night sky.

Han Yue wanted to chase, but Xiao Bing stopped her: "It's a Dou Sect expert; we can't catch up." His face was grim. "But he left a tracking mark on the wooden box; now it helps us pinpoint his location instead."

Three days later, outside Han City.

"This is as far as you need to come," Xiao Bing said to Han Yue and Hu Jia, who had come to see him off.

Hu Jia patted his shoulder heartily: "Don't disgrace our Canaan Academy when you get to Central Plains!"

Han Yue silently handed him a Storage Ring: "There are some Medicinal Pills and maps inside." She hesitated for a moment, then took out a silver necklace, "This is the Moon Essence Pendant; it can... it can let me find you."

Xiao Bing solemnly accepted it. As their fingertips touched, the contract resonated again. He whispered: "See you in Central Plains."

As he turned to leave, the System's prompt sounded:

Side Quest: Resolve Han Feng's Crisis (Completed)

Reward: Space Talisman × 3 (Can instantly move a hundred li)

One month later, at the border of the Jia Ma Empire.

Xiao Bing stood on the mountaintop, gazing into the distance. According to the System's plan, he needed to first meet up with Xiao Yan, and then travel to Central Plains together.

As he was pondering, sounds of fighting suddenly came from afar. Xiao Bing concealed his aura and approached, finding a group of black-clad individuals besieging a white-clad Young Miss. When he clearly saw the Young Miss's face, his pupils contracted—Little Fairy Doctor!

At this moment, she was in a bad state, her body's poisonous mist thin, and a hideous wound on her left shoulder. Among the attackers were even two Dou King experts.

"The E Nan Poison Body truly lives up to its reputation," the leading black-clad man sneered. "Obediently come back to the Soul Hall with us, and suffer less!"

Little Fairy Doctor gritted her teeth and remained silent, her eyes filled with determination. Just as the black-clad man was about to deliver a killing blow, a blue-black lightning bolt struck down, instantly blasting three Dou Spirits into ice slag!

"Who's there?!" the black-clad Dou King roared.

His answer was a cold voice:

"Ice Lightning Tribulation · Heavenly Punishment!"

Xiao Bing attacked with full force, the two Spiritual Thunder intertwining into a destructive net. The Dou King hastily met the attack, but the extreme cold Qi contained in the lightning invaded his Meridians, instantly slowing his movements.

"It's you!" Little Fairy Doctor recognized Xiao Bing, and a hint of surprise flashed in her grayish-purple beautiful eyes.

Xiao Bing didn't waste words. He wrapped an arm around her slender waist and crushed a Space Talisman. The three instantly disappeared, leaving only the enraged Soul Hall experts.

In a cave a hundred li away, Xiao Bing was treating Little Fairy Doctor's wounds. She thanked him softly, then asked confusedly: "How are you here?"

"I was about to ask you," Xiao Bing frowned. "How did the Soul Hall target you?"

Little Fairy Doctor smiled bitterly: "The secret of the E Nan Poison Body has been exposed." She hesitated for a moment, "Actually... I was looking for you."

"Looking for me?"

"I heard you can cure all poisons," Little Fairy Doctor's eyes lit up with hope. "I thought... maybe you could control my E Nan Poison Body."

Xiao Bing was silent. The System was analyzing the data of the E Nan Poison Body, and after a moment, it gave a reply:

Solution Feasible: Construct a Seal with the power of Spiritual Thunder

Success Rate: 67%

Cost: 10% of Mist Lightning of Extreme Cold Origin

The cost was not small, but Xiao Bing didn't hesitate: "I'll try."

Three days and three nights without sleep, Xiao Bing finally constructed an intricate lightning Seal within Little Fairy Doctor's body. When the last rune was completed, the grayish-purple patterns on the Young Miss's body gradually faded, turning into ordinary fair skin.

"Suc-successful?" Little Fairy Doctor looked at her hands in disbelief. The excruciating pain that constantly gnawed at her internal organs disappeared for the first time.

Xiao Bing leaned weakly against the stone wall, his face as pale as paper. The loss of the Mist Lightning of Extreme Cold Origin temporarily caused his strength to drop back to Dou Spirit three-star.

"Thank you." Little Fairy Doctor suddenly threw herself into his arms, her tears soaking his clothes. "I thought I would never..."

Xiao Bing gently patted her back, but at that moment, he sensed something and suddenly looked up at the cave entrance.

A familiar figure carrying a Heavy Xuan Ruler stood there, with a mischievous smile on his face:

"It seems I came at the wrong time?"

"Flame Brother!" Xiao Bing exclaimed in surprise.

Xiao Yan walked into the cave and looked at Little Fairy Doctor: "This is?"

"Friend," Xiao Bing briefly introduced. "She's being pursued by the Soul Hall; I just helped her resolve her Physique problem."

Xiao Yan nodded, not asking further. Brothers reunited, they had endless things to say. That night, by the bonfire, Xiao Yan recounted his experiences of the past three years, including the upcoming decisive battle with the Yun Lan Sect.

"Do you need my help?" Xiao Bing asked.

Xiao Yan shook his head: "This is my battle." He looked towards Central Plains, "But afterwards... we can go to Central Plains together. Yao Lao was captured by the Soul Hall; I must save him."

Xiao Bing clenched his fist: "Together."

Main Quest Updated: Go to Central Plains to find Heavenly Frost Thunder

New Side Quest: Assist Xiao Yan in rescuing Yao Lao

The bonfire gradually extinguished, and the three rested in the cave. Xiao Bing looked at the starry sky outside the cave, his thoughts drifting. Han Yue, Little Fairy Doctor, Xiao Yan... In this life, he was no longer a solitary cultivator.

Central Plains would be a new starting point.