337: Chapter 337 Successive Visits

For some reason, the news that Shen Xingchen's cultivation had completely vanished spread throughout Qiunan City.

Over at Snowfield Dragon City, that news was strictly forbidden from being leaked.

Shen Xingchen firmly believed this hadn't been leaked by anyone close to him, but the news was now circulating across all major online media outlets, known throughout the entirety of Qiunan and even Huaxia.

In the afternoon.

Senior Sister Bai Wanqing and two Senior Brothers rushed over to the small courtyard of the Shen Family villa.

The moment Bai Wanqing saw Shen Xingchen, she anxiously stepped forward, linked her arm through Shen Xingchen's, and checked his pulse with three fingers over and over again.

After a long while.

She haltingly stopped her movements in a daze: "Junior Brother, you…"

With the words at the tip of her tongue, Bai Wanqing suddenly didn't know what else to say.

She had always known that her Junior Brother was an extremely proud person. He was innately peerless in talent, having advanced to the Xiang Realm at the age of nineteen and breaking an unprecedented historical record.

How utterly despairing must it be for such a person to be reduced to a cripple?

As if recalling something, Bai Wanqing asked: "Junior Brother, do you still have any holy infant fruit left over for yourself? Have you tried it?"

Shen Xingchen sighed: "I ate two holy infant fruits, and my external injuries recovered, but something like a Qi Prefecture—once it dissipates, it dissipates completely. There's no chance left."

The fundamental reason Old Man Xue was able to recover his injuries with this was because it was his meridians that had been injured. Once the meridians were repaired, he could naturally mobilize his original strength... But he himself was different.

The moment Quling made his move, he intended to completely cripple him, which was why he had aimed straight for his Qi Prefecture.

Bai Wanqing asked again: "Then is there any way to recultivate? With your talent, within three years, you would definitely be able to recover to your past realm!"

Shen Xingchen shook his head: "I've tried, it won't work."

A flash of despair crossed Bai Wanqing's face.

"Although the Qi Prefecture usually refers to the lower Dantian in the lower abdomen, its essence belongs to a profound and esoteric energy gas. When the Qi dissipates, no matter what kind of restorative medicine is used, it cannot make up for that most primal innate Qi."

Right at this moment, an aged figure suddenly appeared at the doorway.

Xue Hezai!

Although Old Man Xue had been aged in the past, his vitality and spirit had been ample. Yet right now, he wore heavy dark circles under his eyes, and even his Xiang Realm aura couldn't suppress that dejection emanating from within.

A slight deduction made it clear that after learning his youngest disciple's cultivation had completely vanished, the old man had constantly been searching through reference materials and ancient texts to find a way to break the deadlock, resulting in extreme mental exhaustion from long periods without rest.

As if a shred of hope had been ignited within her, Bai Wanqing asked: "Is there truly no other way?"

Xue Hezai frowned and said: "When a child is born, their own innate Qi is born with them. If it is snatched away... perhaps it might be useful."

Shen Xingchen shook his head: "Teacher, I am unwilling."

Such a method was simply far too sinful. A child's body was already frail to begin with; if they lost their innate Qi, how could they grow up healthily?

If he were to truly act this way, what difference would there be between him and the scoundrels of the Crimson Church?

Besides, judging by Teacher's intent, it was merely a trial; it wasn't necessarily going to work.

Bai Wanqing's light brows knitted together, and she opened her mouth, but in the end, she only let out a slight sigh.

Du Xiaoyue and Li Zhixing sat off to the side, appearing unusually silent and vastly different from their usual selves.

Only Youyue's eyes flashed with a peculiar brilliance.

She somewhat failed to understand: how precious was a peerless figure like Shen Xingchen? If an ordinary child's life could be used in exchange for Shen Xingchen's recovery, why not make the trade?

How could an ordinary child compare in importance to Shen Xingchen!?

Finally.

Li Zhixing said: "Junior Brother, wait for me. I'll go check the family archives again; we'll definitely find a way."

The Senior Sister and Senior Brother Xiaopang nodded along.

"Little Shen, don't be anxious. Consider this period a vacation for yourself and properly accompany your family."

Xue Hezai patted Shen Xingchen on the shoulder, and the four teacher and students left together.

Just as Shen Xingchen wanted to return to his room to rest, sounds came from the doorway once more.

Those visiting this time were teachers from Wudao No. 3 High School in Qiunan, Principal Chen Lingjun, Teacher Li You, and Director Li Tianshuo of the Education Bureau.

The three of them also examined Shen Xingchen's condition, then shook their heads repeatedly.

"That demon king is truly vicious, attacking a martial artist's most core Qi Prefecture." Principal Chen Lingjun slammed his fist against the wall and said indignantly.

Teacher Li You said: "The demons fear Shen Xingchen's future, which is why they used such methods to suppress his growth."

What that phantom demon king said that day had been heard by many people in Qiunan City.

Since Shen Xingchen could advance to the Xiang Realm at this age, reaching the King Rank would be as easy as taking things from his pocket for him, and even the realm above the King Rank was something he could attempt.

Director Li Tianshuo said: "I will help you think of a way."

In fact, the higher-ups were currently also searching for ways to help Shen Xingchen reshape his Qi Prefecture, because Shen Xingchen was simply too important—he was tied to whether this dark era could be ended.

After understanding the general situation, the three of them didn't stay long and left one after another, full of worry.

Recently, there had been a great many people visiting Shen Xingchen, including his former friend Chen Feiyu, his former high school subject teachers, and so on.

But what was most surprising was that Yang Xi had come as well.

Upon seeing Shen Xingchen's desolation, Yang Xi offered a few words of comfort and encouraged Shen Xingchen that he would get better.

Then she sincerely apologized to Shen Xingchen, blaming herself for her past arrogance, especially her inability to see Shen Xingchen's sincerity and devotion.

She didn't seem to extravagantly hope for Shen Xingchen's forgiveness; after finishing what she wanted to say, she smiled and said "Bye-bye," then left.

In the night.

Shen Xingchen waited for the physician invited by Jiang Shuo.

In this world, some people specialized in forging, some specialized in alchemy, and naturally, some specialized in the Dao of medicine.

That old gentleman examined Shen Xingchen's meridians, prescribed some Qi-replenishing medicine, and in the end also shook his head, saying he couldn't save him.

After everyone had left.

Shen Xingchen lay on the rocking chair in the villa's small courtyard, bathing in the moonlight.

Youyue very consciously brought over a fruit platter for him, peeled an orange, and placed it on the stone table in front of Shen Xingchen.

Even though Shen Xingchen had lost all cultivation, that Slave Mark still existed, and she was still reduced to being a female servant for now.

Shen Xingchen let out a long sigh: "Youyue, accompany me for a walk outside."

Ever since that great battle came to a close, he hadn't gone out in a long time, and being cooped up like this all the time was suffocating.

Shen Xingchen walked through the streets and alleys, arriving on foot at the commercial street.

In the summer, peddlers were crying out their wares, heat waves from frying oil drifted from the stalls, and a few students walked past holding ice creams, discussing recent campus anecdotes—everything was so wonderful.

Unfortunately, there were always beasts who wanted to destroy all of this!

The youth walked silently ahead, with a figure in a red dress perpetually following behind him.

Youyue felt that although Shen Xingchen was relaxing, his thoughts were always far away, or rather, focused on that battlefield.