Over the next few days, the atmosphere across the Meng family domain grew increasingly tense. Whenever anyone saw Meng Jiangchu, his brow was furrowed, as if weighed down by endless worry.

Yet Meng Wanshu’s mother, Li Guilan, visited Li Guanqi every single day. Each time she saw him lying there in such a wretched state, her eyes would redden, and she would wipe away tears. After dabbing them, she would take a carefully prepared medicinal liquid from her storage ring and pour it into the pool.

Her daughter had been in seclusion for a very long time, with no word of her life or death. Now, seeing her son-in-law like this, it was as though both her children were suffering. “That useless Old Meng... he can’t even protect either of them! Damn it all!”

Muttering angrily, she put away the medicine and stormed off toward Meng Jiangchu’s study, flying through the air in a huff.

At the bottom of the pool, Peng Luo watched the departing figure in shock. He then turned to Li Guanqi, his expression growing serious as he sensed the severity of his injuries. Even with Peng Luo’s power, there was little he could do to help.

Floating behind him, Peng Luo could see that although Li Guanqi’s external wounds had mostly healed, every inch of flesh and blood inside him had been tainted by demonic qi.

That final sword strike from the Mei-tier assassin, the one that pierced his abdomen, had nearly killed Li Guanqi. His skin now looked noticeably darker as well.

Furthermore, Peng Luo could tell Li Guanqi’s blood essence was severely depleted. He needed blood.

Peng Luo rubbed his chin and muttered, “Seems like we’re not far from Falling Sunset Territory... My ‘son’ has been breaking through lately. Should I go check on him? Since he’s a ginseng spirit, cutting off a piece to nourish Master’s blood wouldn’t hurt.”

With that, Peng Luo tore open the void and disappeared.

Far away in Falling Sunset Territory, a violet ginseng buried in spirit soil shivered but felt an inexplicable sense of anticipation. Even the ginseng spirit itself didn’t know where the feeling came from.

Peng Luo’s own thoughts were rather complicated. He had become a father, though he couldn’t blame Li Guanqi for that. After all, Li Guanqi didn’t know the full story.

Not long after Peng Luo left, the once-calm surface of the medicinal pool rippled. Waves spread outward, and the water rotated slowly. Centered on Li Guanqi, the pool swirled gently as spirit mist rose, and a dense yet gentle medicinal power seeped into him.

His brows twitched. His eyelids trembled. His consciousness gradually returned. When he woke, it felt as though every bone in his body had been broken.

Pain surged from every corner of his body, as if countless invisible hands were twisting his insides.

His flesh ached, his mind was muddled, and everything felt hazy. Stimulated by the medicinal energy, his cultivation technique began to circulate slowly. A full incense stick’s worth of time passed before it completed a single cycle.

When that cycle was finally completed, his parched primordial soul received a trace of nourishment, like rain after a long drought.

The technique continued on its own, cautiously. His meridians felt as though they were packed with black tumors, and every movement was excruciating. Cold sweat beaded on Li Guanqi’s forehead.

A concerned voice spoke beside him. “Take it slow. Don’t rush. With injuries like yours... you need time to recover.”

Meng Jiangchu stood by the pool, his back turned, dark circles lingering beneath his eyes.

He added under his breath, “That tigress really didn’t hold back...”

If he hadn’t withdrawn his protective vital force in time, Li Guilan might have been the one injured.

As he sighed, he noticed Li Guanqi’s circulation was stabilizing. He relaxed slightly. Even he felt a lingering fear recalling what Li Guanqi had endured.

The Sha organization had infiltrated much deeper than anticipated. They had used Tu Yongsi’s connections to ambush Li Guanqi. However, the more Meng Jiangchu considered it, the more something felt wrong. If three half-step Combined Body Realm experts had attacked with full force from the start, even Li Guanqi might not have survived. Yet they had been careless, allowing him to seize an opportunity.

Meng Jiangchu’s eyes narrowed. “Could it be that they wanted to capture him alive? If so... does that mean they already know about his connection to that person?”

The more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. “They’re plotting something big...”

After a brief look at Li Guanqi, he vanished.

The medicinal pool gradually cleared at a visible rate. Another full day and night passed. When Li Guilan returned to add more medicine, the once dark-green water had become as clear as a spring.

At that moment, faint arcs of lightning appeared across Li Guanqi’s body, forming a silk-like robe of purple vital force.

His face was still pale, but he slowly opened his eyes and looked at the woman by the pool, somewhat embarrassed. “Auntie... no need to add more.”

Li Guilan’s eyes lit up. Tears welled up again.

“You’re awake. That’s good. As long as you’re alright, that’s all that matters. Wait here, I’ll make you some chicken soup!”

Without giving him a chance to refuse, she flew off immediately.

Her voice echoed through the air, “Old Li! Go catch me two Ancient Phoenix Chickens from the mountains. I’m making soup for my son-in-law!”

The old man, busy with his tasks, twitched at the corner of his mouth. There were only six of those chickens in the entire Meng family. They were rare tier-five demonic beasts. But he didn’t dare disobey and hurried off to catch them.

Meng Jiangchu reappeared beside the pool, placing a hand on Li Guanqi’s wrist. “How do you feel?”

As a late-stage Illusory Refinement cultivator, Li Guanqi understood his condition better than anyone.

He gave a bitter smile. “A slim chance of survival. My meridians and flesh are a complete mess. If Peng Luo hadn’t helped replenish my energy at the end, and if not for the sword you gave me, Father-in-law... I probably...”

Smack!

Meng Jiangchu slapped the back of his head. “Enough of that nonsense. Come on. Let’s talk in the study.”

During the study, the two engaged in a lengthy conversation, sharing their thoughts on the situation.

At some point, Li Guanqi sighed and said, “He ran off to the Falling Sunset Territory again... forget it.”

Then he looked at Meng Jiangchu and rubbed his hands together. “Father-in-law... I need a favor.”

Meng Jiangchu’s heart immediately skipped a beat. “What is it?”

Li Guanqi grinned sheepishly. “Can you help set up a transport array between the Daxia Sword Sect and the Six Gates Holy Sect?”