Chapter 245 Wilting Meridians (1/2)

Xiao Chen's eye narrowed at the glimpse of the herb-shaped emblem on his cape. This man was also a healer; one who had found out from the start that he was the one who brewed the Evolution of Tao Pill.

”I'm afraid I'm sorry, my friend. I do not mean to be indelicate, but trust me when I'm telling you that even if you have my recipe, it is still very hard for you to successfully produce another one.”

And that was the truth; the recipes in the Elixir King Scripture required healers with great and impeccable skill to use. Xiao Chen would never have been able to put any of the recipes to use if not for his Divine Sense. Even if he could, the product would only be shoddy and worthless. Moreover, the Elixir King Scripture contained various notes left to him by Gui Xian to help him. Divulging the contents of the tome and the recipes within would be tantamount as a betrayal to Gui Xian's trust.

The man sighed grimly, ”So, it is indeed a recipe from that tome, huh...”

Xiao Chen felt himself shuddering. This man had guessed correctly that the recipe had originated from the Elixir King Scripture! ”I might not be able to offer you the recipe for the elixir. But I have some other pills that you might be interested in. I'm willing to offer all of them as a token of thanks for the pendant.” From within his pocket, Xiao Chen extracted a small jade flask and handed it to the man.

”I see...”

The man murmured as he received the flask. ”Very well then. Thank you very much. I'll be taking my leave then.” The man muttered and walked towards the door.

Standing demurely beside, Chu Meng smiled thinly as another newcomer came rushing in. It was a man Xiao Chen recognized as Yang Tianfeng, the one who had contested a bid against Chu Xuan for the Reborning Pill.

”Master Yang, how can I help you?” Xiao Chen asked, having guessed the purpose of his visit.

”Please, there's no need to stand on ceremony.” Yang Tianfeng returned with a smile. ”My name's Yang Tianfeng, I'm...” He hesitated. Although he needed the Reborning Pill, he could not help feeling embarrassed to beg a man who is as young as his son.

Xiao Chen smiled sardonically, before he took over, saying, ”I've heard about the condition of your son, Master Yang. What a pity that his powers are deteriorating. But this is a strange matter, would you be able to tell me more about him?”

”B-but...”

Looking troubled, it took him great difficulty to summon enough courage to speak. ”My son, Shaoyu was merely a boy born with ordinary talents when he was young. He was born with only three Spiritual Meridians. But he went on a 3-year pilgrimage when he was 15 and came back, possessing the powers of the Core Forming Realm! Nobody believed that he could reach such heights, but he did. For the next few years, his progress never stopped. He advanced so close to the Nascent Soul Realm, and it was only then I discovered that he has not three, but nine Spiritual Meridians!”

Yang Tianfeng's hands trembled as he continued on his tale. The tremor indicated his pride as a father and his elation and wonder at the revelation that had never waned, even until today.

Xiao Chen slowly got up, his eyes dazed with equal disbelief. Spiritual Meridians were gifts, they were not skills that could be developed, although one could induce the growth of another Meridian by consuming Nine-flowered Shrub of Jaded Leaves. Unless, Yang Shaoyu was the same as him, where his Spiritual Meridians were forcibly sealed using a very strong enchantment when he was young. But that was highly unlikely.

”Pray continue.”

”Shaoyu then dismissed the matter, saying that we had miscounted his Spiritual Meridians. Still, we had believed that it was a blessing then and no one suspected anything wrong, until three years ago, when everything took a downturn. Shaoyu's Spiritual Meridians began to wither like a plant dying from being poisoned...”

Xiao Chen began to feel confused. It was most strange: unlike Earth Spiritual Meridians which might wither, there had never been any precedence where a human's Spiritual Meridian would wilt.

Xiao Chen began pondering, his head nodding as he thought. ”But I'm afraid I have to be preparing for the Immortal's Sword Assembly which would be held in just a few months. Moreover, I am tied down by my affairs here, otherwise, I would have liked to visit your son and have a look at his condition.” He faced Chu Meng. ”Lady Chu Meng. Please present the Reborning Pill to Master Yang. I'd like him to have it.”

”You have my deepest thanks, my friend!”

Xiao Chen's hand snuck into his robes and he fished out another flask. ”There are a few more elixirs of my own making.” He handed it to Yang Tianfeng and said, ”Your son might need them more than I do, for they can temporarily stop the Spiritual Meridian's wilting.”

”Thank you again, my friend,” Yang Tianfeng gasped with delight, ”I should compensate you with something...” The medicine and pills might be able to help delay the deterioration of his son's condition, but it was only right that he should offer payment for them all, lest he would dishonor his household.

But Xiao Chen held up a hand and grinned. ”Just take the medicine. Consider it a token of friendship from me.”

Yang Tianfeng could hardly believe his ears. The medicine that Xiao Chen gave him worth at least two-hundred thousand Spirit Stones yet Xiao Chen demanded absolutely nothing in return. He was lost for words at Xiao Chen's generosity. ”I will remember this, my friend. I, Yang Tianfeng, will never forget about the kindness you've shown me on this day. But I have yet to know about your name, I'm afraid.”

Xiao Chen cracked a thin smile. ”My name is Xiao Chen.”