The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 155: Cha Eun Xiao Will Die!

Cha Eun Xiao Will Die! . . .

Song Jue swiftly responded, "I am Song. Master Sun, please, speak your mind."

Master Sun fell silent for a moment before he spoke, his voice filled with urgency, "We will certainly do all within our power to save him. However, even with our best efforts, we can only extend Lord Ye's life by ten days. Maintaining his life during this period will exact a substantial toll, and there are certain decisions we are reluctant to make, to be honest."

Song Jue inquired, "What do you mean, Master Sun?"

Master Sun withdrew his hand and closed his eyes as he deliberated. "The issue at hand is... Doctor Huang, could you kindly make your way to the Royal Palace and inquire whether His Highness might consider providing us with the Supreme Dan Bead? I am aware that the king has instructed me not to request the use of any item from the royal inventory, but the Supreme Dan Bead is of utmost importance. I fear I must seek His Highness's approval."

Doctor Huang was taken aback.

The Supreme Dan Bead!

[This enigmatic and highly prized medical material can only grant Lord Ye an additional ten days!

How could the king possibly consent to such a request?

It should be reserved for the king during the most critical moments for the kingdom!]

Master Sun reopened his eyes and declared, "Hasten!"

Doctor Huang appeared somewhat disgruntled as he responded, "Very well. I shall depart immediately."

"Should the king grant his consent, request that he dispatch a contingent of elite palace cultivators to deliver the Supreme Dan Bead. We must ensure the bead's safety during transit," Master Sun added calmly. "Remember, you have only three hours. Within this time, I will employ the pure spiritual qi I have cultivated over a lifetime to sustain Lord Ye's life. If the Dan Bead does not arrive in time, it will be too late. Even the Supreme Dan Bead cannot save him beyond three hours."

Doctor Huang affirmed his understanding and promptly departed.

Meanwhile, Song Jue urgently shouted, "Prepare a horse! A swiftness steed, immediately!"

Doctor Huang wasted no time and galloped away, perplexed by the apparent certainty with which Master Sun anticipated the king's compliance. After all, the Supreme Dan Bead was of immense value, and it was a request for the life of a general's son.

...

Within the House of Cha, the ethereal blue aura resurfaced as Master Sun executed his martial techniques to stabilize Cha-Eun Xiao's condition.

"Doctor Li," Master Sun instructed, "while I am expelling qi, please perform the 13 Soul Healing Needles technique on Lord Cha."

"Of course," Doctor Li replied.

Their expressions remained solemn and taut as they devoted their every effort to preserving Cha-Eun Xiao's life for the next three hours.

As trusted confidants of the king, they understood that Cha-Eun Xiao's life held profound implications for the kingdom's future.

If they succeeded in saving him, they would safeguard the kingdom.

But if Cha-Eun Xiao were to perish, the northern reaches of the kingdom would immediately fall into grave jeopardy, with the grassland wolves' feet encroaching upon the Kingdom of Chen.

Meanwhile, Doctor Huang raced on horseback, heading straight for the Royal Palace. He made his way to the Cheng-Tian Hall but was stopped by the palace guards, who informed him that the king was currently engaged in a crucial discussion with the officials and could not be disturbed.

Doctor Huang, his anxiety palpable, beseeched the guards to convey the message to the king with haste. Eunuch Wang was swiftly dispatched to attend to the matter.

"Gong-Gong," Doctor Huang began, feeling a sense of absurdity in requesting the Supreme Dan Bead for Cha-Eun Xiao. After all, Cha-Eun Xiao was merely the son of a general, and even in the event of Cha Nan-Tian's injury, the king might not consent to releasing the Supreme Dan Bead. However, he had no choice but to comply with Master Sun's request, given Master Sun's influential standing within the Royal Palace.

Eunuch Wang swiftly returned to the hall and, without hesitation, emerged once more, proclaiming, "I will accompany you to the House of Cha."

Doctor Huang regarded Eunuch Wang with a puzzled expression, prompting Wang to furrow his brows and provide further context. "I currently possess the Supreme Dan Bead. Let's go."

Doctor Huang stood there in astonishment.

[What is happening?

Is it truly this straightforward?

Cha-Eun Xiao is injured and requires the Supreme Dan Bead. I understand that much. However, why would the king so readily relinquish our precious Supreme Dan Bead?

What could this signify?

Even the Crown Prince has never been accorded such favor, I dare say!]

Doctor Huang couldn't help but wonder, [Could Cha-Eun Xiao be the king's secret son? Could he have supplanted the Crown Prince in the king's affections?]

Observing Doctor Huang's dazed state, Eunuch Wang grew impatient and let out a heavy cough.

Doctor Huang finally regained his composure upon hearing the cough and the two of them hurriedly made their way to the House of Cha.

By the time they arrived, two hours had elapsed.

Master Sun wasted no time in placing the dan bead into Cha-Eun Xiao's mouth. The 13 Soul Healing Needles remained embedded in Cha-Eun Xiao's body as Master Sun unleashed his full power to hasten the dan bead's effects.

After a prolonged period, there was finally a subtle transformation in Cha-Eun Xiao's seemingly lifeless form.

Cha-Eun Xiao's breathing grew deeper and more robust, causing his chest to rise and fall with each breath.

However, that was the extent of the change.

Doctor Huang found himself even more perplexed.

[We have utilized such a precious Supreme Dan Bead on him. It would be worthwhile if it can save his life, but if it merely extends his breathing for a few additional hours, wouldn't that constitute an extravagant waste of this invaluable dan bead?

This is more than mere extravagance.]

"We have done all that is within our power," Master Sun remarked, striking Cha-Eun Xiao and channeling a stream of purple qi into his head. He appeared fatigued, his brow damp with perspiration, as he spoke to Song Jue. "This will keep him alive at least until General Cha returns... I truly have given it my all. I apologize."

Song Jue took a deep breath and expressed his gratitude. "Your efforts are greatly appreciated. Thank you, truly."

Eunuch Wang, with his sharp gaze, directed his question at Song Jue. "Do you think... the individual who employed the Melting Bone Palm has the means to cure it?"

Song Jue's voice dripped with contempt as he responded, "It must have been those frivolous scoundrels! We shall exact vengeance!"

Eunuch Wang fell silent for a moment before remarking, "Our primary concern should be saving Lord Cha. Perhaps you should contemplate other matters later."

Song Jue emitted a derisive snort but offered no further comment.

Wang continued, "The Melting Bone Palm injury does seem rather peculiar... The person responsible for it cannot be particularly skilled, as they were unable to delay its onset. Nevertheless, upon closer examination, it appears as though Lord Cha has been afflicted for several days. This perplexes me."

Song Jue's tone turned icy as he replied, "Once our esteemed general returns, he will undoubtedly provide answers!"

Wang sighed, his experience as a superior cultivator affording him knowledge of the Melting Bone Palm. He had spoken in the hope of changing their grim circumstances. He was aware that if it weren't for the involvement of those influential officials, individuals highly regarded by the king, their current predicament might not be so dire.

After their departure, Eunuch Wang and Master Sun engaged in a lengthy discussion.

"This is undeniably a severe injury."

"Yes, indeed."

"Cha-Eun Xiao consumed the Supreme Dan Bead, yet his fate remains uncertain."

"True."

"But was this injury truly inflicted today?"

"I can't say for sure; it's difficult to determine."

"If not today, who could have harmed him?"

"Heh heh."

"If it did happen today, which of those households could be responsible?"

"Heh heh."

And then they fell silent.

"The Crown Prince exhibited unusual behavior today. It was uncharacteristic of him," Eunuch Wang remarked.

"Is that so?"

"It's one thing to accuse Lord Jiang when he was already in a weakened state, but what he did went too far."

"And what are you implying?"

"I don't have a definitive theory."

"I understand. If there's something suspicious about someone you shouldn't suspect, it's best to disregard it."

"Exactly."

"What about those households?"

"They're in serious trouble!"

"So be it then!"

...

In the House of Cha, Cha-Eun Xiao lay motionless on the bed, resembling a lifeless body. Only a faint wisp of qi sustained him, and even his soul seemed to have vanished.

In reality, he found himself within the boundless Space.

He was currently situated within the Sky Space, seated next to the Cosmic Hades. With great effort, Cha-Eun Xiao absorbed the frigid qi emanating from the Cosmic Hades. The surge of frigid qi wasn't due to an overflow or the spiritual jade; rather, it was linked to an egg!

It was undoubtedly the egg that was responsible!

Ever since the egg had displayed remarkable strength the other day, subduing Gu Jin-Long and absorbing his soul, it had entered an unusual state.

Cha-Eun Xiao surmised that the egg was now fully sated because it had never feasted on anything as potent as Gu Jin-Long's formidable soul. It was akin to a snake swallowing an elephant, which explained the intermittent surges of energy emanating from the egg. These energies somehow activated the Cosmic Hades, causing it to release frigid qi.

This had been ongoing for half a day now.

Cha-Eun Xiao had no choice but to concentrate fully on the task. His primary objectives were to maintain balance within the Spaces and capitalize on the precious frigid qi. The frigid qi purified his spiritual qi and enhanced his frigid power.

If he disregarded the need for Space equilibrium, he would gladly toss several pieces of spiritual jade into the Cosmic Hades...

As the frigid qi continued to accumulate, Cha-Eun Xiao noticed a change within his body. It appeared as though he was nearing the stage where the East-rising Purple Qi could advance to the second level. In his dantian, the energy of the East-rising Purple Qi had congealed into a purple mist, now occupying the center of his dantian.

If one were to liken the dantian to a house, the purple mist at its center would now be the size of an egg.

Though small, it was undeniably present. Cha-Eun Xiao sensed that by filling his dantian with the purple qi generated from the converted frigid qi, he could smoothly elevate the East-rising Purple Qi to the second level.