Yu Heng’s expression darkened slightly. He was about to say something, but was unexpectedly interrupted by Huo Ling.
“Junior Brother’s intentions are good, but they are brothers after all. Even if not biological, it would be improper for them to become Dao companions; I fear it would invite gossip.”
Huo Ling did not look elsewhere, speaking only to Immortal Sovereign Chongyi. Thus, he missed Yu Heng’s strange reaction. He then turned to look at Jiang Xuning and continued, “Moreover, Young Master Jiang seems quite unwilling himself.”
As he said this, his tone was mild, lacking any of the sharpness from previous days. Coupled with his handsome features, this softened expression lent his gaze an unconsciously different meaning.
Being looked at this way, Jiang Xuning was momentarily dazed not because of the gesture itself, but because he hadn’t expected Huo Ling to speak so reasonably.
He had long anticipated that Huo Ling would block this matter, but he hadn’t expected the man to be so thorough in his reasoning, appearing as if he were considering both of them. Yet, the more it was like this, the weirder it felt.
For no other reason than this: it was unquestionable that Huo Ling worried for A-Heng, but if that worry extended to him, things became strange.
Setting aside how Huo Ling had treated him before, the mere fact that A-Heng wanted to become Dao companions with him should have been enough to make Huo Ling hate him more. After all, in his past life, these two were the ones meant to be together. Even if A-Heng only wanted to save his life, someone like Huo Ling shouldn’t be this magnanimous.
Furthermore, Jiang Xuning couldn’t help but look up again, his heart growing more suspicious. The man before him was simply too calm.
One must know that even in these few short days, Jiang Xuning could truly feel that whenever A-Heng was involved, Huo Ling became exceptionally tense just a moment ago, for instance. Yet from the second A-Heng mentioned the Dao partnership, Huo Ling had remained uncharacteristically silent.
When the person who should be the most explosive is instead this calm, it feels wrong no matter how one thinks about it. Moreover, the fact that he claimed to have a way to cure the illness made Jiang Xuning suspicious, and even uneasy.
“What other way is there?”
Immortal Sovereign Chongyi’s interest was piqued by his disciple’s words. Seeing him stop, he couldn’t help but ask.
Only then did Huo Ling withdraw his gaze. He glanced at his Master and then spoke slowly, “The Guidance Technique.”
As soon as these words were uttered, the surroundings fell back into silence. Even Yu Heng couldn’t help but look at him twice. Ever since learning that Xuning Gege was unwilling to become Dao companions with him, he had been listless, lost in a daze. But now he was suddenly jolted awake, his face showing a trace of undeniable surprise.
Jiang Xuning was much the same. Hearing Huo Ling say those three words, he snapped his head up.
To speak of it, this was a secret. If Jiang Xuning hadn’t read that book, he likely wouldn’t know what the Guidance Technique was, as it was considered a forbidden technique in the cultivation world.
Years ago, Immortal Sovereign Chongyi was severely injured by a backlash from the boundary. A few years later, he brought back a toddler from somewhere unknown. Though the child was young, he had suffered extreme injuries and had only half a life left upon arrival; it looked like he wouldn’t survive. The Sovereign could not bear it and risked everything to use a forbidden technique, forcibly guiding that toddler into the Dao, which allowed him to barely survive.
That toddler was the current Huo Ling. It could be said he was blessed; not only did he survive that day, but he was discovered to have a single-attribute Lightning Spirit Root. Such an aptitude was unique even in the entire Changmeng world. One could call it a blessing in disguise.
But as for why people’s expressions changed at the mention of this spell, it went back to its nature. A forbidden technique is called “forbidden” because it is not as simple as ordinary spells. Everything has a cause and effect; to gain, one must pay. Back then, the Sovereign saved Huo Ling with this technique, and he himself paid a corresponding price. This was why his injuries had never healed over the years that one instance had completely damaged his “Spirit Void Abode.”
Naturally, the outside world didn’t know this; they just thought Huo Ling had great luck. But the Sovereign and his inner circle knew clearly. Mentioning this forbidden technique again now made the atmosphere heavy.
Huo Ling, however, didn’t care. As if intentionally ignoring gravity, he continued, “Since Master could use this technique to save me back then, I can use it to save him today. If I can guide Young Master Jiang into the Dao, perhaps he will be able to withstand the medicinal effects of the Vermillion Pearl Fruit and thus be saved.”
He spoke without the slightest hesitation. Even Jiang Xuning, seeing him act this way, found him impossible to read or understand.
Consequently, instead of joy at being saved, Jiang Xuning felt only astonishment in his heart, not understanding why the man would take such a huge risk to save him.
“Heh.”
The silent Immortal Sovereign was actually moved to a cold laugh by Huo Ling’s words. He looked the two of them over, wondering what they were thinking. After a pause, he finally spoke, “Are you two trying to take turns angering your Master today?”
Having said that, he fixed his gaze solely on Huo Ling, looking quite exasperated. “Wumian, you know full well the consequences of using that technique, yet you still want to use it. Do you seek death?”
These were not alarmist words. The reason the Sovereign could use the method back then was that even while injured, he was a Great Power of the Tribulation stage. Even so, he paid a steep price. Now Huo Ling claimed he wanted to use it, but with only his Golden Core stage cultivation, he would likely have only half a life left before he even finished guiding Jiang Xuning into the Dao.
“I am aware.”
Huo Ling lowered his head slightly, no longer looking at the person before him. He simply continued, “But my mind is made up. I beg the Master to grant this.”
“Senior Brother.”
Beside them, Yu Heng was finally moved. He glanced at Huo Ling, but didn’t know what to say.
Huo Ling merely smiled. He usually smiled very little, so it appeared a bit awkward, but one had to admit that at this moment, the smile was indeed quite handsome.
“Enough.”
Immortal Sovereign Chongyi couldn’t help but sigh, interrupting them. He then spoke again, “How can I stand by and watch you go to your death?”
“Master!”
Hearing this, Huo Ling thought the Sovereign was refusing to let him use the forbidden technique. He grew anxious and was about to speak again when the Sovereign continued:
“I will be the one to do it.”
As he spoke, he looked down again.
Huo Ling grew frantic. “Master, you cannot!” he said hurriedly. Back then, the Sovereign had paid an extreme price to save him; he couldn’t imagine it happening again.
The Sovereign, however, remained calm and unruffled. Seeing this, he simply said, “You are overthinking. This youth’s body is far from needing a forbidden technique like the Guidance Technique.”
“What does that mean?”
Yu Heng’s face lit up with joy upon hearing this, and he asked urgently, “Does Master mean my brother can be saved?!”
The Immortal Sovereign simply nodded and said, “Wumian’s suggestion gave me some ideas. Since he stayed alive by entering the Dao, perhaps your brother can too. However, your brother is not in a near-death state, so there is no need for that forbidden technique.”
“It’s just a pity about this spirit root…”
Having said that, the Sovereign couldn’t help but add: he had checked just now, and this youth’s spirit root was both messy and chaotic, a five-element spirit root. There was almost no possibility of entering the Dao. If they truly wanted to guide him in, it would likely take a great deal of effort.
“Thank you, Immortal Sovereign.”
Jiang Xuning knew this meant the Sovereign would treat him, which meant he would be saved. Waves of emotion surged in his heart, making his body tremble slightly. He cupped his hands in a polite bow and said, “The Sovereign’s great kindness… if there is a future day, I will surely…”
This truly was a great kindness. Having been reborn, perhaps no one wanted to live more than he did. He wanted to see flowers and scenery, walk the streets in spring; he wanted to stay by his parents’ side, and he wanted to personally see A-Heng’s future.
Before he could finish, the Immortal Sovereign suddenly raised a hand and looked at the youth with a meaningful expression, saying:
“You and I… share a fated bond.”