: Treating Petrification Dao Injury

Author: Gu Zhenren

Date: 2024-11-26

Zhang Zhongyi shooed away all the onlookers. Soon, only he, Ning Zhuo, and Sun Lingtong remained in the tent.

He began selecting herbs. Surrounding the circular tent were cabinets covering more than half the perimeter. These cabinets were treasure-grade, possessing the powerful ability to store specific herbs. Zhang Zhongyi was extremely familiar with them; he quickly picked the herbs he needed from hundreds of drawers.

They were: Raw Earth Vine, Stone-breaking Grass, Fire Spirit Flower, Thousand-year Bitterwood Root, and Dragon Scale Vine.

The Raw Earth Vine was yellowish-brown, buried deep in the earth, mild in nature, capable of softening rock layers and turning them into soil. Stone-breaking Grass often grew alongside the Raw Earth Vine; as the name suggests, its leaves were sharp like blades, able to split rocks. The Fire Spirit Flower absorbed fire element spiritual energy; after blooming, it would self-immolate, its ashes falling to the ground to become nutrients for the next year's growth and blooming. The Thousand-year Bitterwood Root was extremely cold in nature but contained a resilient vitality deep within, a classic remedy against petrification. The Dragon Scale Vine's surface resembled layered dragon scales, densely covering the entire vine. It had a strong breathing capacity, commonly found in ancient stone mines, capable of purifying the air.

Each herb required a different processing method. Zhang Zhongyi soaked the Raw Earth Vine, Stone-breaking Grass, and Fire Spirit Flower in water, chopped the Thousand-year Bitterwood Root, and ground it into fragments with a mortar. As for the Dragon Scale Vine, he formed hand seals, used fire refinement to burn away the vine core, collected the fallen scales, and gathered them all.

Finally, Zhang Zhongyi precisely weighed these herbs, alternately soaking and mixing them. He paused occasionally, using spells to check; if he found some quantities insufficient, he would add more of the corresponding herbs. In the end, he activated the Hundred Herbs Harmony Skill, infused specific magical power, and produced a basin of medicinal liquid.

The liquid was thick, yellowish-brown, with specks of green light floating on the surface. Though it looked unappealing, it was hot, emitting steam and a strong, peculiar earthy fragrance.

Once successfully made, Zhang Zhongyi immediately called Sun Lingtong forward. As Sun Lingtong approached, Zhang used his spiritual sense to evenly apply the liquid to Sun's petrified arm.

The potent medicine quickly spread and penetrated, softening the petrified outer layer, causing the stone skin to wrinkle and crack. Zhang Zhongyi took out a bag of silver needles. He selected a long, thin one, holding it but not moving for a long time. Only when he observed the stone skin had softened sufficiently did he insert the needle into Sun Lingtong's arm.

His hand speed appeared slow but was actually fast and steady. Within a dozen breaths, he had inserted over a hundred silver needles into Sun's petrified arm.

Zhang Zhongyi formed hand seals, channeling his magic power. The needle ends trembled slightly, condensing faint silver light. These silver lights drew out threads, continuously rising into the air, drifting towards Ning Zhuo.

Zhang instructed, "Young friend Ning Zhuo, just expose your wrists." Ning Zhuo did so. The silver threads, light as nothing, wrapped around his wrists.

Zhang continued, "Young friend Ning Zhuo, in a moment, I will withdraw my magic power. You must immediately take over, channeling your power along the silver threads to the needles, then use the needles to continuously sense the Dao and principles within the petrified arm."

"I am not an Earth element master; this step relies solely on you. Whether you can comprehend the principles within is most crucial."

Ning Zhuo, with a serious expression, took a deep breath and gradually channeled his magic power. Once it reached the silver needles, he immediately felt a vague sensation. He closed his eyes, his consciousness sinking deep into the earth as if in that moment.

"I feel it!" Almost instantly, he grasped the Earth element principles within. They involved concepts of consolidation, restraint, mingled with nourishment, storage, and more.

Zhang Zhongyi silently calculated the time, his eyes showing worry. He saw the medicinal liquid on Sun Lingtong's arm gradually hardening, even a layer of gray stone skin forming at the base of the silver needles.

Zhang's heart sank slightly: "Where did this child suffer this Dao injury? The injury runs deeper than it appears on the surface. Hurry!" He grew anxious, looking at Ning Zhuo. "The injury is worse than expected; you only have half an incense stick's worth of time." He didn't dare disturb Ning Zhuo, only shouting inwardly.

But the next moment, Ning Zhuo suddenly opened his eyes: "Lord Zhang, I've comprehended the principles. What's the next step?"

Zhang Zhongyi: ?! Wait, that was too fast!

He couldn't believe it: "Young friend Ning Zhuo, this cannot be taken lightly. Know that if you miss this chance, next time we'll have to change the herb formula, pay a greater price, and the comprehension time will be even shorter."

Ning Zhuo nodded, smiling: "Senior Zhang, how could I joke about my friend's life? I have indeed comprehended all the principles."

Zhang Zhongyi was half-convinced, half-doubtful.

Sun Lingtong giggled: "I believe Ning Zhuo. Senior Zhang, let's proceed to the next step quickly." He knew much inside information about Ning Zhuo's Five Elements realm, which was far beyond master level. So, it made sense that Ning Zhuo could penetrate the principles so quickly.

"Alright." Seeing both were confident, Zhang chose to believe them for now.

Zhang Zhongyi began packing up the silver needles and herbs. Sun Lingtong sat cross-legged nearby, calming his mind and adjusting his state. Ning Zhuo closed his eyes, brewing ideas in his heart, continuously构思 counter-spells. With his high realm,构思 these spells was as easy as lifting a hand.

Soon, he opened his eyes and said to Zhang Zhongyi, "I've thought of one."

Zhang, still packing herbs, smiled: "Young friend Ning Zhuo is quite talented to构思 one so quickly. But I am not an Earth element master; next, I need to构思辅助治疗 methods based on the spells. So, naturally, the more spells构思ed, the better I can understand the situation, and the more reasonable the辅助 method will be."

Ning Zhuo was slightly taken aback. His first thought was to hold back, but after a glance at Sun Lingtong, he decided to be honest: "Lord Zhang, are three spells enough?"

Zhang Zhongyi smiled: "Three spells are sufficient. Actually, two would barely suffice."

Ning Zhuo laughed: "Then it's settled; I've already thought of three."

Zhang: "Huh?"

Ning Zhuo then took out blank jade slips and recorded the three spells in them.

After reading the slips, Zhang couldn't help but look up at Ning Zhuo, inwardly surprised: "These three techniques really seem plausible. But what's with this kid Ning Zhuo? If these spells work, his Earth element realm seems quite extraordinary!"

He studied them carefully and found the three spells addressed petrification from three angles, cleverly构思ed, making one want to applaud.

The first spell used heart blood as the source, repairing from bones, meridians, to flesh and skin in sequence. The second spell used petrification against petrification, making it more severe until it exceeded the limit and crumbled on its own, turning stone to sand. The third spell channeled magic power through Sun Lingtong's petrified arm, influencing and疏通 it, maintaining balance, continuously removing the stone skin and healing itself. It was like constantly pouring clear water into muddy water while draining it, eventually achieving a cure.

Zhang Zhongyi pondered for a long time, conceived three辅助 methods, also recorded them with his spiritual sense on jade slips, and handed them to Ning Zhuo for review.

Ning Zhuo read the slips and was immediately engrossed.

The first辅助 therapy used Rotten Astragalus, Silver Dragon Gentian Grass, Mountain Chuanxiong, and Golden Ginseng as the main formula. Rotten Astragalus strengthened the body, Silver Dragon Gentian Grass cleared heat and toxins, Mountain Chuanxiong activated blood and resolved stasis, Golden Ginseng greatly replenished vitality—a combination of treatment and nourishment.

The second辅助 therapy used Gold-Silver Starlight Flower, Divine Eagle Wolfberry, Fire Bitter Orange Peel, and Night Angelica to create pills, to be taken internally and applied externally simultaneously.

The third therapy used acupuncture, mainly targeting the Elbow Crevice point to relieve petrification pressure and increase blood flow, secondarily the Shoulder Well point and Hundred Convergences point to relax muscles and regulate overall qi and blood.

These three辅助 therapies greatly satisfied Ning Zhuo, who praised, "As expected of the Royal Physician. They complement my three spells perfectly."

But Zhang Zhongyi shook his head, pointing out the drawbacks of each therapy.

The first required long-term medication, leading to drug accumulation, necessitating more time later to resolve residual effects. The second, though fastest-acting, varied in effect person to person and could cause muscle atrophy. The third, using acupuncture with qi channels, though moderate and steady, involved frequent needling with significant pressure; one mistake could lead to future meridian blockages.

Ning Zhuo fell silent upon hearing this. Worried for Sun Lingtong, he naturally wanted to spare no effort in treating his boss's injury. All three therapies had drawbacks and risks. For himself, Ning Zhuo wouldn't mind, but for Sun Lingtong, he wanted to minimize risks and drawbacks as much as possible.

Sun Lingtong knew Ning Zhuo well: "Xiao Zhuo, it's no big deal. Even with some leftover issues, it's better than my current sorry state. Hurry up and treat me; I've been really uncomfortable lately."

Zhang Zhongyi also said, "I've treated Dao injuries three times before. Young friend Ning Zhuo's designed spells are already excellent enough, astonishing. Based on my experience, improving to another level in a short time is almost impossible. Realm isn't something achieved overnight."

Ning Zhuo sighed inwardly: "But my Five Elements realm was shaped in an instant, wasn't it? Fine." He admitted that he had indeed exerted his full effort and wracked his brains in designing the spells earlier; he couldn't come up with better ones短时间内.

Next, Ning Zhuo and Zhang Zhongyi discussed which treatment plan to adopt. Given Sun Lingtong's impatience, he naturally chose the second. Ning Zhuo outright refused him. Though the second worked fast, its side effects were severe.

Zhang Zhongyi frankly admitted: he had a unique advantage in herb preparation due to his cultivation of the Hundred Herbs Harmony Skill, but couldn't guarantee consistent skill in acupuncture throughout the treatment due to his age and likely errors.

Finally, Ning Zhuo and Zhang Zhongyi settled on the first therapy.

But then they encountered difficulty. Ning Zhuo kept practicing the first spell but couldn't meet Zhang Zhongyi's standards for a long time.

Sun Lingtong giggled: "Xiao Zhuo, though your realm is high, you spend too little time practicing spells daily. Even if you can构思 exquisite spells, when it comes to executing them yourself, your eyes are higher than your hands; you can't achieve fine control."

Zhang Zhongyi sighed: "Young friend Ning Zhuo, a genius like you should be heavily protected, training hard within your family. Yet your Ning family lets you roam around; they're too careless."

Ning Zhuo humbly replied, then suddenly had an inspiration. "If I can't control it myself, I can rely on the Five Elements Qi Rhythm Art to precisely control the magic power portions. Then design two more spells, one Fire element, one Wood element, to constrain the Earth element spell's effects. Fire generates Earth, Wood restrains Earth. Through generation and restraint relationships, finely plan the Earth element spell."

Thinking this, Ning Zhuo waved his hand: "Wait, I have a good idea." What can I say? Having a high Five Elements realm means doing as you please!

The two newly designed spells, though neither could be precisely controlled, acted like rulers, limiting the Earth element spell's performance.

Witnessing Ning Zhuo构思 two全新 spells, Zhang Zhongyi was greatly shocked, exclaiming, "Are you also a Fire and Wood element master? Do you possess the talent of Scorched Earth Transformation or Triple Life of Wood, Fire, Earth?"

Ning Zhuo chose to conceal part of the truth: "I do have some talent, but it's never been measured."

Zhang Zhongyi took a deep breath, looked Ning Zhuo up and down, clicking his tongue in admiration.

Ning Zhuo used the three spells, Zhang Zhongyi prepared the herbs, and with both approaches, Sun Lingtong's left arm quickly restored. Sensation returned; Sun clenched his left hand, full of joy.

Suddenly, his heart shook, sensing something. As Ning Zhuo was about to cast the spell on his right arm, Sun Lingtong quickly jumped back, avoiding it. "Hold on, hold on," he shouted.

"Boss, any discomfort?" Ning Zhuo immediately tensed.

But Sun Lingtong giggled, raising his left hand, showing off: "Look, look, notice anything different?"

Ning Zhuo scanned it with his spiritual sense, his expression changing slightly: "Boss, your cultivation focuses on the Divine Sea, only兼顾 the other two dantians. But now, the strength of your left hand's flesh and bones far exceeds before,明显 different from other parts of your body. Why?"

Sun Lingtong winked at Ning Zhuo: "Xiao Zhuo, remember that technique you recently acquired by chance?" Ning Zhuo was slightly stunned, a book title flashing in his mind—"Heaven-Born, Earth-Nurtured Fetal Breathing Great Method"!

He grew even more curious.

Sun Lingtong switched to voice transmission, telling Ning Zhuo the details: "I had nothing to do inside the Mechanical Roaming Dragon, kept contemplating the 'Heaven-Born, Earth-Nurtured Fetal Breathing Great Method,' gradually gaining many insights. Suddenly thought one day maybe I could use this method to alleviate my injury. After all, enhancing the body could add resistance. So, I lay down in the Fetal Breathing Spiritual Boat, entering a fetal breathing state. Unexpectedly, after the stone skin was damaged, my left hand's physical attainment far surpassed other parts of my body. Don't you think I could use this illness to cultivate my body?"

"Boss, you..." Ning Zhuo was speechless. But he was used to it. Sun Lingtong always had many whimsical ideas.

Ning Zhuo carefully examined Sun Lingtong's left arm, briefly explaining the cultivation idea to Zhang Zhongyi.

Zhang stroked his beard, smiling: "There are many examples of using one's own illness for cultivation. For instance, Cave Master Blood Shadow of the Six Caves Sect suffered from blood poisoning since childhood. By cultivating demonic techniques, his cultivation soared rapidly. Or Young Master Sheng Xu, who was frail and sickly, with weak, even incomplete innate organs, formed weak qi cavities instead, attracting everything external. Some techniques, like the Indestructible Vajra Skill, require continuously beating oneself, creating injuries so the body constantly repairs itself, growing stronger. If it's truly as Young Sun says, then there's no need to rush the cure."

Sun Lingtong giggled: "See, misfortune turns to fortune. Xiao Zhuo, you should try it too; being petrified feels unique."

Ning Zhuo's heart stirred.

(End of )