In a remote, dilapidated, and deserted hut.
Given that his disciple’s condition was far from ideal, Chu Xingchen wasn’t foolish enough to stay put. He tactically retreated with his disciple in tow—after all, the Heavenly Rosy Sect wasn’t going anywhere.
As for the Nascent Soul remnant? It had been utterly obliterated by that single slash.
Even if a Nascent Soul could flee, it would only work if both sides were evenly matched and too exhausted to pursue. But when you were already getting pummeled alive, did you really think your Nascent Soul could escape?
"Master… can she be saved?"
"How should I know? I’m an alchemist, not a physician."
Chu Xingchen’s expression was grave as he watched his disciple pull out a… tomboy? from his Qiankun Bag.
Her injuries were severe. Her collarbone had been pierced, and the crimson mess at her abdomen suggested she’d been impaled clean through before Li Xingtian forcibly stitched her back together with his cultivation techniques.
Her limbs hung limply, and a sweep of divine sense revealed bones shattered beyond recognition.
She barely looked human anymore.
If not for Li Xingtian’s desperate efforts to sustain her with his techniques, she would’ve died long ago.
Chu Xingchen glanced at his second disciple’s resigned expression and sighed, pulling out several vials of pills from his spatial ring before tossing them to Li Xingtian.
"Master’s personally refined pills. You’ve tested their effects recently—feed them to her first. If she can’t swallow, apply them externally. If even that doesn’t work…"
He didn’t finish, but Li Xingtian understood.
Taking the pills, Li Xingtian knew this might be the only way.
As for the… intense side effects?
Now wasn’t the time to worry about that.
Chu Xingchen watched as Li Xingtian began stuffing the pills into the girl’s mouth, then asked,
"What’s the story here?"
"I didn’t handle things well in the secret realm. Someone left a trap and saw me, then reported me to the Heavenly Rosy Sect. They thought I was a rogue cultivator and tried to force me to hand over what I’d obtained."
Li Xingtian paused before adding, "Sorry for troubling you, Master…"
Though the situation had escalated abruptly, Li Xingtian wasn’t completely cornered. Earlier, while seemingly getting beaten, he’d actually been gathering energy to tear open an escape route in the sword formation and use the teleportation talisman Chu Xingchen had given him.
After all, when it came to strategic retreats, Li Xingtian was no amateur.
Still, nothing beat having his master step in personally.
Besides, without Chu Xingchen’s intervention, Li Zi would’ve had a 99% chance of not making it.
Chu Xingchen nodded slightly. He knew his second disciple’s temperament well—though Li Xingtian had a "decisive in killing" trait, that didn’t mean he was heartless.
Since the Heavenly Rosy Sect had provoked them first, Chu Xingchen naturally had to back his disciple.
Now for the other question.
Raising an eyebrow, Chu Xingchen asked,
"And this tomboy? You’re so concerned—did you pick up a wife here?"
Li Xingtian’s hand, which had been shoving pills into Li Zi’s mouth, froze. What nonsense was his master spouting?
But having spent enough time with Chu Xingchen, he knew his master’s style.
Resuming his task, Li Xingtian replied,
"She’s sharp-witted, but not clever enough—got tricked while trying to warn me and was ambushed."
Chu Xingchen nodded thoughtfully, then asked with a teasing tone,
"She just decided to warn you out of nowhere? Are you hiding some… delightful details?"
"Really, no. She just wanted to help, so I figured I’d try to save her if possible."
Chu Xingchen gave a knowing nod, then whispered conspiratorially,
"It’s just us here. I’ll keep it a secret—come on, out with it!"
Li Xingtian sighed. "Seriously, nothing!"
"Do you know how worried I was? I crossed half the continent to get here! And you’re still hiding things from me?"
"Master, I really—"
Before Li Xingtian could finish, Chu Xingchen’s gaze shifted to Li Zi, who had begun trembling violently. With a flick of his hand, he cast a spell to stabilize her.
Most of these pills were actually trial versions originally refined for Yuan Kong.
The efficacy was guaranteed, though there might be… minor side effects. Surely she could handle them?
Li Xingtian frowned as he observed Li Zi. The pills seemed to be working—his divine sense confirmed her injuries had stopped worsening.
His master’s alchemy was undeniably potent, but the aftereffects… were even more so.
Even Li Xingtian, who had only taken one pill, had struggled to endure.
And Li Zi had already downed an entire bottle.
If he kept feeding her, would she end up brain-damaged?
Just as he hesitated, Chu Xingchen’s voice cut in:
"Keep going. They’re healing pills—maybe they’ll even help her gain some weight."
Li Xingtian: "…"
Still, he obediently opened another vial and continued forcing pills into Li Zi’s mouth.
Chu Xingchen added lazily, "Don’t stop talking either. I’m still waiting for your excuses."
"No excuses…" Li Xingtian sighed and recounted everything that had happened.
By now, the pills had taken effect, making it harder to feed her—Li Zi was resisting, forcing Li Xingtian to use spiritual energy to push them down.
By the time he finished the second bottle, he’d also explained most of Li Zi’s situation.
Their interactions had been brief, after all.
Li Xingtian still didn’t understand why she’d been so determined to warn him.
"Oh? Tricked by her own partner? She’s young—can’t expect her to foresee everything." Chu Xingchen nodded approvingly.
"Even if her actions backfired, her intentions were good. We owe her that much."
"So? Her only family, that younger brother, is probably dead. What’s your plan? Take her back to the sect?"
Li Xingtian exhaled. "Let’s wait until she wakes up."
Chu Xingchen agreed but noticed his disciple had stopped again. "Why’d you pause? There’s still one more bottle—keep going."
Li Xingtian didn’t dare. Li Zi’s face was already contorted in agony.
If she didn’t die from her injuries but from his master’s pills, who could he even complain to?
He quickly interjected,
"That’s enough, Master. Let’s save some for emergencies."
Chu Xingchen didn’t press further. Instead, he asked,
"Once this is settled, are you returning to the sect with me?"
Li Xingtian fell silent for a long moment before shaking his head.
"Sorry, Master… but I still have unfinished business. I can’t go back yet."
"I won’t always make it in time to save you. And you won’t always get the chance to use a teleportation talisman."
"I know."
Chu Xingchen nodded. His second disciple had always been strong-willed.
If Li Xingtian had made up his mind, the most Chu Xingchen could do was support him.
As if remembering something, Chu Xingchen added,
"By the way, your master has taken on two more disciples. You now have another junior sister and brother."
"Is that so? Then I'll have to bring back two extra gifts when I return."
Li Xingtian finally allowed a faint smile to appear on his face.