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--- Chapter 224 ---
"Ouch, ouch, ouch..." Han Yuan hissed in pain.
Xiao Yixian is currently applying creams to Han Yuan's burnt body, which is not only painful but engraved in his bones. It shows just how terrifying the force of nature that is Heavenly Flame is in this world.
Even with Han Yuan's piled cheats, he was not immune to the "incinerate" concept that could burn all things to ashes.
Not yet, at least.
Of course, Han Yuan wasn't without gains. After confronting that fangirl of Xiao Yan, he not only got Heavenly Flame's seed but also several high-level Dou Techniques of the Gu Clan that Gu Xun'er used.
Yes, Han Yuan has copied them all, utilizing his nearly god-level spiritual power and observational skills to see how each Dou Technique operates when Gu Xun'er used them against him.
And Han Yuan had to say. The foundation of the Ancient Clan is profound and mysterious. It is no wonder they have become the peak of hegemony on the Dou Qi Continent.
If Han Yuan could dismantle these techniques, how they function, and the idea behind them, the library in his mind would be full of high-level Earth Rank, no, even Heaven Rank Dou Techniques!
Then, again, it will take time, a very long time.
So, Han Yuan needed "Alpha" to aid him in this journey. Hehe, when the "meeting" was held again, he would bring a huge surprise to the table.
After applying the creams, Xiao Yixian bandaged Han Yuan's body slowly and carefully, afraid of hurting him.
"Are you not going to ask?" asked Han Yuan casually.
Xiao Yixian pouted, "Hmph, you must have done something stupid to get all these burnt scars."
"Even burnt chicken wasn't as scorched black as you..."
Han Yuan chuckled, "Heh, you could get some trouble saying things like that somewhere else."
"But doing something stupid? Oh, well, I was trying to save someone from exploding last night."
Xiao Yixian harrumphed even more, "Thankfully, you're still alive..."
"Don't worry, I am not going to die anytime soon." Han Yuan patted Xiao Yixian's head with his bandaged right hand. "Your brother is invincible!"
"Sure.." Xiao Yixian rolled her eyes, but was still smiling in amusement upon hearing Han Yuan's confident statement.
Xiao Yixian helped Han Yuan get dressed, choosing a looser dark-blue martial robe this time instead of his usual ones to make him feel more comfortable after getting all these burns. The same goes for pants and boots.
As for Han Yuan's bandaged right arm, he didn't hide it. At most, if people asked, he'd reply that he had trained too hard and gotten injured.
Or maybe it is the "Chuunibyou" in him that screamed for aesthetics, as if wanting to contain his boundless demonic power with these fresh, holy bandages. Edgy much.
After some tidying, Han Yuan and Xiao Yixian had breakfast before visiting the Soaring Wind Dojo. The dojo is 'naturally' packed with new students, especially on the first floor.
The second floor was 'similarly' packed, too, but not as much as the first, because these children were screened by Meng Xi as they were chosen inner members of the dojo, which allowed them to get a more detailed training plan and resource.
"Morning, everyone!" Han Yuan greeted them casually, waving his hand before walking to the third floor.
"Good morning, Senior Brother!"
These greetings faded as Han Yuan and Xiao Yixian arrived at the third floor. Much to their surprise, they actually have visitors, and familiar ones at that.
Meng Xi is currently sitting with two guests opposite him, with a helpless look on his face. 'Master, you're finally here!' He thought happily.
"Are you eager to meet me already?" Han Yuan couldn't help but voice out the guests. "I thought we just met last night?"
Yes, the visitors are none other than Gu Xun'er and Ling Ying!
Ling Ying was troubled and didn't know what to say about this particular situation. He had never seen his young miss so eager in his life to meet someone.
Even Xiao Yan didn't receive this treatment. After all, Gu Xun'er woke up at the crack of dawn and prepared herself to visit the Soaring Wind Dojo, often asking if what she wore was appropriate and polite enough.
Meanwhile, Gu Xun'er was laser-focused on Han Yuan's bandaged right arm, noticing a faint yet familiar Heavenly Flame's aura from it. Her heart sank in guilt and regret.
'He must be in a lot of pain...'
'And it's all because of me.'
"I am sorry..." Gu Xun'er suddenly uttered, bowing her body to Han Yuan, almost kneeling on the ground.
Han Yuan narrowed his eyes slightly, "For what?"
"For everything!" Gu Xun'er stared at Han Yuan guiltily. "If possible, I will do my best to look for a medicine to cure you..."
"Please give me some time to compensate you, Han Yuan."
Upon hearing this, Han Yuan seemed to catch a drift of what happened in this little princess's head and shook his head gently, "It's okay. My injuries aren't that bad."
"You don't have to care so much about it."
He actually wanted to sound nonchalant about his injury, as it really isn't that fatal to him.
However, to Ling Ying and Gu Xun'er, it sounds like he was accepting his condition, or coping with the fact that he might not be able to become a Dou Fighter. He also sounded depressingly done with life, which made them feel even more guilty.
The misunderstanding started with one thing and led to another.
Gu Xun'er shook throughout as she stared at the boy's calm yet warm black eyes.
She was ashamed!
She was ashamed that she ruined this boy's life.
Then, a newfound desire grew in her heart. A newfound responsibility that she must take care of Han Yuan until he recovers completely.
'E-Even if Han Yuan didn't recover, I will still take responsibility for him!' Gu Xun'er steeled herself and stared at the injured boy with a determined look on her face.
Han Yuan tilted his head, confused by the gaze Gu Xun'er gave her. After all, he couldn't have guessed that this girl was going to take care of him for life, like literally.
If he had known this, he'd laugh helplessly because his mere thought of planting the Seed of Doubt in Ling Ying was very successful, but his action and injuries sold the act too well.
It's not just successful, but effective!
If inside Gu Xun'er, there is a scale with both Han Yuan and Xiao Yan on each scale, the former will tilt down heavily. In just one night, yes, one unforgettable night, Han Yuan's importance has exceeded that of Xiao Yan.
"Well, enough of my condition, what about yours?" asked Han Yuan.
'So kind...' Gu Xun'er and Ling Ying thought to themselves. They couldn't believe this boy still had time to care about others' well-being with that kind of horrible condition.
Gu Xun'er blushed a little, "I'm fine..."
"Thank you for helping me last night..."
"And... And the pill is working. I felt much better after eating one."
Han Yuan nodded, "Good, with your current condition, once you finish those pills, the heat shouldn't come for a few years."
"Though that doesn't mean you should stop treating your condition. You should learn how to control "Yang Qi" well enough, so you can circulate it normally yourself."
"Of course, if you need more of the pill, you can ask me again."
Gu Xun'er blushed even more, feeling a weird, fluttering sensation in her chest when Han Yuan spoke with so much compassion. It made her feel unworthy.
What did she do to deserve this kind of treatment?
Did she save a world in her previous life?
All these thoughts are brewing in her mind.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yixian, who had been quiet all this time, suddenly felt threatened by Gu Xun'er. That look this unknown girl gave to her brother is unnatural.
Xiao Yixiain might be a child, but children in this world mature quickly, especially given the amount of trauma she went through.
She understood Gu Xun'er a little too well.
'Hmph, I won't let you have my brother!' Xiao Yixian thought coldly.
Thus, the rivalry between the two started today.
Gu Xun'er struggled to look Han Yuan in the eyes, fumbling her storage ring a few times before pulling a pendant made of blue jadeite.
"Please take this... It's an artifact that my family had, and it will protect you from harm." Gu Xun'er handed the pendant with a red face.
Han Yuan saw this and accepted the pendant with an amusement on his face, "Okay..."
"Here, please also take these medicines, too." Gu Xun'er placed a stack of jade boxes on the ground. "They might not cure you, but they should make you feel a lot better..."
"I also prepared a sum of money for you!" She placed a storage ring full of gold coins on Han Yuan's palm.
"If you're bored, I have a collection of classic books you can read!" Lastly, she placed another storage ring on the first storage ring.
"..." Ling Ying chuckled, facepalming himself.
"..." Meng Xi's jaws dropped.
'Damn, she's rich!' Xiao Yixian cursed in her mind.
"Han Yuan, if you need anything, feel free to ask me for it." Gu Xun'er said confidently, patting her chest.
Han Yuan's mouth twitched, 'Heh, girl is really a magical creature, especially a rich girl from the cultivation world. One night she wanted to beat me up, and in the morning she wanted to take care of me...'