"Hmm..."
"Ugh..."
"Hiss..."
On the Skysplitter's arena stage, Lumina's fingers rested on Feixiao's wrist, her expression shifting rapidly—from deep contemplation to puzzlement, punctuated by sharp intakes of breath.
The onlookers and Feixiao's heart pulsed in sync with Lumina's shifting emotions.
Simultaneously, everyone was burning with curiosity about what exactly Lumina was sensing within Feixiao's body.
"Hmm..."
"Ugh..."
"Hiss..."
The crowd waited in hushed anticipation for Lumina to reveal her assessment of Feixiao's condition.
Yet as the minutes ticked by, Lumina's expression continued to cycle through contemplation, confusion, and sharp intakes of breath, growing the onlookers' impatience.
However, Feixiao, Yanqing, and the others dared not interrupt, fearing they might disrupt Lumina's examination and judgment.
After all, what could a physician detest more than being interrupted during treatment or diagnosis?
Thus, Feixiao, Yanqing, and the rest suppressed their urge to speak, patiently awaiting Lumina's verdict.
"Hmm..."
"Mmm..."
"Hiss..."
Instead of Lumina's findings, they were met with another round of her signature triple-take.
"Um... Sister Lumina, what's wrong with General Feixiao?"
"Is it really serious? Can it be cured?"
Finally, after Lumina's third cycle of this triple-take, March 7th, Lumina's number one fan, couldn't contain herself any longer and blurted out the question.
It was simply too intriguing.
What could be causing Sister Lumina to make such an expression? If March 7th said she wasn't curious, she'd be lying.
After all, this was the omnipotent Sister Lumina! A condition that could make even her look so troubled...
March 7th didn't even dare to imagine it.
"Phew..."
Hearing March 7th finally voice the question, Feixiao, Yanqing, and the others breathed a collective sigh of relief.
If Lumina had continued her examination and repeated her triple-take even once more, Feixiao and Yanqing might have died of curiosity right then and there.
"Hmm... Indeed, Feixiao's condition is extremely serious," Lumina finally announced under their collective gaze, her expression grave as she delivered her diagnosis.
"Ah?!" The crowd's eyes widened at her words.
"Sister Lumina, where exactly is the problem?" Feixiao asked hurriedly after a moment of stunned silence.
While swallowing the Scarlet Moon was undeniably dangerous, shouldn't defeating the Inner Demon in one's inner world have resolved any issues?
Moreover, Feixiao herself felt no discomfort whatsoever. How could there possibly be such a severe symptom?
If these words had come from anyone else, Feixiao might have remained skeptical. But since they were spoken by Lumina, Feixiao unconditionally trusted her judgment, even without experiencing any physical symptoms.
After all, Lumina was the Emanator of Abundance, possessing a far greater understanding of its power than Feixiao herself. It was only natural for her to detect hidden dangers that Feixiao couldn't perceive.
Furthermore, being the Abundance Emanator was just one facet of Lumina's identity. She was a legendary figure who had roamed the Cosmos for countless Amber Eras. The number of illnesses she had cured likely outnumbered the creatures Feixiao had ever seen by dozens or even hundreds of times.
Therefore, when Lumina claimed her condition was extremely serious, Feixiao believed her unconditionally.
After all... given her status, she would never deceive or mislead her.
Feixiao thought to herself, clearly placing Lumina in a position of utmost importance in her heart.
"The problem... it's a very serious problem," Lumina said gravely, withdrawing her fingers. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
"But this issue is too complex to explain quickly, and there's too much to tell.
"Perhaps we can discuss it later when we both have more time?"
Lumina's beautiful, radiant jade-green eyes locked intently on Feixiao as she spoke.
Under normal circumstances, there would be nothing wrong with this statement, nor would there be anything wrong if someone else had said it.
But coming from Lumina's mouth, there was definitely something wrong.
And what that something was? There was no need to even think about it.
Anyone familiar with Lumina knew exactly what she was up to: she simply wanted to take advantage of Feixiao.
The so-called "serious problem" and "very big problem" were, of course, complete fabrications—all lies designed to trick Feixiao.
Those who trusted Lumina, like Feixiao, Yanqing, and March 7th, naturally had no objections.
Feixiao even cast Lumina a grateful glance, filling Lumina's heart with a surge of satisfaction.
See? How does one make a Xianzhou General idolize you in just a few days?
I, Lumina, have submitted my flawless answer right here.
"Sister Lumina, Sister Lumina! Can General Feixiao's condition be cured?"
"Or... will curing General Feixiao's condition have any negative impact on you, Sister Lumina?"
The moment March 7th heard Lumina say Feixiao's condition was severe, she immediately shot her a worried look.
"It won't. Although the condition is serious and I've never seen anything like it before, it's definitely curable."
"And it won't affect me in the slightest."
Seeing March 7th's obvious worry, Lumina smiled reassuringly.
What exactly is wrong with Feixiao? Can it be cured? And what repercussions might there be for me? As if I don't already know all the answers.
Feixiao was perfectly fine, showing no symptoms whatsoever. Therefore, the question of whether she could be successfully treated didn't even arise.
As for whether it would have any impact on Lumina herself...
Hmm... Lumina suspected there might be a slight impact.
What exactly that impact was, she couldn't possibly say...
Shaking off further contemplation, Lumina refocused and said to Feixiao, "Your condition is both subtle and deeply hidden within your heart. There's no immediate solution."
"We'll need some time to allow the symptoms to surface from your inner depths before I can begin treatment."
"In the meantime, you should visit the Alchemy Commission for a thorough examination. They can easily address any physical symptoms."
"Understood. Thank you, Sister Lumina," Feixiao nodded earnestly, listening intently to Lumina's medical advice.
"Sister Lumina, Sister Lumina, check me too! Did I get hurt?" Seeing Feixiao's problem resolved, March 7th breathed a sigh of relief before turning to her beloved Sister Lumina with concern.
"Hmm..." Hearing this, Lumina naturally took March 7th's small hand and began examining it.
March 7th was fine—just superficial injuries that would heal with some ointment and rest. Nothing serious.
As an Abundance Emanator, Lumina could diagnose 99.99% of ailments with a single glance. So why was she putting on such a serious act, meticulously checking March 7th's hand?
The answer was obvious: to thoroughly check March's body for any deeply hidden, underlying conditions.
After all, March was her dearest beautiful girl. If some hidden ailment were troubling her, Lumina would cry!
"Hmm... Don't worry, March. It's just some superficial wounds."
"Just like General Feixiao, you should rest and recuperate at the Alchemy Commission for a while."
Before long, Lumina had taken her fill of... no, she had completed her thorough examination of March 7th. Releasing her grip, she delivered her medical assessment.
"That's good..." Upon hearing Lumina's diagnosis and confirming she was currently fine, March 7th's face lit up with a radiant smile.
"Oh, right!" March 7th suddenly remembered something. "Sister Lumina, Sister Lumina, what about Master Yunli, Master Yanqing, and Little Swarm? Are they all okay too?"
Hearing this, Lumina put on a show, theatrically taking Yunli and Little Swarm's small hands to examine them.
After a moment, having checked Yunli and Little Swarm's bodies and glanced at Yanqing, Lumina announced the results: "They're all fine. Just like you, March, they need some rest and recuperation at the Alchemy Commission for a while."
"Huh? Sister Lumina, aren't you going to check on Master Yanqing?" Seeing that Lumina had only examined Yunli and Little Swarm, March 7th scratched the back of her head in confusion.
Hearing this, Lumina showed no sign of unease, giving March 7th an "OK" gesture. "Don't worry, everything's fine."
"Ever since Yanqing's sword strike against Hoolay, I've been observing him closely."
"Th-this... Lady Lumina, I was just... having a slight epiphany..." Yanqing stammered, taken aback by Lumina's words before flushing with embarrassment.
Lady Lumina has been watching me all this time? Yanqing felt both flattered and overwhelmed.
"Hehehe, your talent is exceptional. There's no need to be so modest," Lumina chuckled, sparing no praise.
After all, Yanqing's sword strike had reminded Lumina of Little Jingliu's face. Naturally, it deserved her praise.
"Th-thank you very much, Lady Lumina! I'll definitely keep striving for improvement!" Yanqing's reaction and inner joy were even more intense and fervent than when Jing Yuan had praised him.
"Hang in there!" After encouraging Yanqing once more, Lumina turned her gaze back to Feixiao. "Feixiao, Jiaoqiu's situation doesn't seem good. Let's hurry and find him."
"Jiaoqiu!" Hearing the name, Feixiao's expression instantly changed. Her delicate, beautiful face, usually brimming with irresistible allure, now filled with worry.
"We have to hurry—"
"Don't worry," Lumina said softly, soothing Feixiao's frantic emotions. "I can sense Jiaoqiu's faint aura. He's been severely injured, but he's definitely not in mortal danger."
"Hah..." Feixiao exhaled in relief upon learning from Lumina that Jiaoqiu wasn't in mortal danger, but the worry in her heart barely diminished.
Not in mortal danger only meant he wasn't about to die. Becoming a vegetable, paralyzed... those would still count as not in mortal danger.
"Uh... don't overthink it," Lumina stammered. "Jiaoqiu may be severely injured, but as long as he receives treatment, he'll definitely be fine."
Feixiao, rarely losing control of her expression, let her inner thoughts spill out for all to see—except March 7th and Little Swarm.
Lumina offered a brief explanation before striding into the Skysplitter's interior without waiting for Feixiao's response.
"Don't overthink it. Let's move quickly."
"With me here, even if Jiaoqiu dies, I can bring him back to life."
The Luofu Xianzhou, Exalting Sanctum.
Guided by Lumina's surveillance, the group quickly located Jiaoqiu in a secluded corner, barely clinging to life.
"Jiaoqiu!" Feixiao's carefully maintained composure shattered the moment she saw Jiaoqiu's condition. She rushed forward, her expression a mask of alarm, desperate to help him up.
But seeing him covered in blood, she hesitated to move him, afraid that any movement might worsen his injuries.
"Oh my heavens..." March 7th, Yunli, and Yanqing stared in shock at Jiaoqiu's state, their eyes wide with disbelief.
Jiaoqiu's injuries were severe even at a glance.
They were fortunate to have arrived when they did; the trio dared not imagine what his fate might have been otherwise.
Still... with Lady Lumina here, surely everything would be alright?
The trio turned their gazes to Lumina. Little Swarm, mimicking their behavior despite not understanding, scratched her head and also looked over.
"Feixiao, let me handle this." Sensing the others' gazes, Lumina stepped forward and patted Feixiao's shoulder.
She knelt down, raised her palm, and streams of emerald light flowed from her hand, seeping into Jiaoqiu's body.
Before long, Jiaoqiu's injuries gradually began to ease.
After completing the treatment, Lumina stood up and said to Feixiao, "Feixiao, Jiaoqiu is stable now. He just needs to rest quietly for a while."
Lumina had the ability to fully restore Jiaoqiu instantly, but for someone in his current state, a slower healing process would be more beneficial. Letting Time gradually mend his wounds was the best approach.
After all, severe injuries require healing not only of the physical body but also of the soul.
Treating only the body while neglecting the soul's wounds would leave Jiaoqiu vulnerable. When he awoke, his condition might worsen rather than improve.
Though Lumina could resolve even soul injuries, why waste the effort?
The outcome would be the same either way, and this way, Jiaoqiu would get a few days of rest in bed.
Lumina hummed softly to herself, thinking, Another day, another act of kindness from the Saintess!