424: Love of ordinary people

"You are not allowed to say that!" Liu Yan's eyes reddened, but her tone was extremely firm.

"We will definitely find a way! Definitely!"

The two supported each other and laboriously walked into the main hall of the Drunken Immortal Residence.

Their appearance immediately attracted the attention of some diners.

When they sensed the weak aura emanating from Han Yan, a hint of disgust flashed in many people's eyes.

They subconsciously moved away, afraid of attracting trouble.

The waiter came forward, and upon seeing Han Yan's appearance,

his brow furrowed. His tone carried a hint of distance: "Two guests, are you stopping for a meal or a room?"

"A room! We want a quiet superior room!" Liu Yan quickly said, simultaneously taking out a few Low-Grade Spirit Stones from her Storage Pouch.

The waiter took the Spirit Stones, but there was no smile on his face; he merely stated officially:

"A superior room is ten Low-Grade Spirit Stones per day, deposit calculated separately. However... regarding this guest's condition... this small establishment is afraid..."

"We won't cause any trouble!" Liu Yan quickly promised, her voice laced with pleading.

"Brother Yan just needs rest; we will be very quiet!"

The waiter hesitated, but ultimately, seeing the Spirit Stones, he nodded:

"Well... alright then. Please follow me." Saying this, he prepared to lead them to the back guest rooms.

Liu Yan supported the barely breathing Han Yan, and under the waiter's slightly distant gaze, they laboriously moved toward the guest rooms in the backyard of the Drunken Immortal Residence.

The eyes of the diners in the main hall, whether fearful or disgusted, were like invisible thorns piercing Liu Yan's heart.

But she merely gritted her teeth and held Han Yan's arm even tighter.

Yao Delong's gaze swept lightly over them before returning to the street view outside the window.

The Cultivation World is a place where the strong prey on the weak; countless people perish daily. He had long grown accustomed to life and death, and his heart remained unmoved.

The predicament of this pair of Loose Cultivator Dao Companions was, in his eyes, merely a microcosm of the countless struggles for survival in Eight Li City.

Without strength or backing, they were like ants and weeds, their fates not their own.

After the two settled into their room, they ate a simple meal.

After the meal, Liu Yan once again supported Han Yan, and they stumbled out of the Drunken Immortal Residence,

walking toward the Hall of Returning Spring, which was permeated with the scent of medicine, at the end of the street.

Yao Delong's Divine Thought moved slightly, noting their direction, but that was all.

He raised his wine cup; the warmth of the Huoyunrao drove away the border chill, and the sunset glow painted the cobblestone street a warm gold.

Inside the Hall of Returning Spring.

The Seated Alchemist, whose hair and beard were white and whose face was stern, placed his withered fingers on Han Yan's cold wrist.

A wisp of Probing Spiritual Energy cautiously entered the depths of his dao foundation.

Time passed slowly. The Alchemist's brow furrowed tighter and tighter, the solemnity on his face almost palpable.

Half an hour later, he slowly withdrew his fingers, looking at the young Dao Companions before him, whose eyes were full of hope. His voice was low and serious:

"The 'Spirit-Eroding Black Spot' condensed within your dao foundation... has a bizarre form,

and a sinister aura... I highly suspect it is... the 'Dao-Devouring Demonic Gangrene'!"

"Dao-Devouring Demonic Gangrene?!"

Liu Yan felt as if she had been struck by lightning, her face instantly turning as pale as paper. She had heard of this terrible name.

Legend says that once this gangrene is planted, it is like maggots clinging to bone, constantly devouring the Cultivator's dao foundation and Origin,

until their Foundation collapses and their body and Dao perish, making it almost incurable!

The Alchemist sighed and continued:

"To accurately diagnose its nature and how to resolve it, we must use the 'Mystic Meridian Spirit Probe Needle' to pierce the core of the dao foundation and extract a trace of the 'Gangrene Origin' for careful investigation.

But... this method is extremely dangerous. A slight mistake could detonate the Gangrene Origin,

accelerating the collapse of the dao foundation, and the caster might also suffer backlash from the Gangrene Poison!

According to the rules, a close relative must sign a 'Life-and-Death Contract' using their own essence blood and Divine Soul,

taking responsibility for the risks of this technique, only then can this old man proceed."

"I will sign it!"

Liu Yan shouted urgently, without the slightest hesitation, her voice carrying the determination of someone burning their bridges.

"I am his Dao Companion! We have been together for over ten years, sharing life and death! I will bear the risk!"

The Alchemist, however, slowly shook his head, his gaze carrying a hint of pity. He pointed to an ancient Jade Slip hanging on the wall:

"The rules are thus: only those who possess a 'Concentric Contract' may sign the 'Life-and-Death Contract' for such a perilous technique on behalf of another.

Do you... have a Concentric Contract?"

"Concentric Contract?" Liu Yan was stunned.

That was the highest Rank of contract between Dao Companions in the Cultivation World, requiring the mutual consent of both parties, using their Divine Soul Origin as a guide,

to share life and death, linking their Luck. They were merely Loose Cultivators; although their affection was deep, they had never considered, nor had the means, to form such a contract.

She shook her head blankly, and the flame of hope that had just ignited in her eyes instantly dimmed.

"Since you do not have it, and are not blood relatives, this old man cannot help you."

The Alchemist's tone was helpless, but rules could not be broken.

"Quickly go find his relatives, or... go to the Royal Capital to seek a more skilled Medical Cultivator. Perhaps there is still a sliver of hope."

Han Yan gave a wry smile, gripping Liu Yan's cold hand tightly with his reverse hand. His voice was weak but carried a sense of peaceful release:

"Yan'er, forget it... this 'Dao-Devouring Demonic Gangrene' is infamous and rumored to be incurable... why should I make you sign that Life-and-Death Contract that could lead to eternal damnation? Let's... go."

He did not want to involve the woman he deeply loved, forcing her to bear the heavy Karma of his death.

Liu Yan's eyes were tearful. She looked at Han Yan's gray, desperate face, and then at the Alchemist's undeniable expression.

Her lips trembled a few times, but she ultimately failed to say anything more. Immense despair submerged her like a cold tide.

She could only bite her lower lip until it almost bled, using all her strength to support Han Yan,

and they left the Hall of Returning Spring, step by painful step, filled with profound loneliness.

The setting sun stretched the long, desolate silhouettes of the two figures leaning on each other, as if they had been abandoned by the entire world.

Yao Delong's Divine Thought, like an invisible pair of eyes, silently watched them disappear into the crowd at the corner of the street.

He raised his wine cup and drained it in one gulp. The spiciness of the Huoyunrao rolled down his throat,

but failed to dispel the extremely subtle ripple that had arisen in his heart from witnessing such despair.

Eighty years in cultivation, he had seen too much scheming and betrayal for the sake of longevity,

and had also seen relationships intertwined with beauty and self-interest. Such pure, almost foolish affection,

a mortal bond that chose steadfast devotion even in desperation... was too rare.

Time quietly slipped away as he poured and drank by himself.

The sun sank in the west, and splendid evening clouds ignited the sky, coating Eight Li City in a tragic golden-red hue.

Just when Yao Delong thought the Dao Companions had sadly departed, his Divine Thought once again captured familiar auras.

They had returned!

Liu Yan, who reappeared at the entrance of the Hall of Returning Spring, no longer had tear stains on her face.

Instead, there was a nearly tragic determination, and her eyes shone astonishingly bright.

She supported Han Yan, her steps more unsteady than before, yet imbued with an unwavering resolve.

Under the shocked and puzzled gazes of the Alchemist and the people inside the hall,

Liu Yan carefully took something out of her bosom—it was neither a Spirit Stone nor a Magic Treasure,

but a Grand Wedding Certificate, written on high-quality red paper, stamped with the fresh, crimson seal of the Eight Li City Lord's Mansion!