6: Chapter 6 Rescuing My Cousin

"The 'Ironvine' component of the Bone-Tempering Powder clashes with the medicinal properties of the 'Crimson Blood Ginseng' in the Blood-Bolstering Pill."

"If it cannot be fully refined, it will form a gelatinous accumulation in the Meridians."

"Coupled with your excessively long cultivation sessions and fatigue, your Cultivation Technique's circulation became inadequate, naturally leading to problems."

These words not only left Li Changhu dumbfounded.

Even Elder Li Qingsong and the other clan Elders who had followed him in exchanged bewildered glances.

Li Changsheng's diagnosis was spot on; this was exactly the result given by the pharmacist in Qinghe Town. But he discerned it just by checking the pulse?

"Then... then how is it treated?"

Li Changhu's voice softened.

"It requires topical medicine combined with massage."

Li Changsheng fetched paper and a brush and wrote down a prescription.

"These medicinal ingredients are all quite common; the Family's pharmacy should have them."

The clan Elders passed the prescription around and found that the ingredients were indeed ordinary.

Mugwort, turmeric, mint, pseudo-ginseng, safflower...

The most expensive was merely a *qian* of silver's worth of pseudo-ginseng powder.

"Just these?"

The Third Elder questioned doubtfully.

"The herbs are ordinary, but the application method is special."

Li Changsheng explained.

"They need to be ground into powder, mixed with honey to form a paste, and applied to eight Acupoints including 'Danzhong', 'Qi Sea', 'Zusanli'..."

"Change it once every six *shichen*."

"Simultaneously, combine it with massage of specific techniques to guide the medicinal efficacy to penetrate."

As he spoke, he had already begun preparations.

Li An quickly brought the medicinal herbs, and Li Changsheng personally ground and mixed them.

His technique was skilled, like an old physician with years of experience.

After the medicinal paste was prepared, Li Changsheng had Li Changhu remove his upper garment, accurately located the Acupoints, and applied the paste one by one.

As the paste touched his skin, Li Changhu immediately felt waves of coolness seeping in, and the stinging pain in his Meridians actually eased.

"Now begins the massage. It will be somewhat painful. Endure it."

Li Changsheng pressed and massaged the Acupoints on Li Changhu's back with both hands. The technique seemed simple, but every ounce of force was precisely controlled.

He mobilized his faint True Qi to assist, guiding the medicinal efficacy to penetrate deep into the Meridians.

"Ah—"

Li Changhu cried out in pain, feeling as if countless tiny needles were threading through his Meridians.

"Endure it. This is flushing out the blockages."

Li Changsheng continued his technique without pause.

Half an incense stick's time later, the massage concluded.

Li Changhu was drenched in sweat, but when he attempted to circulate his True Qi, he found the feeling of obstruction had significantly lessened!

"It's really effective..."

He murmured.

The several clan Elders exchanged glances, shock evident in their eyes.

Li Changsheng's display of medical skill had already exceeded their scope of understanding.

"For the next two days, change the medicine and perform the massage on time."

Li Changsheng washed his hands.

"Three days from now, the blockages should be completely cleared."

"During this period, absolutely refrain from cultivating. Let the Meridians recover naturally."

He paused, then looked at Li Changhu.

"Furthermore, on the path of cultivation, haste makes waste."

"Although your talent is good, your Foundation is unstable. Forcing a Breakthrough will only be counterproductive."

"After your Meridians recover, I suggest you first consolidate your current Realm."

"For at least a month, do not attempt to Breakthrough to the sixth layer of the Houtian Realm."

If these words had been spoken earlier, Li Changhu would have surely scoffed.

But now, he nodded silently.

"I... I understand."

The Third Elder looked at the change in his grandson, his expression complex.

Finally, he walked up to Li Changsheng, his voice dry.

"Changsheng..."

"This time... thank you."

The words were forced, but for the always-arrogant Third Elder, this was a rare lowering of his head.

"We are all Family. There's no need for formalities, Third Elder."

Li Changsheng responded calmly, neither subservient nor arrogant.

He knew this Third Elder; aside from being selfish and protective of his own, he didn't harbor much ill intent.

When they left Li Changhu's courtyard, the setting sun stretched Li Changsheng's shadow long.

Li An followed behind, his face full of admiration.

"Young Master, you are amazing!"

Li An, seeing Li Changsheng's composed and indifferent demeanor, continued.

"Even the pharmacist in Qinghe Town couldn't cure this illness, but you can heal it in three days!"

However, Li Changsheng showed no joy. Instead, his brow furrowed slightly.

Having displayed his medical skills too much might attract unnecessary attention.

But if he hadn't acted then, and the Family used a treasure like the Meridian-Clearing Grass, they would have one less safeguard if a true calamity befell them in the future.

"Forget it. Since it's already revealed, there's no need to hide anymore."

He thought to himself.

"It's just that for the next simulation, perhaps I should consider acquiring some self-preservation abilities."

On the third day, Li Changsheng came to check on Li Changhu.

He found him looking rosy and healthy, with the meridian blockages mostly dissipated.

With the continued penetration of the medicinal efficacy, complete dredge should take just another day or two.

Li Changsheng also felt relieved.

After all, he had told the Family Head and the various clan Elders that he could treat it. If it hadn't been effective, wouldn't that have been a slap in the face?

"Changhu, you're recovering well."

Li Changsheng said to Li Changhu with a calm expression.

"Thank you, Changsheng-ge. I've clearly felt much better these past two days."

"In another day or two, my Meridians should be completely dredge."

Li Changhu also smiled with relief.

Elsewhere, in the Wang Family of Qinghe Town.

A short-statured servant was bowing as he reported to a person in brocade robes lounging on a rocking chair.

"Second Master, I just heard some news about the Li Family. Absolutely explosive."

"Hmm?"

The person on the rocking chair stopped rocking.

"What news?"

"They say that young Prodigy from the Li Family suffered Qi Deviation, with severe meridian damage."

"I've heard a little about that."

"Not just that. There's another Prodigy who also seems to have suffered meridian damage from cultivating."

"The Li Family has two Prodigies with meridian damage all at once. Misfortunes never come singly, indeed."

"Oh, that is truly interesting."

Li Family.

Li Changsheng returned to his residence, sat cross-legged on the bed, and attempted to Cultivate.

As always, he first inspected his own condition.

"The Meridians are recovering well."

"In the next few days, I should also proceed with the third medicinal bath."

He murmured to himself.

"The Meridians need to recover quickly so I can continue cultivating."

Soon, Li Changsheng underwent the third medicinal bath.

After completing it this time, Li Changsheng felt as if he had been reborn. The previous discomfort from stagnation was now fully recovered.

His cultivation had also steadily recovered to the fourth layer of the Houtian Realm.

With his Meridians recovered, Li Changsheng also began his second simulation.

Night enveloped everything. Li Changsheng sat alone on his bed, settling his mind.

"System, initiate simulation."

[Initiate the second Reincarnation simulation?]

The cold, mechanical voice faded, and pale blue text once again surfaced in Li Changsheng's mind.

"Initiate!"

[Ding! 5 points of Mental Energy consumed. The second Reincarnation simulation initiated!]

[Randomly selecting simulation world... Selection successful!]

[Simulation World: Low-Martial · Jianghu World]

[Simulation Duration: Approximately 30 years]

[Beginning simulation...]

[Detected host carrying 'Spirit Ape Fist' cultivation insights. Use this as 'Talent' or 'Initial Memory' to load into this simulated life? Limited to this session. (After loading, the simulated character will exhibit agile, martial-enthusiast traits from childhood and have the opportunity to gain cultivation insights for this technique.)]

Li Changsheng weighed the options swiftly in his heart.

Loading it meant he could master this fist technique faster, enhancing cultivation.

But it might also cause the 'simulated self' to miss other potential opportunities.

Not loading meant proceeding as usual, with slower cultivation but also potentially greater risks.

"Load it."

He finally decided.

For this simulation, he needed to promote his strength as quickly as possible to strengthen his real self.

The real world was full of constant conflicts and unrest; promote strength was the primary goal.

[Talent/Memory loading...]

[Generation complete.]

The darkness receded, and bizarre, fragmented images and sensory impressions surged forth.

...