69: Healing the Wind-Listening Hermit

Layman Tingfeng is here?

Han Qing's lips curled up slightly.

He naturally knew that this veteran Nascent Soul Loose Cultivator was here to fulfill his previous trade promise.

"Let him in and take him to the quiet room," Han Qing instructed Xu Feiyan.

"Yes, Master," Xu Feiyan replied obediently and turned to lead the way.

Soon, Layman Tingfeng arrived at Han Qing's quiet room under Xu Feiyan's guidance.

At this moment, Layman Tingfeng had a hint of irrepressible nervousness and anticipation in his expression.

Although Han Qing had previously said he had a thirty percent chance of curing the injury to his Divine Soul Foundation, now that the moment had arrived, he still felt a bit uncertain.

After all, this injury had plagued him for a hundred years, nearly exhausting all his hope.

If it failed again this time... "Fellow Daoist Han..." Layman Tingfeng bowed respectfully to Han Qing.

Seeing his nervous appearance, Han Qing couldn't help but chuckle and waved his hand, saying, "Daoist Friend Ting Feng, there's no need to be so formal. Please, take a seat."

Once Layman Tingfeng sat down on the prayer mat as told, Han Qing continued, "Fellow Daoist, relax your mind and close your eyes. I shall perform a diagnosis for you now."

"I'm in your hands," Layman Tingfeng took a deep breath, trying to calm his excitement, and slowly closed his eyes.

Han Qing said no more.

He extended his finger and lightly placed it on Layman Tingfeng's wrist, beginning a mock diagnosis.

In reality, he was secretly giving a command to the System in his mind.

"System, use the [Great Healing Art] on Layman Tingfeng!"

[Ding! Designated target: Layman Tingfeng. Confirming use of Guardian Special Effect: Great Healing Art!]

A surge of invisible energy, filled with majestic vitality and healing power, instantly gushed from Han Qing's fingertip and silently flowed into Layman Tingfeng's body!

This energy was gentle yet powerful.

Like spring rain, it nourished Layman Tingfeng's long-dried and withered Divine Soul Origin.

Faint green specks of light flickered within him, repairing damaged meridians and replenishing his depleted Origin.

His originally dim Divine Soul gradually radiated new life and vigor under the nourishment of this strange energy.

With his eyes closed, Layman Tingfeng felt an unprecedented warm current flow from his wrist into his body, quickly spreading to his limbs, bones, and internal organs.

The feeling was like rain after a long drought, immersing his entire being in an indescribable sense of comfort and ease.

He could clearly feel that his chronic illness, which had plagued him for centuries, was being rapidly repaired at an incredible speed!

The hidden injuries that once caused him excruciating pain and the underlying issues that kept him awake at night all vanished under this magical warm current!

His Divine Soul was reviving!

His Origin was growing!

Even his cultivation Bottleneck seemed to be slightly loosening!

"How is this possible?!"

A massive wave of shock surged in Layman Tingfeng's heart, and he began to tremble slightly with excitement.

He never dreamed that his injury, which was practically a death sentence, actually had a hope of being cured!

And in such an incredible way!

This Senior Han's medical skills are simply miraculous!

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Han Qing slowly withdrew his finger, a faint smile appearing on his face.

"Alright, Daoist Friend Ting Feng, you can open your eyes now."

Hearing this, Layman Tingfeng snapped his eyes open, a sharp light flashing within them; where was the slightest trace of his previous decadence and aged state?

He impatiently scanned his internal state, and upon clearly perceiving his brand-new Divine Soul Origin and that surging vitality, he could no longer suppress his excitement. Tears streamed down his face as he fell to his knees before Han Qing with a thud, sobbing:

"Fellow Daoist Han... words cannot express my gratitude! You are practically my second parent!"

He originally thought he would spend the rest of his life tortured by old injuries, waiting in despair for the day his Lifespan ran out.

He never expected to find a light at the end of the tunnel, meeting Han Qing, who pulled him back from the brink of death!

This kindness is higher than the heavens and deeper than the sea!

Han Qing quickly reached out to help him up and said gently, "Daoist Friend Ting Feng, there's no need for this. Since This humble one Han promised to treat you, I would naturally do my best. Your recovery is also due to your own fortune."

Layman Tingfeng's admiration and gratitude for Han Qing were beyond measure.

Taking a deep breath, he solemnly took out the old hide Secret Manual from his Storage Ring, offered it with both hands, and said respectfully, "Fellow Daoist Han, here is the Jade Sun Art, please take a look. From now on, my life belongs to you!"

As he spoke, he actually forced out a drop of essence blood on the spot and made another Dao Heart oath:

"I, Layman Tingfeng, hereby swear a Dao Heart blood oath to voluntarily serve Lord Han Qing for a hundred years! Within these hundred years, if I show the slightest disobedience to Senior's will, or flee without a fight during the Immortal Alliance's crisis, may my body and soul be extinguished, never to be reincarnated!"

By changing his form of address to "Lord," he was determined to follow Han Qing.

Furthermore, he specifically mentioned "fleeing without a fight" in the oath; clearly, the events atop Hundred Flowers Peak today had left a significant mark on his heart.

He worried that Han Qing would look down on him because of it.

A flash of realization crossed Han Qing's eyes.

He reached out to take the Jade Sun Art and smiled slightly, saying, "Daoist Friend Ting Feng, you overstate things. In today's situation, it was already not easy for you to choose to stay out of it and not bow to Extreme Bliss. How could This humble one Han hold a grudge because of that?"

"Everyone has their own difficulties and choices. This humble one Han is not an unreasonable person. You need not take this to heart."

Hearing Han Qing's heartfelt words of comfort, Layman Tingfeng's eyes grew moist again.

He originally thought his performance today would surely cause Senior Han to be dissatisfied, but he hadn't expected Senior Han to be so magnanimous as to comfort him in return.

A man will die for the one who knows his heart!

At this moment, the last trace of concern in Layman Tingfeng's heart vanished.

He took a deep breath, seemingly having made a decision, and said in a heavy voice, "Lord, to be honest, the reason I cherish my life so much and dare not take risks easily is not entirely because I'm afraid of death."

"Oh?" Han Qing showed a hint of curiosity.

A look of bone-deep hatred and sorrow flashed in Layman Tingfeng's eyes as he said hoarsely, "Years ago, when I was only at the Golden Core Stage, I spent years traveling and adventuring abroad to seek a Breakthrough Opportunity. I never expected that while I was away, my Family would be massacred! My wife, children, and elders—none were spared, all dying under the villains' blades!"

At this point, his fists were tightly clenched, and veins bulged.

"All these years, I've been searching for the true culprits, but I've remained clueless. That group of villains acted with extreme secrecy and ruthless methods, leaving almost no clues. The reason I've struggled to survive until now is so that one day, I can personally avenge my tragically killed wife and children!"

"Before this great debt of blood is repaid, I do not dare to die!"

Layman Tingfeng's voice choked up, and tears streamed down his face.

After hearing his story, Han Qing sighed inwardly.

The path of cultivation is inherently cruel. Massacres are not uncommon in this world where the strong prey on the weak.

Looking at the old man burdened by a sea of blood and hatred, Han Qing pondered for a moment before speaking, "Daoist Friend Ting Feng, I deeply sympathize with your plight. How about this: tell me everything you know about the clues regarding those villains from back then. This humble one Han will use the power of the Four Seas Immortal Alliance to help you investigate this matter."

"Lord, are you serious?" Layman Tingfeng's eyes erupted with an unbelievable light.

Although the Four Seas Immortal Alliance was currently only in its early stages, given Han Qing's Nascent Soul Late Stage strength and the influence he had shown in the Zhilan Domain, if he were willing to help, they might truly find some clues!

"This humble one Han never breaks his word," Han Qing said calmly.

"Thank you, Lord! Thank you, Lord!"

Layman Tingfeng knelt again in excitement, kowtowing repeatedly. "If I can avenge my wife and children, I... I am willing to serve Senior like an ox or a horse for all eternity, without hesitation!"

Han Qing helped him up, offered a few more words of comfort, and then let him depart.