571: Chapter 571 Nightmare Curse

"I've learned a bit of medicine recently, let me take a look at you."

Nie Ning pressed his hand onto Borton's, sending both his Spiritual Power and magic pouring into Borton's body.

Borton shook his head slightly. "Don't waste your effort. Ever since I got Spirit Exhaustion Disease last time, my body has been overdrawn too severely. I probably don't have much time left."

Nie Ning did know about Spirit Exhaustion Disease; it was somewhat similar to a common cold.

However, with the influence of Elemental Power, this disease would suppress immune cells and destroy the internal blood circulation system.

Although it could be cured with medicine, it took a heavy toll on the body.

Furthermore, this world was declining, and the violent Elemental Power would likewise disrupt the balance of the human body.

Nie Ning chuckled. "No matter. You should still be able to live for another ten or twenty years."

He took out a few spiritual plants from his spatial ring, then used the power of Life Control to transform the energy within them into dense vitality, injecting it into Borton's body.

However, doing this took a considerable toll on Nie Ning.

After all, life and death were bound by fate—it wasn't just a saying. Openly disrupting the balance like this would consume his origin lifespan.

Of course, his life origin was formidable, so burning through three to five years was no big deal.

It was just that this method couldn't be used frequently. One had to master the Life Artistic Conception; the higher the target's level, the greater the consumption on oneself, while a lower level naturally meant less consumption.

Moreover, the target's lifespan couldn't be extended infinitely either; doing this had already disrupted Borton's bodily equilibrium.

Once the life energy in Borton's body dissipated, continuing to pour life energy into him would only result in energy leaking away at roughly the same speed.

In truth, Nie Ning also possessed pills that could replenish lifespan, but extending it by just a year or two wasn't very meaningful.

Since he had plenty of lifespan left right now, lending a bit to Borton didn't matter.

...

Under Nie Ning's manipulation, Borton's graying hair turned black at a rate visible to the naked eye.

Immediately after, the wrinkles on his face faded, his complexion grew ruddy, and his body built up, as if he had returned to his middle-aged years.

However, Nie Ning knew this was only temporary—a spring-like revival brought about by an excess of life energy.

"Stop quickly."

Seeing Nie Ning's face grow pale, Borton called out anxiously.

"It's fine. It's normal, I'll be better in a couple of days."

Nie Ning shook his head slightly, let go, and said with a smile.

After all, overdrawing his life origin had shaken his foundation, a natural phenomenon that his body's self-healing couldn't make up for.

"Your face looks like that, don't lie to me."

Borton looked at Nie Ning's pale face, feeling uneasy inside.

"Mom, Mom, look at Grandfather's hair..."

Seeing this, the little girl who was playing immediately shouted toward the house.

At this moment, an old acquaintance walked out—it was Borton's daughter, Marina.

Nie Ning blinked. He had to admit, her charm... Ahem, skip, skip...

"Long time no see."

Nie Ning waved with a smile.

Marina was momentarily stunned, her eyes growing slightly red, and then she stepped forward to give Nie Ning a hug.

"I didn't expect to ever see you again."

Marina's voice was hoarse.

Nie Ning had black lines running down his forehead upon hearing this. "My lifespan is very long; I can probably live for another thousand years."

Although his level wasn't particularly high, he had absorbed so many genes that his lifeform had undergone a qualitative change. Living peacefully for one or two thousand years should be no problem.

Hearing this, Marina broke into a tearful smile, though a trace of sorrow lingered in the depth of her eyes.

Upon Nie Ning's questioning, he learned that Borton's apprentice, Quis, had returned the year before last.

However, he had returned heavily injured, and after staying at home for just one week, he passed away.

This was a heavy blow to Borton, and it was around that time that Borton fell ill.

After listening to Marina's story, Nie Ning couldn't help sighing, feeling the fickleness of life.

One of the most painful things in the world was a white-haired parent sending off a black-haired child, let alone how Borton had raised Quis like his own son.

Yet that was how this world was; as individual martial strength rose, it meant danger lurked everywhere.

Just a single accident could inexplicably draw oneself into some storm too powerful to resist.

...

Afterward, Nie Ning didn't stay at Borton's house for long.

After all, he had only taken seven days of leave. Even with Amanra helping him behind the scenes, he couldn't blatantly ignore the rules of the Extreme Phase Demon Palace.

After spending half a day at Borton's house and leaving some items behind, Nie Ning bade farewell to Borton's family.

Nie Ning first went to the City Lord's Mansion to check, but he didn't see Ivy.

According to City Lord Matt, Ivy had gone out traveling after Nie Ning left, only writing letters back occasionally.

Thinking of Ivy's personality, she had probably set out to find a path to become stronger.

However, this world had long entered a period of decay, so wanting to grow stronger here was nothing short of a pipe dream.

Regarding this, Nie Ning left a letter and some resources, hoping they would be of help to Ivy.

After leaving the City Lord's Mansion, Nie Ning had nowhere else to go. He planned to revisit Lilith's manor before returning to the Belvis World.

...

Nie Ning strolled along Shangrong Alley.

The place was as bustling as ever, and one could even see Borton's Detective Agency.

However, over the years, the Detective Agency had been handed over to Marina's husband to manage.

Nie Ning didn't go up to check, but continued walking toward the other end of the street.

Suddenly, as if sensing something, Nie Ning turned his gaze toward a luxurious carriage on the other side of the street.

Looking at the crest on the carriage, it was the coat of arms of the city's Viscount Mansion.

And it belonged to a viscount Nie Ning was fairly familiar with: Viscount Spindu.

At this moment, the carriage slowly came to a stop, and a woman dressed in luxurious clothes stepped down. Behind her followed a black-haired, black-eyed Little Boy who looked to be around six years old.

Tracy!

Naturally, Nie Ning would never forget that rather pretty face.

Tracy was the beginning of his nightmare, following him through life like a curse.

Even after so long, he still couldn't escape such a bizarre fate.

And before, it was somewhat tolerable—at least the targets of his nightmare were human, but now it was starting to cross species...

...

Just as Nie Ning was sizing Tracy up, Tracy also spotted Nie Ning.

Tracy's expression turned slightly flustered, and she subconsciously pulled the Little Boy behind her, as if terrified that Nie Ning might do something harmful to her.

However, as a few young people passed by Nie Ning, when Tracy looked back again, Nie Ning had already vanished.

"Was I seeing things...?"

Tracy muttered to herself.

"Long time no see."

At that moment, Nie Ning's voice suddenly echoed beside Tracy's ear.

Tracy followed the sound, only to find that Nie Ning was already standing right next to her.

The two guards beside her wanted to draw their swords, only to discover in horror that their bodies couldn't move.

"Y-Yes, long time... no see."

A stiff smile forced its way onto Tracy's face as she stammered her response.

As she spoke, Tracy pulled the Little Boy further behind herself.

...