Systemless Villain

Chapter 35: Difference in destiny

Han Yuan carried the unconscious Qin Chen, his arms cradling his delicate form. Ning Yuan, with a worried expression, followed closely behind him.

"Will he be okay, Elder Han?" Ning Yuan asked, her voice laced with concern.

"Not only will he recover, but he may even become better. Hopefully, it will work," Han Yuan replied, his tone sincere and reassuring.

Ning Yuan nodded, her eyes filled with hope. She could only place her trust in Han Yuan and pray that Qin Chen would truly recover.

The three of them made their way towards the second peak of Mount Wudang. The journey was long and arduous, the path winding and steep. Small stairs, arranged neatly in rows, led them upwards towards their destination.

After 30 minutes of climbing, they finally arrived at the entrance to a cave guarded by four cultivators. Han Yuan stepped forward confidently, "I have obtained permission from the sect master," he announced.

The guards nodded in acknowledgement and allowed them to enter. Previously, Shi Huang had informed them of Han Yuan's arrival.

Han Yuan entered the cave first, his steps sure and steady. But as soon as Ning Yuan was about to follow him inside, she was suddenly stopped by the guards.

"What are you doing?" Ning Yuan demanded, her voice rising in anger.

"Sorry but an outsider is not allowed to enter," one of the guards replied calmly.

"What? Elder Han is my friend, we are not strangers!" Ning Yuan protested.

"Ning Yuan, let me take care of Qin Chen. I promise he will recover," Han Yuan said gently.

Ning Yuan hesitated for a moment before finally relenting with a sigh. "Tch, fine," she agreed reluctantly.

Han Yuan nodded gratefully and then carried Qin Chen into the cave.

*************

Within the cave, Han Yuan stood in front of a small pool surrounded by neatly arranged stones. The air was cool and damp, the sound of dripping water echoing softly in the stillness. It was a purification pool, a sacred area that not just anyone could enter.

Han Yuan knew well the legend about the pool. It was said to have been formed from drops of water that fell from the cave roof only once every few days. It had taken decades for the pool to fill completely.

Shi Huang had given permission for him to use the purification pool and Han Yuan was determined to remain loyal to the sect. "With this, Qin Chen, you will recover," he said solemnly.

With great care, he placed Qin Chen into the pool. His body was completely submerged in the clear water. For a moment, nothing happened. But then, a few seconds later, the pool began to glow with a dim golden light that slowly grew brighter and brighter.

Han Yuan shielded his eyes from the bright light emanating from the pool. He could feel the warmth of the light on his skin and the cool dampness of the cave air. He waited, certain that the pool was healing Qin Chen.

**********

Meanwhile, Long Shan and Ling Han flew through the sky with Long Tian's unconscious form cradled between them.

The wind rushed past them as they soared towards Beijing, the sprawling city growing closer with each passing moment. Their destination was the Long family residence.

A few moments later, they landed in front of a magnificent house, its grandeur evident even from a distance.

"Long Shan, call Elder Ju now!" Ling Han shouted.

"Coming right away!" Long Shan nodded earnestly, immediately running to call Long Ju.

Ling Han hurried towards the medical house, his steps quick and urgent. He carried Long Tian inside and placed him gently on a bed.

Panic was etched on his face as he remembered how he had fallen unconscious, his skin turning black with red veins etched on his skin.

But that wasn't the main problem. The main problem was that Long Tian wasn't breathing.

He had thought he was dead, but Shen Yulan had explained that he was still alive, his soul not yet fully returned to her body. So he had brought him to the Long family residence, hoping for a miracle.

Not long after, Long Shan returned with four others - two old men and two middle-aged men. One of them, an old man with a white beard, hurriedly checked Long Tian's condition.

"What happened to him?" he asked solemnly.

"That's why I brought young master Long here. I'll tell you everything," Ling Han said.

Then, he explained everything that had happened to Long Tian recently - from his damaged dantian being restored, then going to the heavenly demon sect, threatening Mo Yuegang and entering the demon abyss, breaking through to nascent soul realm and finally ending up like this.

Everyone listened attentively, surprised by what they heard. Especially Long Ju. He stroked Long Tian's cheek gently, his expression grave. "His body is full of demonic energy," he said. "I've never seen anything like this before."

Ling Han nodded. "That's why I called you, Elder Ju. You are the one who understands things related to demons the most."

Long Ju examined Long Tian's skin more carefully, his eyes following the faint pulsing of the red veins. After a moment of contemplation, he said. "He is lacking pure Reiki."

As Ling Han opened his mouth to reply, his gaze suddenly shifted towards the door. A strong aura accompanied by vibrations filled the room.

"This aura… It's Patriarch Long Zhan!"