Chapter 34: Li Qingran, You’re So Stupid

The theft of a supreme-grade Heart Protection Pill from an inner disciple of Chixiao Peak was no trivial matter.

Especially when the pill, worth tens of thousands of mid-grade spirit stones, had cost Xiao Yifeng all the connections he could muster. To buy it, he had borrowed from everyone willing to lend. He thought that as an alchemist, learning to refine a supreme-grade Heart Protection Pill would allow him to easily repay his debts.

When asked about the theft, Xiao Yifeng stammered out that the pill had vanished from his storage pouch without explanation. He swore it had been there when he returned to Qingyun Sect and checked it before heading up the mountain.

The elders and Daoist Qingxuan, who had been ready to rally behind him, were left speechless by the sheer absurdity of the situation. Sect Master Wu Duantian issued an order for a sect-wide lockdown and an inspection of all disciples’ belongings. After much chaos and an exhausting search, they turned up nothing.

“If I ever find out who stole my pill, I’ll tear them limb from limb!” Xiao Yifeng swore to the heavens.

Meanwhile, on Earth, Chen Huai’an had already fed the pill to Li Qingran.

“Achoo!”

【Press the Qihai Acupoint with your left hand and circulate energy. Slide your fingers toward the Guanyuan Acupoint.】

【Use your right hand to perform acupuncture according to the Pulse Opening Needle Technique.】

The screen zoomed in, highlighting Li Qingran’s waist and abdomen. Due to her battle with the heart demon, sweat soaked her thin clothing, leaving her attire almost translucent. The damp fabric clung to her skin, outlining the elegant curve of her waist. Beneath her top, her undergarment—a pale green dudou—was visible, embroidered with a lotus leaf and a small frog. In the corner, the words “Li Qingran” were stitched in clumsy, crooked handwriting.

“Wait, is that… her handwriting?”

Any fleeting inappropriate thoughts vanished as Chen Huai’an stared at the childish scrawl. It reminded him of the poorly written characters on his talisman and bracelet.

Shaking his head, he focused on the task at hand. Guided by the glowing acupoints on the screen, he pressed the indicated spots with his fingers. Li Qingran’s body trembled slightly under his touch.

“Did that hurt?” Chen Huai’an wondered to himself, oblivious to Li Qingran’s reaction.

Inside her mind, Li Qingran continued to struggle in the murky darkness, surrounded by taunts and accusations. Every inch of her body felt like it was being torn apart, her soul pierced and shredded by cruel words.

“You think you can reach the Foundation Establishment stage? Laughable!”

“Trash like you deserves to have your cultivation crippled!”

“Get out of Qingyun Sect! Get out!”

“Someone like you doesn’t deserve to live.”

Despair engulfed her. She reached out desperately, but her hands grasped only cold, empty air. The mocking faces drew closer, mouths opening wide as if to devour her.

“No… someone… save me…”

Suddenly, a clear sword cry rang out, slicing through the oppressive darkness like a stream of cool spring water.

A beam of light pierced the void, dispersing the chaos.

“Li Qingran!”

A voice called her name, firm and steady.

The faces froze in shock. One by one, they were severed by an invisible blade. Flames erupted from the clean cuts, consuming the twisted visages until they disintegrated into ash.

“Li Qingran!”

The voice grew closer. Through the smoke and debris, a figure emerged. A black-clad silhouette stood tall, a sword in hand. White hair cascaded down their back, and a majestic five-clawed black dragon coiled around them, its golden eyes burning with authority.

“Predecessor…” Li Qingran murmured, her voice trembling.

She felt a wave of calm wash over her, sweeping away the turmoil in her mind. The suffocating darkness receded, as if cowed by the figure’s presence.

Li Qingran opened her eyes, finding herself back in the small room.

The terrifying illusions caused by the heart demon had vanished. Now drenched in sweat, her body ached from head to toe. Her abdomen and waist tingled with an unfamiliar sensation.

Glancing down, her face turned crimson.

Golden hands of pure Spiritual Qi were pressing her acupoints, massaging her waist and abdomen. One hand circulated energy, while the other performed acupuncture. The sensation was peculiar—tingling, ticklish, and almost unbearably intimate.

Clenching her teeth, she fought the urge to gasp aloud.

Li Qingran’s face burned as she watched her soft flesh yield to the pressure of the glowing hands. Her fingers twisted the hem of her damp robe, turning her knuckles white. Her feet shuffled restlessly on the floor as she prayed for a hole to crawl into.

“He saw… he definitely saw the dudou…”

“Why did I embroider a lotus leaf and a frog on it? He must think I’m so childish…”

“Li Qingran, you’re so stupid. So, so stupid…”

Her mind spiraled with embarrassment. The heart demon’s torment felt trivial compared to her mortification. Even after Chen Huai’an finished, she remained lost in her thoughts, replaying countless awkward scenarios in her head.

“Done!” Chen Huai’an sighed in relief. “Her cultivation base is intact.”

The Heart Protection Pill, combined with his acupuncture and techniques, had effectively stabilized her Foundation Establishment stage.

Now, however, he had to tackle the root problem: her heart demon.

According to the Heavenly Divination, she needed to return to Qingyun Sect and sever her ties to Chixiao Peak to fully overcome the issue.

Chen Huai’an frowned. If he had a choice, he wouldn’t send her back to such a dangerous place. But the game left him no alternatives.

“Going back might be risky…” he muttered.

Just then, a knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.

Knock, knock, knock.

A cold voice followed from outside.

“Li Qingran, open the door. I know you’re in there.”

Enhance your reading experience by removing ads for as low as $1!