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Dao of Healing - Chapter 143
🕑 Added 2025-06-06 12:41:51 +0000 UTCI was meditating in the main room of my house
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I was meditating in the main room of my house. The mat beneath my legs gave me a minor boost to my qi circulation speed and increased my clarity of thought. They were a marvellous creation which I first encountered in Second Elder Li’s home.
He’d since given me the contact details for the artisan weaver who crafted them in Twisting Ridge City. I had procured a decent amount and handed them out to a few promising disciples to assist their efforts.
I opened my eyes and stopped circulating my qi. The natural treasure on the floor in front of me crumbled into blackened dust, drained of its spiritual energy.
Despite completely consuming it, the refinement of my fifth organ hadn’t budged an inch. My brain was stuck around ninety-nine percent. It was now obvious that I was missing an extra variable in order to complete the first layer of my Fivefold Medicine Forge Physique.
With a frustrated sigh I banished the dust with a flick of my sleeve and kept the cultivation mat in my spatial ring. My seclusion hadn’t been a complete failure, however, as I managed to make great progress in my study of the ancient healing manual the Spring and Autumn Sage had given me in the Blossoming Heavens.
I now completely understood the spiritual body of a cultivator. The spirit veins, the soul, and the connections to the physical body and the dantian.
Not only did I know the optimal layout of them all, but I had also completely mapped my own spiritual body through a painstaking process of introspection. These exercises had further honed my spiritual senses.
I had discovered that the layout of my spirit veins was less than optimal. Unlike those favoured sons and daughters of heaven who possessed a Heavenly Spirit Physique with perfect spirit veins, mine had many blockages and imperfections.
Unfortunately I had no idea how to begin correcting them. I suspected it was possible, but perhaps explained in one of the later four sections of the manual. I was still unable to read any further than the title of the second section, the characters on the pages still shifting and eluding my comprehension.
My cultivation realm hadn’t progressed much. I was still a two-star Foundation Building expert. Unfortunately I could only advance by healing patients, but the greater my cultivation grew the higher cultivation I needed my patients to be to reward me with significant gains.
Healing mortals barely gave positive returns now, but I had offloaded much of that menial work to my disciples. It was a win-win situation, given that they were able to learn the ways of healing and I didn’t have to spend my time on treating an endless stream of minor afflictions when I could be working on developing advanced techniques and pushing the sect forward.
My secluded cultivation was coming to an end today. A week ago I had sent a message to Yu Chun to put up a noticeboard outside the Grasping Life Palace detailing what the intra-sect competitions would consist of.
Today, the entire sect as well as any people from the surrounding towns and cities who had decided to come and spectate. I had spread an open invitation with a specific purpose—gaining further renown for the sect.
The more people who knew we were a bastion of healing, the more patients we would have. This would serve a threefold purpose.
We could treat more people suffering from diseases and wounds they didn’t have to be suffering with.
All of my disciples, no matter their cultivation realm or level of healing skill, would be able to have appropriate patients to practice their skills on.
And finally, we would be able to make plenty of money in order to fuel the sect’s growth. The resources we required were already expensive and I often broke out in a cold sweat thinking about how expensive it would become when we began treating cultivators en masse.
The healing competition would be the last to take place, as it was the most important for our sect. The competition itself would be held over a number of days. Today was the first day and I was expected at the arena soon, to lead the opening ceremony.
We were beginning with the ‘open’ round. Those who pursued a path unrelated to combat or healing would display their talents and be judged on a number of categories and aspects. The winner would become the first inner disciple of the Grasping Life Sect.
In a way, those who lived on the summit of Million Flowers Celestial Peak were already an ‘inner’ sect of sorts, but this would be official. It was an important distinction to make. Effort and dedication would be rewarded.
I made my way outside, taking in the sight of the sun approaching its zenith. The rays of light lit up the mountainside, a vibrant tapestry of floral beauty.
My gaze fell down the mountain, towards the base. A grand arena had appeared, where before there was nothing but empty fields. The Yu twins were becoming true artisans in the field of construction.
Their affinity for earth qi surely helped in this regard. The summit was empty save for me, with everyone else in the sect already gathered at the arena in preparation.
Even from here I could see a winding stream of people making their way inside from the surrounding villages. The road to Twisting Ridge City was full of activity all the way to the horizon.
Frankly I was surprised by the overwhelming response to the invitation. I had expected some interest, but it almost felt as though the entire population of the surrounding regions had come to watch.
That meant a lot of pressure on the disciples and the sect, but it also meant my plan had worked like a charm. The sect’s name would ring out through the surrounding lands once the competition was done.
This was a risk, given that the Soaring Sword Sect and Cloudy Falls Sect would no doubt hear of our appearance and take action. However, with my own cultivation at two-star Foundation Building and Wang Ren not far behind, we were a match for the weaker elders of both sects.
In an all out war, we would lose, but I doubted either of the two sects would send their strongest fighters simply to crush a young sect. Besides, both of them were constantly at war with each other—a fact I was relying on to keep us safe until such a time we were truly uncontested in the region.
Unfortunately the enmity between us and the Cloudy Falls Sect was too great to resolve through words. At least, if the current First Elder remained in power. I didn’t know the Sect Leader’s stance, but assumed he would listen to Sun Jin’s advice given the power of his clan.
I would have to put my hopes on the Fourth Elder and the Mist Princess and their developing coup. As for the Soaring Sword Sect, such a warmongering group would usually not tolerate the appearance of a new sect on their borders, but this situation was unprecedented.
We were a sect of healers and a positive relationship would benefit the other sects far more than attempting to crush us. Then again, that all depended on how much the leaders of each sect knew of the world’s laws and the secret conflict between Nascent Soul Sages.
Only time would tell.
For today, I wouldn’t worry about such things. It was time to see how far my disciples had progressed. To see if all my efforts and teachings had borne fruit.
Despite being dressed in the green robes of the sect, most of the people I passed barely paid me any notice. The reason for that was most of them were from the surrounding province and didn’t know my identity. They soon would.
I stood in front of the towering arch that led inside the arena. It looked as if ancient Chinese builders had constructed their vision of Rome’s colosseum.
For a moment, I stood in silent appreciation of the monumental efforts of my disciples. They had made me proud in this.
Then, I steeled my expression and strode inside. I doubted all of the crowd would fit in the arena, even though we had prepared thousands of seats. It was a shame. I would try to find a solution for tomorrow.
As I entered a waiting room that looked down over the arena I was greeted by Wang Ren and Yu Chun. “Sect Leader, you’ve arrived,” the former said, a hint of excitement in his voice.
“I have. How are things looking?”
“All of the disciples are ready and await your command. The spectator situation is getting a little out of hand, but Guest Elder Li suggested a fantastic solution,” Yu Chun said, motioning to the corner where the Second Elder was sitting and sipping tea.
I had sensed his presence on entry, but didn’t wish to disturb his rest. “What is this solution?” I asked.
“There is a new kind of inscribed jade being produced in Celestial Jade City which recently made its way to the outer regions. If you place the ‘transmitter’ jade in an area and provide it with spiritual energy via a spirit stone, it will send the image of its surroundings to any number of ‘receiver’ jades which can display the image on a screen for spectators. We can put screens outside the arena to prevent any chaos or overcrowding inside,” Yu Chun explained.
Magic television? Now this was an idea I could get behind. I wanted to meet the genius who had invented such a thing, but I had no desire to visit Celestial Jade City again any time soon.
“It seems like an elegant solution. Set it up,” I replied. Yu Chun nodded and left the room for a few minutes. I saw a few disciples scurry about, one to the centre of the arena and the others outside.
“I have to say, I am most looking forward to the martial disciples’ tournament,” Wang Ren said, walking up to the window beside me. “However, today feels as though it will be interesting. I wonder what strange displays we will have to judge.”
“I am also curious,” I replied. “Also… I have a strange feeling in my gut. As though something ridiculous will happen.”
Wang Ren snorted. “Since when were you the superstitious type? Reading bones and divining the heavens was never your style.”
“You’re right,” I laughed in response. “Still, who knows what will happen?” Yu Chun returned at that moment.
“Everything is ready, Sect Leader,” she declared.
“Then, it is time. Let’s go and announce the beginning of the first Grasping Life Sect intra-sect competition!” I replied with a beaming smile.
****
In Twisting Ridge City, a group of five disciples of the Soaring Sword Sect were sitting and drinking plum wine. They had a private floor to themselves in one of the city’s finest restaurants, but not all of them were satisfied with the atmosphere.
“Why is it so empty? Normally Twisting Ridge City is the best patrol route, but I can’t see my darling Fei Yan anywhere,” a hook-nosed disciple moaned.
“You just want to wet your spear, bastard!” another roared while laughing.
“All of you be quiet. We’re here to carry out a mission for the sect. I do agree it is strange how quiet the city is… Let’s ask the waitress when she brings our drinks,” the tallest of the group said. The others fell silent at his remark, indicating his status among them.
She arrived a minute later, carrying a tray with a fresh jug of aromatic plum wine. “Here you go, the wine you ordered, honoured disciples. If I might be so curious, what brings you to our Twisting Ridge City?” she asked.
Perhaps others might have been scared of the cultivators, but this waitress was a bold one. She had long dreamed of escaping her menial mortal life and being whisked away by a charismatic and strong immortal.
“Actually, we heard there was something going on here in the city and the sect sent us to check it out. Have you heard anything about it?” the group’s leader replied, flashing a charming smile.
“You have heard of the sect competition?” the waitress exclaimed. “I wanted to go, but I need to finish my work first. I plan to head to Million Flowers Celestial Peak the moment I’m finished. The journey takes a few days though, so I’ll probably miss most of it,” she sighed, a dreamy expression appearing on her face.
The five disciples looked at each other in confusion. They all had the same thoughts.
“What sect competition? I hadn’t heard of anything. The contest between us and those Cloudy Falls bastards isn’t supposed to take place for another six years,” the hook-nosed disciple said.
The waitress froze. She chose her next words carefully, knowing that insulting cultivators was more than easy to do and could have devastating consequences for a mortal like her. “I am not sure which contest the esteemed cultivators are referring to, but the competition which I refer to is the Grasping Life Sect’s internal competition. The first ever. They say the divine doctor himself will be judging it!”
“Divine doctor?” muttered one of the disciples. “Who’s that?”
“Have you heard of this Grasping Life Sect, Senior Brother?” another asked the tall leader of the group.
The rakish man with elegant features tapped his chin in thought. “I have not. This is bad. If a new sect has appeared in our territory we must investigate and report back to the Elders,” he eventually said.
“What? Why don’t we just go and crush these upstart bastards. Daring to announce themselves as a sect in our lands is courting death!” the hook-nosed disciple roared.
“Patience. Who knows what the situation is. An enraged beast only sees red until the hunter’s spear is buried in its flesh. We must proceed with caution,” he said, silencing the other four disciples. He then turned to the waitress. “Thank you for the information, missy. As thanks, we will escort you to the competition so that you don’t miss any of the action.”
“Really? Oh wow, thank you so much, honoured cultivator. I finish in a few hours. I’ll wait for you by the entrance,” she gushed, cheeks going red as she looked at the charismatic cultivator.
“Of course. We will see you then,” he replied.
As she left the private room, the five men shared devilish grins. “Mortal women are so foolish. They always dream beyond their station. At least we’ll have fun on the way to this competition,” the hook-nosed man chuckled.
“They’re too frail. They always break too fast,” another moaned.
“Enough. The mission takes priority. Don’t forget that,” the leader said, before pouring himself another cup of plum wine. “Now, let’s drink!”
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