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Chapter 21: 'Essence Mend Technique'
🕑 Added 2023-10-08 18:21:24 +0000 UTCAmelia's Side Chapter - the technique will be useful later on
Amelia hesitantly stepped into the medicine hall, her eyes scanning the unfamiliar surroundings. It was her first time inside these walls. She had never needed the services of this place; any injury she received was healed using the pills her master had given her. Ironically, she was the reason many disciples ended up here.
To think I would be here to heal them, she thought, shaking her head in disbelief.
Inside, disciples bustled about, tending to the injured. The clatter of medicinal pots, the soft whispers, and the gentle laughter painted a peaceful picture, contrasting sharply with what one would expect from a typical demonic sect.
However, the moment Amelia entered, the atmosphere shifted. The noise quieted down as the disciples paused their tasks and turned their gaze towards her. Their expressions ranged from curiosity to caution, and for some, fear.
One particular disciple, a young girl with fair skin and braided hair, caught Amelia's gaze. Recognition flashed across both their faces. This girl had tasted Amelia's fist just a week ago, for daring to slander her beloved master. The sheer terror in the girl's eyes was apparent. She had believed this hall, of all places, would be her safe haven from Amelia.
Seeing Amelia glare at her, the girl's face paled and her eyes rolled back as her body went limp.
Amelia snorted softly, her lips curling in disdain. What a weakling. She won't last long in the sect.
The head disciple, a young man with an earnest face and wearing a pristine white robe, approached her hesitantly. His eyes betrayed a mixture of respect and fear. He clasped his hands and bowed, "The Grand Elder is not present at the moment. To what do we owe the honor of hosting Elder Slifer's disciple in our humble medicine hall?"
Strike first, be it words or fists. Her master's voice echoed in her mind, this was the first teaching that her master departed to her when he found her as a scared little girl. Taking a deep breath, Amelia puffed up her chest and looked down her nose at him.
"Listen closely," she began, her voice cold and haughty. "My master has assigned me a mission to save ten lives. I'm here to fulfil that task.” She glanced dismissively around the hall. "Let's make this quick. There are other matters I must attend to."
A single droplet of sweat trailed down the head disciple's forehead. Healing isn't something that can be mastered in mere hours, he thought anxiously.
However, he wisely chose to keep his thoughts to himself. I’d rather not be the one to deal with her, he reflected, deciding to redirect Amelia’s newfound enthusiasm to someone else.
He led Amelia to his junior sister, a delicate young woman with deep blue eyes.
"Amelia, meet Clara," he introduced.
Offering a smile that seemed somewhat forced, Clara greeted, "Welcome, Amelia."
Amelia returned the greeting with a curt nod, her posture radiating confidence, yet her eyes hinting at uncertainty. "I'm here to learn… healing."
Clara took a moment, choosing her words with care. "Have you practiced any healing techniques before?"
Amelia hesitated. Admitting ignorance wasn't something she was fond of, and the weight of Clara's gaze was becoming increasingly uncomfortable. But truth had its way, and she reluctantly shook her head.
Clara's smile wavered momentarily. "Very well," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "Perhaps it would be best if you observed me today. Tomorrow, you can begin practicing on your own."
Amelia merely nodded in agreement, eager to get the day over with.
Clara then led her to their first patient: a young man. His arm was swollen, angry red marks suggesting a bad fracture. His pale face showed clear signs of pain, his eyes barely focusing on the newcomers.
Clara motioned for Amelia to come closer. "For starters, I'll use the 'Essence Mend Technique'. It's the most basic of healing techniques. By channeling my qi into the patient, it stimulates their own qi to expedite the healing process."
Amelia watched with rapt attention as Clara took a deep breath, her hands glowing faintly as she gently placed them over the patient’s injured arm. Slowly but surely, the swelling started to subside, the redness fading away. The fractured bone was aligning itself, and the young man’s painful grimace gradually transformed into a look of relief.
Amelia's eyes widened in amazement. This...is incredible. Not as potent as master's pills, but impressive nonetheless.
Clara glanced up, catching Amelia's astounded expression. She smiled softly, "It takes time and practice. But soon, you'll be able to do it too."
***
Over the next couple of hours, Amelia shadowed Clara, closely watching as she healed a variety of patients. Each ailment was unique: from deep gashes to burns, from fractures to internal injuries. But after the fifth or sixth patient, Amelia's interest began to wane. The monotonous cycle of observation without participation was proving to be a tiresome affair.
Eventually, stifling a yawn, Amelia turned to Clara. "I think I've seen enough for today. I'll be heading out."
Clara, who by now seemed more at ease around Amelia, offered her a warm smile. "You did well."
Amelia paused mid-stride, eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean? I just stood there."
"No," Clara replied, shaking her head with a soft chuckle, "you were part of the team. By being present and showing interest, you lent your support."
Amelia tilted her head slightly, processing the words. "So, you're saying I helped heal those patients?"
Clara hesitated for a moment, choosing her words carefully. "I guess, in a way, you did."
A bright smile blossomed on Amelia's face, one that Clara hadn't seen before. "Then you can vouch for me," she stated more than asked.
Clara nodded, laughing softly. "Of course."
I've fulfilled my task, and with time to spare! A mischievous glint appeared in Amelia’s eyes. Perhaps now I can find a lucky soul to devour.
With a lively bounce in her step and a carefree wave to Clara, Amelia left the medicine hall.
***
The Next Day
Amelia's footsteps echoed loudly against the polished marble floor as she stormed into the medicine hall.
Whispers circulated as disciples tending to patients paused and exchanged worried glances. All remembered her from the day prior, but today she seemed more... volatile.
Clara looked up and met Amelia's eyes. A hint of surprise flashed across her face. "I didn't think you'd be back."
How could she act so innocent? Such two-faced behavior!
Amelia's eyes, cold and piercing, shot back, "It must've been you who tattled to Master!"
Without warning, Amelia's clenched fist launched at Clara. The unexpected move caught the healer off guard, and with no time to react, Clara felt the full force of the blow. She was sent flying, crashing hard into the formation-reinforced wall. The impact rebounded her forward, leaving her motionless on the ground.
The room grew deathly silent, shock evident on every face.
"I never thought you'd betray me." The unfamiliar sting of betrayal gnawed at her insides. Amelia had thought, maybe, just maybe, that she had found her first friend in the sect.
Before the situation could escalate further, a rift in space tore open, revealing a stern-looking woman. With flowing raven-black hair, sharp eyes that missed no detail, and an air of authority that demanded respect, she was none other than Grand Elder Lydia, the head of the Medicine Hall.
Amelia felt a pang of unease from the immense pressure emanating from the Elder. However, she remembered her Master's teachings and forced herself to maintain eye contact, refusing to appear weak.
Lydia's gaze darted between the unconscious Clara and Amelia. Her lips pressed together in a thin line. "Even if you're the disciple of an Ascendant cultivator," Lydia began sternly, "I won't tolerate such behavior in my hall."
Amelia, trying to reign in her boiling emotions, retorted, "She betrayed my trust. She got what she deserved."
Grand Elder Lydia shook her head slowly, "Clara was here all night. When would she have found the time to run to your Master?"
Amelia froze. Conflicting emotions warred within her. If not Clara... then how did Master find out?
Elder Lydia sighed, her expression softening slightly. "If you've come to learn the ways of healing, you will shadow me today." She paused, casting a glance back at Clara. "Let's begin with her."
She lowered herself beside Clara's unconscious form, examining the bruises and contusions that marred her pale skin. "I heard Clara introduced you to the 'Essence Mend Technique' yesterday," she stated without looking up.
Amelia hesitated briefly before nodding, "Yes, she did."
With a slight nod, Lydia commanded, "Use it. Show me."
Amelia blinked, taken aback. While she had observed the technique, executing it was an entirely different matter. But her innate talent for quickly mastering techniques bolstered her confidence. She recalled the many instances when her rapid comprehension had impressed her master.
Drawing a deep breath, she began to channel her qi, focusing on the basic principles Clara had explained. Her hands began to glow a faint blue, moving rhythmically over Clara's injuries.
However, Clara's body reacted adversely. She started twitching, her face contorting in pain, her soft groans echoing in the silent hall.
In Slifer’s quarters, his meditation was interrupted by a notification: Due to Amelia's actions, you have received 1 Karmic Credit. He heaved a resigned sigh, rubbing his temples. Always trouble, that one.
Back at the medicine hall, Lydia immediately intervened. "Your flow is too forceful. Gentle! Like a breeze, not a storm. Focus on guiding, not forcing."
Amelia gritted her teeth, adjusting her approach. Drawing upon the Essence Mend Technique's foundational principles, she began to realign her qi, pouring it with a gentler, more nurturing touch.
As the minutes passed, Clara's whimpers faded, replaced by steady breathing. Her eyelids fluttered open, revealing confusion and lingering pain. When her gaze met Amelia's, there was also a hint of fear.
Feeling a tightness in her chest, something she hadn't experienced often, Amelia offered a hesitant smile. "I'm... sorry, Clara."
Clara nodded slowly, her eyes still wary but also holding a trace of gratitude. "Thank you... for healing me."
Amelia let out a sigh, feeling a sting of regret. Another one scared off.
Next Chapter - We return to Slifer as he tries to breakthrough to Foundation Establishment
He faces his first Heavenly Tribulation!
