Chapter 500: Recovery
All eyes were fixed on Zhao Dong.
"Do you really think Zhao Dong knows medicine?"
"I don't know. As a Loose Cultivator with such strength, he must have spent most of his time cultivating. He really shouldn't have had time to study medicine."
"I feel that even if he knows medicine, his understanding must be superficial at best."
"But he and Su Li have a good relationship. He wouldn't possibly harm Su Li, would he?"
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
At that moment, Zhao Dong formed a hand seal and pointed. A purple Earth Fire instantly erupted.
"Is this... Earth Fire?"
The sight of the Earth Fire left everyone stunned.
"Impressive! He actually commands Earth Fire. That alone proves his alchemy skills are profound!"
"He has such incredible strength and terrifying proficiency in alchemy. If he also knows medicine, he'd be truly invincible!"
The crowd gasped in astonishment, and a glimmer of hope flashed in Su Li's eyes.
Two hours later, as a rich, medicinal fragrance erupted, a muffled thump sounded from within the Pill Furnace.
Zhao Dong hurriedly dispersed the Earth Fire and slapped the side of the furnace. The lid flew off, revealing a pill radiating a seven-colored light, lying right in the center!
"Could that be the eight-star Nine Revolutions Soul Returning Pill!?"
"Yes! That's the Nine Revolutions Soul Returning Pill!"
"This is a divine pill for treating internal injuries! Even if Zhao Dong doesn't know medicine, Su Li's injuries will mostly heal just by taking this!"
"Terrifying! Absolutely terrifying!"
"Truly, the new generation surpasses the old. The student has become the master!"
The crowd was completely dumbfounded. At this point, who would dare to question Zhao Dong?
Holding the pill, Zhao Dong walked over to Su Li. "Big Brother, this Nine Revolutions Soul Returning Pill can help repair most of your internal injuries. Combined with my acupuncture, you will definitely make a full recovery!"
Su Li excitedly took the pill, his hands trembling. "Great! This is wonderful!" he exclaimed. "Little Brother, you're truly my lucky star!"
"It's nothing compared to what you've done for me, Big Brother."
Zhao Dong urged, "Big Brother, follow me inside quickly. I'll perform the acupuncture for you now!"
"Right!"
Su Li eagerly followed Zhao Dong into an inner room, with the curious crowd trailing behind them.
Su Li swallowed the pill, then sat cross-legged on the bed. Zhao Dong took out his silver needles, mobilized his Spiritual Energy, and began the acupuncture treatment.
An hour later, when Zhao Dong withdrew the last needle, Su Li's aura surged to a terrifying peak. He excitedly rushed outside, forming a hand seal and pointing his right hand to the sky. The same Crescent Moon Sword Energy that had repelled Dongfang Shi and the others soared into the heavens!
But this time, Su Li showed no sign of discomfort.
"My internal injuries are healed! They're healed!" Su Li exclaimed, excitedly grabbing Zhao Dong's hand.
The crowd behind them was frozen in shock. They couldn't imagine that Zhao Dong had actually succeeded.
Zhao Dong smiled. "Big Brother, don't get too excited yet. You've been injured for many years. Although I've repaired your organs, some hidden injuries haven't completely healed. You need to rest as much as possible and try to avoid fighting."
"No worries, no worries!" Su Li laughed heartily. "For you to have done this much already makes me happier than I can say. Thank you! Thank you!"
Amid his excitement, a murderous glint flashed in his eyes.
Zhao Dong quickly grabbed his arm. "Big Brother, I told you that because I don't want you to rush off and look for trouble. If they could injure you at your peak, you're certainly no match for them now. You're my Big Brother. I promise I will go with you to that sect and get justice! When we brothers stand together, we'll crush them completely!"
"Good! I promise you, Little Brother!" Su Li nodded in relief. "When we brothers are of one mind, our strength can sever metal!"
Just then, Dongfang Shi stepped forward with a smile. "This is truly wonderful," he sighed. "Su Li's recovery is a great fortune for our Qingyun Sect. I have decided to host a grand banquet at the Qingyun Sect tonight, partly to apologize to young friend Zhao and also to celebrate Su Li's return!"
"Will there be wine?" Su Li suddenly turned to ask.
Dongfang Shi was taken aback for a moment, then burst out laughing. "Hahaha... Only the finest Wuliangye, and plenty of it!"
"Hahahaha... Now you're talking!" Su Li threw an arm around Zhao Dong's shoulders, and they staggered out together. "Tonight, we brothers won't go home until we're drunk!"
「...」
On the plaza outside the main hall, most of the Qingyun Sect disciples had gathered. Hundreds of tables were laid out for the lavish banquet.
Seated beside Dongfang Shi, Zhao Dong was the undeniable center of attention. People came forward one after another to offer toasts and express their apologies. The female disciples, in particular, couldn't seem to tear themselves away from him. Some of the bolder ones even offered to bear his child as an apology, sending a horrified Zhao Dong fleeing and drawing roars of laughter from the crowd.
Su Li sat next to Zhao Dong, drinking with great pleasure. The disciples of the Qingyun Sect dared not offend their former Senior Brother, who was now making such a dramatic return. They rushed to curry favor with him, especially after hearing how he had repelled a group of elders with a single move.
Given Su Li's dashing charisma and formidable strength, many female disciples began to fawn over him, which relieved some of the pressure on Zhao Dong. However, Su Li only had eyes for his wine and Zhao Dong, casually brushing off everyone else. Even so, the crowd's enthusiasm did not wane.
But beneath their warm expressions, the eyes of the male disciples burned with jealousy. They would smile while offering a toast, only for their faces to darken the moment they turned away, grinding their teeth and wishing they could tear Zhao Dong limb from limb.
Such is the ugliness of human nature. People want to stand on high, but they can't stand to see others above them. How pathetic. How lamentable.
At a table in the corner, Hai Dongqing and Ling'er glared darkly at Zhao Dong, downing cup after cup of wine in sullen silence.
"Damn bastard!" Hai Dongqing cursed viciously. "Not only did he not die, he's now an honored guest of our Qingyun Sect! Damn it all!"
Ling'er chimed in, "That bastard really is lucky. If he hadn't run into Su Li, he'd have been dead long ago!"
"Hmph! Don't you dare mention Su Li to me! Just hearing his name makes me even angrier!" Hai Dongqing's sullen gaze shifted to Su Li. "Su Li, why couldn't you just stay a useless cripple? Why did you have to come back? You deserve to die even more than that Zhao Dong!"
Seeing Hai Dongqing's intense hatred for Su Li, Ling'er asked in confusion, "Senior Brother Su is one of us, from the Qingyun Sect. Why are you so hostile toward him?"
"You idiot!" Hai Dongqing glared at Ling'er, who lowered her head, aggrieved. "Have you forgotten that the sect was planning to promote me to be the next Sect Leader?"
"I know that, but what does it have to do with Su Li?" Ling'er was still lost.
Hai Dongqing said darkly, "You're laughably stupid! The only reason I was in line to be the next Sect Leader was because that waste of space, Su Li, did nothing but drink all day! He was a cripple the sect had given up on. But what about now!?"