Three Components

Amidst their escape from the unseen assailants, both exhausted, Zhihao steered Xinran to rest against a tree in the bushes. Gasping for breath, he released his hold on her, his exhalations tinged with the scent of blood.

Xinran, clad in a disheveled white hanfu, bore a distressed expression, a mix of concern and fear etched on her face. Overwhelmed, she tore at her fabric.

"Xinran, what have you done?" Zhihao asked, surprised by the state of her clothes which was even worse.

"Please endure," she urged, revealing a smooth thigh through the torn fabric. "I'll extract the blade to prevent the infection."

Zhihao's face dripping with cold sweat looked anxious, this discomfort was almost too much to bear and now he was about to receive another lethal anguish. But, he must understand that what Xinran said was true, without being extracted, he would be hard to heal.

With a frail nod, the man took a deep breath while Xinran approached, carefully holding the weapon that was stuck to his stomach. The slightest draw made Zhihao whimper, she had to do it once and fast to minimize the pain.

"I'm so sorry," Xinran whispered, both brown eyes fixated on his emerald eyes. "If you have to feel this."

Zhihao watched Xinran in detail, placing complete trust in her. "I don't mind," he stammered. "I believe in you, Xinran."

Xinran's beautiful irises widened before she steadied herself, placing both hands on the blade's handle. Gathering her strength, she hesitated for a moment, then with a single burst of force, she extracted the sharp object from Zhihao's abdomen.

The force of the extraction knocked Xinran over, causing her to sit on the dirt, while Zhihao was hauled forward, releasing a sigh with a strangled sound. Quickly recovering, Xinran poured the elixir from her waist onto the torn cloth, placing it over the bloodied open wound.

Zhihao swallowed repeatedly, his breathing irregular and rough, his weakened eyes still fixed on the woman before him. Despite the sorrow, Xinran's clear concern spurred a slight smile from Zhihao as he extended a hand towards her.

"I feel much better now," he said, gently wiping away the tears on her cheek. Xinran looked up, their eyes met each other. "Thank you."

Stunned and flustered, Xinran mustered a smile upon hearing his appreciation. The elixir she administered worked, slowing the blood to flow out. However, a side effect caused Zhihao to close his eyes, slipping into unconsciousness.

At that moment, a nostalgic yearning for his children swept over Zhihao. A simple yet earnest sentence left unspoken to them, found its way to Xinran, bearing deep meaning for him.

Another memory surfaced in his mind, not of him with Anisa or Anastasia, but of a woman with shoulder-length blonde hair. She sat beside him, both facing forward, toward the lake bathed in the reddish light of the sun on the western horizon.

"Isn't it so relaxed here?" she uttered with a slight smile, the wrinkles on the sides of her eyes twitching.

Mikael, recognizing her, closed his eyes and looked forward. "And beautiful too," he confessed, savoring the serene atmosphere.

The woman didn't answer, opting to close her eyes. "Sweetheart, after all these years of being with me," she whispered, leaning on his shoulder. "Do you still love me?"

Startled, Mikael turned to the weakened woman beside him, lacking fuel. He held her cold hand, kissing her white hair. "I will always love you, dear."

She smiled, managing to speak, "If we are offered the chance to live again, I will never stop loving you."

His emerald eyes opened quickly, revealing a gaze filled with alertness. Dark hair flowed messily as he found himself on the bed, wrapped in a blanket. Turning his head, he noticed a woman in front of the nightstand, her back turned to him, engrossed in some activity.

"S-Sister?"

As soon as Meisha turned around, those eyes that looked red like they had been crying for a long time, approached him. "You awake!" she exclaimed, expressing her happiness by embracing her brother. "Thank heaven you're alright!"

Feeling the warmth, a sense of calmness enveloped him and reassured him that in this second life, there was someone who loved him. Meisha then sat on the edge of the bed, wiping her tears. "Thanks to Xinran, your damages are not too severe."

Zhihao furrowed his brows and inquired, "Is she okay?"

Meisha nodded, offering a sweet smile. "She's fine," she explained. "After you lost consciousness, Xinran found the guards who happened to be patrolling there."

"Now, she's at the Guard Center with Jia to handle this incident," she continued, rising from her seat. "However, the harm you received needs proper treatment."

Meisha brought a tray to the nightstand and set it next to Zhihao. "These herbal remedies help seal your wounds, but they won't be as efficient since you're not cultivated."

"What does that mean?" Zhihao asked, confusion clouding his expression.

"Most cultivators have their methods to heal wounds," Meisha explained, unfolding the white-colored blanket to reveal his bare torso wrapped in bandages. "They use their inner force to speed up the healing."

"However, three components affect how fast a physical damage heals," she continued, revealing the cloth and exposing Zhihao's wound that had closed slightly. "Physical endurance, inner force or chi, and herbal medicine."

"Everything must be balanced and complement each other," Meisha explained, pouring a blackish liquid onto the new bandage. "If one of them is missing, then recovery will not be maximized."

"Try to hold it," she suggested as she applied the cloth right to his wound, causing a brief whimper from Zhihao. "I estimate that it may take a week for you to heal."

Zhihao contemplated this time, not wanting to delay his cultivation. "I've been thinking about it... about cultivation. I discussed this with Xinran and she wants to teach me how to ascend."

Meisha who re-wrapped the bandage around his stomach, now responded, "Good, right? You two can get to know each other better than before!" She arose, about to exit the room.

With a teased smile, she added, "Wasn't that your wish from the start?"

After all, she's still his sister who won't change. Letting out a sigh, he answered, "Whatever you like!"

Chuckled, Meisha continued, "Don't be mad like that," she then opened the door. "Drink the elixir to ease your pain. I'll be back!"

Zhihao realized that there was still a reddish-tinged bottle on the nightstand, looking back at the ceiling. "Awaken, huh?" he mumbled, checking his information.

[Name: Lin Zhihao

Race: Human

Profession: Alchemist (Novice)

Profession EXP: 60% to Apprentice

Age: 17

Cultivation: Not Cultivate (100% to Chi Gathering) Proceed Meditation to Awaken]

"Wonder how long that will take," Zhihao mused, considering the time needed to cultivate.