Chapter Seventy-Seven: The Legacy of Li Qing's Mission

The plains appeared to be no more than thirty years old, with blond hair and blue eyes that lent him an unusual air. At this moment, he held two sheets of paper in his hands, utterly absorbed. Only after some time did he finally lift his head to regard his two visitors. One was Li Qing; the other, naturally, was Wu Yue. The two had not come together by arrangement, but merely by coincidence.

Who would have thought that the famed Dr. Pingyuan, whose reputation was so vast, would see so few patients? After all, with fees as exorbitant as his, ordinary cultivators could hardly afford a consultation. Learning of Pingyuan's rules this time, many people unexpectedly began to feel sympathy for the Tiger Gang.

“These are excellent verses. In another world, you could well be a respected poet,” Pingyuan said, his voice oddly stiff, a hint of peculiarity in his tone. “The cultural development of this world is truly abysmal.”

“I can waive your consultation fee for this, but young man, the cost of the medicine is not discounted.”

Wu Yue was momentarily stunned; it turned out the high price earlier was only for the consultation, and medicine was charged separately.

“Gentlemen, you may begin. Would you like one of you to step outside?” Pingyuan asked, noticing their apparent familiarity.

Li Qing shook his head. “No need. I am not here for a consultation. I wish to purchase your unique Tier Three Boundary-Breaking Nano Capsule.”

Pingyuan nodded with exaggerated flourish. “Sir, you are in luck. I happen to have one right now. However, such precious items can only be exchanged for something of equal value.”

“This is a special cultivation technique, unique on this continent, I guarantee.”

“Just a technique? That may not be enough. I have my own methods, after all.”

“It will suffice,” Li Qing said, handing over a booklet. “This could be an entirely new cultivation system.”

“That is most valuable,” Pingyuan replied, accepting it and flipping through several pages. Upon glancing at it, his eyes widened tremendously.

Pingyuan seemed to have an extraordinary passion for unfamiliar cultures, his face alight with excitement. “Wonderful! This is an innovative approach to cultivation. So you wish to exchange for the Tier Three Boundary-Breaking Nano Capsule? Certainly, that is no problem at all!”

Wu Yue regarded the capsule as rather ordinary, forgiving himself for having consumed many such things before.

“Have you ever seen a similar capsule?” Pingyuan inquired of Wu Yue.

Wu Yue could assure himself that even if surprise flickered across his face, it was but for an instant. Yet even so, the highly excited Pingyuan caught it at once. Only then did Wu Yue realize how inexperienced and naive he truly was, how shallow his life experience remained. He resolved privately to train harder in the future. People do indeed improve—sometimes, it takes only a small incident.

Wu Yue shook his head. “I just find it a bit strange.”

Pingyuan had only asked out of curiosity, so he did not press further.

“To think I have encountered two great scholars at once—perhaps I have squandered much good fortune today. It seems unsuitable to continue consultations,” Pingyuan said, his face unable to conceal his excitement, as if joking.

“Well then, now it is consultation time again. Poet, you don’t look so well to me,” Pingyuan said, blinking twice, which made him seem rather endearing.

“Let’s proceed with a full examination.”

“I’ll wait here for you, is that alright?” Li Qing suddenly said, his expression earnest and concerned, evoking trust. Wu Yue did not object; his guard remained up for this eccentric doctor.

Wu Yue’s examination was troublesome. Pingyuan retrieved a black device from a silver case, which grew enormous as soon as it touched the floor. Wu Yue could surmise that this strange Dr. Pingyuan likely hailed from another world as well.

The results came quickly. Pingyuan stared at Wu Yue for a quarter of an hour before heaving a sigh. “Looking at you, I almost think I’m gazing at a corpse. With such injuries, it’s impossible for anyone to survive—what a miraculous world this is. But even so, you cannot continue cultivating.”

“Can it be treated?”

“Yes. But you cannot afford it.”

“How much?”

Pingyuan spread his arms wide, as if embracing the air. “At least the entire Black Curtain City, and that’s just the cost of materials.”

Wu Yue fell silent. He truly could not afford such a price. The thought of resorting to force flickered through his mind but vanished quickly—the risk was too great, and the chance of success too slim. As for paying with poetry, he knew better than to suggest such a ridiculous notion. He still wondered why Hong Xiu refused to come.

Just as the two stepped out of the inn, a commotion arose—it seemed Pingyuan really had ceased consultations for the day.

Wu Yue glanced sidelong at Li Qing, who appeared hesitant, words on the tip of his tongue. Calmly, Wu Yue spoke, “Who among mortals can escape death? The regret lies only in unfulfilled wishes, in failing to save the world. But I am unafraid. Do not grieve for me. I hope your journey will always be devoted to saving others, that you will achieve your dreams with your own hands.” Wu Yue spoke these words without embarrassment, guilt, or hesitation.

Li Qing, however, looked abashed, especially at the line, “I hope your journey will always be devoted to saving others.” It struck his ears harshly. When he was with Xie Huanling, he could not care for so much—the hardest thing to endure is the kindness of a beautiful woman, Wu Yue had guessed right.

Li Qing suddenly halted, his expression turning solemn. He said seriously to Wu Yue, “I hope you will remember your promise.”

Wu Yue nodded, his face serene. “Of course. Even if I become an ordinary man, even if my days are numbered, my heart will never change.”

Li Qing shook his head. “No. You will not become an ordinary man.” Wu Yue obligingly wore an expression of surprise.

Li Qing drew a deep breath, pain flickering across his face. He could never forget that moment—a young boy’s body shattered, falling upon the teleportation array; then the surge of space, and an entire village, once filled with laughter, vanished into nothingness.

“You must be careful, truly careful. I was once arrogant—fortunately, the Master gave me this chance at redemption.” By the end, Li Qing’s explanation of his arrival became somewhat obscure. Wu Yue did not press further; he knew little of Li Qing. He only recalled that, once, a wealthy heir at the same hospital, suffering from delusional mania, had spoken of him.

By harnessing intent to guide positioning, controlling starlight with formations, and opening foreign spaces for random inter-universe summoning—this method defied the heavens. Wu Yue finally understood Li Qing’s hesitation: the threshold for this skill was too low, but its effect too immense. If it spread, the entire Celestial Spirit Realm would descend into chaos and war.

“If only I understood the true reason—if only I could unravel the secret of this summoning array.”

Wu Yue saw Li Qing off, his face devoid of gratitude, weighed only by the gravity of his own mission. Li Qing felt no pride in helping others, only the solemnity of passing on a responsibility.

When Wu Yue returned to the inn, he unexpectedly encountered a parent who had come to apologize.

ps: Do you know Li Qing’s story...?