Chapter 2150 — No Easy Fix
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
Other kinds of energy Wei Zhao could not convert—he lacked Zhang Naipao's particular knack, the ability to turn any true qi into his own. But the pure, unadulterated spiritual energy of heaven and earth he could absorb, refine, and make his own.
This was also why Wei Zhao had once been able to drain true qi from General Weiwu and the Heavenly Thunder Boar.
And when Wei Zhao channeled true qi into others to help them advance, though the transfer traveled through the meridians of their wrists, what he sent was true qi that the Xuanyuan Dragon-Taming Art had automatically converted, according to the recipient's own inner-energy method, into exactly the kind of qi they required—delivered straight into their bodies, sparing them the whole process of drawing it in through the qi-sea acupoint and converting it themselves.
At a moment like this, of course, Wei Zhao would never lift a finger to help the Hidden Pi Family. Quite apart from the grudge he already bore them, even without one he would have had no interest in meddling in their affairs.
Old Master Zhao, seeing that no one else stirred, heaved a sigh and resignedly went over himself. He was the host; by sentiment and by reason alike, he could not simply stand by. Yet before taking the matter up, he had to weigh whether it was worth taking up at all—and whether it could be taken up.
As Old Master Zhao approached, Old Master Pi was seized with gratitude. "Old Master Zhao, I thank you!"
"Think nothing of it. Whether I can heal him, I cannot say." Old Master Zhao waved a hand, refusing to commit himself. He merely reached out and pressed his fingers to Pi Zhitao's meridian to examine him—and at the touch, his brows knit deeply.
Old Master Pi's heart lurched, yet he dared not speak and disturb them.
Master Wo shook his head. He knew the Wind-Thunder Violet-Lightning Beast had taken offense—and that it had not simply slapped Pi Zhitao dead on the spot was already a courtesy. This was an ancient spirit beast with the bloodline of a divine beast; how could it possibly obey every command of Master Wo?
It was not Master Wo's contracted spirit beast. For it to administer a mild rebuke to a tactless fellow like Pi Zhitao was only to be expected.
"No easy fix. This true qi is indeed the pure spiritual energy of heaven and earth, but I cannot absorb and refine it," Old Master Zhao said. "If I were to force it in slowly and try to refine it within my body, I would have no confidence of success at all. I am sorry—I fear I am powerless. The quantity of true qi inside your grandson is simply too great."
"This…" Hearing Old Master Zhao's words, Old Master Pi's heart sank. "I… I… Old Master Zhao, tell me how my grandson can be saved, and I will pay whatever price is required!"
Old Master Zhao shook his head. Such a thing was not easily done, and the reward not easily earned. If he drew the qi into himself and could not refine it, he would then have to find a way to force it back out—and that drawing in and forcing out would cost him dearly. If he lost control and his cultivation ran astray, the loss would far outweigh any gain.
Old Masters Yu, You, and Tang, veteran Heaven-rank experts all, had naturally encountered such cases many a time. People had come begging to them, and they had tried—always in vain. Never mind the considerable true qi inside Pi Zhitao; even a single thread of it was exceedingly difficult to draw out and then force away.
So they had not the slightest inclination even to attempt it. This was a task no amount of money could persuade them to undertake—it would damage their own cultivation.
"There is nothing I can do. As I see it, we had best let the Medicine King of our Zhao family take a look. If he too is helpless, then I truly am powerless," Old Master Zhao said with a shake of his head. In truth, he no longer held out any hope.