Chapter 1036: Chapter 1036: Qi Blood Talisman

Watching Lin Tian’s figure speed away, Xu Beishan clutched his stomach with both hands, his body bent like a boiled shrimp as he endured the sharp pain in his gut. In the end, he let out a long breath of relief.

Lin Tian had promised to spare Xu Nanhai’s life; that result was already the best he could hope for.

Xu Beishan really hadn’t expected that after being overbearing his whole life, he would, in middle age, run into an even more overbearing young man. Going head‑to‑head ended with him like this now, curled up on the ground like a shrimp.

After a short while, Xu Beishan heard Xu Nanhai’s miserable screams. Maybe because his jawbone was dislocated, the screams weren’t very loud, but they were enough to make one’s heart tremble.

Thinking about it, Xu Nanhai’s current state definitely wouldn’t be any better than Mei Ruyan’s—barely breathing, hanging on by a thread.

Whoo, whoo, whoo...

The wind was strong tonight. One gust hadn’t died down before another rose, blowing nonstop and knocking the petals off the bodhi plum until they covered the ground.

Clack, clack...

Xiang Ming ran over in quick, hurried little steps, shouting, "Auntie, it’s cold up here in the attic, put on this cloak."

Xv Baiping turned around and saw Xiang Ming holding a snow‑white Silver Glory cloak, his clean, smiling face lifted, warm like a little sun.

Xv Baiping took the Silver Glory cloak from him and draped it over her shoulders, sighing, "The wind’s picking up."

Xiang Ming grabbed the railing with his small hands and stood on tiptoe, looking down over Xu Family Stream, hoping to see the shadows of his sister and the others returning under the streetlights.

"Auntie, don’t worry, they’ll definitely be back before it starts raining!" Xiang Ming said loudly.

"Mm, they definitely will."

Xv Baiping’s gaze stretched out into the distance, but she still couldn’t see the figure she was longing for.

In this world, what loving mother doesn’t yearn for her child to come home? Even though Mei Ruyan wasn’t Xv Baiping’s biological daughter, in her heart there was no difference between her and Miaoqiu.

So even though the cold wind earlier had chilled her hands and feet to the bone, she still insisted on standing there, just hoping to see her daughter the very first moment.

Whoosh~

The slanting wind gusted over, blowing Xv Baiping’s long hair apart and messing up Xiang Ming’s hairstyle.

Rumble...

In the eastern sky, white light flickered within a clump of dark clouds, followed by a bolt of lightning that split the night sky and lit it up like daytime.

Drip, drip...

The slanting rain, like flying needles, blew into the attic in fine threads. Xv Baiping had a cloak over her, so she was fine.

But it was rough on thinly clad Xiang Ming. He rubbed his small hands together furiously, trying to warm himself up.

"If you’re cold, go back and put on another layer," Xv Baiping said softly.

Xiang Ming replied, "I’m not cold!"

Look at that, the little man was pretty stubborn.

Since he said he wasn’t cold, Xv Baiping didn’t press him. For someone who seeks the Heavenly Dao, how could a bit of rain count as hardship?

Xiang Ming didn’t try to persuade his aunt either. Even though her body was weak, at times like this, mothers were always the strongest.

"Auntie, Auntie, look, is that my sister and the others?" Xiang Ming pointed north, hopping up and down in excitement.

Xv Baiping looked in that direction. Sure enough, under the dim yellow streetlights, a few figures were racing through the slanting wind and rain at extreme speed, so fast they were almost just a few blurs.

"Quick! Tell Nao Nao and the others to get the ginger tea and clean clothes ready!" Xv Baiping said to Xiang Ming.

"Got it." Xiang Ming dashed downstairs at full speed without even looking back as he answered.

When Xv Baiping saw everyone drenched from head to toe, the bright red handprint on Miaoqiu’s face, and Mei Ruyan unconscious on Lin Tian’s back, her heart instantly leapt into her throat. She asked carefully, "Where did Ruyan go today? What happened to you all?... Nao Nao, hurry and bring the ginger tea!"

What Xv Baiping felt was a blessing in misfortune was that Ruyan had at least been found.

"Mom, it’s okay now, just set your mind at ease. Ruyan’s body has run into some problems, Lin Tian needs to treat her," Miaoqiu walked up to her mother and comforted her gently.

"What’s wrong with Ruyan?" Hearing Miaoqiu’s words, Xv Baiping glanced at Mei Ruyan again.

At first there was nothing wrong, but she didn’t know what she suddenly saw; she drew in a sharp breath, her steps going weak. If Miaoqiu hadn’t been holding her, she would have collapsed to the ground.

"Lin Tian, what’s that drawn on Ruyan’s hand?" Xv Baiping asked, her voice trembling.

On her hand?

Lin Tian immediately reacted—Xv Baiping must be referring to those strange symbols.

To be honest, Lin Tian didn’t know what they were either, but based on his guess, they had to be something extremely sinister.

The most urgent thing now was to help Mei Ruyan recover her vital blood. If it were anyone else, Lin Tian might not even bother.

Before Lin Tian could answer, Xv Baiping quickly stepped forward and lifted Mei Ruyan’s arm herself to take a look.

When she saw the whole arm covered in scarlet characters, her breathing grew heavy.

"Auntie, you recognize this?" Lin Tian asked.

"Of course I recognize it! Five years ago, when I was gravely ill, Miaoqiu’s dad also covered his whole body with these scarlet symbols and drew the vital blood out of his body. How could Ruyan..."

"These symbols are related to vital blood then? Please tell me everything you know," Lin Tian asked. He was actually very anxious inside, but he had no idea how to handle the current situation, so he naturally had to get more information from Xv Baiping—maybe it would help.

"Of course they’re related! These characters are called Qi Blood Talismans. They’re written on the skin using special materials, then, combined with a special Cultivation Technique, you just need to cut a slit on the hand and you can draw out the vital blood," Xv Baiping said.

"Do you know what kind of Cultivation Technique it is?"

"I don’t. What I can be sure of is that it’s a Cultivation Technique that matches these Qi Blood Talismans—a crooked, heretical path. Back then, Miaoqiu’s dad only resorted to it because he had absolutely no other choice." Xv Baiping said anxiously, "Don’t just stand there, losing vital blood means she needs rest as soon as possible. First carry her to the room, wipe the rain off her body, and change her into dry clothes."

Changing clothes was naturally something for women to handle. Lin Tian didn’t have that status right now, and even if he did, he wouldn’t dare make a big show of it in front of Xv Baiping.

So while Mei Ruyan was changing, Lin Tian and Xv Baiping discussed more about vital blood.

In fact, Tyrant Emperor’s Record did have some descriptions and uses for vital blood, but they were all about enhancing certain Arrays or Alchemy and the like. There were no methods for extracting someone else’s vital blood, nor any way to replenish it.

Xv Baiping didn’t know much either, but she still gave Lin Tian a lot of ideas.

Once Mei Ruyan had changed clothes, Lin Tian entered the room. He had already told Miaoqiu and the others that before he came out, no one was allowed to go in and disturb them, because even he didn’t know how long the process would take.