"Gu Sheng, the people from the Fan Sect have been poisoned by us. Even if they donât die here today, they wonât live much longer. You donât need to worry about them; you are the most important now. Saint Ya has acted against you, and there must be turmoil within you. Let us lend you a hand!"
As she spoke, Hong Mei directly sat down on the ground and swiftly pulled Gu Sheng along, placing her hands directly on his back.
Seeing this, Bai Yu and the others also gathered around, with the Sect Leader of the Qikong Sect sitting at the front.
As countless streams of Spiritual Power surged into his body, Gu Sheng knew that refusal was futile, so he obediently sat down, mobilizing the Qi of Dantian to utilize the Spiritual Energy of everyone to expel the cold energy within him.
After a long time, more than half of the cold energy in Gu Shengâs body had dissipated, leaving only a faint trace lingering in his meridians.
Feeling the weakening breath of Hong Mei and the others, he immediately opened his eyes and exhaled heavily.
"Letâs stop."
Upon hearing his words, everyone retracted their Spiritual Power, looking at him with eager eyes.
"Brother Sheng, how are you? Are you alright now?"
Standing up, Gu Sheng smiled and nodded.
"Alright, you all donât need to worry anymore."
Seeing him like this, Hong Mei still had some doubts, and she raised her hand to feel his pulse.
Just as Hong Meiâs expression changed and she was about to speak, Gu Sheng raised his hand to hold hers.
As their eyes met, Gu Sheng gently blinked.
"Itâs okay, can you rest assured now?"
Seeing his actions, Hong Mei swallowed the words several times before finally holding them back.
"Iâm reassured now."
With Hong Meiâs words, everyone else also breathed a sigh of relief.
The Sect Leader of the Qikong Sect walked over and looked at him with some guilt.
"Brother Gu, Iâm really sorry for causing you injury because of us."
Hearing this, Gu Sheng shook his head with a smile.
"Itâs fine. Since we chose to be part of this, these outcomes are inevitable. In a battle between two sides, casualties are normal, so donât dwell on it. Have your people handle this place; the rest we can discuss back home. Donât worry, the people from the Fan Sect no longer have the strength to trouble you."
Understanding his meaning, the Sect Leader of Qikong Sect nodded repeatedly.
"Alright, you all go back and rest first. Iâll tidy everything up right away."
Gu Sheng led the others back to his room and directly positioned himself at the door.
Seeing his action, someone from Lan Yao immediately became concerned.
"Gu Sheng, what are you doing?"
"I recently used a lot of Spiritual Energy and now need to meditate properly to recover. You donât need to come in with me."
Once he finished speaking, he closed the door and then summoned the small tripod to guard the entrance for him.
Feeling the rich aura within, Lan Yao and the others grew anxious.
"Oh no, Gu Sheng must be injured, and he hasnât fully recovered yet."
Hearing this, everyone agreed wholeheartedly.
Hong Mei looked at Shi Lou seriously: "Can you break through Gu Shengâs Spiritual Energy?"
Shi Lou had a difficult expression and shook his head: "My strength is much weaker than Brother Shengâs. Trying to breach his Spiritual Energy is akin to courting death."
"Bai Yu, what about you?"
"I canât either. Our strengths are all below Gu Shengâs."
Receiving this response, Hong Mei directly rolled up her sleeves.
Seeing her action, Lan Yao hurried to stop her.
"What are you trying to do?"
"To break through Gu Shengâs Spiritual Energy and heal him."
"No, heâs most likely meditating now. If we go in, weâll only harm him again. He still has injuries in his body, and we cannot act recklessly! You canât do it!"
Lan Yao held Hong Mei tightly, and Er Gou, Huang Shan, and others also blocked the door.
Seeing them like this, Hong Mei could only lower her hand.
"Then what should we do? We know heâs been injured by Saint Ya, but we canât do anything to help. I feel terrible."
Seeing her like this, everyone else felt equally uncomfortable.
Finally, Bai Yu stood out and said, "Donât worry, Gu Sheng isnât as weak as we think. He must have his reasons for not needing help. Now that heâs meditating, we shouldnât disturb him. Letâs guard at the door, and when his aura fades, we can decide on our next steps. If he truly recovers, weâll figure something out together."
Upon hearing this, Hong Mei was filled with regret.
She had already felt Gu Shengâs abnormal pulse earlier but had concealed it under the influence of his gaze. Reflecting now, she realized she shouldnât have done that.
Thinking this, Hong Mei felt increasingly guilty.
"Iâll stay here, you all go rest first."
Hearing this, everyone firmly shook their head.
"No, we will all guard Brother Sheng together. No one will leave."
Everyone exchanged a glance and then sat down on the ground together.
Feeling the rich Spiritual Energy outside, Gu Sheng, while meditating, slightly curled his lips.
When the Sect Leader of the Qikong Sect returned after handling everything, he was stunned by the scene before him.
Seeing so many people guarding outside Gu Shengâs door, he instantly guessed the reason.
For a moment, he also felt immensely guilty.
After all, if Gu Sheng hadnât fought for them today, the Qikong Sect would have surely suffered numerous casualties. Now that Gu Sheng was injured, he bore unavoidable responsibility.
"Go take out our sectâs best Elixir Pills and medicinal herbs; we will offer everything Gu Sheng needs."
Hearing this, his subordinates quickly followed his orders.
The crowd guarded Gu Sheng for a whole day and night, until, at dawn again, Gu Sheng finally withdrew his aura and deeply exhaled, simultaneously consuming a piece of Spirit Grass.
Once the Spirit Grass entered his body, everything finally returned to normal, and his strength advanced a notch further. The Spiritual Power absorbed from the century-old Spiritual Pearl revived a little bit more.
Thrilled by this unexpected joy, Gu Sheng was delighted.
He excitedly opened the door and saw everyone at once.
Seeing them all exhausted yet concernedly looking at him, Gu Sheng was deeply moved.
"Youâve been guarding outside my door as protectors?"
After he asked, no one answered, except for Hong Mei, who urgently stepped forward to hold his hand and asked, "Gu Sheng, are you alright? Is there any residual poison inside you?"
As she spoke, her fingers naturally felt his pulse.
Carefully sensing it, confirming his full recovery, her tears suddenly flowed.
Bai Yu rushed forward and grabbed Gu Shengâs other hand.
Confirming he was intact, he too exhaled deeply.
"Howâs Brother Sheng?"
Shi Lou asked, and Bai Yu replied, "Donât worry, Gu Sheng has fully recovered this time."
With his assurance, everyone relaxed.
The Sect Leader of the Qikong Sect came forward, holding a golden wooden box in his hands.
"Brother Gu, this is a small token from our Qikong Sect. We hope you wonât disdain it."
Feeling the aura of the Elixir Pills, Gu Sheng already knew what was inside, but he still declined.
"Iâve recovered; these things wonât be needed. Please take them back."
"No, this is what we should give. Our Qikong Sect does not have many great things, only these worthy of offering. Brother Gu, you saved the lives of so many in our Qikong Sect; please accept them."
Saying this, he heavily placed the items in Gu Shengâs hands.
As Gu Sheng still wanted to refuse, he sternly said, "Brother Gu, if you consider me a friend, then donât refuse."
This one remark froze Gu Shengâs hand in mid-air.
After a long time, he still stored the items into his storage ring.
"Thank you very much then."
Seeing him accept them, the Sect Leader of the Qikong Sect showed a pleased smile.
"No need for thanks. Today Iâve prepared a grand feast to make up for before; letâs have a good drink together."
Just as he finished speaking, Hong Mei blocked Gu Sheng.
"No, heâs just recovered and isnât fit for drinking; you all can drink."
Gu Sheng rubbed his nose and swallowed the words he intended to say.
The Sect Leader of the Qikong Sect nodded and smiled at everyone, saying, "I apologize for my oversight; Brother Gu isnât fit for drinking. Weâll drink, but the feast will take some time. Meanwhile, everyone can go rest; Iâll call you when the food is ready."
Everyone, already fatigued, hurriedly went to their rooms to rest upon hearing this.
After everyone had left, Gu Sheng personally escorted Hong Mei back to her room.
Along the way, Hong Mei made a few complaints, and Gu Sheng listened with a smile, without a hint of grievance.