Liu Chuan was in the middle of absorbing the power inside the Springwood Stone. His willow branches thickened once again, and the leaves grew even greener and sturdier. Just then, Jian Dan's voice reached him through a sound transmission. He thought for a moment before answering,
"I don't have any. And even if I did, in her condition, she couldn't use it."
"Why not? Then why's that Tan Song using it to threaten Jian Jun?"
"If she eats one pill, she'll need a second. That only treats the symptoms, not the root. Unless she's healed completely, she'll always be chained to those pills. Tan Song wants her to bow her head. Do you really think she'd be willing to fully cure Jian Jun?"
"So that's why Senior Sister refused her help?"
"You'll have to ask her yourself."
"Liu Chuan, tell me honestly, is there really no way?"
"Mhm."
Liu Chuan hesitated for a beat. Jian Dan's eyes lit up. She could tell he actually had an idea, so she steadied her mind and said,
"As long as we can heal Senior Siter Jian Jun, I'll leave you a third of the Springwood Stone. How about it?"
"Really?"
"When have I ever gone back on my word?"
"Fine. Considering your credibility's always been good, I'll agree."
"Enough with the nonsense. Speak! What I promised you, you can take right now."
Jian Dan didn't waste time.
"This must be fate. The only thing that can save your senior sister is the Springwood Stone."
"What do you mean? How does it work?"
"The name comes from 'Withered Wood Meets Spring.' This crystal's green color represents the vitality of wood, so the word 'withered' was dropped.
Inside it is pure wood energy, and its healing power is extremely strong. But Jian Jun can't absorb it on her own right now. Only you can channel the energy into her body, repairing her meridians strand by strand."
"Even her dantian?"
"Of course. With your current divine sense, this is nothing difficult. With the Springwood Stone guiding it, not only can you repair her injuries, you can also heal hidden wounds and even raise her cultivation. This is an incredible treasure. Otherwise, do you think I'd be shameless enough to ask for it?"
Liu Chuan explained calmly.
"Then if you take a third of it, will the rest still be enough to heal her?"
Jian Dan regretted agreeing too quickly. She didn't recognize the treasures of the Immortal Realm and had let Liu Chuan take advantage.
"Don't worry, it's more than enough. I'll cut the stone into palm-sized pieces. All you need to do is hold it and channel the energy into Jian Jun's body."
Liu Chuan's tone was eager, almost solicitous.
"Alright, hurry up then. I'll let Senior Sisters know first."
The transmission between person and spirit plant lasted only a moment. When Jian Dan looked up, she saw Jian Jun and Jian Jing both watching her, clearly waiting for her answer.
"Senior Sisters, don't worry. I've got a way to heal."
The moment she spoke, Jian Jing's eyes lit up. Jian Jun looked doubtful, staring at her as if waiting for more.
"Senior Sister, remember that Black-Whip Electric Eel that chased us into the inner region?"
"Of course. It was cut down into two pieces by that Immortal."
"It wasn't chasing us because of the resources we took. It was after the Springwood Stone. That's its nourishment, basically half its life."
"You mean… this Springwood Stone can heal me!"
Jian Jun's hand tightened around her folding fan. For once, even she couldn't stay calm. This wasn't just about her body, but also her entire immortal path.
"Yes, Senior Sister."
"Then what are we waiting for? Junior Sister, start now! I'll guard you. We can't delay too long, or others will start to suspect." Jian Jing immediately spoke up.
Jian Dan nodded firmly. She also feared that if they dragged it out, Tan Song Fairy would find a way to meddle.
That woman had deliberately pushed Jian Jun into this corner. She hadn't used brute force, but instead tried to force her into asking her for medicine. Otherwise, her immortal path would end. Two choices, no escape. If she bowed her head, she might really get what she wanted in the end.
"Senior Sister, are you ready?"
"I'm ready anytime."
The three of them moved into the inner chamber and sat cross-legged on cushions. To keep the energy from leaking out, Jian Dan spread her magnolia domain, covering both herself and Jian Jun. With a flip of her hand, she took out one of the emerald crystals Liu Chuan had already cut.
Jian Jun felt the gentle energy radiating from it. When she inhaled, just a wisp entered her body, and it felt indescribably comfortable.
"Since it's wood-aligned, cycle a little of it in your own body too. It'll benefit you."
Liu Chuan was more than satisfied with his third and even gave her a kind reminder.
"I got it. Chuan, guard us. If anything strange happens, steady the situation for us. This treatment has to be done in one breath, it can't be interrupted."
"Don't worry. With the Springwood Stone, I can protect you."
Everything was ready. Jian Dan steadied her mind, drew out a thread of energy from the Springwood Stone, cycled it once through her body, then carefully guided it into Jian Jun's meridians.
The green light mended the broken channels, knitting them together as it flowed back and forth. Once repaired, it moved forward, healing the next.
Jian Jun could only watch with her divine sense as her meridians rapidly reconnected, her breath growing longer and steadier. She fully immersed her mind, while Jian Jing raised her guard to the highest level, protecting them with all her strength.
Meanwhile, in another corner of the city, Hou San had already taken the immortal stones. After exchanging a look with Fairy Lu and Fairy Jing, he quickly left the Muqing shop.
Jian Mao had been waiting outside. The moment he saw Hou San's hand gesture, he knew the deal was done. As Hou San turned the corner, a shadow flickered out of the shop, tailing him closely.
"Hmph, fair enough."
Jian Mao slipped into a marked alley and vanished. In the next instant, he appeared right in front of Hou San. As they brushed past each other, he easily switched the storage ring holding the immortal stones into his own hand.
Hou San entered another shop. The shadow that had been tailing him lagged behind by a step, and when he followed, the target had already vanished.
Jian Mao, however, had already taken Hou San through several twists and turns, back to the Guesthouse Pavilion. Behind him, the Bai sisters carefully erased all traces, making sure the Tan Song family couldn't find them.
By the time the sky darkened, everyone had returned. They gathered together to exchange information.
"Boss Mao, the immortal stones we got for the goods matched what we expected. When I left, Fairy Lu and Fairy Jing were already in talks with that Tan Song family cultivator. I didn't dare stay and came out immediately."
"He had a tail. Must've been someone from the Tan Song family. I brought Hou San back first." Jian Mao spoke calmly.
"Zūnshàng, Fairy Lu and Fairy Jing left with that Tan Song family cultivator. They entered the family's estate. Their defenses were tight. Even though I pretended to pass by, several divine senses swept over me. I didn't stop at all, just left immediately."
Kuang Dao folded his arms and shared what he'd learned.
"Since Jian Lu went in, we'll wait patiently. She's always quick-witted. As long as she meets Jian Jun, she and Jian Jing will definitely find a way to bring her out." Jian Xu's voice was calm but firm.
Xiao Yong and Xiao Rong both nodded in agreement. Xiao Rong added softly,
"All we can do now is wait for Jian Lu Zūnshàng's signal. We still have three days before the appointed time."