As she absorbed more from Zhou Ming, the qi within her body came closer to being balanced once more. Her guilt had also increase. Her previous actions appeared more and more sinister in her heart.
It had yet to be an hour before she began to urge her roots to absorb from herbs with healing properties. The rate at which she absorbed from Zhou Ming had also decreased.
Another hour marked her new evolution as she integrated the healing properties of the herbs within herself.
The roots that had tied themselves onto Zhou Ming had released him. On the tip of one root, fire qi began to gather. The root released a liquid with the properties of certain healing herbs that had an affinity with one another. Carefully controlling her qi, she brewed the liquid into a healing medicine.
Other roots began moving Zhou Ming's legs closer to his body, arranging it properly next to his dismembered limb. A thin root, filled with healing properties, slowly grew out of a larger root. It carefully sewed Zhou Ming's legs back on. However, there were still limitations to the level of precision at which Bai Lian could control her roots. Although the sewing ended up appearing to have been done clumsily, the legs were reconnected.
The healing medicine dripped down onto Zhou Ming's legs. With each passing second, an additional drop of medicine would fall onto his legs. After half an hour, his legs appeared to have never been cut off. Bai Lian felt exhausted, but the heavy weight within her heart had vanished.
Although she had taken up the endeavor of healing the boy, Bai Lian had not once stopped absorbing from him. However, she paid great attention to her absorption, putting in her utmost efforts to control the absorption. 'I'm sorry. I cannot allow you to keep your memories. Otherwise, I would have no choice, but to kill you. If you return to the Zhou family, they would, without a doubt, conduct a heavy investigation on my burrow. I cannot easily remove my roots from this burrow, so such an outcome will definitely result in my death.'
Bai Lian gazed at the boy solemnly, 'You have committed no crime against me. It was I who took the initiative to harm you, so I will make sure you do not suffer for the rest of your life.'
Deciding she had absorbed enough from the boy, she focused her attention on absorbing from plants with paralysis and sleeping-inducing properties. 'I can't allow you to wake up until tomorrow. It will be a problem if you have memories of this blood covered burrow.'
Her thoughts wandered as she recalled the last thought of her past life, 'I guess I'm too soft-hearted to become a proper villainess. Well, that's fine. After all, I'm now the guardian spirit of the Obsidian Forest. My greatest value is righteousness, retribution to those who deserve it.'
Bai Lian's gaze softened, 'If I can't act properly, then I'll lose my two dear grandchildren.'
Her gaze grew cold once more when she recalled her previous actions. 'Absorbing from corpses is dangerous. Through my evolutions, it seems even my natural thought process can change…'
'I guess I have no choice but to stop absorbing from spirit beast corpses every day. It'll be problematic if my family can't recognize me during our reunion. My body has already changed so much. If even my personality completely changes, how would I convince them that I am Bai Lian?'
Bai Lian sighed at the fact she had to take a step back, 'I can't absorb from corpses. I can't absorb from too many plants yet either. I guess I'm back to just focusing on growing out my roots every day and cultivating when I can…'
Night had fallen, encompassing the forest in darkness. 'It seems Zhou Ming's father and brother have finally given up on searching. They must have really loved Zhou Ming…'
Noon had yet to arrive when two children entered the Obsidian Forest and ran straight towards the Floral Lake. Bai Lian was slightly shocked, 'Don't they usually hunt a spirit beast and place it into the burrow before meeting with me?'
A voice wasted no time to greet them when they were 30 meters from the Floral Lake, "Why are you young ones in such a rush? We've only been separated for one day. Your master will be troubled if the two of you become too clingy."
The two children gasped for air as relief washed over them.
"I was worried about you, so I wanted to rush over to see you first before hunting a spirit beast!"
"Since Ji Yun wanted to rush over to see you, I had no choice but to accompany her."
Bai Lian's heart warmed, "There is no longer a need for the two of you to place spirit beast corpses into the burrow. However, I'd still like to ask the two of you to run over to the burrow. There's a boy there that I would like you young ones to help. Please bring him back here with you."
The two children raised their brows in surprise, but they merely nodded in agreement before dashing towards the burrow.
When the children returned to the lake, carrying an unconscious Zhou Ming, they heard a gentle voice in their minds, "When we're done with the lesson today, take the boy back with you."
"Master doesn't let just any child enter the Shui Orphanage. He only takes in the ones he has taken a liking to."
"Just tell the young timeworn one that this guardian spirit requests for him to take in this child. I have witnessed a group of assassins attempt to kill this boy. The boy should be safe hiding within the Shui Orphanage."
"His identity can't be ordinary for him to be the target of a group of assassins. Why aren't there many injuries on him?"
Although Zhou Ming's clothes were reduced to rags and were covered in blood and dirt, Lin Tao did not notice any serious injuries on the older boy.
"I saved the boy. Did you really think the master who is teaching medicine to you would be an inept doctor?"
The two children were stunned
Ji Yun sheepishly laughed, "How does a spirit go about healing people?"
"As punishment for not having faith in your own master, I won't tell you two."
Ji Yun pouted and Lin Tao simply shook his head and sighed.
Bai Lian felt relieved she had not let go of her humanity earlier as she lightheartedly began the lesson.