Xu Yuan was always methodical and liked to plan ahead when doing something.
Therefore, knowing the high mortality rate associated with the cultivation of the Blood Essence Meteoring Art, Xu Yuan naturally placed even greater emphasis on the preparatory work before cultivation.
As he delved deeper into cultivation with Ran Qingmo, Xu Yuan gradually divided the preparation for cultivating the Blood Essence Meteoring Art into five steps in his mind.
The first step was to learn the basic knowledge of this world and have Ran Qingmo teach him a rudimentary cultivation technique to familiarize himself with its operation.
The second step was to start trying to channel Origin Qi along the pathway of the Blood Essence Meteoring Art while in a conscious state.
The third step was to adapt to a near-death state with the help of Ran Qingmo and to remain conscious during it.
The forth step, with the help of Ran Qingmo, was to start channeling the Blood Essence Meteoring Art's pathway while in a near-death state.
And the fifth step was to officially begin cultivation.
After a month, Xu Yuan had completed the preparatory work for the first two steps.
If he had another month, Xu Yuan was confident he could perfectly execute the plan he had set in his mind, but the remaining five days of the death countdown were not enough for him to carry out the last three steps methodically according to plan.
With no way out, Xu Yuan's decision would be made without any hesitation.
There was no longer time for him to adapt little by little.
He, must take the risk.
The cramped cave fell quiet for a moment.
Ran Qingmo looked at Xu Yuan's calm and earnest eyes and slowly nodded:
"All right,"
She hesitated for a moment before her voice revealed uncertainty:
"But.. why?"
Xu Yuan looked up at the dim cave ceiling and after a long silence, said:
"To save both your life and mine."
A flicker of confusion passed through Ran Qingmo's eyes:
"But, my injury has healed."
Because her injury had healed, she was confident she could take him out.
That was her confidence.
Xu Yuan turned his eyes slightly and said softly:
"I know your injury has healed, but have you ever seen Xu Changge?"
Ran Qingmo's beautiful eyes flickered for a moment, then she shook her head:
"He has always been in the Imperial Capital, I've never met him. Are you saying he's come here?"
Her master had mentioned that the eldest son of the Prime Minister's Mansion was even more talented than she was.
Like her, Xu Changge also broke through to the Grandmaster Realm at the age of sixteen.
Unfortunately, there has been no further progress since then, and Xu Changge has been stuck at the first level of the Grandmaster Realm for over fourteen years.
With fourteen years of accumulation, Xu Changge should be very strong, but she could still barely handle him, and at worst, she could escape.
By now, Xu Yuan's meridians could barely withstand her Qi. Entering his meridians with her Qi could temporarily protect him from the 'air pressure' caused by rapid flight.
Thus, she could take Xu Yuan and flee from a group of attackers.
Moreover, thanks to the Nine Revival Pill and the month of cultivation here, her cultivation had improved significantly from a month ago.
"Yes, he has indeed come,"
Xu Yuan looked at her somewhat helplessly and said in a gentle voice:
"But do you know?"
"Know what?" Ran Qingmo asked.
"As early as ten years ago, Xu Changge had achieved Primordial Origin Qi."
With those words, the cave fell into sudden silence.
"......"
Ran Qingmo's serene eyes slightly lowered
Xu Yuan looked at her expression and with a slight smile that seemed like a sigh, said:
"Actually, Ms. Ran, using Xu Changtian's life to threaten that person could work to some extent."
"He does care greatly about his family, otherwise, he wouldn't have sent Xu Changge here."
After a pause,
Xu Yuan looked into Ran Qingmo's eyes:
"Ms. Ran, are you still confident you can escape? Even using my body as a hostage to threaten and escape is an option."
"...." Ran Qingmo did not respond.
Xu Yuan slowly closed his eyes and also fell silent.
A sense of despair permeated the narrow cave.
The boss in "Cangyuan Chronicles" that required players to cheat to defeat was the Prime Minister's eldest son, Xu Changge!
Under the towering rage of the Prime Minister, this eldest son pursued Ran Qingmo relentlessly, finally cornering her near the mysterious ruins of a village called "Burial Village" on the border of Dayan.
The battle was swift.
With the first punch, the three-foot black sword in her hand flew out of her grasp.
With the second punch, Ran Qingmo was thrown backward, landing on the ground like a delicate thread about to snap.
In two moves, the battle was over.
Having no chance to strike back whatsoever, Ran Qingmo didn't even have the chance to draw her sword before she was seriously injured at the hand of the young master.
The gap in strength was suffocatingly wide.
This deathly stillness, no one knew how long it lingered within the cave dwelling.
Xu Yuan slowly opened his eyes:
"Mr. Ran, let's begin."
His voice was soft but resolute.
Because only by practicing that cultivation technique could he survive.
"......"
Ran Qingmo's eyes flickered. Her red lips parted slightly as if she wanted to say something but stopped herself. In the end, she nodded slightly and said softly;
"Thank you."
But Xu Yuan shook his head:
"I've said it before, don't say thank you, it's a useless word."
Ran Qingmo stared at him earnestly, silent for two seconds:
"Then... I'll owe you another favor."
Xu Yuan responded with a wan smile and murmured:
"Mr. Ran, owing too many favors that you can't repay often means you end up sacrificing yourself in the end. You helped me with this matter, and I chose to take the risk for my own life, so your favor isn't needed."
Ran Qingmo's gaze shimmered for a moment, insisting as she spoke:
"No, I want to owe it."
Silence, an exchange of looks.
Xu Yuan let out a breath:
"As you wish,
"We don't have much time, shall we begin now?"
Ran Qingmo nodded and slowly lifted a slender jade hand to grasp Xu Yuan's wrist.
The icy touch from her hand was immediately transmitted through his skin.
Xu Yuan glanced at her and asked calmly:
"What method do you plan to use?"
Ran Qingmo explained in a low voice:
"I will use my Origin Qi to create a layer of mystic ice over you and later help you transfer energy to heal your wounds."
Xu Yuan pondered momentarily.
Now that he already had Origin Qi within his body, the two of them could indeed use energy-transference techniques to heal.
His thoughts came to a halt, and Xu Yuan nodded slightly indicating they could begin.
Without a word, a sinister coldness instantly filled the cramped cave dwelling. The pervasive fog even frosted over the surface of the spiritual spring inside the cave.
Xu Yuan felt an icy chill that could freeze one's spine spreading swiftly from his wrist.
From the wrist to the arm, then to the entire right side of his torso, until his whole body was submerged in eternal ice.
In this spread of icy air, Xu Yuan realized that his consciousness was slowing down at a visibly detectable rate, and the scent of death clung to his heart like maggots on bones.
Time ticked by minute by minute, and everything before his eyes slowly descended into darkness....
......
At some unknown point, Xu Yuan woke up again to the dim cave ceiling and remained speechless for a long while.
He thought the hypothermia-induced unconsciousness in that cave was the brink of death, but when true death loomed, Xu Yuan realized that the hypothermic unconsciousness was nothing in comparison.
Having held on for only a few minutes, his consciousness had fallen into darkness.
A slightly hoarse voice gently broke the silence of the cave dwelling:
"How long... How long was I unconscious?"
"Two hours," came Ran Qingmo's light voice from beside him.
Xu Yuan placed his hand on his forehead and rubbed forcefully.
Two hours...
With about five days left, he had to reserve at least two days for the formal practice of the Blood Essence Meteoring Art.
Two hours at a time meant he had, at most, about twenty chances left to adapt.
Slowly sitting up, Xu Yuan looked at her without saying much:
"Continue."
"If possible, after the healing, wake me up immediately, I don't need to rest."
"......"
Ran Qingmo watched his frail yet determined eyes, gently pursed her lips, and silently took hold of his wrist once more.......