A Half Year Left To Live . . .
Before him stood an enchanting lady, exuding an aura of cold elegance akin to moonlight cast upon a serene landscape. Her eyes, as sharp as icicles, bore into his soul with an icy intensity.
Cha-Eun Xiao couldn't help but widen his pupils in response. It was clear to him that this resplendent lady harbored a deep-seated intent to harm him.
[Is she here to end my life?]
In a voice as clear and melodious as a crystal bell, the lady in white queried, "You. Are you Feng Zhi-Ling?" Her words, though delivered with an icy detachment, possessed a strangely comforting quality.
Cha-Eun Xiao, fixated on her face, answered slowly, "I am."
The lady in white maintained her composure and inquired, "Why are you staring?"
"I am gazing upon you," Cha-Eun Xiao replied, "I wish to ascertain your current cultivation level." He smiled gently, "It's crucial to gauge your strength to estimate how long you might survive."
The lady in white caught wind of his mention of life and death but remained impassive. She responded coolly, "Oh?"
Cha-Eun Xiao nodded, "I understand your indifference. Perhaps you genuinely don't care. Undoubtedly, your cultivation prowess transcends the boundaries of this realm. You may think I am incapable of discerning your level and assume I'm merely boasting."
The lady in white retorted, "Aren't you?"
Shaking his head, Cha-Eun Xiao replied, "Absolutely not."
He maintained his smile as he explained, "You are right from a conventional standpoint. However, I, Feng Zhi-Ling, am no ordinary individual. My keen perception has discerned a subtle transformation in you. Despite your outwardly pale complexion and steady breathing, your eyes betray you. They bear a tinge of dark blue that has gradually encroached upon your pupils, forming a ring."
The lady acknowledged his observation with a slight nod.
"For the average person, such changes would go unnoticed," Cha-Eun Xiao continued. "Even if someone with sharp vision were to observe it, they might not comprehend its significance. Most would assume it's a natural beauty trait. It does enhance your charm and allure, but it's far from natural."
He attributed her ocular transformation to her martial arts practice, saying, "One day, when your pupils turn completely dark blue, and you haven't ingested a Regeneration Jade Lotus, your life will hang by a thread, and death will be imminent. It could occur at any moment. Your pupils have been steadily progressing toward that ominous hue."
With a sympathetic smile, he remarked, "So, you have limited time remaining before your life reaches its end. Even if you cease your cultivation henceforth, you will have at most half a year left."
Pausing briefly, he added, "Very well, I assume you're cognizant of your situation. Am I correct? You seem remarkably composed in the face of impending death, a quality I truly admire."
The lady in white remained unperturbed, offering no response. Her demeanor remained unchanged, seemingly confirming her indifference to her own fate.
A sudden exclamation behind Cha-Eun Xiao interrupted their exchange.
Wen-Ren Chu-Chu hurried to Cha-Eun Xiao's side, her eyes filled with anxiety and confusion. She stammered, "Brother Feng, you... you... Is it true?"
Cha-Eun Xiao responded calmly, "I can't be certain of the accuracy of my assessment. I don't possess the authority to make such a declaration. Perhaps you should inquire with this lady. She is the one in question and is undoubtedly more aware of her own circumstances. I assume she's your master? If you hadn't reacted so intensely, I wouldn't have been aware."
Turning to the lady in white, Wen-Ren Chu-Chu asked with a heavy heart, "Master, is it true? Do you really have only six months left to live?"
The lady's tone remained composed as she replied, "Possibly even less. What of it?"
Wen-Ren Chu-Chu trembled upon hearing the response. She staggered backward, her voice trembling, "But, Master... Why...?"
The lady answered matter-of-factly, "That's precisely why I came to the Land of Han-Yang."
Wen-Ren Chu-Chu's eyes welled up with tears as she sobbed, "I see... Master, you never had any intention of seeking a cure. You don't want to alleviate your condition... You just... You just want to spend your remaining time with me, is that it?"
The lady's cold demeanor softened as she gazed at her disciple and replied gently, "No."
"Yes! That's the truth!" Wen-Ren Chu-Chu cried desperately, "But... But now we have a viable solution, don't we? Even if you don't wish to be in close proximity to Brother Feng, I've located the Regeneration Ink Lotus! Soon it will become the Regeneration Jade Lotus. Master, there's still hope! Why are you giving up? Why?
Why are you giving up?" She continued to cry.
The lady maintained her tender gaze upon Wen-Ren Chu-Chu but remained silent for an extended period.
The two of them, master and disciple, stood together. Though one wore a veil and the other did not, they did not appear to be a traditional master-disciple pair; instead, they resembled sisters. Strangely enough, the lady appeared even younger, almost seventeen years old.
In her eyes, as she gazed at Wen-Ren Chu-Chu, lay an unmistakable sense of affection and maternal love, akin to a mother looking at her daughter.
Wen-Ren Chu-Chu's tears continued to fall as she turned to Cha-Eun Xiao and pleaded, "Brother Feng, please... My master... She... Do you have any other solution?"
Furrowing his brow, Cha-Eun Xiao replied cautiously, "I can't make any promises at this moment. I need to conduct a more thorough examination before arriving at a definitive conclusion. However, I must inform you that the Regeneration Ink Lotus you entrusted to me during our previous encounter is no longer in existence."
Wen-Ren Chu-Chu gasped in shock, "What? What did you just say? Did you... Did you destroy the Regeneration Ink Lotus? You..." Her gaze became filled with murderous intent, locking onto Cha-Eun Xiao.
Cha-Eun Xiao sensed the impending danger and quickly corrected himself, "No, no, don't misunderstand me. What I meant to say is that I have successfully cultivated the Regeneration Ink Lotus, transforming it into the Regeneration Jade Lotus. The Regeneration Ink Lotus is no longer in existence, but now we possess the Regeneration Jade Lotus... You misinterpreted my words negatively. Please don't blame me."
[Young lady, now you understand the consequences of provoking me. With mere words, I can elevate you to heaven or plunge you into the depths of hell.]
Wen-Ren Chu-Chu was momentarily stunned before a smile broke through her tears. She exclaimed in astonishment, "You've actually succeeded in cultivating the Regeneration Ink Lotus?"