His current body was still very weak; busying about had left him somewhat exhausted.
While waiting for the delivery, Lu Yao lay on his side on the bed and practiced the nourishing technique.
His spirit was calm, no stray thoughts arose, and the fatigue of his mind was immediately relieved. Soon after, his body relaxed significantly.
"This sleeping position might be odd, but it allows one to breathe exceptionally smoothly, with blood and qi flowing throughout the body—it's definitely a great method for extending one's lifespan."
"And the most miraculous thing is Spirit Refinement! The rapid deep sleep after Focused Spirit and the serene guarding of the mind in meditation can give the brain ample rest and nourishment, not to mention the added benefit of enhancing the five senses! I wonder what wonders the higher realms hold."
Just when he was musing, his phone suddenly rang.
Lu Yao was rather surprised; in this day and age, no one contacted a dying man like him.
He picked it up and saw it was his third uncle calling, so he answered immediately to see what he wanted.
[Lu Yao, why aren't you in the hospital?]
"Third uncle, just say what you want to say."
The caller cleared his throat and said, [Well… you know your third uncle always cares the most for you, uh… could you transfer the house to me in advance? It'd save a lot of trouble later on.]
Lu Yao first felt desolate, then found it ridiculous. I'm not dead yet, and he's already eyeing my house.
These people had neglected him, left him to die in the hospital. They were nowhere to be seen when really needed, but showed up immediately when there was something to gain.
Lu Yao said, "Third uncle, I'm quite upset about my departure; don't you think it's unlucky?"
[Ah! Kid, why talk like that? We're all family; what's this about luck...]
Lu Yao chuckled and said, "Forget about the house, I suddenly feel full of energy, maybe I should get married and live for a few more decades!"
[But, you're already in the late stages of cancer…]
Lu Yao hung up and blocked the number.
Before long, his third aunt, cousins, and other relatives called to harass him, saying they wanted to come and take care of him.
Too bad their words came a bit too late; Lu Yao didn't need them anymore and continued to block them.
After that, other relatives, as if they had received some signal, started calling one after another, offering to attend to Lu Yao in his final days. Even those who he hadn't been in touch with for many years were eager to join in.
Lu Yao simply turned off his phone. "These people, acting as if they've predicted my death exactly; they're truly beasts."
In order to be treated, Lu Yao had sold all he could sell, but he had never considered selling the house even when he was at his most desperate.
Because all the memories left of his parents were there!
"I must cure this illness and get my life back on track! Then I'll be the one dancing on your graves!"
~~~~~~~~
Suddenly, Lu Yao missed his two beautiful and kind senior martial sisters; as soon as he got the delivery, he made his way back to the Otherworld immediately.
It was noon here, the quietest moment in the boxing gym.
Most of the disciples learning boxing didn't have the conditions to practice full-time; they had to work for a living during the day and had already gone to their jobs.
The two sisters, one was cultivating in the quiet room, the other spread out the account books to do the accounts.
Liao Qe clicked the abacus with a pop pop, her face full of delight. With Lu Yao present, they had invisibly saved a great deal of expenses. The boxing gym finally had a surplus.
She was so engrossed in accounting that she didn't notice Lu Yao standing at the door knocking until he did. "Oh, you're back~ How come it took you so long this time?"
Lu Yao looked at the fair and delicate girl, felt much better, and smiled, "Because I was buying nice things for you."
Liao Qe's cheeks blushed slightly, she glanced curiously at the many big bags in Lu Yao's hands, and said, expectant but shyly, "What are they? I can't just take your things..."
"It's nothing much, just some clothes and shoes. They're all here~"
Lu Yao had long noticed that the sisters had only a few clothes which were not only old-fashioned but also worn, as if they had been worn for many years.
This time, I brought some items from Blue Star with good quality and styles.
Liao Qe opened the bag and exclaimed with surprise, "Oh my! So many beautiful clothes! And shoes too!"
Girls love dressing up, but for martial arts training, she had skimped on buying clothes, so now she was absolutely thrilled.
Liao Qe lovingly caressed the top-notch fabric and exquisite workmanship, unable to put them down, and occasionally held up a piece to measure against herself.
With a smile revealing a row of white teeth, she said, "Lu Yao, thank you~"
Lu Yao waved his hand, "As your junior, it's only right for me to honor my senior sister."
Liao Qe picked up a pair of cool running shoes and pinched the tongue, seeming to see them for the first time, somewhat puzzled.
Lu Yao explained, "You have to tie the laces." Saying this, he threaded the laces of the running shoes, "They're very comfortable to wear, you should give them a try."
Liao Qe nodded, turned her back, and swiftly pulled off her cloth shoes, slipping into the running shoes in the blink of an eye.
Lu Yao caught a fleeting glimpse of her pale, smooth ankle.
The girl, wearing running shoes for the first time, clumsily tied the laces, and he quickly stepped forward, crouching down to help.
Looking at the young man bent over in front of her, Liao Qe's cheeks flushed, and she said softly, "Lu Yao, thank you."
"Why thank me again? No need for such courtesy. Don't forget that you saved my life."
After tying the laces, Lu Yao stood up and teased her, "I'm someone who rushes to repay a kindness even more than to avenge a wrong. If it weren't for my incurable disease, I'd have already pledged myself to you."
With a glint in her almond-shaped eyes, Liao Qe pinched her fist and gently thumped him as if giving a massage, pouting, "You... A dog's mouth doesn't spit out ivory~"
Afterward, she hopped around the room and cheerfully said, "It really is quite comfy!"
"I wouldn't lie to you. Try on the clothes too, I'm quite curious—what you would look like in them."
Lu Yao was eager to see what the Otherworld girl would look like in Blue Star attire.
"Alright, I'll try them on, but you need to step outside~"
~~~~~~~~
After a while, the stunning girl appeared in the courtyard, dressed in a white JK dress.
Her lithe and taut figure was fully displayed, her long legs especially enticing.
Liao Qe looked somewhat self-conscious and asked softly, "Does it look good? I've seen these kinds of clothes in the concession... but it's my first time wearing them."
"Very good!" Lu Yao gave a heartfelt affirmative answer, "My taste isn't bad, I picked the right size for you!"
Pleased with the compliment, Liao Qe twirled around happily, her movements graceful and fluid, showing off her porcelain-smooth skin.
"Hmm!" came the sound of someone clearing their throat. It was Liao Ya. "What are you two doing?"
Liao Qe flung herself into her sister's arms and said joyfully, "Lu Yao brought us new clothes, they're so pretty!"
"You've made our junior brother spend money again."
"Just a few clothes, it's nothing really."
Now that Lu Yao had formally become their disciple, and he had given gifts more frequently, Liao Ya had grown accustomed to it, not as formal as she had been at first.
She smiled serenely and said softly, "By the way, junior brother, from now on, let's take the tonics in the evening. We use a lot of it, and we need to couple it with the right methods to perfectly absorb its potency. Drinking it during the day is wasteful."
Lu Yao nodded in agreement, "That sounds good to me."
Liao Ya looked into his eyes carefully for a moment, focusing on them, and then said with satisfaction,
"The inner light is retracted, and the spirit is ample; your Spirit Refinement Realm is very stable. Tonight, I'll transmit the following Scriptures to you."
"I get it, I get it, big sister, come with me to try on clothes," said Liao Qe, growing impatient, and tugged her sister back to the room.
Liao Ya nodded at Lu Yao and helplessly followed her sister.