The soft click of the closing door echoed in the hospital room as the doctors left, leaving Lin Fei and Su Qing alone. The steady rhythm of the heart monitor filled the silence, punctuated only by Lin Fei's faint, labored breathing.
Su Qing hesitated for a moment before stepping closer, her heels clicking softly against the tiled floor. She pulled a chair near his bed, her gaze fixed on his pale face. His fragile body, covered in bruises and wrapped in bandages, made her heart clench.
"I… I'm so sorry," she murmured, her voice trembling with emotion. Her hands gripped the edges of her dress tightly, knuckles turning white. "This is all my fault. I shouldn't have been so careless."
Lin Fei turned his head weakly to look at her, his lips curving into a faint smile despite the pain. "You didn't mean to… It's okay."
But his words only deepened her guilt. She bit her lip, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "No, it's not okay. If I had been more careful, this wouldn't have happened." She looked away briefly, composing herself, then turned back to him with an expression of determination. "I'll make it up to you. I promise."
Her genuine remorse tugged at Lin Fei's heart. He had never been the type to hold grudges, and her sincerity made it impossible to be angry.
"It's not your fault entirely," he said, his voice hoarse but steady. "I should've been paying more attention too."
Su Qing shook her head, brushing a strand of her silky black hair behind her ear. "No. You don't have to take the blame. Let me take care of everything." Her gaze softened as she added, "For now, just focus on getting better."
Her features, now visible in the calm lighting, left Lin Fei momentarily stunned. Her delicate face seemed almost sculpted, with almond-shaped eyes that sparkled like twin stars, a small, elegant nose, and soft, pink lips that curved naturally into a serene smile. Her long black hair fell in cascading waves over her shoulders, and her slim figure radiated an effortless grace.
Noticing his gaze, Su Qing blushed faintly and cleared her throat. "I'm Su Qing, by the way. A college student… or at least I was on my way to class before the accident."
Lin Fei snapped out of his daze and nodded. "I'm Lin Fei.
After a moment of silence, Su Qing asked. "So… Lin Fei, tell me about yourself. What do you like to do?"
Lin Fei hesitated, unsure of how to answer. His life had been far from extraordinary, filled with struggles and solitude. "There's not much to tell," he said finally. "I'm a high school senior. I spend most of my time studying or working part-time."
Su Qing's brow furrowed slightly. "Part-time? At your age?"
Lin Fei nodded. "Yeah. It helps cover the bills. My dad passed away a while ago, so it's just me now."
Her expression softened even further, a mixture of sympathy and admiration. "That must be tough," she said quietly. "I can't imagine…"
Lin Fei shrugged, though the motion sent a ripple of pain through his ribs. "You get used to it."
As they continued to talk, Lin Fei began to notice more about Su Qing. Her voice was soothing, like a gentle melody, and her kindness seemed boundless. She was stunningly beautiful, and he again fell in trance.
Su Qing caught him staring and blushed faintly. She hurriedly said, breaking the moment. "You should rest now," she said, rising from her chair. "I'll come back to check on you later."
Lin Fei nodded, watching as she left the room. For a moment, the space seemed dimmer without her presence.
As the door clicked shut, Lin Fei leaned back against the pillow, his thoughts turning inward. The memories of Xiao Dong surged once more, intertwining with his own. He closed his eyes, letting the flood of information settle, and began sorting through the pieces.
Xiao Dong's life played out like an epic saga a world of cultivation, battles, and betrayal. He saw the vast expanse of the Shenzhong World, its towering mountains and celestial palaces. He felt the weight of Xiao Dong's past: the disappointment of a family that never truly loved him, the sacrifices he made, and the anguish of being misunderstood in his final moments.
But alongside the pain, there was power. Xiao Dong's soul was like a vast ocean compared to Lin Fei's shallow pond. Even though Xiao Dong's soul had been damaged in his previous life, it still held the strength of an expert who had lived through countless trials.
The Heaven's Core Bead pulsed faintly in Lin Fei's chest, its presence a comforting warmth. He could feel it now, a part of his very being. Xiao Dong's voice echoed in his mind.
"This bead… it is no ordinary artifact. It merged with my soul in my past life, and now it has become part of you. Its true potential is beyond even my understanding, but I know this much it will be your greatest ally."
Lin Fei opened his eyes, the determination in Xiao Dong's words igniting a fire within him.
With newfound resolve, Lin Fei focused inward, using the remnants of Xiao Dong's soul techniques to scan his body. His consciousness flowed through his physical form, examining every inch.
The findings were grim. His body was malnourished, its muscles weak from years of inadequate nutrition. He traced the damage from the accident, discovering two fractured ribs and bruises scattered across his torso.
He sighed. "No wonder I feel like I'm falling apart."
Still, Xiao Dong's knowledge provided hope. Lin Fei realized that with cultivation, he could accelerate his recovery. But as he reached out with his senses to feel the ambient energy in the air, his expression darkened.
"Earth's Yuan Qi is so thin," he muttered.
In the Shenzhong World, Yuan Qi was abundant, practically saturating the air. Here, it was a faint whisper, barely perceptible even with his enhanced soul.
Determined to begin healing himself, Lin Fei adjusted his position, sitting cross-legged on the bed. He closed his eyes, slowing his breathing and reaching out with his senses to the tiny traces of Yuan Qi around him.
Despite the thinness of the energy, his powerful soul allowed him to connect with it quickly. Within minutes, he had successfully sensed the Yuan Qi, drawing it toward him.
When he opened his eyes, they shone with a faint glimmer of satisfaction. "Sensing it was easy enough. But this is only the first step."
He recalled the next stage of cultivation "Meridian Strengthening". This stage required drawing Yuan Qi into the body to refine the twelve prime meridians, a process that laid the foundation for all future progress. However, the refinement was known to be excruciatingly painful.
Lin Fei gritted his teeth, determination hardening his resolve. He visualized the first meridian route in his mind, drawing on Xiao Dong's memories for guidance. With slow, deliberate breaths, he began the process, inhaling the faint traces of Yuan Qi mixed with the air around him.
But it was slow painfully slow. The thinness of Earth's Yuan Qi made the process almost futile. He exhaled sharply, frustration creeping into his thoughts.
"I need a place rich in Yuan Qi," he muttered. "And spiritual medicines to aid the process. Otherwise, this will take an eternity."
Despite the obstacles, Lin Fei refused to give up. He knew that cultivation was his only path to recovery and to something far greater.