Gu Tianzhu was evidently clueless about what was going on. He glanced at his disciple, who also seemed just as lost.
When Ling Yu showed no signs of moving, Xuan Tian finally stood up, picked up his chopsticks, and grabbed some food.
Everyone could feel the shift in the air. It wasn't tense—just relieved, as the awkward silence dissolved. But then, Xuan Tian made a move that surprised everyone—except Elder Mo.
Xuan Tian placed the bowl filled with food in front of Ling Yu and said, "It's for you. You need it the most. Go ahead." He then took Ling Yu's empty bowl and filled it with food for himself.
Lin Qian's eyes widened in surprise before she quickly looked down to hide her smile. Xu Yun grinned and nodded approvingly. Lei Wen blinked in disbelief. Zhao Zhi smirked.
Before, Gu Tianzhu and Chen Zhaoyun hadn't fully grasped what Xu Yun meant when she said Ling Yu was the heart of the operation. But now, they had no choice but to believe it. Who would've thought? A young human girl, being served by an Immortal Saint.
Elder Mo, however, was the only one unfazed by the scene. He had already seen Ling Yu's unspoken power over Xuan Tian.
Ling Yu could only stare at the bowl full of food. She lifted her head to look at Xuan Tian, then back at the bowl.
"Why?" Ling Yu asked suspiciously. "Why am I first?"
Xuan Tian, unbothered, "You're the only human here. You need it the most."
She nodded, agreeing with Xuan Tian's explanation. Then she lifted her chopsticks and started eating.
As soon as Ling Yu began to eat, Xuan Tian followed. The rest of the table soon picked up their chopsticks and started grabbing food as well. Elder Mo, however, waited until everyone had finished before quietly taking his share.
He still couldn't believe it—he was eating at the same table as Shengzun. Back in Lingxu Sect, even as an Elder, he had never once dined at the same table as the Sect Leader or the higher-ranked Elders. And yet, here he was.
Elder Mo had actually been waiting for Xuan Tian to kick him out of the table, and he was ready for it. But it never happened. So, Elder Mo continued eating with content.
Lunch went without a hitch. Ling Yu helped the female doctors clean the table. Soon after, Lei Wen and Lin Qian said their goodbyes and headed back to the inn. Xuan Tian sent Elder Mo with them.
He did this not without reason. All this time, Xuan Tian had been observing Elder Mo closely, and Elder Mo had never once done anything to arouse his suspicions. No one was that good of an actor—not in front of an Immortal Saint.
Another reason was that Elder Mo had a higher cultivation than the doctors, making him perfect for guarding the inn. And within the barrier Xuan Tian had set there, Elder Mo would never be able to harm anyone.
The rest of the group went to the stone bed chamber. They were still unsuccessful in finding ways to wake the victims from their hypnotic state. Xuan Tian chose a corner and meditated again.
"We have been trying everything we can think of, but still no success," Xu Yun explained to Ling Yu.
Zhao Zhi added, "Ling Yu, you said you just shook Chen Wei awake."
Ling Yu nodded. "Yes, I did."
"Do you think you can do it again?" Zhao Zhi asked.
Ling Yu nodded again. "Sure, why not? Just shaking, right?"
Zhao Zhi grinned. "Right."
Gu Tianzhu and Chen Zhaoyun were listening, though they remained skeptical.
Ling Yu approached a random victim, hesitated for a moment, then grabbed their shoulders and—shook them.
Everyone watched in anticipation.
"Wait! She's awake!" Xu Yun exclaimed.
Zhao Zhi was equally surprised. "You're right! It's incredible!"
Chen Zhaoyun was stunned. "Shizun… this shouldn't be possible… right?"
Gu Tianzhu was just as shocked. "Yes… this shouldn't be possible…"
Hearing the commotion, Xuan Tian abandoned his meditation and approached them. "Successful?"
Zhao Zhi gestured. "Xuan Xiong, you can see it for yourself."
Ling Yu blinked. "I did it?"
Xu Yun patted her back. "You did it! You're amazing, Ling Yu! None of us could do it!"
Ling Yu's grin widened. "Should I do it for all of them?"
"Hold on. Not so fast. Dr. Xu, please check her," Xuan Tian instructed, pointing at the disoriented victim.
Xu Yun did as asked. "She's okay, but disoriented. It's best if she goes to sleep to recover her strength. When she wakes up, she must be taught a simple cultivation technique to stabilize her core."
Gu Tianzhu stepped forward. "If you don't mind, Shengzun, we can do that. We would like to help."
Xuan Tian nodded. "Thank you, Gu Zhenren. That would be best."
He continued, "Let's do it like this. Ling Yu wakes up two victims at a time, the doctors examine them, and then they rest. When they wake up, Gu Zhenren and Chen Xianren can teach them."
"Good idea, Shengzun. In the meantime, let us prepare their rooms," Gu Tianzhu offered, not wanting to stay idle.
"Good idea," Xuan Tian agreed.
Chen Zhaoyun suddenly bowed slightly. "Please, Shengzun, call me Chen Zhaoyun." He felt uncomfortable being called 'Xianren' by Xuan Tian. His complete defeat against him still lingered in his mind.
Xuan Tian stared at him, then nodded slightly. "Very well, Chen Zhaoyun."
Chen Zhaoyun lit up. He had come to truly respect Xuan Tian. He had experienced Xuan Tian's power firsthand, yet Xuan Tian was not arrogant—far from it. He found Xuan Tian powerful yet humble, dominant yet approachable. He was clearly the leader, yet he did not rule with an iron fist. This was the first time Chen Zhaoyun had met someone like Xuan Tian. Most Immortals he knew were arrogant and condescending. He envied the doctors who could casually call Xuan Tian 'Xuan Xiong.'
Ling Yu resumed waking the victims, while Xuan Tian followed closely, ready for any unforeseen danger. By the time she woke the twelfth victim, Ling Yu started to sway. Her face paled, and sweat formed on her forehead.
Seeing this, Xuan Tian immediately stopped her. "Alright, stop. Come here. Sit, rest. Dr. Xu, please."
Xu Yun checked Ling Yu's pulse. "She's exhausted—like someone who has overused their spirit energy. How can that be? She doesn't have a core; how can she have spirit energy?"
Ling Yu was out of breath, as if she had run a marathon up the mountain. "But I don't have a core… how can I use spirit energy?" she panted.
Xuan Tian shook his head. "That's the question. I also cannot detect any spirit energy circulating in your meridians. This is indeed baffling."
Gu Tianzhu stepped forward. "May I read her pulse?"
Xuan Tian stared at Gu Tianzhu for a moment, then looked at Ling Yu.
Ling Yu caught Xuan Tian's gaze and understood—he was asking for her permission, but he also thought it was safe. Alright, I'll trust you this time, Iron Wall. She smiled at Gu Tianzhu. "Yes, you may, Gu Zhenren. Please."
Gu Tianzhu examined Ling Yu's pulse carefully. He was curious about her—how could a normal human like her wake the victims when even powerful Immortals, including Xuan Tian, had failed?
Yet Gu Tianzhu found nothing unusual. She was just a regular human with no innate talent for cultivation.
He looked at Ling Yu. "I apologize, but I do not find anything unusual. There is no spirit energy circulating in your meridians. However, we can try something to determine whether or not you have spirit energy."
"How? I'll do it!" Ling Yu said excitedly.
Gu Tianzhu then taught Ling Yu a very basic cultivation method to circulate spirit energy. Ling Yu sat cross-legged and followed his instructions.