Chapter 7: Chapter 7: Art Of Healing
Art of Healing – Verse 1: Allows the practitioner to heal minor wounds and diseases.
When he calmed his mind and sank into focus, the comprehension of the Art of Healing unfolded within him, as if etched into his very soul. It was Seraphina’s guidance, her light resonating through him, that revealed the truth: Spirit Energy could be guided along his veins and meridians in a precise rhythm, weaving together the healing essence of the light element.
The process felt smooth, effortless, almost like a second nature as if he had practiced the art thousands of times. Yet reality reminded him of his limits. His Spirit Energy was still faint, too shallow to call forth the healing power he had learned.
Even so, he was happy with the achievement. The System had not deceived him. The knowledge was real, the foundation solid.
For the first time, the path before him felt clear. Whatever the obstacles are, he was now ready to walk forward into the challenges that awaited him.
But then, all of a sudden, a noise of commotion reached his ears. Crying. Shouting. The sounds drifted from the center of the village.
Curious, he quickly closed the system window and rushed forward. He had no desire to play the hero, yet when it came to his friends and loved ones, he could never sit idly by.
And he had a reason to worry. Just yesterday, the villagers had barely avoided the Ironcrest Clan’s bullying thanks to his grandfather’s death incident. But today, with his grandfather gone, there was no one left to stop them.
His fears were confirmed. The same men bearing the Ironcrest banner had already intruded upon their peaceful village.
"Enough crying, mongrels. No one’s going to save you today."
Cain Ironcrest’s growl reverberated through the air as his sharp eyes swept across every household, like a hawk sizing up its prey.
They stopped first on the old Village Chief, standing in the courtyard with nothing but a walking stick. Cain looked at him with disdain, as though he were already a discarded relic.
But when his gaze turned to Emilia’s quiet beauty shining even through fear, a smirk formed on his lips. He licked them with obscene hunger as if he had founded another delicious meal.
"Old coot, every household has to provide a laborer for the mines. But what about you? I see you are already in the grave. Why don’t you send your granddaughter instead. I promise we will take very good care of her."
Cain’s lewd gaze never left Emilia as she trembled, clutching her flower basket to her chest.
The old man’s face went red. His roar cracked with fury and grief. "You beast! You already stole my son and fed him to your madness. And now you dare set your sights on his daughter? Never! As long as breath fills these lungs, you will not lay a hand on her."
Cain’s smile crawled across his face like rot. "Heh heh. You are already shaking at your feet, and you still dare to resist? Fine..."
He turned to his men.
"Men, go break his old bones and drag that girl here."
At his command, Ironcrest thugs advanced, their boots thudding on the courtyard stones.
"En no. Please don’t touch my grandfather." Emilia’s hopeful eyes darted around villagers for help, "Someone, please save him."
The villagers reflexively stepped forward, but the thugs shoved them back with brute force. The thugs had obviously taken body strengthening medicines, that’s why the villagers were helpless against them.
Vahn, watching Emilia tremble in fear, felt his blood boil. He could no longer stay idle. Weak or not, he would not allow his friend to be dragged into despair.
He stepped forward. Cain and his men raised their brows at the audacity.
"Do not fear, Emilia," Vahn declared, his voice steady and loud enough for the entire courtyard. "I won’t let them take you."
Emilia’s eyes softened, a spark of warmth flickering inside her chest, but worry still clouded her face. Cain Ironcrest was a cultivator of the body path, while Vahn was nothing more than a mortal.
How could he fight?
By the side, Cain and his men burst into cruel laughter. "Hahaha!"
"Did you hear that, young master? This worm says he’s going to save her!"
"What a joke. To think such a fool exist who dares stand against the Young Master’s might!"
Another thug sneered, "Hehe... Young master, why don’t we strip him naked in front of everyone? Let the village see what happens when ants try to defy us."
Cain’s eyes glinted with sadistic delight. "Good idea. Go. Capture him. Strip him bare for all to see."
Gasps spread through the villagers. Emilia’s tears welled up, as she screamed,
"Vahn, run! You don’t need to do this for me!"
But Vahn stood unshaken. He clenched his fists and spoke with a fire that silenced the crowd.
"What kind of man turns his back when his friend is about to be defiled? Such a man is no man at all. That is a coward... and I, Vahn, am no coward. Even if it costs me my life, I will stand up to protect my friend’s dignity and honor."
Emilia’s heart throbbed at his words, fluttering with both fear and admiration. Yet doubt still gnawed at her.
Because to the Immortal Cultivators, the mortals are comparable to ants. You bully them, humiliate them, slaughter them; not even the heavens would care.
Weakness Is such a Sin.
Vahn stood against them all alone. He wasn’t fearless, but oftentimes a hard resolve faded from one’s heart. And this was that moment.
The first thug stepped forward, towering over him like a tall mountain. The difference in strength was like a chasm.
Still, Vahn guarded his stance, eyes sharp as a blade.
The man sneered and swung a massive hand down, as if to pluck up a chicken. Vahn slipped to the side, his feet moving on instinct.
While the first one was slightly surprised, another brute rushed in from behind, arms outstretched to seize him.
Vahn’s fingers quickly tightened into a fist. Then he punched toward man’s abdomen with all the force his body could muster.
"Hehe... you’re so adorable," the man mocked, easily catching the blow in his palm, as though holding a tuft of cotton.
But the next instant, Vahn’s eyes sharpened. He concentrated the faint spark of spirit energy within him and drove his left fist into the thug’s gut as well.
The man’s grin twisted into pain. "Ughh!"
The crowd stirred, shocked by the sight.