The Heavenly Secrets Pavilion

No one knew how long it had been. It was so long that their knees had gone numb before Xuanyuan finally stirred.

He slowly opened his eyes. As always, his gaze was indifferent, as though nothing in the world could stir even the faintest ripple within him.

He did not look at the neatly tended courtyard. His gaze merely fell upon the two people kneeling before him.

"Finished?"

He spoke calmly.

"Y-yes, senior."

"Mm."

Xuanyuan rose from the stone chair and stretched. His joints crackled sharply.

He walked over to Xiao Xi and crouched down.

Xiao Xi shuddered in fright, nearly collapsing to the ground.

She could smell a faint scent coming from Xuanyuan, like grass mixed with earth. For some reason, it put her at ease, yet only made her more afraid.

Xuanyuan extended a finger and gently lifted Xiao Xi's chin.

His touch was gentle, but Xiao Xi felt as though a mountain had clamped around her throat. Even her breathing stopped.

Forced to raise her head, she met his gaze, deep as the starry sky.

"Hand. Out," Xuanyuan said.

Xiao Xi didn't understand, but she still tremblingly held out her small hands, covered in wounds and grime.

Xuanyuan glanced at them, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly.

"Fool."

He uttered a single word. Then, as the master and disciple watched in horror, he reached out with his other hand and lightly brushed Xiao Xi's scraped, bloodied palm.

A soft green light rippled outward like water.

Xiao Xi felt a cool, refreshing sensation in her palm, as if she were immersed in the purest spring of life.

She looked down in astonishment and saw that the wounds on her hand were healing at a visible pace!

Her broken skin became smooth and delicate again. The blood and dirt vanished