Treatment

In a room inside the Golden Tree, there were only Huo Yuhao, Gu Yuena, Mu En, Zhang Lexuan, and a man named Elder Zhuang-a member of the Sea God Pavilion's council of elders whose martial soul was the Tree of Life Martial Soul.

Because of the freshman assessment, Huo Yuhao and the others had some free time over the past few days, and it was also time to treat Mu En's injuries.

Zhang Lexuan had originally planned to set out on her investigation that day, but when she heard that morning that the surgery would take place that day, she decided to postpone her departure by a day.

"I'm ready, child. Begin."

Huo Yuhao took out a case and opened it, revealing an intact segment of spine inside.

"This was made from that drop of Elder Mu's blood?"

Zhang Lexuan did not know what words to use to describe the sight.

Elder Zhuang was also shocked. When Elder Mu had suddenly summoned him that morning, he had thought he was being asked to help alleviate Elder Mu's condition. Instead, Elder Mu had said someone could cure him. Elder Zhuang had not believed it, but out of trust in Elder Mu, he had still agreed to assist. Now, he was somewhat excited.

"Directed Guided Cultivation. But it's only an ordinary segment of spine. After it's transplanted into Mr. Mu's body, it will still need a long period of nurturing before it fully matches his body."

"Haha, that's no problem." Mu En grew visibly excited. In all his long years, this was his first time seeing anything like this, and his confidence swelled.

"Then can you make other organs? Things like legs and arms," Zhang Lexuan suddenly asked. Two people had become disabled several years ago. Now there was a chance to help them!

The Douluo Continent did have methods for regenerating severed limbs, but the conditions were far too demanding. They required a Soul Bone matching the severed limb and the assistance of a high-ranking healing-type Soul Master. If too much time had passed, a high-ranking Soul Master with the life attribute was also needed.

"Yes. I'll teach you how to do it in the future."

Hearing Huo Yuhao say this, Zhang Lexuan immediately brightened. His words suggested that this technique was broadly applicable, and a different light entered her eyes as she looked at him.

The blows that had come one after another over the years had cast a thick shadow over Zhang Lexuan's heart. Even spending the past few months with the freshmen had done little to ease it. Now, a ray of hope pierced the gloom in her heart, and she regained the confidence to keep living.

The aura around Zhang Lexuan began to surge, as though she was about to break through.

"Lexuan!" Mu En suddenly called out to stop her.

"Thank you, Elder Mu." She realized she could not break through right now. Although she had shattered the fog clouding her heart, she still needed time to recover from the mental strain of these years. Besides, she still had to look after Elder Mu.

Mu En was delighted to see this as well. No matter how I tried to counsel this girl over the years, it never helped. To think it was Huo Yuhao who helped her find her way out. The more Mu En looked at Huo Yuhao, the more satisfied he became.

"Then let's begin. Mr. Mu, Na'er, suppress the Dragon Core."

Mu En began concentrating his Soul Power to suppress the Dragon Core, while Gu Yuena also began "performing a secret technique," using her draconic might to suppress its malevolent energy. Beside them, Elder Zhuang released his Soul Power as well to stabilize Mu En's body.

This was the method they had agreed upon together: first suppress the Dragon Core's malevolent energy so it would no longer damage Mu En's body. The Dragon Core would not be removed during the surgery, as it was also nourishing his body. They would then replace the necrotic segment of spine and repair the damaged areas. Finally, they would remove the Dragon Core.

Huo Yuhao worked quickly: administering anesthesia, making the incision, excising, replacing, repairing with Soul Power, and finally suturing. The entire procedure flowed like drifting clouds and running water, and he finished in just a few hours.

The onlookers clicked their tongues in wonder. The Douluo Continent had never had such a treatment method before! Elder Zhuang, in particular, was a life-type Soul Master and could also heal, but a Soul Master's healing methods merely used the properties of Soul Power to repair damaged areas. What Huo Yuhao had demonstrated was another system altogether. What would happen if the two were combined!

Gu Yuena had the same thought and silently committed it to memory. I'll have Bi Ji learn this later.

After finishing all this, Huo Yuhao could not help marveling at how useful Soul Power was. Although it was not as comprehensive as psychic energy, it had the advantage of safety.

"Next, I'll demonstrate how to reconstruct the nervous system."

At this, everyone watched Huo Yuhao attentively while directing their spiritual power into Mu En.

Huo Yuhao's Soul Power transformed into strands finer than hair and extended into Mu En's spinal column. The others also "saw" tendrils growing, so slowly that it was almost imperceptible.

The entire process was exceedingly long, taking even longer than the surgery. By the time it was finished, night had fallen. Huo Yuhao had even had to stop several times midway to recover his Soul Power. Still, only this first session would take so long; things would be easier afterward.

"That's all for today. Repairing nerves isn't that easy. From now on, I'll treat you once a week. It should take about two or three months. Mr. Mu, you can try standing up and walking around first."

Hearing this, Mu En rose from the bed with his back hunched. As though something had occurred to him, he tentatively began straightening his back.

"Haha!" It no longer hurt! Mu En was filled with joy and could not help laughing.

Beside him, Zhang Lexuan and Elder Zhuang could not help feeling happy for him as well. He was Shrek Academy's true sea-calming pillar!

"Child, thank you so much!" As Mu En spoke, he handed the Dragon Core to Gu Yuena. "This is the promised payment, but the malevolent energy on it won't be easy to dispel."

"I have my own way." With that, Gu Yuena put away the Dragon Core.

"Elder Mu, that Dragon Core is..." Elder Zhuang could not help speaking up at the sight.

"I have my own arrangements," Mu En interrupted him. "Also, you must not tell anyone about the Dragon Core."

"Yes, Elder Mu."

Since Elder Mu had made arrangements, Elder Zhuang said no more. Although he also considered the Dragon Core precious, what did it amount to compared with a healthy Elder Mu!

"Lexuan, Little Zhuang, come take a walk with me!" Mu En said in a strong, resonant voice before asking Huo Yuhao and Gu Yuena, "Will you join us?"

"No, I'm a little tired," Huo Yuhao replied. He still had some things to make.

"All right." Mu En knew Huo Yuhao had been busy all day and did not insist.

After they went outside, quite a few people stopped to watch when they saw Mu En walking with his back straight.

"Elder Mu!"

"Elder Mu!"

"Elder Mu!"

Everyone was startled at first, then became wildly delighted. Before long, news of Mu En's recovery had spread throughout the Sea God Pavilion.

"How is Xiaotao doing?"

Upon seeing Cai Mei'er, Mu En asked about Ma Xiaotao's condition. Cai Mei'er had been looking after Ma Xiaotao these past few days. Mu En also knew about his granddisciple's condition and hoped to help her.

"Teacher, Xiaotao has been doing all right lately. She's already realized her mistake."

"All right, let her out. Don't let her cultivate for the time being. Tell her that if she loses control again, she can forget about cultivating for the rest of her life!"

"Yes." Cai Mei'er bowed, then asked, "What about Yan Shaozhe?"

"Keep him locked up for now!"

Whenever he thought of what Yan Shaozhe had done last month, Mu En could not help getting angry! How could a Bright Phoenix Soul Master have such a vile disposition? No wonder his strength had failed to improve for so many years!