Chapter 403: Restored Youth
Yun Yang was somewhat skeptical of the narration; it was simply too hyperbolic and absurd.
Even if the Flame Emperor was second to none in his prowess and could only absorb one-tenth of a thousandth of the star's force, how could the siderite be only this large if it was actually a complete star?
Also, how could a complete star fall from the sky?
Seeing that Yun Yang was increasingly doubtful, Emmie was filled with contempt.
"Ayaya..."
"What?" Yun Yang asked irritably. "You dare call me a bumpkin? It looks like you really don't wish to stay well, do you?"
"Ayaya~" Emmie conceded defeat right away, admitting that it had gone overboard and that its master was not really a bumpkin. Well, not too much of one, anyway.
Yun Yang snorted and did not take the matter to heart; after all, he knew that he truly lacked in knowledge and was woefully ignorant.
Besides, he could not take what was inside the meteorite on his own. He had to depend on Emmie.
It was not too late to make the brat clean up its act after he had gotten enough for himself. By then, he would definitely let Emmie knew why the world was the way it was and that it could not simply call its master a bumpkin!
Having received a confirmation, Yun Yang threw himself into the work.
He raised the saber in his hand before hacking down under Emmie's nervous cry.
It was like a strike of lightning - Yun Yang exerted a hundred and twenty percent of his own strength in that swing! He had given his all.
According to Emmie's observation, the slash had sliced off a small piece of the siderite's outer skin. As such, a glimpse of the maroon inner core of the star could be seen.
What he saw was what he got, so Yun Yang hesitated no more after seeing that it was effective. He hacked left and right, front and back, top and bottom - after six chops, only a siderite core the size of two fists was left behind.
Then, it was Emmie's time to shine.
An unprecedentedly rich force of life wrapped itself around Yun Yang's hands; he secured the siderite with one hand while another carved its way inside while holding the Divine Edge.
It was a critically climatic moment right now. Even the slightest damage to the essence inside would be a great loss!
Only Yun Yang alone could execute such a maneuver!
Any strong contender in this world, aside from the said youth, could never have done it, no matter how great a cultivation base or how mystical an arcane skill they had.
That was because only the force of life could withstand such high temperatures and successfully touch the core of siderite!
Of course, there was also the contribution of the Divine Edge that was the only thing that could cut through the siderite.
If it had been anyone else, just the inner core's heat alone would have charred them to ashes regardless if they could deal damage to the outermost layer of the fallen star - it would end the same way, no matter how proficient the expert was!
Once the inner core of the siderite greeted the world, it inevitably exuded an immensely high temperature, yet the heat was canceled by the force of life, thus resulting in a huge quantity of smoke. The room was engulfed in thick billows of ash instantly, tinged with a burnt smell.
All that was incinerated was the most refined energy of life!
The extravagance was baffling!
Outside the room and above the small yard, a thick mass of smoke curled up into the sky and concealed both heaven and earth, looking like half of Zilong City was on fire.
Sun Chengfeng, who was in the inner hall, looked outside with reverence.
Those were balls of rich life force burning in there...
Sun Chengfeng's beard was trembling from his heartache.
Yun Yang was still chopping and slicing away while Emmie delivered what was needed wholeheartedly. Finally...
The inner part of the siderite showed a glimpse of a yellow beam that was akin to liquid; it was translucent and smooth, yet still managed to look like it was sticky.
An indescribable fragrance wafted into the air. At the same time, a heavy force akin to gravity could be felt.
Before Yun Yang could relish in it or even sneak a peek, the yellow material vanished immediately!
Emmie was like a fox that had waited for thousands of years and charged with reddened eyes of hunger when it saw little chicks, intent on devouring all that was there!
Collected!
It had finally been collected!
In a flash, the remaining piece of the siderite turned dull, leaving behind only a small shell with a tiny hole on it.
It was as big as a goose egg, but the yolk was gone.
The outer skin that had lost its inner core contained no more warmth as well.
Shortly, the thick smoke disappeared.
Sun Chengfeng asked carefully through the door, "Old Forefather, is it alright over there? Is the transition smooth?"
Yun Yang ordered Emmie to recover all his aspects to the best possible state at once and replied tiredly, "All is good... for now. I'll have to train my cultivation base back, step by step. Even though the stubborn condition is gone, it's impossible to recover my cultivation base lost in these three hundred years within a day."
Sun Chengfeng was absolutely overjoyed as he said, "That's great! Marvelous! It's great that you're fine!" Before his words could even linger in the air, he had rushed over impatiently and checked Yun Yang's pulse.
"It's magical!"
"How amazing!" Sun Chengfeng was in awe, "Old ancestor's prescription is really earth-shattering! Old Forefather, your pulse doesn't feel like that of an old man at all."
"It feels more like that of an eighteen or nineteen-year-old youth. Your heart rate and body functions... this..." The more Sun Chengfeng continued to check, the more he was shocked; he was so delighted that he could hardly keep his mouth shut. "Old Forefather, this is wonderful! You... your youth is restored!"
Yun Yang chuckled and said, "Yes, my youth is restored... somehow. If I were to enter the city like this and tell others I've lived for several hundred years, I guess I'll be beaten to death!"
Sun Chengfeng chortled. "Of course. Really, if I didn't see it with my own eyes, I would be the first to accuse you, Old Forefather! Your state now, from head to toe, is that of a youth. There's nothing aged about it!"
He then sighed, "It's a pity that it's too late for recovery. An eighth of Old Forefather's cultivation can no longer be reacquired."
Yun Yang smiled. "Naïve child, this old man has such a body now. Would I be worried that I can't cultivate it back?"
Sun Chengfeng grinned. "That's true. With your current state, it would be easy to live another three hundred to five hundred years - or even be immortal."
Sun Chengfeng was utterly thrilled and was about to run out immediately to inform the others of this good news but was stopped by Yun Yang.
"Hold up."
"Yes, do give your instructions, Old Forefather."
"Since there are only the two of us, let us speak as a family." Yun Yang mused and said, "Chengfeng, do you still remember the family precept of the Physician Genius Family?"
"Of course this grandson remembers! Family Precept of the Physician Genius Family - Those who heal are benevolent, treating illnesses and saving lives; travel to practice medicine, save the world, one life at a time; do not be thrilled by personal gain, do not forget the pure intent; be it aristocrats or commoners, all of them are patients!" Sun Chengfeng recited.
Yun Yang nodded deeply and said, "Your ancestors didn't say that you can only treat those from the Empire of Ziyou, did they?"
Sun Chengfeng answered, "Absolutely not! This grandson has always roamed the world to practice. I've stayed most of my years in the Empire of Ziyou but there are still years that I practice in the other empires."
"Those who heal will never differentiate between borders, only distinguishing between a fatuous physician and a brilliant one."
Yun Yang patted Sun Chengfeng's shoulders and said, "Remember your forefather's words. Those who heal bear the heart of parents, those who heal bear the heart of the world; The Physician Genius Family should be passed on eternally - so the world can relish in the Physician Genius Family's benevolence. The brilliant ones help the world; you're a brilliant one in the field of medicine, you should help the people of this world!"
"This grandchild will remember Old Forefather's words!" Sun Chengfeng took the advice to heart.
"Alright, let's go out."
Yun Yang's unhurried words were gentle and low, like a dream, "If there's nothing else, I hope that you don't partake in Ziyou's fight for world domination. The war has started... If I were you, I would leave as soon as possible."
Sun Chengfeng replied in a low tone, filled with longing, "This grandchild wanted to serve Old Forefather for a few more days..."
"Leave tomorrow." Yun Yang sighed solemnly. "The battle has begun. My cultivation base has yet to recover, I might not be able to keep an eye on you if you were to stay here... We shall meet again in the martial world; it'd be easier for me to find you than for you to find me. People who know you now are much more than those who know this old man!"
His acting skills had improved; his finishing words were exactly like a forefather who was teasing his successful descendant - how impressive!
Sun Chengfeng kept quiet for a bit and said, "Alright. Since Old Forefather has spoken, this grandson will leave Zilong City tonight, without further delay."
Yun Yang nodded comfortingly and patted Sun Chengfeng's shoulder; a big mass of refined air of vitality slipped into the latter's meridians abruptly.
Sun Chengfeng turned around in alarm. "Old Forefather, how can this be?"
He could feel that his Old Forefather had given a hefty amount; in fact, it had far exceeded a hefty amount, because the life force he was given was sufficient to take him back to his prime years!
This was a gift that meant too much; it was a blessing that was akin to rebirth!
What Yun Yang had done was like changing a brand new physical body. It would extend his longevity by at least sixty years!
"Stay alive, however long you can!" Yun Yang said slowly, "It will allow the Physician Genius Family to save a few more lives in this world. Those who heal are benevolent, it's how one's heart should be - it's what a physician's initial intent is! Don't forget this!"
Sun Chengfeng dropped to his knees on the floor, weeping.
...
Chancellor Lan was elated about Old Forefather's recovery and was not at all upset over the siderite!
After all, the siderite was only a sign of symbolism now to the monarch.
Giving it to Old Forefather could revive him and add value to the rock like it was gold... Even better, platinum, pure gold, or rose gold. An old sir who could help the Empire of Ziyou stabilize its fate as a nation like a guardian angel would be so much better than an ornament or a symbol.
This transaction was a steal - the Empire of Ziyou had gotten a good bargain!
Of course, Lan Wuxin would never have thought that what the Empire of Ziyou had given this time was not only an ornament or a mere symbol, but it could forge the world's unrivaled legend, a chance to reign over all and roam the nine heavens.
In fact, the destiny of the entire country had been neatly packed and served away!