Seeing Lin Yun in such agony, Yu Ying’s heart ached terribly, but she was powerless to ease his pain, only able to watch helplessly.
At that moment, Emperor Fire Cloud entered.
“Disciple!”
He rushed to the bedside.
He was thrilled to see Lin Yun awake, but the sight of his suffering brought him sorrow.
“Master…” Lin Yun’s lips trembled, barely able to speak.
“Disciple, hold on! Vice Palace Master Yao from the Heavenly God Palace will be here soon!” Emperor Fire Cloud said.
Lin Yun nodded shakily, his face growing paler.
The next moment, Vice Palace Master Yao appeared at the door and stepped into the bedchamber.
“What a miracle. This guy actually pulled through and woke up,” Yao remarked, astonished at Lin Yun’s recovery.
“Vice Palace Master Yao, didn’t you say you prepared some pills for when Lin Yun woke? Hurry and bring them out!” Emperor Fire Cloud urged.
“Of course!”
Yao nodded, producing a pill and approaching Lin Yun.
“Lin Yun, open your mouth!” Yao instructed.
Though Lin Yun didn’t know Yao, Emperor Fire Cloud had just mentioned his identity, so Lin Yun complied, opening his mouth.
Yao tossed the pill into Lin Yun’s mouth.
As the pill took effect, within moments, the tormenting pain receded like a tide!
The effect was immediate.
“The pill works so well! Am… am I saved?” Lin Yun showed a trace of joy.
“Brother Yun? Are you alright?” Yu Ying, seeing his pain vanish, beamed with delight.
“Great! Daddy’s not hurting anymore!” Lin Ke Xin danced with joy at her father’s recovery.
However, Emperor Fire Cloud and Vice Palace Master Yao remained grave, showing no joy.
“Lin Yun, to be honest, this pill can only suppress the toxin and ease your pain. It can’t detoxify you. There’s no antidote for the soul-severing poison,” Yao said.
Lin Yun froze. So that was it?
“It’s fine. As long as it reduces the pain, that’s good enough. As long as it doesn’t hinder my cultivation,” Lin Yun forced a smile.
“No, you can’t cultivate anymore. Even with the pill suppressing the toxin temporarily, using internal energy will trigger it instantly. You can never use internal energy again,” Yao said.
“What?!”
Lin Yun sat up from the bed, eyes wide with shock.
“I… I can never use internal energy again?”
The news hit Lin Yun like a thunderbolt!
He thought waking up meant he’d survived this ordeal, but to learn he could never use internal energy again?
“Vice Palace Master Yao, is there no way at all?” Lin Yun asked, unwilling to accept it.
For him, being unable to use internal energy meant he could no longer cultivate—a devastating blow!
“There’s no way,” Yao shook his head.
“This… this… doesn’t that mean I’m a cripple?” Lin Yun staggered, his face ashen.
For a cultivator, being unable to use internal energy was no different from being a cripple.
“Brother Yun, as long as you’re alive, that’s what matters. If you can’t use internal energy, I’ll protect you!” Yu Ying’s clear eyes shone with determination.
Lin Ke Xin clung to Lin Yun’s arm.
“Daddy, Ke Xin will train hard to protect you too! As long as Daddy doesn’t leave me and Mommy, as long as you’re healthy, Ke Xin will do anything.”
Her big, watery eyes also gleamed with resolve.
Perhaps this ordeal had taught young Ke Xin the meaning of cultivation—to protect her family!
Hearing Yu Ying and his daughter, warmth filled Lin Yun’s heart.
Even if he couldn’t cultivate, he had to live.
He still had to watch his daughter grow!
“Ke Xin, Daddy won’t leave you and Mommy,” Lin Yun said, gently pinching her cheek with a forced smile.
Then, he looked up at Emperor Fire Cloud.
“Master,” Lin Yun bowed.
Now that the pain had subsided, he could finally speak with his master.
“Lin Yun, you’re injured. Skip the formalities,” Emperor Fire Cloud waved gently.
“Master, I’m sorry… I’ve let you down this time,” Lin Yun said, his gaze dim.
He knew Emperor Fire Cloud had always held high hopes for him.
Now, reduced to a cripple with no future, he had failed those expectations.
“You were harmed by the demon clan, leading to this outcome. How could I blame you? It’s just… such a rare genius, ending like this, it’s truly regrettable and heartbreaking. Fate is cruel…” Emperor Fire Cloud sighed.
Yao interjected, “Lin Yun, I have more bad news.”
“Vice Palace Master Yao, please wait,” Lin Yun interrupted.
He turned to Yu Ying. “Ying’er, take Ke Xin out. I need to speak with Vice Palace Master Yao and Master alone.”
Since Yao had more bad news, Lin Yun didn’t want Yu Ying or his daughter to hear, especially not Ke Xin, who was so young.
“Brother Yun… no matter the news, I’ll stand by you!” Yu Ying’s pale face showed resolve.
“I know, but for Ke Xin… take her out first,” Lin Yun said with a forced smile.
“Alright,” Yu Ying nodded, understanding he was protecting Ke Xin from distress.
“Ke Xin, come on, let’s go outside,” Yu Ying took her hand.
“I want to stay with Daddy!” Lin Ke Xin pouted.
“Ke Xin, be good. Daddy has things to discuss. Don’t worry, look, Daddy’s fine now. Listen to Daddy,” Lin Yun said, smiling at her.
“Then… Ke Xin will wait outside,” Lin Ke Xin said, letting Yu Ying lead her out.
After they left, Lin Yun said politely, “Vice Palace Master Yao, please speak.”
“Prepare yourself,” Yao said gravely.
“Vice Palace Master, just say it. I can handle it,” Lin Yun smiled.
Having lost his ability to use internal energy, what worse news could there be?
“I’ll be blunt. The pill you took suppresses the toxin, but when its effect wears off, the toxin will flare up again, requiring another dose,” Yao said.
He continued, “However, as you take more, the toxin will develop resistance. The pill’s effect will weaken until it’s completely ineffective. When that happens, nothing can suppress the soul-severing poison, and you will die.”
