Ye Qiu began the treatment.
He first removed the white robe from Ye Wushuang, then took out three five-inch golden needles and swiftly inserted them into Ye Wushuang’s chest.
Next, he took another three five-inch golden needles and placed them in Ye Wushuang’s abdomen.
Finally, Ye Qiu took a seven-inch golden needle and inserted it directly into Ye Wushuang’s heart.
In total, seven needles were used.
The seven golden needles were positioned at different acupuncture points, forming the shape of the Big Dipper.
Ye Qiu extended his fingers and lightly flicked the tail of the needle at the heart’s position.
“Buzz!”
The needle instantly vibrated, causing the other six needles to resonate, producing a humming sound.
Soon after, a golden airflow appeared between the seven needles.
Ye Qiu combined the Seven-Star Needle Technique with the method of guiding qi through the needles, using them together.
Old Master Ye and the others stood at a distance, watching Ye Qiu’s actions with bated breath.
Five minutes later, Ye Qiu raised his hands, and a dragon shadow appeared in the centre of each palm.
This was innate true qi.
Ye Qiu began a full-body massage on Ye Wushuang, starting from the Baihui point at the top of his head, working downwards to the Yongquan point on the soles of his feet.
Then, he massaged upwards from the Yongquan point back to the Baihui point.
He repeated this process nine times.
Ye Qiu didn’t miss a single one of the more than three hundred major acupuncture points on Ye Wushuang’s body.
The process took nearly an hour.
Throughout the massage, Ye Qiu’s palms continuously channelled the two streams of innate true qi, relaxing Ye Wushuang’s skin, cleansing his meridians, and attempting to awaken the vitality within his body.
However, Ye Wushuang’s body was like a stagnant pool of water; no matter what Ye Qiu did, the vitality within could not be roused.
When Ye Qiu stopped, a fine layer of sweat had formed on his forehead.
Then, he began inserting needles again.
This time, Ye Qiu’s needle placement was extremely fast.
He used both hands simultaneously, each movement placing at least two golden needles.
Some were inserted, others were flicked.
It was dazzling to watch.
Before long, Ye Qiu had inserted thirty-six more golden needles into Ye Wushuang’s body.
Next, he grasped Ye Wushuang’s wrist to check his pulse.
After a moment, Ye Qiu’s expression grew even graver. He discovered that not only had Ye Wushuang’s condition not improved, but it had worsened; much of the vitality lingering around his heart had dissipated.
“Based on the current situation, Father can hold on for at most one hour.”
“I must hurry and cure Father within that hour.”
Ye Qiu quickly inserted dozens more golden needles into Ye Wushuang’s body, then looked at the unconscious Ye Wushuang and said, “Father, you must hold on!”
As he spoke, Ye Qiu began lighting the heavenly lanterns, silently reciting incantations, then waving his sword-like fingers.
Instantly, the forty-nine lanterns slowly rose from the ground, floating into the air.
Suddenly, all the lanterns lit up simultaneously.
The forty-nine lanterns continued to ascend, moving slowly in the air, until they formed a massive Big Dipper constellation at a height of thirty-three metres above the ground.
Everyone watched this scene with curiosity.
Looking up from the ground, every seven lanterns formed a smaller Big Dipper pattern.
The forty-nine lanterns were divided into seven groups, each occupying a position.
Upon closer inspection, these seven smaller Big Dipper patterns formed a larger Big Dipper constellation.
Most strangely, the lanterns seemed to be held in place by a spell, suspended motionless in the air.
Everyone was tense, knowing that Ye Qiu’s treatment had reached a critical stage.
“Can Ye Qiu succeed?” Ye Wuwei whispered.
“I believe in him, he will definitely succeed,” Ye Wudi said.
Master Longbrow said, “The art of life extension goes against the heavens. This time, it must succeed, or both will perish.”
What?
Qian Jinglan hadn’t known Ye Qiu was taking such a great risk. Hearing Master Longbrow’s words, tears welled up in her eyes from fear.
“Master, is there a way to stop Qiu’er?” Qian Jinglan asked urgently.
“It cannot be stopped,” Master Longbrow said. “Wushuang has suffered severe backlash and is barely clinging to life. If Ye Qiu is stopped, Wushuang will surely die.”
“You’ve waited for Wushuang for over twenty years; you wouldn’t want him to die in front of you, would you?”
“Ye Qiu feels the same way; he doesn’t want to watch his father die either.”
Qian Jinglan said, “I’m worried about Qiu’er…”
“No need to worry,” Master Longbrow said. “That little rascal has deep fortune; he won’t die.”
Hearing this, Qian Jinglan’s face lit up with joy. “Does that mean Qiu’er will succeed?”
“Wait for the miracle!” Master Longbrow said, then fell silent.
He didn’t tell Qian Jinglan that even if Ye Qiu succeeded in extending Ye Wushuang’s life against the heavens, he would suffer significant damage.
Moreover, this damage would not heal in the short term.
Old Master Ye’s expression was grave, his eyes fixed on Ye Qiu. After a while, he asked, “Longbrow, cast a divination to see how things will turn out.”
Master Longbrow looked troubled. “Old Ye, divining the heavens shortens one’s lifespan, I…”
“I won’t let you down,” Old Master Ye interrupted. “If you divine accurately, I’ll fund the reconstruction of Dragon Tiger Mountain.”
Master Longbrow’s face lit up. “Is that true?”
“Absolutely.”
“Alright, I’ll do it now.”
Master Longbrow pulled three copper coins from his robe sleeve and began the divination.
At that moment, Ye Qiu took out nine sheets of yellow paper, silently recited incantations, and tossed them into the air.
The nine sheets floated three feet above Ye Wushuang, suddenly igniting with purple flames that burned for a long time without extinguishing.
Ye Qiu had lit nine life lamps for Ye Wushuang!
Normally, extending life against the heavens required only one life lamp, but since Ye Wushuang was a cultivator, Ye Qiu feared unexpected complications and lit nine lamps as a precaution.
If anything went wrong, as long as one lamp remained lit, Ye Wushuang would not die.
After lighting the nine life lamps, Ye Qiu pulled out another stack of yellow paper.
These papers were inscribed with talismans. With a wave of his hand, the papers flew out and attached to the forty-nine lanterns.
Instantly, the forty-nine lanterns shone even brighter, like stars.
After completing this, Ye Qiu sat cross-legged, drawing symbols with his hands in front of him.
Soon, a heavy aura enveloped the area.
Thunderclouds rolled in.
“I’ve divined it!” Master Longbrow said excitedly.
“How is it? Will Ye Qiu succeed?” Old Master Ye asked urgently.
Master Longbrow smiled. “The divination shows great fortune.”
Hearing this, everyone present breathed a sigh of relief.
“That’s great,” Old Master Ye said excitedly. “It seems both Ye Qiu and Wushuang will be fine.”
Master Longbrow grinned. “If they’re not, you can beat me to death…”
Boom!
At that moment, a massive palm print suddenly appeared in the sky, shattering the forty-nine lanterns with a single strike.
