CHAPTER 426: A BASKETFUL OF CHEAP ELDERS

Xiao Xian had been in a coma for a very long time.

The first thing she saw when she woke up was a thatched roof with a hole in it. Through the hole, she could see the sky.

It was nighttime because the night sky visible through the hole was twinkling with countless stars.

If it were Beijing City, she wouldn’t be able to see as many stars; such a starry sky was something Xiao Xian had only seen in Ge Village and her previous Yunteng Sect.

The thought that invaded her mind scared Xiao Xian, and she sat up, taking in her surroundings with a sharp intake of breath. She inhaled too forcefully, causing her ribs to ache faintly, and her limbs felt sore as if they had been run over by wagon wheels. However, when stretching her limbs, Xiao Xian discovered that her arms, which had been weak and fatigued for a long time, were now surprisingly strong again.

She spread her palm open; her skin seemed transparent, and there was Spiritual Energy coursing through her veins like a trickling stream, clearly visible to her eyes.

With a thought from Xiao Xian, Silver Lake’s space filled with water again, and the sagging leaves of the sugarcane seedling revitalized. Upon quietly calling to the Spiritual Rhinoceros Scissors, they immediately appeared before her.

As she moved her feet from the bed, and looked around, she noticed that the room’s decor was very antique. When she pushed the door open, a chorus of bird songs greeted her.

What lay before her eyes was a delicate hue of pink; this ancient and somewhat dilapidated thatched cottage was surrounded by a sea of roses.

It was not Beijing City. The surrounding mountains undulated, the sky high and the earth vast, and the distant Goddess Temple on the mountain could be seen.

"You’re finally awake, little girl. No need to look any further. This place is Meijia Village," Mei Nian held a bowl of fragrant medicine soup.

Meijia Village, by the sound of the name, seemed to be the Mei Family’s stronghold. Xiao Xian had a belated realization that she had walked right into the lion’s den. However, to be frank, this "den" was not bad at all—abundant with Spiritual Energy and a serene environment. But at that moment, Xiao Xian had no time to admire the surroundings. "How is Xuerou doing?"

"If you have questions, drink the medicine first. This precious remedy wasn’t easy to come by, and it won’t be as effective once it cools," Mei Nian’s tone towards Xiao Xian was considerably less malicious than before, gently persuading her to drink the medicine with a sweet smile.

Xiao Xian glanced at the color of the medicine, which was a brilliant purple, and she wondered if it could be some sort of poison.

"Don’t hesitate, this is really good stuff. Genuine Purple Ginseng. I’ve just taken a few sips myself—pure taste and aged well," Mei Nian leaned closer, staring at Xiao Xian’s face, which was gradually regaining its color.

"Purple Ginseng, that name sounds familiar," Xiao Xian pondered. With a jolt, she recalled that Zhou Ziang had once given her a Purple Ginseng.

The bowl was already at her lips, and just the smell of the hot steaming medicine invigorated her, making her shiver a bit. Xiao Xian also knew that this medicine must be beneficial for her body, so she drank it down, sip by sip.

The medicine entered her stomach from her throat, spreading a warm comfort she couldn’t put into words.

"I don’t know if it sounds familiar or not, but you’ve only recovered two or three percent of your energy. It will take at least a year to fully regain your vitality. During this period, a Purple Ginseng a month is indispensable." Mei Nian was not one to make a losing bargain; if she was willing to brew medicine to restore someone’s vitality, she must have obtained great benefits.

It turned out that on that day, Xiao Xian had suffered a significant loss of vital energy, and alongside the sugarcane seedling, she had entered a state of Fake Death. This Fake Death had lasted for a full two months.

"These two months, I’ve been boiling medicine for your baths every week, which has finally restored the strength of your muscles and the flow of Spiritual Energy, enabling you to digest the potent effects of the Purple Ginseng," Mei Nian saw the medicine was finished and her smile grew even broader.

"Why the sudden change of heart? Not screaming and shouting at me, and even returning the Spiritual Rhinoceros Scissors to me?" Xiao Xian felt uneasy under the gaze, and alarms started ringing in her mind.

"Look at what you’re saying. Being kinder to my own disciple’s niece, how could that be considered showing off? Child, you really don’t know how to speak," Mei Nian had a thick face, remaining composed and self-assured even in the face of Xiao Xian’s sarcasm.

"What? Don’t flatter yourself. I have not sworn allegiance to the Mei Family," the Purple Ginseng Soup in Xiao Xian’s stomach started churning.

"Just because of that old man, someone who only used the Spiritual Rhinoceros Scissors as ordinary scissors, is he worthy of being your master? To be honest," Mei Nian waved her delicate hand dismissively, ignoring Xiao Xian’s retort, "and besides, the Spiritual Rhinoceros Scissors were not the old man’s, they were left by Mei Xiang. You should be her disciple. It’s a pity she disappeared without a trace and couldn’t fulfill her duties as a master. I can only help out reluctantly and discipline you in her stead,"