"This is… this is the Tenro Thirteen Needles?!" Tang Yingchang's eyes bulged in astonishment.

In his search for a cure, the only two methods he had found were medicinal pills and acupuncture.

The medicinal pill was the Great Replenishing Pill. The name might sound crude, but the Great Replenishing Pill was a divine medicine for treating qi and blood deficiency and Qi Deviation. It could be said that a single Great Replenishing Pill could solve all his problems. Unfortunately, the item was priceless and rare; historical records showed that only three had ever appeared since its creation.

The second method was the Tenro Thirteen Needles. The Tenro Thirteen Needles was one of the premier acupuncture techniques in the medical arts, capable of enriching essence, strengthening one's foundation, and invigorating vital energy, among many other miraculous effects. Most critically, it could help martial artists suffering from Qi Deviation to regulate their True Qi and restore it to its original state.

However, this acupuncture technique was known only to the Medical Saint. That was why Tang Yingchang had been searching for so many years. But after failing to find anyone who knew the technique, Tang Yingchang acquired a different prescription and returned to Tianhai, where Wang Yu had supported him all these years. He never expected that Xu Ke would, in the blink of an eye, use the Tenro Thirteen Needles.

At this moment, Tang Yingchang was completely convinced of Xu Ke's ability to heal him.

***

"You know about the Tenro Thirteen Needles?" Xu Ke asked, stunned.

This technique rarely appeared in the world. Ordinary people shouldn't have even heard of it, let alone recognize it from just one needle. Yet, Tang Yingchang had identified it immediately.

"I know of it. I've been inquiring for so many years, how could I not know about the Tenro Thirteen Needles?" Tang Yingchang answered. "To be honest, I even visited many great figures in medical circles and tried to deduce the Tenro Thirteen Needles from what I'd heard. Unfortunately, my efforts came up short."

As he finished speaking, he added, "Now it seems I was being naive. How could such an exquisitely unrivaled technique be something I could figure out?"

Xu Ke was somewhat amazed. It seemed human potential truly was limitless. To save himself, Tang Yingchang had even conceived of such a method.

"Well then, you believe me now, don't you?" Xu Ke said.

"I believe you!" Tang Yingchang nodded repeatedly, his face flushed with excitement. "I thought I was doomed to simply wait for death's arrival. I never expected a day like this would come. Meeting Doctor Xu is a stroke of fortune that spans three lifetimes!"

Under Xu Ke's single needle, the chaotic mess inside his body was already showing signs of renewed circulation, and even his complexion began to glow with vitality. Clearly, his change in mindset was so profound that even his appearance had changed.

"There's no need for that," Xu Ke said, waving his hand.

But at that moment, Tang Yingchang directly reached for the Hundred-Day Bone Erosion Poison, tilted his head back, and drank it down. His posture was bold, like a man downing liquor.

Wang Wu, who was watching from the side, couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement. The reputation of the Tenro Thirteen Needles was simply too formidable.

With just one needle, Xu Ke had convinced an Innate Great Perfection Expert to take poison and pledge his loyalty. Wang Wu began to wonder if he should go out and find a few more critically ill Innate Great Perfection experts for Xu Ke to treat with a few more needles…

「Half an hour later.」

The Hundred-Day Bone Erosion Poison was not a fast-acting poison, so Xu Ke was able to administer the acupuncture immediately after Tang Yingchang drank it. After the treatment was complete, Tang Yingchang's condition changed instantly.

"Ah… What a relief! What a relief!" Tang Yingchang stood up and let out a long howl toward the heavens. His voice thundered, making the ceiling reverberate.

Seeing this, Wang Wu quickly stepped in front of Xu Ke, afraid that Tang Yingchang would prove ungrateful and attack Xu Ke now that his strength was restored. But Xu Ke wasn't worried about Tang Yingchang lashing out. Although the Hundred-Day Bone Erosion Poison wouldn't activate on its own, he could make it do so instantly.

Tang Yingchang, however, was oblivious to Wang Wu's and Xu Ke's subtle actions. He stood on the ground, his face alight with excitement.

Only someone who has lost their power can truly appreciate the joy of regaining it. It was absolutely exhilarating. So refreshing! So satisfying!

This feeling was almost beyond Tang Yingchang's ability to describe.

The next moment.

THUMP!

Tang Yingchang knelt directly before Xu Ke. "Doctor Xu, thank you so much!"

At that moment, only a full kowtow could express the depth of gratitude Tang Yingchang felt toward Xu Ke!

"There's no need to be so polite. Please, get up." Xu Ke hurried forward to help Tang Yingchang to his feet.

Tang Yingchang was at least seventy years old. He really couldn't bear having an elderly man kneel before him like this.

"That's right, Tang Brother. We're all family now, no need to be such a stranger," Wang Wu said, finally speaking up now that Xu Ke was finished with the treatment. He hadn't dared to speak earlier for fear of disturbing him.

It had to be said, Wang Wu was overjoyed to see Xu Ke's influence grow. With Tang Yingchang added to his side, Xu Ke's power had undergone an earth-shattering change. Although Tang Yingchang now held the title of an external member of the Wang Family Clan, anyone with discerning eyes knew exactly who he was truly here for.

From now on, the way outsiders looked at Xu Ke would surely change dramatically.

"Wang Brother, Doctor Xu, this isn't a matter of being a stranger. You have no idea the pain I've endured all these years…" Tang Yingchang lamented with a long sigh.

Seeing this, Xu Ke felt a sense of empathy. After all, he was currently someone who had lost his own strength.

"I know you're excited right now, but you must remember that these injuries weren't accumulated overnight, so they can't be resolved overnight either," Xu Ke said with a smile. "The Tenro Thirteen Needles aren't omnipotent. You also need to be mindful of your rehabilitation and exercise."

Martial Artists were no different from ordinary people when it came to illness. If they needed to exercise, they needed to exercise.

"Yes!" Tang Yingchang nodded hastily.

"In that case, Elder Tang, you can stay in the room across from me for now. That way, I can find you easily if I need anything," Xu Ke said with a smile.

He had already asked Chang He to rent another room. This way, Tang Yingchang could conveniently accompany him.

"Yes!" Tang Yingchang nodded again.

Seeing this, Wang Wu stepped forward. "Well then, Tang Brother, if you need anything, just let me know. I'll have someone arrange it for you."

Tang Yingchang smiled. "No need, I prefer to keep things simple."

Wang Wu nodded and said no more.

***

After treating Tang Yingchang, Xu Ke had Wang Wu take him across the hall to get settled. As for Xu Ke, he tended to his own injuries. Although they no longer affected his movement, he took his recovery seriously as a precaution.

Subsequently, Xu Ke stayed at Junyue Residence until the next day, awaiting the arrival of the Martial Alliance Envoy.

「The next day.」

"This is the base of the Tianhai Martial Alliance?" A stern-faced man stood before the sign of the Tianhai Martial Arts Association, looking with disdain at Hua Xingxue, who stood at the entrance.

"Yes, Elder Lin." Hua Xingxue hurriedly stood up and bowed.

This man was none other than Lin Zhongtian. He was the envoy sent by Wong Ting on behalf of the Long Capital Grand Alliance, tasked with intervening in the Tianhai Martial Alliance's punishment of Sun Luo and Chang Yi. He was also one of the elders of the Long Capital Martial Alliance!

The Tianhai Martial Alliance had only an Alliance Hierarch, a Vice Alliance Hierarch, and the various hall masters and vice hall masters below them, along with a group of members. But the Long Capital Martial Alliance had a more complex structure, as it also supervised all the other Martial Alliances across the country. Naturally, it had not only an Alliance Hierarch and hall masters but also a council of elders.