Chapter 22: Final Preparations

Xu Yuan, when engaged in any endeavor, always favored order and foresight.

Knowing that the mortality rate of practicing the Blood Yuan Xin Yun Ju was extraordinarily high, Xu Yuan naturally placed greater emphasis on preparation before beginning the practice.

As his training with Ran Qingmo deepened, Xu Yuan gradually refined the preparatory stages for mastering the Blood Yuan Xin Yun Ju into five distinct phases.

The first step was to acquire foundational knowledge of this world, and to begin practicing a rudimentary technique taught by Ran Qingmo, so as to become familiar with the flow of energy within the method.

The second step involved attempting, in a conscious state, to channel the Yuan Qi along the prescribed pathways of the Blood Yuan Xin Yun Ju.

The third step entailed, with Ran Qingmo’s assistance, adapting to near-death conditions while maintaining full awareness.

The fourth step was to, under Ran Qingmo’s guidance, begin channeling the energy along the Blood Yuan Xin Yun Ju pathways while in a near-death state.

The fifth and final step would be the actual commencement of formal practice.

After a month, Xu Yuan had successfully completed the first two preparatory phases.

If given another month, he would have been confident in flawlessly executing his entire plan. Yet with only five days remaining until his inevitable death, he realized the timeline was insufficient to proceed systematically through the remaining three steps.

With no retreat left, Xu Yuan's decision would carry no hesitation.

There was no time left for him to adapt slowly.

He had to take a risk.

A moment of stillness fell within the cramped sanctuary.

Ran Qingmo watched Xu Yuan’s calm, serious gaze and slowly nodded:

"Okay."

Pausing, her voice grew slightly uncertain:

"Yet... why?"

Xu Yuan glanced upward at the dim ceiling, remained silent for a long while, then said:

"To save both my life and yours."

Ran Qingmo's eyes flickered with a moment of confusion:

"Yet, my wounds have healed."

Because my wounds are healed, I can take you out.

This is her confidence.

Xu Yuan turned his gaze slightly, speaking softly:

"I know your wounds have healed, but have you seen Xu Changge?"

Ran Qingmo's beautiful eyes flashed for a moment, then shook her head:

"He has always been in the Imperial Capital; I have never met him. Are you saying he has come too?"

Her master once said that the eldest son of the Chancellor's household was a genius even surpassing her.

Like her, Xu Changge had broken through to the level of Great Master at the age of sixteen.

But alas, after that, there was no further progress. Now, Xu Changge has been stuck at the level of Great Master for over fourteen years.

Fourteen years of accumulation—Xu Changge should be formidable. Yet she could still be barely contained, at the very least able to escape.

Xu Yuan's meridians now just barely withstand her Qi. When her Qi enters his meridians, it temporarily shields him from the "vacuum pressure" caused by the rapid movement.

Thus, she can carry Xu Yuan out of the group's attack.

Moreover, thanks to the Nine-Return Pill and her one month of cultivation here, her mastery has advanced significantly compared to a month ago.

"Ah, he's really here."

Xu Yuan glanced at her with a helpless expression, his voice soft and slow:

"But do you know something?"

"What is it?" Ran Qingmo asked.

"Ten years ago, Xu Changge had already reached the source of Qi."

The words fell silent, and the cave fell into abrupt stillness.

"........."

Ran Qingmo lowered her clear, serene eyes slightly.

Xu Yuan watched her expression, and smiled gently, as if in quiet reflection:

"In truth, Mr. Ran, if you use Xu Changtian's life to threaten that person, it would, in a way, work."

"He truly values his family—otherwise, he wouldn't have sent Xu Changge over."

Pausing briefly,

Xu Yuan gazed intently into Ran Qingmo's eyes:

"Mr. Ran, do you still have the confidence to escape? With me as a body hostage, you could still make your escape."

"......." Ran Qingmo said nothing.

Xu Yuan slowly closed his eyes, slipping into silence.

A sense of despair seeped through the cramped cave.

Back in *Cangyuan*, the boss that required players to use cheats to defeat was none other than the eldest son of the Minister of State, Xu Changge!

Under the fury of his father's wrath, this eldest son relentlessly pursued Ran Qingmo, finally intercepting her near the ruins of a mysterious village called "Zangcun" on the border of Da Yin.

The battle unfolded swiftly.

With his first punch, the three-foot black sword in her hand flew from her grasp.

With his second, Ran Qingmo was thrown backward, lying on the ground, her breath fading like a whisper.

Two strikes, and the battle was over.

She had no chance to retaliate, no opportunity to draw a single blade—she was grievously wounded in the hands of this eldest son.

The chasm between their powers was so vast it choked the very air.

This dead silence lingered within the cave for an unknown length of time.

Xu Yuan slowly opened his eyes:

"Mr. Ran, let's begin."

His voice was soft, yet resolute.

For only by perfecting that technique could he survive.

"........."

Ran Qingmo's eyes flickered, his red lips trembled slightly, as though hesitating to speak—yet in the end, he gave a barely perceptible nod, whispering:

"Thank you."

Xu Yuan, however, shook his head:

"As I said before, don't say 'thank you.' The word is useless."

Ran Qingmo stared at him seriously, silence stretching for two seconds.

"Then... then I'll owe you one more favor."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yuan smiled gently, speaking softly:

"Mr. Ran, once you owe too many favors and can't repay them, you end up sacrificing yourself. You've already helped me with this matter, and my decision to take risks was made for my own survival. So, no need for you to repay me."

Ran Qingmo's eyes flickered briefly, and he insisted:

"No, I must have it."

Silence. They locked eyes.

Xu Yuan exhaled slowly:

"Fine with me,"

"The time is short. Shall we begin now?"

Ran Qingmo nodded slightly, slowly raising a slender, jade-like hand to grasp Xu Yuan's wrist.

The icy touch of her skin transferred to him instantly.

Xu Yuan glanced down and asked calmly,

"What method do you intend to use?"

Ran Qingmo explained in a low voice,

"I will use my Qi to create profound ice to cover you, and afterward, I will guide my energy to heal your wounds."

Xu Yuan pondered for a brief moment.

As matters stood, since he now had Qi within his body, the two of them could finally utilize internal energy transmission for healing.

His thoughts settling, Xu Yuan gave a slight nod to signal that she could begin.

Without a single word, a dismal, frigid chill instantly materialized within the cramped cavern, the spreading frosty mist freezing even the surface of the spiritual spring inside the cave into a thin layer of frost.

Xu Yuan only felt a searing cold, penetrating to the very spine, spreading rapidly from his wrist.

From wrist to arm, then to his entire right side, all the way through his body, plunging him into a thousand-year-old ice.

Amidst this pervasive chill, Xu Yuan sensed his consciousness slowing down, visibly, death's breath clinging to his mind like a parasite.

Time passed, second by second, and the world around him began to fade into darkness...

......

At some point, Xu Yuan awoke again, faintly, gazing at the dim ceiling of the cave, silent for a long time.

He had thought that his unconsciousness, caused by hypothermia within the cave, had already brought him to the brink of death. But it was only when the true sensation of near-death arrived that Xu Yuan realized—his hypothermic coma was nothing at all.

He had only lasted a few minutes before his consciousness slipped into darkness.

A dry, faint voice echoed softly within the silent cave:

"I... how long have I been unconscious?"

"Two hours." A calm voice came from beside him.

Xu Yuan placed his hands on his brow and rubbed them hard.

Two hours...

Over five days, at least two days must be reserved for formal cultivation of the Blood Yuan Heart Fall Technique.

Two hours at a time—meaning he had only about twenty chances left to adapt.

Gently sitting up, Xu Yuan looked at her, saying nothing:

"Continue."

"If possible, wake me up once my injury is healed—no need for rest."

"........."

Ran Qingmo watched his weak yet resolute gaze, gently pursed her lips, and silently tightened her grip on his wrist again...