Chapter 216

Chapter 216: The Cause of Injury

Feng Rong halted in the courtyard, summoning flames that settled into various positions. His hands swiftly formed several spells. Within moments, a red formation emerged at the courtyard’s center, its edges flickering with warm flames.

Elder Hang Ye and the others carried Qin Hong outside. Feng Rong motioned for them to place her within the formation before stepping back to activate it. Crimson light flooded the courtyard, threads of red energy connecting to Qin Hong’s unconscious form as if pulling something from her.

Soon, a Phantom identical to Qin Hong drifted from her body—her original spirit. True to Feng Rong’s words, the spirit bore glaring cracks across its surface like a shattered porcelain doll, barely holding together.

The ground’s red glow intensified. Feng Rong accelerated his spellwork, sweat beading on his forehead as he focused entirely on mending the cracks. The courtyard stayed deathly quiet, all eyes fixed on the formation. Even for someone as skilled as Feng Rong, repairing a spirit took immense effort. Only after half an hour did the cracks fully mend.

He shifted his spells, guiding the Phantom back into Qin Hong’s body. As the red light faded, Feng Rong lowered his hands, looking visibly drained.

"You alright?" You You reached to steady him.

Feng Rong’s posture immediately slumped. He leaned his head against her shoulder, pulling her close with a raspy murmur, "You You… I’m exhausted." His voice dripped with exaggerated weakness, begging for comfort.

"You shouldn’t have pushed yourself," You You chided, irritation rising. They could’ve split the treatment into multiple sessions—they were getting paid regardless.

"Sect Master!" Elder Hang Ye rushed into the fading formation to help Qin Hong.

Qin Hong’s eyelids fluttered open. "Ah Ye? Why are we… what happened?"

"All’s well!" Elder Hang Ye embraced her. "The Divine Master healed your original spirit!"

"Divine Master?" Qin Hong glanced around, confusion shifting to recognition as she spotted You You. "You You?! Why are—"

Blood sprayed from her lips before she could finish. Lightning crackled around her as her face whitened further.

"Sect Master!" The disciples panicked.

You You turned to Yuan Qi. "Yuan Papa?"

Yuan Qi’s gaze briefly flicked to Feng Rong’s feigned weakness before answering. "Her spirit’s healed, but lingering lightning energy remains. It’ll damage her again if not removed."

Elder Hang Ye dropped to his knees. "Divine Master, save her!"

"Set her down." Yuan Qi approached. The red formation vanished, replaced by a complex white array layered with talismans. Spell patterns awakened at his command, swirling around Qin Hong.

Qin Hong convulsed, blood streaking her chin as lightning sparks streamed from her body, coalescing into a growing orb above.

After two quarters, Yuan Qi commanded, "Steady your spirit." The formation flared. With a final pull, the last lightning thread tore free, merging with the orb.

The energy twisted violently before shattering with a phoenix’s cry. It reshaped into a lightning-wreathed phoenix with vast wings and long tail feathers…

"A Lightning Feather?!" Feng Rong’s pretended frailty vanished. He lunged, hauling Qin Hong up by her collar. "WHAT DID YOU DO IN THE SACRED TREE SPACE? WHY CARRY MY CLAN’S THUNDER PHOENIX FEATHER?!"

Qin Hong choked blood, worsening her injuries.

"Release our Sect Master!" Elder Hang Ye’s group drew magical tools, attacking.

You You’s spell sword flashed, repelling their strikes. "This is the Wuyun Sect’s gratitude?" she coldly intoned, watching them stagger from their own rebounding weapons.

"STOP!" Qin Hong gasped through bloody lips. The disciples froze at her order.