"What's the matter" Meng Lin said, her eyes moving between the two girls, sensing the sudden shift in atmosphere.

De Sijie and Xi Lin exchanged a glance, their expressions turning somber. It was Xi Lin who found her voice first, though it was laced with worry.

"Xi Lan... she's not been well, miss," Xi Lin said, her voice barely above a whisper. "After you left, she had an accident with her new technique, she had been desperate with it. But..."

De Sijie took over, her eyes downcast, "She encountered a backlash. It's... it's affected her, both physically and mentally. She's been isolating herself, refusing to see anyone, even us."

Meng Lin's heart sank at the news, Xi Lan's new technique, the Cherubic Construe Art. "Take me to her," she said as she first wanted to assess the situation.

Without another word, De Sijie and Xi Lin led Meng Lin through the winding paths of the pavilion complex, their steps quick.

They arrived at a secluded part of the courtyard, where the air seemed heavier, reaching the door to Xi Lan's room, the two leading stopped and Xi Lin explained "It's better if we don't enter miss, Xi Lan said she would only talk to you alone"

Meng Lin nodded and approached the door on her own, she raised her hand and knocked gently, her voice calling out, "Xi Lan, it's me. May I come in?"

There was a moment of silence, the kind that seemed to stretch far longer than it actually did. Then, a weak voice from inside replied, "Miss... please."

Meng Lin opened the door slowly, stepping into a room that was dimly lit by a single flickering candle, at the side of the room was the blooming form of a plant that radiated two different qi, its scent was that of a thick and intoxicating fragrance.

The air was thick with this smell and in the middle of the room, Xi Lan sat on her bed, surrounded by scrolls and cultivation texts scattered all around her.

Her appearance was completely different from before, her hair was white and disheveled, her skin was wrinkled and she looked no different than an old woman.

The sight took Meng Lin's breath away. The young, energetic Xi Lan she remembered was now a shadow of her former self, Meng Lin couldn't help but walk towards her with a surprised expression.

However, she quickly snapped out of it, her gaze hardened and her spiritual consciousness began to scan the girl before her. She moved closer, sitting beside Xi Lan on the bed, as she asked the question "Xi Lan, can you explain what happened"

Xi Lan looked up, her eyes weary and filled with shame, she quickly explained what had happened. "I... I didn't... I pushed too hard, and now... look at me. I've aged decades in a mere moment. My life force... it's nearly gone," she said, her voice frail and trembling as she continued to explain.

Eclipse Orchid!

That was the name of the plant at the side of the room, the plant grows fully when it absorbs lunar and solar light for a hundred consecutive years. Once it fully matures it can be used to forge a Core Breaking Pill, a pill used by Gold Core Cultivators to break through into a higher stage.

"I wanted to surprise you with it once you return so you can use it to... "

"Xi Lan, it's alright," Meng Lin interrupted gently, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You don't have to blame yourself. We will find a solution together."

She took a moment to gather her thoughts before continuing, "From what you explained, because of the absence of the Solar and Luner light needed, your technique, the Cherubic Construe Art converted your life force into the Solar and Luner light needed for the Eclipse Orchid to grow, so you lost 100 years, causing your rapid aging. It's irreversible but you can still increase your lifespan through cultivation"

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

Xi Lan's eyes filled with tears. "But miss, I've been unable to cultivate since then. I'm scared I've damaged my foundation," she confessed, her voice trembling.

Meng Lin listened attentively to Xi Lan's concerns, her expression filled with a variety of emotions "Xi Lan, the reason you couldn't cultivate was because of inner demons, you're fearful but you must remain hopeful. I am here"

She continued, "Even though your foundation may have been affected, it doesn't mean it's permanently damaged. Remember, you have shown great dedication and talent in your cultivation journey. This setback does not define you ok"

"Miss" Xi Lan's voice quivered as she spoke, tears streaming down her face. "Thank you. I'll do even better from now on"

Xi Lin and De Sijie watched a little further away and their expressions were filled with relief and hope. They had been deeply worried about Xi Lan's condition, but seeing Meng Lin's presence and encouragement reassured them.

Meng Lin turned to Xi Lin and De Sijie. "Pack everything up, we're choosing a villa, we're leaving this pavilion"

XiLin and De Sijie exchanged surprised glances, but they quickly nodded in agreement. They knew that a change of environment could be beneficial for Xi Lan's recovery and cultivation. They gathered their belongings and prepared to leave the pavilion.

Meng Lin, with her powerful spiritual consciousness, was able to cover almost half of the mountain, she saw dozens of pagodas on one side of the mountain and large villas on the other side of the mountain.

The villas that were occupied were protected by barriers and those not occupied were not, she quickly saw a villa that was quite isolated and majestic in its appearance. It was within a lush garden filled with vibrant flowers and towering trees. Most importantly there were several ponds within the villa, making it the perfect place for Purple.

Meng Lin led the way towards the isolated villa, her steps slow with grace, she looked back to Xi Lan who was surprisingly able to walk normally and began to think about her condition from her scan and the information Xi Lan had shared. She pondered on the best course of action to help Xi Lan recover.

She reasoned that Increasing her cultivation was the best method with no loose ends as pills might just do the opposite. After walking for a few minutes they finally arrived at the isolated villa, laying her eyes on it Meng Lin nodded, It was the perfect place for her.

Once inside the villa, Meng Lin quickly set up the villa's barrier through her talisman and she and the three girls began sorting everything within the place.

Within one of the rooms she instructed Xi Lan to meditate without circulating her qi, just clear her mind of any distractions, she would be instructing her to do that for two hours every day from now on.

Thud

Within her own new cultivation room, Meng Lin took out a large white egg that held intricate designs of a crystal serpent on its shells.

It was the egg that held Purple after the Bloodline Exchange token was activated, Meng Lin didn't know how long it would take for Purple to wake up however she could only wait patiently.

She sat next to the giant egg and closed her eyes and began to meditate while clearing her mind, she didn't circulate her qi, she didn't think, she only closed her mind and entered a deep deep state.

10 hours later, Meng Lin opened her eyes, feeling a sense of rejuvenation, she exhaled slightly as she noticed the passage of time, it seemed the higher her realm, the less the passage of time affected her.

She just closed her eyes to meditate a little and 10 hours passed, she shook her head with a slight smile and took out an item from within her inventory.

Before her appeared a large tortoiseshell that was emanating ancient qi and a sense of profound power, it was the turtle shell she acquired after saving the scarred face man.

With a deep breath, she closed her eyes, entering a state of deep concentration. As she delved into her dantian, she began to release her Qi and let it merge with the energy signatures resonating from the shell while circulating the Black Tortoise Essence Art.

Time seemed to blur as Meng Lin immersed herself in an ancient energy. She could feel the Elemental Qi of water within the Shell and interact with it, Meng Lin felt her qi pulsating.

Unknowingly an hour passed, and Meng Lin finally felt a jolt in her Qi as it began to increase at an alarming rate, its pulsation increased as suddenly she felt her forearm burn with Qi, the Qi pulsated as if a heartbeat.

The hot pulsation became a worm sensation and Meng Lin opened her eyes, lowering her eyes she saw the ancient spirit seal of the Black Tortoise shimmering with a deep blue qi. It had finally revived.

A smile of satisfaction crossed Meng Lin's face as she felt the familiar connection to the mark. Gong Fu, the Golden Lizard which had been quiet had also awakened and its Qi felt blazing hot, it appears to be vastly more powerful than before. It had clearly been gaining power as Meng Lin was increasing her strength.