As Jingyi Chen reviewed the diagnosis results, she found three possible treatments. The first was the use of specific herbs and acupuncture to balance the flow of energy in the body, which had a low chance of success. The next was to have a higher-level cultivator seal her bloodlines away, which would relieve her symptoms but would leave her unable to cultivate until the seal was released.
But the third solution was the one with the highest rate of success. It involved devouring dantians from human cultivators and demon cores from demons to try to balance out the state of her body. Jingyi Chen's robotic voice spoke aloud, "The third option has the highest rate of success. Devouring dantians from human cultivators and demon cores from demons will allow me to balance my body's energy flow. This however is will be impossible to accomplish due to the current state of this body."
Jingyi Chen scanned the area, searching for any potential targets for her to feed on. She quickly realized that it would be difficult to find the right kind of humans and demons to help balance her energy flow.
Jingyi Chen stood up, still feeling weak and unsteady. She knew that she needed to find a way to balance her energy flow, or her condition would only worsen. She began to walk through the forest, scanning her surroundings and searching for any signs of life.
Jingyi Chen's AI system suddenly detected movement in the distance. She quickly analyzed the data and determined that it was a human cultivator. Her heart raced as she realized that this might be her chance to balance her energy flow.
She approached the human cultivator cautiously, trying to keep a safe distance. This, however, proved futile because the cultivator found out and called out in a female voice saying, “Whoever you are come out now or I will assume you’re an enemy and will deal with you as such.”
Jingyi Chen hesitated for a moment, but eventually stepped out of the shadows. She raised her hands in a non-threatening manner and spoke in her robotic voice, "I mean no harm. I am simply in need of assistance."
The human cultivator, a young woman with long black hair and piercing green eyes, narrowed her gaze at Jingyi Chen. "What kind of assistance do you need?" she asked warily.
Seeing that the cultivator was wary of her and that nothing she said could alleviate her concerns Jingyi Chen did what she thought was most logical and fainted on the spot. This was not a fake faint but rather a shutdown of her cognitive functions.
The young cultivator was surprised by Jingyi Chen's sudden fainting and quickly ran over to check on her. She saw that Jingyi Chen's breathing was shallow and her pulse was weak, indicating that her condition was more serious than she had thought. The cultivator muttered to herself, "She's suffering from Qi deviation. If I don't act quickly, she may not survive."
After a moment of hesitation, the young cultivator decided to carry Jingyi Chen to a nearby cave where she could rest and recover. She carefully laid Jingyi Chen down on a bed of leaves and lit a small fire to keep them warm.
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The female cultivator took out some acupuncture needles and infused them with her own Qi. She then gently placed them on Jingyi Chen's body, aiming to balance the flow of energy within her. The needles glowed with a soft light as the Qi flowed into Jingyi Chen's body, slowly stabilizing her energy flow.
After a few minutes, Jingyi Chen's eyes fluttered open. She looked up at the cultivator with gratitude in her eyes, "Thank you for saving me," she said weakly.
The cultivator smiled gently at Jingyi Chen, "It was the least I could do. What happened to you?"
Jingyi Chen thought for a moment, unsure of how much she should reveal. She eventually decided on a half-truth, "I don’t know I woke up and found myself chained up and a man would come and hit me. I managed to escape but I was attacked by a wolf and ever since then, my body has just been feeling weak and sick."
The female cultivator listened intently to Jingyi Chen's story, but she couldn't help but feel that something didn't quite add up. It was obvious to her that the little girl shouldn't have Qi deviation because she hadn't started practicing any cultivation techniques yet.
"I see," she said slowly, her eyes studying Jingyi Chen's face. "Well, don't worry. You're safe now. I'll help you get better."
Jingyi Chen nodded weakly at the cultivator's kindness. She knew that she needed to keep her guard up, but she was still very weak, and if she left now the most likely outcome would be death so she could only trust her for now.
As the night wore on, the cultivator tended to Jingyi Chen's needs, bringing her food and water and checking on her energy flow. Jingyi Chen felt her strength slowly returning as the cultivator's Qi infused acupuncture began to take effect.
As the sun began to rise, the cultivator turned to Jingyi Chen, "You're looking much better now. My name is Lian. What's your name? Do you have a place to go?"
Jingyi Chen smiled weakly at Lian, grateful for her help. "My name is Jingyi Chen. Thank you for taking care of me, Lian. I don't have a place to go right now, but I have some friends who are waiting for me. I just need to find my way back to them."
Lian nodded thoughtfully, "I see. Well, I can help you get back to your friends. But first, we need to make sure you're strong enough to travel. You should rest for a few more days."
Jingyi Chen knew that Lian was right. She still felt weak and recovering from her condition was her top priority. She thanked Lian and settled back onto the bed of leaves, feeling safe and cared for.
Over the next few days, Lian continued to care for Jingyi Chen, helping her regain her strength and balance her energy flow. As Jingyi Chen's strength returned, she began to wonder about Lian's own cultivation level and motivation for helping her to this degree. She could sense a strong Qi flow within her, and it was obvious that Lian was no ordinary cultivator. She decided to ask her, "Lian, may I ask what your cultivation level is?"
Lian smiled, "I am a mid-level Foundation Establishment cultivator. Why do you ask?"
Jingyi Chen felt Lian was lying due to feeling at least the power of a peak-level Foundation Establishment from her. "I was just curious. I've never met a cultivator before, let alone one as skilled as you."
Lian chuckled, "Well, I'm not that skilled. There are many cultivators who are much more powerful than me. But thank you for your kind words."
Jingyi Chen nodded, but she couldn't shake off the feeling that Lian was being coy and didn’t seem to fully trust her so she pretended to be weaker than she was. She decided to change the subject, "Lian, I'm curious about something else. Why did you help me so much? You don't even know me."
Lian looked at Jingyi Chen with a gentle expression, "As cultivators, it's our duty to help others. Besides, I couldn't just leave you to die in the wilderness. That's not the kind of person I am."
Jingyi Chen nodded, sensing that Lian was hiding something or had maybe discover something about the current condition of her body. She decided to probe further, "Is there anything else? Did you sense something about me or my situation that made you want to help?"
Lian seemed to hesitate for a moment before answering, "I did sense something about you. But I'm not sure what it is yet. It's like there's something hidden deep within you that's trying to break free. My sect is nearby and my master might be able to help you. We're known for our expertise in healing techniques and concocting pills. I can take you there if you'd like."
Jingyi Chen felt a shiver run down her spine. She knew that she couldn't reveal too much to Lian and that if she went to her sect as she said they might capture her which was not ideal. From her time wandering the world as an AI she learned that the three races of this world humans, demons, and devils were mortal enemies. Due to having the blood of all three, it would be best if she avoid sects and cultivators without the strength to defend herself.