Chapter 82: Sensual Healing—No One Can Escape?

"Chief of the Fox Clan, please remove your clothing..."

"Hmm?"

Hu Xuan was momentarily stunned, thinking she had misheard. Then a flush of annoyance rose to her cheeks. She had assumed this young man harbored no improper intentions—who would have thought he was interested in something so audacious? Judging by Ling Tian's physical maturity, he scarcely seemed to have grown out of childhood, and yet he wished to do such things with her—it was simply outrageous! If word got out, where would her reputation as clan chief stand? She had even been considering pairing her daughter with him, but he had refused. The thought made her heart skip a beat—could he perhaps have a peculiar preference, like favoring those older than himself? But given her own age... No, absolutely not. She couldn’t agree to this, it was a matter of principle! If he truly intended such a thing, then the deal was off.

She sighed inwardly, wishing she had her own partner to support her, so she wouldn’t have to bear so much alone. Her daughter's father was indeed extraordinarily gifted, cultivating swiftly, but his life was short and he died before attaining the rank of Emperor, leaving her to survive in the cracks between worlds.

Never had she imagined that today she would be bullied by a mere youth.

"Friend, I absolutely will not agree to such methods. In light of your recent help, I’ll let you leave safely," Hu Xuan said, gripping her hands and steeling herself to send him away.

Ling Tian paused, observing Hu Xuan’s complicated expression, and realized his words had been misunderstood. But, to be fair, who could blame her for thinking that way after what he’d said?

He admitted he was a bit excited, for the system’s method to unblock the meridians and cure the root of the illness involved acupuncture with golden needles. There were many restrictions—ultimately, it would only be effective on members of the Fox Clan. His excitement was purely professional, not personal—a simple investment. He believed in the Fox Clan’s potential and was willing to invest.

"Chief, I apologize for the offense; I failed to clarify. Do you know why your clan’s lifespan is so short?"

Ling Tian waved his hand to show he meant nothing untoward and posed a question that prevented Hu Xuan from sending him away.

"How do you know...? Yes," Hu Xuan said, her expression animated. She wanted to ask how Ling Tian knew, but thought better of it, taking a few deep breaths to compose herself before replying.

"Indeed, that's the issue. I found the complete Nine Nether Heaven Technique in a secret realm. Your clan’s aura was familiar but peculiar, so I inquired and learned of your short lifespans," Ling Tian answered after some thought, providing an excuse.

"The complete Nine Nether Heaven Technique? Is it possible for you to...?" Hu Xuan could barely contain her excitement, eager to ask if Ling Tian would share the technique, willing to pay any price. But then she considered—if he had no intention of giving it, why mention it at all? Clearly, he had a plan.

"This technique isn't suited for my cultivation and serves no purpose in my hands. I intend to gift it to your clan. But first, the issue of your short lifespan must be addressed," Ling Tian stated bluntly.

"You mean, your earlier request for me to remove my clothing is related to this?" Hu Xuan was no fool—quite the opposite, in fact. She immediately connected the dots.

"Precisely."

Upon hearing Ling Tian’s confirmation, Hu Xuan felt a little embarrassed. It seemed she had been too quick to judge.

He was offering genuine assistance, yet she had suspected him of ulterior motives—truly, she had bitten the hand that fed her.

Seeing that Ling Tian harbored no resentment, Hu Xuan was even more impressed by his magnanimity and upright character. In the face of mortality, matters of gender faded into insignificance. After all, only the living have hope; the dead have nothing.

No longer hesitating, Hu Xuan gently lifted her hands and removed her clothing. She was not afraid of what Ling Tian might do to her. If he truly wished to harm her, he wouldn’t need such elaborate methods—just the presence of Luo Changsheng would be enough to subdue her.

He had explained himself so clearly—continuing to doubt him would only be inappropriate.

"Chief, that's enough," Ling Tian hurriedly stopped her as she was about to remove her lower garments, explaining that the treatment required no access to those acupuncture points.

Hu Xuan, hearing this, felt her ears burn. At her age, she had never imagined herself in such a situation before a young man. Retracting her hands, she sat upright on the lounge chair, uncertain how to proceed.

"Forgive me," Ling Tian said, adopting a solemn demeanor—sometimes, focus was necessary.

"Is it done?" Hu Xuan asked, her voice trembling as Ling Tian withdrew the golden needle from her chest. She recalled the sounds she made during the treatment and blushed. She hadn’t intended to behave that way, but the sensation was so comfortable.

It was undeniable—her meridians had been cleared, and she could distinctly sense her lifespan had increased. Ling Tian had not deceived her.

The Fox Clan’s shortened lifespan was due to incomplete cultivation methods, which caused blockage in the upper body’s meridians. The more they cultivated, the worse the obstruction, ultimately leading to death. It was unknown who had left behind this flawed technique, which had ruined many Fox Clan prodigies and led to their decline.

The Fox Clan comprised several branches, and Hu Xian’er’s lineage was the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan. Once high-born, their downfall began when their cultivation method became incomplete. Without a suitable technique, their fortunes had fallen to this sorry state.

It was truly regrettable.

"Chief, this is the opportunity I’ve brought you. As the saying goes: 'Better to rely on oneself than others.' Only by becoming strong can you ensure others won’t trample your clan. The protection of the Tiger and Phoenix clans merely grants you time to grow," Ling Tian wiped the sweat from his brow, relieved, his eyes deep and calm.

Hu Xuan, lying on the lounge chair, could stay still no longer. She flipped over and knelt on one knee, her face filled with reverence.

"Thank you for your grace and restoration. From now on, the Fox Clan will serve you as master and obey your commands!"

She understood Ling Tian’s meaning, weighed the pros and cons, and made her decision. Following Ling Tian would never be a mistake. With his mysterious abilities and ties to the Tiger and Phoenix clans, if he truly aided them, the Fox Clan would surely rise again. They had languished long enough.

His words echoed her own deepest thoughts.

"Chief, you are very wise," Ling Tian said meaningfully, helping her up and transmitting the complete cultivation method to her mind.

Hu Xuan’s face lit up with joy, and she was about to kneel again.

"Enough, that’s unnecessary. Now, let’s put your clothes back on—it’s a bit chilly," Ling Tian stopped her, coughing lightly. The treatment had required some exposure, but he hadn’t expected such a strong reaction from her. As a result, her clothes had slipped off, leading to the scene before him.

Hu Xuan, realizing this, quickly dressed herself, though her joy remained undiminished.

Wonderful! The Fox Clan’s revival was within reach. From now on, they would no longer be bullied by other clans!

"The rest is up to you, Chief," Ling Tian instructed once Hu Xuan had finished dressing.

Hu Xuan understood his meaning. The Fox Clan had only cultivated incomplete techniques at first; their lifespan would certainly be affected. If the root cause wasn’t eliminated...

"Thank you for your trouble," Hu Xuan felt Ling Tian had not taken advantage, but rather, that her clan had benefited greatly from his intervention.

Soon, a line formed outside the palace, and members entered one by one. The Fox Clan women emerged blushing with embarrassment, though their joy was impossible to hide. The men showed no change in expression, but were equally excited.

The contrast between those entering and those exiting the palace made those waiting outside even more eager.

Uncertain what awaited them, one Fox Clan woman stopped another who had just exited and asked,

"Why did the chief arrange for us to enter the palace?"

Her question made the other woman flush bright red, stamp her foot with a thousand charms, and vanish in an instant.

The crowd gasped in astonishment.

What had happened to her? Why so affected? If it was as they imagined, could it be that the chief was present, watching...?

The thought struck them as absurd—impossible, surely. They quelled their wild notions, waiting with mixed feelings.

Hu Yun Ying, watching the procession of blushing Fox Clan women, grew increasingly irate, spitting and muttering,

"Foxy vixens..."

Beside her, Huang Yu was speechless. They had come out to stroll and enjoy the scenery, but had ended up waiting almost an hour. Huang Yu couldn’t help but feel envious, a new idea stirring in his heart:

"Perhaps I should find a partner who loves me, and whom I love in return?"

The thought startled him—he’d never entertained such notions before. Clearly, he needed to calm himself.

Inside the palace, Ling Tian stretched, refusing yet another Fox Clan woman’s request to touch him, and prepared to treat the final patient of the day. There were many members of the Fox Clan; the process could not be completed in one day—too much at once would be harmful.

Ling Tian gazed at the bemused, conflicted Hu Xian'er and spoke calmly,

"Remove your clothing..."