The group continued their journey after daybreak. The road was difficult to travel, and after a month of arduous travel, they finally arrived in northern Xinjiang.
This is the border town of Jingyuan. After entering the town, it took two hours to reach Luxi County.
By this time, the sun was high in the sky, its rays shining brightly on the earth, and a gentle breeze carried a chill.
The group walked along the cobblestone path, through the bustling market, and arrived at a tranquil village. The village was small, with only a few dozen households, but it possessed a idyllic, paradise-like beauty.
The villagers guarding the village entrance stopped them.
"It's me." Chu Ran stepped down from the carriage.
"Oh, it's Aunt Chu! You're back! Who's in the carriage?"
Chu Ran leaned closer to the young man and whispered, "It's Uncle Sun..." The young man was shocked to hear this; he was the person the clan leader had been talking about.
The clan chief Rong Pei's house was at the foot of the mountain. Standing at the door, Old Sun hesitated to knock.
His hand gripped the door knocker, as if it had become someone else's hand.
This hand had quietly explored his thoughts, his expectations, and his fears on countless lonely nights.
Now, this hand grips the door knocker, as if grasping his past. "It's me, Sun Xiuwen," he says softly, his voice filled with nervousness.
His heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was going to jump out of his chest.
He waited for a response from the other side of the door, though he knew it might never open for him.
It was a familiar and gentle voice, somewhat aged, yet still full of vitality.
Rong Pei's voice rang out from the other side of the door, "You've come?" Old Sun's heart was filled with a complex mix of emotions. It was joy, it was surprise, it was a long-awaited reunion.
He took a deep breath and then gently knocked on the door. As the door opened, Old Sun saw Rong Pei's face.
Although time has left its mark on her face, her eyes still shine as brightly as stars.
Old Sun was deeply moved. Looking at Rong Pei, he seemed to see glimpses of his own past.
"Xiuwen, you're finally back." Rong Pei said with a smile, "Come in and sit down. What's this?" Clan Chief Rong looked at Li Xi, who was being carried by two people behind Elder Sun.
"This is a junior I know. She suffered a qi deviation some time ago, and her internal energy is uncontrollable. I'm afraid she might be..."
Old Sun was somewhat at a loss. He had only come here because of a younger generation after all these years, and he was afraid she would misunderstand.
On the day she got married, he left this place and has not dared to approach it for twenty or thirty years.
"Xiuwen, we're all getting on in years, what's there to worry about?" Chief Rong said, looking serene and content.
"Pei'er, could you please let this young friend go to the Spirit Pool first? If she stays any longer, I'm afraid..."
"Quickly bring her with me." Chief Rong led them through the secret chamber, winding their way to a stone door.
Chief Rong took out the key and placed it into the groove. With a "click," the stone door slowly slid open.
After the stone gate opened, it felt like entering a completely new world.
It was a paradise, with beautiful mountains and clear waters, and a pleasant landscape. Taking a deep breath of the fresh air, I felt my whole body become much lighter.
Walking along a path, the flowers and plants on both sides are vying for beauty, and butterflies are fluttering about.
Immersed in the beautiful scenery, everyone felt a surge of inexplicable joy. It was like a paradise on earth, a place where all worries and troubles could be forgotten.
After walking for a while, I pushed aside the bushes and came to a small pond shrouded in mist.
Smoke rises slowly from the small pond, carrying a unique natural scent, like the breath of the forest, or the mysterious magic of nature. Sunlight filters through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the water's surface, like scattered diamonds, shimmering with captivating light.
The surroundings were quiet, broken only by the occasional chirping of birds and the buzzing of insects.
"Put her in the pool." Chief Rong instructed Chu Ran to lean Li Xi against the edge of the pool.
In her hazy state, Li Xi felt her body being surrounded by warm pool water, as if gently caressed by soft feathers.
The pores on my body opened up in the water from the heat, and fine beads of sweat appeared on my forehead.
"Xiuwen, use your inner strength to nourish her meridians." Clan Chief Rong poured some medicinal powder into the pool.
An invisible current of energy surged from Elder Sun's palm and seeped into Li Xi.
This energy seemed to have a life of its own, flowing flexibly through her meridians.
A warm current traveled down my arms, spine, chest and abdomen.
While unconscious, Li Xi felt warm all over, as if she were basking in the spring sunshine, comfortable and peaceful.
She could feel the internal energy flowing through her body, like a stream swiftly meandering through her meridians.
Li Xi's heart was like a still pond, filled with peace and warmth. She closed her eyes, letting her consciousness float in this warm sea.
She could almost hear the sound of water, softly chanting ancient melodies, carrying away her weariness and stress.
"Let her soak here peacefully. Chu Ran, you stay here and keep an eye on things." Chief Rong led Elder Sun to the wooden house next door to rest.
He had expended a lot of his internal energy, and now his body was starting to feel the strain.
"Xiuwen, it's rare to see you value an elder so much." Her tea-making skills were still as good as ever.
"Pei'er, how have you been all these years?" Old Sun asked, his voice tinged with sadness.
"Chen Da has been extremely good to me. For more than 30 years, we have treated each other with respect, and our children and grandchildren are also filial."
Chief Rong felt a warmth in his heart when he thought of his family.
"That's good, that's good." Old Sun smiled slightly. "This child is named Li Xi, and he is an upright and kind child."
"Where are your...family?" Rong Pei asked curiously.
"Ten years ago, my wife was murdered. I secretly sent my children and grandchildren to live in other countries because my identity would kill them."
Old Sun felt great pain when he thought of his children and grandchildren.
"This world, sigh, it's all fate..." Chief Rong said with a sense of loss.
This pool was indeed a spiritual spring; Li Xi soaked in it for two hours. He looked much better and stopped uttering painful murmurs.
Seeing that it was almost time, Chu Ran carried her back to the wooden house.
After changing into clean clothes, her increasingly thin body over the past month was heartbreaking to see.
"Clan leader, what time will it begin tomorrow?" Chu Ran asked respectfully.
"You can stay here tomorrow at Chenshi (7-9 AM). Everything is provided. Meals will be brought to you later, and you should also feed the girl some soup." After saying this, Chief Rong left.
Although Li Xi was still not fully awake, she had stopped having nightmares. She felt as if her body was floating in the clouds, filled with power.
"Sect Master, I heard you gave the token to Miss Li. What are your plans?" Chu Ran asked, somewhat puzzled.
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