Lin Wei was a little annoyed at being interrupted, but after receiving a suggestive look from Jiang Yi, she didn't say anything more.
She obediently moved closer and let Jiang Yi treat her wounds.
While applying medicine to Lin Wei, Jiang Yi asked, "By the way, wasn't there another senior who was also injured? Where is he?"
Lin Wei then realized that Xuan Zhenzi had been nowhere to be seen since she came in.
He immediately asked, "Yes, where is Senior Xuanzhenzi?"
Huo Yuwei said, "Senior Xuanzhenzi was seriously injured and said he needed to go into seclusion to heal his wounds. He has already left."
In reality, after returning to the manor, Paper Spirit Xuanzhenzi "exhausted his spiritual power" and was taken away by the "junior brother" arranged by Qiqi in advance.
This would explain the paper spirit's disappearance without revealing Qiqi's secret.
"What about the children?" This was what Old Madam Huo was most concerned about.
Huo Yusen took out the Soul Gathering Banner from Qiqi's small bag. "They're all here, but their souls have had a lot of energy absorbed by the Soul Devouring Pearl, so they're very weak and need to be nurtured for a while before they can return to their bodies."
He paused, then added, "Moreover, we haven't found the children's bodies yet. When the lab collapsed, we only managed to save their souls."
Madam Huo's expression turned grave. "So, those children are still in a vegetative state?"
“Yes.” Huo Yuwei nodded. “The special forces are already organizing people to dig through the rubble and search for those cultivation pods. But…”
But the hope is slim.
With such a massive collapse, those fragile culture chambers were likely crushed.
These children may never be able to return to their bodies and open their eyes again to see the world.
A silence fell over the living room.
At this moment, Qiqi let out a soft moan and slowly opened her eyes.
"Qiqi!" Huo Yusen was the first to rush over, his small hand grasping her icy fingers. "How are you feeling? Where does it hurt?"
Qiqi blinked, and after her eyes adjusted to the light, she smiled softly, "Brother Xiao Jiu, Qiqi is fine. It's just... just a little tired."
She tried to sit up, but her body was too weak.
Huo Yuwei quickly supported her and placed a pillow behind her back. "Don't move around, just lie still."
"Big brother, you're hurt." Qiqi's face immediately scrunched up when she saw the blood on Huo Yuwei's lips. "Does it hurt?"
"It doesn't hurt." Huo Yuwei felt a warmth in his heart. "Big brother has thick skin and tough flesh, this little injury is nothing. But you, you mustn't take such risks again next time, understand?"
Qiqi nodded obediently, then looked at Madam Ji and Old Madam Huo. Seeing that both of their eyes were red, she immediately apologized with heartache, "I'm sorry, Mom, Grandma Huo, Qiqi made you worry."
"Qi Bao, you almost scared your mother to death, do you know that?" Madam Ji couldn't hold back and hugged Qi Qi's little body, bursting into tears.
Old Madam Huo's eyes also reddened. "Silly child, why apologize? Grandma only hopes that you can come back safely."
Seeing that she was awake, Jiang Yi quickly went over to check on her, and then breathed a sigh of relief. "The Soul Gathering Banner has a very significant nourishing effect. Little Fellow Daoist Qiqi's body has recovered a lot. As long as you take your medicine properly and rest well, you will be fully recovered soon. I will prescribe a prescription to nourish your meridians. Little Fellow Daoist, remember to drink it on time every day."
Upon hearing that she had to take medicine, Qiqi's face immediately fell. "Doctor, could you please prescribe some medicine that isn't bitter for Qiqi?"
"Little fellow Daoist, what medicine isn't bitter?" Jiang Yi looked at her amusedly. "Besides, isn't Little Fellow Daoist Qiqi a little hero? Why are you afraid of taking medicine?"
"Even heroes are afraid of hardship..." Qiqi muttered softly.
Everyone was amused, and the tense atmosphere finally eased a bit.
The next morning, Madam Ji insisted on taking Qiqi with her.
Madam Huo advised her, "Qiqi's body hasn't fully recovered yet. What if the long journey aggravates her injuries? It's better to let her stay in Beijing until she's fully recovered before she leaves."
Madam Ji disagreed, feeling that if they continued to stay in the capital, Qi Qi would definitely intervene again if any trouble arose.
In the end, Qiqi pleaded and begged, saying she wanted to stay in Beijing a little longer.
Moreover, there are still many places she hasn't been to, and many delicious foods she hasn't tried. She wants to have enough fun and eat her fill before leaving.
Madam Ji initially wanted to insist, but she couldn't withstand the little girl's onslaught of tears, her eyes red and brimming with emotion, and finally gave in.
However, Qiqi was strictly required to rest quietly and was not allowed to use her spiritual power again.
If she still doesn't listen, pack your things and take her away immediately.
For the sake of Lady Kuanji's sake, Qiqi was forced to live a life of "bed rest" for the next three days.
Old Madam Huo personally supervised her taking her medicine, Huo Yuwei turned down all his work to stay home with her, and Huo Yusen stayed by her side every step of the way, even skipping school.
"Brother Xiao Jiu, don't you have class?" Qi Qi leaned against the headboard, looking at Huo Yusen who was sitting on the edge of the bed reading a book.
Huo Yusen didn't even look up. "Those courses are too easy. I can learn them at home."
In fact, he had already completed all the primary school courses by the age of five and is now studying junior high school content on his own.
For him, school was more of a social place than a place for learning.
Qiqi looked at him with admiration, "Brother Xiao Jiu is so amazing."
Huo Yusen's ears turned slightly red as he closed the book. "Would you like to hear a story? I just bought a new collection of myths."
"Yes!" Qiqi's eyes sparkled.
Huo Yusen opened the book and began to read the story to her in a clear, childlike voice.
The five-and-a-half-year-old boy's voice still had a childish quality, but his pronunciation was clear, with intonation and rhythm, which was very captivating.
As Qiqi listened, her eyelids began to droop.
Seeing this, Huo Yusen lowered his voice and waited until he was sure she was asleep before quietly getting up and tucking her in.
As I walked out of the room, I ran into Huo Yuwei, who was coming upstairs.
"Is Qiqi asleep?" Huo Yuwei asked in a low voice.
Huo Yusen nodded and closed the door. "Brother, is there any news from the special departments?"
Huo Yuwei's expression was grave. "The excavation work on the ruins has encountered trouble. There is a strong residual Yin energy in that area, and ordinary workers cannot get close. Special departments have brought in people from the Xuanmen sect, but progress is slow."
"What about the old man and the man in black robes?"
“They escaped.” A cold glint flashed in Huo Yuwei’s eyes. “Only a few bodies of men in black robes were found at the scene. The old man and Dr. Wang are nowhere to be found. Lin Wei said they activated the teleportation array before the laboratory collapsed.”
Huo Yusen's face darkened. "So, they will come back again."
“Yes.” Huo Yuwei rubbed his younger brother’s head. “So we need to be prepared. The Netherworld Cult’s plot failed, and the night of the Seven Stars Alignment is coming soon. They certainly won’t let this go.”
"Qiqi must never know about these things. No matter what, I will not allow her to get hurt again." Huo Yusen clenched his small fist. "If the special department still doesn't make any progress, then forget it. Anyway, the lives of those children are not as valuable as Qiqi's."
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