High-Rank Practitioner

Yang Fan was momentarily taken aback; he had not anticipated that the hunchbacked old man would possess such confidence, making promises of this magnitude. He even offered his lifelong knowledge and beloved granddaughter as a token of assurance.

"Grandpa!" 

Luo Shui exclaimed, her face flushed with embarrassment, and her heart brimming with indignation.

Yang Fan chuckled softly, for he could foresee that the hunchbacked elder was utterly confident, believing himself to have the upper hand, which empowered him to speak so boldly. Indeed, with the old man's unparalleled medical skills, it was reasonable to assume that a mere Qi-refining practitioner like himself would be unable to heal injuries that he, a master, could not rectify.

Yet Yang Fan sensed that the hunchbacked elder was undoubtedly a healer of the cultivation world; however, he was entirely unable to fathom the depths of the man's true abilities. In his eyes, the grandfather and granddaughter bore no distinction from ordinary mortals.

He speculated about the elder's actual level of cultivation. The hunchbacked man's vast knowledge and purported "observational techniques" exceeded the limits of any common low-rank practitioner. Should the hunchbacked elder have practiced medicine in the cultivation world, he might well have been a legendary figure, renowned far and wide.

"Ah, my young friend," the elder said with a chuckle, "I shall not conceal the truth; the injuries I bear were inflicted upon me by another. Even with my medical expertise, I can merely keep myself alive but cannot heal them."

He grinned, adding, "If you are curious, you may attempt to heal me; consider it an opportunity to enhance your medical knowledge."

Yang Fan nodded, "Then I shall muster my courage to try."

Logically speaking, he had little faith in his ability to mend the hunchbacked elder's injuries. Nevertheless, he approached the old man, crouching down and placing a hand upon his crippled leg.

The elder permitted his actions, maintaining a serene smile.

Luo Shui stood nearby, her heart a mix of embarrassment and apprehension. She was embarrassed that her grandfather would use her marital future as a bargaining chip, and apprehensive about the possibility that if Yang Fan succeeded in healing her grandfather, what that might mean for her.

However, she quickly considered that her grandfather had suffered for many years; if someone could heal him, even if it meant she would have to commit herself, it would surely be worth it.

As Yang Fan's hand rested on the elder's leg, he closed his eyes, allowing the life energy within him to circulate. He sensed the state of the elder's limb.

To his astonishment, he detected an overwhelming and potent life force within the village chief's leg, far surpassing any human practitioner he had encountered.

However, this vitality was cloaked in secrecy. Were it not for the elder's invitation to heal him, even with Yang Fan's omniscient perception, he would have struggled to discern it.

In short order, he located the fractured bone, where the injury lay devoid of vitality, engulfed by an unsettling and dreadful silence—a power that radiated a terrifying, deathly force.

For reasons unknown, Yang Fan was inexplicably reminded of the vast expanse of black soil within the "Immortal Void Space," a desolate wasteland teeming with lifelessness.

This obliterating force, which eradicated all semblance of life, instilled a profound aversion in him.

Upon identifying the cause of the affliction, Yang Fan channeled the "Jade Bone Technique," allowing a gentle, life-nurturing energy to cascade over the wounded area.

After employing the technique, Yang Fan felt a brief jolt of surprise as he focused intently on the injury. However, the Jade Bone Technique barely stirred even a hint of life; it was swiftly overpowered by a malevolent aura of lifelessness.

"How peculiar…" 

Yang Fan's expression reflected astonishment as he recalled his previous experience treating Master Tie Niu, Nan Gong Yu, for his severed leg. That time, he had easily healed the wound with the same technique.

"My young brother," the hunchbacked elder remarked with a hint of delight, "your methods and spells are remarkable. They have had some effect on my leg. However, due to your current cultivation and power limitations, you are unable to completely heal my wounds. Nevertheless, this is tenfold, even a hundredfold, better than I had anticipated."

Yang Fan did not share his enthusiasm; he proceeded to attempt the Jade Bone Technique once more. As before, the results were minimal; the injured area remained under the control of the deadly, lifeless force.

"What…what could this possibly mean?"

He withdrew his hand, his face contorted with confusion. He felt profoundly disheartened, even a tinge of defeat.

"Child, do not despair; what you achieved just now surpassed the efficacy of most ordinary healers by several magnitudes," the hunchbacked elder consoled. "Had you known that the harm inflicted upon me was wrought by a high-rank practitioner with immense power, you would not find this surprising."

"High-rank practitioner?" 

Yang Fan's eyes widened with astonishment.

In his twelve years of cultivation, he had yet to encounter a single high-rank practitioner. It was widely acknowledged that the nine levels of cultivation could be divided into three lower tiers, and only upon entering the fourth tier—after forming a golden core—could one truly be classified as a high-rank practitioner, wielding unimaginable powers that commanded formidable authority.

Within the humble confines of the Yuyang Kingdom, high-rank practitioners were exceedingly rare and regarded as legendary figures, standing at the pinnacle of the pyramid and wielding the fates of the heavens.

With a long exhale, Yang Fan felt a sense of calm wash over him as he mused, "No wonder the elder speaks with such confidence; your injuries were indeed inflicted by a high-rank practitioner."

The hunchbacked elder sighed, "High-rank practitioners can unleash inconceivable powers at a moment's notice. If the injuries were mere superficial wounds, it might be manageable. However, once bones and internal organs are compromised, the consequences can be dire."

"To a low-rank practitioner, magical artifacts may seem quite resilient. Yet, a single strike from a high-rank practitioner can reduce them to dust, let alone human bones. The destructive force contained within is utterly terrifying."

Upon hearing this, Yang Fan's eyes reflected a mixture of horror and understanding. As a healer, he recognized that the greater the destructive force an injury endured, the harder it was to revive its vitality.

Linking this with the hunchbacked elder's wounded bone and the malevolent aura of lifelessness, Yang Fan began to grasp the full scope of the situation.

"Your medical skills are indeed remarkable, and it is evident that your lineage is steeped in profound mystery. However, your cultivation is still insufficient to heal my injuries. Given time, if you can attain the level of a high-rank practitioner, I trust you would be able to mend my wounds," the hunchbacked elder expressed a mix of delight and regret.

Yang Fan quickly assured, "If that day comes, I promise to return and treat you, esteemed elder."

"To enter the realm of high-rank practitioners, one must possess immense opportunities and serendipities. Your life's journey of rising and falling does indeed hold great promise. Unfortunately, the injuries I sustain are not confined to the fractured bone; I have sustained grievous internal injuries as well. With over ninety percent of my energy diverted to suppressing this condition, along with years of consuming precious elixirs, I barely manage to stay alive. Were it not for this, I would have perished long ago."

"As it stands, I may only have a century left to live," the hunchbacked elder lamented.

Yang Fan was internally astounded. The elder appeared ancient, yet despite his grievous injuries, he still claimed to have a century of lifespan remaining. Could he truly be a high-rank practitioner?

It was known that those in the Qi-refining stage typically lived for a century, while those in the Spirit-forming stage could live one hundred and fifty years, and those who built their foundation might see two hundred years.

Lifespan was indeed a considerable obstacle that impeded practitioners on their quest for immortality.

"Esteemed elder, why not seek assistance from a high-rank healer?" 

Yang Fan could not help but feel a wave of sympathy for the elder.

"The one who injured me is not a common high-rank practitioner. The wounds I've sustained can only be treated by one person within the borders of Yuyang Kingdom, but that individual is currently my sworn enemy. Now, with over ninety percent of my power constrained and my body severely wounded, I have little time left. All I wish for in the remaining days of my life is to see my knowledge passed on, and for my granddaughter to find a good match," the hunchbacked elder spoke, his expression a blend of melancholy and fleeting hope.

"Stay in 'Yihe Village' for a month, and I shall impart some knowledge to you…" 

"Thank you, esteemed elder." 

Yang Fan's heart swelled with joy, recognizing the rarity of such an opportunity.

Thus, he temporarily settled in Yihe Village… 

A month swiftly passed.