Chapter 13 - Ashes Await

Lei Wen and Lin Qian left the Luo Residence in a daze, their footsteps slow as the weight of what they had discovered settled over them. A human with a spontaneously formed Immortal Core—something neither of them, despite centuries of experience, had ever encountered. It defied logic, cultivation laws, and everything they knew as healers.

Breaking the heavy silence, Xuan Tian's voice flowed directly into their ears through a thread of Spirit Energy. "Doctors, I understand this is very strange. But we should continue our search. Focus on finding people with similar symptoms."

Both doctors nodded, the haze of disbelief giving way to renewed purpose. Now they knew what to look for—no more wandering aimlessly.

Lei Wen glanced at Lin Qian, then spoke, "General, I suggest we scan the city for individuals experiencing extreme pain or those who have an Immortal Core but cannot suppress their Immortal Aura."

Lin Qian added thoughtfully, "I agree, General. Cultivators learn to conceal their auras through guidance and practice, but these people—those whose Immortal Cores formed spontaneously—will have no control. Their Immortal Auras will be exposed, making them easier to locate."

Xuan Tian's voice came through again, calm but resolute. "Then let's move. We don't have time to waste."

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The Slums.

Lei Wen and Lin Qian appeared at the edge of the slum district. Even in a city as grand as Baishan, the slums existed—a stark reminder of life's cruelty. The area stretched far, more populated than many bustling parts of the city, yet filled with despair. Dilapidated houses lined the uneven streets, their walls cracked and roofs sagging. Many homes weren't even proper buildings—just worn tents riddled with holes, offering little protection against the elements.

Dark alleyways twisted between structures, packed with beggars and homeless figures lying wherever space allowed. The air was thick with the stench of decay, dampness clinging to every surface. Children with hollow eyes peered out from corners, their clothes little more than scraps.

Lei Wen's gaze swept over the scene, sharp and searching. Lin Qian stood beside him, expression somber. The atmosphere weighed heavily on them, the misery palpable.

"Doctors," Xuan Tian's voice sounded in their ears, calm but edged with urgency. "The fluctuations are up ahead. Both unstable. Proceed with caution. I'll be there with you."

Unstable Immortal Cores were delicate and dangerously volatile. If one broke and exploded, it wouldn't just kill the owner—it could level a city like Baishan. Xuan Tian could no longer afford to remain in the shadows. This was no longer about protecting the doctors—it was about preventing a disaster.

Without another word, the two doctors moved forward, the worn cobblestones crunching beneath their feet as they ventured deeper into the slums, drawn toward the flickering traces of Immortal energy that no one should have possessed.

With a shared glance, Lei Wen and Lin Qian pressed on, their steps steady as they ventured deeper into the heart of the slums, where the traces of impossible power awaited.

Three Celestials stopped in front of a house that barely stood upright. There was no door—just a tattered curtain swaying gently in the faint breeze. The structure looked moments from collapsing, its walls cracked and roof sagging under years of neglect.

Xuan Tian moved ahead of the doctors, taking point as they cautiously approached. The air around them was heavy, thick with tension and the faint, unsettling hum of unstable energy. No sound came from within the house—just an eerie, suffocating silence.

Reaching out with his senses, Xuan Tian's gaze sharpened. "There's only one person inside," he said quietly. "A woman. She's unconscious."

Without hesitation, the three of them stepped inside. The room was dim, the air stale with dust and decay. On the dirt floor lay a woman, her face pale and drenched in sweat. Her breathing was shallow, barely audible.

Xuan Tian crouched beside her, his hand gently pressing against her wrist as he assessed her condition. His expression darkened. "Her core is on the verge of exploding."

He glanced back at Lei Wen and Lin Qian. "Get out. I'll try to stabilize it."

Lei Wen's brow furrowed in concern. "General, be careful. And if you can't stabilize it…"

Xuan Tian offered a faint smile, calm despite the danger. "If it comes to that... I'll contain the explosion. Rest assured."

The two doctors exchanged worried glances but obeyed, quickly stepping outside to wait. Lin Qian's gaze drifted toward the direction of the second fluctuation, her brow creased. "Lei Wen," she murmured, "should we check the second aura?"

Lei Wen glanced at her, then back at the house where Xuan Tian worked inside. After a brief pause, he shook his head. "We better wait for the General. He would be concerned if we just left. Besides," his gaze turned serious, "he chose this location first for a reason. That means the second one isn't as urgent. Let's trust his judgment."

Lin Qian nodded reluctantly, folding her arms as she kept her senses alert. The heavy air around them vibrated faintly with the unstable Immortal Aura inside the house, a constant reminder of how dangerous the situation was. Neither spoke further, both waiting anxiously for what would happen next.

Inside, Xuan Tian worked with unwavering focus, channeling his Spirit Energy into the woman's body as he sought to stabilize her core. The task was grueling. The seal restricting his powers certainly did not help—had he been at full strength, the process would have been completed in an instant. But now, every adjustment required precision and restraint.

The unstable Immortal Core pulsed erratically beneath his hand, its energy sharp and volatile. He manipulated his Spirit Energy delicately, coaxing the chaotic flow into a steadier rhythm. Slowly, the woman's breathing, once shallow and uneven, began to calm. Her face, previously contorted in pain, relaxed as her body stopped trembling.

A thin sheen of sweat appeared on Xuan Tian's forehead, each passing second demanding more from his restrained energy reserves. He kept his concentration razor-sharp; one misstep and the consequences would be catastrophic.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the core's erratic pulses settled into a fragile equilibrium. Xuan Tian exhaled slowly, withdrawing his hand with care. He had succeeded—at least for now.

Without wasting time, he sat cross-legged beside the unconscious woman, slipping into a meditative state. Spirit Energy flowed through his meridians as he focused on replenishing what he had expended. His breathing grew steady, inwardly preparing himself. There was still another situation to handle—the second unstable core awaited.