Chapter 53: Whim

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The infirmary is full of solemn faces and pained groans.

It is here where those who receive more than a few bruises are taken. There are still many empty beds, but Liu Jin is sure that will change as the matches grow in intensity. Most people were taking it easy during the group stage as they did not want to reveal all their skills.

However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t already some serious injuries.

Pride. Duty. Stubbornness. Cruelty.

When those things mix, people are bound to get hurt.

The members of the Seven Leaves School are gathered around Cui Tian’s bed. A medical official is speaking to them. An older man dressed in green robes, likely their master, argues fiercely with the medical official. If Liu Jin wanted to, he could strain his ears to catch what they are saying, but he doesn’t. In fact, he goes out of his way to tune out their conversation, not wanting to intrude.

He already knows what is being said.

Cui Tian fought Yun Han and lost.

For the Seven Leaves School, it is a regrettable but unavoidable outcome. However, that is not the worst of it. Yun Han was not content with just winning the match. He also damaged Cui Tian’s lower dantian, grievously hampering his ability to cultivate.

If Cui Tian had been a regular person, Yun Han would have never gone as far as to cripple his cultivation so effectively. That Yun Han deliberately resorted to something like that shows that he judged Cui Tian to be a potential threat. Thus, Cui Tian’s sorry state is a sign of his talent.

Of course, saying such things will not make anyone feel better.

In the end, nothing can change what happened. Cui Tian’s dantian has been damaged. The very foundation of his cultivation has been taken from him. It is not the sort of wound one can naturally recover from. Cui Tian will most likely try to cultivate after he wakes up, but he will find it impossible.

As he is now, advancement is impossible. It wouldn’t surprise Liu Jin if the damage was enough to force him back to the Inner Realm.

The doctor is likely telling all those things to Cui Tian’s master. Of course, Cui Tian’s master has most likely already realized it. He just doesn’t want to accept it. The man’s jaw is clenched tight as the doctor bows in apology.

It is not as if Cui Tian’s condition cannot be treated. The medical staff are all linked to Doctor Wu in one way or another. As low an opinion as Liu Jin has of the man, even he must admit Doctor Wu and his disciples are not completely incompetent. They must know how to treat Cui Tian’s damaged dantian.

However, such treatments are expensive.

There is no way a small school like the Seven Leaves School will be able to afford it. As far as Doctor Wu’s disciples are concerned, their duty ended the moment they stabilized Cui Tian’s condition.

That is why there is nothing that can be done for Cui Tian.

Liu Jin watches as Cui Tian’s teacher reunites with the Seven Leaves School’s delegation to deliver the news. The outcry from the disciples who probably idolized Cui Tian is inevitable. They cannot believe what they are hearing. Chang Wei’s voice, in particular, rings across the medical bay, and he’s quickly told to mind his volume by the others. He quiets down but does not stop arguing.

The disciples of the Seven Leaves School debate the situation in hushed tones. How will they tell Cui Tian? Is there truly nothing that can be done?

What will happen to their school?

Due to their poor performance in the tournament and the loss of their number one disciple, the Seven Leaves School will likely lose disciples. In the worst-case scenario, their school might not even exist in a few years.

Such things are not uncommon. In fact, it can be said they happen almost every day. Permanence is all too fleeting, Old Jiang had once told Liu Jin. New powers rise and fall all the time. Only a few achieve stability, and even then, not forever.

Yes, such things are common. This should be no different.

And yet…

Liu Jin waits until the hushed arguments have died down. Until resignation is all too easy to see on their faces and pitying gazes look at Cui Tian’s unconscious body.

“What are you doing here!?”

The moment he gets close, Liu Jin is welcomed by Chang Wei’s hostility. The jovial youth that fought him barely hours ago is nowhere to be found. His pupils are dilated with anger, and his tightly coiled muscles speak of barely restrained violence. He is in need of an outlet, and Liu Jin’s presence has graciously provided him with one.

“It is because of you that Brother Tian is like this!” He yells, pointing at Cui Tian’s prone form. “If you hadn’t tricked Brother Tian into being first place, he’d have never ended up like this! So why are you here? Has the Xiao Sect come to laugh at us!”

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

“Enough.”

It is not Liu Jin who speaks. It is Cui Tian’s master who steps in front of Chang Wei, silencing him with a look. “Chang Wei, I understand your anger, but your words cause not only you to lose face but our Seven Leaves School and Cui Tian as well.”

“But I—”

“Are you implying our Cui Tian’s loss was already decided? Do you truly have so little faith in him?”

Chang Wei takes a step back, shamefaced. “I… no. I apologize, master.”

“Good.” The master turns to look at Liu Jin. “We are, of course, pleased an honored disciple of the Xiao Sect has deemed it fit to grace our Cui Tian with his presence. Regrettably, he is in no shape to receive visitors.”

It is probably the kindest way in which Liu Jin has ever been told to get out.

That’s fine. This should not take long.

“Three-Hundred-Year Lotus.”

The master’s eyes narrow. However, it is Chang Wei who speaks.