Chapter Eighteen: The Thirteen Needles of Revival

Tang Thirteen’s two dry coughs not only shocked Mu Ran and Yun Yanran, but everyone present was equally stunned.

Mu Ran and Yun Yanran had both pronounced a death sentence, yet now he had awakened.

Moreover, Tang Thirteen’s complexion had significantly eased. Although his life force remained faint, it was clear he would not die anytime soon.

“Young master, how do you feel?” Ling Ying’s hands trembled with excitement.

Tang Thirteen coughed again, blood staining the corner of his lips.

“It’s best not to move. Nine fatal acupoints have been sealed on your body; one misstep and I truly won’t be able to save you,” Chu Tianchen said.

Lying on the ground, Tang Thirteen looked at Chu Tianchen.

“I’ll only ask one thing: if I survive, will I still be able to practice martial arts in the future?” he whispered.

“Young master, it’s good that you awakened at all. Even if you can’t practice martial arts later, it’s not the end of the world...” Ling Ying hurriedly smiled to comfort him.

“If I can’t, then I’d rather fall into eternal sleep,” Tang Thirteen slowly closed his eyes and said.

“It’s possible, but there’s another price to pay,” Chu Tianchen replied with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Tang Thirteen suddenly opened his eyes, a spark of vitality returning to his dim gaze.

“Sir, if you truly can save my young master and let him continue martial cultivation, just name your price,” Ling Ying immediately said.

“Easy to say, easy to say,” Chu Tianchen smiled slyly.

Ling Ying looked into Chu Tianchen’s eyes and suddenly felt they were not quite as clear as before.

The onlookers exchanged glances as they listened to the conversation.

“This idiot actually saved him? How is that possible! Even Master Mu Ran and Yun Yanran couldn’t do it.”

“Who is this guy? He looks barely nineteen. Could he be an alchemist too?”

“Look at his poor appearance. He doesn’t look like an alchemist. There must be something fishy going on.”

...

The crowd resumed their murmurs.

---

Perhaps the Chu Tianchen of old would have cared about these words, but now he paid them no mind.

Those who always whisper behind others’ backs will never stand on stage or become the center of attention.

They are merely fair-weather opportunists.

“Master Mu Ran, how could this happen?” Yun Yanran whispered.

At that moment, Mu Ran descended the stairs and came before Tang Thirteen.

“Young man, whose technique did you learn to insert silver needles into acupoints like that?” Mu Ran asked.

But Chu Tianchen remained silent.

After Tang Thirteen slipped back into unconsciousness, Chu Tianchen held his breath, focused his mind, and activated the “Nine Dragons Devouring Heaven Technique.”

Immediately, cold energy began to emanate from the thirteen silver needles.

Yun Yanran instantly recognized it as the medicinal power contained within the petals of the Celestial Phenomenon Snow Lotus, forcibly extracted from Tang Thirteen’s body by Chu Tianchen.

Sensing the pure cold energy on the needles, Chu Tianchen’s technique ramped up, voraciously absorbing all the cold energy into his own body.

The Dragon Emperor’s inherited Devouring Technique, famed for devouring heaven, earth, and all things, lived up to its name.

Chu Tianchen refined the medicinal power directly, feeling pure vitality surge into his chakras. His energy rose once more, faintly on the verge of opening a second chakra.

Once the Celestial Phenomenon Snow Lotus’s medicinal power was fully absorbed, Tang Thirteen’s pale complexion flushed with blood, his vitality far better than before.

Yet his internal organs, meridians, and dantian remained shattered; this only temporarily preserved his life—merely buying a few more days.

What followed was the true critical moment.

Chu Tianchen withdrew the silver needles, and Tang Thirteen exhaled a murky breath. Though extremely weak, his breath was steady.

“Teacher, Miss Yanran, do you think it’s possible that the Celestial Phenomenon Snow Lotus saved him, and this boy just lucked out?” Li Zifeng said.

“The lotus’s medicinal power just spread, and he took advantage of the moment...” he added.

But before he could finish, Mu Ran shot him a glare and silenced him.

If ordinary people couldn’t see it, that would be one thing, but as alchemists, they clearly understood.

The Celestial Phenomenon Snow Lotus had indeed inflicted a fatal wound on Tang Thirteen, and Chu Tianchen had saved him by inserting the silver needles into acupoints.

“Young man, could you tell us what needle technique you just used? I have studied alchemy for decades but have never seen such a formidable acupuncture method.”

“Moreover, judging by your technique, your skill level suggests at least decades of practice, yet you are clearly only eighteen or nineteen.”

“Seems your teacher must be a master,” Mu Ran said.

Instantly, everyone present turned to look at Chu Tianchen.

Only moments ago, Yun Yanran called him an idiot, but now Master Mu Ran declared him a genius.

Everyone began speculating about his identity.

Then Yun Yanran stepped forward, her eyes fixed intently on Chu Tianchen.

“Your Chu family is indeed despicable. I didn’t expect you to hide such a trick. But do you think that’s enough to make me respect you?”

“Chu Tianchen, you truly don’t deserve it.”

“Also, you didn’t stop him from taking the Celestial Phenomenon Snow Lotus earlier on purpose, right? First, to humiliate me, and second, to gain the lotus petal’s medicinal power. Clever move.”

“Chu Tianchen, looks like you’ve regained your senses, but it’s too late. Now, there’s no way you can catch up to the seven of us.”

Yun Yanran whispered.

“Miss Yun, I hope you always keep that high and mighty attitude. See you at Yunhai Academy,” Chu Tianchen said.

“By the way, you were right earlier—I deliberately let him take it. The Celestial Phenomenon Snow Lotus is indeed valuable; too bad my grandfather fed it to dogs back then,” he said with a sardonic smile.

“You... how dare you insult my father!” Yun Yanran’s eyes darkened, a murderous intent suddenly bursting forth.

The aura of the Spirit Realm exploded, and she struck at Chu Tianchen with a palm.

Just as Chu Tianchen prepared to counterattack, a shadow flashed before him, intercepting Yun Yanran’s palm with force.

“Listen up, I don’t care what grudges you have with this young master, but from today on, anyone who dares to harm him will die!” Ling Ying declared dominantly.

“Heh, do you really think your young master is saved? He only bought some time with certain tricks.”

“If I’m right, those thirteen needles he just used are life-for-life needles, stimulating his body’s final potential. Once the time passes, death is inevitable.”

“Currently, in the entire Great Qian Empire, aside from my father and two other sixth-rank alchemists, no one can save him.”

Yun Yanran said coldly.

“Miss Yanran is right, those needles are indeed death needles.”

“No, it’s death before rebirth? Could it be that the technique you just used is the ancient needle art, Reviving Thirteen Needles?” Mu Ran suddenly realized something, his pupils dilating in shock!