The radiant Xuan Qi from three cycles was quickly drained by the tender sprout, whose stem and leaves only became a bit sturdier. But to restore its previous vigor, it would likely require much, much more luminous Xuan Qi. Mark Brooks couldn’t help but click his tongue—this miraculous green liquid was by no means an inexhaustible resource; every single drop was extremely precious.

If it was to have even greater effect, it should be given the chance to grow stronger.

After several days of careful recuperation, Mark Brooks’s injuries were already fully healed. As for the tender sprout, it continued to devour endlessly, as ravenous as a dehydrated fish. All the luminous Xuan Qi cultivated during this period was consumed by it, and at last, it regained its vibrant vitality.

Getting out of bed, he went to his elder brother Henry Brooks’s room. After some casual conversation, Mark Brooks stated his purpose for coming.

Henry Brooks’s eyes dimmed, and he sighed, “Second brother, I know you care about me and are determined to cure me. But I’m well aware of my own injuries—it’s very difficult to make a full recovery. Second brother, promise me. From now on, don’t take risks for my sake, all right?”

“Mm, big brother, I understand.” Mark Brooks nodded repeatedly in agreement, then, his face full of anticipation, added, “But this time, big brother, let me try. I had some fortuitous encounters in the small cave heaven. Maybe… a miracle could happen?”

Looking at his younger brother’s excited face, Henry Brooks couldn’t bear to refuse his kindness, and smiled, nodding, “Second brother, don’t take this matter too much to heart. If it can be cured, then cure it; if not, don’t force it. I’m fine as I am, able to accompany mother every day.”

Mark Brooks knew his brother didn’t want him to feel sad, and his heart grew even warmer. He carefully examined his brother’s injuries. There were two: first, his Qi Sea had been destroyed; second, the meridians in both legs were completely severed and paralyzed—he couldn’t even stand.

The destruction of the Qi Sea was a major problem. This time, Mark Brooks wanted to see if he could help his brother stand up. Although their mother had been massaging his legs diligently, the calves with severed meridians had already suffered severe muscle atrophy.

Channeling luminous Xuan Qi, that drop of green liquid turned into a mist of green, threads of which flowed into his brother’s legs.

“Hiss…” A wave of stabbing pain coursed through the long-numb legs, making Henry Brooks grimace, but his face was filled with wild joy. His legs had been numb for days; to feel pain again was something he’d never dared to hope for.

Next, a cool sensation spread, nourishing the long-dried meridians.

The green liquid’s healing power was indeed formidable. The withered muscles and blocked, severed meridians gradually regained vitality and life under its nourishment. The process was slow, but visible to the naked eye.

After a while, the green liquid’s energy was exhausted. This treatment brought some fundamental improvement to Henry Brooks’s legs. Unfortunately, it wasn’t decisive—there was improvement, but not a cure.

Standing up and finishing, Mark Brooks couldn’t help but look downcast.

But Henry Brooks was extremely excited. After this treatment, he could clearly feel the flow of Qi in his legs and the surge of vitality. He could even feel a bit of swelling pain, and when he tried to lift his legs, they could move slightly.

“Big brother, I’m not strong enough yet—I can only help you little by little.” Seeing his brother’s long-lost smile, Mark Brooks felt much better too. “I’ll work hard to improve myself and heal you completely.”

Henry Brooks suppressed his joy. “Just being like this means I still have hope. No need to rush. But you—don’t be impatient and harm yourself.”

“Big brother, it’s all my fault…”

“I’ve said before, what’s done is done—don’t feel guilty. We’re brothers. If anyone dares to hurt you, I’ll make them pay, even if it costs me my life. Even if I had to do it all over again, I wouldn’t hesitate. I believe if it happened to me, you’d make the same choice.”

Mark Brooks nodded heavily, then took his leave from his brother.

With his heart surging, he went to the backyard to practice Xuan techniques. Again and again, he silently trained the Vajra Fist, carefully pondering its mysteries and essence.

He trained desperately, all for the sake of making further progress, to have more Xuan Qi to nurture the green liquid.

The tender sprout was still too weak; the green liquid’s effect wasn’t enough to fully heal his brother. Only by devouring rare treasures could the sprout grow strong. If, by then, he possessed stronger and more abundant green liquid, his brother’s recovery would be just around the corner.

A powerful voice echoed in his mind: become stronger, stronger, even stronger! The Xuan Qi in his body seemed to hear his inner cry, surging madly toward his fists.

“Boom!”

With a punch, the large stone in the courtyard was struck violently, instantly covered in spiderweb-like cracks. In a flash, the stone collapsed with a roar, and shards of stone flew everywhere…

Chapter 9: The Villain Is Like a Ghost

Unknowingly, several more days passed.

Mark Brooks was practicing on the back mountain, making good progress, and hurried home for dinner in high spirits.

But just as he reached the courtyard, a shrill, unpleasant voice came from inside: “Aunt, cousin, it’s not that our Hu family doesn’t value kinship, but repaying debts is only right and proper.”

“George Hughes, the spirit fields will be ready for harvest in half a month. We’ll pay your family back then—what’s the rush?” a man’s voice said, suppressing his anger. “Go back for now, and come again in a while.”