C14 Golden Thread Needle

Upon learning that Lin Luo was prepared to intervene personally, Elder Xu immediately agreed without hesitation.

At the time, he was in a coma and had no clear recollection of how Lin Luo had saved him. But he had heard that Lin Luo employed a long-lost acupuncture technique so masterful that even River City's top healer, Cai Xiangsong, felt outclassed.

He was genuinely curious to witness this extraordinary technique that even the preeminent Cai Xiangsong couldn't match.

An hour later, Elder Xu arrived in haste with Cai Xiangsong in tow.

"Elder Xu, are you certain that the young man who saved you is going to demonstrate his exceptional skill again? I'm concerned that last time might have just been a stroke of luck," Dr. Cai expressed, harboring doubts about the thirteen needles.

He questioned the possibility of anyone, regardless of their talent, being able to perform such a feat twice in quick succession, considering the toll it could take on the practitioner.

In response to this unfounded skepticism, Elder Xu remained silent and continued on his way to the ward.

Outside the ward, Lin Luo paced nervously, his palms slick with sweat. Time was of the essence. If the others didn't arrive within the next half hour, he would have no choice but to begin the acupuncture session right there in the ward.

As Lin Luo braced himself to start, the sound of rapid footsteps approached. Seeing the figures moving toward him, he felt a glimmer of hope.

"We're almost set to begin, but there's a condition. You know you're not a licensed doctor, so Dr. Cai must be present for you to proceed," Elder Xu whispered, his voice tinged with the fear that Lin Luo might back out at this critical juncture.

Elder Xu had taken every precaution, even bringing along candy to keep his energy up, anticipating a potentially lengthy process.

Lin Luo hesitated upon learning that Dr. Cai would be present. Not out of concern, but because he had seen Dr. Cai's medical skills firsthand and found them unremarkable.

Among the elite, Lin Luo didn't consider himself the best; he was simply competent.

"Dr. Cai, you're welcome to observe from the sidelines, but please refrain from interrupting me," Lin Luo stated. "You're aware that using the thirteen needles consumes energy, so I'll be employing a different technique this time."

Lin Luo couldn't help but feel anxious about his approach. Xiao Xiao was still quite young, and he wondered if this method might be too rash.

Cai Xiangsong's skepticism was evident upon learning that Lin Luo intended to try another approach. Even though he had witnessed Lin Luo's genuine skills, the news always came as a surprise.

After extensive preparations, the team proceeded to the prearranged operating room. Inside, Lin Luo donned a white lab coat and held a silver needle, presenting a somewhat incongruous image.

"I'll need everyone to remain silent and avoid approaching me hastily," Lin Luo instructed. "Should you have any questions, simply raise your hand to signal me."

Lin Luo then placed his palm on Xiao Xiao's back, channeling Genuine Qi. He continued to probe gently, searching for the precise location of the ailment.

Leukemia was no laughing matter. An easy cure would require thorough preparation.

Cai Xiangsong watched with a skeptical eye as Lin Luo delayed the needle insertion. Minutes passed, and Lin Luo had yet to act. Cai wondered if perhaps Lin Luo lacked confidence.

Amidst Cai Xiangsong's growing doubts, the unexpected occurred. Lin Luo waved his hand, and ten silver needles delicately landed on the child's body. He then unwound the pre-prepared golden thread and wrapped it around the needles.

With preparations nearly complete, Lin Luo stepped back half a meter. This technique, known as Golden Needle Guidance, helped avoid complications from excessive force.

Using the golden thread, Lin Luo transferred Genuine Qi into Xiao Xiao's body. As the child's complexion turned rosier, Lin Luo held his breath in anticipation.

The final step was all that remained—gathering the Genuine Qi into a concentrated sphere within the child's body. Just as Lin Luo believed the procedure was nearing its conclusion, a sneeze disrupted the silence.

The golden thread snapped from the force of the sneeze, and a nearby instrument emitted a piercing alarm.

Lin Luo's menacing gaze settled on the man who had just sneezed, wishing he could throttle him then and there.

Elder Xu and Cai Xiangsong had been dumbstruck, but the sneeze made them jump in unison. Seeing the broken golden thread, they were both filled with anxiety.

Just when they thought there was no turning back, Lin Luo revealed his ace in the hole. With a swift motion, he made a silver needle levitate in midair before it precisely hit various acupoints.

They watched the transformation unfold before their eyes, yet they couldn't trace its path. How was this possible? The silver needle had just been removed.

As they stood there in shock, the shrill sound from the machine had vanished, and the monitor nearby had gradually stabilized.

"From now on, just have the doctor come in for a thorough check-up. I need to rest for a bit. Elder Xu, would you mind making the arrangements?" Lin Luo said, his hands betraying his weariness.

Indeed, it was challenging for his body to adapt quickly. After a century of cultivation, suddenly abandoning his life's work was proving to be strenuous.

Elder Xu found him a room to rest in. While Lin Luo rested, Cai Xiangsong was engrossed in studying his hands.

What had just happened? He had been there, watching, but why couldn't he pinpoint the issue?

Cai Xiangsong mulled it over repeatedly, yet he couldn't decipher the mystery, no matter how long he pondered.

An hour later, Lin Luo awoke to find Dr. Cai still fiddling with his palm, which left him speechless.

So it wasn't a dream; someone had indeed been tampering with his hand in reality.

"Dr. Cai, if you have any questions, you should just ask me directly. Disturbing my rest like this isn't very courteous," Lin Luo chided.

Caught up in his examination, Dr. Cai jerked his hand back as if shocked upon hearing Lin Luo's voice.

"I, I was just..." he stammered, his expression adrift, unable to articulate his thoughts.

Fortunately, Elder Xu arrived just in time with a prepared meal that looked quite lavish.

"Have something to eat to build up your strength," he suggested. "You've been out of sorts for a while, so I had the doctor come to give you a check-up. Nothing serious, just extreme fatigue."

Elder Xu pulled over the rolling table next to the hospital bed and set the array of delicious food on it.

Lin Luo had no appetite for the feast before him; his only concern was whether Xiao had awakened.

He had faith in his medical expertise, yet he distrusted the resilience of the child's health.

Xiao's constitution was frail, and with her body now suddenly infused with a substantial amount of Genuine Qi, he was uncertain if she could withstand it.