The Divine Urban Physician Chapter 3408: 3408: Unexpected Joy (Second Update)
Previously on The Divine Urban Physician...
In the following instant, the Nine Nether Tiger appeared to lose its foundation. Its lips paled as it stumbled backward, struggling to maintain its footing and nearly collapsing. Though it used the Human Emperor’s Pen to prop itself up, its white hair was a mess, and its expression was filled with profound desolation.
A master of martial arts must cultivate the heart.
Should the heart become fractured, an inner demon is born.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
Wisps of ink-black demonic energy began to seep uncontrollably from its frame.
Ghostly fur started sprouting across its skin, and its dazed expression shifted into a savage glare. With eyes bulging and two sharp tiger tusks protruding from its mouth, its appearance became terrifyingly feral, as if it were about to revert to its original form.
Xiao Bai was completely lost; since her bloodline memories had not yet returned, she lacked any knowledge regarding her ties to the Nine Nether Tiger. Furthermore, she was originally the Little Star Spirit of the Reincarnation Star Stone and had merely inhabited the Taiyin Jade Rabbit's shell. Even with a full bloodline awakening, it was impossible for her to truly recognize the Nine Nether Tiger as her master.
“This is bad, Master is falling into a demonized state!”
The You Ying Ghost Weasel shouted in alarm.
Ye Chen felt a chill run down his spine, sensing a lethal threat. Once the Nine Nether Tiger succumbed to its inner demon, it would likely turn into a mindless killing machine, slaughtering everything in sight without a shred of reason.
Dealing with it then would be an immense burden.
“Master Nine Nether Tiger, what is the meaning of this?”
Standing nearby, Chen Xuanyu was equally stunned, having no clue what was unfolding.
“Xiao Bai, that is your Master, the Nine Nether Tiger! Kneel and bow to him immediately, call out to him!”
Ye Chen turned a stern gaze toward Xiao Bai and commanded loudly.
This was the only solution!
To untie the knot, one must seek the one who tied it!
The fallout of the Nine Nether Tiger being demonized would be catastrophic. At this desperate juncture, stabilizing its mental state was the top priority.
“Okay.”
Xiao Bai was sharp and intuitive. Although she didn't understand the karmic debt involved, she knew that following Brother Ye Chen’s lead was always the right choice. She knelt at once, bowing toward the Nine Nether Tiger, and spoke in a youthful tone:
“Master, hello.”
Hearing the word “Master,” the Nine Nether Tiger seemed to find new life. The demonic energy vanished instantly as it asked with great joy, “What did you just call me?”
Xiao Bai answered, “Master, I called you Master.”
She then glanced back at Ye Chen and whispered, “Brother Ye Chen, did I say it right?”
“You did.” Ye Chen gave a subtle smile and nodded in approval.
“Yu’er, wonderful, simply wonderful! After all the trials of life, our master and disciple bond is finally restored!”
Overflowing with happiness, the Nine Nether Tiger stepped toward Xiao Bai. It reached out to touch her face, but its hand shook with such intensity that it hesitated, terrified that this beautiful reality might shatter like a dream if touched.
“Master Nine Nether Tiger, what are you doing? Ye Chen is a mortal enemy of our Heavenly Dao Palace! Why are you siding with him? Return to your senses at once!”
Chen Xuanyu was paralyzed with shock at the sight before him.
Currently, the Nine Nether Tiger served as Xuanyuan Moxie’s Spirit Beast. Xuanyuan Moxie had even granted it the Qingtian Human Emperor Pen for its Cultivation. If the Nine Nether Tiger “betrayed” them before even securing the Ancient Battle Soul, the resulting loss would be something the Heavenly Dao Palace could never forgive.
Chen Xuanyu knew he would have no way to explain this to Xuanyuan Moxie upon his return.
“Master, he is a villain, kill him quickly!”
Xiao Bai was clever and realized that Chen Xuanyu, as a member of the Heavenly Dao Palace, was a dangerous foe. Knowing that leaving him alive would invite trouble, she pointed at him and urged the Nine Nether Tiger to strike.
“Very well, Yu’er, be at peace. I shall eliminate this villain for you and ensure your safety.”
Reinvigorated and wearing a murderous expression, the Nine Nether Tiger raised the Human Emperor’s Pen and unleashed a powerful stroke aimed directly at Chen Xuanyu.
“Nine Nether Tiger, do you actually dare to commit treason?”
Chen Xuanyu was horrified, never imagining that the Nine Nether Tiger would switch its allegiance to Ye Chen so abruptly.
“What treason? Your Heavenly Dao Palace used foul tricks to delude my master and even caused my junior brother’s demise. I still have a debt of blood to settle with you!”
The You Ying Ghost Weasel roared in rage, unsheathing its blade to join the Nine Nether Tiger in a fierce assault against Chen Xuanyu.
Faced with the combined might of the master and disciple, Chen Xuanyu’s momentum faltered. Despite being a powerhouse at the Holy Ancestor Realm Second Layer Heaven, he was outclassed. The Nine Nether Tiger was a mid-stage expert of the Holy Ancestor Realm, and with the lethal edge of the Human Emperor’s Pen, Chen Xuanyu was completely overwhelmed.
In the heat of the struggle, Chen Xuanyu swung his axe to parry the Ghost Weasel’s blade, but he found it impossible to defend against the Nine Nether Tiger’s pen. He was forced into a desperate retreat.
Sizzle!
The tip of the Human Emperor’s Pen moved with lightning speed, carving a deep, bloody gash across Chen Xuanyu’s torso.
Chen Xuanyu groaned in agony, feeling as though his very soul was being ripped apart. His spirit wavered under the blow.
The sharpness of the Human Emperor’s Pen was terrifying; the Nine Nether Tiger would surely finish him within three more moves.
“Withdraw!”
Terrified, Chen Xuanyu turned to escape. He threw a hateful look back at Ye Chen and snarled, “Ye Chen, you dare to steal from the Heavenly Dao Palace! When the Palace Master recovers, you will be shredded to pieces!”
He vanished into the distance, not daring to stay a moment longer.
The Nine Nether Tiger attempted to give chase, but a sudden tightness in its chest caused it to cough up blood. Its face turned a ghostly pale.
The intense emotional upheaval had nearly caused it to go berserk, and the sudden exertion of Qi had triggered an internal backlash, resulting in significant injuries.
“Master, are you hurt?”
Xiao Bai hurried over, her voice laced with genuine worry.
Even though she didn't truly know the Nine Nether Tiger, her kind heart made her fret over the wounded elder.
“I am fine, Yu’er... I am fine.”
The Nine Nether Tiger forced a comforting smile before its eyes closed and it collapsed into unconsciousness.
“He is injured and requires several days of rest.”
Ye Chen assessed the situation instantly. He produced the Ancient Box and carefully placed the Nine Nether Tiger inside.
This was the same Ancient Box used for its imprisonment long ago, containing a unique dimension that the Nine Nether Tiger was familiar with. Returning there was like going home, which would significantly aid its healing process.
“Brother Ye Chen, who exactly is this old man?”
Xiao Bai blinked, looking at him with curiosity.
“He truly is your Master. Once your bloodline memories return, everything will become clear.”
Ye Chen patted her head, smiling with a hint of helplessness.
“Is that so?”
Xiao Bai still looked skeptical.
After stowing the Ancient Box away, Ye Chen breathed a sigh of relief. Xiao Bai’s karma was indeed profound; her presence had proven vital.
Without her, he wouldn't have been able to reclaim the Nine Nether Tiger’s loyalty, gaining a powerful ally out of nowhere.
The deep connection between the Nine Nether Tiger and the Ancient Ten Evils left a strong impression on Ye Chen.
He felt a sudden flash of insight regarding the world's hidden laws.
All things in existence possess a spirit.
Even the Ancient Great Calamities or Heavenly Demons might harbor a spark of kindness.
However, the atrocities committed by such beings were usually too vast for a single act of benevolence to change their nature.
The Taiyin Jade Rabbit was now possessed by Xiao Bai, and the Nine Nether Tiger’s disciples had been nearly wiped out. This was the working of karma and the inevitable cycle of the Heavenly Dao.
In that moment, Ye Chen felt as though he had brushed against the profound secrets of the Reincarnation Dao.