"Don't agree just yet, Valley Master." Chu Feng smiled faintly and continued, "Besides your blood, I will also need the Valley Master's origin energy. I intend to use your origin energy to cleanse your mother's origin energy."
"How can that be acceptable?!"
"Origin energy is the foundation of one's very being. If it is mishandled, not only will one's roots be shaken — it could even cost one's life!" Before the Valley Master could even respond, the old woman's expression changed drastically upon hearing Chu Feng's words.
"If it is mishandled, then yes, the situation you described could occur. But if it is handled correctly, the worst outcome would be some damage to the body — and even that can be recovered with sufficient rest and a few rare treasures. It will not affect you going forward," Chu Feng said.
"Young hero, you said it yourself — 'if it is handled correctly.' But if it isn't handled correctly, it truly could affect one's cultivation, or even cost one's life," the old woman said, still deeply uneasy.
"Is this truly necessary?" Compared to the old woman who had served his mother, the Valley Master of Luoxia Valley appeared remarkably composed.
"This is the only method to treat your mother's illness. It is precisely because this method places extremely high demands on a Spirit World Master that ordinary Imperial-Robed Spirit World Masters wouldn't dare attempt it — they said it couldn't be done," Chu Feng said.
"Then may I ask — how confident are you?" the Valley Master of Luoxia Valley asked.
"I am one hundred percent confident," Chu Feng said.
"Chu Feng, it isn't that I don't trust you. It's just that this matter concerns not only my personal safety, but the safety of my entire Luoxia Valley."
"If I were not the Valley Master of Luoxia Valley, I would certainly follow your instructions without a single complaint. After all, you are treating my mother's illness."
"But as the Valley Master of Luoxia Valley, I must take responsibility for everyone here — and for myself as well."
Before the Valley Master of Luoxia Valley could finish speaking, Chu Feng cut in: "Valley Master, are you asking me, Chu Feng, to swear a military pledge?"
"You truly are a sharp one. I wonder if you would be willing?" the Valley Master asked. He must have felt somewhat embarrassed himself, for his tone lacked conviction — there was even a hint of a plea in his voice.
This so-called military pledge was, in fact, quite simple.
Since Chu Feng claimed he had one hundred percent confidence in success, then when the time came to extract his origin energy, there could be no mistakes.
If a mistake did occur, then this Valley Master of Luoxia Valley would absolutely not let Chu Feng off.
But after all, it was he who had begged Chu Feng to treat his mother, and now he was asking Chu Feng to swear a military pledge — so naturally, he felt somewhat sheepish about it.
From Chu Feng's perspective, however, this Valley Master of Luoxia Valley was actually a reasonably decent person.
Chu Feng was, after all, a captive at this point. It was only natural for him not to trust Chu Feng — especially regarding something as critical as touching his origin energy.
In truth, the Valley Master could have said nothing at all and played the benevolent host while working with Chu Feng. Then… if he discovered Chu Feng acting suspiciously, or if his origin energy truly ended up damaged, he could turn on Chu Feng at once. It would not be too late.
That way, if things succeeded, Chu Feng would hold no reservations. And if they failed, the Valley Master could deal with Chu Feng immediately — a far more flexible position.
But this Valley Master had chosen not to play that hypocritical game. Instead, he had spoken to Chu Feng plainly and honestly. For this, Chu Feng genuinely appreciated him.
At the very least, he was sincere.
"Good. I must say, for someone so young, you're remarkably straightforward."
"In that case, let us begin now." Seeing that Chu Feng had agreed so readily, the Valley Master's impression of Chu Feng improved yet another notch.
Chu Feng then began setting up the formation to draw the Valley Master's blood. That was a simple matter, and it was completed in short order.
After that, Chu Feng began arranging the formation to extract the origin energy. This formation he set up with the utmost care — after all, if something went wrong with this, the consequences would indeed be severe.
Once the formation was complete and Chu Feng was ready to extract the Valley Master's origin energy, he said: "Valley Master, this will be very painful, and there is nothing I can do to ease the pain. You will need to endure it."
"That's fine. Go ahead."
The Valley Master's expression did not change in the slightest. He did not even blink.