Douluo Dalu: Volume 31: Ashore on Seagod Island

by Tang Jia San Shao

  After the surgery was complete, Ji Xiang stood up and said a few words to those pirates: “For the one with the leg injury, you can carry him away. However, the other one will have to stay here for observation. After operating his chest, it is easy for it to be infected, I still need to mix some medicine for him.” His operation today was much more relaxing that usual, because of Tang San. Tang San stopping the blood flow with his acupuncture techniques had allowed him to work without having to use his acupuncture needles further, saving him time and effort.

  “Dr. Ji Xiang, thank you for saving my younger brother.” The burly pirate fell on his knees with a thud, heavily kowtowing thrice to Ji Xiang. Apparently, the one stabbed in the chest was his younger brother.

  Ji Xiang did not did not hold back, “If you want to thank me, then the next time you come back, help me gather some medicinal herbs.”

  “Definitely, definitely.” The burly pirate stood up, no longer having that fierce attitude towards Tang San. “Brother, I apologise for what happened earlier. My younger brother was injured and I was impatient. Next time if we have the chance, let me treat you to a drink.”

  Tang San was momentarily stunned, the impression left on him by Haider’s gang was not good, but this pirate’s actions was surprisingly forthright instead.

  After they all already left, Ji Xiang was silently tidying up the room while chatting with Tang San: “You should have been able to tell that they were pirates. But pirates are still human, also not all of them are vile people. This is also the reason I am willing to stay behind here.”

  Tang San replied: “Is this Purple Pearl Island?”

  Ji Xiang nodded. “You know about the Purple Pearl?’

  Tang San bitterly smiled, saying: “My companions and I ended up falling into the ocean due to the Purple Pearl pirates. If not for you saving me, I would probably already be dead.”

  Hearing Tang San’s words, Ji Xiang slowly straightened his back, seeing Tang San’s expression turn strange he asked, “That should mean you were an aristocrat? The Purple Pearl only targets aristocrats, normal fishermen only have to pay a small sea tax and they would be fine.”

  Tang San smilingly said: “It is as you said, pirates are not all bad people, could it be aristocrats are all bad people?”

  Ji Xiang was stunned, looking at Tang San, he could not come up with a way to reply him.

  Tang San turned around and looked outside, “In this world, the victors are king, while the losers are bandits. The difference between good people and bad ones is also the same. Can you update me on the situation here?”

  Ji Xiang no longer tidied up the room, instead he walk to Tang San’s back, for some unknown reason he felt that there was a strange charm coming from this revived person. An irresistible charm, every word that he said seemed to follow a unique melody.

  “Perhaps you are right, there may be good people amongst the aristocrats. These years, the purple pearl have been robbing from the rich and giving to the poor. While struggling to survive, they also share the wealth they stone with the vast majority of poor fishing villages. This is the reason I choose to stay behind. I am the Purple Pearl Pirate group’s only doctor.”

  Tang San turned around, looking at Ji Xiang up close. Without continuing on the previous conversation, he asked: “Are you willing to learn the technique I used to stop his blood flow?”

  Ji Xiang was briefly stunned, his calm demeanor suddenly become dim, “I cannot learn it, your method requires spirit power, if I had spirit power, even just using my needles, I can do the same thing to stem the blood flow.”

  Tang San lightly smiled, saying something that made Ji Xiang unable to keep his calm, “What if I can allow you to have Spirit Power?”

  “Wha-what did you say?” the shocked Ji Xiang stared at Tang San, even if he was a calm person, he was after all just a seventeen year old youth. Since the time he was a child, because of the fact that he had no Spirit Power, he had to experience a lot of pain and grievances. Oh how he longed to have Spirit Power! Even though he had medical skills others could not even hope to attain, he very clearly knew that if he had Spirit Power, he would once more be able to make a breakthrough in his medical skills. Whatsmore, the fact that having Spirit Power was something he had been dreaming off since he was a child.

  Tang San said: “I have a special cultivation technique, although it may not completely be suited for you. At the very least, I believe that it will allow you to become a Spirit Master.”

  Although Ji Xing is considerably more mature than others the same age, but after hearing Tang San’s words, he was unable to contain his excitement. This calm eyes letting out a hint of longing.

  Tang San said after pondering: “I can teach you that acupuncture technique as repayment for saving my life. However, the cultivation technique belongs to the Tang Sect. I don’t have the right to privately teach it to you. Ji Xiang, are you willing to accept me as your master?”

  Ji Xiang was stunned once more, take him as teacher? Tang San’s words were very straightforward, in Tang San’s eyes also did not have any hint of ulterior motive. After hesitating for a while, he asked: “If you are really able to make me a Spirit Master, I agree. Only, I am already seventeen, can I really become a Spirit Master?” regardless, this was perhaps his only chance at becoming a Spirit Master in this life.

  Tang San calmly smiled, “I am eighty percent sure, are you willing to give it a try?”

  Ji Xiang took a deep breath before falling to his knees in front of Tang San, forcefully, he kowtowed thrice, “Master.” He did not want to give up this opportunity, although he knew that after taking Tang San as master. From now on he would have to follow his instructions. However if he gave up on this chance, then he would regret it for the rest of his life.

  After accepting Ji Xiang’s kowtows, he helped him up from the floor. “Admittedly you are slightly old, but if you were to work hard, you will still become accomplished. Here swallow this.”

  Reaching into his Wishful Hundred Treasure Purse, he withdrew a completely golden ginseng and gave it to Ji Xiang. As a doctor, Ji Xiang naturally recognized it, surprised he said. “Ten Thousand Year Old Emperor Ginseng?”

  Tang San nodded his head, saying: “Time is pressing, and I have other things I need to do, so I don’t have the time to refine this into a pill. Let me help you prepare a strong cultivation base, alongside its strengthening qualities, it will help you cultivate in the future with half the effort and double the results.”

  At this point, Ji Xiang no longer doubted Tang San’s words. The Ten Thousand Year Old Emperor Ginseng was not something that people were able to so easily take out. It was a priceless treasure!

  In Tang San’s eyes, the value of the Ten Thousand Year Old Emperor Ginseng was limited, and had practically no use for him. Compared to the Blood Crystal Dragon Ginseng and the Ten Thousand Year Old Ninth Grade Ginseng King, this Ten Thousand Year Old Emperor Ginseng was far too inferior. But for someone like Ji Xiang, it was perfectly suitable for him.

  Ji Xiang ate it extremely carefully, using his nails he punctured the surface of the ginseng, then gently sucking it from that hole. Quickly, all that remained of the Ten Thousand Year Old Emperor Ginseng was its exterior husk, the essence inside all absorbed into Ji Xiang. Ji Xiang carefully put away the surplus husk, after all it could still be refined into many valuable medicines.

  “Sit.” Tang San pressed down Ji Xiang’s shoulder. Although the Ten Thousand Year Old Emperor Ginseng was not a divine herb, it was still not something normal people could absorb. Normal people after eating it would not be over nourished and their blood vessels would burst killing them. Of course, Ji Xiang did not think that Tang San was after his life, afterall who would use this kind of priceless herb to kill a simple doctor like himself.

  In the time it took for him to sit down, Ji Xiang’s face already turned completely red, clearly the Ten Thousand Year Old Emperor Ginseng’s effects were horrifying.

  Similarly, Tang San s
at cross-legged behind Ji Xiang, “Defend the dantian. Try to feel the spirit power I am channeling in your body, remember the path it takes.”

  While saying that, he pressed both his palms on Ji Xiang’s back, Ji Xiang could feel a clear energy current flooding into his body. The Ten Thousand Year Old Emperor Ginseng’s extremely hot sensation immediately felt more affable.

  Under the guidance of Tang San’s Mysterious Heaven Skill. The Ten Thousand Year Old Emperor Ginseng’s essence was completely absorbed, and was circulating along with the Mysterious Heaven Skill.

  A drop of water shall be returned with a gushing spring[1]. As gratitude for saving his life, Tang San had already decided to take Ji Xiang as his disciple, truly he had no other motive. Only wishing to repay his debt of having his life saved. He was ready to teach his Mysterious Heaven Skill for the first time. If not for this reason, he would not have needed to have Ji Xiang take him as his master. Tang Sect teachings could never be leaked out, that was an ideal long since ingrained in Tang San’s heart.

  As such, Tang San currently helping Ji Xiang circulate his qi was not for something as simple as helping him absorb the medicinal properties of the herb. He actually had three objectives, the first was to help him absorb the medicine, and help him solidify his cultivation. The second was to allow Ji Xiang to feel the Mysterious Heaven Skill’s circulation path, then let him practice according to this method. The third point was to draw support from the medicine to help Ji Xiang clear his eight extraordinary meridians. This way, he could alleviate the detriments for starting his cultivation at such an age.

  As a person practiced in the field of medicine, when he felt his first meridian clear, he understood Tang San’s intention. After all even with the help of the Ten Thousand Year Old Emperor Ginseng, to clear the meridians of someone else also required large amounts of Spirit Power. When Tang San was helping him clear his meridians, Ji Xiang’s heart had finally truly accepted Tang San as a teacher.

  After the first meridian was opened, Ji Xiang felt the internal qi flowing within him grow significantly, the speed which Tang San circulated his Mysterious Heaven Skill also increasing. Just as he thought it was going to end, Tang San already started attacking the second meridian.

  Teacher’s Spirit Power was so powerful? Ji Xiang steadily guarded his heart, while he was memorising the route of circulation for the Mysterious Heaven Skill, he all the while was shocked. Although when he rescued Tang San, Tang San was dishevelled and dirty but he looked no more than twenty or so years old. This was also the reason he hesitated when Tang San wanted to take him as his disciple. To him, Tang San was at most a Spirit Elder, most likely just a Spirit Grandmaster. However, currently Tang San’s spirit power felt like the ocean waves, endlessly flowing. The Spirit Power never weakening the slightest, each circulation just right. Precisely within the acceptable amounts for his body. With regards to the control of Spirit Power, it was simply amazing. This refreshing Spirit Power flowing through his meridians gave him an inexplicable comfort.

  Time passed second by second, minute by minute. Tang San was surrounded by thick steam, his body had just recovered, so the huge expenditure of spirit power along with the precise control put a fairly huge strain on his body. But his eight meridians were long since cleared, so his Spirit Power recovery rate was much higher than normal Spirit Masters. Having just recently recovered, helping Ji Xiang clear his meridians was just like helping himself cultivate. His meridians were also being restored as he unceasingly circulated the Mysterious Heaven Skill.

  Finally, the last meridian was cleared. Tang San executed thirteen consecutive palm strikes on Ji Xiang’s back. A low but majestic voice resounded by Ji Xiang’s ears, “Don’t make any complaints and practice according to the path I showed you just now.”

  Ji Xian indeed did not make any noise, the Ten Thousand Year Old Emperor Ginseng and the cleared meridians had an amplifying effect, allowing him to become completely able to control Spirit Power to start cultivating. That fleeting wonderful feeling made it such that even if he could give up now, he wouldn’t be willing to.

  Tang San too re-entered a state of cultivation. Having to recover the Spirit Power he had expended, also allowed him to start to clear the absorbed energy in the Eight Spider Lances before other complications could occur.

  A whole day passed like this, only on the morning of the second day, did moans from the bed startle the two of them awake.

  Tang San slowly opened his eyes, while Ji Xiang had already finished and gotten up, respectfully he stood beside Tang San, “Master.” He definitely understood the amount of help Tang Sang gave him. At this point in time, he was able to clearly feel the world surrounding him feel different. Everything appearing more vibrant, his eyes clearer than ever before, the comfort within his body bringing to a never before level of euphoria.

  Tang San smilingly said: “Actually you are very talented. After I cleared your meridians, your training will be much easier. However, if you want to achieve greatness you still have to work hard. Even if you were more talented, if you don’t work hard you would never amount to much.”

  “Understood.” Ji Xiang honestly agreed.

  “He should need to change his medicine.” Tang San pointed at the injured person, Ji Xiang hurriedly nodded, honestly speaking yesterday’s incident already made him forget about this person before him.

  After changing his medicine and feeding him some food. Ji Xiang went to prepare some food for Tang San and himself, the master disciple duo eating and chatting at the same time.

  “Master, what level of spirit master are you? The Purple Pearl Pirate Group has many Spirit Masters. But, the feeling you give off is very different from them.” Ji Xiang completely lost his indifferent attitude towards Tang San leaving him only with respect and reverence.

  To be able to help someone with zero innate spirit power become a Spirit Master, such an amazing ability was something he at least had never heard of.

  Tang San smilingly said: “Eventually you will know. Why don’t you tell me about your current condition now instead. How does it feel? You memorised the circulating route right?”

  Ji Xiang nodded his head, saying: “I have remembered it, but no matter how i cultivate, my spirit power does not feel to have increased the slightest, is it because I have been cultivating for too short a period?”

  Tang San laughingly said: “It would be strange if you could feel your cultivation rise further. Did you not know that after reaching a certain level of cultivation Spirit Masters require a Spirit Ring before they can continue to cultivate?”

  Ji Xiang’s originally stable hand trembled and he fishing basket he held in his hands fell onto the table, “Yo-you are saying……”

  Tang San nodded his head, saying: “If after eating a Ten Thousand Year Old Emperor Ginseng, and after I helped you clear your eight meridians, it was still insufficient to help fill you up with Spirit Power then wouldn’t my effort yesterday be all for naught? Now you need to obtain your first Spirit Ring before you can continue to cultivate. If my guess is correct, your current Spirit Rank is at least of the fifteenth rank. Of course, you will need to obtain a Spirit Ring before it can manifest.”

  Ji Xiang stared at Tang San a good long while before he spoke, “Master, you are too amazing. I had never heard of someone with innate zero spirit power being able to cultivate.”

  Tang San bitterly smiled: “This technique is special, only people who have some innate spirit power or people who started when they are young are able to cultivate it. However, I don’t have that many Ten Thousand Year Old Emperor Ginsengs, so just treat yourself as an exceptional case.”

  Ji Xiang spoke his heartfelt words: “Thank you, Master.”

  Tang San hesitated before asking: “Ji Xiang, are you familiar with the Purple Pearl pirate group’s leader?”

  Ji Xiang nodded his head, saying: “I guess it can be considered familiar. I am the only doctor here and have treated many pirates before. So i could be said to b
e familiar with them. Master, do you want to see this Purple Pearl leader?”

  Tang San nodded his head, “This time when I came out to sea I was in a group of eight, however because we ran into a powerful Oceanic Spirit Beast we got separated. If it is possible, I am thinking of asking the Purple Pearl Pirate Group to help me search for them, I am willing to pay a high price. Consider it something like hiring them.”

  Ji Xing thought for awhile before saying: “It should be possible. I will bring you to see them. However, it would be better if you first washed up.”

  After a simple washing up, Tang San changed into one of his own white long gowns, combed his hair and shaved off his beard, revealing his original look which would even daze other males. Tang San’s appearance and disposition, was something the pirates here cannot compare to. In particular his calm elegant demeanor, made it hard for other to not feel inferior to him.

  Walking out of the wooden hut, Ji Xiang brought Tang San towards the interior of Purple Pearl Island. While walking Ji Xiang asked: “Master, Purple Pearl Island has over three thousand pirates, of which about one thousand five hundred of them have fighting capabilities, including about two hundred spirit masters, of which the strongest is the leader of the purple Pearl, a sixty eighth rank Spirit Emperor. They have about 40 boats in total, the largest ship the Purple Pearl can hold about five hundred pirates. It is the leader’s personal regiment and is quite famous in the waters here.”

  After having fully recovered, Tang San was worried about the safety of his fellow companions, firstly, none of them could swim. In the vast ocean, given their strength as Spirit Masters, staying alive should not be a problem, but if they were to run into ocean Spirit Beats then they would be in trouble. Before they lost consciousness, he clearly remembered Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhu Qing was seriously injured. As for the rest of them, only fatty had some combat powers.

  Tang San had decided, after meeting the Purple Pearl Pirate Group’s leader, regardless of the price he had to pay, he needed their help. Over ten days had passed, all he could do was to pray that the others were safe.