Chapter 23: Blood Exchange

"Yinyao won't survive past tomorrow night. The three-day limit Silver Fox spoke of is nearly here!" Gu Xinyu whispered, uncertain whether he was speaking to Muye or to himself. Muye remained silent, unsure how to respond, and could only sigh softly.

There was no movement behind them, but a sigh echoed, prompting Gu Xinyu to smile bitterly in his heart: Is Yinyao truly beyond saving? Yet he refused to give up. "Muye, is there any other way?"

When Gu Xinyu suddenly turned to him with urgency, Muye hesitated, unsure if he should speak.

Sensing Muye's troubled thoughts, hope flared anew in Gu Xinyu's heart. "You have another method, don't you?"

Muye avoided Gu Xinyu's earnest gaze and said nothing.

"If you have a way, speak it! This might be Yinyao's last hope!" His voice rose, but gradually fell, turning into a helpless plea.

Muye glanced at Gu Xinyu, then looked toward Ji Xuanyu inside the wooden hut. He pondered, knowing both men might be moved, yet he dreaded seeing his brothers turn against each other for a woman. Conversely, he knew that if he kept silent, he would surely lose the brotherhood he cherished.

Muye was deeply conflicted. He truly didn't want to speak, even if it meant losing their friendship; he couldn't bear the thought of watching either of his brothers die. The method was too cruel—it required one life for another. He didn't want to witness such a scene.

Seeing Muye remain silent, Gu Xinyu resolutely turned away and stepped into the hut, despair overwhelming him.

"Blood exchange!"

Just as Gu Xinyu opened the door and was about to enter, Muye, after much hesitation, finally spoke. He could only hope he wouldn't regret his words.

Gu Xinyu turned back in disbelief, questioning, "Blood exchange?"

"Yes," Muye nodded solemnly, "a blood exchange. Replace Yinyao's blood with another's, and she can be saved."

"I'll do it!" Gu Xinyu used his lightness skill to stand before Muye, his resolve firm.

"No!"

"Why not?"

"What is your relationship with Yinyao? Why would you risk your life to save her? Besides, if we can't find the land of utmost yin, her injuries may not heal and she may not awaken."

Muye knew Xuanyu had already admitted his feelings. But what about Xinyu?

"..."

Gu Xinyu was at a loss. To say he loved her felt premature, yet he couldn't explain why he had agreed so readily.

Was it guilt? Because he failed to persuade Yin Su, leading to this situation... This odd thought made Gu Xinyu shake his head at once. Was he atoning for Yin Su? ...No...no...

Gu Xinyu said nothing. He wasn't in love with Yinyao, which made Muye glad for his decision. He felt fortunate to have chosen thus: since only Xuanyu was in love, and Xinyu saw Yinyao as a friend, his choice was the right one.

"We'll discuss it when Xuanyu wakes." Muye patted Gu Xinyu's shoulder and entered the hut, both to rest and to care for Ji Xuanyu.

At dawn the next day, Muye had not slept all night, while Gu Xinyu had stood outside until morning. Ji Xuanyu opened his eyes with difficulty.

"Mu...ye." He spoke slowly; hearing his voice, Muye pulled himself from his thoughts and checked Xuanyu's pulse.

Seeing the bloodshot eyes of Muye, Xuanyu understood—Muye had surely pondered deeply over Yinyao's predicament, and felt grateful.

Gu Xinyu entered the hut at that moment. "Muye, speak now! Time is short; the sooner we decide, the better."

Muye glanced at Gu Xinyu, then met Xuanyu's expectant gaze. He paused before speaking, "Xuanyu, if there is a way to save Yinyao, would you risk everything to do it?"

Ji Xuanyu looked at Muye with unwavering resolve. "Of course!"

"Good. If Yinyao can't receive the violet orchid, then a blood exchange is required: all of her blood must be replaced with another's, and all her own must be drained. The amount needed is vast. For a normal person, saving her this way means one life for another."

Muye emphasized the gravity of the situation, hoping Xuanyu would consider carefully. This was no trivial matter—it concerned life and death, and must not be taken lightly.

"I'll do it!"

As expected, Ji Xuanyu was steadfast and unyielding.

"Very well, but you must have someone provide you with blood to sustain your life," Muye had anticipated this and would not let him die.

"I'll provide the blood, Xinyu will guard us."

"No! I'll provide the blood; you must treat us, so you need enough energy. Let my arrangement stand!" Gu Xinyu's tone was strong and allowed no argument.

The other two silently agreed to Gu Xinyu's decision.

The two stabilized Ji Xuanyu's energy and breath; his injuries were nearly healed, and he now had enough strength to maintain his body and use his skills.

The three leapt to the marble slab, beneath dense shade, with a gentle stream nearby, offering a refreshing coolness. The closer they got to the marble, the more invigorated they felt.

They attributed this to being at the center of the pool and didn't question further.

Yet they overlooked one thing: sunlight blazed above, and though the spring below offered a pleasant chill, the marble shouldn't have felt so cold. But all three were focused solely on Yinyao.

Muye drew out Yinyao's right hand, took a silver needle shining in the sunlight, aimed at her vein, and pierced it. At first, droplets of black blood oozed out, then a thin stream followed, guiding Yinyao's hand into the spring. Soon, the water around them turned a red-tinged black.

Gu Xinyu and Ji Xuanyu watched Muye's actions with utmost attention, palms sweating, yet dared not move, simply standing by in silence.

Yinyao's face grew ever paler, devoid of life, distressing to behold.

Muye gently checked Yinyao's pulse, hesitating; this was the moment to prepare Xuanyu's blood, yet Muye was troubled, his face tense.

He checked her pulse again, almost in disbelief, seeking confirmation of his suspicion. Muye sat facing Yinyao, focused his internal energy, and probed further.

Ji Xuanyu and Gu Xinyu were baffled by Muye's actions, but could not question him—how could they doubt Muye's skill? No, they trusted him completely.

After a long while, as Ji Xuanyu was about to ask, Muye finally opened his eyes, stood, and spoke with both hesitation and conviction:

"There is a small clot of black blood atop Yinyao's heart vein. It's as if it's bound there, unable to flow, but now it's struggling to break free. I believe this is why Silver Fox could only protect Yinyao for three days—her spirit power was mostly spent on containing this black blood. Now, only by draining this heart blood can we proceed."

"Let's act now. We must seize every second!"

"This is our only chance!"

Their resolve was unanimous; they had reached a point of no return—there was no turning back.

"You two, protect Yinyao's heart vein, prevent any unnecessary loss of heart blood," Muye instructed, then drew a long silver needle from his sleeve.

Xinyu and Xuanyu stood on either side, channeling their internal energy into Yinyao. Muye flicked the needle; it flashed bright in the sunlight, piercing Yinyao's chest with precision. With a deft motion and a surge of energy, Muye manipulated the needle, then quickly withdrew it, produced a small bottle, and gave Yinyao a red pill.

A drop of black blood slid down the needle and fell onto the marble, followed immediately by a drop of clean, red blood.

Ji Xuanyu exhaled in relief, rising with Muye, and Gu Xinyu followed suit. The three exchanged a meaningful glance—they must begin the blood exchange at once.

Soon after, all three felt an inexplicable chill beneath their feet, which turned to a piercing pain, and in the next moment, it seemed their feet were losing sensation.

They looked at each other, bewildered, their first instinct to channel their energy and maintain their breath, preventing their blood from freezing. In their current state, they dared not move.