Chapter 53: Stars, Divine Art of Body Refinement

When speaking of the Stellar Body Refinement Technique, its mysterious intricacies truly inspire awe. Each day, as Li Chao immersed himself in his cultivation, he could keenly feel countless tiny lights darting beneath his skin like fireflies—delicate yet vibrant, as if myriad stars were meticulously sculpting his body, bestowing upon him unprecedented resilience and vitality.

According to ancient texts, this art is exquisitely refined, with distinct levels, categorized into four major realms: Basic Body Tempering, Deep Bone Purification, Essence Blood Refinement, and Supreme Soul Fusion.

At present, Li Chao had only reached the most fundamental Body Tempering stage, yet even so, he could easily defeat dozens of robust men—a testament to its power.

Li Chao secretly marveled, “This Stellar Body Refinement Technique is truly wondrous. I have only reached the basic stage and am already so formidable.”

He resolved inwardly, “I must continue to cultivate, break through to higher levels as soon as possible.”

He recalled the legendary masters from ancient texts, martial heroes who moved with the grace of swallows, traversed rooftops effortlessly, and could take lives with nothing more than a single leaf.

His heart brimmed with longing; he firmly believed that as long as he persevered, he would one day reach such heights.

Li Chao closed his eyes and continued to immerse himself in cultivation, savoring the profound wonders the Stellar Body Refinement Technique brought him.

When his training concluded, he slowly exhaled a turbid breath, his consciousness sinking into his sea of awareness and once again entering that mysterious ancient tower space.

Thanks to his long dedication to medicine and healing the sick, the golden glow representing his progress at the entrance to the second floor had quietly accumulated to about a tenth.

Li Chao secretly hoped that the second floor held astonishing treasures, ones that would add further brilliance to his path of cultivation.

After his exertions, he finally lay down on his bed, preparing to welcome sleep.

Just as he was about to drift into slumber, a thought flashed through his mind, prompting him to pick up his phone and quickly compose a message to Liu Dan: “Dan, I feel that Yan Zi’s behavior is improper. You’d better keep your distance, lest you be influenced by her.”

Li Chao was filled with concern for Liu Dan, fearing she might be adversely affected by Xiang Xue.

Before long, his phone vibrated with Liu Dan’s reply. Li Chao glanced at the screen and couldn't help but laugh wryly—the message read: “Xiang Xue accused you of taking advantage of her while drunk last night. When she firmly refused, you slapped her, leaving her heartbroken and in tears.”

Every word was steeped in accusation and grievance, leaving Li Chao both amused and exasperated. He mused to himself, “What acting! She even managed to turn the tables!”

Fuming, he quickly replied, “The truth is the opposite: she made advances toward me first, and I merely defended myself, giving her a gentle slap as a warning. Do you believe this?”

After sending his message, he waited quietly, feelings in turmoil.

Liu Dan stared at her phone in surprise. She knew Li Chao’s character and trusted he would never do such a thing lightly.

She pondered, sensing something strange about the affair.

“Dan, you know what kind of person Xiang Xue is. Don’t you believe me?” Li Chao continued in his message.

Liu Dan replied, “Of course I trust you. But Xiang Xue came to me crying, saying you bullied her. You know the sort of person she is—she may be fabricating these stories to sow discord between us.”

Upon reading Liu Dan’s reply, Li Chao’s anger gradually subsided.

He responded, “Dan, I know you’re smart and won’t be swayed by her sweet talk. I trust you’ll make the right judgment.”

Liu Dan replied, “I certainly will, but we must handle this carefully. We can’t let someone like Xiang Xue damage our relationship.”

Li Chao felt a surge of warmth upon reading her reply. He knew Liu Dan was trustworthy, and believed she would handle the situation well.

Soon after, Liu Dan’s reply was brief and powerful: “I believe.”

Those two words, though short, carried weight—a declaration of unconditional trust and support for Li Chao.

He was instantly warmed, understanding Liu Dan’s attitude.

Indeed, without true trust, she would not have responded so calmly, nor allowed him to explain first.

This trust was more precious than any words.

Li Chao’s anger and confusion melted away, replaced by a sense of warmth and gratitude at being understood.

He thought, “Dan, thank you for your trust. I will handle this matter well and won’t let you down.”

Li Chao had indeed considered confronting Xiang Xue to teach her a lesson.

But on reflection, Dan’s unwavering trust became a solid backing, making all those petty disputes seem trivial.

Xiang Xue, in his eyes, was nothing more than a clown, directing and acting out her own farcical drama, not worth his concern.

Elsewhere in Shiyuan County, in the brightly lit luxury hotel suite, the atmosphere was entirely different.

Wang Lan, a woman whose face bore fresh wounds, stood alone before the floor-to-ceiling windows, the deep night reflecting the blazing fury in her eyes.

She was another principal figure in this turmoil.

Wang Lan thought, “Li Chao, how could you treat me like this? How could you subject me to such humiliation?”

Because of Li Chao’s blunt words, Wang Lan suffered an unprecedented blow—violence from Liu Zhenhua, followed by cruel abandonment in this cold hotel.

Liu Zhenhua had hurried away to care for his injured sister Liu Lele, leaving Wang Lan behind with undisguised disdain.

Recalling the humiliations of the afternoon, Wang Lan’s heart felt scorched by flames. She clenched her fists so tightly her nails dug deep into her palms, as if only by doing so could she alleviate her pain and rage.

Blood oozed silently, yet did nothing to diminish her fury.

She took deep breaths, striving to calm herself.

She knew that anger and helplessness could not change her situation; only action could win her a chance.

Decisively, she replaced her phone card and dialed a number, her eyes shining with resolve and defiance.

On the other end, a low male voice, after a brief pause, sounded even more resolute: “Ms. Wang, allow me to confirm once again—I personally carried out the operation, and can assure you the target was severely injured. However, there have been unforeseen changes. But rest assured, our organization is founded on integrity. Since we haven’t fulfilled your request, we will see it through.”

“As for your concerns about the bodyguards and the risks of frequent action,” the man continued, sounding very professional, “we understand your worries. In this situation, we must plan the next operation even more carefully. We’ll reassess and find the ideal opportunity, ensuring absolute success.”

Although Wang Lan was still dissatisfied, she had to acknowledge their sincerity and professionalism.

She paused, then spoke slowly: “Fine, I’ll give you another chance. But remember, I want results, not excuses. And this time, be more cautious—avoid unnecessary attention.”

The man replied earnestly, “Ms. Wang, rest assured. We understand. We’ll begin preparations at once, and guarantee the next operation’s success.”

Wang Lan sighed, thinking, “This failure has left me in a predicament. I have to rely on them to address the issue. I hope they find a solution soon.”

Sensing Wang Lan’s anxiety, the man continued, “Ms. Wang, we’ll quickly devise a detailed plan to maximize success. We’ll closely monitor the target and strike at the perfect moment.”

Wang Lan felt a bit relieved. “Good, I trust your abilities. But this time, there must be no mistakes.”

The man replied with determination, “Ms. Wang, rest assured, we’ll do our utmost. We’ll learn from last time, make the plan even tighter, and guarantee success.”

Wang Lan nodded, inwardly praying, “May this plan proceed smoothly and free me from this predicament.”

After hanging up, her brow remained furrowed. She walked to the window, gazing out at the night, her heart a tangled mess.

She knew she had embarked on a path of no return; only by forging ahead could she survive this game.

Li Chao, the one for whom she had paid such a price, and the powers behind him, would become the stones she must step over on her road of vengeance.

After hanging up, Wang Lan’s lips curled into a cold, ruthless smile, her gaze radiating undeniable resolve.

She seemed to have placed herself in a world rife with danger and intrigue, where anyone hindering her progress would become an obstacle to be eliminated.

“Anyone who blocks my path must die; anyone who offends me must die.” These words were not merely a venting of her feelings, but a forewarning of future actions.

In her eyes, Li Chao and the innocent village doctor, both connected to him, had become targets in her revenge plot.

Li Chao knew nothing of this.

Perhaps, at this moment, he was basking in the warmth and trust shared with Liu Dan, oblivious to the approaching peril.

His kindness and integrity made it impossible for him to imagine that a mere quarrel could drive someone to such malice against him and those around him.

Reality, however, is often cruel—especially in a world tangled with interests and the shadows of human nature.

Wang Lan’s fire of revenge had been kindled; a storm targeting Li Chao and those close to him was quietly brewing.

“Are you really going to do this?” Wang Lan’s heart was wracked by fierce struggle. She knew her actions could have grave consequences.

“I have no other choice.” Her voice betrayed a hint of helplessness and resolve. “He made me pay too great a price. I must make him pay.”

“This could hurt many innocent people,” a softer voice in her heart protested.

“Innocent?” Wang Lan sneered. “Who’s truly innocent in this world? They’re all his friends—all accomplices!”

A flash of ruthless determination passed through her eyes. “I won’t let them off easily.”

As the first rays of sunlight pierced the mist and shone upon the sign of the Li Family Fort clinic, a new day quietly began.

After enjoying a simple yet warm breakfast, Li Chao set out for the clinic.

The clinic had grown far beyond its humble beginnings, its reputation drawing patients from all directions—no need for advertisement, its doors were crowded.

Yu Xin, a diligent and gentle woman, was already at the clinic, key in hand, opening the door to start her daily tasks.

She meticulously cleaned every corner, organized medical instruments, bringing order and warmth to the clinic with her hands.

Her quiet efforts did not go unnoticed; Li Chao felt deeply touched.

“Yu Xin, you’re working so hard,” Li Chao said with a smile as he entered.

“It’s nothing, Chao,” Yu Xin replied shyly, lowering her head.

“Yu Xin, I see you’re interested in medicine. Why don’t I teach you some?” Li Chao said earnestly.

Yu Xin hesitated. “Chao, I’m just a country girl. Can I really learn?”

“Of course you can. As long as you’re willing, I believe you can master it,” Li Chao encouraged.

Yu Xin was moved and grateful. “Thank you, Chao.”

“All right, Yu Xin, let’s begin.” Li Chao took several medical books from the shelf and placed them before her. “I’ve chosen these books for you. You can start with the basics.”

Yu Xin opened the book and saw diagrams of the human acupoints. Her cheeks flushed, shyness evident.

“Yu Xin, these are medical books. They record the mysteries of human acupoints, the foundation of traditional medicine. Don’t be put off by the illustrations; behind them lies wisdom and the power of life,” Li Chao said, smiling at her reaction and patiently explaining.

Yu Xin’s embarrassment faded as she listened. She looked at Li Chao with sincerity. “I understand, Chao. I’ll study hard.”

Li Chao felt gratified seeing her seriousness. “Yu Xin, you absolutely can.”

Li Chao began patiently explaining the acupoint diagrams. Yu Xin listened intently, occasionally raising questions.

Li Chao answered each one, and Yu Xin’s heart gradually filled with longing and passion for medicine.

“Thank you, Chao. I’ll work hard,” Yu Xin expressed gratefully.

“No need to thank me, Yu Xin. It’s what I should do,” Li Chao replied with a smile.

In the days that followed, Yu Xin diligently studied medicine under Li Chao’s guidance.

Each morning, she arrived early at the clinic, cleaned, and then settled down to read and learn.

Her dedication and earnestness delighted Li Chao, prompting him to teach her even more earnestly.

Facing Yu Xin’s doubts, Li Chao patiently explained again: “Of course you can’t see acupoints directly through clothing, but a healer uses solid theoretical knowledge and practical experience to judge accurately through touch and observation. In treating patients, gender distinctions fade—what matters is the patient, not man or woman. In big city obstetrics, male doctors also use their expertise to bring hope and comfort to female patients.”

Yu Xin’s worries gradually dissipated. She nodded, her eyes shining with determination.

From then on, she began to study medical books in earnest, striving to acquire knowledge and become a qualified nurse.