Jing Xiaogang lay on the bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. His mind kept replaying that day's events. It was a pity that, like Ding Boming, he had woken up unconscious after leaving the stone chamber, and couldn't even be sure of the truth of what had happened inside.
But at least, he leaned towards everything that had happened in the stone chamber being real, and that he had absorbed the power of the demonic book within. Because even though he had been lying there for several days without eating much, he should have been weak, yet he felt full of strength. After dinner, when he got up to go to the bathroom, his steps were light, even feeling like he was "moving as fast as flying."
When he pushed open the wooden door of the hospital bathroom, the door frame had warped slightly due to dampness over the years, making it a bit tight. He applied a little force, and surprisingly, shattered a corner of the wooden door's edge. As the wood chips slid from his fingertips, he froze.
He stood there for a full minute before it occurred to him: could it be that he had absorbed the power of the demonic book in the stone chamber, becoming incredibly strong and agile, like a master in a wuxia novel?
How could that be possible? Although he had read many wuxia books, he knew that the profound martial arts in novels, like "Soul Severing Saber Technique," "Misty Rain Sword Technique," "Carefree Finger Technique," and all the internal cultivation methods of various sects, were all fake.
But at this moment, he believed it. He even firmly believed that he had escaped the stone chamber with Ding Boming at the moment it was collapsing, rather than it being a dream.
Thinking of this, he was eager to test his "abilities." He wanted to punch a wooden stake, or kick a low wall a couple of times. He was also anxious to find Ding Boming and get a clear answer, to ask him if he remembered what happened that day.
But all he could do was toss and turn on the hospital bed, as he didn't want Mother Jing to know what had happened to him. Even if he had truly become a "martial arts master" like in a wuxia novel, he would have to hide his strength and secretly help the weak, rather than showing off and attracting trouble.
That night, Jing Xiaogang stared wide-eyed, tossing and turning until late into the night. He finally drifted off into a hazy sleep, and shortly after falling asleep, he began to dream. In the dream, it was that same valley, that same mountain. This time, he was on the mountainside, facing the setting sun, with the evening breeze blowing. The person in white stood tall, his back to Jing Xiaogang, his face unseen.
Faintly, he heard the person in white mumbling incessantly, as if cursing the injustices of the world, complaining, and lamenting some incomplete endeavor.
In his dream-like confusion, Jing Xiaogang couldn't understand any of this and walked towards the person in white. However, he could never get close and began to run hard, but to no avail. He became anxious and tried to shout, "What are you muttering about..."
The person in white seemed to know what Jing Xiaogang wanted to ask. He suddenly stopped talking, turned to face Jing Xiaogang, and said, "To save Sister Ding, you must gather the Power of Five Spirits. Remember, the Power of Five Spirits..."
Jing Xiaogang heard this clearly but still didn't understand. He asked, "What did you say? What Power of Five Spirits?"
When he looked at the person in white, he ignored him again, muttering to himself, "Power of Five Spirits, Power of Five Spirits..."
Jing Xiaogang grew impatient. Hearing that there was a way to cure Sister Ding, he wouldn't let go of this clue and ran desperately to the person in white, insisting on asking for a clear explanation.
When Jing Xiaogang finally reached the person in white and grabbed his arm, he saw the person's face clearly. His complexion was deathly pale, and his eyes were as dark as two large holes, as if he had no eyeballs. Jing Xiaogang was startled and couldn't help but gasp, waking up instantly, covered in a cold sweat.
Looking out the window, the sky was already showing the first light of dawn.
Mother Jing also woke up with a start. She quickly sat up, put on her slippers, and came to Jing Xiaogang's bedside. "Xiaogang, what's wrong?" she asked, feeling his forehead. Fortunately, he wasn't feverish.
Jing Xiaogang shook his head, clearing his mind