Daoist Yuanzheng couldn't help but take another peek at the yellow dog. He thought to himself, Isn't it just a dog?
He averted his eyes, cleared his throat, and asked, "And then? What happened next?"
Jiang Mian replied, "Later, his condition didn't last long before he regained his memory. Regarding this matter, I also want to ask the Daoist. Why did this happen to him?"
Daoist Yuanzheng stroked his beard and said, "Normally, the life lamp should burn for three days for the soul to fully stabilize in the body. His early awakening should be due to his extraordinary willpower. However, this would lead to an unstable soul and chaotic memory."
Daoist Yuanzheng's words confirmed the speculation in Xiao Jingcheng's heart.
But what Jiang Mian didn't know was that he actually had a memory of being the big yellow dog. During the period when he regained his identity as "Xiao Jingcheng", he lost that most important memory, which made him forget her and the great harm his actions had brought to her back then. This was the root of the conflict between the two at that time.
Jiang Mian fell into deep thought after hearing this.
So, Xiao Jingcheng's mood swings at that time were because of his unstable soul. And later, he seemed to have completely changed. His temper became more stable, and his actions were more like those of a well - trained crown prince. Was it because his soul had completely stabilized?
She voiced her doubts to Daoist Yuanzheng, who replied, "That's right. However..."
"However what?" Jiang Mian frowned.
Daoist Yuanzheng looked at the motionless body with closed eyes and said, "His soul has indeed stabilized. But his previous experiences damaged the purple qi on his body. If he could immediately return to his own dojo and be protected by the qi of the true dragon, he could recover quickly."
"However, in order to protect the common people, he fought against the heavens with his own strength, which depleted the purple qi that protected his body. This act is similar to the evil magic used by my senior brother before. Therefore, it caused his soul to fluctuate again, escape from his body, and his soul was separated from his body."
So... that was how it was?
Jiang Mian unconsciously clenched her fists and said, "Daoist, you must have a way to save him, right?"
Daoist Yuanzheng said seriously, "Lady Jiang, I'll be honest with you. The purple qi on his body is almost gone. The little that's left is protecting this mountain and the common people outside. To wake him up is no longer as simple as just needing three life lamps."
"Do you know where the purple qi comes from?"
Jiang Mian shook her head.
"One is from the place with the strongest qi of the dragon vein. He must first be recognized by the heavens," he said. "The other is from the support and love of the common people. Both are indispensable."
"He has saved so many common people. Logically, he doesn't lack their support and followers. But the biggest problem now is that he has been away from the place with the strongest qi of the dragon vein for too long. To let his soul return to his body and wake up again, he has to return to the place with the strongest dragon vein to recuperate for a while."
Jiang Mian understood that the place with the strongest dragon vein that Daoist Yuanzheng was referring to was the capital, the imperial palace.
But now, the Prince of Mu had occupied the imperial palace and ascended the throne. Would he allow Xiao Jingcheng to return to the capital?
Xiao Jingcheng was in a coma now. Would the Prince of Mu take the opportunity to get rid of him so that he could completely control the world?
Jiang Mian squatted down, quietly looked at the sleeping man, and gently held his hand.
"Daoist, do you know where his soul is?"
Daoist Yuanzheng smiled meaningfully and said, "Lady Jiang, don't forget that your blood can help him stabilize his soul, which shows that you have a profound influence on him. Naturally, he is right beside you."
If it were someone else, they would surely be scared to cry after hearing this. But Jiang Mian's eyes lit up and she said, "Really?! He's right beside me?!"
She looked around. There was no one else in the cave except her and Daoist Yuanzheng.
Her gaze passed over the yellow dog. The yellow dog tensed up for a moment, and then she quickly averted her eyes and looked elsewhere.
Jiang Mian hated that she didn't have the eyes to see ghosts and gods so that she couldn't find the man's soul.
But at least she knew that Xiao Jingcheng was okay now. He just had over - depleted purple qi and needed an opportunity to wake up again.
"Okay, I see. Thank you, Daoist, for solving my doubts," Jiang Mian said seriously. "This time, I sincerely ask the Daoist to stay and help the crown prince return to his position and wake up."
Daoist Yuanzheng stroked his beard and said with a smile, "Even if Lady Jiang didn't mention it, I would still stay cheekily this time. My coming here is also the guidance of the heavens. Letting those who should live survive is worthy of my cultivation."
That's great!
With Daoist Yuanzheng by her side, she wouldn't have to be scared and worried anymore!
Noticing that she wanted to be alone with the man, Daoist Yuanzheng found an excuse and left, leaving Jiang Mian alone in the cave.
She sat down beside the man, leaned her face on her knees, and quietly looked at the man's slightly heaving chest and his resolute and handsome face.
"Xiao Jingcheng, you must be nearby, right? In that case, you must be able to hear me, right?"
The yellow dog looked at her profile.
"Daoist Yuanzheng said that you have to return to the capital to have a chance to wake up. But the capital is no longer what it used to be. It's your uncle who is the emperor now. Returning to the capital may not be safe for you. But only by returning can you have a glimmer of hope."
"Your mother, the former Empress Shen, is still there."
"If you agree to return to the capital, show your spirit and tell me your answer, okay?"
The girl's voice was very soft at the moment, just like when she usually talked to her closest people. After she finished speaking, she looked around, trying to find something.
Xiao Jingcheng, who was possessing the big yellow dog, was scratching his ears and cheeks anxiously.
Returning to the capital was originally in his plan. Whether he fell into a coma again or not, he was going back. This decision suited him well. He wanted to tell Jiang Mian his choice, but...
But he didn't want her to know that he had turned into a dog!
And it was the big yellow dog that she was most familiar with!
Last night, she hugged him tightly and slept with him. If she knew...
Xiao Jingcheng shivered and immediately dispelled this thought.
Fortunately, Jiang Mian was just talking and didn't really expect a floating soul to respond.
"You recuperate well. I'll come to see you when I'm free. You must be okay and get better soon." She gently stroked the man's forehead and then reluctantly got up and left.
After she left the cave, she immediately found Li Zhao, Mo Zhizhang, and Qi Wen. She also sent someone to invite Xiao Wuchen.
Although she had decided to take Xiao Jingcheng's body back to the capital, this was just her own decision. For such a big matter, she had to discuss it with everyone. Moreover, there was a tricky figure on Qianren Mountain, the Prince of Ning, Xiao Wuchen.
Although this man had performed well during this great disaster and helped Xiao Jingcheng stabilize the people in Dongli Town, he was also a prince. She wasn't sure what his attitude was towards the Prince of Mu's usurpation of the throne, and she was even more worried that his choice would be unfavorable to Xiao Jingcheng.
In the secluded cave, Jiang Mian, Li Zhao, Mo Zhizhang, Qi Wen, and Xiao Wuchen sat around.
Jiang Mian took a deep breath and said, "I've called everyone here to discuss something."