The days that followed were a whirlwind of activity for Chen Fan. Wang Linhai's recovery progressed rapidly under his care. Within a week, she was able to leave the hospital, albeit still a bit weak, but her consciousness was fully restored, much to Wang Gia Huy's immense relief. The tycoon, true to his word, had already begun directing significant resources and connections towards Heavenly Dao Group.
Lin Yue, under the sudden spotlight of Wang Shi Group's backing, proved her mettle. She expertly navigated the increased attention, rapidly expanded the company's team, and secured a prime office space. Heavenly Dao Group was no longer just an idea; it was a rapidly expanding entity, poised for greatness.
Chen Fan continued his cultivation, consolidating his Late Qi Refining stage and mastering his new Spirit Gathering Hand technique. He found that he could now subtly draw spiritual qi from various sources – the lush plants in his apartment, the flowing water of the nearby lake, and even the subtle energy from vibrant, healthy individuals. This significantly sped up his cultivation, reducing his reliance on spirit stones.
One sunny afternoon, Chen Fan was passing by Liu Mei's apartment. He noticed Xiao Yun, his neighbor's daughter, playing quietly with a toy car outside their door. He stopped for a moment, his Mid-Grade Heavenly Eye Techniqueunconsciously active.
He peered at Xiao Yun's aura again. The flickering, unstable spiritual qi he had noticed before was still present, though perhaps a little less pronounced. It wasn't harmful in itself, but it indicated a unique, almost ethereal constitution, one that was highly sensitive to spiritual energies. It also seemed to suggest a slight imbalance, a drain on her life force, however minute.
Could it be related to a spiritual root? Or something else entirely?
He dismissed the thought. He was a cultivator, not a doctor. His focus was on Wang Linhai's full recovery and his own grand plans. Yet, the subtle anomaly bothered him. He was indebted to Liu Mei's kindness.
Just then, Liu Mei stepped out, carrying a basket of laundry. She smiled warmly when she saw Chen Fan.
"Mr. Chen! How are you? Haven't seen you much lately, you must be very busy with your new company."
"Hello, Ms. Liu. Indeed, things have been quite hectic," Chen Fan replied, returning her smile. He glanced at Xiao Yun. "Xiao Yun is getting bigger. She seems full of energy."
Liu Mei sighed softly, a faint shadow crossing her face. "Yes, she's a good child. But she's always been a bit... delicate. Prone to fevers, and sometimes she just seems very tired for no reason. The doctors say she's healthy, but I always worry."
Her words confirmed Chen Fan's suspicions. Her "delicate" nature and unexplained fatigue aligned perfectly with the subtle spiritual imbalance he perceived. This wasn't a normal child.
"Have you considered taking her for a check-up at a different hospital, perhaps one specializing in... less conventional methods?" Chen Fan probed carefully, trying not to alarm her.
Liu Mei looked surprised. "Less conventional? We've seen so many doctors already. But... if Mr. Chen has a recommendation, I'm willing to try anything for my daughter." Her eyes held a deep maternal concern.
"I know a specialized clinic that might offer a fresh perspective," Chen Fan said, a plan forming in his mind. He couldn't just ignore this. "It's not a public hospital, but they have unique diagnostic capabilities. I can arrange an appointment for you."
He was subtly referring to his own 'diagnostic capabilities'. He would have to examine Xiao Yun more closely, perhaps away from the hospital setting. This felt like a spiritual matter, not a medical one.
"Oh, Mr. Chen, that would be wonderful! Thank you so much!" Liu Mei's face lit up with gratitude. "You're always so kind."
"It's nothing, Ms. Liu. I'll call you once I've made the arrangements," Chen Fan said.
Back in his apartment, Chen Fan mused. The Main Quest: The Tycoon's Daughter was nearing completion. He now had the Mid-Grade Healing Art and a Golden Core Cultivation Technique Fragment. But this new situation with Xiao Yun felt like a natural extension, or perhaps a new, hidden side quest.
He accessed the System. "System, analyze Xiao Yun's spiritual condition based on my current observations."
"Keng! Analyzing Xiao Yun's spiritual condition... Concluding: Xiao Yun possesses a unique 'Innate Spiritual Body'. This constitution grants her natural affinity to spiritual energy but also makes her susceptible to minor spiritual interference or drain if not properly guided. The 'flickering' is a sign of an undeveloped spiritual root, not a sickness. If properly cultivated, she could become a prodigy. However, if left unchecked, her spiritual essence may slowly dissipate, leading to lifelong weakness."
"Keng! Side Quest: The Spiritual Seed!"
"Description: Diagnose and provide initial guidance/treatment for Xiao Yun's Innate Spiritual Body. (Host must use cultivation methods and maintain discretion.)"
"Reward: 100 Experience Points, 5 Low-Grade Spirit Stones, 1 'Basic Spiritual Qi Guiding Art'."
"Time Limit: 48 hours."
"Failure Penalty: None, but opportunity to secure a future talented disciple/ally may be lost."
Chen Fan's eyes gleamed. An Innate Spiritual Body! This was a rare, coveted physique in the cultivation world, often seen in ancient texts. If developed, Xiao Yun could indeed become a cultivation prodigy. And the reward, Basic Spiritual Qi Guiding Art, would be invaluable for training others, or even for subtle applications in his own daily life.
This was no longer just about kindness. This was an opportunity to foster a talent, a potential ally in his future journey. The urban cultivation world was slowly revealing its hidden gems.
He picked up his phone, ready to make arrangements for Xiao Yun's "check-up."