But Han Lang and the others were completely unaware of this problem.
They all believed that Liu Xiaoxiao's current behavior was merely due to her shock at Han Lang's identity.
As for her past stories, they were not privy to them.
Although Han Lang had a basic impression of her from their previous encounter, he had almost forgotten about it by now.
Thus, he asked cautiously.
"Commander Liu, what's wrong? I know the news that I'm the successor of the Shen Nong Heavenly Doctor might surprise you, but it shouldn't be this astonishing, should it?"
Hearing Han Lang's words, Liu Xiaoxiao finally realized her lapse in composure.
She quickly regained her senses and replied hastily.
"No, no. I am indeed a little surprised. But Han Lang, I can believe your medical skills are superior to those of a battlefield medic now. However, as Tang Geng said, is your body really up to it? Why don't you rest a bit longer? It shouldn't delay Ma Long's treatment, should it?"
Han Lang shook his head.
"No! Brother Ma's condition is unstable. The residual energy from the esper has started to run wild within his body. If we delay further, this energy might agitate his internal spiritual energy, and the consequences would be unimaginable. I must start the acupuncture now. Don't worry, I'll be fine!"
Han Lang explained the severity of the situation. Upon hearing this, Liu Xiaoxiao no longer insisted.
"If that's the case, then proceed. Tang Geng, Tang Qin, and I will watch. If anything goes wrong, we'll handle it immediately!"
Hearing this, Han Lang was completely reassured.
To be honest.
If he had recovered some strength after taking the Minor Rejuvenation Pill, treating Ma Long would have been no problem at all.
However, his own internal injuries were severe, and the acupuncture treatment would further deplete his energy.
Therefore, he did indeed need someone to guard him.
In case he became exhausted and fainted, not only would someone need to feed him a Spirit Gathering Pill for recovery, but they would also need to guide Ma Long's meridians at that critical juncture.
With this in mind, Han Lang did not refuse Liu Xiaoxiao's offer and said directly.
"Tang Geng, if I become too exhausted, you must take over immediately. Inject your spiritual energy into Brother Ma's wrist and gently guide his own spiritual energy. As long as his internal spiritual energy can resume its circulation, there won't be any major problems."
Tang Geng quickly replied upon hearing this.
"Alright. No problem! I can do that!"
After receiving Tang Geng's assurance, Han Lang turned to Tang Qin and said.
"Tang Qin, I need to trouble you with something as well."
"Go ahead!"
"If I can't hold on and faint, you must remember to give me one of our secret weapons. Otherwise, my condition might become even more serious than Brother Ma's!"
The secret weapon Han Lang referred to was naturally the Spirit Gathering Pill, which only the few of them knew about.
Although restorative pills were not unheard of in the cultivation world, Han Lang still did not want more people to know their secret of possessing a large quantity of high-grade pills like the Spirit Gathering Pill.
Tang Qin understood Han Lang's intention and agreed without further questioning.
"Don't worry, leave it to me!"
With all arrangements made, Han Lang finally began to condense spiritual energy into silver needles with peace of mind, and inserted them into a major acupoint on Ma Long's body.
Ma Long's problem was actually quite simple.
Because the energy released by the mutated S-class esper was not compatible with the spiritual energy of cultivators.
Therefore, after being affected, the gray energy that entered his body clashed with Ma Long's internal spiritual energy.
It was like throwing a freshwater fish into saltwater; the moment it entered the water, it would thrash about wildly.
Due to the previous battle, Ma Long's body's spiritual energy had been almost completely depleted, so initially, the gray energy did not cause much harm to Ma Long.
However, as time passed and Ma Long's internal spiritual energy gradually recovered, the gray energy also began to become increasingly violent.
At this point, if not treated promptly, Ma Long would inevitably die from ruptured meridians.
For this reason, the acupuncture technique Han Lang employed was called "Thousand Armies' Pressure."
Its effect was to stimulate the body through the acupuncturist's actions, thereby activating the latent energy already contained within the body.
This energy was not the spiritual energy that cultivators relied on for survival.
It was more like an immune energy that had been hidden within the body for a long time.
Once this energy was activated, the body's rejection function would be amplified infinitely.
When they detected the presence of gray energy, which should not exist in the human body, they would, like a vast army, surround and intercept the foreign energy, forcing it out of the body.
However, this also had a drawback.
The latent energy could not distinguish between spiritual energy and gray energy.
Although it had the awareness to identify the greater threat of gray energy, it also repelled the spiritual energy, which was unusually gentle to a cultivator's body.
Therefore, Han Lang had to be extremely careful during the acupuncture process.
Once he detected that all the gray energy had been expelled, he had to immediately withdraw the needles.
This would allow the latent energy to be sealed deep within the body once more.
Concurrently, external spiritual energy needed to be transported into Ma Long's body promptly.
This was to guide the latent energy to expel the gray energy while also preventing the spiritual energy, which was hiding everywhere, from being frightened.
Only then could Ma Long's body's spiritual energy resume its normal circulation.
And his body could recover.
Otherwise, if every trace of residual spiritual energy within his body was expelled, Ma Long might survive, but his cultivation would inevitably be lost.
This was also why he had instructed Tang Geng.
As time ticked by, Han Lang completed all eighteen needles.
Large beads of sweat slid down his forehead, and his face turned exceptionally pale.
However, this was not the end.
He had to continue to mobilize his spiritual energy to stimulate Ma Long's body with the eighteen golden needles, and simultaneously clear a path for the latent energy to prevent them from wandering aimlessly in search of gray energy.
This consumption was far greater than the acupuncture itself.
Throughout the process, Han Lang nearly fainted several times.
Tang Qin and the other two beside him watched with great concern, not even daring to breathe.
After a long while, Han Lang suddenly shouted to Tang Geng.
"Tang Geng, now!"
Although his voice was weak, Tang Geng heard it clearly.
He did not delay in the slightest.
After Han Lang stopped his actions, he immediately grasped Ma Long's right hand and, with extreme speed, injected a wisp of spiritual energy, guiding the residual spiritual energy in Ma Long's body to circulate in an orderly fashion along the meridians.
Seeing Ma Long's complexion gradually improve, the heavy burden in Han Lang's heart finally lifted.
Finally, he mustered his last ounce of strength and instructed.
"Give him a restorative pill, and he'll be fine afterward!"
With that, he himself completely fainted.
Liu Xiaoxiao, filled with worry, directed Tang Qin to take care of Han Lang while quickly taking out a restorative pill from her embrace and feeding it to Ma Long.