He had mastered the portal to this place, and as long as it remained, he could return anytime he wished, so there was no need to rush.
Besides, the areas he couldn't access now would remain beyond his reach even if he stayed. He could only try again once his strength had grown.
In the boundless desert, lightning and thunder suddenly erupted, a celestial anomaly.
Not long after.
A portal, formed by lightning, mysteriously appeared in the desert. Soon, Ning Beichen emerged from it, carrying Linglong on his back.
Ning Beichen surveyed his surroundings, a look of surprise on his face.
He realized he had emerged in a completely different location, and the original spot seemed to have vanished without a trace of ancient ruins.
Linglong remained unconscious after they exited, which worried Ning Beichen greatly.
Therefore, he didn't linger. Instead, he used his Qinggong to hurry along, carrying Linglong. The Shen Zong Ting was long forgotten.
However, Ning Beichen was unaware of something.
As he left through the portal, unseen anomalies also slipped out.
These unseen anomalies were spectral figures cloaked in crimson.
These crimson figures were tattered and worn, their tattered garments of ancient styles from an unknown era. After exiting the portal, they dispersed in all directions, vanishing without a trace.
Ning Beichen knew nothing of this, and even if he had, he likely could have done little.
He pressed on, his head down, carrying Linglong, pausing only for brief rests.
Five days later, Ning Beichen finally emerged from the uninhabited zone of the Sahara Desert with Linglong, entering another country.
Upon arriving in this new land, Ning Beichen no longer needed to hide. He openly brought Linglong back to the Eastern Ancient Kingdom.
A month later.
"Mr. Ning, forgive my directness, but your friend has fallen into a vegetative state. While our current medical technology can sustain her bodily functions without issue, waking her up..."
Inside a hospital, Ning Beichen's brow was furrowed as he listened to a doctor in a white coat.
This doctor was renowned in his field. If even he couldn't help, then other physicians would likely have no chance.
"I understand. I will take her back," Ning Beichen replied, looking up at the doctor.
"Mr. Ning, my recommendation is to keep her here. This facility has specialized equipment and professional medical staff," the doctor in white advised.
"Thank you for your concern. I know what I'm doing."
Ning Beichen didn't waste further words. If modern medicine couldn't wake her, he would have to find another way.
Indeed, leaving Linglong here would have been easier for him, as she was currently a burden. But Ning Beichen was not that kind of person.
As long as Linglong was still alive, Ning Beichen would find a way to save her, not abandon her to die.
A month later, Ning Beichen found Haitang with Linglong.
Haitang had also done her utmost, trying countless methods, but was unable to wake her. She could only convey the regrettable outcome to Ning Beichen.
"It's alright. You've done your best," Ning Beichen said, embracing the weary Haitang with gratitude.
"Ning Beichen, you needn't worry too much. I've tested with witchcraft, and Linglong's soul hasn't vanished. It seems to be trapped in some strange state. Unless she awakens on her own, external forces will find it difficult to rouse her."
Haitang comforted Ning Beichen.
Ning Beichen had already explained the situation, and Haitang knew his character. She knew he wouldn't abandon Linglong, or any friend connected to him, for that matter.
Ning Beichen nodded. He was out of options for now. If he could find his master, perhaps his master could help.
But his master had left and hadn't returned or left any messages. Ning Beichen didn't even know where he was now.
"Let's leave it at that for now. I'll find a place to settle her. I hope she wakes up soon."
Ning Beichen sighed regretfully and left with Linglong.
After some time had passed, Ning Beichen took Linglong back to her home and hired the best caregivers and doctors to look after her.
Given the current circumstances, it was not ideal for him to take her around.
Although Linglong was not dead, her body's functions needed to be maintained properly if she remained unconscious. Taking her on long journeys would be detrimental to her.
Ning Beichen planned to leave for a while to seek a way to cure her.
"Sister, Mom said it's too hard for you, a girl, to manage such a large company. She sent me to help you."
A young man in his twenties, with his legs crossed, was speaking to Liu Yilin in her office.
This young man was Liu Yilin's younger brother. He had been studying abroad and had only recently returned.
Liu Yilin, seated at her office desk, looked up at him and said expressionlessly, "What position do you want?"
"Sister, I studied business administration overseas. With my abilities, being a vice president should be more than enough, right?"
"Besides, Mom said you'll get married eventually, and the company will be mine in the future."
The young man on the chair said haughtily, as if the company already belonged to him.
Liu Yilin gave him a blank look. If he weren't her brother, he would have already been thrown out by security.
"This company is mine. I haven't used a single cent from the family. On what grounds do you think you can take it?"
Liu Yilin's temperament was naturally cold, and now it was like the dead of winter.
"When the company was struggling and in trouble, I didn't see them willing to lend a hand, saying it was her own fault. Now that the company is flourishing, they all want a piece of the pie."
"Sister, what's yours is mine, isn't it? Why distinguish between us? I'm your brother. If you don't give it to me, do you want to give it to an outsider?"
Liu Yizi sat on the sofa, his legs crossed, lighting a cigarette, acting as if it were his right, showing no respect for Liu Yilin.
"Liu Yizi, if you weren't my brother, you wouldn't even have the right to sit here and talk to me. Don't forget, all your expenses for studying abroad were paid by me."
Liu Yilin suppressed her anger and said.
"Bang!"
Liu Yizi slammed his hand on the armrest, saying angrily.
"Sister, so you disagree, huh? Fine, I'll go back and tell Mom."
"Suit yourself."
Liu Yilin didn't even look at him, only feeling a chill in her heart. It wasn't the first day her family had been eyeing her company.