“If you don’t have that intention, then shut your mouth!”
Ling Xiao glanced coolly at Feng Ming Piaoxue and said, “Also, every alchemist who came here today deserves credit whether they identified the cause or not. Yet not one word of thanks has been spoken. Do you think yourselves so superior that you’re accustomed to looking down on others?”
“Tong Gang, you heard him. Make sure their consultation fees are paid in full afterwards. We cannot let people say that Chang Le Immortal Island lacks courtesy.”
Elder Ancestor Chang Le looked at Ling Xiao, a dangerous glint flashing in his eyes, but he still instructed Tong Gang to do as Ling Xiao had said.
He did not like this young man.
The youth was far too arrogant.
“Little brother, you have said so much. Does that mean you are certain you can heal this old man’s injuries?”
After giving Tong Gang his orders, Elder Ancestor Chang Le turned his head and asked Ling Xiao.
“Certain? Tell me, Elder Ancestor Chang Le, has the strongest alchemist of your Chang Le Immortal Island ever been certain he could treat your condition?”
Ling Xiao countered.
“Good lad, sharp tongue you have. You’re right, even the strongest alchemist on Chang Le Immortal Island could not cure me, but neither would he dare be so insolent in my presence! You, on the other hand, must have good reason for such arrogance, yes?”
Elder Ancestor Chang Le smiled as he spoke.
“Are you threatening me?”
Ling Xiao asked coldly.
“Uh…”
Elder Ancestor Chang Le was momentarily stunned. In all his years roaming the martial world, he had never met a young man like this, one who showed not the slightest fear in the face of his threat and even dared to confront him directly.
“Indeed, this old man is threatening you. If you cannot diagnose the cause of my condition, then prepare to face my wrath. But if you truly succeed in diagnosing it, I will apologise to you in front of everyone here.”
His attitude suddenly became resolute.
“There’s no need for an apology. If I diagnose the cause, you must give me three Chang Le Flowers. If I cure you, you will give me ten more. How does that sound?”
Ling Xiao had no interest in apologies. What he wanted was Chang Le Flowers, and the more the better.
“You really do dare to ask for the lion’s share. Chang Le Flowers bloom only once every three hundred years. Even on Chang Le Immortal Island, there are only twenty in total, yet you demand thirteen?”
Elder Ancestor Chang Le laughed.
“Is your life worth less than thirteen Chang Le Flowers?”
Ling Xiao shot back.
“Hahahaha! Very well. Since you are so confident, come and try. This old man accepts your terms.”
Elder Ancestor Chang Le disliked Ling Xiao’s arrogance only because he believed it was baseless.
But if Ling Xiao truly managed to heal him, it would no longer be arrogance. It would be genuine ability, and he would never dislike that.
On the contrary, he would do everything in his power to befriend him.
“Enough talk. Let’s begin.”
Ling Xiao walked over to Elder Ancestor Chang Le and stood there without moving.
“What is it? Scared?”
Elder Ancestor Chang Le smiled and asked, “It’s not too late to back out now.”
“If I back out, you die. Stop showing off in front of me. It seems you still don’t realise you’ve actually been poisoned with a rare toxin.”
Ling Xiao’s voice was ice-cold and unyielding. “Right now, in my presence, you are nothing but a patient. Stop acting like some grand ancestor.”
“Grandfather, this guy is too arrogant! He’s clearly here to take advantage of you. Don’t let him fool you!”
Feng Ming Piaoxue shouted.
“Quiet! Go fetch a chair. Or do you expect me to stand while I treat him?”
Ling Xiao glared at Feng Ming Piaoxue.
“Who are you to order me around?”
Feng Ming Piaoxue glared back.
“Tong Gang, you go get the chair. This little brother is… interesting.” At this moment, Elder Ancestor Chang Le was inwardly shocked beyond measure.
The fact that he had been poisoned was something only a mysterious-grade alchemist who had once passed through Chang Le Immortal Island had pointed out. Unfortunately, that alchemist’s fee was so exorbitant that the entire island could not afford it.
So the treatment had never happened.
Today, Ling Xiao had said the exact same thing. How could he not be shocked?
“Hold on. She will go!”
Ling Xiao refused to believe it. Wasn’t Feng Ming Piaoxue determined to act all aloof and superior in front of him, looking down on him? Then he would make her serve him.
“Feng Ming Piaoxue, every breath you waste is a breath wasted on your grandfather’s chance of recovery. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“Fine, I’ll go!”
Feng Ming Piaoxue clearly truly loved her grandfather. Upon hearing this, she hurriedly fetched a chair and placed it behind Ling Xiao.
Only after Ling Xiao sat down did Elder Ancestor Chang Le anxiously ask, “Little brother, how did you know I was poisoned? And what exactly is this poison?”
“You don’t need to know my diagnostic method. That’s a professional secret. As for the toxin, it has never been recorded in any medical text of the Profound Realm. However, I was fortunate enough to read a medical book from beyond the Profound Realm that mentioned this poison. It is called ‘White Blood Poison’.”
While continuing to examine Elder Ancestor Chang Le’s body, Ling Xiao answered.
“White Blood Poison? I’ve never even heard of such a toxin. Just how terrifying is it?”
The man standing nearby asked.
“After being afflicted with White Blood Poison, one does not die immediately. Instead, it gradually destroys the body. Even a powerful Yin-Yang Realm martial artist is not exempt.”
Ling Xiao replied, “Fever is one of the most common symptoms, manifesting in varying degrees and patterns of fever.
The main cause of fever is infection, most commonly pharyngitis, stomatitis, and perianal infection. Pneumonia, tonsillitis, gingivitis, and perianal abscesses are also frequent. Otitis, enteritis, carbuncles, pyelonephritis, and similar conditions may occur, and in severe cases, sepsis or septicaemia can develop.”
Though ordinary people would not understand Ling Xiao’s words, the alchemists present understood them perfectly.
They too had noticed similar symptoms in Elder Ancestor Chang Le, but without knowing the exact cause, they could not treat him.
“The symptoms of White Blood Poison are not limited to fever. The most obvious is bleeding, which can occur anywhere on the body. The most common sites are the skin, gums, and nasal cavity, but retinal haemorrhage, inner ear bleeding, and massive internal bleeding in the brain, digestive tract, or respiratory tract are also possible.”
Ling Xiao continued.
“Yes! Exactly, exactly, those symptoms are present!”
At this point, Elder Ancestor Chang Le had lost all his earlier domineering arrogance. In front of Ling Xiao, he was merely a frightened patient.
“Additionally, anaemia symptoms may appear. Patients often experience weakness, pallor, palpitations, shortness of breath, and swelling in the lower limbs. Senior, your condition is already quite severe.”
Ling Xiao touched Elder Ancestor Chang Le’s badly swollen lower legs as he spoke.
The alchemists standing nearby now stared with eyes as wide as bells.
At first, they had only felt a slight fondness for Ling Xiao because he had spoken up for them, but they certainly did not admire him.
Now, however, they looked upon him with profound respect.
