“It’s done. The treatment is over. I will write a few prescriptions later. You can have other alchemists refine them. As long as both of you take the medicine consistently, you will recover quickly.”
After finishing the procedure, Ling Xiao let out a long breath.
The process had looked simple, but without the aid of his Tai Chi Eyes, even the slightest mistake could have cost two lives.
“I truly never imagined it. Little sir, so young, yet you possess the ability to reverse heaven and earth. This old man is completely convinced. I leave the rest in your hands.”
Elder Ancestor Chang Le was sincerely won over.
In his entire life, he had rarely submitted to anyone.
Yet this youth, only sixteen or seventeen, displayed medical skills so miraculous they seemed the work of ghosts and gods. He had no choice but to believe that true monsters really did exist in this world.
“No need for praise. I helped you, Senior, not out of pure kindness. I expect payment.”
Ling Xiao replied calmly.
Hearing this, Elder Ancestor Chang Le admired him even more.
Most people, after such a feat, would be frantically trying to ingratiate themselves with him, tails practically wagging with pride.
Yet Ling Xiao remained utterly composed and detached, as if the whole treatment had been a trivial matter.
“Here are the prescriptions and the refining methods for the pills. Even high-grade yellow alchemists should be able to manage them. If anything is unclear, feel free to come find me. I will be staying in Sin City for the next few days.”
Ling Xiao wrote down the conditioning prescriptions and the pill-refining instructions.
These were not particularly rare items, so he did not mind if they were leaked.
“Tong Gang, send word to Chang Le Immortal Island. Have them transport every single blooming Chang Le Flower here to Sin City at once.”
Elder Ancestor Chang Le suddenly instructed Tong Gang.
“Are you certain you want them all?”
Tong Gang asked, puzzled.
“Yes, every last one. This little sir is my lifesaver. Are a mere few dozen flowers really worth being stingy over?”
“Very well. This old servant will send the message immediately.”
Tong Gang turned and left.
Ling Xiao also spoke. “If there is nothing else, I will take my leave. Once the Chang Le Flowers arrive, have them delivered directly to Princess Yun Ya’s residence.”
“Since little sir is in a hurry, I will not keep you. I myself will remain in Sin City until the Pill Refining Assembly concludes. If you encounter any trouble, come find me without hesitation.”
Elder Ancestor Chang Le did not know how else to repay this young man’s life-saving grace, so he would help however he could.
“My thanks!”
Ling Xiao cupped his fists towards everyone, then left the Black Python family estate accompanied by the man.
Seeing Ling Xiao depart, the other alchemists felt awkward about lingering and took their leave one after another. Only the yellow-grade alchemist named Lin was asked to stay.
“Alchemist Lin, I trouble you to refine these pills. Before you begin, carefully check the ingredients to make sure nothing is amiss.”
Though Elder Ancestor Chang Le was grateful to Ling Xiao, having been poisoned once made caution unavoidable.
He did not suspect Ling Xiao himself, but the youth was so young, and the earlier treatment method clearly came from some greater master. He feared that master might harbour ill intent, so the ingredients absolutely had to be inspected.
“Rest assured, Ancestor. I understand.”
Alchemist Lin left with the prescriptions. Feng Ming Piaoxue, however, remained lying there in a daze, silent for a long while, a strange light glimmering in her eyes.
“Hehe, little girl, has your heart started fluttering? Shall Grandfather play matchmaker for you? I think young Ling Xiao is excellent. Whether looks, cultivation, or alchemical skill, he is first-rate. Our Piaoxue marrying him would not be an injustice at all.”
Elder Ancestor Chang Le teased with a laugh.
“Grandfather, what nonsense are you spouting? Ling Xiao already said he has a woman.”
Feng Ming Piaoxue replied, cheeks flushed.
“What does one woman matter? If you truly like him, Grandfather will handle everything for you.”
Elder Ancestor Chang Le said seriously.
“Forget it. I know Ling Xiao well enough. He is arrogant and overbearing, but if you treat him with sincerity, he returns sincerity. I know what you’re thinking, Grandfather, but it won’t work. It would only anger him.”
Feng Ming Piaoxue shook her head. “Moreover, the White Blood Poison in your body has not been completely cleared yet. Offending him now would be disastrous for you.”
“Who would have thought my little Piaoxue would suddenly become so mature and steady? How rare.”
Elder Ancestor Chang Le remarked in surprise.
By now, Ling Xiao had returned to Princess Yun Ya’s residence.
He had hurried back for a reason.
During the detoxification, he had gathered all of the White Blood Poison into his Mountains and Rivers World, condensing it into a white crystal.
Since it originated from beyond the Profound Realm, it held great research value. He had rushed home to study it at once.
After all, White Blood Poison was far too dangerous. He feared keeping it inside his Mountains and Rivers World might prove risky.
To his astonishment, when his Heavenly Yuan Force touched the crystal, he discovered it contained pure energy extracted from Elder Ancestor Chang Le’s body.
This energy had been suppressed by the poison and could be easily subdued and converted. It was an unexpected windfall.
Ling Xiao seized the moment and began cultivating.
From the time he returned until dusk fell, he finally transformed all that pure energy into his own Heavenly Yuan Force.
With that, his cultivation broke through once more, reaching the peak of the Ninth Heaven. One more step, and he would enter the Ten Directions Heaven realm.
The higher one’s cultivation, the harder each advance became, so such fortunate encounters were often necessary.
This adventure had granted him an extra reward.
Hm?
Just as he rejoiced over his breakthrough, he suddenly realised that, without meaning to, he had also tamed and converted the White Blood Poison itself.
The terrifying toxin could now be freely controlled within his Mountains and Rivers World.
He tried circulating his Heavenly Yuan Force, guiding the White Blood Poison through his meridians to his fingertip. The process faced no resistance at all; it flowed as smoothly and naturally as his own Heavenly Yuan Force.
“Perhaps I can integrate this White Blood Poison into the Mystery of Shadow. Both are yin-cold attributes, after all.”
Ling Xiao was a martial artist who loved innovating and improving techniques.
His Mystery of Light could unleash extreme heat, so its moves generally possessed greater destructive power than those of the Mystery of Shadow.
Although the Mystery of Shadow was mysterious and impossible to guard against, its killing potential had always been somewhat lacking.
If he fused White Blood Poison into it, that weakness would undergo a fundamental change.
With that thought, he condensed a Shadow Cone in his palm, then let the White Blood Poison flow along his Heavenly Yuan Force and merge into the cone.
