319 - Elasia Saga

"How could this be..." Beside the cold pond, Gu Shi Dao Ren fixed his gaze on Fu Yan's wrist, his face filled with disbelief. How could the traces of cold poison suddenly halt? He even wondered if he was seeing things. However, Fu Yan merely glanced up, disregarding Gu Shi Dao Ren's shock. She raised her eyes to Bai Yue Li, who stood before her, and said, "Elder sister, there's no need to worry. The cold poison is, in a way, an opportunity for me." It was only at this moment that Bai Yue Li belatedly remembered that Fu Yan's cultivation, specifically designed with the Body Tempering Frost Technique, was impervious to any form of cold poison. Moreover, as Fu Yan mentioned, this was indeed a small fortuitous encounter from another perspective. With this in mind, Bai Yue Li discreetly breathed a sigh of relief. As she looked again at the cold poison marks on Fu Yan's hands, she no longer felt the initial panic and fear. Yet, as she touched the hands, devoid of any warmth, she couldn’t help feeling a pang of heartache. Observing the two before him, Gu Shi Dao Ren finally came back to his senses. He realized that Fu Yan had merely used some artifact to temporarily suppress the venom; the cold poison still lingered within her body and had not been purged. Reflecting upon this, his expression eased considerably. Gu Shi Dao Ren was acutely aware that the longer the cold poison was suppressed, the more terrifying its eruptive force would become. If it wasn't completely eradicated, Fu Yan's fate of being invaded by the cold poison was merely a matter of time. "Wait a moment, elder sister," Fu Yan called softly as she noticed Bai Yue Li's expression calming. Smiling, she withdrew her hand to say. The next moment, Fu Yan swiftly bent down, picking up the Minghan Herb from the ground. As soon as Fu Yan stashed the Minghan Herb away, she suddenly felt an intense pain shooting through her wrist. A pair of jade-like, white hands began to cover with clusters of frost. Noticing this, Fu Yan's smile faded from her eyes, replaced by a slight frown. Fu Yan had originally planned to suppress the cold poison in her hands and then find another ingredient, the Snake Blood Fruit, to concoct an antidote for Tong Xiu Ning. Only then would she look for the time to purify the cold poison within herself. Unexpectedly, she hadn’t anticipated that the cold poison would be so overpowering. Feeling a chilling wave of bone-piercing cold infiltrate her once more, Fu Yan quickly regained her focus. She looked at Bai Yue Li, her voice transmitting silently: "Elder sister, I can't delay addressing the cold poison within me. I must purify it immediately." Upon hearing this, Bai Yue Li, who had been attentive to Fu Yan's hands, was the first to notice the frost appearing. "Alright," Bai Yue Li replied swiftly, furrowing her brows lightly. "Go and purify the cold poison. Leave this place to me." Fu Yan wasted no time hesitating and nodded, "Rest assured, elder sister, within ten days at most, I will succeed in purifying this cold poison." With these words, she took one last glance at the individuals on the shore. Fu Yan turned and quickly dashed into the depths of the forest, disappearing from Bai Yue Li and Gu Shi Dao Ren's sight, before slipping into the Xu You Jade Seal. And just as Gu Shi Dao Ren was coming back to his senses, he saw Fu Yan leaving abruptly. After only a moment's pause, he regained his usual calm demeanor and looked on with a somewhat complacent smirk at Bai Yue Li. "The power of cold poison is not to be underestimated. Even with an artifact for suppression, it's not easy to eradicate. Are you just leaving her on her own?" Hearing this, Bai Yue Li finally redirected her attention. She turned around, step by step, and steadily approached Gu Shi Dao Ren. "Put away your thoughts," Bai Yue Li's gaze was cold as ice. Although Gu Shi Dao Ren had inadvertently afforded Fu Yan an opportunity, he had clearly intended to harm Fu Yan from the very start. If Fu Yan hadn't possessed the Frost Tempering Technique, this encounter could have cost her dearly. Reflecting on this, a fleeting flash of murderous intent shimmered in Bai Yue Li's eyes as she looked at Gu Shi Dao Ren. Gu Shi Dao Ren remained unfazed, a sneer rising to his lips. "It was you who insisted on coming here..." Before he could finish, Bai Yue Li's hand cut through the air. Gu Shi Dao Ren felt a sharp pain as his wrist's meridians were severed, rendering his entire arm useless. With his power suppressed by the laws governing this realm, self-repair was impossible. "You..." Bai Yue Li wasn't interested in hearing another word. She flicked a strand of black demonic aura directly into his throat. Gu Shi Dao Ren strained to speak, but no sound came out. The agony of his severed meridians brought beads of sweat to Gu Shi Dao Ren’s forehead. Bai Yue Li controlled the intensity excellently; although Gu Shi Dao Ren was no better than an ordinary mortal at the moment, it wouldn't actually endanger his life—after all, he still had a use. Yet the relentless pain in his wrist surged wave after wave. Within mere moments, Gu Shi Dao Ren's face contorted in agony, his eyes bloodshot as though they might burst from the sockets, making for a terrifying sight. The most torturous part was that he was unable to utter a sound throughout the entire ordeal. "......" Deciding not to further entangle with Gu Shi Dao Ren, Bai Yue Li turned and walked towards Tong Xiu Ning, who rested against a nearby tree. Since that day he fell unconscious, Tong Xiu Ning hadn't awakened even once. The dark poison on his face seemed to deepen, and it appeared Fu Yan's protective barrier wouldn't hold for much longer. This observation made Bai Yue Li frown slightly. Without delay, Bai Yue Li pulled out a pill, placing it in Tong Xiu Ning's mouth to temporarily buy more time. After accomplishing this, Bai Yue Li turned and waved her hand, casting an invisible shield that enveloped a small area around them. In this primeval forest, the likelihood of encountering formidable beasts was high, and shielding their presence helped avoid unnecessary trouble. For the time being, Bai Yue Li meditated alone nearby, sparing not a glance towards Gu Shi Dao Ren. …… Inside the Xu You Jade Seal. In the vast cultivation residence, Fu Yan sat alone in the center. In just a few hours, the surrounding temperature noticeably plummeted, causing moisture in the air to crystallize into frost. With her eyes tightly shut, Fu Yan's hands appeared encased in transparent ice, her breath transforming into a fine, white mist. Once the cold poison was no longer suppressed, it swiftly surged through her body. Fu Yan responded by invoking her Body Tempering Technique, a powerful chill emanating all around her. The task of fully purifying the cold poison was no simple feat. Several times, Fu Yan's face turned deathly pale. However, in quick succession, she consumed several pills and persisted in her purification efforts. Time flew by within the Xu You Jade Seal; almost a month seemed to pass in a blink of an eye. At the residence, Fu Yan finally opened her eyes in the very last moments. She couldn't help but shiver slightly. Yet a moment later, Fu Yan smiled from the stone platform. Raising her hands, she examined them eagerly, muttering to herself, "I finally succeeded!" Now, her once-pale hands had regained color, and the cold poison had vanished. Not only that, but with the cold poison expelled, Fu Yan could distinctly feel her prowess burgeoning once more. Given a few more serendipitous events like this, she might soon face another tribulation and breakthrough. However, Fu Yan didn't linger much longer. After purifying the cold poison, she swiftly exited the Xu You Jade Seal. Only nine days had elapsed in the primeval forest outside. Indeed, having the Xu You Jade Seal was exceptionally convenient. As soon as Fu Yan's figure returned to the dense forest, a familiar fluctuation caught her attention. She paused mid-step, sharply turning to lock onto a particular direction. In that split second, a spell she had cast earlier to find the Snake Blood Fruit finally yielded a response. Moreover, it was not too far from the cold pond. Estimating a round trip would take just a day, there seemed no pressing need to summon Bai Yue Li—besides, with Tong Xiu Ning’s corpse poison worsening daily, journeying further might only worsen his condition. Thinking thus, Fu Yan hesitated no longer. Retracting her right foot, she tore through space with her bare hands, slipping through. After mere moments, Fu Yan found herself at the location indicated by the response. Perched on a massive branch, she steadied herself gracefully, finally casting her gaze downward to take in the surroundings. The towering trees stood out, with countless snake-like beasts slithering about. Their vibrant scales reflected in the light, and the sight of their venomous fangs was unnerving. Fu Yan wasn't particularly surprised. Scanning her eyes across the surroundings, she soon caught sight of a splash of crimson. To her right, a patch of swampy ground stretched for over a dozen meters. In it grew a crooked herb, oddly lacking a single green leaf. The whole stalk resembled an upright serpent. The snake's head protruded a forked tongue, and at the tip of this tongue dangled a vividly crimson fruit. It was precisely the Snake Blood Fruit Fu Yan had been searching for! Upon seeing this, Fu Yan, situated on the branch, couldn't help but feel a surge of joy. Yet, in the next moment, she noticed that the Snake Blood Fruit had yet to fully mature; it seemed it would require another day or two. Unable to do anything but wait, Fu Yan resolved to let it mature naturally. After all, Snake Blood Fruit was a rare spiritual herb, and if someone stumbled upon it, they certainly wouldn't leave it be. Holding her breath, Fu Yan released a strong mental force, creating a protective barrier around the area. Soon enough, a day passed, but the fruit still needed some time to ripen. Worried that Bai Yue Li might be concerned, Fu Yan took out a communication mirror and quickly updated her on the situation. Bai Yue Li responded with a few words of caution but didn't press further. As night descended, Fu Yan was resting with her eyes closed against a large tree when she suddenly sensed a presence cautiously approaching. Her eyes snapped open. In a single breath, a figure emerged from the dark depths of the forest, moving with extreme caution to avoid startling the flower snake beasts scattered around. With just one glance, Fu Yan recognized the intruder. It was a disciple from Hua Ling Valley. Fu Yan recalled that during the Immortal Sect Ceremony, this disciple had fought Shui Liu Qing on the Yun Ni Stage and seemed to be a fellow disciple of Ji Qing Jue. Clearly, she was also after the Snake Blood Fruit. With only one plant of Snake Blood Fruit present, Fu Yan had no intention of yielding. Instead, she blocked the disciple's path with mental prowess. Sensing the mental block, the disciple immediately realized there was an immortal here. Feeling relieved that there was no intent to kill, she glanced longingly at the Snake Blood Fruit before turning away. Fu Yan's eyes remained indifferent, showing no expression. Throughout the night, the only visitor was the disciple from Hua Ling Valley, which was rather fortunate. As the first light of morning touched the land, the sudden aroma of fruit filled the air. Looking up, Fu Yan noticed the Snake Blood Fruit had turned a deeper crimson. Perhaps due to the morning dew, its appearance was exceptionally rich and vibrant. Finally, it was fully mature. A slight smile tugged at Fu Yan's lips as she swiftly moved to gather the fruit. ... Back at the cold pond, Bai Yue Li, upon hearing that Fu Yan had successfully purified the cold poison and found the Snake Blood Fruit, sighed in relief. It was perfect timing. Logically, Bai Yue Li shouldn't worry given Fu Yan's capabilities. However, the prolonged absence made her slightly uneasy. "Ah! Ah!" Just then, a fit of coughing erupted from beneath a nearby tree. Bai Yue Li paused and turned to see Tong Xiu Ning finally waking up. Tong Xiu Ning felt his throat blocked by something, reflexively coughing until he expelled a mouthful of blackened blood. It took him a moment to clear his thoughts. I didn’t die! This was his first conscious thought upon awakening. Despite the intense pain, Tong Xiu Ning opened his eyes, only to spot Gu Shi Dao Ren. Startled, he instinctively moved to retreat. However, he quickly realized something was amiss; Gu Shi Dao Ren appeared bound tightly by a golden light, unable to move. "You’ve awoken." A clear voice sounded nearby. Startled, Tong Xiu Ning turned to locate the speaker, "Yin Du... Saintess?" In his memory, Bai Yue Li was the saintess of Yin Du Sect. Bai Yue Li didn’t refute this, calmly recounting their encounter with Gu Shi Dao Ren for him. Understanding dawned on Tong Xiu Ning as he said sincerely, "So that's how it is. Thank you, Saintess, and Fellow Cultivator Fu for the rescue." The first time his sister Tong Zhen brought Fu Yan to the family, Tong Xiu Ning hadn't thought much of it, seeing Fu Yan as a mere acquaintance of his sister’s. Later, he’d learned about her during the Immortal Sect Ceremony. Little did he expect she would be the one to save his life. Hearing that Fu Yan went to find an antidote for him, Tong Xiu Ning felt a pang of humility. As he attempted to thank them further, another squirt of blood erupted from his mouth. Seeing this, Bai Yue Li advised, "Don't rush. You cannot engage your true essence now, and try to speak less." Tong Xiu Ning nodded painfully, not wishing to cause further trouble, and rested silently against the tree. As the day wore on, Bai Yue Li was just about to use the communication mirror to check on Fu Yan’s whereabouts when the latter appeared like a gentle breeze, emerging from the distant forest and landing gracefully before her. "Elder sister, I’m back." She announced, holding aloft a bright red fruit with a smile, "I successfully secured the Snake Blood Fruit." Bai Yue Li's gaze first inspected Fu Yan to ensure she was unharmed, and only then did she allow herself to relax and examine the Snake Blood Fruit. "Yes, we have all the ingredients," she replied with a smile. It was then that Fu Yan noticed Tong Xiu Ning awake under the tree, appearing slightly surprised. Bai Yue Li explained the situation of his recent awakening. Without delay, the two approached him. "Brother Tong," Fu Yan greeted with a smile. Seeing Tong Xiu Ning about to speak, Fu Yan quickly added, "Please refrain from talking, Brother Tong. My elder sister and I have obtained the antidote to neutralize the corpse poison. Just hold on a moment." With that, there was no time wasted. Fu Yan and Bai Yue Li brought out a collection of medicinal herbs and, after nearly half a day, successfully produced two antidotes. Fu Yan, however, did not immediately administer the antidote to Tong Xiu Ning. Instead, she grabbed a flower snake beast, which she had caught randomly while picking the Snake Blood Fruit. In the next moment, Fu Yan collected a droplet of blood from the traces left by Tong Xiu Ning’s previous outburst, directing it into the mouth of the flower snake beast. Instantly, the snake beast in her grasp began to writhe in agony. After a moment's pause, Fu Yan fed it one of the antidotes. Although she trusted Gu Shi Dao Ren's information implicitly, Fu Yan still needed to test the antidote's efficacy using a creature. Thus passed another hour, during which the previously moribund flower snake beast showed signs of recovery. With confirmation of the antidote's success, Fu Yan handed the remaining antidote to Tong Xiu Ning. Swallowing the pill, his complexion noticeably improved within half an hour. Confirmed, Fu Yan finally lifted the restriction she had placed earlier. Spirit energy intermingled with toxins as the antidote worked within, causing an upsurge within Tong Xiu Ning. Before he could properly enter a meditative state to calm the energies, another mouthful of dark blood was expelled. Upon witnessing this, both Fu Yan and Bai Yue Li’s brows eased. After another night of meditation, Tong Xiu Ning completely purged the corpse poison from his body, feeling much more spirited. He promptly offered Fu Yan and Bai Yue Li a respectful salute, "Thank you both for your rescue. Otherwise, I feared I was truly doomed today." "No need," Fu Yan responded with a serene smile. "When I first arrived in Zhongdu, your family was very hospitable." Tong Xiu Ning had intended to express his gratitude through whatever remuneration he could offer, but he quickly realized anything he had to offer was insignificant to those of Fu Yan and Bai Yue Li's stature. Thus, he held his words back. "Palace Master Fu, you're too kind. Should you require any assistance from our Tong family in the future, please don't hesitate to ask," Tong Xiu Ning said earnestly, looking at the two women before him. Indeed, having the chance to associate with someone like Fu Yan was a true blessing for the Tong family.