Chapter 201: Farewell

Shen Ping continued, "And for Martial Artists at the Qi Refining Realm, poisons are even less worth mentioning, because no matter how powerful the poison, the moment it touches the Heaven and Earth Qi within the Martial Artist's body, it instantly vanishes into nothingness!"

"It is also because of this that the Poison Path, compared to the Martial Path, has become a minor, insignificant path. As long as one can advance to the True Qi Realm, one can circulate True Qi to subdue poisons. And if one advances to the Qi Refining Realm, then poisons are completely reduced to a joke."

"It's just that, when I was young, I stubbornly refused to believe this. I thought that by relying on my own genius and hard work, I could carry forward the Poison Path, and perhaps even make it stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Martial Path."

"Looking at it now, I really was indulging in wishful thinking!" Shen Ping smiled bitterly, his eyes filled with self-mockery.

Yet, Duan Rong was deeply moved as he listened; at this moment, he even revered Shen Ping as a hero!

A man who refused to believe the conventional wisdom, who, because he was obsessed with a path that predecessors had judged to be minor and insignificant, swore to carry it forward!

What kind of courage and spirit is this!

Even if he failed! His failure still has value!

Because at the very least, it proved to his own heart that the Poison Path is indeed difficult to surpass!

A failed hero is still a hero, perhaps even a greater one!

Shen Ping, unaware of the shock in Duan Rong's heart, just continued to speak as if muttering to himself: "My ultimate dream was to hope that one day, the Poison Path could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Qi Refining Realm Martial Artists, so that Qi Refining Realm Martial Artists would no longer dare to look down on poisons!"

"Now, thinking about it, it's laughable; this was simply a delusional fantasy. I exhausted my whole life, yet I couldn't even break through the barrier of the True Qi Realm."

"I studied bitterly my whole life, and just last month, I refined this Crimson Grade One. I pinned high hopes on this poison, but after refining it, I realized that this poison could still be forced out by True Qi. The only difference is that this poison is more refined, spreads extremely fast, and has extremely strong penetration, requiring more potent True Qi to control it."

"Although this poison can cause great trouble for experts at the First Layer or Second Layer of the True Qi Realm, once they reach the True Qi Realm Third Layer, it will ultimately still be controlled by their potent True Qi."

"Even so, it is the product of me touching the ultimate end of the Poison Path; it is already the most powerful poison in this world, so I call it Crimson Grade One."

"The number one of the world, nothing can be added to it!"

Duan Rong finally understood why Shen Ping said the end of the Poison Path was a barren wasteland.

Because he had exhausted his life's strength to refine the most powerful poison in this world, yet this poison could still be controlled by potent True Qi.

In other words, poison cannot penetrate True Qi! This iron rule has still not been broken!

Therefore, Shen Ping studied bitterly his whole life, only to end in total failure.

At this moment, Duan Rong seemed to understand Shen Ping's state of mind, and he couldn't help but sigh in sympathy: "It truly is a barren wasteland!"

Hearing Duan Rong's lament, Shen Ping gave a miserable smile and said: "I am telling you these things, not to complain to you. First, to tell you the origin of this Crimson Grade One; second, to fear you might walk my old path. Your talent for the Martial Path and Medical Path are both far superior to mine; your future is limitless, you must not trap yourself!"

Listening to Shen Ping's earnest teachings, a warm current surged in Duan Rong's heart.

Shen Ping said: "The refining method for this Crimson Grade One is recorded in detail in the notes inside that cave; you can read them yourself."

As Shen Ping said this, his expression suddenly dimmed.

He had originally wanted to personally guide Duan Rong, but after that argument with Xiao Zongting the other day, he suddenly lost the inclination.

Since Duan Rong was Xiao Zongting's disciple, why should he go and teach Duan Rong, and fight Xiao Zongting for the title of master and disciple?

However, after this period of contact, Shen Ping had great confidence in Duan Rong's talent for the Medical Path.

He believed that even if he didn't teach him, based on Duan Rong's talent and ability to comprehend, even if he only looked at the notes and books left in the cave, he could learn seven or eight-tenths of his Medical Path and Poison Path.

"Read them myself?" Duan Rong said in astonishment: "Everything in the cave belongs to Elder Shen, how could I rummage through it?"

"From now on, everything in the cave is yours; you can dispose of it as you wish," Shen Ping said decisively.

"Elder Shen, are you leaving this place?" Duan Rong suddenly realized.

Shen Ping chuckled and said: "I can no longer stay in this Xiangu County. Over these years, I have made quite a few enemies. In the past, I had the cultivation of the True Qi Realm and was quite skilled at using poison. Even if I had enemies, they wouldn't dare provoke me."

"But now that my dantian is destroyed, Xiangu County is somewhat dangerous for me."

"Moreover, ever since Crimson Grade One was refined, I knew I had failed completely, and my state of mind fell into a desperate, dark abyss. I didn't expect that I would suddenly experience such a great change at this time!"

"Although I nearly died, after this change, my state of mind has suddenly cleared. In the first half of my life, I made and used poisons, and I don't know how many people died under my poisons. Among them were good and bad, it is not worth discussing. Therefore, in the time to come, I have decided to travel the world, practicing medicine to save people. I will be a good doctor who hangs his pot to save the world, to repay the sins of the first half of my life!"

Looking at Shen Ping's calm and detached demeanor, Duan Rong felt an indescribable sensation in his heart.

At this time, Shen Ping suddenly took out three Porcelain Bottles from his bosom and placed them in Duan Rong's hand, saying: "The medicine in these Porcelain Bottles has the effect of alleviating and diluting almost all poisons. And if an acute illness occurs, you can also swallow one! It can save your life! Keep one bottle for yourself. As for the other two, give one to Xiao Zongting and one to Hu Huanhuan."

When Shen Ping mentioned Hu Huanhuan, his expression suddenly showed a moment of struggle, and he said: "Tell her that I failed her. A person like me is not worth her concern."

After Shen Ping finished speaking, his expression suddenly softened, and he said: "Alright, everything that needed to be entrusted has been entrusted. Little Friend Duan, let us part here. The mountains are high and the waters are long, we shall meet again in the world of martial arts!"

Duan Rong felt a sting in his heart.

Leaving as soon as he said he would, this person is truly carefree.

Duan Rong said: "Elder Shen, if there is anything else unfinished, you can instruct me, and I will do my humble best."

Duan Rong felt he had received a great favor from Shen Ping, yet all Shen Ping entrusted to him was to bring a bottle of medicine each to Hu Huanhuan and Xiao Zongting.

He felt that since Shen Ping had lived in Xiangu County for most of his life, there must be other matters that needed to be settled.

"There are naturally other matters, but my state of mind has changed at this moment. Those things are no longer important. There is only one thing; if one day you can do it for me, I will surely be greatly satisfied in this life!"

"What matter?" Duan Rong asked seriously. Could a matter that would make this old fellow greatly satisfied be so easy to achieve?

"Kill Xie Daohan and Fan Yuanhai for me," Shen Ping said, a flash of hatred suddenly crossing his eyes.

It was not just because Xie Daohan and Fan Yuanhai had tortured him in various ways and nearly killed him. What made Shen Ping even more unable to let go was that these two had humiliated him too much.

After he refined Crimson Grade One, he felt he had failed completely, his state of mind was gray and defeated, and he was trapped in his own misery all day. He left Wild Boar Mountain and went to the Gou Lan Yuan in Jinmao Lane to get drunk and indulge himself.

But that very night, Xie Daohan and Fan Yuanhai broke in. He was in the middle of doing the deed when he was suddenly kicked to the ground.

Thinking of it now, Shen Ping still wished he could grind those two into dust to vent the hatred in his heart.

"Elder Shen really thinks too highly of me. Those two are both Martial Artists of the True Qi Realm. How could I have that ability?"

"I didn't ask you to kill them now," Shen Ping said: "One day, when you have the ability, do this for me."

Duan Rong rubbed his nose, feeling a bit depressed; listening to Shen Ping's tone, it sounded as if killing a True Qi Realm expert was as easy as drinking plain water.

Duan Rong paused for a moment before reluctantly saying: "I can only promise you this. Only when it is absolutely safe and there are no future troubles will I make a move."

Hearing this, Shen Ping was very happy; he patted Duan Rong on the shoulder and said: "Having your word is enough!"

Duan Rong glanced at Shen Ping; he felt that this old fellow seemed to have a lot of confidence in him.

Shen Ping stood on the cliff, his gaze passing over Duan Rong's shoulder, looking at the valley he had gazed upon countless times, his heart filled with emotion...

But the next moment, his gaze hardened, he suddenly flicked his sleeve, turned around, and walked away rapidly...

(End of chapter)