Chapter 19: Can the Geng Metal True Qi Save a Life?

"Xueyi, you take Yan'er inside first! I have matters to discuss with Mr. Xuan Ye."

As soon as the three of them entered the courtyard, Mr. Xuan Ye walked out from the middle room.

"Very well."

Upon hearing this, Yan Ruyan's mother, "Xueyi," nodded slightly, holding Yan Ruyan—whose small face was pale and filled with worry—and headed toward the room Mr. Xuan Ye had emerged from.

When the two crossed paths, they nodded slightly to each other before parting ways.

A moment later, Mr. Xuan Ye walked up to Yan Taibai, and without waiting for the latter to speak, he raised his eyes to look at the stone pavilion in the courtyard.

The meaning was clear: let us speak inside.

This was also the first time Yan Taibai had seen Mr. Xuan Ye, who always wore a smile, appear sorrowful and powerless; after nodding slightly, he followed Mr. Xuan Ye toward the stone pavilion in the courtyard.

After a few steps, the two entered the stone pavilion, and Mr. Xuan Ye sat down first, then used his eyes to signal Yan Taibai to sit as well, indicating he need not stand.

It was as if he had lost the strength to speak, and he did not say anything.

Seeing this, Yan Taibai had no choice but to take the initiative to ask about the situation.

"Mr. Xuan Ye, how is Yan Shushu? Could it be that he is truly in mortal danger?"

"Yes, he likely only has these few days left. I never imagined it would be this severe; if I had known sooner, there might have been hope, but now it is too late."

Mr. Xuan Ye sighed softly, a look of grief appearing on his face as he spoke slowly.

There was a rare trace of hoarseness in his voice, which surprised Yan Taibai, who also understood the depth of their bond and could only continue to press him.

"Then what exactly happened to Yan Shushu? Is the injury too severe, or is it something else?"

"Poisoning, and it is the Scorpion Exhaustion Blood Poison from the Blood Poison Sect of Yuanwu Country. This kind of deadly poison, let alone a Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivator, even a Golden Core Stage cultivator would find it hard to escape death if they could not take the antidote in time to neutralize it."

Mr. Xuan Ye did not hide anything.

After hearing Mr. Xuan Ye's words, Yan Taibai did not continue to ask, but instead recalled information in his mind regarding Yuanwu Country, the Blood Poison Sect, and this Scorpion Exhaustion Blood Poison.

The former is one of the three major demonic sects of Yuanwu Country. Unlike Yue Country, which is divided into the Righteous Path Three Sects—Heavenly Star Sect, Wanmiao Temple, and Divine Weapon Sect—the Demonic Path is divided into three major demonic sects: Blood Poison Sect, Ten Thousand Beast Valley, and Ghost Palace.

One could tell what they specialized in just by their names; the Blood Poison Sect specializes in the art of gu-poison, which is impossible to guard against.

Ten Thousand Beast Valley, like the Yuling Sect and Spirit Beast Mountain of Yue Country, specializes in the art of controlling insects and beasts. It is also the number one sect in Yuanwu Country, with two Nascent Soul cultivators presiding over it, as well as several valley-guarding spirit beasts, all of which are level-five demon beasts.

It is well known that the lifespan of demon beasts far exceeds that of human cultivators; level-five demon beasts have a lifespan of several thousand years, and those few valley-guarding spirit beasts have protected Ten Thousand Beast Valley for over a thousand years.

Ghost Palace is also a rare ghost cultivator sect, and like the Ghost Spirit Sect, it made Yan Taibai wonder if, like Spirit Beast Mountain of Yue Country, it was a spy planted in Yuanwu Country by the Ghost Spirit Sect of Tianluo Country.

But now was not the time to delve into this; the Scorpion Exhaustion Blood Poison that Yan Ruyan's father was afflicted with is one of the top ten deadliest poisons of the Blood Poison Sect, and its antidote is called the "Gold Breath Pill."

And the most important ingredient for this type of pill is a rare spirit beast—or one could say, a poisonous insect—found in heaven and earth: the blood of a Three-Eyed Golden Cloud Toad.

Yet, this Three-Eyed Golden Cloud Toad has not appeared in the cultivation world for thousands of years; it is not even certain if it still exists.

As for the antidote, even if the Yan Family Ancestor went to the Blood Poison Sect to demand it in person, it would be impossible to obtain, and he might never return.

After all, Yan Family Fortress has no connection whatsoever with the Blood Poison Sect, and furthermore, Yan Ruyan's father being afflicted with this Scorpion Exhaustion Blood Poison was likely the work of the Blood Poison Sect itself.

Therefore, for the Yan Family Ancestor to go and demand it would be nothing more than seeking his own death; it is simply impossible.

"Then, was this matter the work of a Blood Poison Sect cultivator?"

Yan Taibai asked again.

"It is unclear. Although the one who fought with Mingyao also specialized in poison arts, it is impossible to determine if they were a Blood Poison Sect cultivator. Because the Blood Poison Sect does sell such poisons, it is impossible to be certain."

"Most importantly, even the Yan Family can only accept this fate; there is simply no way around it. Let alone the Blood Poison Sect, the Yan Family is no match for any of the Seven Sects of Yue Kingdom."

"Regarding this matter, the Ancestor and I are also powerless."

Mr. Xuan Ye shook his head and gave a bitter smile as he spoke.

He appeared very helpless and distraught; the fact that he, a rogue cultivator, was able to reach Foundation Establishment, become a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator, and now be the person second only to the Yan Family Ancestor in Yan Family Fortress, was all due to Yan Ruyan's father: Yan Mingyao.

Especially regarding his Foundation Establishment, it was Yan Mingyao who risked being expelled from the Yan Family to give him two Foundation Establishment Pills, allowing him to succeed.

This debt of gratitude could be called a debt of rebirth; Mr. Xuan Ye was naturally endlessly grateful, yet now he was completely helpless.

His intelligence was of no use in the face of absolute strength.

"Taibai, you must remember one thing: no clever plan or scheme has the slightest effect in the face of absolute strength. In the cultivation world, only powerful strength is the foundation of one's survival. No family, master, or elder is as important as your own strength. You are a Heavenly Spirit Root cultivator; reaching the Golden Core stage in the future will not be difficult, but you must remember that the Golden Core Stage is only your starting point. If you want to roam and shake the Tiannan Cultivation World, the Nascent Soul Stage is the beginning. Otherwise, you will be controlled by others for your entire life, unable to do anything in the face of many situations."

Mr. Xuan Ye's expression was grave, and he stared at Yan Taibai with an unprecedentedly indignant gaze as he said in a deep voice.

"Taibai understands. I will definitely cultivate with all my might in the future."

Seeing this, Yan Taibai nodded and promised.

It was evident that the fact that his close friend was about to pass away and sit in meditation had dealt a heavy blow to Mr. Xuan Ye, the strategist of the Yan Family, otherwise he would not have changed his usual demeanor to say these things to him.

All of his methods and schemes were built upon the powerful strength of Yan Family Fortress, yet in the face of this matter, he was completely powerless.

"Yes, as long as you understand. The family can at most protect you for a while; in the future, you must rely on yourself."

Mr. Xuan Ye nodded and said.

"Alright, go and see your Yan Shushu again! He should still have things to entrust to you."

Seeing this, Mr. Xuan Ye waved his hand and said.

"Yes! Taibai takes his leave."

Yan Taibai stood up and bowed.

However, he was thinking about one thing: the Three-Eyed Golden Cloud Toad is a metal-attribute spirit beast, so if he used the "Geng Metal True Qi" he had just cultivated within his body, could it neutralize the Scorpion Exhaustion Blood Poison in Yan Ruyan's father's body?

After all, it is the "White Emperor Golden Emperor Slash"; although it is not the "Green Emperor Wood Emperor Art," it is still a metal-attribute Great Dao, so it should be able to "detoxify," right?

The nature of metal is rigid and fierce, and it is a natural nemesis for "poison," which is an evil and yin thing.

Therefore, it might actually be useful, but Yan Taibai did not dare to try it lightly.

Yan Ruyan's father is a Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivator and could fully perceive every change within his body. If he were to inject it directly into him, he would definitely be discovered.

Therefore, even if he wanted to save him, he would have to choose another method.

And as for methods, as long as one searches, there will always be one.

Then, Yan Taibai walked while thinking about what method he could use to ensure there would be no mistakes.

(End of chapter)