Miaoshoumen was so big that no one could see the little girl in the corner, and it was so small that it could only accommodate one person.
The wound on his knee wasn't big, but the area it had been rubbed against was quite large, making it look rather gruesome. Qing He struggled to sit up, intending to deal with it himself. As he lowered his head, he heard the sound of a cane tapping the ground, and a crisp voice rang out, "Is anyone here?"
Qing He looked up and saw a blind girl about her own age. She was wearing expensive silk, yet she dared to show off her bloodstains. She was stunned for a moment before timidly saying, "...I'm here."
"Are you hurt?" the blind girl said, "I smell blood."
Before Qing He could say anything, she squatted down and reached out to pry Qing He's legs apart. Qing He looked at her pale pupils reflecting his own wound and instinctively shrank back. The blind girl said, "It's okay. Even though I can't see, it won't delay the treatment."
How could a child of seven or eight years old have any internal strength? Qinghe was already the most gifted child in that area, but the blind girl just reached out and rubbed it, and with the spiritual energy in her palm, the bleeding wound slowly healed and formed a scar.
A thousand times more powerful than Oda.
"Okay." The blind girl stood up and said, "Goodbye."
Qinghe felt the tingling on her knees and watched her skipping away without even asking her name. A complex expression that was not suitable for her age slowly appeared on her childish face.
Is this... someone from the Miaoshou Sect? So impressive. Completely different from her.
Can she really?
On the other side, Yun Xian was still studying the "Doctor's Oath" on the oath-taking platform.
"Don't harbor any 'human emotions' towards patients, don't harbor any 'noble heart' towards yourself..." Yun Xian said, "Brother Xue, I don't quite understand what you're saying. Please translate it for me."
Xue Lingxiu seemed to have not been here for a long time. She reached out and brushed away the dust from under the sculpture. "Don't treat patients as human beings, and don't think of yourself as a savior. Treat seeking medical treatment as a transaction, requiring benefits in exchange for treatment... That's roughly what he meant."
Qiao Lingshan thought silently, is this the reason why you break the enemy's leg and then put it back together to collect 5,000 spirit stones?
The founder of the Miaoshou Sect, whose true name is now unknown, is known only to those who called her the Goddess of Medicine. Besides the acupuncture techniques that have been passed down to this day, all that remains is this oath that sounds extremely cold and inhumane.
Yun Xian said thoughtfully, "But it seems that few people can do it."
"Of course." Xue Lingxiu said nonchalantly, "How old were you when you first started? What could a child that young remember? The Sect Master told you to recite, and you just followed along. Some of them couldn't even understand what they read."
Yun Xian: "You too?"
Xue Lingxiu: "I..."
He didn't say anything in front of the swearing-in platform, with his lips slightly pursed, but everyone could see that he probably didn't quite agree.
Just like Fang Fei, when he stepped through the door, he probably thought he would never regret it. But in the end, he still left.
"Whatever." Yun Xian skillfully went up to light a stick of incense. He didn't know why a sword cultivator like her would worship a medical practitioner. "I think the Medical Immortal's vows must have a deep meaning. It's just that few people can comprehend them."
Qiao Lingshan: "Then tell me, what's the deep meaning?"
Yun Xian was suddenly silent: "..."
Qiao Lingshan pinched Yun Xian's chin: "Don't fall asleep suddenly!!"
But Yun Xian suddenly fell asleep.
Walking out of the building, the children who came to visit were already running around everywhere. Finally, they saw two children with snot hanging from their noses. The children around rolled up their sleeves and said, "I'll help you!" "I'll do it, I'll do it!" "No one can compete with me!!", the children's faces were originally fine in June, but after a few words, they started to push and shove, and maybe even burst into tears. Li Pei was there to maintain order.
"Destroy the medicine bottle..."
Yun Xian walked while carrying the packed food, thinking aimlessly.
If Sect Leader Li Er could destroy Lingxu Sect in one fell swoop, then they would only need to destroy the drugs still circulating on the market. But the most worrying thing is that Lingxu Sect is not what it used to be. With Jimo Shu and the others around, they will never be able to cut off this chain so easily.
No matter what, this is the only way to go.
“…”
Everyone finally found Qi Zhiye and Feng Ye in the room.
Qi Zhiye was fine, but Feng Ye lay dying on the bed, with a cold towel on his forehead that Qi Zhiye hadn't taken very seriously. Yun Xian asked in shock, "What happened?"
"Grandma Li wanted to draw our blood, saying it would be helpful." Qi Zhiye said briefly, "She accidentally drew too much, and he fainted from the shock of his own blood until now."
Yun Xian said distressedly: "Poor Feng Ye, can you still eat? Come, I'll feed you, open your mouth."
Feng Ye gasped weakly: "Thank you... No need... I'm not hungry yet."
"How can I not be hungry?" Yun Xian said, "Only when I'm full can I have strength. Besides, all this is packed up and if you don't eat it, it will become leftovers tomorrow."
Qiao Lingshan: "So the focus is on the latter sentence."
Yun Xian: "Almost!"
If they wanted to destroy it, they'd definitely have to trawl the major black markets. But Yun Xian, observing Xue Lingxiu's previous transaction with the vendor, realized it wasn't that simple. This kind of transaction was like someone selling discs under an overpass, wandering around with the discs in their pockets, no need for a stall; they could connect with anyone.
One can only hope that not many are being produced now.
Searching aimlessly would not lead to finding it. Yun Xian rode the reluctant Jiang Shan out and said, "Jiang Shan, smell it. We'll go to where the stench is the worst."
Jiangshan pointed to a place, and then everyone walked all the way to the public toilet.
"It's not this kind of stench." Yun Xian gestured, "It's the same smell from last time, the one you hated so much!"
As expected, there were no items at the front stall of the Chaoshou Gate last time, but there were quite a few hidden in the back hall. Yun Xian changed his clothes in advance, handed Taiping to Feng Ye, sneaked in, and knocked out all the guards in the back hall with a single knife.
"The medicinal properties of the medicine bottles here don't seem to be very strong." Yun Xian poured out the contents and said thoughtfully, "It's enough for the Foundation Establishment Stage. If you move up a bit, it's better than nothing."
I don’t know if it’s because she’s too nervous, but when she looks at passersby, she always feels that everyone’s expressions are strange.
Su Chi said, "Look at that man."
She looked over and saw that the monk had half of the bottle neck exposed at his waist, and he was walking through the market so brazenly. She couldn't help but frown.
The two looked at each other, and she walked over, stopped the man, and said with a smile: "Brother, may I ask where did you buy this bottle of medicine on your waist?"
One shouldn't hit someone who smiles at them. Although the monk felt puzzled, he still stopped and said, "My friend gave it to me. May I ask what's wrong?"
Yun Xian asked, "How's the medicine working? Do you feel anything's wrong?"
"I've used it several times and I don't feel anything wrong." The monk was even more confused. "Why? What do you want to ask?"
"Didn't your friend say anything when he gave it to you?" Yun Xian asked, "For example, saying there were any side effects, or that you shouldn't eat too much... or something like that?"
"Are you sick? Who are you cursing?" The monk's face darkened. "Since he gave it to me, it must be for my own good! If there are any side effects, will he still harm me? Okay, okay, get out of the way!"
Yun Xian was pushed and took a few steps back, feeling a headache.
Sure enough, if you find one cockroach, it means there's at least one nest of cockroaches in your home. This thing is spreading too fast! What's more, just like the Sword Sect's magic core, the sequelae don't appear immediately. How can she stop it?
Jiang Shan suddenly said, "There's already a demon seed in his body."
"Already have one?" Yun Xian frowned and said, "It's really troublesome."
The worst outcome of the demon seed for ordinary cultivators was that of the wandering cultivator in Xiaoshi Town in the northern boundary, who wiped out the entire sect and caused panic among the people.
You never know until you see it; it's a shock. Qiao Lingshan had initially thought that Sect Leader Li's order was too hasty, but now it seemed a little too late. These valuable items, capable of elevating realms and even strengthening one's foundation in a short period of time, despite their questionable origins, were already a common sight. The medicine hall's inventory could be destroyed, but what about those passed between cultivators?
After visiting four pharmacies, Yun Xian couldn't help but feel suspicious. With such a large reserve, would the corpses stolen from the Lingxu Sect be enough? Even if he dug up his own ancestral graves, it wouldn't be enough!
Feng Ye said, "There's no such thing as a free lunch. This looks wrong, and those who still want to buy it probably have bad intentions."
"You can't say that," Qiao Lingshan said. "Like the one just now, a friend gave it to him, and he used it. If he had known what it was made of, he wouldn't have used it at all."
"Is his friend being kind or doing this on purpose? He's giving this kind of thing away..."
As they passed by a mansion, Jiang Shan said with dark circles under his eyes, "It stinks in here!!"
It was a private residence, elegantly decorated. Yun Xian muttered, "I'm sorry," and leaped over the high wall, nearly stepping into the center of the formation. Feng Ye, relying on his long-unused formation knowledge, painstakingly found the center of the formation, but it was too late. The formation was half-triggered, emitting a warning sound.
The house was bustling with people and noise, but when Yun Xian broke into a private house, no one came out to check.
The group ascended to the rooftop, heads close together, and Yun Xian carefully lifted the tiles. Smoke billowed beneath, where a group of monks, both men and women, gathered. The airtight room held a familiar, refreshing aroma, trapped within, so strong it nearly took one's breath away. Yun Xian could even faintly smell the stench of corpses beneath the thick aroma, but judging by the expressions of the people below, they hadn't noticed anything at all.
Everyone gathered around the round table, enjoying a sumptuous feast of wine and delicious food, yet no one touched their chopsticks. Everyone's attention was focused on the small bottle before them, tilted open, as if someone had just taken a dose and was waiting for the medicine to take effect.
Yun Xian frowned and said, "This aura... is even stronger than the strongest one Brother Xue used last time!"
Xue Lingxiu, a Nascent Soul cultivator, almost lost his composure... no, he had already lost his composure, let alone these Golden Core cultivators, some of whom were even casual cultivators not even at the Golden Core stage?
As expected, a moment later, the faces of the monks flushed instantly, and their words became incoherent and without any context:
"One day, I will make all those who used to look down on me kneel down and beg me!"
"Ahhhhh!! The soles of my slippers are so spicy!! I need to dip them in some dry sauce!!"
"What nonsense are you talking about?! You only care about the soles of your slippers. You don't care about how the bears in the Northern Realm should live. If you ask me, Master Ji should find three Taoist partners. That will make Master Mingguang happy."
Some people hesitated and said, "Is this Immortal Powder really that good? It's impossible. The leader of the Miaoshou Sect has said many times that the foundation cannot be improved..."
"What are you so worried about? Do you believe everything someone says? How do you know she's not saying this for her own benefit?" The man next to him patted his chest and said, "I've already used it three or four times. Do you think I'm okay? Has my cultivation improved by leaps and bounds? I'm telling you the method because I consider you a brother. Don't be so ungrateful and spoil the fun!"
The man was about to hesitate, but the monk beside him suddenly changed color and punched him, causing his mouth to burst and bleed profusely: "Didn't I tell you not to be ungrateful? Do you think I would hurt you again?"
He was amiable one moment, and raging with rage the next. Everyone was extremely happy and furious, with emotions so extreme that a purple-black light enveloped everyone, making it impossible to distinguish their features. The spiritual roots of the dead were plundered and processed by the devil's energy, transplanted and absorbed, creating a false and short-lived illusion of prosperity. The pleasure of rapidly increasing strength, coupled with the feeling of being in a state of ecstasy, made everyone present indulge in it and unable to extricate themselves.
The first time, the second time, the third time... the demon seed was nourished and grew stronger and stronger until it reached a certain peak, and then began to backfire.
The smell was so strong that Jiangshan almost vomited. Yun Xian quickly covered it with his hands and gestured, "Go back."
Among the people present, at least three were about to vomit but were stopped by Yun Xian. This shows that the reaction speed of a sword cultivator is beyond the reach of ordinary people.
It wasn't until they walked three blocks that Jiang Shan's pale face finally recovered a little. He said depressedly, "Those humans can swallow this kind of stuff without batting an eyelid? Why don't they just eat shit?"
Don't blame him. From his point of view, there is really no difference between these people eating demon seeds and eating shit. The only difference is that eating shit will not kill you, but eating demon seeds is tantamount to self-destruction.
"Yun Xian..." Qiao Lingshan said worriedly, "It seems like we can't suppress this matter alone."
Right now, the vial packaged as "Immortal Powder" was rapidly spreading throughout South City. Right now, it was only South City; if unchecked, at this rate, it would spread throughout the entire Southern Territory in just ten days or half a month. There were so many targets, and they were just a handful. They had neither the authority nor the power to intimidate others. Even if they shouted at everyone not to use the drug, telling them a hundred times about the dire consequences, how could anyone believe them without any real evidence?
But if we wait until the first example comes out, it will be too late to do anything!
Qi Zhiye said, "It's definitely not enough for one person. Let's go back to the Miaoshou Sect and report to the Sect Master first."
Without the right tools, one can't handle this porcelain work. Yun Xian said nothing, his gaze falling towards the still quiet and simple bungalow over there. There, a few half-grown children were sharpening sticks to make needles, playing house with great seriousness:
"I'll be the leader! Ahem, ahem..."
"Who's going to play the patient? Forget it, I'll do it. Look at me! I'm going to play the madman on the street, isn't it? Wahhhhhhh!! Kill kill kill!! You all go to hell!!!"
"With a kind heart and a skilled hand, you have mercy on the world! Hey! Look at the needle!"
For some reason, she felt strange and recalled what Chi You had said.
…
Inside the Miaoshou Sect, Li Batu went to the ruins of the Lingxu Sect, but there is still no news.
Li Jianye drank the cup of nourishing tea on the headmaster's table for almost an entire incense stick.
Grandma Li and Li Yuan were not there either. Only Li Pei and Xue Lingxiu were sitting aside. The hall was silent with only the sound of everyone's shallow breathing. After a stick of incense, she put down the teacup and the rim of the cup hit the wooden table, making a slight sound.
"Starting tomorrow, all disciples and guards of the Miao Shou Sect will temporarily suspend their studies. Any 'Chengxian Powder' they encounter must be destroyed on the spot. We will also make our position clear to all businesses." Her tone remained calm, though with a hint of breathlessness. "Anyone found selling or reselling the drug privately, regardless of the reason, will be put on the roster, and all businesses affiliated with the Miao Shou Sect will no longer trade with them."
The businesses under the Miaoshou Sect are spread across all walks of life. If you look at it carefully, you might have to search for everything secretly on the black market. Unless you move out of the southern border, you will inevitably be greatly affected.
"What's the reason?" Li Pei asked, "What reason?"
"As you all said, telling them now will lead to endless trouble. I'm afraid they won't believe it." Li Jianye said, "Whether they believe it or not, the Miaoshou Sect cannot allow this thing to continue to spread. We must take drastic measures now. If we must find a reason, it's that they stole our sect's emblem. Therefore, we must destroy it directly."
Li Pei said, "I'll go too."
Xue Lingxiu said: "Same."
"..." Yun Xian said: "We will definitely do our best to help."
The golden threads and silver grass were still swaying in the wind. The folding fan made of black iron in Li Yuan's hand shook awkwardly and fell to the ground with a click.
A soft sound.
On the other side, a pair of boneless white hands picked up the black and white chess pieces on the ground. Mei Yanliu said, "Saintess, it's time to meet the leader."
Niu Baiye said: "The leader is calling you."
Outside, one could hear the sound of water and stringed instruments. The ground beneath one's feet swayed slightly with the river. It turned out that the Demon Cult's base was actually an inconspicuous pleasure boat. Perhaps it was luxurious and exquisite in every way, but when there were more than a dozen equally luxurious pleasure boats parked on the riverbank, it became dull and dim.
There was no one sitting across from Jimo Shu. She was holding the white piece, staring intently at the board.
If one of the two demons present knew chess, he would probably laugh out loud.
It seems the Demonic Cult truly doesn't teach cultural subjects. Not only is Jimo Shu's handwriting exquisitely crafted, but her chessboard is also a peculiarly messy mess. If Xue Lingxiu had seen it, she'd probably be breathless. But she leaned against the window, playing chess by herself, the dusk casting a shadow on her face, and she actually possessed a certain air of mastery.
This lousy chess player is the only one who can play against herself. The only person who can compete with her in chess is probably Yun Xian.
But since Yun Xian is not here, she can only do this.
Seeing that she remained silent, Mei Yanliu urged, "Saintess."
"I understand." Jimo Shu stood up, "I'll go now."
She was dressed in ordinary clothes, very different from the people from the Demon Sect passing by, and walked all the way to the deepest part.
There was a formation in the deepest cabin. Jimo Shu lowered her eyes, bit her fingertips, and black blood dripped onto the center of the formation. The formation fluctuated strangely a few times and instantly sucked her in.
The cabin was empty and dark, devoid of people. The only light was the central Buddha statue, stained with black energy and bearing a ferocious face, as if possessed by a demon.
Jimo Shu stood still and said, "Master."
The strange voice seemed to ring in my ears, with a smile: "Jimo, you have been back for so long, and you have finally done something practical."
Jimo Shu remained silent. It continued, "I was just worrying about how to lure those children over here. I didn't expect you to share my worries. Although your method is crude, it works, so it's a good idea—you know them well, right?"
"Master." Jimo Shu said, "If you have any instructions, just tell me."
Chi You laughed softly.
Its laughter wasn't unpleasant, it was even pleasant, but it made people feel uncomfortable all over. After laughing for a long time, its tone suddenly changed and it said coldly, "Jimo, don't think I don't know what you're thinking."
"Of course I know. You know what I'm thinking." Jimo Shu said expressionlessly, "So, didn't I do what you said?"
"Do you think calling them here will stop me? Sometimes I really can't understand where your confidence comes from." Chi You was truly puzzled. "I raised you for more than ten years, and you've only known those people for a short year. Are you going to learn the same despicable habits of the human race and get killed? Trust, friendship? It's the funniest joke in the world."
Jimo Shu clenched her fingertips.
She was not as calm as she appeared, and a wave of anxiety was rising and falling in her heart.
"If you really want to keep a pet, I won't stop you." Chi You slowed down his voice and added, "Others don't matter. Yun Xian must die. Do you understand what I mean?"
Jimo Shu said with difficulty: "I... can't."
"Can't? What do you mean by can't?" Chi You said coldly: "I have taught you how to kill people."
Jimo Shu remained silent.
Chi You said: "Or..."
Jimo Shu raised her eyes: "But you never taught me how to kill someone you don't want to kill!"
Chi You was so stubborn that he said angrily, "You!"
The air was stagnant, and beads of sweat slowly seeped out of Jimo Shu's forehead. The invisible black line on her chest was pulling again, and her internal organs were aching like a knife. But she knew that Chi You would not kill her, because at least she was alive and still useful to Chi You.
It wasn't the "usefulness" of subordinates like Mei Yanliu and Niu Yao. She could vaguely sense that if Chi You had something to do, she had to be involved.
“…”
After a while, Chi You chuckled and said, "That's all."
"Starting tomorrow, the Miaoshou Sect will take action." Chi You seemed to be talking to himself, but also seemed to be asking, "Do you know why I am sure that I will not fail?"
Jimo Shu gritted her teeth and endured the pain, sweating profusely.
"Because, destroying is always a thousand times easier than protecting."
The black air faintly formed a human figure, unable to distinguish between male and female. Chi You slowly said, "Faith, people... including any seemingly solid giant."
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