Chapter 44 Becoming an Apprentice 3: The Poison of Demonic Blood
Few in the Jade Cloud Sect know that in a secluded courtyard on Pill Peak where the Alchemy Academy is located, nearly two hundred young disciples live. Many of them have excellent aptitude for cultivation, possessing either a single or double spiritual root, yet for the past two years they have been confined to this small courtyard, unable to cultivate or leave.
Under the influence of the demonic blood, any use of spiritual power would cause it to flow through the body's meridians, exacerbating the poison and causing them to lose their minds. Although the Alchemy Academy provided many pills to suppress the poison, it could not be eradicated. Gradually, some disciples with weaker constitutions died silently during the two years of torment.
It was just an ordinary day. In the forgotten courtyard, a group of disciples afflicted by demonic blood sat or lay down, while many others, looking mad, ran around the courtyard, occasionally letting out a roar.
In this chaotic environment, Zhao Jia sat blankly under the tree. He was thin and his cheeks were sunken, making him almost unrecognizable. At this moment, his lifeless eyes were staring at a young couple to his left.
Those were Xi Feng and Xi Yun, a brother and sister.
They had lived here for two years. At first, friends would come to visit them, but as time went on, the place gradually became deserted. Only blood relatives like Xi Yun would still visit Xi Feng from time to time.
With his sister's help, Xi Feng was eating slowly, consuming only a bowl of ordinary white porridge. However, Zhao Jia's heart was being gnawed by a dense web of jealousy and resentment.
While others might not know, he knew perfectly well that Xi Feng had recovered.
It was Xu Xing who cured him.
But clearly, when Xu Xing first came to visit them, the first person he looked for was Zhao Jia...
Xu Xing disliked him, and he also disliked Xu Xing's laziness. Although they didn't get along, they were both from Xiahe Village and had never caused trouble for each other since joining the sect.
"I can't guarantee I can cure you, but if you're willing to try the medication, I'll do my best to help you."
He still remembered the tone and expression with which Xu Xing spoke those words when she came to see them that day. Her face was expressionless, but her eyes looked somewhat sad.
He knew that she wasn't just sad for him; she couldn't stand what was happening and wanted to do something about it.
Zhao Jia had long known that Xu Xing was a kind person; otherwise, he would never have had the opportunity to enter the Jade Cloud Sect.
Zhao Jia was actually very happy that Xu Xing came here. He was terrified every day while he was here, afraid that he would lose his mind or die from the poison.
He had no friends. The few people he was somewhat familiar with were people he met while following Li Yuan. However, they had previously sabotaged each other in their struggle to be the closest person to Li Yuan, and now they disliked each other.
Ironically, the reason they were secretly competing back then was simply for the medicinal resources that slipped through Li Yuan's fingers. Li Yuan looked down on the medicinal pills issued by the Immortal Academy, always casually tossing them to those behind him. What he discarded like trash was a treasure that Zhao Jia and others fought desperately for…
But now, the person who received the most pills back then had completely lost his mind half a year ago and was taken away from Danfeng. Zhao Jia still remembers the person's terrifying appearance, with bloodshot eyes and a beast-like appearance.
Zhao Jia was still struggling to hold on, but he didn't know how much longer he could last. He didn't want to become a demon beast. If he could continue to be human, he would accept it even if he couldn't cultivate.
But when Xu Xing suggested trying the drug, he still hesitated.
He thought to himself, even if Xu Xing wanted to help, what kind of medicine could a mere Qi Refining disciple like her possibly concoct? Even the Alchemy Academy was helpless; could Xu Xing possibly cure her? What if the condition worsened after the medicine was tested?
Zhao Jia dared not gamble.
So Xi Feng became the final person to test the drug.
He made the right bet.
"Brother, eat slowly. After we get out, I'll cook for you every day." Xi Yun looked a little haggard, but her eyes were bright. Two years had passed, and her brother had finally returned to normal. Even if his cultivation would be hindered in the future, he would no longer have to worry about whether he would become a demon beast every day.
After being infected by the demonic blood, even ordinary food was a luxury for them. Xi Feng, who had been taking pills for two years to survive, sipped the food with relish. He patted his sister's hand and said with a smile, "I should be the one making this for you."
Xi Feng thought of something else, and a faint blush crept onto his pale cheeks. The person who saved him seemed to never miss a meal. If...
Out of the corner of her eye, Xi Yun saw the man who had been sitting under the tree swaying as he walked over, looking rather strange. She instinctively stepped in front of her brother, asking warily, "Zhao Jia, is there something you need?"
Those afflicted by the demonic blood are extremely aggressive. Most are confined indoors, with only a few allowed to roam freely in the courtyard. Seeing Zhao Jia like this, Xi Yun worried he might suddenly attack, but Zhao Jia stopped a short distance away, pleading in a hoarse voice, "Please, please help me deliver a message to her, tell her I'm willing! Please..."
If Zhao Jia were given another chance, he would definitely agree to Xu Xing's request!
No! Perhaps he shouldn't have distanced himself from Xu Xing and the others in the first place, but instead followed behind Li Yuan. If only he could do it all over again…
Inside a small shop at the end of Liujin Street, Xu Xing was carefully considering his words, but no matter how tactful he was in refusing, it was still a refusal.
"I'm sorry, I cannot become your apprentice."
Xu Xing was surprised that Gu Hongguang had the idea of taking on a disciple, but her alchemy skills were all based on life skills, which was equivalent to cheating or having a cheat code. It did not mean that she had any talent in this area, so she could not become a disciple of an alchemy master.
Still unsure of the seventh-level alchemist's temperament, Xu Xing cautiously explained, "Master Gu, actually, I already have a master in alchemy. The formula for this Detoxification Pill was also given to me by that senior. However, he rarely appears in public, so I don't want to reveal his identity."
"You really do have a master?"
Gu Hongguang was somewhat suspicious. According to the information he found, although Xu Xing had several Golden Core cultivators around her, none of them were skilled in alchemy. If someone had really taught her alchemy, there should have been no trace of them.
Gu Hongguang softened his tone, his round face showing a kind expression, "Child, I sincerely want to take you as my disciple and pass on my many years of alchemy experience. If you are willing to come, you will be my only personal disciple."
If he had only valued Xu Xing's talent before, now he was showing his utmost sincerity. Xu Xing's concern for the two hundred disciples of the Immortal Academy showed that he was kind-hearted and had great potential.
If she stayed next to a real alchemist, her haphazard alchemy skills would be exposed. Xu Xing secretly groaned in her heart. She simply took out the detoxification pill formula she had written. "Master Gu, how could I have obtained this formula without my master?"
Before Gu Hongguang could speak, she said, "All I ask for are two hundred third-order poison-removing pills. To show my sincerity, I am willing to give you the pill formula to review first."
Gu Hongguang took it and examined it. He was immediately captivated, exclaiming repeatedly, "Wonderful! So the mixture of Moon Bone Grass and Frost-Eroded Rock Powder has such uses? I've never tried it before..."
"Rest assured, at the latest within a month, I will make sure that every disciple of the Immortal Academy has a Detoxification Pill."
Gu Hongguang hadn't forgotten where he was. He carefully put away the pill formula and made a promise, "If you are unwilling now, I will not force you, but if you change your mind, no matter how late it is, I am willing to take you as my disciple."
“Take this,” Gu Hongguang handed over a pale yellow jade pendant. “This is the token of the Alchemy Academy. With this, you can freely enter and leave the inner courtyard. If you encounter any bottlenecks in alchemy, you can come to me at any time.”
Xu Xing could tell that the old man in front of him was wholeheartedly devoted to alchemy and was a sincere person. Fortunately, it was him who came this time; if it had been someone else, this deal might not have been possible.
She accepted the jade pendant and said gratefully, "Thank you, Master Gu."
“There is another matter I would like to ask for your help with,” Xu Xing requested, “Could you please keep this a secret? My cultivation is low, and if…”
"You saved them, but you don't want everyone to know? This is a great achievement, and the Thousand Machine Academy will surely reward you handsomely." Gu Hongguang stroked his white beard, his gaze becoming increasingly gentle.
Xu Xing shook his head. "I did this only to put my mind at ease, not for any personal gain."
As soon as she finished speaking, she suddenly felt a sense of relief, as if an invisible shackle had been removed, and her cultivation, which had been stuck at the seventh level of Qi Refining for two years, broke through to the eighth level of Qi Refining on the spot!
As Gu Hongguang emerged from the shop, he timidly greeted Tong Yuanbai and the others, responding to their greetings one by one. He was clearly in a good mood and showed none of the arrogance of a high-level alchemist.
He rode away on his flying elephant with a big smile on his face, and the smile in his eyes did not disappear until he returned to the alchemy institute.
How long has it been since I met such an interesting junior?
Despite his high status, Gu Hongguang was devoted to alchemy and never accepted any disciples. Even Zhu Fangyun advised him to consider passing on his mantle, but Gu Hongguang never found a suitable disciple.
Right now, a young disciple has emerged who is exceptional in both talent and character. Although she is not willing to become a disciple for the time being, there is still a long way to go. As long as she remains in the Jade Cloud Sect, there will be opportunities.
As for her master, whose name she didn't know, Gu Hongguang still doubted whether this person really existed.
...
Several things have happened recently in the outer sect of Yuxiao Sect. First, the two hundred Immortal Dao Academy disciples who inexplicably fell ill two years ago and moved to Danfeng have all recovered. Second, the disciple-acceptance ceremony is about to be held, and all outer sect disciples without a master can participate, except for the current Immortal Dao Academy disciples.
This apprentice-acceptance ceremony was extremely grand, with not only many peak masters from both the inner and outer sects invited, but also elders from various academies such as the Alchemy Academy and the Weapon Forging Academy in attendance. Elder Ning Wenbin personally presided over the ceremony, making it a rare and spectacular event.
This matter has become a hot topic of discussion among the cultivators of the Jade Cloud Sect recently.
As the one who facilitated this major event, Xu Xing didn't care. Recently, besides the demon blood being resolved, what made her happiest was that Wen Yao had emerged from seclusion and successfully advanced to the Foundation Establishment stage.
During this time, Zhao Linglan went down the mountain with Xiang Yuquan for training, Zuo Qiuxu went home to visit his family, Wen Yao and Chen Du were in seclusion, and Aunt Lian was busy with the shop. Xu Xing was quite lonely with only his three pet beasts to keep him company.
Xu Xing wasn't the type of person who could patiently cultivate, so now that Wen Yao had emerged from seclusion, she finally had someone to keep her company.
"Ayao, would you like to become my apprentice?"
While chatting with Wen Yao, Xu Xing casually stroked the little dumpling rubbing against his leg. If he stroked it too slowly, the little dumpling would grumble in dissatisfaction.
Wen Yao nodded, but her expression was somewhat worried. "I do intend to become an apprentice, but..."
Wen Yao cultivates fire-based techniques, while Wen Lu cultivates wood-based techniques. Their methods are different, so it would be a good choice for Wen Yao to find another master.
Although she only possesses four spiritual roots, she is an extremely rare pure spiritual body. Her cultivation speed is even faster than Zhao Linglan, who has two spiritual roots, so she can be said to have excellent talent. However, she is not allowed to join the inner sect.
After hesitating for a moment, Wen Yao told her friend, "Xu Xu, have you heard of the Inner Sect's Extreme Fire Peak? I never told you the truth about when I was poisoned by the Soul-Eating Poison. Actually, the person who poisoned me was my nominal father, and he is at Extreme Fire Peak."
"What?" Xu Xing was initially shocked that someone would do such a thing to her child. Upon hearing the words "Extreme Fire Peak," she suddenly remembered the group of cultivators who had caused trouble at the shop last time. They seemed to be from Extreme Fire Peak. Could it be...?
Wen Yao noticed that something was wrong with her expression and quickly asked, "Have you met people from Extreme Fire Peak?"
Kan Yuanyi, the peak master of Extreme Fire Peak, has a fiery temper and is a figure that few dare to provoke, even within the inner sect. Her disciples follow her example and are always unrestrained. Anyone who is targeted by Extreme Fire Peak will never have a good time.
"No, I stay at Xuanjian Peak every day, how could I possibly run into them?" Xu Xing smiled and glossed over the matter, not mentioning the incident of the Jihuo Peak disciples causing trouble at the shop, but he had his own guesses in his mind.
Senior Wen Lu had once stood up for the shop, and everyone assumed that Wen Lu had a close relationship with the shop. Since the mother and daughter's enemy was at Jihuo Peak, there might be another reason for the trouble they caused last time.
If it weren't for Master Gu Hongguang's intervention, things would have turned out badly, and Xu Xing felt somewhat fortunate.
"Even though Extreme Fire Peak is powerful, the inner sect isn't entirely under their control. With your talent, you might be able to join the inner sect! I remember there are other peaks in the inner sect that specialize in fire spirit cultivation, right?"
"Why are you looking so gloomy? You've reached Foundation Establishment so quickly, shouldn't you be happy?" Seeing Wen Yao's worry, Xu Xing smiled and took her hand, slipping a storage ring he had already crafted onto her index finger. "This is a congratulatory gift for your advancement. Do you like it?"
Wen Yao raised her hand, and saw that the ring on her finger was made of fire-melting crystal. It shone with an extremely translucent red color on her fair finger, shining brightly and dazzlingly.
She was initially happy, but then she pouted and whispered, "Fire-melting crystals are very expensive..."
Xu Xing teased her deliberately, "I made it myself, it didn't cost any money, so don't think it's cheap, Yao~"
"You're just trying to fool me! Buying crystal materials will cost a lot of spirit stones."
Wen Yao gently patted Xu Xing's shoulder and then repeatedly stroked the ring, clearly fond of it.
The storage tools commonly used by cultivators are storage bags and storage bracelets. They rarely use rings because storage rings are difficult to refine, and even if they are refined, the space is not large, making them quite useless.
However, the one that Xu Xing refined not only has a large space, but also has a high level of restriction. Once it recognizes its owner, it is difficult for others to take it away. If you want to sell it, it will cost at least a hundred mid-grade spirit stones.
How could Wen Yao not know the good intentions her friend had for her? She sniffled, leaned in and hugged Xu Xing, her voice hoarse as she said, "Xu Xu, thank you."
“I’ve always wanted to persuade you to cultivate diligently, but you’ve already reached the eighth level of Qi Refining after this seclusion. It’s clear that you’re just lazy in words, but you’re actually very hardworking. You don’t need anyone else to say anything.”
Wen Yao nuzzled against Xu Xing's shoulder, "I hope we can all successfully become disciples of a good master at this apprenticeship ceremony..."
Xu Xing gently patted Wen Yao's back, and another black storage ring appeared in his palm. She clenched the ring tightly and looked towards the summit of Xuanjian Peak. Senior Brother Chen Du also had no master. Would he come out of seclusion for this disciple-acceptance ceremony?
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Author's Note: Thank you to the lovely readers Xixi, minmin123n, and 7兀 for the nutrient solution! [Heart]
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