“Get the Three Wonders Treasure Lotus.”
Lian Cangqiong's voice echoed in Ling Xian's heart.
Ling Xian nodded. Although he didn't know the specific uses of the Three Wonders Treasure Lotus, since his master had spoken, he would do everything he could to obtain it.
“Okay, I’m willing to give it a try.” He looked at Lin Qingyi and asked, “Should we go now?”
“Alright.” Lin Qingyi gracefully walked over to Ling Xian and said earnestly, “The City Lord's daughter is in critical condition. I've met her a few times, and we could be considered friends. If there's a way, please, Master, you must save her.”
“For the sake of that Three Wonders Treasure Lotus, I will do my best, but you shouldn't hold out too much hope,” Ling Xian said humbly, not daring to boast.
“Master, you are too modest. My grandfather told me when he returned from the City Lord's mansion this morning that the City Lord's daughter was poisoned by the venom of a Rank 9 demonic beast, the Two-Headed Poisonous Snake. The reason it hasn't been expelled yet is that no one in Qingcheng can refine a high-quality antidote pill. Based on my estimation, if there is an antidote pill with an efficacy of 70% or higher, there should be no problem.” Lin Qingyi, however, had great confidence in him. In her opinion, being able to refine a batch of spirit pills with 80% efficacy meant refining an antidote pill with 70% efficacy would be a piece of cake.
“I'll do my best.” Ling Xian felt a bit embarrassed. He hadn't expected this beautiful woman to hold him in such high regard. But he knew his own limitations. He could only refine one type of pill, the Qi Condensation Pill. As for antidote pills, he didn't even know the formula.
However, he wasn't worried about being helpless at the City Lord's mansion, because he possessed the Evil-Burning Divine Flame, which was the bane of all strange poisons under the heavens. As long as he used it properly, let alone the poison of a Rank 9 demonic beast, he wouldn't fear the poison of a Rank 1 demonic beast either.
“Oh, right, Qingyi doesn't know your name yet, Master? Why have I never heard of a fourth alchemist in Qingcheng, and one with such high attainments in the Dao of Alchemy?” Lin Qingyi probed, very curious about him.
“A name is just a code name, and I am not from Qingcheng. I am just passing through,” Ling Xian said indifferently.
The reason he wore a bamboo hat and veiled his face was that he didn't want to be recognised. If it were just the identity of a Rank 9 alchemist, that would be fine; it would only benefit him. But if it were a fourteen-year-old alchemist who was a cultivationless waste two days ago, that would be somewhat astonishing.
The most likely explanation was that he had suddenly obtained a rare treasure, which is how it's written in novels for entertainment in the cultivation world.
In reality, that was indeed the case, so Ling Xian could only keep a low profile and not be too ostentatious. Once it became widely known and caused a sensation, there would definitely be powerful cultivators he couldn't currently contend with who would capture him, kill him for his treasure, and destroy the evidence.
“Since Master is unwilling to reveal it, Qingyi will not press further.” Lin Qingyi was a little disappointed.
“It's getting late. Let's hurry,” Ling Xian changed the subject.
Lin Qingyi's thoughts stirred, and a sound of hooves immediately came from a distance.
As if a bolt of lightning flashed, in the blink of an eye, a tall and magnificent white horse appeared before the two of them.
The white horse stood with its head held high, without a single Noise on its body, except for a wisp of red hair on each of its four hooves, like four blooming flames. It was the Flame-Treading Treasure Horse, known as the fastest among Rank 9 demonic beasts.
Behind the white horse was hitched a beautifully decorated carriage, engraved with a dragon and phoenix motif, the carving exquisite and lifelike.
“Xiaobai, you'll have to work hard.” Lin Qingyi moved her lotus steps lightly, walked forward, and patted its large head.
With a neigh, the white horse seemed to enjoy her caress very much, and a hint of human-like gentleness flashed in its eyes.
“Miss Lin is indeed impressive. To actually possess and tame a Flame-Treading Treasure Horse is truly enviable.” Ling Xian was a little surprised. This horse was naturally incredibly fast and had a violent temper. It was the best mount among Rank 9 demonic beasts, and also the most difficult to tame.
“I acquired this horse by chance.
At that time, I needed fire for alchemy and didn't want to use the most common Earth Core Fire, so I went to the Thousand Mountains Dense Forest to look for fire-attribute demonic beasts. Unexpectedly, I happened to encounter Xiaobai when he was just born, so I brought him back.” Lin Qingyi smiled calmly and said, “Master, please get in the carriage.”
Ling Xian nodded, lifted the embroidered curtain, and walked in.
He saw that the space inside the carriage was not very large, furnished with two long benches covered with soft tiger fur. A unique feminine fragrance wafted towards him.
Ling Xian sat down on the left bench, then closed his eyes to absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, regulating his internal injuries.
Lin Qingyi followed and sat on the right bench. With a wave of her jade hand, the Flame-Treading Treasure Horse neighed and galloped towards the City Lord's mansion at lightning speed.
A subtle fragrance drifted, the bright moon was about to rise, and the two were close enough to feel each other's warm breath.
At first, Lin Qingyi could remain calm. She was originally a quiet and gentle woman, but as time passed, her heart could no longer settle down.
She was well aware of her charm. Normally, those who fawned over her could line up from the east of the city to the west, standing in two rows. Even elderly people nearing their seventies couldn't help but glance at her when facing her. But at this moment, the two of them were in a private space, and the person in front of her could actually cultivate calmly, completely ignoring her presence. This made her feel a little disappointed and annoyed.
“His voice sounds like a young man, but his alchemy techniques are unusually seasoned. What kind of person is he?” Lin Qingyi looked at Ling Xian curiously, wanting to reach out several times to lift his veil, but ultimately held back.
“What, are you curious about what I look like?”
The calm voice held no hint of teasing or anger, yet it startled her.
Ling Xian slowly opened his eyes and looked at Lin Qingyi's stunningly beautiful face.
Her pretty face slightly flushed, Lin Qingyi was silent for a moment, then admitted frankly, “Yes, Qingyi is indeed very curious about what Master looks like.”
“There's nothing good to see about an old man,” Ling Xian said indifferently.
A hint of sadness flashed in her autumn-water-like eyes. Lin Qingyi forced a smile. Was he really an old man?
“Neigh!”
The Flame-Treading Treasure Horse let out a long neigh and stopped in front of a magnificent mansion.
Two majestic stone lions were placed on either side, and two armoured guards stood meticulously in front of the gate, their sharp eyes staring at the stopped carriage.
Ling Xian was the first to get out of the carriage, followed closely by Lin Qingyi. She gently stroked the white horse's smooth fur with her jade hand and whispered, “Xiaobai, wait for me here. Don't run around.”
After speaking, she walked gracefully towards the guards at the City Lord's mansion.
“I am Lin Qingyi. This is the master I invited. Your City Lord should have given instructions.”
The two guards obviously recognised her. A hint of awe and admiration flashed in their eyes, and they said respectfully, “Yes, Master Lin, please come in. Master, you too.”
Master Lin?
Ling Xian was a little puzzled. She seemed to be highly respected. Did she have another identity besides being Miss Lin?
Following Lin Qingyi through the main gate, a pretty maidservant came forward, bowed respectfully, and led the way.
Walking on the path paved with marble, Ling Xian curiously examined the luxurious architecture of the City Lord's mansion. He saw exotic flowers blooming, rockeries everywhere, and pavilions and towers dotted the landscape. It could be described as beautiful scenery, grand and majestic.
Soon, the three arrived at the main hall. The maidservant quietly withdrew. Lin Qingyi was about to knock on the door when she heard a low voice filled with sorrow.
“Masters, is there really no solution for my daughter's poison?”
A middle-aged man sat in the main seat in the main hall. He wore a wide black robe, his chiselled face revealing a hint of sadness. Two sword-like eyebrows slanted into his temples, and his tiger-like eyes were piercing, possessing an aura of authority without being angry.
He was Ye Xiaotian, the City Lord of Qingcheng, and the only Foundation Establishment stage cultivator on the surface.
Sitting below him were more than a dozen alchemists, some of whom were men in their thirties, and others were white-haired elders. At this moment, hearing his words, they all fell silent, unable to say anything, completely losing the arrogance and disdain they had before, and their high spirits.
They had already tried many methods and concocted many antidote pills, but without exception, they couldn't even temporarily suppress the strange poison in the City Lord's daughter's body, let alone completely eradicate it. If it weren't for the control of the Foundation Establishment stage cultivator's powerful magic power, that woman, rumoured to be so beautiful that she could make the moon hide and flowers blush, would have already perished.
A hint of resentment and helplessness flashed in Ye Xiaotian's tiger-like eyes. Looking at the cultivators below who prided themselves on being masters of alchemy, he said in a deep voice, “All of you are renowned masters of alchemy. Can't you even cure the poison of a mere Rank 9 demonic beast?”
These words were very blunt. They sounded like a question, but they were actually a statement.
Stating a fact.
Some people's expressions turned unpleasant. Just as Ye Xiaotian said, they were all renowned alchemists. Normally, they were high and mighty, with an extremely respected status. How could they have ever been subjected to such ridicule? But they had no way to refute it, because they truly couldn't cure the strange poison in the City Lord's daughter's body.
Moreover, the person sitting above was a Foundation Establishment stage expert, and he was in a state of grief and sadness. If he was unhappy with someone and slapped them down, all of them combined couldn't withstand it.
These people had all come for the Three Wonders Treasure Lotus, but they didn't want to get anything good and lost their lives instead.
After a long time, a young man about twenty-five or twenty-six years old stood up and said, “City Lord Ye, your daughter was poisoned not by the venom of an ordinary Two-Headed Poisonous Snake, but by the venom of the Two-Headed King Snake. This poison is comparable to the poison of a Rank 7 demonic beast. Only an antidote pill of Rank 6 or higher will be effective, or a Rank 7 antidote pill with 70% efficacy will also work.”
“A Rank 6 antidote pill, indeed. A Rank 7 antidote pill with 70% efficacy, indeed. Why don't you just tell me to prepare a coffin?” Ye Xiaotian sneered coldly. He knew very well that these two things were more difficult than the other. With his status, obtaining them was as difficult as ascending to heaven.
“I will ask one last time, who has a solution? As long as someone can cure my daughter's poison, this City Lord is willing to offer all of my possessions.”
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's eyes showed fervour, and their breathing became slightly rapid. All the possessions of a Foundation Establishment stage expert were quite astonishing.
They really wanted to get it, but they couldn't.
Because they truly had no way at all. Even the young man with the arrogant expression remained silent.
However, just as Ye Xiaotian was gradually falling into despair, with a 'creak', the door of the main hall was suddenly pushed open from the outside. A soft ray of moonlight shone in, like a ray of hope.
“I have a solution.”
A calm voice suddenly reached everyone's ears, breaking the previous silent atmosphere. Ling Xian walked into the main hall with unhurried steps. His words, calm yet containing strong confidence, made everyone turn their heads, and they fell into a strange silence once again.
The silence was so profound that a pin drop could be heard.