Take the Elixir, Leave Yourself Behind

The fastest update to Seeking the Dao in the Mortal World!

Qin Yi fell down under the tree.

There was hardly a piece of good flesh left on his body; it was all frozen muscle fibers that would crumble into dust at the slightest breeze. Frozen flesh and bones remained attached to his body, his face stiff and expressionless, covered in frostbitten bluish-purple hues, making him look like a zombie.

The Ice Fruit was right in front of him, hanging on the tree no more than ten feet away, practically within arm's reach.

However, this seemingly close distance feels like an insurmountable distance.

He had absolutely no strength left; let alone leaping ten feet high, he could barely even lift his hand.

He didn't even have the strength to communicate with Liusu telepathically; only his eyes remained bright and alert, fixed on the Ice Fruit only a few feet away, sparkling with eagerness.

Liusu remained silent, looking at him with great curiosity.

In most people's minds, being on the verge of death, stopping just a few feet away, helplessly watching the Ice Fruit so close yet unable to reach it, should be a scene of despair and frustration. But Qin Yi's eyes showed no frustration at all; instead, they were filled with fervor.

Having spent so much time together, Liusu never imagined that Qin Yi had this side to him—so strong and stubborn that he was nothing like a typical "nerd."

This kind of stubbornness sometimes seems foolish, but at other times it can be touching and admirable.

It simply depends on how close or distant you are to this person.

I never even thought of Liusu, let alone Chenghuang.

She stared blankly at the mirror, her slender hands unconsciously clenching, completely unaware of what she was thinking.

After catching his breath, Qin Yi slowly reached into his robes and pulled out a talisman.

With a "whoosh," a gust of wind swept through.

The surrounding gale, capable of shattering one's soul, suddenly gathered and pierced the tree branches like sharp knives.

Wind Control Talisman.

With precise control of Law Power, he transformed the surrounding bone-scraping wind into his own weapon, accurately scraping towards the desired location.

With a "crack," the ice branch broke, and a few Ice Fruit wobbled and fell from the branch.

Qin Yi didn't even have the strength to stand up. He reached out and grabbed the Ice Fruit that had fallen in front of him, a smile appearing on his stiff face.

Liusu sighed, "Didn't you even think about how you're going to go back looking like this?"

"Huh!?" Qin Yi's smile froze on his face.

Then an overwhelming wave of exhaustion washed over him, and he finally passed out completely.

"What an idiot." Chenghuang threw down the mirror and disappeared in a flash.

As if sensing something, Liusu muttered to herself, "The intention to monitor them has disappeared."

The Wolf Tooth Club moved on its own, carrying Qin Yi's body to the cave entrance in the blink of an eye.

When Chenghuang appeared at the edge of the desert, he saw Qin Yi lying unconscious outside the cave like a limp rag doll, his right hand gripping Wolf Tooth Club, and his left hand tightly clutching an Ice Fruit, crystal clear and beautiful.

Qin Yi didn't know how long he had slept.

Even in my dreams, I can feel a bone-chilling cold, as if I've fallen into an ice cellar. It feels like my muscles are being cut by knives, and even the slightest movement feels like having my bones scraped.

Even his mental state was off; he was in a daze, accompanied by waves of sharp pain.

He knew he was sick.

But later, when someone fed him medicine, he seemed to hear Ye Ling crying.

Later, warm spiritual energy was injected into him, which, together with the medicinal power, helped to heal his body, regenerate his muscles and blood, and the pain turned into itching. Finally, he woke up amidst the pain and itching as if being bitten by thousands of ants.

He found himself lying on a soft, large bed, the pure white silk quilt exuding a pleasant fragrance. His body was wrapped up like a mummy, unable to move, and waves of pain and itching still assaulted him, but were now within tolerable limits. His internal spiritual energy had been cleansed, his True Qi was circulating, and he had recovered remarkably well. His Law Power even seemed to show signs of a breakthrough, though he didn't know if this was due to his training in the ice cave or the result of the medicinal and spiritual cleansing and recuperation.

"Awake?" A soft, seductive voice came from not far away.

The voice is so distinctive; I can tell it's Chenghuang without even turning my head.

Qin Yi opened his mouth, his voice somewhat hoarse. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Chenghuang walked over, and Yingying sat on the edge of the bed, looking at his face with gentle eyes.

Qin Yi was taken aback.

She wasn't dressed in a long gown as usual, but rather in a loose-fitting nightgown that revealed a deep cleavage. Qin Yi didn't dare look too long and subconsciously looked away, but then he noticed the bowl of medicine she was holding.

She scooped up a small spoonful, blew on it gently, and brought it to Qin Yi's lips, saying softly, "Drink it."

Qin Yi opened his mouth in a daze. The medicine was at the perfect temperature. The liquid flowed into his throat, warm and smooth. He could clearly feel the medicinal power spreading out, continuing to nourish his muscles and bones.

"Your frostbite is severe. If you don't take good care of yourself, your body will be ruined." Chenghuang's eyes sparkled as he chuckled, "Even your little head, which you think is more important than your big head, is almost useless. It's time to cut it off."

Qin Yi was somewhat embarrassed. "Your Majesty is joking... Uh, do you know where my Wolf Tooth Club is?"

Chenghuang looked at him strangely. "I've never seen anyone wake up and immediately ask about Wolf Tooth Club... Am I not even as good-looking as a club?"

"..." Cold sweat appeared on Qin Yi's forehead.

Chenghuang didn't say anything more, but continued to feed him the medicine.

Qin Yi didn't dare say anything more, and obediently finished his drink before saying, "Thank you. How could I trouble Your Majesty to do this personally..."

"It's nothing," Chenghuang interrupted, "This King admire your willingness to risk your life for a promise. Such a person should be regarded as a national hero."

Qin Yi blushed slightly and tentatively asked, "Then the Ice Fruit..."

"I have all the other medicinal herbs for this Increase Lifespan Pill in my storage." Chenghuang put down the medicine bowl and said calmly, "Considering your actions, I will give you all these herbs. This King will even personally refine the medicine for you, but there is one condition."

Qin Yi was overjoyed. "Your Majesty, please speak."

He thought to himself, "We've already survived so many near-death experiences, what's one more condition you need?"

Chenghuang said leisurely, "These medicines are priceless. It takes a lot of effort for This King to refine such high-grade pills. I can't possibly make such a sacrifice for outsiders. Do you understand?"

"Hmm... I understand." Qin Yi said earnestly, "I will definitely repay Your Majesty's kindness."

"I don't need your gratitude. I've already said I won't do anything for outsiders," This King Chenghuang said calmly. "I can give you the pills, but you have to stay here."

"Well?"

Chenghuang said, word by word, "If you join our country and serve us, this pill will be yours."

Qin Yi shook his head wearily. "Well, I don't want to just fool the king and leave after getting the pill. To be honest, even without this pill, I still have to go back and reunite with her."

"She's just a woman," Chenghuang said calmly. "I know you have a past with the Brocade Embroidery Workshop Cheng in the East of the City, and she is quite fond of you. This King can arrange for her to marry you. Is she not as beautiful as your lover?"

"Cheng Cheng is a beauty of unparalleled grace, but that's a different matter..." Qin Yi said in a low voice, "This is something that cannot be replaced. I cannot let Qing Jun down."

This King Chenghuang sneered, "If you don't want her, I'll just give her away to some monster. You'd be willing to do that?"

Qin Yi said helplessly, "Why should Your Majesty take your anger out on a mere woman? Cheng Cheng is innocent."

"If you don't want her, she's destined to marry a monster. How can she be innocent?"

Qin Yi was speechless for a long while before sighing, "If Cheng Cheng is willing to come with me, I..."

Chenghuang stared at him for a while, then suddenly chuckled softly, "A man."

Qin Yi blushed, realizing that what he had said was indeed a bit rude.

Unexpectedly, Chenghuang said leisurely, "Although it's a bit shameless, it's still better than saying it's none of your business and telling her to find a good man herself... At least she still has some conscience."

"..." Qin Yi was speechless.

"But if that's the case..." Chenghuang said slowly, "Why should I waste precious resources and expend so much effort to help you refine pills? Do you think I, a demon king, am just a selfless fool who helps others?"

"Being selfless in helping others doesn't make you a fool..." Qin Yi muttered, but when he glanced at Chenghuang's cold eyes, he had to shut up.

This is troublesome...

Just as the atmosphere was growing increasingly tense, a young girl's voice came from outside. "The outer array of the Kun Peng Purple Mansion has been deactivated, and we can enter at any time."

"How are the Hyena Prime Minister behaving?"

"No movement..."

Chenghuang chuckled softly, "Silence is the biggest noise. If I'm not mistaken, the elite troops of Guo Country are already waiting at his residence."

"So what do we do?"

Chenghuang thought for a moment, then her beautiful eyes suddenly swept over Qin Yi's bewildered expression, and she smiled, her eyes narrowing. "You understand formations?"

Qin Yi replied, somewhat bewildered, "I know a little."

"If you do this for me, I'll refine the elixir for you."