Approaching

"Hoo..."

Facing the Morning Sun, Fang Yuan inhaled and exhaled Purple Qi, his expression extremely solemn.

"With the help of Red Jade Rice, my Martial Arts are progressing at an astonishing speed!"

He had recently become addicted to practicing, after all, the feeling of proficiency rapidly increasing and becoming stronger bit by bit was incredibly intoxicating.

"Perhaps... I should also get my hands on the Eagle Claw Skill and Hard Qi Skill as soon as possible!"

Before, he was afraid of trying too much and not mastering any of it, but now Fang Yuan had no such worries.

Once Martial Arts reached a high level, practicing other martial skills would undoubtedly lead to rapid progress at lower levels, and for him, it was like riding a rocket.

"However, I'll wait until my Martial Dao reaches the fifth gate realm..."

Fang Yuan unconsciously glanced at his status:

"Name: Fang Yuan

Essence: 1.8 Qi: 1.6 Spirit: 1.5 Age: 18 Cultivation: Martial Dao Third Gate Skills: Black Sand Palm [Level 3] Specialties: Medical Skill [Level 1], Planting Skill [Level 3]"

"Breaking through the Sheng Gate of the third Martial Dao gate increased my Essence Yuan and Qi Yuan by about 0.3. The rest is all thanks to the Red Jade Rice..."

"It's just that my Spirit Yuan hasn't increased since the Heart-Questioning Tea ran out, not even when breaking through the Three Auspicious Gates..."

The more difficult it was for Spirit Yuan to increase, the more Fang Yuan valued it.

After all, with his current stats, having half as much Spirit Yuan as an ordinary person already made him feel like he had undergone a complete transformation.

If he could increase his Spirit Yuan further, what incredible things would happen?

Fang Yuan was very much looking forward to it.

"The Heart-Questioning Tea Tree is about to sprout again... And the Red Jade Rice, I've already allocated a large paddy field, enough to plant... The current shortage is still Spiritual Fertilizer!"

This strange translucent granular substance brought by the Flower Fox Ferret had a miraculous effect in promoting the maturation of Spiritual Plants.

And now that Fang Yuan was practicing martial arts, he needed a large supply of Red Jade Rice, making his reliance on Spiritual Fertilizer reach an extreme.

"I need Spiritual Fertilizer! A large amount of Spiritual Fertilizer! Otherwise, the Red Jade Rice and Heart-Questioning Tea leaves will be castles in the air..."

Unfortunately, the Flower Fox Ferret had repeatedly told him that the place where the Spiritual Fertilizer was located was very dangerous, and it was not advisable for him to go there rashly with his current strength.

"Now, I am already a master of the three Martial Dao gates, and even when fully focused, I can discern the movements of the White Ferret... It seems the danger it mentioned should be somewhere between the Ping Gate and the Xian Gate!"

The Twelve Gates of Golden Lock and Heavy Tower were an unavoidable threshold for martial artists of this era.

Fang Yuan had already broken through all three Auspicious Gates. If he could break through the Du Gate next, he would immediately enter a completely new realm.

According to the Hard Qi Skill manual, martial artists in the first three gates were considered common. Once they reached the Du and Jing gates, they could be considered to have just begun to grasp the Martial Dao.

As for breaking through the Harm Gate, and even higher Jingmen and Simen, the three dangerous gates, they could definitely be considered to have entered the hall and gained a foothold. Even within the Gui Ling Sect, they could be appointed as elders.

The reliance of that Song Zhigao, Song Zhong, an elder behind him, was actually a master of the three dangerous gates.

Moreover, given his age, it was unlikely that he would break through the Simen in this lifetime and challenge the final Four Heavenly Gates realm.

"Cackle!"

"Cackle!"

Just then, the Flower Fox Ferret suddenly appeared, biting Fang Yuan's trouser leg and running towards the valley entrance.

"Huh? Someone else is coming!?"

Fang Yuan was a little impatient. Unable to do anything else, he could only come to the valley entrance, and his eyes immediately narrowed.

Before him stood a large team, led by Steward Lin Benchu. The Zhou siblings were also present.

Not only that, but behind them were four strong servants carrying a sedan chair, with gauze curtains hanging down, vaguely revealing a figure lying inside.

"Nephew!"

Steward Lin stepped forward, spreading his hands: "Are you really confident about this matter?"

"What matter?"

Fang Yuan was completely confused.

"It's about treating the sick and saving the person, of course. The Zhou Family has gone all out and even brought Old Master Zhou!"

Lin Benchu said solemnly: "A while ago, you sent Old Man Tian to deliver a letter, saying you had a good plan to save the person, but you insisted on bringing the person into the Secluded Valley before you would treat them... Alas, you were indeed a bit presumptuous!"

"A letter?"

Fang Yuan's heart sank, but he remained outwardly calm. He took the letter and read it. It was exactly as Steward Lin had described, stating that he had a miraculous cure but that the Zhou Family had to bring the person into the mountains, otherwise he would not treat them. The wording was quite arrogant.

Every stroke and line matched his handwriting perfectly. Fang Yuan himself almost thought he had written it.

"Old Man Tian..."

Fang Yuan's eyes darted, and he immediately knew where the problem lay.

As the only herbalist who had dealings with Secluded Valley, he had a few lists and letters written in Fang Yuan's own hand. Forging a letter wouldn't be difficult.

Furthermore, Steward Lin had met Old Man Tian and knew he was practically Secluded Valley's representative. Thus, he had believed it without question.

However, Fang Yuan had never made any guarantees, and he knew nothing about Old Master Zhou's condition!

"A vicious scheme!"

Fang Yuan's gaze turned cold. 'What a vicious scheme. With this, I truly have no way to defend myself!'

It was clear that Old Master Zhou was already on his deathbed. Now, he had been tricked into a strenuous journey, and might even die in Secluded Valley. At that point, he and the Zhou Family would be sworn enemies!

Even if he claimed the letter wasn't his, who would believe him?

Looking at the expectant Zhou Family, Fang Yuan fell silent.

He even considered that if he were the mastermind, he would have already silenced Old Man Tian to ensure a flawless plan!

'Perhaps it's killing two birds with one stone. This Old Master Zhou originally belonged to a faction opposing Elder Song. Otherwise, even with ten times the courage, Song Zhigao wouldn't dare do this...'

Fang Yuan's mind raced, piecing together the possibilities.

"What's wrong... Nephew... Could it be..."

Steward Lin, seasoned by years of experience, began to sweat.

Heaven knows, Old Master Zhou's condition could no longer be delayed. The Zhou Family, desperate, had decided to try anything, sending him to Secluded Valley as a last resort.

He himself had also made promises and guarantees in this matter.

If Fang Yuan backed out now, the consequences would be unimaginable!

"I should examine the patient first!"

Fang Yuan glanced at Steward Lin, knowing it wasn't entirely his fault.

After all, he had indeed relayed messages to Steward Lin through Old Man Tian before, and Secluded Valley was deep in the mountains, making communication inconvenient.

"Of course!"

Steward Lin's scalp tingled as he led Fang Yuan to the sedan chair.

"Layman Fang, we entrust everything to you!"

Around the sedan chair, Zhou Wenwu, along with Zhou Wenxin and several other Zhou family members, bowed deeply. Several experts with profound auras scanned the surroundings.

Fang Yuan saw them and inwardly sneered. He paid them no mind. He knew very well that if he miraculously healed Old Master Zhou, everything would be fine. But if he couldn't... the disappointment from such high expectations could easily become his death sentence.

As for explaining himself?

Would the Zhou Family even listen now?

'What a huge trap. This must be Song Zhigao's doing!'

The arrow was already nocked and ready to fly. There was no turning back.

Fang Yuan stepped forward and lifted the curtain. A stench of decay immediately assaulted his nostrils.

"Good heavens, this Old Master Zhou is no different from a corpse!"

Fang Yuan's heart sank. He forced himself to look.

Inside the sedan chair lay an elder, seemingly fast asleep. However, his breathing was faint, as if he could die at any moment.

Anyone, even a renowned physician, seeing this scene would likely conclude that his "oil was running dry," that "no medicine could help."

On the elder's chest was the wound. It seemed he had suffered greatly, but it was now bandaged well and showed signs of healing.

"Hmm? This is strange!"

Fang Yuan blurted out involuntarily after a few moments of observation.

"Young layman, how is my father? Is there still hope?"

Zhou Wenwu, standing nearby, asked anxiously. The other Zhou family members stared at Fang Yuan with unfriendly expressions.

Who told this doctor to be so arrogant!

His temper and airs made them trek all the way into these deep mountains. Many were already inwardly vowing that if this young man was just a quack, they would make him pay!

"I have some initial ideas. I'll need to examine further for specifics!"

Fang Yuan returned to the valley and, not long after, brought back a box of silver needles. He casually lifted one of Old Master Zhou's arms and inserted a needle.

Plink!

A moment later, Fang Yuan withdrew the needle. There was nothing unusual. However, Fang Yuan stared at the needle tip, silent. He suddenly took out a fire starter, lit it, and heated the silver needle in the flame for a moment. He then sniffed it carefully, detecting a faint, orchid-like fragrance.

'This Old Master Zhou isn't severely injured, he's been poisoned!'

Fang Yuan thought, looking at the frail elder. 'And... it's the rare poison my master mentioned, Lover's Intoxication...'

Heart-Questioning Hermit was a master physician with extensive experience. He had discussed some cases with Fang Yuan, and Lover's Intoxication was one that left a deep impression on Fang Yuan.

Because this peculiar poison is colorless and odorless, it initially shows no symptoms. It only causes gradual emaciation, mental confusion, and ultimately a slow decline, as if fading away from heartbreak. It is quite peculiar.

Once administered, this peculiar poison clings like a leech, yet it displays absolutely no signs of poisoning, rendering even Silver Needles useless. Only when heated does it emit a faint orchid fragrance, its sole vulnerability.

At the time, the Heart-Questioning Hermit found it interesting, so Fang Yuan took note. He never expected to actually encounter a patient poisoned by 'Lover's Intoxication' today.

"How is it?"

Seeing Fang Yuan's brows furrow and then relax, the Zhou siblings dared not breathe loudly, asking softly.

"Old Master Zhou's illness, I can cure it!"

Fang Yuan nodded.

If he encountered a truly severely injured patient, his Medical Skill level would indeed be insufficient, but he faced this poison injury without fear.

The next moment, Fang Yuan said, "However, I have a few conditions!"