Dugu Yan is Poisoned

A few days later, Qin Yuan returned to Heaven Dou City.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect disciples had come back a few days earlier to report on their mission, and Ning Fengzhi had sent someone to deliver the promised reward to the Golden Saber Shop.

Along the way, Qin Yuan had been analyzing Bibi Dong's temperament.

Collaborating with a tiger was extremely dangerous; one misstep and he would be caught in the trap himself.

However, as dangerous as Bibi Dong was, her intentions were laid out in the open, unlike Ning Fengzhi, who hid a knife behind his smile.

As long as he went along with Bibi Dong's wishes, she naturally wouldn't harm Qin Yuan.

Of course, Qin Yuan had spent years scraping and clawing his way across the continent, and he had some ability of his own—he wasn't some brainless fool.

Bibi Dong's commission mission was particularly important. If he handled it well, not only would there be no danger in the future, but he could also gain more benefits within the Martial Soul Hall system.

For a while afterward, Qin Yuan received no commissions, which left him pleasantly idle, with plenty of time each day to study his Movement Technique and saber arts.

With the saber technique rewarded by the System, he used it as a foundation to ponder a brand-new saber style of his own.

That afternoon, Ning Tie from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect arrived at the Golden Saber Shop.

Since handing over this storefront to Qin Yuan, Ning Tie hadn't shown up again. Now that he appeared today, he was undoubtedly representing Ning Fengzhi.

Qin Yuan's earlier stance wouldn't change—Ning Fengzhi was a harmful influence, and for the time being, he wouldn't accept any commissions from him.

Still, he had to keep up appearances.

Ning Tie cupped his hands but didn't enter the shop. "Mr. Qin, This Humble One is merely here on the Sect Leader's orders to routinely inquire about a few matters."

"Elder Ning Bao mentioned that he informed you of the Black Market's news, and that you did go there. I wonder, do you know what happened to our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's experts in the Black Market?"

Based on the intelligence sent back by the squad, Qin Yuan hadn't acted alongside them, so the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect didn't suspect him of having killed those experts.

Still, since Qin Yuan had appeared in the Black Market, he should know something.

Qin Yuan thought to himself: Those fools got killed by Bibi Dong.

At the time, he had accepted a commission, and according to his rules, he wouldn't betray any information about his employer.

"I did encounter them, but I didn't have much exchange with them. After I left, they were still in the Black Market. I don't know what happened afterward. What, did something go wrong with those people?"

Ning Tie cursed inwardly.

Those Spirit Saint experts were less reliable than Qin Yuan in getting things done. He had no idea why the Sect had sent them on the mission.

Now the people had vanished, and the Sect was putting pressure on him to find them. Where was he supposed to look?

Ning Tie forced a smile onto his face and cupped his hands. "Thank you for telling me, Mr. Qin. Farewell."

Every major force had its own moles among the others. Qin Yuan didn't know if Ning Tie was sent by Bibi Dong to test him. Regardless, his bottom line was clear—he wouldn't speak carelessly.

He stopped thinking about it and sat down on the lounge chair in front of the door.

He hadn't rested long when a flurry of hurried footsteps approached. Without turning his head, Qin Yuan asked casually, "Something wrong?"

The newcomer was Ye Lingling. Her face was panicked, her steps chaotic, and she was gasping for breath. "Teacher Qin, please go save Sister Yan."

Qin Yuan sat up and stretched. "What happened?"

He initially thought Dugu Yan had gotten into trouble outside—after all, she had a strong-willed personality, so quarrels with others were normal.

But things weren't as he imagined.

Ye Lingling said urgently, "Sister Yan has been poisoned. I don't know when someone poisoned her, but her symptoms are very severe..."

Along the way, Ye Lingling had thought a lot.

After entering Heaven Dou Royal Academy, she had lived with Dugu Yan for a long time, sharing the same dormitory.

If Dugu Yan had been poisoned by contact with toxins, why was she fine? Most importantly, Dugu Yan was a poison-type Spirit Master herself, with far stronger poison resistance than Ye Lingling.

Yet now, it was Dugu Yan who had collapsed from poisoning, leaving Ye Lingling baffled.

She didn't know where Dugu Bo was, and she had no acquaintances in Heaven Dou City. Given Dugu Yan's special status, she didn't dare make a fuss, so she could only come to Qin Yuan.

Fortunately, Qin Yuan had returned after completing his mission, or she wouldn't have known what to do.

Qin Yuan didn't rush to agree. Instead, he asked back, "What are Dugu Yan's symptoms?"

Although the Martial Soul Poison was highly likely to have erupted, the possibility of someone else poisoning her couldn't be ruled out.

Having received the System Reward Method of Detoxification, he had a profound understanding of toxicology. But he didn't have any medicinal herbs on him, so he would need to buy them based on the symptoms.

To him, this was also the closest he had ever been to Dugu Bo. As long as he could save Dugu Yan, he had no doubt Dugu Bo would come to him on his own.

Ye Lingling was a healing-type Spirit Master after all. When her healing light entered Dugu Yan's body, she could sense the latter's physical condition.

Having confirmed the symptoms, Qin Yuan had a plan in mind.

Still, he had to go through the proper procedures. "I can treat her, but I need you to issue a formal commission."

A System reward was a System reward—why turn it down? If he lucked into something good, it would be a huge win.

Ye Lingling took out a dozen or so Gold Soul Coins from her person, her gaze dimming slightly, afraid he might refuse.

"Teacher Qin, this is all I have."

[Detected Three Star Commission Mission. Accept Ye Lingling's commission to detoxify Dugu Yan. Mission completion reward: Spirit Ring age increase of five hundred years.]

One must understand that once a Spirit Ring is acquired, its age is fixed.

Many civilian Spirit Masters absorb a ten-year Spirit Ring for their first ring, and later, as their understanding of cultivation deepens, none fail to regret it.

But what use is regret? A Spirit Ring cannot be stripped from its master. To increase a Spirit Ring's age, one must undergo a Divine Trial.

Though five hundred years is not much, as the Spirit Ring's age grows, Qin Yuan's strength will rise accordingly.

Qin Yuan's first Spirit Ring was four hundred years old. Even with the five-hundred-year boost, it would remain yellow, not easily detected by outsiders in the short term.

Of course, the system classified the mission as three stars, meaning risks would arise during the detoxification process.

From an omniscient perspective, Dugu Yan would appear again later, proving she would not die today.

But during the detoxification, if Qin Yuan so much as touched the lethal poison on Dugu Yan's body, it would be fatal for him!

Qin Yuan took ten Gold Soul Coins from Ye Lingling's hand and returned the remaining money.

Qin Yuan moved swiftly, heading to the nearest pharmacy to procure the medicine. Ye Lingling's ten Gold Soul Coins just covered the cost.

Dugu Yan had been placed by Ye Lingling in a nearby inn. When Qin Yuan pushed open the door, a stench of rot filled the room.

Lying on the bed, Dugu Yan's body convulsed, and a green venom oozed from her skin from time to time.

Qin Yuan covered his nose and said, "Lingling, hurry and find an academy teacher to take Dugu Yan back. Also, have the shop assistant boil the medicine I just bought for half an hour. Be quick!"

Ye Lingling dared not delay, deeply afraid that Dugu Yan might meet with misfortune.

Qin Yuan took out a set of silver needles from his Soul Tool.

These had been scavenged from the treasury of Black Tiger Stronghold. It was clear the needles were old and of extraordinary origin.