"Take this Nine Deaths Poison Canon and start cultivating it for now. The time isn't right yet. In the future, I'll give you a higher-grade cultivation method."
Gu Shenge handed the Nine Deaths Poison Canon to Xiao Yi Xian. She reached out with her slender, snow-white arm and accepted it. When she learned it was a mid-tier Heaven Rank cultivation method, her beautiful eyes widened in shock.
There wasn't even a single Profound Rank cultivation method in Qingshan Town, so being given a Heaven Rank one to cultivate felt like a dream to Xiao Yi Xian.
He'd given her such a high-grade cultivation method right off the bat. Just how wealthy was the Nine Luminaries Heavenly Palace?
"Thank you, Mr. Juan." Xiao Yi Xian quickly thanked Gu Shenge. He nodded slightly and told her to resign from her job at Wanyao Pavilion tomorrow. From then on, she could stay by his side.
Xiao Yi Xian nodded obediently. She had to hold on tight to this powerful backer; she was counting on him to help her control her Woeful Poison Body.
As for Wanyao Pavilion, though Mr. Yao had once helped her, she had repaid that kindness with all the fame and money she'd brought the pavilion over the years.
Seeing that it was late, Xiao Yi Xian rose and said softly to Gu Shenge, "Mr. Juan, it's getting late, so I'll take my leave."
Gu Shenge nodded. "All right. Be careful on your way back."
Meanwhile, Xiao Yan had also learned from Yao Lao what the Woeful Poison Body was, and couldn't help exclaiming that it was outrageous.
"She can improve her cultivation by taking poison? That's just absurd! If she keeps taking poison, couldn't she become a Dou Zun—or even a Dou Sheng Expert—in no time at all?"
Yao Lao shook his head, a trace of reminiscence appearing in his eyes.
"Little Yanzi, everything has its pros and cons. Though the Woeful Poison Body allows its bearer to improve their cultivation quickly, once the toxins in their body reach a critical point and erupt, they'll suffer the agony of countless poisons gnawing at their heart. In the end, they'll die in torment. Those people lead hard lives, shouldering burdens that ordinary people can hardly imagine."
After hearing his teacher's explanation, Xiao Yan no longer envied those with the Woeful Poison Body. Just hearing about the agony of countless poisons gnawing at one's heart made his scalp crawl. He couldn't help feeling pity for the white-clad young woman he'd met that day.
But in the next moment, Yao Lao changed tack. "However, if someone with the Woeful Poison Body can form a Poison Pill, they'll be able to control their physique and won't have to fear that torment. The problem is, forming a Poison Pill is as difficult as climbing to heaven."
Xiao Yan's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly asked Yao Lao, "Teacher, what's the Poison Pill Method? Is it difficult?"
Yao Lao told Xiao Yan how the Poison Pill Method worked, making him give up right then and there.
Well, it seemed he'd been thinking too much.
It required Heavenly Flames, the Magic Core of a Seventh-Rank Magical Beast, and Bodhi Body Transformation Saliva. There was no way he could get his hands on any of them. He might as well wash up and go to sleep.
He could only pity that young woman. Her future was bound to be full of hardship.
Seeing Xiao Yan like this, how could Yao Lao not know what he was thinking? He spoke up at once.
"What, you pity someone with the Woeful Poison Body and want to help her? But she doesn't need your help now. She's already gone to find your big brother Juan."
How could Yao Lao's soul perception have missed Xiao Yi Xian appearing at the inn? When he sensed her enter Gu Shenge's room, he hadn't pried any further.
For some reason, Xiao Yan felt a strange sense of loss when he heard that. His voice sank. "Is that so? Looks like Big Brother Juan heard her too."
"Juan Shoutian has an extraordinary background. If someone with the Woeful Poison Body went to him, there's a very good chance he can solve her problem. Don't dwell on it. You're entering the Magic Beast Mountain Range tomorrow, so get some rest."
Yao Lao advised Xiao Yan. In his view, Gu Shenge knew even secrets about the Flame Mantra and Tou She Ancient God that the ancient clans didn't know. He must also know exactly how to solve the problem of the Woeful Poison Body.
As for whether he could actually solve it, Yao Lao thought the chances were high.
After all, Gu Shenge already possessed a Heavenly Flame. Though Yao Lao didn't know which one it was, he could still sense it.
Once Gu Shenge obtained his Bone Spirit Cold Flame and Han Feng's Sea Heart Flame, he'd have three Heavenly Flames.
With the hardest part out of the way, obtaining the remaining Magic Core of a Heavenly Poison Scorpion Dragon Beast and the Bodhi Body Transformation Saliva wouldn't be a problem.
Yao Lao stroked his beard, quite eager to see someone with the Woeful Poison Body form a Poison Pill. When that happened, the terrifying nature of the Woeful Poison Body would be revealed, and it would surely shock the Dou Qi Continent.
He remembered that he also knew a way to gain complete control over the Woeful Poison Body, one even more thorough than the Poison Pill Method. Perhaps he could use it to trade with Juan Shoutian for something and help Xiao Yan.
Yao Lao looked at his disciple, who had already climbed into bed, his gaze kind and gentle.
Little Yanzi, this is all your teacher can do for you.
The next day, at Wanyao Pavilion.
"What! You're leaving Wanyao Pavilion?"
Mr. Yao, the owner of Wanyao Pavilion, stared at the gentle young woman before him in astonishment and blurted out the words.
Xiao Yi Xian nodded, her pretty face touched with an apologetic look. Her voice was soft but firm.
"Mr. Yao, please take these four prescriptions. They're my way of repaying your kindness from back then."
She took out four prescriptions to repay Mr. Yao for taking her in all those years ago.
Mr. Yao looked at the four prescriptions, hesitating. Though he didn't know why Xiao Yi Xian wanted to leave Wanyao Pavilion, he knew that the pavilion owed its current reputation to her. If she left, it would be a major blow.
"Can you tell me why you're leaving? Has Wanyao Pavilion done something to offend you?"
Xiao Yi Xian said, "Wanyao Pavilion hasn't done anything to offend me. I've simply joined another faction, and I have to leave with them."
"Another faction? Another medicine shop?"
Mr. Yao misunderstood and thought Xiao Yi Xian meant another medicine shop.
The young woman shook her head. "It's not a medicine shop. The faction I joined is called the Nine Luminaries Heavenly Palace. Its Palace Master is a Dou Huang expert and a sixth-grade alchemist. He noticed my special physique and wants to take me with him."
Xiao Yi Xian had mentioned the Nine Luminaries Heavenly Palace and specifically explained the Palace Master's strength and status to wave their authority around and intimidate Mr. Yao.
She knew he wouldn't let her go so easily.
Sure enough, Mr. Yao's heart jolted when he heard this, and any thought of forcing Xiao Yi Xian to stay vanished at once.
As for Xiao Yi Xian's claim that the man had noticed her special physique, Mr. Yao assumed he was simply interested in her and wanted to take her back as a concubine or something.
Mr. Yao composed himself, looking rather regretful. At last, he spoke up to win Xiao Yi Xian's goodwill. "Sigh, if that's the case, there's nothing more I can say. Take good care of yourself, and come visit Wanyao Pavilion when you have time. This place will always be your home."
Xiao Yi Xian looked at Mr. Yao, who seemed even older than he had back then. After a long silence, a faint smile appeared on her pretty face. She nodded, a trace of reluctance in her expression, though her voice sounded somewhat low.
"Mm. Please take care of yourself too, Mr. Yao. Thank you for looking after me all these years."
With that, Xiao Yi Xian didn't linger. She turned and left Wanyao Pavilion.
Mr. Yao watched the young woman's departing figure and looked at the four prescriptions on the table, then let out a quiet sigh.
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