Winning Xiao Yi Xian Over

"I have no reason to lie to you about something like this."

Nalan Sheng said solemnly, "Besides, if I had no way to resolve the side effects of the Woeful Poison Body, I wouldn't have gone out of my way to save you. Wouldn't that just be asking for trouble?"

"Then hurry up and tell me! What exactly can resolve the side effects of the Woeful Poison Body?"

Once she learned that the side effects of the Woeful Poison Body could be eliminated, Xiao Yi Xian immediately abandoned the thought of taking her own life.

Xiao Yi Xian's earlier desire to kill herself hadn't stemmed merely from guilt. More importantly, anyone who awakened the Woeful Poison Body was destined to die as countless poisons devoured their body.

If Nalan Sheng truly had a way to resolve its side effects, Xiao Yi Xian certainly wouldn't be foolish enough to pay for Qiya's death with her own life.

After all, she hadn't killed Qiya deliberately. At worst, she could find a way to compensate his family in the future.

Rather than answer her directly, Nalan Sheng narrowed his eyes and asked, "I can tell you how to resolve the side effects of the Woeful Poison Body, but what do I get out of it?"

Xiao Yi Xian understood perfectly well that there was no such thing as a free lunch. Her slender brows knitted slightly as she asked, "What do you want?"

"I want you to serve me from now on!"

Nalan Sheng cut straight to the point. "Someone who has awakened the Woeful Poison Body only needs to consume poison to keep growing stronger.

"Even without resolving its side effects, you could at least reach the Dou Zong level before countless poisons devoured your body and killed you.

"If I help you resolve its side effects, you'll certainly be able to reach the Dou Zun level in the future. You might even become a legendary Dou Sheng Expert.

"That's why I need you to stay by my side, safeguard me, and sweep away every obstacle in my path."

Hearing this, Xiao Yi Xian couldn't help rolling her eyes at him. "You've certainly got that abacus of yours clacking loud and clear."

"If you're unwilling, you can refuse. I won't force you."

Nalan Sheng paid no mind to her jab. Instead, he said sincerely, "After all, a melon forcibly twisted off the vine won't be sweet. I don't want a subordinate whose heart isn't with me."

"..."

Xiao Yi Xian pondered for a moment before saying, "I can serve you, but I have a condition too.

"You can't force me to do things I don't want to do.

"Things like bullying men and abusing women, slaughtering the innocent, or committing atrocities."

"Agreed!"

Nalan Sheng nodded slightly. "I can accept that condition. All you'll need to do is help me deal with powerful enemies."

"Then can you tell me now how to resolve the side effects of the Woeful Poison Body?"

"Actually, resolving its side effects is quite simple."

Nalan Sheng had no intention of keeping her in suspense any longer. Smiling, he explained, "The main reason the Woeful Poison Body goes out of control in its later stages is that the various deadly poisons inside its bearer clash with one another.

"If its bearer can expel those poisons from their body, or channel them into some rare treasure capable of containing them, its side effects can be resolved.

"As far as I know, the Heavenly Flame ranked twentieth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking is a poison-attribute flame called the Netherworld Poison Flame.

"This flame exists within the Ancient Netherworld Poison Marsh. It burns and feeds upon endless poisonous miasma, gaining sentience after a hundred years and taking shape after a thousand.

"Once fully developed, it takes on a greenish hue and can flit through the marsh's miasma like ghost fire.

"Because it gains sentience by feeding on poisonous miasma, the flame itself contains deadly poison and is almost impossible to refine. That's why no alchemist specifically seeks out this Heavenly Flame.

"But for someone who has awakened the Woeful Poison Body, the Netherworld Poison Flame is the most suitable Heavenly Flame to refine.

"As long as you can refine it, you can feed it any deadly poison your body can't digest.

"That way, you can resolve the poisonous backlash of the Woeful Poison Body while strengthening the Netherworld Poison Flame."

"So that's how it works."

Understanding immediately dawned on Xiao Yi Xian's face.

Although she hadn't yet confirmed whether the Netherworld Poison Flame could truly resolve the side effects of the Woeful Poison Body, judging by Nalan Sheng's explanation, the method seemed highly feasible.

"But Heavenly Flames must be incredibly rare, right?"

Xiao Yi Xian soon noticed another problem. Looking troubled, she said, "They say even Pill King Gu He doesn't have a Heavenly Flame. Where are we supposed to find the Netherworld Poison Flame?"

"Oh, right. I forgot to introduce myself."

Nalan Sheng slapped his forehead. "My surname is Nalan, and my given name is Sheng."

"Nalan Sheng?"

Xiao Yi Xian murmured his name instinctively, then her lovely eyes suddenly widened. "Don't tell me you're from the Nalan Family?"

"To tell you the truth, the current head of the Nalan Family is my father. My younger sister is also the Misty Cloud Sect Master's only personal disciple."

Nalan Sheng smiled. "The intelligence networks of our Nalan Family and the Misty Cloud Sect extend throughout the entire Jia Ma Empire.

"With both organizations' intelligence networks helping us, it'll certainly be far more reliable than searching for the Netherworld Poison Flame on your own."

"Mm!"

Upon learning that Nalan Sheng was actually the Nalan Family's young master, Xiao Yi Xian's smile grew even brighter.

No wonder he knew so many hidden secrets. He was a young nobleman with powerful backing.

"Xiao Yi Xian, since your Woeful Poison Body has already awakened, consider this Seven-Colored Poison Scripture my welcoming gift!"

"Thank you, young master."

After catching the Seven-Colored Poison Scripture Nalan Sheng tossed to her, Xiao Yi Xian began treating herself as his maidservant.

"You're welcome."

Nalan Sheng waved a hand with a smile. "You can study the Seven-Colored Poison Scripture later. Come have some meat to fill your stomach first. It won't taste good once it gets cold."

"Yes, young master."

Feeling the hunger in her belly, Xiao Yi Xian didn't stand on ceremony. She sat down beside Nalan Sheng, picked up a porcelain bowl brimming with broth and stewed meat, and happily dug in.

Early the next morning.

In a small grove outside Qingshan Town.

As Xiao Yi Xian watched eagerly, Nalan Sheng finally emerged from Qingshan Town in a long black robe.

"Young master, um..."

Upon seeing him, Xiao Yi Xian hurried over, looking as though she wanted to speak but couldn't quite bring herself to.

"I've already met Qiya's parents and given them twenty thousand gold coins in compensation."

Nalan Sheng didn't beat around the bush. He nodded with a smile. "Qiya's parents have forgiven you too. They know you're kindhearted and certainly didn't kill Qiya on purpose."

"Phew..."

Hearing this, Xiao Yi Xian couldn't help breathing a sigh of relief. Then, her face filled with gratitude, she said, "Young master, thank you."