Chapter 63 [063] Bird of Heaven

In addition to refining elixirs and teaching pharmacology and medicine, Baicao Pavilion also provides disciples with some poisonous substances, and the sulfur centipede from Huangquan Valley is one of them.

According to legend, this type of centipede will lay eggs in human corpses. After hatching, they will drill out from the rotting skin. They are highly toxic and the person bitten will immediately fall into a coma and must be detoxified within an hour. If more than an hour passes, there will be no cure, and even a great god cannot save the person.

Although Cangying recognized this poison, he didn't know much about how to cure its toxicity.

She looked at Luo Zhenyue whose face was gradually turning purple. Even though she felt disgusted by the girl's rudeness and arrogance, she still couldn't just turn a blind eye to it.

"The sulphur centipede's poison is beyond the ordinary hundred poisons, so it naturally cannot be cured by ordinary methods." Cangying pursed her lips slightly and frowned: "But although I am very proficient in curing diseases and refining pills, I am helpless against poisons."

"Don't worry, Senior Sister Cang," Zhong Lijin comforted her softly, "The poisons in Huangquan Valley are mutually reinforcing and mutually exclusive. There must be an antidote within a hundred steps. I'll go look for it. There will always be a way."

"What's more--" The young man sighed helplessly, with a bit of guilt in his words: "Today, I shouldn't have been involved in these things, but because of my junior brother, my senior brothers and sisters were implicated. It's my turn to solve it."

Seeing this, Cangying said with a disapproving expression: "But Junior Brother Zhongli, the dangers in Huangquan Valley are unknown. How can we be assured that you will go there alone?"

When Shen Xiang heard this, her heart skipped a beat. According to Senior Sister Cang's logic, she would definitely let Shi Qing, who had the highest cultivation level present, accompany them. Although Shi Qing was as stubborn as a piece of wood and devoted himself to cultivating the Tao without any desires or distractions, there was no guarantee that the male protagonist Zhong Li Jin would not have some ideas.

The girl licked her lower lip with her pearly teeth. Before Cangying could open her mouth, she took the initiative to offer, smiling and said, "How about this, Senior Sister Cang, Junior Brother Zhongli and I will go! Don't forget that I am also a sword cultivator!"

Cangying: “…”

Cangying: "Junior sister is a sword cultivator, I know that, but I am only worried that you will follow Junior Brother Zhongli, I am afraid that he will have to protect you."

This is the truth.

Junior sister is still very unreliable.

Chen Xiang knew that she had done too many tricks in the past, and had done countless things like dragging others down and causing trouble. It was normal for Cangying not to believe in her ability, so she changed the subject and said directly: "But Senior Sister Shi Qing's cultivation is so high and so strong, so naturally she has to stay to protect most of you!"

Cangying: “…”

Shi Qing: “…”

Cangying looked at Shiqing - say something, sister! ! Do you really have the heart to let your junior sister hold back junior brother Zhongli? !

Shi Qing: “…”

Nodding proudly - "Well, I am strong and I protect the majority."

Cangying: “!!!” What a stupid teammate! ! How come he is being controlled by that naughty kid now? ! !
In the end, Zhongli Jin reluctantly said, "No need. Thank you, Senior Sister Cang, for your concern. It's only within a hundred steps. Junior Brother can handle it. No one needs to accompany me."

"Really?" Cangying was still worried: "Why not let Shiqing go with you."

The young man glanced at Shi Qing calmly, smiled and shook his head, "It's okay. It was Senior Sister Shi Qing and I who left Bald Rock Ridge together, which gave the monsters an opportunity to take advantage of us. This time, it's best to avoid repeating the same mistake. Moreover, Junior Brother has a way to save his life, and he has a teleportation talisman on him. If his life is really in danger, he will call his name and return immediately. Please rest assured, Senior Sister Cang."

After hearing what Zhongli Jin said, Cangying was slightly relieved and nodded, "Okay, then Junior Brother Zhongli, you must be very careful."

"I will." Zhongli Jin said, then turned and walked towards the depths of the Yellow Springs Valley.

It was already dark at this moment, and the young man was wearing a night-shining pearl that could illuminate the scenery within a radius of three meters.

After he left, Cangying tried to pull Luo Zhenyue up, but the girl's body was so limp that it was very difficult for Cangying, a medical doctor, to help her.

Shi Qing was about to lend a hand, but Shen Xiang beside her quickly stepped forward to take her place, grinning and saying, "Let me do it! Senior sister, it would be better for you to stay by the side and focus on the slightest movement."

Shi Qing: “…Oh.”

Cangying said: "Let's go back to the cabin first and use some detoxification pills to see if we can find a way to slow down the spread of the poison."

Disciple Xu said: "Qian Lingcao can reduce the penetration rate of the medicinal properties of all herbs, but I don't know if it is useful for toxicity."

"Let's give it a try," Cangying glared at Luo Zhenyue's face and said irritably, "Let's try it on this unlucky guy first!"

*
[Some people once thought that the bird was a phoenix because its feathers were beautiful and its demeanor was noble, comparable to the king of birds. However, some people were puzzled as to why this white bird, the phoenix, would appear in a place like Huangquan Valley, which was full of yin energy and clouds.]

The old man kept telling the story of the bird: [It was later discovered that it was not a phoenix, but a poisonous creature living in Huangquan Valley. People who were about to die would be attracted to Huangquan Valley by the bird's cry. They thought it was a divine bird that led souls, so they came to worship and beg for reincarnation to be rich and prosperous in the future and have a smooth life. When the bird heard their begging, it would give them a feather as a gift after listening to their wishes. In fact, it could not understand human words at all, and the feather was highly toxic. Once it touched the skin, the poison would penetrate into the skin, causing them to see some psychedelic scenes.]

[They die contentedly in the psychedelic center, and the sulfur centipede can come to parasitize them. When their eggs mature and hatch, the bird of paradise can choose the fattest one to eat.]

This is a food chain in Huangquan Valley, with an absurd and strange color.

[Young man, when you ask for feathers later, you must be pious. The more the bird is worshipped, the more arrogant it will become. When it gives you feathers, be careful not to touch them directly with your hands. Direct contact with the skin will induce hallucinations, and holding it for a long time will endanger your life.]

Zhongli Jin listened quietly and nodded: [I understand. Thank you for your guidance, senior.]

The deep part of Huangquan Valley was filled with miasma, which had a pungent smell and a hint of sulfur.

The further you go into the winding Sanzu River, the darker red it appears, as if it were formed by blood.

Not sure if it was the eerie and dark atmosphere that affected him, but the boy suddenly felt a strong sense of loneliness. There was no hustle and bustle of life here, only the endless darkness and silence of dead things.

There was a hint of discomfort on that handsome and fair face. The boy, who was already a little obsessed with mysophobia, naturally couldn't stand this dirty and damp environment.

But no matter how much I hate it, I still have to keep going down this path.

The banks of the Sanzu River were damp and dark, and even the trees on the edge grew in strange shapes.

In a dark world with only black, white and red colors, a clear and melodious bird song suddenly broke all the claustrophobia.

Zhongli Jin suddenly raised his eyes, and a bright and gorgeous thing came into his sight.

The young man was stunned. At this moment, he seemed to understand why this poisonous creature living on the other side of the underworld was called a celestial bird.

Just because it is so dazzling and beautiful, like the only light in the darkness.

It descended like a messenger from God, landed on the branch closest to the boy, raised its head proudly, as if waiting for the other party's worship and offerings.

The old man reminded: [Youngster, pretend to be a dying worshiper and kneel down.]

Zhongli Jin: [……]

[This feather is extremely poisonous. After I use it to fight poison with poison for the girl named Luo, the remaining poison can be used to make poison pills! ]

[I understand, Senior.]

The young man took a deep breath. Even though he had the purification technique to make his clothes clean, he couldn't get over the hurdle in his heart.

Fortunately, he had the foresight to prepare two sets of clothes, and he changed into them immediately after returning to the fairy ship.

The ground under my feet was wet. The water from the Sanzu River had seeped into both banks. Add to that the dead branches and leaves that covered the ground, and it was so dirty that it was difficult for people to lower their eyes to look.

In this case, I won’t watch it.

Zhongli Jin closed his eyes and tried his best to look sincere.

He slowly crawled on the wet ground and said, "Please... celestial bird, grant me fairy feathers so that I can seek wealth and prosperity in my reincarnation."

After hearing what the young man said, the gorgeous bird tilted its head gracefully, picked up a feather from its body with its beak and handed it to Zhongli Jin.

The boy attached the yellow talisman paper to his palm and the feather was placed on top of the talisman paper without directly touching his skin.

In this way, the antidote for Luo Zhenyue has been found.

Zhongli Jin wrapped it up with a yellow talisman and quickly got up. After the celestial bird had given it feathers, it immediately spread its wings and flew away from the boy, returning to the branch where it had perched.

But at the moment it flew up, a loose feather fell down and was blown towards the boy by the wind brought by the wings.

[Youngsters, get out of the way! ] the old man said quickly.

Zhongli Jin immediately turned sideways, but the feather still brushed against the boy's face and finally fell to the ground. The feather was extremely toxic, and even if it came in contact, it would immediately penetrate the skin, affecting the five senses of the human body, causing it to see and perceive psychedelic scenes.

[Youngster! Are you okay?!] the old man said.

[It's okay.] Zhongli Jin frowned and closed his eyes. He felt a little numb on his face, a slight pain in his temples, and soreness around his eye sockets, but fortunately his consciousness was not affected. He did not faint and was still standing.

Wait until the soreness in the head and eye sockets subsides a little.

The boy finally slowly opened his eyes.

As soon as he opened his eyes, he was stunned.

Huangquan Valley is still the same Huangquan Valley.

The air was filled with a fishy smell.

The light is dim.

But not far in front of him, a figure appeared.

The person had his back to him, his hair draped over his shoulders, swaying slightly in the night breeze.

His entire body, except for his bare thighs, was wrapped in bandages.

A short white robe was worn loosely on the body, as if he didn't care at all whether the robe covered his body.

"..."

"Shiqing?"

Zhongli Jin would naturally not be so stupid as to think that the person in front of him was the real Shi Qing.

He was conscious and knew that this might be the psychedelic scene caused by the toxicity of the bird's feathers penetrating into the skin.

It’s just that—the boy didn’t expect Shi Qing to appear.

As soon as he opened his mouth to call out, the girl slowly turned around.

It was indeed Shi Qing's eyebrows and eyes, as well as that indifferent and calm expression.

The old man could not see those illusions. He was glad that the feather only touched Zhongli Jin for a moment, otherwise the poison would have penetrated deeply and the boy would not survive more than half an hour.

[Young man, the illusions are all fake, you can just walk through them, hurry up and leave. ]

Zhongli Jin nodded, lowered his gaze and said: [Okay.]

The boy walked forward, but even though he knew it was an illusion, it still felt strange to walk straight through it.

Therefore, after Zhongli Jin approached the illusion of the girl, he still turned sideways and brushed past her shoulder.

Unexpectedly, at this moment, he heard a voice——"Zhongli Jin."

Zhongli Jin paused, but only for a moment.

The boy did not stop and continued to move forward.

The phantom voice continued: "Wait."

Zhongli Jin ignored it.

But after taking two steps, his shoulders suddenly sank, as if something was resting there.

"..."

Toxicity can also affect the sense of touch, Zhongli Jin knows this.

His face was gloomy and his brows were furrowed.

The hands hanging in the sleeves slowly clenched into fists.

His pupils were like a deep, cold pool as he stared down at the dead leaves below. His expression was hidden in the haze, and seemed quite silent and cold.

The old man saw him stop and asked in confusion: [What's wrong? Has the illusion still affected you, young man? ]

[…I will overcome it.] Zhongli Jin took a deep breath and ignored the touch on his shoulder.

When he opened his eyes again, the boy's eyes were clear and firm, as if he had made up his mind to put all the people and things that affected his Tao heart behind him. His face gradually returned to normal, and he said: [Keep going, senior.]

【it is good! 】

After leaving this area, the illusion suddenly disappeared.

Perhaps the brief contact with the feather was not enough to completely make him fall into the illusion.

The scene before my eyes returned to the beginning. Shi Qing's figure was no longer beside me, nor was that faint breath.

Zhongli Jin felt his heartbeat return to normal and finally breathed a sigh of relief.

--really.

His love for Shi Qing may just be some simple liking.

So it is easy to overcome the illusion and walk out of this place.

At the age of fourteen, emotions are the most passionate and pure. Perhaps before he regained his memory, he was indeed moved.

However, the boy, who had experienced two years of darkest moments, was no longer so pure. Neither love nor hate could overly affect his Tao heart.

Realizing this, Zhongli Jin seemed to become calmer.

——Don’t be troubled by things outside of yourself, and don’t be confused by people outside of yourself.

——Adhere to the Tao with firmness and determination, and do not be entangled by the cause and effect of the secular world and the mundane love between men and women. Only then can one be considered to be on the right path.

*
After walking out of the somewhat narrow passage, Zhongli Jin raised his eyes and could see the fairy ship with lights on not far away.

Spiritual energy lingered around the ship, like a protective shield that kept the miasma out.

Shi Qing stood on the deck holding a sword, his expression indifferent and calm.

Zhongli Jin was about to approach, but he saw the girl on the deck suddenly turned her head. Her pupils were like finely polished ochre, and her gaze turned into sharp swords, shooting straight towards him!

The boy's heart trembled suddenly!
Different from the slight feeling of hallucination.

At this moment, the non-illusion, non-virtual Shiqing appears so realistically before our eyes.

She was faster than the wind and appeared in front of him in just a blink of an eye.

The soul-transparent white sword in his hand emitted an icy and chilling light. It pierced through the empty area on the right side of the boy's cheek without hesitation and pierced through a mountain ghost that was waiting for an opportunity behind him!
"Puff!" The sword pierced through the mountain ghost's head. It didn't even have time to take out the boy's heart from behind before it died under the girl's sword.

Zhongli Jin stood there in a daze, and seemed to smell Shi Qing's scent.

He didn't see Shi Qing's expression at the moment.

But he was surprisingly able to imagine what she looked like now.
——Her long hair flutters and her eyes are sharp.

——A sword is unsheathed, and it moves to the sky.

Here I come! Good night! ~~~