Chapter 3, Treatment
It seems that this woman is not as cold as she appears; judging by her voice, she is also quite young. Tian Maoping, while getting dressed, said in a muddled manner: "Don't you know that casually stripping someone else's clothes is quite inappropriate? Look, you didn't even prepare any underwear for me, isn't that rather shabby?"
The woman was feeling quite pleased with herself, while Tian Maoping wore an expression of caution and surprise, thinking to himself: "Kid, do you realize how formidable this is? Let's see if you still dare to be sharp-tongued."
"Ah? Do you not know that exposing oneself in front of a woman is quite indecent?" The voice carried a hint of annoyance, and from this angle, the graceful figure of Niana had already turned slightly to the side
The woman scoffed inwardly: "These insignificant scions of noble families do not know their place. What status does the Envoy of Xuanyun hold? How can a name be casually disclosed?" Unexpectedly, upon meeting those clear eyes, she seemed to sense a sincerity emanating from the depths of the soul, and could not help but retract her disdain, responding almost as if by fate: "There is no need for you to take offense, I am the Envoy of Xuanyun from the Heavenly Demon Sect. In our sect, disciples are always referred to by their titles, and names are not to be shared lightly."
In fact, the envoy of the Heavenly Demon Sect possesses remarkable skills. Despite their young age, they lightly tread upon the ripples, almost always hovering with their feet barely touching the ground. Upon noticing Tian Maoping's unusual gaze, they could not help but feel their face flush slightly. The unreserved admiration and surprise stirred a few sweet feelings within, and they were reluctant to reprimand this bold suitor. Clearing their throat, they said: "This is a branch of the Demon Palace. Ahead is the Yipin Zhai Medical Hall, which attracts masters of the demonic path under the pretense of providing medical aid. The underground veins of the Illusory City are filled with demonic beasts. Although dangerous, the yield is extremely rich. Those who can survive for three years are qualified to enter the Hall of Reverence, and you are now considered a member of the Hall of Reverence."
The envoy of the Xuanyun? Tian Maoping's heart trembled; this position was equivalent to that of a half-imperial envoy. Within the Heavenly Demon Sect, it was only second to the Twelve Great Demonesses. He did not expect that the woman before him had such a terrifying background, her family must be unfathomably deep. Even his own ancestor would have to show respect and yield three points in the presence of such a person, and one could not afford to be disrespectful. Moreover, she was also his savior.
The woman did not respond directly, but handed over a blue cloth bundle from the side: "This is your item, which can be handled first or entrusted to the Jing Shitang for safekeeping. When heading to the Zhengdao territory, do not carry any weapons or mechanisms other than the Nayuanyubi, and even the Nayuandian points are subject to very strict limitations, as the identity we have arranged is not that of a wealthy family. It is best to keep it below 3,000 points."
Han Qianxue? A good name. As the golden light suddenly appeared, Tian Maoping was not in a coma, but was deprived of his sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. Quietly, he awaited the arrival of his destined fate
A few strong men suddenly panicked, hurriedly lifting Tian Maoping and without saying a word, began to push him into the pit. Such treatment was truly rare; nowadays, he was like meat on a chopping board, to be handled as they pleased. His body slowly sank down, and he simply closed his eyes, waiting for the next step. Perhaps the buoyancy of the liquid was too great, as he stopped moving when it reached his chest. These men seemed quite disheartened and brought in another load of liquid to mix with the soil, continuing their "live burial" endeavor, leaving only his head above the surface.
Approximately half an hour later, a dozen or so young boys rushed in, hastily cutting the vines to place Tian Maoping on a stretcher and carry him out. There were still 936 steps to climb back to the Yipinzhai pharmacy. The lighting was extremely dim, with only the first and second medicinal cauldrons remaining; the third was nowhere to be seen. They quickly traversed the long corridor, weaving through the maze-like building. Occasionally, through the skylights, they glimpsed the starry sky and the constellations. It was now deep into the night, and after two episodes of fainting, the passage of time had become uncertain.
That is sufficient; the package contains nothing of importance. For the time being, I entrust it to the care of the Respectful Service Hall. As soon as the words were spoken, a pink steam burst forth in the center of the room with a soft "puff," carrying an unusual fragrance. This scent was all too familiar, as it was the same as the unpredictable mushrooms often harvested while in seclusion in the pine forest, and it was also the main medicinal ingredient of the Black Jade Warm Ointment.
"Where do you get so much nonsense?" the woman complained, stepping forward to grab the collar of a certain powerless "youth," easily lifting him up and leaping into the air.
You are to withdraw for now and proceed according to the plan. Furthermore, no one is allowed to remain around the medicinal herb garden; otherwise, they will be dealt with severely
The ample light revealed a stunning sight at a glance. The woman had a delicate beauty, her skin radiant and smooth. She wore a slightly open-collared orange skirt with phoenix patterns and blue wide trousers, adorned with cloud ornaments and a red belt. Holding a jade flute, she exuded an air of competence and simplicity. Perhaps due to her high status, her elegance was further enhanced by a sense of solemnity, giving the impression that she could only be admired from a distance, not approached casually
Lost in thought, several burly men pushed three copper carts over. Upon reaching the front, they worked together to open the gates of the carts, releasing a pungent odor that was quite unpleasant. A thick, yellow liquid slowly poured into the pit, and after accumulating for a while, they would sprinkle some soil on top, continuing this process until the liquid was completely drained.
Upon hearing this, Tian Maoping threw his head back and laughed heartily, exclaiming: "The Demon Devourer is not to be feared; what is the Golden Needle to the Yuan? Feel free to employ your esteemed techniques; if you merely furrow your brow, you are not a true hero of the Tian family"
It is unclear how much time has passed when a voice from above says: "Alright, it should be sufficiently absorbed now, pull it out."
I see, it troubles you to call me miss. May I ask for the esteemed name of the benefactor?
The woman smiled charmingly and once again took out the golden needle to speak: "I wish you success. In a moment, you will close your five senses, and when you regain your perception, you should find yourself on the Ziwei Star. Remember, if you successfully advance through the Tianyi Gate, you will naturally make some discoveries. After obtaining valuable information, hurry back to the Yipin Studio to report. By the way, weren't you curious about my name? My surname is Han, and my given name is Qianxue"
What kind of concept is the unification of the blood period to deal with the five imperial demon beasts? Tian Maoping was horrified, and suddenly a cold light flashed as two golden needles were inserted into the shoulder well point one after the other
The woman continued her speech: "In fact, Grandpa Pipa places great importance on you for this operation. The reason for choosing the Trap City as the meeting place is that the Yipinzhai here manages the Wanzun Blood Pool, the value of which you may not be aware of. Soaking in the pool has the effect of promoting tissue regeneration and stopping bleeding, and it also has a significant restraining effect on your demonic affliction, facilitating the application of the Golden Needle method to return to the source."
The voice sounded again, seemingly urgent: "Activate furnace number 2, place the congealed fat from furnace number 1 into furnace number 3 for heating with intense fire. Remember, the rate must be steady, and there must be no slightest error."
"Eh, what happened?" A voice of surprise echoed in my ears, and my entire body began to float up, tightly embraced by a warm presence. Tian Maoping struggled to catch his breath and finally opened his eyes, weakly gazing at the surprised face. It was once again like a clear spring, completely devoid of the earlier coldness, very beautiful and captivating.
After walking for a full quarter of an hour, the stretcher wobbled into an open medicinal herb garden, where the fragrance of the soil was refreshing. The temperature difference in the Gobi Desert is extremely large between day and night; even in the Sunken City, it is bound to be exceptionally cold at midnight. However, warm vapors rose all around, and the sound of water tinkled, creating a somewhat enchanting atmosphere reminiscent of a fairyland, truly remarkable and picturesque
Tian Maoping suddenly broke into a violent cough and said nonchalantly, "Ha, I was just thinking, ... I still don't know your name. Even in death, one should know who they are, so I came back again"
Tian Maoping knew that the Jing Shitang was an outer organization of the Heavenly Demon Sect, renowned for its astonishing combat power, and he did not expect it to gather personnel from the Dead Zone of the Sunken City
"Was it you who saved me?" Tian Maoping slowly swam towards the edge of the pool, took the clothes thrown from the air, and struggled to climb up.
The woman's tone became serious: "In fact, everyone has the same orders, but the sects they are heading to are different. You are to go to the second largest sect of the Ziwei Star, the Tianyi Sect, and ensure that you rank among the top ten in the sect competition two years from now. Do not be complacent; twelve years ago, two imperial beasts forced you into a corner, and you were only at the San Yuan transformation stage. Although I do not know the specific strength of the Tianyi Sect, let me tell you that our sect specializes in combatants, and one at the Yuan transformation stage can independently slay five imperial beasts. The Tian family has not produced any notable experts in recent years, so do not be a frog in a well; remember that there are always greater heights to reach, and there are people beyond people, and heavens beyond heavens."
The sound of "splash, splash" echoed in my ears, and my consciousness gradually returned. I struggled to open my eyes, and the first thing that came into view was a sea of blood red. The wound on my abdomen had healed significantly. Where exactly is this place?
Tian Mao's expression changed abruptly, and he asked, "The Golden Needle to the Origin? It is said to be the most extreme punishment for practitioners a thousand years ago, completely depriving them of their true essence and the methods of the world. But hasn't it long been lost?" After a pause, he suddenly realized, "I see, the Heavenly Demon Sect must have records on this matter, and my situation is precisely suitable for this method. My true essence has already deteriorated, rendering it useless to my body. This forced abandonment of true essence, though a severe punishment, has now become a timely remedy, a good solution to overcome difficulties."
Alright, I have many shortcomings, and I hope the young lady can be forgiving and understanding. My frail body is no different from that of a child, so you need not be overly cautious. May I ask if it is the young lady who has come to my aid? I, Tian Maoping, do not like to owe others a favor
"You really have a sharp tongue. Given the situation, you should take a moment to calm down and recuperate! I will come back to see you later," the woman said before darting away. It was only then that Tian Maoping realized he was above a pool of blood, with crimson vines extending from the walls, woven into a dense net that resembled a large hammock. The position of the two earlier had indeed been somewhat ambiguous. Shaking his head to clear away irrelevant thoughts, he faced his physical condition. It did not appear to be as dire as he had anticipated; in fact, it was quite good. Although his skin was burned and raw, the medicine was truly miraculous. For the first time in over a decade, his body felt a sense of "strength." This might seem trivial to an ordinary person, but for a critically ill patient, it was invaluable.
Before he could experience the noble fragrance of the Xuan Yun envoy up close, Tian Maoping was thrown into the giant cauldron, the searing heat gradually enveloping his consciousness, causing him to faint once again
Yes. The young disciples hurriedly left with the Han officials, leaving only Tian Maoping and Envoy Xuan Yun on the scene
I did not expect that you are indeed very knowledgeable, even well-versed in the long-lost methods from millennia ago. However, you must be mentally prepared. This time, as I employ the Golden Needle to return to the source, even with a myriad of blood pools and the finest elixirs in the world, there remains a significant risk. If things go awry, one could face death and the complete annihilation of the soul, enduring countless tortures before passing away.
Thoughts gradually drifted, recalling Tian Maochun, recalling the founding emperor, recalling the research and development of mechanical beasts, one cannot help but wonder: "Can a person who has died still think of these things? Can they hear the voices of others? Clearly not, which proves that one has not died, but rather that consciousness still exists. Yes, to be alive, such a simple answer.
The woman was somewhat annoyed. If it weren't for the fact that this operation involved a very important promotion matter, she wouldn't have bothered to come to this desolate Gobi Desert. As a dignified envoy of the Heavenly Demon Sect, how many people dream of currying favor with her, and who does not treat her with utmost respect? Yet, she was met with the disdainful words of this Tian Maoping. She thought to herself, "Perhaps he does not know my identity; even so, it is still quite despicable. You will regret this later." Steadying her mind, she replied, "Mr. Tian, you are indeed a person who distinguishes between gratitude and resentment. Setting aside the matter of kindness for now, your time is extremely limited. The personnel from various major families and sects have already set out, and you are the last one."
The third cauldron emitted a bubbling sound as the liquid boiled, and the temperature inexplicably surged to its peak in an instant. It seemed that everyone had been informed of this outcome in advance, and they tacitly withdrew to a certain distance. "Go in directly? Right now, that temperature is not something an ordinary person can withstand"
The woman pondered for a moment and replied, "The conflicts among these factions are quite complex; even I do not know the intricacies of your mission. I am only responsible for reciting the script." She then pulled out a small piece of paper from her pouch and read aloud: "Tian Maoping, male. Sixteen years old, entered the third stage of blood transformation, ranked fifth in his family. At twenty, he was promoted to captain of the first squad of the seventh garrison of Taiyin Star. Due to the premature arrival of the Blood Moon Demon Beast, he activated the Tian family's secret technique 'Demon Devour,' resulting in the complete loss of his cultivation. After ineffective treatment, he left his family and wandered the world, later retreating to the cold coniferous forests of Qinyang Star. He is now summoned to the Celestial Demon Sect's Honor Guard, code name 'Tianlan,' enjoying a seventh-grade salary from the imperial court." At twenty, he was promoted to captain of the first squad of the seventh garrison of Taiyin Star. Due to the premature arrival of the Blood Moon Demon Beast, he activated the Tian family's secret technique 'Demon Devour,' resulting in the complete loss of his cultivation. After ineffective treatment, he left his family and wandered the world, later retreating to the cold coniferous forests of Qinyang Star. He is now summoned to the Celestial Demon Sect's Honor Guard, code name 'Tianlan,' enjoying a seventh-grade salary from the imperial court.
Tian Maoping's gaze was sharp as he observed the scene. Several burly men entered from outside and acted according to instructions. These individuals were composed and did not show any signs of panic. Subsequently, the congealed fat scooped from the second cauldron was even scarcer, with a color approaching golden yellow, indicating that it was likely not the same type of medicine as that from the first cauldron. Both substances were placed into the third cauldron for heating and fusion. Although the specific operational steps were unknown, the aroma suggested that they were rare and exquisite products. The Heavenly Demon Sect had expended considerable effort, and the task assigned from above was likely not as simple as it appeared.
The voice sounded somewhat familiar, as if it had been heard before, causing a moment of emotional turmoil, as if in a dream: "Yes, it is that envoy of the Heavenly Demon Sect, the woman who once saved me, but unfortunately, I still do not know her name. When a person dies, it is the end of everything; perhaps the gratitude for saving a life can only be repaid in the next life."
Tian Maoping was extremely calm, even somewhat gratified. This girl is not of a bad heart. In the demonic realm, the hierarchy is strict; those in power do not care about the lives of those beneath them. A position like that of Xuan Yunshi is already considered a favored daughter of heaven. As for her competing with others, it is entirely normal. The struggles among the upper echelons have always been fierce. Even with a prominent family background, one must possess true ability to take on significant responsibilities. This is a rule that has been passed down for thousands of years, and no one is exempt from it.
As soon as the woman arrived at the scene, she expressed her dissatisfaction by shouting: "The pace is too slow. He must be delivered to the Ancient Divine Path in five hours. If we delay any longer, I will make you pay for it. Hurry up and assist with the 'Earth Deficiency'!"
Tian Maoping nodded slightly, only taking the jade bi. Each unit of Na Yuan points can be exchanged for ten gold coins, enough for an ordinary family of five to eat for half a month, but three thousand Na Yuan points is not actually a lot. It is important to understand that cultivation itself involves absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth for personal use. Nowadays, as the spiritual energy of the years diminishes, obtaining Na Yuan from the outside world is no easy task. Therefore, one must spend money to purchase it. Gradually, Na Yuan points became prevalent and established themselves as a hard currency. This is especially true in the righteous path; individuals with weak economic capabilities, even if fortunate enough to enter major sects, will still lose half a step at the starting line.
The woman spoke: "The young men of the Tian family are impressive. This kind of drug that stimulates human potential is mixed with a powerful demonic poison, which is not something an ordinary person can withstand. Even within the Heavenly Demon Sect, only three individuals have managed to endure it. You, however, remained completely silent, and I admire you for that. The reason for all this effort is that Grandpa Pipa has placed a significant bet on you. He is a close friend of the Tian family's ancestor, so you are considered one of our own. After this, your future is limitless; do not disappoint the hopes of your elders"
Gasping for breath, I continued to survey my surroundings, standing naked in a pool of blood. Strangely, there was not a hint of a bloody smell. The walls were covered with crimson vines, rendering the entire space exceptionally eerie and terrifying. My mind raced to search for information, and suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck me. I scooped up the liquid from the pool and sniffed it, then extended my tongue to taste it a few times. My heart raced with excitement as I thought, "Could this be the elusive Wan Zun Yucui that I have been searching for without any clues for many years?"
"Come here, open the number one cauldron," the woman urgently commanded, waving her hand. Three or four burly men swaggered in from outside, spat, and together they pulled the entrance open.
When the stretcher was lowered, the accompanying boys began to search for shovels and pickaxes, digging vigorously in the medicinal herb garden. Perhaps the soil here was relatively loose, and before long, they had excavated a pit two meters deep. Tian Maoping felt cold sweat break out on his forehead and thought to himself: "They can't be planning to bury me alive, can they? I'm not dead yet! Is it possible that they can't cure me and are resorting to destroying the body? After all, going undercover, one must accept the fate of life and death; this is too cruel!"
For a long time, a gentle coolness wandered, feeling very comfortable, but unfortunately, my whole body was unable to move, not even able to lift my eyelids. It felt as if I had entered a chaotic world, and I murmured to myself: "Wasn't I thrown into a boiling cauldron? Why is there no heat tormenting me? What is my current situation, is it good or bad? Could it be, could it be that I am already dead?"
The crowd of Han people hurriedly stepped forward to dig outward with their hands. Before long, they unearthed a bulky "terracotta figurine." Tian Maoping trembled violently, having fainted several times already. However, this particular drug had a brain-clearing and spirit-reviving effect, causing him to regain consciousness almost immediately after fainting, even more forcefully than the magic devourer, leaving him in a state of utter misery
The two individuals ascended the corridor, realizing that the blood pool was located underground. As they counted to the nine hundred thirty-sixth step in their minds, they suddenly entered a spacious apothecary. In the center stood three closed giant cauldrons emitting various mysterious lights, and a dozen young apprentices were busily attending to their tasks—fanning the flames, gathering herbs—performing their actions with great skill. Uncertain of what was to follow, they turned to the envoy Xuan Yun beside them with a look of confusion.
A gentle breeze brushed against the face, and the stone wall near the blood pool opened up, revealing a deep passageway whose destination was unknown. Moments later, a pair of crystal-clear, perfect lotus feet gracefully leaped onto the steps
"Tian Maoping, you have been in a coma for a full two days. Hurry up and get dressed and come with me; there are still many matters to attend to. Moreover, it is nothing short of a miracle that you are alive today." The cold gaze pierced through the dimness, and the voice carried a hint of rigidity and undeniable authority, yet it still sounded pleasant to the ear
In the terracotta figurine, Tian Moping forced a smile: "Codename Tianlan, not bad at all. As for the salary, I can only enjoy it once I return alive. What about the details of the mission?"
After a moment of silence, just as consciousness was fading into sleep, that melodious voice rang out once more. It first sighed with lingering pity, then slowly spoke: "I am sorry. In order to cure your demonic affliction and gain credit, I secretly summoned the Divine Fire of Qiantian to refine the medicine and the *Tu* *Shu* power. However, the medicinal cauldron could not withstand the divine fire's tempering, causing the medicinal liquid to boil over. In a moment of desperation, I acted recklessly, resulting in an adverse effect that subjected you to an excessively intense cleansing of the medicinal power, making it difficult for even the Blood Pool of Ten Thousand Vessels to restore you. It is all my fault for wanting to compete with others, which harmed your precious life. It was truly not intentional on their part. I will personally hand over your belongings to the Tian family."
Tian Maoping felt as if countless ants were gnawing at his entire body, and it felt as though small insects had invaded his bones, making him extremely uncomfortable. At this moment, he only wanted to scratch fiercely, but he couldn't even move his fingers. Given his temperament, even though he found it hard to endure, he was unwilling to let out a single groan, his face pale and his teeth clenched in resistance to the intense itching. In fact, he felt no resentment in his heart; on the contrary, he was quite grateful: "What is this formula? Such powerful medicinal effects, my blood is boiling, gradually awakening my potential, truly a great aid."
There is not much excitement about death; at least this state is bearable, bringing a sense of relief from a heavy burden. It is a form of liberation, a spiritual return. Suddenly, a voice comes from 'above the nine heavens.' At first, it is very vague, but gradually consciousness drifts over to hear the call: 'Tian Maoping, Tian Maoping, wake up quickly, wake up! It is all your fault; this time, the evaluation of the task will result in a lower score.'
Hurry, Tian Maoping, there is no time to explain. Don't just stand there in a daze, quickly enter the No. 3 cauldron. Is what I said not clear enough? Climb up the copper ladder and jump into the cauldron for me.
A constant cry echoed within: "Get up." The struggle of the spirit indeed took effect, and soon I felt my entire body paralyzed, while my heart began to beat strongly, once, twice, unwaveringly.
Tian Maoping said in a hoarse voice: "Heavy stakes? No wonder! They are willing to bring out such a good thing mixed with demon poison. There have long been rumors that those old ghosts enjoy gambling, and it seems to be true. Just speak your mind, so I can be mentally prepared in advance."
It is wonderful that you are not dead; just now, it was merely a state of apparent death. The effects of the medicine are indeed effective, and the vitality within you is beginning to recover. The woman, displaying great professionalism, gently lifted your eyelids and personally checked your pulse
Glancing around, there are still 1,900 points left. There is no way around it; operating the mechanisms requires the consumption of energy points, and various research endeavors are an endless pit, making it impossible to save much of the accumulated wealth. I remember when I first took on the role of captain on Taiyin Star, my monthly income exceeded 100,000 energy points, not including the quantities directly converted from hunting beast cores. If one were to guard a rich mine and keep their hands clean, it might even triple the income.
Quickly extract the floating cream from the medicinal liquid. A nimble young boy, already skilled, hurriedly climbed up the copper ladder to the mouth of the cauldron, using a long glass container to scoop out the milky white paste. He only managed to scoop out three liters, which was negligible compared to the entire volume of the cauldron, indicating that the production was not easy.
"Hmph, who stripped you of your clothes? Besides, you have no flesh on you, why would you be afraid of others seeing?" As soon as the words left my mouth, I realized something was off; why did it sound so awkward?
With awareness, consciousness suddenly becomes clear, constantly attempting to control the body, even the slightest reaction is welcome. After enduring twelve years of torment, am I to give up now? Clearly, it is not that easy. I, Tian Maoping, will always be a strong individual, never having lost confidence, for the strong remain strong.
At last, that graceful figure arrived gracefully. Xuan Yun wore a short jacket with a small collar, her hair styled up at the back, her arms adorned with gold-trimmed flowing sleeves, and a white shawl draped over her shoulders, which was filled with various gold needles. The thickest among them could be referred to as "nails." Could it be that she intends to use these items on herself?