Chapter 161: Let Me Try

The Five Decays of Heaven and Man are not a poison. Rather, they are various ominous manifestations that appear when a living being's lifespan is on the verge of exhaustion. However, these ominous signs do not manifest in everyone. Besides, Xiao Chenyu was so young—how could her lifespan possibly be coming to an end?

"No, this is not the true Five Decays of Heaven and Man, but a virulent poison refined to simulate them!"

Possessing the Purple Extreme Demonic Eyes, Jun Wushuang quickly saw through the truth. Xiao Chenyu had been poisoned while exploring a secret realm. This poison was modeled after the Five Decays of Heaven and Man, and could well be called the Poison of the Five Decays of Heaven and Man. Yet, even as a simulation, this poison was exceptionally difficult to refine. What on earth had Xiao Chenyu encountered?

Doubts filled Jun Wushuang's mind, but he could find no answer.

At this moment, although the numerous alchemists present felt uncertain in their hearts, they still stepped forward one by one to examine her. Eventually, after a unanimous conclusion reached by dozens of alchemists, the poison afflicting Xiao Chenyu was extremely rare in the world, incapable of being cured by conventional means. Moreover, Xiao Chenyu's vitality was now nearly exhausted and her lifespan was fading; she must not be treated rashly, lest she die even faster. In other words, this poison was beyond their ability to cure.

The alchemists, who had previously been full of confidence, now hung their heads in dejection. It seemed they would not be able to earn this holy medicine.

"Is there truly no way at all?" The Master of the Xuanhuang Sacred Land asked with a trembling voice. Although he had long known this would be the outcome, he still hoped a miracle might occur. After all, this was his most beloved daughter!

"Useless, you are all a bunch of good-for-nothings! Earlier, every single one of you spoke with flowery words and patted your chests in guarantee that you could cure my sister, but now you've all turned into turtles hiding in your shells!"

"What kind of damned Pill Kings and Pill Grandmasters—you are all good-for-nothings! I shouldn't have let you in here in the first place!"

"Get out, get out, get out! All of you, get out of here!"

Overcome by her temper, Xiao Luoyan burst into a fierce tirade. Though her own cultivation was not exceptionally strong, her status was extremely high; like Xiao Chenyu, she was a daughter of the Sacred Lord. At the moment, the numerous alchemists could only droop their heads and submit to Xiao Luoyan's scathing scolding.

"Everyone, even if there is only a sliver of a chance of survival, I hope you will all lend a hand and save her!" Heartbroken, the Xuanhuang Sacred Land's Master pinned his remaining hopes on the group. Xiao Chenyu's condition was already grave; she was in mortal danger at any moment. Perhaps this time would be the final opportunity for rescue.

"Lord Sacred Master, it is not that we are unwilling to act, but truly that we are powerless!"

"Indeed, who could fail to be tempted by a holy medicine? But this poison is unprecedented in the world; I truly have not the slightest certainty."

"Lord Sacred Master, we are deeply ashamed!"

Dozens of alchemists shook their heads one after another, having no means whatsoever to deal with this poison.

"Let me try!"

At that very moment, Chu Danqing, who had remained silent all along, suddenly spoke up. He raised his head and gazed at the Xuanhuang Sacred Master with a solemn expression.

"Lord Sacred Master, to be honest, this poison is extremely rare and beyond the ability of our kind to cure. Furthermore, you have previously invited a Pill Sage, yet even he achieved no result."

"I, Chu Danqing, have practiced alchemy for decades and cured countless ailments, but a poison like the Holy Maiden's is something I am seeing for the very first time."

"Regarding the Holy Maiden's poison, I do not have high certainty—only ten percent. But the Holy Maiden's condition does not allow for optimism. If this drags on any longer, she is unlikely to survive past tomorrow."

"Whether you are willing to let me try, please make your decision, Lord Sacred Master!"

Although Chu Danqing invariably targeted Yao Wuchen at every turn, he hailed from the Heavenly Dan Sacred Sect and was, after all, a Pill Grandmaster with considerable means.

"Even if there is only a one-in-ten-thousand chance, I must try to save her!"

The Xuanhuang Sacred Master pondered for a moment, then finally gritted his teeth and made his decision. Although he was not an alchemist, he was a mighty Saint-realm cultivator; naturally, he could perceive that his daughter's vitality was nearly extinguished. A ten-percent chance was still far better than having no hope at all. Treat a dead horse as if it were still alive!

Chu Danqing nodded, then spoke once more.

"I once had a fortuitous encounter and obtained a special art of alchemy known as the Qimen Alchemy Technique."

"This alchemy art treats the human body as the cauldron, refining the pill within the physical form. It is extraordinarily abstruse."

"I have studied it for twenty years and barely managed to cross the threshold. That ten-percent certainty stems from this very alchemy art."

Whoosh!

No sooner had Chu Danqing finished speaking than an uproar broke out among the crowd.

"What? The Qimen Alchemy Technique? That is an upper-grade alchemy art, rumored to have been lost for centuries! I never expected Grandmaster Chu to have encountered such extraordinary fortune."

"Upper-grade alchemy techniques are extremely rare. If one possesses such an art, there really is a sliver of a chance of survival. The Holy Maiden is truly blessed by great fortune this time."

"Grandmaster Chu is truly worthy of being a Pill Grandmaster of the Heavenly Dan Sacred Sect, having crossed the threshold after just twenty years of study. If it were the likes of us, we'd probably never comprehend the doorway to it in a lifetime!"

The crowd showered Chu Danqing with effusive praise. Chu Danqing possessed extraordinary strength, originated from a sacred sect, and had mastered an upper-grade alchemy art; among everyone present, he was undeniably the most formidable existence. Naturally, everyone was more than willing to curry favor with him.

"Grandmaster Chu, since that is the case, I will leave this entirely in your hands."

"As long as Chenyu can recover, the holy medicine will naturally be presented to you!"

The Xuanhuang Sacred Master's eyes lit up, reigniting a glimmer of hope in his heart.

Chu Danqing nodded and ceased wasting words. After making a few preparations, he stepped forward to stand before Xiao Chenyu.

"Master, do you think he can cure this poison?"

Yao Wuchen asked Jun Wushuang via spiritual transmission. He harbored old grudges against Chu Danqing, and this time he had been repeatedly mocked by both Chu Danqing and Tang Yuanming, filling his heart with resentment and anger. Therefore, he desperately hoped not to see Chu Danqing succeed in curing Xiao Chenyu.

Yet, he had also heard thunderous legends of the Qimen Alchemy Technique. Having mastered this upper-grade alchemy art, Chu Danqing might well have a genuine chance.

"Rest assured, he cannot cure this poison!" Jun Wushuang replied indifferently.

The Poison of the Five Decays of Heaven and Man was exceptionally abstruse, and the one who refined it must be a grandmaster of the toxic arts. Moreover, this poison was not a simple venom, but something that had merged into the body to sap one's vitality—completely different from ordinary baleful yin and deathly auras. Although Jun Wushuang had mastered the Heaven-Swallowing Demonic Art, he was still unable to draw the poison out by swallowing it. As for Chu Danqing, even if given another hundred years, he would never be able to cure it.

"Master, do you have a way?"

Hearing Jun Wushuang's words, Yao Wuchen's eyes lit up.

"This poison is not difficult to deal with!"

"Since I promised to let you hold your head high and reclaim your dignity, this time I will grant you an opportunity to slap their faces and exact your revenge."

"Relax your mind and soul, and I shall transmit the method of detoxification to you!"

Jun Wushuang conveyed the detoxification method to Yao Wuchen via spiritual transmission.

"This... this..."

Yao Wuchen shuddered all over, feeling that the method of detoxification was simply too unimaginable. Had it not been transmitted directly by Jun Wushuang, he certainly would never have believed it.

"Master, is this really effective?" Yao Wuchen felt deeply uncertain.

"The disease will vanish the moment the medicine is applied!" Jun Wushuang answered, brimming with confidence.

The spiritual transmission between Jun Wushuang and Yao Wuchen went unnoticed by outsiders, though the Xuanhuang Sacred Master glanced their way, seemingly sensing something amiss. However, everyone else's attention was entirely focused on Chu Danqing. They all wanted to see whether Chu Danqing, who had mastered the Qimen Alchemy Technique, could successfully cure Xiao Chenyu.

"Rise!"

Chu Danqing let out a sudden, low shout and exerted his full strength. Instantly, Xiao Chenyu's entire body shuddered, as if she were showing signs of improvement.

Puff!

Abruptly, Xiao Chenyu spat out a large mouthful of black blood. Her remaining vitality drained away entirely, pushing her to the brink of death.

Witnessing this scene, the expressions of everyone present changed drastically.

Chu Danqing had failed!