Fangxian Heretical Path

Chapter 111 Healing with Metal and Stone: The Heart Recognizes the Master, No Need to Ask (4.8 thousand words)

The image that appeared on the bathtub was none other than the innate secret script that Fang Shu had just seen inside Xiao Lili's body.

Compared to the previous one, this cryptic text was even more agile and mysterious. In terms of its exquisiteness, it was undoubtedly the most remarkable cryptic text Fang Shu had ever seen.

A strange light appeared in his eyes: "Even the secret texts of the Fire Blade Technique and the Dragon Seeking and Gold Touching Technique are inferior to this. Could it be that the quality of this secret text has reached the Qi Refining level?"

Just as Fang Shu was making the most of his time to collect and study this object, the secret characters on the bathtub suddenly flashed, and their light dimmed, like a flower that began to wither at a speed visible to the naked eye.

"Oh no!" Fang Shu suddenly came to his senses and focused his attention on the bath tub. He discovered that the life force that had sprouted on Xiao Lili's body in the tub had withered.

This made him frown and look regretful.

He had not yet finished collecting all these mysterious cryptic characters, and he did not know what kind of wonders this cryptic text could reveal.

How can they give up now and stop halfway? Show some spirit!
Immediately, Fang Shu stepped forward and slapped Xiao Lili's mangled body with his palm.

He hissed, "Live!"

Its powerful qi and blood flowed into the opponent's body, forcefully expelling the water that had been choked in the opponent's lungs.

"Cough cough..." Xiao Lili coughed, her consciousness returning somewhat after fainting, and the secret characters above the bathtub also temporarily stopped wilting.

However, the vitality in her body still seemed to be flickering and fading away, no longer as vibrant and full of life as it had been just moments before.

Xiao Lili opened her eyes. One eye was a bloody mess, extremely eerie, while the other eye was dazed as she stared blankly at Fang Shu, who was pressing his hand against her chest.

She murmured, "Fang-ge'er...it's so hot!"

Upon hearing this, Fang Shu raised an eyelid and looked at the medicinal liquid in the bath tub. He found that after nearly ten hours of soaking, even with talismans pasted on the outer wall, the temperature of the medicinal liquid in the tub had long since dropped, and it was only warm, not hot enough to make people feel hot.

However, Xiao Lili's exposed skin was completely red and burning hot.

After thinking it over, Fang Shu realized that there were still some ginseng residues in Xiao Lili's body, which were causing trouble in the other party's body, and the two were still fighting each other.

In order to suppress the opponent's counterattack, Xiao Lili's physical body was consuming all her vital energy, which is why her whole body was burning hot and feverish, and the vitality that had finally sprouted was withering away.

However, upon learning of this situation, Fang Shu's face showed a troubled expression.

He had already extracted the ginseng relatively intact, and Xiao Lili had chewed it into pieces and swallowed it. What was shaking the other's body now were those tiny roots.

These roots were not only small, but also numerous. Even if Fang Shu dismantled Xiao Lili's entire body, he could not cut them off in a short time and thus could not kill them.

However, the next moment, Fang Shu noticed something.

Xiao Lili's lower body, which was immersed in the medicinal liquid, had fewer ginseng tendrils attacking it, while the opponent's exposed collarbone, neck, and other areas had more ginseng tendrils, some of which wriggled under the opponent's skin like snakes and insects, which was quite creepy.

"This is because the medicinal liquid in the bath tub contained poison, which suppressed the ginseng's counterattack."

Fang Shuxin suddenly realized why the innkeeper insisted that the two of them take the ginseng from the bath tub, and why he had said "refine it by taking poison" when explaining.

It turns out that this bucket of medicinal liquid was not only used to stimulate Xiao Lili's physical potential, but also to paralyze and poison the medicinal ginseng.

"As expected of a seasoned Gu master," Fang Shu thought to himself.

Without a moment's hesitation, he shouted, "Hold your breath!"

The sound of water splashing.

He pressed Xiao Lili's head down and pushed her into the medicinal bath liquid.

Xiao Lili didn't even struggle at this moment. She sank into the medicinal liquid, a relaxed expression on her face. The restless activity of the ginseng roots on her body was indeed suppressed.

However, another problem arose. Fang Shu pressed Xiao Lili down several times in a row, and each time she took a breath, ginseng tendrils would sprout from the surface of her body.

More importantly, Fang Shu pried open the other person's mouth, examined them, and then channeled his qi and blood into them to sense the condition within their body.

The ginseng-like growths on this woman's body are merely superficial; the real problem lies within her body, which is a complete mess.

In this situation, even if Fang Shu went to the pharmacy to get more poison and continued to administer strong medicine, it would be difficult to suppress the ubiquitous ginseng rootlets in a short time.

He thought to himself, "Indeed, survival from a near-death experience is not so easy to find."

Even with the guidance of the master of the pavilion and the help of Fang Shu, Xiao Lili herself was still ruthless, but removing the ginseng that had been bothering her for half a year was still a difficult task.

Gradually, Xiao Lili herself realized it.

Her whole body became swollen and felt as hot as burning coals. Every inch of her skin became extremely sensitive, and all kinds of pain were magnified a hundredfold in her perception.

The woman's face was contorted, and she was breathing rapidly.

However, she did not let out a desperate scream, but endured it, only uttering low moans as if she were weeping. She also endured the excruciating pain all over her body, opened her eyes, and looked at Fang Shu.

Xiao Lili whispered:
"Brother Fang, I am nearing my end... I am very grateful for your help this time... After I die, I hope you will not mind if I consume the ginseng blood in my body."

She spoke haltingly, as if giving her last words, without mentioning revenge again.

Fang Shu heard this, narrowed his eyes slightly, and responded coldly:

"Death? I haven't given permission yet."

Wow.

Fang Shu, who had just put on his robes, leaped into the bathtub.

He straightened Xiao Lili's broken body, made hand seals, and struck the opponent's blood and qi. He also summoned a three-stage breath-holding worm and put it into Xiao Lili's mouth and nose to help her gather her blood and qi.

Xiao Lili let her body move as it pleased, a smile appearing on her weak and broken face.

Since she fell seriously ill, apart from her father Xiao Hu, no one else has cared for her as much as she has and gone to such lengths for her.

To die in the arms of such a man is far more beautiful than to die alone in bed or in a secluded room.

The next moment, Xiao Lili saw Fang Shu take out something and whispered:
"Suck it in your mouth."

Without hesitation, and without caring what Fang Shu was handing her, she obediently opened her mouth with great difficulty.

A bead the size of a quail egg was stuffed into her mouth and placed under her tongue. A strong, metallic, metallic smell wafted through her mouth, nose, and throat, penetrating her body.

This item is the lead-refined pearl that Fang Shu obtained during his first treasure hunt.

The ginseng root is extremely active, and ordinary poisons cannot quickly spread throughout Xiao Lili's body to suppress it.

However, coincidentally, he happened to possess an unusual poison that, once released, could penetrate flesh and blood, covering the surrounding area and becoming ubiquitous.

The lead-in-precious pearl contains the poison of metals and stones, which is perfect for killing a large number of tiny things!
Xiao Lili's illness just happened to fall into his hands.

Buzz!

Fang Shu sat cross-legged in the bathtub, embracing Xiao Lili's frail body, constantly urging his qi and blood, guiding the poison of metal and stone, repeatedly washing away the other's bones, organs, and brain.

Its effects are visible to the naked eye.

The once arrogant ginseng roots melted away as if ice and snow had melted into Xiao Lili's body.

These substances also transformed into streams of medicinal power, which were absorbed by Xiao Lili's body and became resources for repairing her flesh and blood.

Within moments, Xiao Lili's breathing returned to normal, and the pain on her face was greatly relieved, though her whole body was still burning like a furnace.

Suddenly, the woman's eyelids twitched, and she quietly opened her eyes, looking at Fang Shu, who was close at hand, practicing his internal energy with his eyes closed.

A serene smile graced her broken, flushed face, as beautiful as a withered plum blossom.

But the next moment, Xiao Lili let out another muffled groan.

A mouthful of dark red blood gushed up from her throat and landed on her chest.

Not only that, but blood was slowly flowing from her eyes, ears, mouth and nose, making her feel warm liquid dripping from all seven orifices.

This situation stunned Xiao Lili and also alarmed Fang Shu, who was practicing his internal energy.

Seeing Fang Shu open his eyes and look at her, Xiao Lili gave a bitter smile. Her throat tasted metallic, her whole body was weak, and her flesh felt like it was melting away; she was completely unable to speak.

The woman could only look at Fang Shu with an apologetic gaze, as if saying, "I'm really sorry," "You've done your best," and "I'm sorry."

However, Fang Shu, who was right next to her, was completely oblivious to her charms and ignored her gaze.

He just frowned.

Immediately, Xiao Lili saw Fang Shu take out a medicine bottle from his sleeve and pour the medicine inside into her body.

A cool sensation spread from her mouth, and a rich spiritual energy and vibrant vitality reappeared on her body.

In addition, Xiao Lili also felt Fang Shu's hot palm caressing her body. Wherever it touched, the pain in her body disappeared instantly, and her wounds became itchy and began to heal on the spot.

In this situation, Fang Shu took out some kind of elixir and used it both internally and externally to keep her alive and fight against the poison of metal and stone.

The reason this medicine is so effective is that it is the meat-shaped treasure medicine that Fang Shu obtained during his second treasure hunt.

Both the Flesh-Gel Medicine and the Metal-Stone Poison are relics left behind by the ancestors of the Hu family. One is medicine and the other is poison, clearly distinguished by yin and yang, which perfectly counteract each other. Moreover, the former is most effective for healing wounds and nourishing life.

Fang Shu took out the precious medicine, intending to use it to help the other party remove the poison and heal their wounds, and also to test the medicine's effectiveness in healing.

Soon, Fang Shu looked at Xiao Lili in front of him, and his face showed amazement.

Xiao Lili, who was originally covered in wounds, began to grow flesh buds all over her body after taking two bottles of the precious medicine made from the flesh fungus. All her injuries were healing at a speed visible to the naked eye.

And the other person's withered skin began to plump up again, regaining its color, and even the scars were barely left.

In the end, Xiao Lili's body was smooth, except for a red mark like an appliqué on the corner of her left eye, because the ginseng had been inserted too deeply earlier, and even her left pupil was red.

The efficacy of this medicine amazed Fang Shu, who thought to himself:

"Although such therapeutic effects are mostly due to the medicinal power of the ginseng."

However, this fleshy fungus truly lives up to its reputation as a relic left by our ancestors. It seems that for any immortal below the Qi Refining stage, as long as they have a breath left, it can sustain their life!

Through various means and her own efforts, Xiao Lili finally found a way to survive in a life-or-death situation!
Her vitality was now so strong that it was hard to suppress, and she was no longer in danger of losing her life. In fact, she had even gained some benefits.

In the bathtub.

Fang Shu raised his head and looked at the spiritual energy surging from the other person's head, and was once again amazed.

This naturally formed secret script has undergone its third transformation. Resembling both coral and ginseng, it is lush and verdant, swaying gently in the water vapor, and is extremely mysterious.

"This must be a secret text at the Qi Refining level!" Fang Shu judged with certainty in his heart.

He had a vague feeling that this secret text might also be of great use to him, so he quickly used his Daoist talisman to record and memorize it from various angles once again.

Now, the Daoist talisman contains the entire cryptic text, including its three transformations: beginning, middle, and end. This will greatly facilitate both analysis and deduction.

After being included in the Daoist register, Fang Shu himself did not remain idle.

He looked up at the cryptic text, his mind completely absorbed, and began to comprehend it.

Finally, a few cups of tea's time passed.

The innate secret runes displayed above Xiao Lili's head vanished completely like a wisp of smoke.

The other person's eyelids trembled as they opened their heterochromatic eyes.

Seeing that Fang Shu seemed to be staring straight at her, she was a little confused and too shy to move.

When Fang Shu came to his senses and lowered his gaze, Xiao Lili blinked her eyes, her eyes crinkling as she looked at him shyly.

The secret document has been lost.

Fang Shu's eyes held a sense of melancholy, a feeling of regret that he wished he could have had more time. However, a hint of joy also stirred within him.

As he was comprehending the secret text, the natal insect embryo on his forehead began to wriggle, as if it were learning from the secret text and extending its body, instantly becoming even more closely connected to his physical body.

Based on the performance of his natal insect embryo, Fang Shu was even more certain that this secret text would be of great use to him!
He didn't show anything; he quickly concealed the gloom on his face, glanced at Xiao Lili who had already woken up, and nodded politely in acknowledgment.

There was another loud crash.

Fang Shu jumped out of the bathtub.

He paced outside, and within a few steps, a wisp of steam rose from his body, which he used his qi and blood to directly dry his clothes.

After tidying himself up, Fang Shu looked at Xiao Lili, who was lying by the bathtub, and bowed respectfully, saying:

"Congratulations on your new life, Fellow Daoist Xiao. Please rest. I'll take my leave now."

Xiao Lili, who was leaning over the bucket, chin in hand watching him, quickly called out:
"Brother Fang, please wait!"

Fang Shu stopped and looked at the other person, asking if there was anything else he could help with.

To everyone's surprise, Xiao Lili stood up calmly without saying a word. Her fair skin made her walk out of the bathtub and stood in front of Fang Shu, her legs closed together without any gap.

The woman looked grateful, pressed her hands together, bowed deeply to Fang Shu, revealing her smooth back and exposing herself without any defenses.

She lowered her head and said, "I will never forget the kindness of saving my life."

"I swear here today that I will repay this debt with my life, serving Fang Lang as my lord, never betraying or abandoning him, and dying for my lord's honor!"

Xiao Lili was not a blockhead. She had seen with her own eyes that Fang Shu had used every means possible to save her life, and the items he used were all extraordinary.

The two were actually just strangers who met by chance and had no real relationship. In fact, it could be said that their families had a history of enmity.

Today, Fang Shu has been able to help her wholeheartedly and without expecting anything in return. Xiao Lili has no way to repay him except with her own body and life. She will repay him with all her heart!
As long as Fang Shu doesn't abandon her, she is willing to serve him by his side for every single day.

In the quiet room, white mist still drifted around, making the room appear hazy and the figures like a painting.

Fang Shu stood upright, staring at the woman in astonishment, somewhat taken aback.

As he hesitated to speak, Xiao Lili, seeing that he didn't respond, trembled as she leaned forward and hesitantly raised her head.

The woman raised her innocent face, smiled ingratiatingly, and said in a soft, sweet voice:

"Master, would you be willing to take me in?"

Seeing this genuine and seemingly sincere plea from a beautiful woman, Fang Shu was momentarily lost in thought and filled with admiration.

He realized that this woman must have been bedridden for half a year after becoming a cripple. Coupled with the deep hatred for her father's death and the coldness of human relationships, she regarded him as her second parents and benefactor after being saved by him today, and wanted to repay him with her body.

Fang Shu was somewhat surprised that Xiao Lili spoke so humbly and thoroughly all of a sudden.

He had a vague feeling that the woman's mentality was somewhat abnormal, as if she had been poisoned, and he couldn't tell whether it was a pathological condition or just a coquettish one. Or perhaps, both.

Fang Shu did not comply with Xiao Lili's request to become her master.

He neither agreed nor refused, but instead replied with a smile: "Since you have already made your vow and the Lord is in your heart, why do you need to ask me?"

Xiao Lili was stunned: "This..."

Fang Shu stood with his hands behind his back and said calmly, "If I agree, you will resent me if I don't help you when you are in trouble, and I can't afford to accept my help when you are rich and powerful. Why bother?"

Xiao Lili felt relieved.

Without further hesitation, she immediately bowed again and respectfully said, "This servant, Xiao Lili, greets Master."

Fang Shu stood there, neither avoiding nor responding, nor taking the initiative; he simply watched.

After paying her respects, the woman did not stand up, but looked at Fang Shu and whispered:
"Does Master have any instructions that Lili can do?"

Upon hearing this, Fang Shu slightly raised his eyelids, sized up the other person, and a thought began to stir in his mind.

　I was a bit busy over the weekend, so I only updated once a week, but both were over 4,000 words. I'll resume double updates tomorrow!
　　Note: This book has no female protagonist, only various fellow cultivators.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)