After collecting 7 yin beads, Wind entered closed door cultivation. He planned to make several breakthroughs in one go. Xui and Sarza also diligently cultivated for following few nights under the moonlight. Xui had gained permission from Xiao to share the Lunar cycle cultivation technique with Sarza.
Two days passed by. On the third day, in the main hall, Xiao was sitting on her throne. She was wearing formal royal gown which gave her a magnificent appearance. Her big bosom was very appealing and stretched the fabric of the gown to its limit. Her milfy aura was exuded from her curves as she sat crossing her legs. She was frowning and staring at the man that stood in front of her.
"You are the Empyrean doctor Wu Shang?" Xiao inquired.
"I sure am, your majesty." The man replied smilingly. He wasn't pressured at all, being in front of a ruler. Apparently he had served many rulers, lords and queens throughout his years of medicinal practice.
But what bugging Xiao wasn't Wu Shang's easy attitude but his appearance. He looked too young! Merely 35 years old, while the requirement for becoming an Empyrean Doctor was to possess 30 years of experience in medicine. Then, did this Wu Shang start learning medicine at the age of 5? What nonsense!
"Haha! It seems, your Highness is having difficulty ascertaining my ingenuity." Wu Shang rubbed his nose as he smiled.
"That's not it doctor." Xiao said, trying not to seem rude. "It's just that you look very young." She added.
"Hehe! Well thank you!" Wu Shang took it as a compliment. "I am actually 50 years old. I just used herbs and medicines to retain my youth." Wu Shang said with pride.
Xiao was impressed. "Makes sense. Youth retaining medicines are difficult to make though, I also hope to find some for myself." Xiao said playfully.
Although on the surface it sounded like she desired those medicines, this was actually her demanding proof of Wu Shang's ingenuity. She truly did doubt Wu Shang. Although the latter had produced an Empyrean doctor medallion, Xiao was simply too cautious.
Hearing this, Wu Shang shook his head, understanding the underlying meaning and smiled. "Why, you seem fairly young, your highness. Youth retention medicine won't make any difference in your natural amazing beauty." He said seemingly complementing Xiao.
"Oh, you flatter me." Xiao said chuckling, but her eyes were firmly locked with Wu Shang's equally serious gaze. The two understood one another.
"But if you still want the medicine, I am carrying a few with me. If you would provide me with the ingredients, I can even brew some more for you. It is costly though." Wu Shang said, clearing Xiao's doubt.
Hearing this, Xiao finally relaxed and sighed with a smile. "Well, I will buy a few doses then." She said offering her sincerity since she finally believed that Wu Shang was a real Empyrean doctor.
"Very well." Wu Shang nodded & then continued. "I happened to be passing by the Carny state in search of a few rare ingredients. I decided to heal people on the way. Although my services aren't cheap, but since the citizens of Carny helped me find a few other ingredients and were hospitable to me, I didn't charge them any money. There aren't any big diseases here anyway. But when I heard of young master's Extreme Yang Syndrome, I couldn't help but accept your request and came over.
Xiao nodded solemnly. "South Carny is grateful for Mister Wu Shang's aid. My son is currently under closed door cultivation, so please be our guest for the meantime."
"Oh?" Wu Shang was surprised. "Cultivation? Despite Extreme Yang Syndrome? Isn't this basically committing suicide?" Wu Shang thought.
Reading his expression, Xiao quickly explained, "He has formed yin beads to help him in cultivation."
"That explains it." Wu Shang said & nodded. "Please inform me once he comes out of cultivation. In the meantime, I would like to request you to arrange a few ingredients in advance, here is a list."
Wu Shang handed her a list of ingredients and the two talked about few other arrangements. It was obvious that yin beads are formed usually during dual cultivation. Wu Shang was an experienced man. He understood this when Xiao mentioned the beads and hence didn't worry about Wind committing suicide by cultivation.
The next day, Wind came out and surprised Xiao with his level 1 Novice realm cultivation.
"Amazing! You have done well, Wind." Xiao said patting his head and then hugged him. Wind had to admit that this way of showing affection was the best. He loved the feeling of Xiao's soft yet dense breasts pressing against his face. He wanted to kiss her breasts and squeeze them.
"You are now strong enough to hold your own." Xiao said collecting herself. "However, your medical condition still requires treatment. That Empyrean doctor has arrived here. I would like you to be diagnosed by him at the earliest."
"…" Wind was speechless for a moment. He didn't know that Xiao was still adamant on him getting treated. Although he was now able to cultivate; his Extreme Yang Syndrome was still in place. This and that were two different things. However, Xiao didn't know that Ian technique was capable of curing this syndrome. It was just that Wind wasn't able to utilize second phase of Ian technique without a suitable partner. Hearing now that an Empyrean doctor had already arrived, he shook his head internally. Now he must find an excuse to get rid of the doctor.
"You must be worried about his fees." Xiao said, seemingly understanding his expression. "Don't worry about it, mother will find a way. Your health and future is of the utmost importance." As Xiao said, she caressed Wind's face lovingly.
"…Still; what is the fee for the treatment?" Wind asked.
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"Ingredients are the fees." Wu Shang replied. The three of them were now in the main hall discussing things. Wu Shang hadn't mentioned the price earlier because he wanted to diagnose the patient first. And now having done that, he spoke his requirements.
"I am trying to brew a certain elixir and I am lacking several ingredients needed for it. The forests in South Carny territory theoretically contain some of those ingredients. I will need Your Highness to deploy some manpower and resources to obtain those ingredients. That will be enough for me."
"Hmm…But are you sure that you can heal my son?" Xiao asked.
"Of course." Wu Shang said. "Although there are chances of failure in curing of such typical syndromes; but to be able to contain himself and cultivate to novice realm, your son is indeed a prodigy! Without a doubt he shall be able to cope with the treatment and will be cured of his disease."
Xiao felt assured and happy. Now there was chance of healing Wind completely. The future of her son and Carny state shall be bright!
"May I take a look at the ingredients list?" Xiao asked.
"Of course." Wu Shang handed the list to wind who approached him to take it to Xiao. There were only the three of them present in the main hall at that time for sake of secrecy. Wind naturally fulfilled the duty of a junior. However, his real intention was to see the list himself.
"White tar, black hornet king sting, 3000 years old sirsen root, calyptic flower… He is brewing 'that' medicine?!" Wind was shocked as he thought. These were the ingredients for a legendary medicine called 'Ever-youth pill'. This was the epitome of youth retention pills. Unlike the latter, ever-youth pill's effect was permanent! Means one would be forever young!
However, there was a catch. Once this pill was taken, the user's cultivation will halt. They could no longer ascend. This medicine was still highly sought after by the Emperor or even Sage realm cultivators. Those were the people who had already reached the height of power and could no longer progress. Their strengths would wane with age. But if they could take the ever-youth pill…? That would be ensuring their infallible dominance! What wouldn't they give to obtain such a medicine? And what would be the price of the ingredients used for brewing it? To think Wu Shang wanted to treat a mere Extreme Yang Syndrome to trade for these ingredients. Daylight robbery!
"Then again…I wonder if South Carny even has these ingredients…" Xiao said with a frown as she read the list. She didn't know about the recipe of ever-youth pill. Hence she didn't realize what Wu Shang was plotting. "But we will leave no stone unturned to look for them." She said with a smile.
"That would be enough." Wu Shang smiled back. "I shall put my hopes on you then."
"We won't disappoint you." Xiao replied.
Wind on the other hand had gone silent. "Wow…just wow." He mumbled.
"Oh, doctor…what if we don't find the ingredients of the list? Or what if only some of them are found? How does that fit into the fees of my treatment?" Wind asked.
"No worries. Since Mistress Xiao has treated me well and showed me sincerity, I will naturally not be petty and will be satisfied with whatever else she can offer as compensation." Wu Shang showed a genuine smile to Wind & then gazed at Xiao.
Then there was a quick shift in his eyes as he purposely glanced at Xiao's big breasts. Xiao caught this glance and her smile froze. She understood exactly what Wu Shang was expecting as 'compensation' if the ingredients were not found.
She then stole a glance at Wind and sighed before glancing back at Wu Shang and nodded slightly. Both Wu Shang and Xiao's eye signals & gestures carried deep meanings. As long as Wind could be cured, Xiao would not hesitate to even offer her body as compensation.