Zhao Ming was becoming increasingly restless, wondering when the ongoing treatment would come to an end. As nightfall approached, Huan had already woken up from her slumber, while Xuan Cheng remained in the middle of the procedure, leaving Zhao Ming with a multitude of unanswered questions.
The crystal above her head that linked her to the empress had shrunk, while the crystal that contained the Ocean Fire Poison had grown to the size of a palm. The colors of the fiery red and ocean blue were visibly swirling inside the crystal.
The princess had successfully cleared the empress of Ocean Fire Poison, but now she had to detoxify herself from Nightshade and Wolfsbane potion. Despite her exhaustion, the princess managed to smile faintly.
She knew that with just a little more time and effort, the empress would regain her strength by the next day. The princess closed her palm and the second crystal floated down to the floor.
Then, she took out a detoxification tonic from her medicine box and poured it over the empress. However, Xuan Cheng suddenly felt uneasy. She realized that the empress couldn't handle the process anymore, as the anesthesia had worn off and it would cause her pain. She felt foolish for making such a mistake, and her eyebrows furrowed from the stress.
Xuan Cheng's worried expression caught Zhao Ming's attention, causing his eyes to narrow. He silently prayed that everything was alright. Despite standing still, Huan was impressed by Zhao Ming's composure. He had not moved ever since the treatment started. However, she couldn't help but think about two things: when the situation would end and when she would get to eat.
Xuan Cheng had no time to waste, the detoxification tonic she had poured wasn't ordinary, and the ending of the process needed most of the energy. The pain the empress had to bear was comparably less than the first three steps. The tonic contained rejuvenating supernatural ingredients such as:
The Golden Silk Ginseng which is a type of ginseng can only be found in the mystical Changbai Mountains. It has a golden hue, and exquisite taste, and is believed to boost immunity, enhance vitality, and promote harmony within the body.
Another beautiful plant is the Phoenix Feather Orchid. This delicate orchid blooms in secluded valleys where sunlight touches the earth. Its petals resemble the iridescent plumage of a phoenix, and it's said to purify the blood and infuse the spirit with a renewed sense of purpose.
Moonlit Jade Dew is a precious dew that's formed from moonbeams and morning mist. It's collected on the night of the full moon, and it's thought to cleanse the mind of worries and nurture tranquility.
The Dragon's Heart Vine is another unique plant that requires an adventurous climb up the ancient Dragon's Spine Peak to gather its heart-shaped leaves. This creeping vine is known to soothe inflammation and enhance circulation, symbolizing resilience and strength.
Lastly, the Starlight Lotus Seed is found in serene ponds beneath a blanket of stars. These seeds are associated with inner radiance and renewal, believed to replenish vital energy and promote youthful vigor. One can say that this detoxification tonic was the trump card, it was one of the three key things that the entire process needed.
Four factors contributed to the cure of the empress. Firstly, Xuan Cheng was the only one who possessed the mastery art of the Seven Cultivation's Elemental Embrace. Secondly, she could transform any form of energy into a crystal.
Thirdly, the process of Cellular Resurgence was utilized to recreate the units of life. Finally, the Detoxification Tonic was administered to successfully cure the empress.
"Satisfaction is the priority," Xuan Cheng mumbled, audible to Zhao Ming. A spark of determination filled her, and the corner of her lips twisted as she restored to her last move.
Her fingers twirled in the air and the crystal that connected her with the empress turned black. Waves of golden threads began to flow in Xuan Cheng's direction. As soon as the first wave hit her, she sprayed blood but instead of wailing in pain, she chuckled.
Colour drained from Zhao Ming's face, leaving behind a pale mask of horror. His chest tightened, pressing down a heavy weight of shock. A gasp escaped his mouth, unable to move his eyes away from her. He slid open the mirror's illusionary door and attempted to jump inside the chamber, but the invisible sheet shielding the room from any disturbance stopped him.
He became worried and attempted to break it, possibly believing that Xuan Cheng was in danger and that her therapy had failed. As his strikes failed to shatter the shield, he cried angrily, "Princess Cheng!"
Zhao Ming was completely unaware that Xuan Cheng couldn't hear him. He had demonstrated sufficient patience by standing calmly behind the mirror. All he required was a shift in his patience values. Huan was shocked as well, frozen at her place she imagined the worst that could happen.
After a half-hour, the crystal connecting her and the empress burst and spread across the floor. Together with the barrier, the herbal smells evaporated into thin air.Except the shattered pieces of crystal and medicine boxes, nothing unusual remained in the room.
When the empress recovered her strength and became healthy, an ethereal light developed on her face. Her beauty, which she may have forgotten, reappeared. But she didn't wake up.
But, a third person who sees her will never understand that she went through upheaval and treatment. Others would argue that she is simply resting like any other woman. Nobody could have anticipated the tranquility and relief she felt while sleeping.
Zhao Ming dashed inside as soon as the shield vanished, and Huan recovered control of her mind-numbing body and followed him. Xuan Cheng's eyelids drooped from tiredness, she could hardly hold them open, the black circles around her eyes and her shaking fingers didn't disguise her fatigue.
She had entirely used her reserve energy and was exhausted to the point of collapse. She wheeled to face them, her face full of excitement and happiness overshadowing her exhaustion, only the dream of sleep and pure willpower had kept her wide awake.
"Congratulations, Your Highness," she said as she noticed Prince Ming approaching her with marching strides. He finally threw a glance at his sleeping mother as soon as her words reached his ears. His heart sunk as tears welled up in his scarlet eyes. The scene seemed unusual, like if he had discovered a star floating in the sea.
*Thud*
Xuan Cheng's corpse sank silently to the ground with a muted thump. She passed out after hitting her head against the hard surface. Zhao Ming's bones quiver as he looked at the princess lying down.
"Princess Cheng..." He murmured, his eyes bursting with surprise. "Your Highness!!!!!!!" Huan shouted as she crouched down near Xuan Cheng and began shaking her to awaken her from her trance.
However, there was no response from her. "Your Highness Prince Ming, I beg you to kindly send us back to our mansion, my princess needs treatment and rest," Huan pleaded sobbing.
"I will do that even if you don't ask me," Zhao Ming clenched his teeth from pressure that fainted princess Cheng gave him. He feared something happened to her while she treated his mother. He didn't know at first what she was doing, but when he saw his mother again closely, he guessed a thing or two.