"The cure for soul poison that I found is Lestes Yang Qi," Ning Waner said, her face flushed, her body growing warm, and her temperature steadily rising.
"What?" Both Ling Xing Yue and Xiao Linger exclaimed in shock.
This was shocking news. Lestes Yang Qi could cure soul poison? How was that possible? If someone could cure poison with Yang Qi, then how had people in the past died unjustly from poison? All they would have needed was to find a mate, and they would have been fine—at least the females. It seemed impossible for Lestes Yang Qi to cure soul poison.
But suddenly, Ling Xing Yue recalled something. Lestes Yang Qi wasn't ordinary; it was mysterious and profound. After absorbing his Yang Qi, she felt subtle changes in both her body and soul—changes that could only be brought about by a divine elixir. Though small, she could sense the shift in her cultivation talent, as if her abilities had been upgraded. Once she recovered fully, she might even take another step forward in her cultivation.
"Master, think carefully. Lestes Yang Qi is not ordinary; it can't be absorbed like regular Qi. We can only absorb it through the Yin-Yang Fusion Art. Even then, it doesn't act like normal Qi—it's absorbed into our blood. That's what I experienced, and I suppose you did too," Ning Waner explained, trying to convince them.
Yes! Lestes Yang Qi was different. When they tried to absorb it normally, it scattered, but after practising the Yin-Yang Fusion Art, they could absorb it. Their blood seemed to take it in, and since then, they'd felt changes in themselves. Despite this, Ling Xing Yue still had doubts.
"I'm not saying I don't trust you, but what you're saying is a bit hard to believe," Ling Xing Yue said, still sceptical.
Soul poison was something even high-tier alchemists couldn't cure. Now, Ning Waner was claiming that Lestes Yang Qi could?
"Master, why don't you check for yourself and see?" Ning Waner suggested.
Ling Xing Yue took Ning Waner's hand, extending her divine sense through it to examine her. After a moment, her eyes widened in surprise.
"It's true, the soul poison has been suppressed," she said, astonished. Then, she added, "But suppression doesn't mean it's cured. Don't get too excited."
Hearing her master's words, Ning Waner's smile faded, and her face darkened with sadness. She thought, Yes, what the master says is true. A remedy might suppress a disease, but it doesn't cure it. Just like the medicine we found in the city—it could only dull the pain, not cure it. She felt deflated, her earlier enthusiasm gone.
Seeing her disciple's downcast expression, Ling Xing Yue comforted her, "Don't be discouraged. Even if his Yang Qi can't cure the poison, we should still ask him. He has a divine-grade technique, the Yin-Yang Fusion Art, and perhaps he comes from the Spirit Realm. He might have a solution. As long as you're alive, there's still hope."
Ning Waner's face brightened at her master's words. Lestes was indeed mysterious. They had only known him for four days, but in that short time, he had already shown remarkable things. A divine-grade technique, Yang Qi could enhance their talents, and even suppress soul poison—maybe he was the key to her salvation.
"Yes, when he returns, I'll ask him if he has a cure," she said, her voice filled with determination. This was about her life; she couldn't afford to be careless.
Fifteen minutes later, Lestes returned and immediately started a fire. He held several thick slices of meat, hanging them over the flames to cook. Ning Waner and the others sensed his return and came out of the tent. They saw Lestes sitting by the fire, cooking a barbecue. They gathered around him, taking their seats by the fire. Ning Waner looked at him with mixed emotions—excited yet fearful, afraid of the disappointment that might come if Lestes didn't have a cure.
Lestes noticed her gaze and looked up with a smirk. "What are you staring at, like a monkey?" he joked, then added, "If you have something to say, just say it. Stop staring at me."
The others laughed, but Ning Waner only gave a small smile. She was still unsure whether she should ask him or not.
Ling Xing Yue observed her disciple and sighed. She looked at Lestes and began, "Here's the situation. A year ago, Ning Waner was poisoned. The poison was strange—it didn't harm her physically, but it affected her soul. We searched far and wide for a cure but found nothing—only a medicinal pill that could barely suppress the pain. However, after absorbing your Yang Qi, she found it had a much more substantial effect than the pill. It suppressed the poison. So, we were hoping you might have a solution..."
She paused, watching Lestes closely, but his expression didn't change. She continued, "You gave us a divine technique without hesitation as if it meant nothing to you, so we thought..." She trailed off, unsure.
Lestes didn't react to her words. After a long pause, he finally spoke.
"First, that divine technique is not something I give away freely," he said.
Ling Xing Yue and the others blushed, feeling both embarrassed and confused. Is he treating us like we're paying for his favour? Does he have some ulterior motive? they wondered, their brows furrowing as suspicion clouded their faces.
Ignoring their thoughts, Lestes continued, "Even if I gave you the divine technique, you can't fully comprehend it without my guidance. You can't sell it or pass it to anyone else without my permission."
Ling Xing Yue was shocked. Could that be true? When Lestes had given her the divine technique, her mind had been clouded with lust, and she hadn't thought much about it. But now, hearing his words, she realized there might be more to his actions.
How could anyone give away such a rare and valuable divine technique without expecting something in return? Divine techniques were a treasure beyond measure. If the world knew such a technique existed, it would cause a bloody storm.