An Mo's smile deepened as he slowly pointed his slender finger toward Lu Tzang's arm. "Fellow Daoist," he said warmly, "it seems you've overlooked something crucial."
Lu Tzang blinked, confused, before following the direction of An Mo's finger. His eyes widened as they landed on his arm.
There, on his forearm, was a small cut he hadn't noticed before. It was faint at first glance but undeniably sinister.
The edges of the wound were discolored, a sickly blackish-green, and thin lines of darkened veins stretched outward from it like creeping roots.
The flesh around it appears sunken, almost as if it had been decaying for days.
A faint, acrid smell reached his nose, making his stomach churn.
Lu Tzang's mind flashed back to the moment Shen Rui had struck him during their fight.
He remembered Shen Rui's smug grin and his words: "Got you!" His brows furrowed as he connected the dots, his heart sinking.
An Mo's expression softened, but his eyes held a sharp glint of seriousness.
"Ah, so you've realized it now. That's no ordinary cut, fellow Daoist. What you're dealing with is a form of Rotting Shade Poison.
"A rare and particularly insidious toxin used by cultivators skilled in poisons. Its effects are subtle at first, almost undetectable, but as time passes…"
An Mo's tone dropped, becoming grave, and he stepped closer to examine the wound.
"The poison works its way into the bloodstream, spreading through the meridians and contaminating the spiritual energy flow.
"Once it infiltrates the core, it begins to erode your cultivation base. Left untreated, the afflicted individual suffers a complete collapse of their dantian, rendering them unable to cultivate ever again. But that's not all…"
Lu Tzang frowned, glancing at the wound again as An Mo continued his explanation.
"This particular variant of Rotting Shade Poison is unique to mortal cultivators of the higher phases. Unlike ordinary poisons, it doesn't rely on simple venom or toxins to work.
"It's alchemically crafted using a combination of rare ingredients, including Shadowroot, Midnight Bellflower, and the bile of a Three-Tailed Nether Salamander.
"These components, when mixed, create a highly corrosive energy that specifically targets a cultivator's physical and spiritual integrity. Even those who are resistant to poisons would struggle against its effects."
An Mo paused, his expression thoughtful, as if lost in the complexity of his knowledge.
"The poison has three stages, each more devastating than the last. Right now, you're in the first stage—the creeping rot. This stage is deceptive, giving you the illusion of time.
"But make no mistake, fellow Daoist, it's already taking hold. Soon, you'll begin to experience weakness in your limbs, dizziness, and difficulty channeling your qi.
"By the second stage, the rot will begin to attack your organs, causing internal bleeding and unbearable pain. And the final stage…"
An Mo's voice dropped to a near whisper, his gaze meeting Lu Tzang's with grim intensity. "By the final stage, your body will be nothing more than a husk. Even your bones will crumble to ash. A truly cruel way to die."
Lu Tzang's expression remained calm, but his mind was racing. "This kid really knows how to sell a story."
An Mo suddenly straightened, a reassuring smile returning to his face. "But do not despair, fellow Daoist. It seems fortune smiles upon you today. As luck would have it, I happen to possess the cure for this ailment."
He reached into his robe and pulled out a small, ornate jade bottle.
With practiced precision, he opened it and tilted it slightly, allowing a single pill to roll into his palm.
The pill was perfectly round, a deep crimson color with golden veins spiraling across its surface.
It seemed to pulse faintly, as though alive, radiating an aura of purity and strength.
"This is the Scarlet Purification Pill," An Mo explained, holding it up for Lu Tzang to see.
"An incredibly rare and powerful antidote capable of neutralizing even the most potent toxins. It not only cleanses the poison from your system but also restores your qi and strengthens your meridians, leaving you even stronger than before."
Lu Tzang raised an eyebrow. "How much do you want for it? Two spiritual stones?"
An Mo's smile didn't waver, but his eyes twinkled with amusement.
"Ah, fellow Daoist, I fear you underestimate the value of this pill."
He gently shook his head.
"Allow me to enlighten you. The creation of a Scarlet Purification Pill is no simple task. Each ingredient required is exceedingly rare and difficult to obtain.
"Shadowroot, for example, only grows in the deepest recesses of cursed forests, where even the most skilled cultivators dare not tread.
"And the bile of a Three-Tailed Nether Salamander? It must be extracted from the beast while it's still alive, a task that demands not only strength but also an intricate understanding of alchemy."
An Mo's tone became almost reverent as he continued.
"The refinement process is equally arduous. The ingredients must be ground into a fine powder using a jade mortar, then mixed with the essence of a Spirit Dew Lotus under precise conditions.
"The concoction must be heated over a flame fueled by Spirit Stones of the highest purity for exactly three days and three nights. A single mistake during this process, and the entire batch is ruined."
He sighed dramatically, as though lamenting the hardships of his craft.
"The resources, the time, the skill… It is no exaggeration to say that each pill is worth a small fortune. To offer such a treasure for merely two spiritual stones…"
He chuckled softly, shaking his head. "It would be an insult to the art of alchemy itself."
Lu Tzang inwardly smirked. "This kid could sell rain to a stormcloud."
Still, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of admiration.
An Mo, or rather Mo Tian, was every bit the manipulative schemer the novel had described, but seeing it in action was something else entirely.
The way he seamlessly blended sincerity with subtle pressure was almost… impressive.
Lu Tzang closed his eyes briefly, suppressing the surge of frustration within him.
"The world truly doesn't want me to escape the role of a side character, huh?" he thought wryly.
It was almost laughable.
In the novel, Mo Tian stalked the character Lu Tzang for days and devised a scheme to obtain the spiritual stones.
What was the scheme?
Mo Tian told the Shen family trio that Lu Tzang had spirit stones and connection to Xiao Family, which prompted Lu Tzang to fight back, but he would ultimately be defeated.
Afterward, either Mo Tian or An Mo would appear and defeat the already tired and injured Shen family trio, who had just beaten Lu Tzang.
Then, An Mo would help Lu Tzang, who was beaten, poisoned, and on the verge of death.
In gratitude, Lu Tzang would pay him with spiritual stones, leading him to feel indebted to An Mo or Mo Tian for life.
That's essentially how Mo Tian's scheme made Lu Tzang indebted to him.
This is how Lu Tzang became a side character and a friend, as a result of his scheme.
Mo Tian had masterfully orchestrated events to trap him in a cycle of gratitude and debt, a scheme that seemed impossible to avoid.
Even now, though the circumstances had changed, Mo Tian—or rather, An Mo—still found a way to weave the same trap, albeit through different threads.
Lu Tzang opened his eyes and looked at the smiling An Mo, who held the crimson pill with such reverence, as though it were the elixir of life itself. "The boy is relentless," Lu Tzang thought.
He felt a twinge of resignation as he prepared to respond.
After all, he couldn't simply reject the pill.
The Rotting Shade Poison was no joke, and An Mo's lengthy explanation—though overly theatrical—left no doubt about the dire consequences of leaving it untreated.
His survival depended on that pill, no matter the price.
Taking a deep breath, Lu Tzang forced a smile. "Thank you for your generosity, Expert An Mo. I—"
Before he could finish, a loud DING echoed in his mind, cutting through the moment like a blade.
His expression stiffened as a semi-transparent system screen abruptly appeared before him, glowing with an ethereal light.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION!]
Warning: Host is prohibited from transferring or utilizing Spirit Stones for the benefit of others unless the recipient meets specific criteria.
Explanation:
The host's destiny is intertwined with the cultivation and empowerment of destined maidens who play a pivotal role in the Host's ascension.
Spirit Stones are vital resources for fostering connections, enhancing bonds, and securing the loyalty of said maidens.
Any use of Spirit Stones outside this designated purpose is deemed wasteful and counterproductive to the Host's path to glory.
Clarification:
Spirit Stones are a precious currency meant to be invested in the development of individuals critical to the Host's rise to prominence.
Unauthorized use of Spirit Stones may disrupt the narrative flow, diminish the Host's potential, and weaken the system's support in future endeavors.
Failure to comply with this directive may result in penalties, including but not limited to: resource confiscation, system downgrades, or nullification of rewards.
Reminder:
Host's path is one of unparalleled greatness, with maidens as key allies in shaping a prosperous future. Redirecting resources away from them undermines this potential.
Seek alternatives when faced with requests for Spirit Stones from non-essential characters.
Current Recommendation: Find a resolution that aligns with the Host's objectives without compromising critical resources.
…
Lu Tzang blinked, stunned, as he absorbed the message.
His initial reaction was disbelief, then irritation.
He let out a dry laugh, startling An Mo, who tilted his head curiously.
"Is something amusing, fellow Daoist?" An Mo asked, still smiling but with a slight edge of suspicion.
Lu Tzang waved a hand dismissively, forcing a neutral expression.
"Nothing, nothing at all." Internally, however, he was fuming.
"The system even went so far as to lecture me about proper resource allocation? It's like the universe itself conspires to keep me on this ridiculous path even if I fvcking die!"
He glanced at An Mo again, who was still waiting patiently, the pill glinting faintly in the sunlight.
Lu Tzang's mind raced.
He needed that antidote, but the system had just slammed the door shut on the easiest option.
He couldn't afford to defy it—not when the consequences could jeopardize his already precarious position in this world.
Lu Tzang took a deep breath and forced a smile, hiding his internal struggle.
"Expert An Mo," he said slowly, "I greatly appreciate your kindness in offering me such a rare and valuable remedy. However…"
His voice trailed off as his mind scrambled for a solution, one that wouldn't involve handing over his Spirit Stones but would still secure the pill.