Yao Sheng, a physician who traveled across the continent, didn't have many aspirations in life. His only dream was to become an alchemist, but that dream seemed distant and uncertain. Nevertheless, Yao Sheng had a laid-back personality. He believed that if something couldn't be obtained, there was no need to force it. He focused on living a content life.
One day, while passing by a village, Yao Sheng witnessed a horrifying scene that sent shivers down his spine. Men, children, the elderly, and women—all the villagers lay sprawled on the ground. Their pale eyes revealed that they had lost all signs of life, and their skin had taken on an ominous purplish-black hue.
As an experienced physician, Yao Sheng immediately recognized it as poison.
Could it be- a poison master?!
Yao Sheng immediately thought of the neighboring notorious Chu Yun Empire, a place that revered the despicable profession of poison masters. But why would poison masters from the Chu Yun Empire attack such a tiny village that couldn't even be found on the map of the Jia Ma Empire?
Even if they wanted to test their poisons, they should have sought out cultivators, not these powerless commoners.
Driven by his instincts as a physician, Yao Sheng started going door to door, searching for survivors.
The first house... no one.
The second house... no one.
The third house... still no one.
Yao Sheng went from house to house, but every time he opened a door, he found either empty rooms or the lifeless bodies of women, infants, and the elderly with dark purple and black skin. Without exception, every face expressed the desperation, struggle, and pain of impending death.
This heart-wrenching scene saddened Yao Sheng deeply, and he cursed the poisoner in his heart, berating them for their cruelty.
Just when Yao Sheng was about to give up hope and was opening another door, he suddenly froze, realizing something wasn't right. He quickly pushed the door open and rushed into the room, standing by the bed and looking at a little girl with lavender hair lying on top of a woman with shriveled, purplish-black skin.
She's still alive!
Yao Sheng was overwhelmed with excitement upon finding the first survivor in the village. He reached out to touch the girl's shoulder, ready to wake her up.
However, Yao Sheng suddenly sensed that something was amiss and quickly withdrew his hand. He looked at his own hand, which had begun to turn purplish-black.
He has been poisoned?!
As a physician, Yao Sheng didn't hesitate. He immediately took out a small knife from his pocket and cut his palm to let the poisoned blood flow out. The black fluid dripped onto the floor until his blood gradually turned red and returned to its normal color. Yao Sheng breathed a sigh of relief and used a bandage from his bag to wrap his palm. At the same time, he cast a cautious gaze at the still-sleeping little girl.
The symptoms of his hand being poisoned were strikingly similar to the purplish-black skin of the villagers.
But this little girl, she seemed perfectly fine.
In other words, this little girl was highly likely the source of the poison!
Yao Sheng furrowed his brows deeply as he made this deduction.
He had personally experienced the severity of this poison just now.
However, this little girl seemed completely unaffected by it.
In that moment, Yao Sheng remembered a rumor his teacher had once told him while he was learning about medicine.
In the world, there existed a constitution that didn't require cultivation but could improve one's strength simply by consuming poison. The stronger the poison, the greater the improvement in strength. However, when someone with this constitution consumed a poison that far exceeded their tolerance, it would trigger their body's protective mechanism, forcibly expelling the poison in gaseous form. As long as they removed the excess poison from their body before it killed them, it wouldn't be life-threatening.
Yao Sheng finally understood. There was no damn poison master; this little girl had the kind of constitution known as...
"Woeful Poison Body."
(Woeful Poison Body?!)
As Boss Yao mentioned this term, Yao Chen within the ring also exclaimed in astonishment in Xiao Yan's mind. She then proceeded to explain what this constitution was.
After hearing Yao Chen's description, Xiao Yan's brow furrowed deeply, and Yao Sheng let out a heavy sigh.
"The little girl I encountered in that village is Xian'er." Yao Sheng's gaze turned to the frightened expression on Xiao Yixian's face, filled with sadness. "Later, I heard from Xian'er that she had played outside the village one day and accidentally ate a beautiful fruit. The next day, everyone in the village, including her mother, had passed away."
"It was only then that I truly confirmed Xian'er's... Woeful Poison Body. The poison within my body has accumulated over the years from my contact with her."
Yao Sheng explained this way. Since Xiao Yixian was already aware of it, there was no point in keeping it a secret.
To be honest, the toxins Xiao Yixian released on a daily basis were not very severe. Otherwise, Yao Sheng wouldn't have been able to run Myriad Medicines Hall with her in Qingshan Town. However, even if the toxins were small, years of accumulation were still terrifying. Yao Sheng hadn't noticed it earlier because the toxins were too mild. But when he finally realized it, it was already too late.
Xiao Yan looked at Yao Sheng in silence, seeking help from Yao Chen deep within his heart.
(Senior Yao, is there a way...?)
(It's beyond saving now.) Before Xiao Yan could finish his sentence, Yao Chen replied softly, (Although I can use the Heavenly Flame to purify the poison, he has been poisoned for too long. The poison has already penetrated his bones. Most importantly, he is not a cultivator. Even if we manage to remove the poison, he would have already been burnt to death by the Heavenly Flame due to his inability to withstand it.)
(...)
Xiao Yan lowered his head and fell silent.
His fist, however, unconsciously clenched tightly.
But compared to the grieving Xiao Yan, there was no trace of fear of death on Yao Sheng's face. He smiled bitterly and said softly.
"I've managed to hold on for this long by secretly taking some antidotes. But recently, even with an increased dosage, it's becoming less effective."
With that, Yao Sheng looked at Xiao Yixian.
"I don't really resist death. I've lived my life long enough. The only thing that makes me restless is one thing." Yao Sheng turned his gaze to Xiao Yan, his eyes filled with hope. "Xiao Yan, can I... entrust you with something?"
(...)
Xiao Yan looked at the hopeful expression in Yao Sheng's eyes. He took a deep breath and clasped his fists respectfully while looking straight at Yao Sheng.
"As long as it's something I can do, Boss Yao, please tell me."
Xiao Yan truly respected Yao Sheng.
Yao Sheng, a doctor with benevolence, selflessness, and the ability to genuinely care for others. All of these qualities made Xiao Yan admire him. Moreover, Yao Sheng had helped him many times before.
Since he couldn't save Yao Sheng's life, he would at least fulfill his last wish, allowing him to pass away peacefully and without worry.
No matter how difficult it was, as long as it was something he could do, Xiao Yan would do his best!
Seeing Xiao Yan's earnest expression, Yao Sheng smiled softly.
In that smile, there was contentment and deep guilt.
Perhaps, this was the most selfish request of his life.
Yao Sheng slowly stood up, lowered his head deeply to Xiao Yan, and said softly.
"Xiao Yan."
"I, Yao Sheng, entrust Xiao Yixian to you."
"Please take care of her for me after I die."
"I'm counting on you!"
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