Chapter 319 Detoxification

Old Man Shennong glanced at him and gave a slight nod.

"Mm."

With just that faint sound, Fire Cloud Old Ancestor felt a chill run down his spine.

As he stood there, his previously relaxed and casual expression completely vanished, replaced by a Face full of restraint and nervousness.

No matter how casual you are, it depends on who you're facing!

A Ninth-Grade Profound Pill Grandmaster, a Six-Star Dou Sheng.

If this person were to spread the word that he wanted to deal with someone, the entire situation in the Central Plains would have to be reshuffled.

Fire Cloud Old Ancestor took a deep breath, suppressed the shock in his heart, and asked cautiously, "I did not know Senior was visiting; this Junior has failed to welcome you properly... But, why has Senior come here?"

Old Man Shennong glanced at him, his tone indifferent.

"If it weren't for you old fellow, Shen Wen would still be cultivating with me."

He paused, his cane lightly tapping the ground.

"He has a good temperament and begged me to come and support him."

Fire Cloud Old Ancestor was stunned.

He turned to look at Shen Wen, his gaze filled with complexity.

Good heavens.

He knew that the Old Ancestor from the Pill Tower was grooming Shen Wen as a successor, which was already shocking enough.

But what about the one in front of him?

Old Man Shennong, a Ninth-Grade Profound Pill Grandmaster, a Six-Star Dou Sheng—an existence who had been in seclusion for hundreds of years.

Now, he had also become Shen Wen's Revered Master?

Fire Cloud Old Ancestor opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found he simply didn't know where to start.

The way he looked at Shen Wen had completely changed.

This kid, what exactly is his background?

Shen Wen felt a bit uncomfortable under his gaze, coughed lightly, and said, "Old Ancestor, let's look at the injuries first."

Fire Cloud Old Ancestor finally snapped out of it and nodded repeatedly, "Right, right, right, injuries first, injuries first."

As he spoke, he stepped aside and made a gesture of invitation.

"Senior, please."

Old Man Shennong didn't stand on ceremony either, leaning on his cane as he led the way into the depths of the bamboo forest.

Shen Wen followed behind him, with Valley Master Tang Zhen and Tang Huo'er close behind.

Fire Cloud Old Ancestor walked last, looking at the thin back in front of him and then at Shen Wen, his heart churning with emotion.

To have Old Man Shennong personally come out to support him—this Face was boundless.

He suddenly felt a bit fortunate.

Fortunate that the girl Tang Huo'er liked this kid, and fortunate that the Burning Flame Valley had stood by Shen Wen's side from the very beginning.

Deep in the bamboo forest, in front of a bamboo hut.

Old Man Shennong sat down on a stone bench, his gaze falling upon Fire Cloud Old Ancestor.

"Sit, let me have a look."

Fire Cloud Old Ancestor hurriedly sat opposite him and obediently extended his wrist.

Old Man Shennong raised his hand, and a wisp of emerald-green flame surged from his fingertip, slowly probing into Fire Cloud Old Ancestor's body.

Living Spirit Flame.

That gentle vitality spread along the Meridians and soon reached the soul poison deep within Fire Cloud Old Ancestor's Soul.

Old Man Shennong closed his eyes and sensed it carefully for a moment.

Shen Wen stood to the side, waiting quietly.

He knew that with his Revered Master's discernment, this small injury could not be hidden from him at all.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Old Man Shennong opened his eyes and withdrew the flame.

He looked at Shen Wen, his tone carrying a hint of satisfaction.

"Your improved soul restoration pill—the logic behind it is correct."

Shen Wen's brow quirked slightly.

Old Man Shennong continued, "This soul poison has been entangled for decades and is already tied to the Soul's Origin. Simple expulsion would harm the foundation. Simple restoration would only treat the symptoms, not the cause."

"Your Pill Formula focuses on restoration as the primary method and expulsion as secondary. It allows the soul poison to be worn away bit by bit during the restoration process until it finally dissipates completely."

He nodded, "Not bad."

Fire Cloud Old Ancestor listened from the side, his eyes lighting up.

For Old Man Shennong to personally say "not bad," then this Pill Formula must truly be feasible.

Shen Wen took out a jade bottle from his storage ring and handed it to Fire Cloud Old Ancestor.

"Old Ancestor, this is the soul restoration pill I recently refined. After taking it, you'll feel some discomfort, but you just need to endure it."

Fire Cloud Old Ancestor took the jade bottle and uncorked it to take a look.

The Medicinal Pill was pale gold throughout, its surface covered in fine patterns with a faint glow flowing over it.

He did not hesitate and poured it directly into his mouth.

As the Medicinal Pill entered his stomach, a gentle medicinal power instantly surged forth.

Fire Cloud Old Ancestor closed his eyes and began to refine it.

The bamboo forest fell silent.

Only the bamboo leaves rustled in the breeze.

Old Man Shennong sat on the stone bench, resting his eyes.

Shen Wen stood to the side, his gaze fixed on Fire Cloud Old Ancestor.

Valley Master Tang Zhen and Tang Huo'er stood a short distance away, not daring to make a sound, only watching nervously.

Time passed minute by minute.

After about half an hour, a subtle fluctuation suddenly emanated from Fire Cloud Old Ancestor's body.

The fluctuation was extremely faint, but with the discernment of those present, they noticed it instantly.

Fire Cloud Old Ancestor opened his eyes and exhaled a long breath of turbid air.

The breath was grayish-black and carried a cold, sinister aura; when it hit the ground, it instantly corroded the surrounding grass until nothing remained.

Fire Cloud Old Ancestor looked down at his hands and then sensed the condition inside his body, his Face filled with unbelievable joy.

"It's gone?"

He murmured to himself, his voice trembling slightly.

"It's gone!"

He stood up abruptly and looked at Shen Wen, his gaze full of gratitude.

"Kid, this old man's life was saved by you!"

Shen Wen smiled and waved his hand, "Old Ancestor, you overstate it. Huo-er's elders are my elders."

Fire Cloud Old Ancestor was taken aback for a moment, then burst into hearty laughter.

The laughter shook the bamboo forest slightly, startling a flock of birds into flight.

He looked at Tang Huo'er with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Impressive!"

Tang Huo'er's cheeks flushed red instantly, and she glared fiercely at Fire Cloud Old Ancestor.

"You old fellow, can't you be a bit more serious!"

Fire Cloud Old Ancestor laughed even louder.

Old Man Shennong stood up, leaning on his cane, and looked at Shen Wen.

"Alright, let's go."

Shen Wen nodded and cupped his hands toward Fire Cloud Old Ancestor, "Old Ancestor, please rest well. This Junior will take his leave now."

Fire Cloud Old Ancestor hurriedly said, "Leaving so soon? Stay and have a cup of tea!"

Old Man Shennong didn't even look back, simply waving his hand.

That thin figure had already stepped out of the bamboo forest.

Shen Wen followed him.

Valley Master Tang Zhen and Tang Huo'er exchanged a glance and also hurriedly followed.

Fire Cloud Old Ancestor stood in place, watching the figures disappear outside the bamboo forest, and suddenly shook his head.

"This kid..."

He murmured in a low voice, his tone full of emotion.

"He really is extraordinary."

Fire Cloud Old Ancestor hadn't expected that Shen Wen could actually invite Old Man Shennong to act; with two Mid-Stage Dou Shengs protecting him, combined with the special status of an Alchemist...

As long as Shen Wen didn't provoke the Gu Clan or the Hun Clan—the two strongest Emperor Clans—he could be considered to have free rein in the Central Plains.

But considering Shen Wen's talent...

...it was only normal. At least Fire Cloud had never seen such a dazzling individual. "The land produces talented people in every generation, each leading the way for hundreds of years!"

Fire Cloud sighed; he was also fortunate enough to benefit from this, as the problem that had troubled him for so long was finally resolved.

Moreover, after so many years of torment, now that these shackles were gone all at once, he felt as though he was about to achieve a Breakthrough.