179: After seven days of detoxification, the general recovered.

Yangxin Villa was not located in the core area of Medicine King Valley, but near the valley entrance towards Luoxia Town, in a quiet detached courtyard. This was not a deliberate slight, but because Medicine King Valley had strict rules; those not belonging to the valley could not reside in the inner valley for long except in special circumstances. Although General Li Ju held a noble status, he could only recuperate here.

When the four of them, led by Qin Feng, arrived at Yangxin Villa with their mission credentials, Mayor Chen Song of Luoxia Town was already waiting. Seeing them dressed as Outer Sect Disciples of Medicine King Valley, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, which then turned into relief and faint expectation.

"Young Friend Qin, Miss Xiao Chun, congratulations to you both for entering the gates of Medicine King Valley." Chen Song clasped his hands, his attitude even more polite than before. "The General is inside. His condition is a bit better than a few days ago, but the residual poison is stubborn, so we still must rely on your skilled hands."

"The Mayor is too polite; it is our duty," Qin Feng returned the gesture.

Entering the main room of the courtyard, General Li Ju leaned against the bed. Although his face was still somewhat pale, the black Qi between his brows was almost invisible, and his eyes had regained their former sharpness, though his aura was still weak. Seeing Qin Feng and Xiao Chun, he smiled: "Little Brother Qin, Little Divine Doctor, you've come. I've troubled you to make this special trip."

"How does the General feel?" Qin Feng stepped forward to ask.

"Much better. The tightness in my chest has basically disappeared; it's just that my Meridians are still a bit sluggish and painful when I circulate my energy." Li Ju said, looking at Xiao Chun with a gentle gaze, "Thanks to the Little Divine Doctor's needle technique that day, otherwise, I'm afraid I wouldn't have lasted until now."

Xiao Chun lowered her head a bit shyly: "The General can just call me Xiao Chun... That day's needle technique only temporarily stabilized the injury. To completely eradicate the residual poison, we still need to use Medicine King Valley's 'Nine Yang Soul-Returning Decoction' and subsequent treatments."

"Whatever is needed, just say the word," Li Ju said straightforwardly.

Xiao Chun took out a set of brand-new acupuncture tools she had received from Medicine King Valley. This set was clearly much more Advanced than her own ordinary silver needles. The needles were slender yet tough, with a faint golden luster, and the ends were inlaid with tiny Spirit-Gathering Crystals, which could better conduct and stabilize True Qi.

"Are these 'gold crystal needles'?" Mayor Chen Song had an extraordinary eye and recognized the origin of the needles. "Medicine King Valley is quite supportive of this treatment."

Xiao Chun nodded without saying much. She knew this was a special arrangement by Elder Duanmu and Elder Ling. She composed herself and began to carefully check Li Ju's pulse, investigating the specific distribution of the residual Malevolent Poison in his body. Qin Feng, Xia Ya, and Ji Ruxue stood quietly to the side.

After finishing the pulse check, Xiao Chun had a plan. She took out a Cold Jade Bottle, which contained the concentrated essence of the Nine Yang Soul-Returning Decoction. She then asked Mayor Chen Song to prepare several auxiliary medicinal herbs and prepared a bowl of warm medicinal soup on the spot.

"General, please take this bowl of medicine first. Once the medicinal power has dissolved, I will perform acupuncture for you, guiding the medicinal power through the Meridians and Acupoints to force out the deep-seated Residual Yin Malevolent Poison." Xiao Chun handed over the medicine bowl, her voice steady, already possessing the air of a physician.

Li Ju took it and drank it in one go, then closed his eyes to regulate his breathing, coordinating with the dissolution of the medicinal power.

Xiao Chun held her breath and focused. When the medicinal power began to disperse in Li Ju's body, she moved swiftly. The gold crystal needles turned into streaks of golden light in her hands, precisely piercing Li Ju's major Acupoints. This time, her technique was even more skilled and fluid, and the Spirit-Gathering Crystals at the needle tails emitted a faint, steady glow as she injected her True Qi.

The treatment began.

This was not the work of a single day. The poison of the Heart-Eroding Evil Curse was extremely stubborn, having penetrated deep into the Meridians and bone marrow. Xiao Chun needed to adjust the Acupoints, depth, and True Qi intensity of the acupuncture daily based on Li Ju's physical reaction and the absorption of the medicine. She had to carefully control the power of her Myriad Medicine Body, ensuring the therapeutic effect while avoiding exposure.

Qin Feng and the others never left her side. Xia Ya was responsible for guarding and assisting with chores; Ji Ruxue hid in the shadows to ensure the treatment process was not disturbed; besides acting as a Protector, Qin Feng also carefully observed Xiao Chun's technique and silently nourished the earth spirit pearl in his bosom with his own Hunyuan True Qi, preparing for a possible future Breakthrough.

Time passed day by day.

On the first day, Li Ju spat out several mouthfuls of dark blood clots, but his spirit actually improved.

On the third day, fine, foul-smelling black sweat began to seep from the skin all over his body, a sign that the toxins were being forced out through the pores.

On the fifth day, Li Ju was already able to get out of bed and walk slowly. His complexion was much ruddier, and the sluggishness in his Meridians was greatly reduced.

The seventh day, early morning.

As Xiao Chun's final needle landed, her True Qi guided the last bit of stubborn Yin poison out from Li Ju's fingertip, dripping into a pre-prepared jade bowl and turning into a drop of thick black blood.

Li Ju let out a long breath of turbid Qi. This breath was long and powerful, with no trace of his previous weakness. He opened his eyes, a sharp light flashing through them before slowly receding.

He stood up and stretched his limbs. The True Qi in his body circulated without any hindrance. Although his cultivation had not yet fully recovered, the Yin poison that had been like a maggot in his bones had been completely cleared!

"Hahaha! Refreshing!" Li Ju laughed heartily, his voice like a booming bell, showing no sign of his previous critical condition. He turned to Xiao Chun and bowed solemnly: "Miss Xiao Chun, I will never forget your grace of rebirth!"

Xiao Chun quickly stepped aside. The hard work of the past few days had left her somewhat exhausted, but her eyes were full of the joy of completing the mission: "The General overstates it; it is merely a physician's duty."

Mayor Chen Song watched from the side in amazement, his heart filled with utter admiration for Medicine King Valley's medical skills (which was actually Xiao Chun's Myriad Medicine Body and superb needle technique).

"Little Brother Qin," Li Ju looked at Qin Feng again, his gaze holding appreciation in addition to gratitude. "I didn't expect that you would not only save me but also enter Medicine King Valley through this Opportunity. With your abilities, in time, you will surely be more than just a fish in a pond."

He paused and took out a token from his bosom that looked like neither gold nor jade and handed it to Qin Feng. This token was more exquisite than the previous soaring dragon token, with a lifelike five-clawed golden dragon carved in relief on the front and an ancient character for "Li" on the back, surrounded by cloud patterns.

"This is my Li family's 'Cloud Dragon Token,' a step above the soaring dragon token," Li Ju said seriously. "The holder of this token can freely enter and leave my residence in the Imperial Capital and receive full assistance within the Li family's sphere of influence. If you come to the Imperial Capital in the future, you must come to my Li residence as a guest! I will surely welcome you with open arms!"

Qin Feng did not refuse and solemnly accepted it: "Thank you for your kindness, General! If I go to the Imperial Capital in the future, I will certainly visit."

He knew this was a heavy favor and a potentially important reliance for his future actions in the Imperial Capital.

The treatment reached Perfection. Mayor Chen Song, acting as a witness, quickly reported the situation to Medicine King Valley.

That afternoon, Ghost Doctor Hall sent word: the class a mission "Dragon Soaring Life Extension" was confirmed as completed. The corresponding Sect contribution points had been recorded in Qin Feng and Xiao Chun's Identity Jade Plates, and the first "merit" that could be used for sentence reduction evaluation had also been generated.

Holding the slightly warm Identity Jade Plate, in which the numbers had quietly changed, Xiao Chun looked toward the direction of the Self-Reflection Cliff.

Father, we have taken the first step.

Although the road ahead was still long, hope had already been lit.