Chapter 186: Preparing the Medicinal Liquid

Zhang Xuan was, of course, not putting on an act.

In the royal library, he had seen thousands of books on poisons. Although they were all basic, even if he studied them all, it would not be enough to make him a formal poison master, but it was sufficient for him.

His current goal was not to become a poison master or possess that profession, but to find a way to mix these ten poisons into a non-toxic medicinal liquid to help Shen Hong boost his essence, energy, and spirit.

This was much simpler.

Just as becoming a formal alchemist was very troublesome, but learning to prepare one or two medicinal powders was much easier.

With a thought, the many books on poisons he had seen in the royal library immediately flipped open with a rustle.

"Correct!"

Focusing his mind, the correct information recorded in the books instantly formed a complete book, appearing before him.

He gently opened it.

"Poisons can harm people but also save them; they cannot be completely denied. Learning to use poisons well can even bring the dead back to life..."

The book was densely covered with text.

Zhang Xuan knew this was the correct content compiled by the Library of Heaven's Path, so he said nothing more and read through it line by line.

After reading, he couldn't help but sigh.

Sure enough, as Liu Ling and the others had said, this profession was profound and extensive, not something that could be learned in a short time.

However, with the correct manual compiled by the Library of Heaven's Path, it was like taking a direct path to the truth, making learning much easier.

He kept flipping through the book in his mind, gradually deepening his understanding of the poison master profession and learning more about the nature of poisons.

After an unknown amount of time, he turned to the last page.

Zhang Xuan felt a shock throughout his body, and the knowledge of poisons instantly became integrated into his memory. Although, as expected, he did not become a poison master, he now had a very deep understanding of poisons.

"Hmm? What's this?"

With a deep understanding of poisons, Zhang Xuan's mind stirred, and he suddenly noticed a faint black aura hidden deep within his body.

"When did I get poisoned?"

Previously, he wouldn't have noticed even if he saw it, but now, having read so many books on deadly poisons, he understood that it must be a poisonous gas.

But... what puzzled him was, when did it enter his body?

Most importantly... why hadn't he noticed it all along?

"Ancestor, Ancestor..."

Just as he was about to examine what this thing was and whether it would affect him, he heard the anxious shouts of Emperor Shen Zhui.

He stopped studying it and opened his eyes.

He saw that Shen Hong, who had been lying on the bed on the verge of death, was now barely able to keep his eyes open and could die at any moment.

If he were compared to an oil lamp, before the flame was just very small, but now a wind was blowing, and it might go out at any moment. Even if he held on, he couldn't last more than a few minutes.

"Alas... everyone must die. Emperor Shen Zhui, please accept my condolences!"

"Please forgive us for being powerless..."

Liu Ling and the others also saw Shen Hong's current state and couldn't help shaking their heads simultaneously.

This situation was almost the same as being dead. They were only one-star master teachers and had no other methods. Even if they could think of a way, it would definitely be too late.

Emperor Shen Zhui's eyes showed unwillingness.

He had spent a great deal of effort and resources to invite the three masters, but they had no solution. He had thought this Teacher Yang, who had appeared from nowhere, was his last hope, but it turned out he was even more unreliable than the other three!

Not only did he not save the ancestor, but at the critical moment, he was messing with sedatives and poisons...

I invited you to save a life, not to conduct experiments...

The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. He turned to look at the man who was still standing there motionless, wanting to see what he had to say, but saw that he had opened his eyes at some point.

"Teacher Yang, the ancestor can't hold on any longer. If you don't save him now, it will be too late..."

Emperor Shen Zhui suppressed his erupting anger and said through gritted teeth.

"Let me prepare the medicinal liquid first."

Zhang Xuan spoke.

With just one glance, he also knew that if no action was taken, this Shen Hong wouldn't last even ten minutes. The only way now was to prepare the medicinal liquid and hope it would work!

"Prepare the medicinal liquid..."

Hearing this, Emperor Shen Zhui could no longer contain his anger.

"Teacher Yang, the ancestor's life is hanging by a thread. This is not the time for you to experiment with poison master liquids..."

"Oh?" Zhang Xuan looked at him. "Then what do you suggest?"

"If Teacher Yang has any other method, please use it. If you can save the ancestor, the Tianxuan Kingdom is willing to offer anything!" Emperor Shen Zhui said.

"Am I not saving him? Wait until I prepare the liquid, give it to your ancestor to drink, and after he recovers some strength, I'll find a way to solve the problem." Ignoring the other's anger, Zhang Xuan replied calmly.

Hearing this, Emperor Shen Zhui almost spat blood.

Are you even listening to me?

My meaning is simple: since you don't understand the skills of a poison master, don't bother preparing poison. Focus on finding a way to save the person—that's the right path... But it's like talking to a wall!

In fact, he didn't know that Zhang Xuan had no better option either.

At this point, Shen Hong would die if he didn't move, and if he moved, he would die anyway. The only method was to prepare the medicinal liquid, let him recover some strength to practice boxing, and have the Library generate a book. Otherwise, there truly was no second way.

The three master teachers, seeing that this guy still insisted on preparing the medicine, were also angry.

"Emperor Shen Zhui, let Teacher Yang prepare the medicine!"

Suppressing his displeasure, Liu Ling waved his arm.

If it weren't for the fear that the other might be stronger than him, he would have already taken action.

You don't even know what a poison master is, yet you want to prepare medicine. Do you really think the poison master profession is a joke?

You have no idea how high the sky is!

How did you even become a master teacher?

Or maybe... you're not a master teacher at all, and helping Zhuang Xian break through earlier was just luck!

Zhang Xuan noticed their displeasure but couldn't be bothered to care.

The man was about to die; there was no time to waste. He walked over to the poisons, flipped his palm, took one of the poison liquids, and poured it into an empty bottle nearby.

"This is sheer nonsense..."

Although not a poison master, Liu Ling had seen them prepare poison liquids and knew some of the procedures and methods.

These poisons, even a single drop, let alone a tenth or a hundredth, if ingested by mistake, would cause instant death—extremely terrifying.

Because of this, preparing poison liquids required specialized instruments, precise to the slightest degree, with no room for error.

You have no instruments at all, just grab a jade bottle and pour... that's too casual!

Do you know how much poison you just poured?

Do you know the proportions between these poisons?

A slight difference in poison can kill a person. Formal poison masters are extremely cautious every time they prepare, afraid of making a mistake. But you, you just close your eyes and pour randomly...

Damn, with that attitude, if you tried to learn to be a poison master, you'd probably kill yourself before you succeeded.

Is this what you call having studied?

Even an ordinary craftsman would be more precise!

"When a poison master prepares a liquid, each combination of two needs to react for a while before adding the third. Like an alchemist refining pills, there's a specific order for when to add what. Not even a slight deviation is allowed. But you just pour randomly..."

Zheng Fei's beard was almost blowing up with anger.

We tolerated you not trying to save the person and insisting on preparing the liquid, but poisons are very delicate. Neutralization and other reactions require a certain order and time. But you, like pouring wine, just pick up the jade bottle and fill it...

Something prepared so chaotically, let alone drinking, even touching a drop would cause instant death.

Ignoring the two master teachers' comments, Zhang Xuan moved quickly.

Can't you see the man is about to die?

If I followed what you said, finding instruments and waiting for reactions, there'd be no saving him. By the time the liquid was ready, he'd definitely be dead.

Of course, he wasn't pouring randomly as they thought. The book formed in his mind from the Library changed its content continuously as he poured the poisons. Whenever the recorded flaws decreased, it meant it was correct.

In about ten breaths, the ten poisons had completely fused. As they contacted the jade bottle, the book's content updated to the latest state.

"[Tenfold Medicinal Liquid], prepared by Zhang Xuan. After consumption, it causes a final burst of vitality for the duration of one incense stick, bringing essence, energy, and spirit to a healthy level. Flaws: twelve. One: all cultivation cannot be used; Two: the recovery time is too short..."

The book detailed the name and effects of the freshly prepared liquid.

"Success..."

Zhang Xuan's eyes lit up.

Although the Library of Heaven's Path constantly observed the fusion state of the poisons, if he hadn't learned the thousands of books and known the specific properties of the poisons, he wouldn't have known how to mix and react them. If he had fumbled around blindly, even if given half a month, he wouldn't have finished.

Whoosh!

The liquid was successfully prepared, and Zhang Xuan breathed a sigh of relief.

"It's done!"

He picked up the jade bottle and looked at the others.

"Success?"

Everyone's mouths twitched.

You just poured randomly for a while, and it's a success?

That's what you call success!

"Quick, have him drink it!"

Ignoring everyone's strange looks, Zhang Xuan handed it to Emperor Shen Zhui.

"Drink it?"

Emperor Shen Zhui shook his head. "This liquid hasn't been tested for poison..."

"There's no time. Give it to him, or he'll really die!"

Knowing that even if he explained, the other wouldn't believe him, Zhang Xuan frowned.

"But..."

Emperor Shen Zhui was full of hesitation.

"What, you don't believe this is a liquid that can restore his strength?" Zhang Xuan's voice carried authority without anger.

After posing as a master teacher for many days, he had developed an air of lofty dignity.

"I..."

Emperor Shen Zhui didn't know how to answer.

It wasn't that he didn't believe—he simply didn't believe!

Ten deadly poisons, I saw you mix them randomly with my own eyes, and you want me to believe... are you kidding?

Besides, making the ancestor drink such an untested poison—isn't that just hastening his death?

"If you don't believe me, fine. The opportunity is given; it's up to you to decide."

Seeing him not move, Zhang Xuan said no more and casually placed the prepared liquid on the table, his expression calm.

"But think carefully: your ancestor, if no other solution is found, won't last even three minutes. Use three minutes of life to exchange for a chance to prolong it—how you choose is up to you."

"This..."

Emperor Shen Zhui's face alternated between red and white, his fists clenched tightly.