C6 Obtain the Pill!

In the blink of an eye, Lin Tian and Zhao Danhua were the only two left in the alley.

"You're decisive, I'll give you that, but you've gone too far," Zhao Danhua remarked coolly. "And you seem to have little regard for me. One of them is my guest, the other my disciple. Beating them to a pulp right before my eyes... that's hardly appropriate, wouldn't you agree?"

"Hehe, we can discuss propriety later," Lin Tian chuckled, unphased. "I acted for a reason. From what I've observed, your title as a Common Level Middle Rank Pharmacist seems inflated."

"What did you say?" Zhao Danhua's previously indifferent gaze turned icy.

Lin Tian's grin deepened. "I've made myself clear. Your Pharmacist title is padded. To put it bluntly, you've cut corners, likely with the Blood Burning Herb, if I'm not mistaken."

Zhao Danhua's face tensed. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Don't you, though? As the person in question and a pharmacist, you know if my accusations hold water. Of course, you can deny it all you want, but let me remind you about the Blood Burning Herb. Its most dangerous aspect isn't the temporary boost of burning blood and potential, but the long-term effects. It lurks in the body, consuming the flesh and Inner Strength of its host, and the damage only worsens over time."

Lin Tian's smile didn't waver. "I get it, you wanted the status of a Common Level Middle Rank Pharmacist, but gambling with your life? That's foolish."

Zhao Danhua's eyes flickered before he responded coldly, "Foolish? It seems to me you're the fool, revealing all this in front of me. Do you really think I'd let you walk away after exposing my secrets?"

With a huff, a terrifying killing intent emanated from Zhao Danhua, charging toward Lin Tian.

But Lin Tian just smirked. "Save the theatrics. I'm well aware of your condition. The Blood Burning Herb's potency has been festering inside you for nearly a year, yes? It's infiltrated your organs, relentlessly consuming your blood and Inner Strength. At this point, you can't even perform martial arts without excruciating pain, let alone fight. No matter how strong your will is, any power you muster will be a mere shadow of its potential."

Zhao Danhua's body jolted, his murderous aura abruptly stiffening.

Lin Tian spoke again, "Continue down this path, and within six months, your cultivation will vanish. Another six, and you'll wither away, reduced to nothing but a mummified corpse."

Zhao Danhua's complexion drained of color as Lin Tian's grin widened. "See? I did the right thing by intervening, didn't I? I'm only sharing this with you. Imagine the hit to your reputation if your guests and disciples caught wind of this."

Zhao Danhua inhaled deeply, absorbing the gravity of the words.

After a brief pause, he steadied himself and asked earnestly, "Your Bone Root suggests you're barely fourteen—how do you know so much?"

Lin Tian chuckled, "I can't divulge that, but what I can share is this: the issue with the Blood Burning Herb inside you? I can take care of it."

"Really?" Zhao Danhua's gaze sharpened, then he scoffed, "And you expect me to trust you?"

"Don't trust me? That's fine. We can act as if this meeting never happened."

With that, Lin Tian turned to leave.

"Oh... one more thing," Lin Tian added, as if an afterthought, "The Blood Burning Herb's power is indeed fiery, and while it's true you aim to counter it with the icy Absolute Cold Grass, the problem is the herb's essence has already permeated your organs, intertwining with your life force. If you treat your injuries with Absolute Cold Grass, allowing its power to seep into your organs, the clashing forces will wreak havoc, potentially killing you instantly. So, you might want to start putting your affairs in order."

Lin Tian's words sent another shiver through Zhao Danhua.

As Lin Tian was about to disappear down the alley, Zhao Danhua's voice cracked, "Wait... just wait!"

Lin Tian paused, turning back with a smile, "Changed your mind?"

At the sight of Lin Tian's smile, a pallor washed over Zhao Danhua, his eyes wide with astonishment.

Everything Lin Tian said earlier hit the mark!

He had indeed used the Blood Burning Herb to unlock his potential and achieve the Common Level Middle Rank Pharmacist status. He passed the test, but he never anticipated the herb's potency to be so formidable, lurking within him, impossible to expel, causing him endless suffering.

His visit to the Pill Tower this time was in search of a herb with cold properties to quell the fire toxin in his body. That's precisely why he jumped at the chance to refine pills as soon as he laid eyes on Ye Feng's Absolute Cold Grass. Yet, he hadn't expected to encounter Lin Tian, who, in just a few words, exposed his greatest worry. How could he not be frantic?

"You mentioned you could handle the Blood Burning Herb issue inside me. How exactly do you intend to do that? Of course, if you can indeed resolve it, money is no object! I will be eternally grateful for your immense favor!" Zhao Danhua's tone shifted from informal to formal as he respectfully bowed to Lin Tian.

It was a stroke of luck that they were in a secluded alley, unnoticed by passersby. Had the Pill Tower's denizens witnessed this exchange, they would have been utterly astounded.

Lin Tian turned with a grin, "Now we're talking. This is the first time you've spoken with proper respect."

"Yes, my lord, I was foolish before," Zhao Danhua conceded, though a sinister intent brewed within him. "You insolent cur, you dare to disgrace me! Just wait. Once I rid myself of the Blood Burning Herb's toxin, you'll learn the true meaning of despair!"

Lin Tian caught the look in Zhao Danhua's eyes and inwardly scoffed. Without a word, he simply nodded, "Given your earnestness, I'll assist you with the toxin. Lead me to your place. And take care of these two," he gestured to the unconscious Ye Feng and Liu Muer.

"Understood."

Zhao Danhua nodded promptly, pulling out a token and channeling his Inner Strength into it. Meanwhile, Lin Tian rifled through the possessions of Ye Feng and Liu Muer, swiftly pocketing several vials of medicine pills along with a stash of gold and silver.

Within moments, several figures clad in black emerged in the alleyway. Zhao Danhua instructed, "Escort them to the Pill Tower's VIP room and have the alchemists there tend to their injuries."

The men in black nodded without hesitation, promptly lifting the unconscious pair and departing without a single question from start to finish.

Observing the scene, Lin Tian's gaze flickered. Zhao Danhua offered a deferential smile. "These individuals are subordinates of the Pill Tower. As one of the elders, I am duly authorized to command them."

"Understood."

Lin Tian responded, "Lead on."

Without delay, Zhao Danhua strode from the alley, making their way to the eastern district of Celestial Dragon City.

The eastern district was known as the most serene area within Celestial Dragon City. Its tranquility wasn't due to a lack of liveliness but rather because it was home to the city's most prominent figures.

Here resided the elite families of Celestial Dragon Country, along with its esteemed Pharmacists, Artifact Refiners, and formidable independent cultivators. Understandably, the average citizens of Celestial Dragon Country seldom ventured into this district.

Throughout their walk, Zhao Danhua treated Lin Tian with utmost courtesy, drawing the watchful eyes of the eastern district's observant residents. Many committed Lin Tian's features to memory.

Yet Lin Tian remained indifferent to the attention, simply keeping pace with Zhao Danhua. Shortly after, they arrived at a secluded and opulent courtyard, complete with ornamental mountains, babbling streams, and ancient pavilions—a veritable haven.

Stepping into a room within the courtyard, Lin Tian was immediately enveloped by the rich scent of medicinal herbs—over a hundred varieties. In the room's center stood a modest-sized, earthen-yellow Pill Furnace.

"This is my residence, provided by the Pill Tower," Zhao Danhua stated with reverence. "Shall we proceed with..."

"No need to rush," Lin Tian interjected. "Before I address your concerns, you'll need to assist me with mine. I require some of the herbs from this collection."

With a swift gesture, Lin Tian indicated more than a dozen specific herbs. Concluding his request, he added, "And I'll need Qi Cultivating Pills. Provide me with whatever quantity you have."

Upon hearing Lin Tian's words, a look of astonishment swept through Zhao Danhua's eyes.

He recognized that among the herbs Lin Tian had indicated, only a handful were truly rare; the rest were fairly common. But that wasn't the crux of the matter. The essential point was the remarkable compatibility of the medicinal properties within the herbs Lin Tian requested!

It was as though Lin Tian himself were a master Pharmacist, capable of concocting a mysterious elixir from the herbs he sought. Despite pondering over countless medicine pills, Zhao Danhua couldn't deduce what Lin Tian might create with these particular herbs.

"Is there an issue?" Lin Tian inquired, noting Zhao Danhua's silence.

"Not at all! The herbs are no trouble to obtain."

Zhao Danhua swiftly gathered several portions of the specified herbs, packaged them, and handed them over to Lin Tian.

"The real issue is the Qi Cultivating Pill. I don't have any on hand, and to make them, I'd have to refine them myself. But with Fire Poison coursing through me, I'm unable to start the refining process. Moreover, as an elder of the Pill Tower, I've exhausted my annual quota for medicine pills, having used them to keep the Fire Poison at bay."

"I can tell you're in a tight spot. Otherwise, you wouldn't have so readily agreed to refine a pill for Ye Feng upon seeing the Absolute Cold Grass."

Lin Tian's smile held a chill. "But don't worry. Proceed with the refining of the Qi Cultivating Pill. I have a method to ensure its successful creation without the Fire Poison affecting you."

Zhao Danhua hesitated, but Lin Tian quickly transformed his palm into a pointing finger, tapping acupoints on Zhao Danhua's chest, just below the Adam's apple, and atop his head. "Open your mouth," he commanded.

Zhao Danhua opened his mouth instinctively. Lin Tian then retrieved numerous herbs from the room, rubbed them into powder between his hands, and patted the mixture directly into Zhao Danhua's mouth.

"Wu... Cough!"

Zhao Danhua coughed violently, his gaze shifting to Lin Tian, a mix of confusion and anger flickering in his eyes.

Lin Tian offered a reassuring smile. "Stop looking at me like that. How are you feeling now?"

Zhao Danhua paused, a flicker of surprise crossing his face as he channeled his Inner Strength. To his amazement, the burning pain was gone! His face lit up with excitement, but Lin Tian tempered his enthusiasm, "Don't celebrate just yet. My technique can only suppress the fire poison in your system for an hour. Once that hour is up, the poison will resurface. You need to use this time to refine as many Qi Cultivating Pills as possible. Once I have them, I'll reveal how to eradicate the fire poison from your body for good."

"Understood!" Zhao Danhua replied, his hesitation giving way to a determined nod.