Chapter 86: Ten Herbs

The medicinal pill was crystal clear, its surface smooth and translucent, with faint red pill patterns.

Accepting the pill, Junior Brother Bai Ming's eyes narrowed. He looked hesitant, clutching it in his hand, delaying consumption.

"What, are you afraid I've poisoned it?" Senior Sister Tao Yu smiled pleasantly. "Rest assured, I'm still counting on you to run errands for me."

After much deliberation, Junior Brother Bai Ming swallowed it in one gulp, closed his eyes to focus, and poured all his effort into digesting the pill.

The pure medicinal energy dispersed within his body, transforming into a gentle stream of spiritual power that nourished Junior Brother Bai Ming's physical form.

The howling night wind ceased, and the window no longer rattled softly.

Junior Brother Bai Ming opened his eyes. "Thank you, Senior Sister."

"Do you believe now that I wasn't lying?" Senior Sister Tao Yu spun around and walked up to Junior Brother Bai Ming.

"I wonder what it is that you need, Senior Sister. If it is within my power, I will certainly do my utmost to assist." Junior Brother Bai Ming's tone was cautious.

Senior Sister Tao Yu leaned in closer. "It's nothing difficult; I just need you to gather a few herbs for me."

Her gaze narrowed slightly. "After all, you have ways to avoid attacks from Foundation Establishment spirit beasts, don't you?"

Junior Brother Bai Ming's expression remained unchanged, though his aura shifted slightly.

Unless absolutely necessary, he did not want to expose this crucial trump card.

"Rest assured, I don't care about your methods; what I care about are those herbs." Senior Sister Tao Yu looked composed.

"Once you finish gathering them for me, I will gift you the map leading to the exit."

"It's a deal," Junior Brother Bai Ming said softly.

Senior Sister Tao Yu smiled faintly and tossed him a jade slip. "Find the herbs listed on this, and I will naturally give it to you. The approximate locations are recorded on it."

Having said that, Senior Sister Tao Yu turned and left.

Raising his hand to catch the jade slip, Junior Brother Bai Ming poured his spiritual sense into it. Inside were records of ten different herbs, along with an incomplete map.

Senior Sister Tao Yu wanted him to leave; there was nothing suspicious about that.

That woman was devoted to Senior Brother Wei Yu, so naturally, she wouldn't want anyone else around.

However, he not only needed to obtain the map but also had to take Senior Brother Wei Yu with him.

He had to hide this intention in front of her.

Junior Brother Bai Ming examined it carefully. "This first one, Dragon Spring Jade Bead."

"To think it's in that vicinity; that can be considered a good thing."

"You may go."

The familiar words reached his ears. Junior Brother Bai Ming desperately suppressed the injuries within his body and flew toward the small wooden house.

His nose was filled with the scent of rust. He stumbled through the door and immediately sat cross-legged to regulate his breathing.

The injuries inside his body were suppressed and temporarily stabilized.

It was still early before Senior Brother Wei returned, so he decided to cultivate on his own first and take the opportunity to contemplate his techniques.

Time passed rapidly, unnoticed.

Dusk arrived, and the golden afterglow slipped in through the window, shining upon the youth.

Knock, knock.

A few knocks sounded on the wooden door, and then it was pushed open forcefully.

Senior Sister Tao Yu held the door with her small hand. "You've ended up like this again; you really are pitiful."

She tossed out a storage bag as if she didn't feel even a hint of heartache.

"Since I need you to help me gather herbs, naturally, I won't treat you unfairly."

"Master only knows how to refine those few pills back and forth, with at most minor differences." Senior Sister Tao Yu explained patiently. "Most of the antidotes are here; just come to me when you've used them up."

"Then many thanks, Senior Sister." Junior Brother Bai Ming cupped his hands in a salute.

"Just find those ten herbs for me sooner; that way, you can leave earlier, can't you?" Senior Sister Tao Yu said meaningfully, then opened the door and left.

Clutching the storage bag in his hand, Junior Brother Bai Ming lowered his head in silence, carefully contemplating Senior Sister Tao Yu's intentions.

Inside the storage bag was a note detailing precautions, as well as the uses and functions of the various pills, all very thorough.

Comparing the corresponding symptoms, he took out the matching pill from the storage bag.

Holding the pill between two fingers, Junior Brother Bai Ming observed it carefully. After confirming there was no mistake, he swallowed it in one gulp and began to digest it.

Just as he closed his eyes to focus his breath, a crisp knocking sound reached his ears again.

The sound was very light, as if afraid to disturb him.

The wooden door remained unopened for a while, so Junior Brother Bai Ming slowly got up and went to pull it open.

Senior Brother Wei Yu stood quietly outside the door, his eyes full of concern. "Did you go to Master's place today?"

Thinking for a moment, Junior Brother Bai Ming recalled something. He quickly grabbed Senior Brother Wei Yu's sleeve, pulled him into the room, and swiftly closed the wooden door.

Senior Brother Wei Yu was slightly stunned. "What is this, Junior Brother?"

"It's nothing; I was just afraid you might catch a cold outside, Senior Brother." Junior Brother Bai Ming deflected.

To be honest, he was afraid of being seen by others, which would cause unnecessary trouble.

Senior Brother Wei Yu noticed Junior Brother Bai Ming's pale and weak complexion. "Junior Brother, you've taken another poison pill, haven't you?"

"Yes." Junior Brother Bai Ming sighed.

Senior Brother Wei Yu leaned in and supported Junior Brother Bai Ming's shoulders. "Then let me dispel the poison for you first, Junior Brother."

"Alright."

Noticing the seriousness in Senior Brother Wei Yu's eyes, Junior Brother Bai Ming knew he couldn't refuse; besides, this held no harm.

He followed Senior Brother Wei Yu's instructions, removing his upper garments one by one to reveal his upright back.

After the preparations were complete, the two sat facing each other and began to dispel the medicinal poison.

Senior Brother Wei Yu's palms glowed, lighting up the small wooden house.

With eyes tightly closed, Junior Brother Bai Ming felt a cool sensation on his back. Gradually, a warm spiritual energy permeated that coolness.

In less than half an hour, the medicinal poison within Junior Brother Bai Ming's body was completely dispelled.

Senior Brother Wei Yu lightly raised the back of his hand to wipe the fine beads of sweat from his forehead. "Are you feeling better?"

"Thank you, Senior Brother. I feel the medicinal poison has been completely cleared." Junior Brother Bai Ming's complexion was rosy; the pallor on his face was gone.

"That's good…" Senior Brother Wei Yu's expression was hesitant, his tone deliberative. "It's just… Junior Brother… why haven't you come to find me these past few days?"

It would be troublesome if Senior Sister Tao Yu caught him, so of course he couldn't go.

Thinking this in his heart, Junior Brother Bai Ming couldn't say it out loud, so he used a different excuse.

"The pills Master gave me these past few days were all spiritual pills, so I didn't want to disturb you, Senior Brother."

"Junior Brother, you are truly overthinking it." Senior Brother Wei Yu patted Junior Brother Bai Ming's shoulder lightly. "What does a little bit of dispelling medicinal poison amount to? It doesn't consume much energy."

"Furthermore, do you know, Junior Brother, that even spiritual pills will leave impurities within the body?"

Senior Brother Wei Yu paced in a circle. "Although it doesn't cause any major harm in the short term, if too much accumulates, it will ultimately hinder the improvement of your spiritual roots."

"There is such a thing?" Junior Brother Bai Ming's eyes showed deep thought as he pulled his robes closed.

"However, as long as it is expelled regularly, there is no problem." Senior Brother Wei Yu smiled.

"And my Spirit Cleansing Technique can not only digest medicinal toxins but also expel impurities."

"Junior Brother, don't be afraid of being a bother; just come to my place once every day. Only then can the side effects be completely eliminated."

Senior Brother Wei Yu's bright eyes flickered, his body slightly turned. "Besides, didn't you say, Junior Brother, that you would take me away from here?"

"Do we really need to stand on ceremony between us?"

Junior Brother Bai Ming's body paused. He smiled and shook his head. "Senior Brother is right. In order to escape from here, how can I overlook these details?"

He turned his head, meeting Senior Brother Wei Yu's gaze. "I will be troubling you from now on, Senior Brother."