MTLNOVEL Chapter 12
Alone in a room, a man and a woman, the mood felt a bit intimate.
Zhang Susu radiated charm, her face flushed, looking uncomfortable.
“Sister Susu, what do you need help with? Maybe we should keep the door open…” Li An didn’t want any misunderstandings.
“No, we can’t open the door.” Zhang Susu sounded nervous. “Don’t worry, I checked. No one’s around.”
“Brother Li, it’s like this. Lately, my body’s been overheating, like there’s a fire inside. Some spots even hurt… The worst part is, well…” She hesitated, struggling to explain.
“Are you sick?” Li An asked.
Zhang Susu nodded quickly. “Yes, probably. You read medical books a lot, right? I wanted to ask if there’s any herb that could help.”
Li An gave a wry smile. “Sister Susu, you overestimate me. I only know the basics. You should see a sect physician.”
“No, Immortal Fan forbids me from telling anyone. If he finds out, he’ll kill me…” Fear flashed across her face. “I’m desperate, Li An. Please help me! If you do, I’ll do anything you want.”
She was practically begging, clearly out of options.
Li An frowned. You’re scared to ask others, so you come to me?
This was trouble knocking…
But since she was here and he knew too much, he sighed. “Alright, I’ll take a look. Sister Susu, can you roll up your sleeves?”
Zhang Susu hurriedly did so, baring her pale arm, too worried to care about propriety.
Li An examined it closely. Along her blue veins, red patches dotted her soft skin, like something was blocked. Touching them lightly, he felt a burning heat.
“Fire poison, as expected,” Li An thought, alarmed.
He’d sensed something off the moment she entered.
From his past life’s experience, this happened when someone took a fire-type Spiritual Pill but failed to channel it properly, letting fire poison spread through the blood, unable to be purged.
To produce this much poison, it had to be at least a First Grade Spiritual Pill.
Graded Spiritual Pills were precious. A menial like Zhang Susu couldn’t possibly get one.
“Fan Jie!” Li An realized. He was the only option.
Considering Fan Jie’s qi theft and his rule against going up the mountain…
Fan Jie must have a secret herb field up there, growing some fire-type spiritual plant!
He grew it secretly, unable to sell or make Pills, so he swallowed it raw?
That would explain the fire poison building up in him.
And Zhang Susu… she was likely his tool to offload the poison.
“Brother Li, should I show you my thigh? It’s worse there…” Zhang Susu bit her lip, blushing harder, reaching for her pants.
“No need!” Li An stopped her quickly. The poison was concentrated there; he could guess the state without looking.
He thought for a moment. “It’s probably a skin condition. Try gathering some Green Lotus Leaves, soak them in water, and rub it on.”
“Thank you, thank you, Brother Li!” Zhang Susu was immensely grateful.
“By the way, Sister Susu,” Li An added, “You found those Green Lotus Leaves yourself. This has nothing to do with me… I don’t want trouble.”
Zhang Susu nodded eagerly. “I understand. I won’t say a word!”
…
After she left, Li An pondered.
Fan Jie had dumped so much poison into Zhang Susu, meaning his own buildup was even worse.
His recent trip was likely to find a solution.
But clearing fire poison wasn’t easy. Only an alchemist making a Clear Essence Pill could cleanse his meridians.
Did Fan Jie have those connections? Doubtful.
Suppressing it temporarily was the best he could manage.
This sparked an idea in Li An.
With Fan Jie already poisoned, a touch of something with opposing properties could stir the fire poison, spreading it uncontrollably through his body.
That wouldn’t kill him, though—just weaken his cultivation.
What’s the fun in not finishing the job?
Li An’s rule: never strike unless victory is certain!
He’d wait.
He was a seasoned hunter.
As for Zhang Susu coming to him, he figured she wouldn’t dare tell Fan Jie.
Even if Fan Jie found out, he’d likely brush it off. Li An had called it a skin issue, missing the truth, posing no threat.
Li An pulled out his talisman brush and papers.
He had 11 sheets left and planned to make Spirit Gathering Talismans.
Flame, Chill Wind, and Earth Shield Talismans couldn’t be shown yet!
A beginner making such High Grade Talismans was suspicious.
Spirit Gathering Talismans were his way to earn money.
After crafting three High Grade Talismans, Spirit Gathering Talismans were easy. He made nine successes from 11 sheets.
“Bought 100 papers, made nine Spirit Gathering Talismans… Looks reasonable to outsiders.”
Li An was pleased.
“But this brush is nearly worn out…”
He frowned. A new brush cost five or six spirit stones.
That was for the cheapest. A brush for Mid Grade First Rank Talismans needed dozens of stones.
Plus, papers cost money too. His next market trip would need eight or nine stones.
Nine Spirit Gathering Talismans would sell for three stones.
The gap was huge.
His High Grade Talismans couldn’t be shown, or this wouldn’t be an issue.
Li An sighed. Being a talisman maker was costly.
Most couldn’t afford it.
…
After finishing, it was late.
Li An slipped out, taking advantage of Fan Jie’s absence. He crept along a path to the mountainside.
There were low-level barriers here.
Barely better than the field protections.
Without divine sense, his Super Sense Technique’s heightened perception gave him sharp vision. He soon found two gaps.
Spirit Plant Mountain was large; low-level barriers had holes.
Crossing the mountainside barrier, nearing the peak, he caught a strong herbal scent!
Li An moved carefully, removing his shoes to tread in socks, checking each step to avoid footprints or traps like caltrops.
Soon, he reached a rock near Fan Jie’s hut.
Peering out, moonlight revealed a small herb field by Fan Jie’s hut, packed with dense, fiery red vines!
A few red, crystal-like fruits grew among them.
“Fire Spirit Fruit!” Li An was shocked. A Second Rank spiritual fruit.
It was even a key ingredient for Foundation Establishment Pills!
How could Fan Jie have this?
“Not fully ripe yet, just a First Grade Spiritual Herb for now.”
With his keen eyes, Li An gauged the fruits’ size and status.
He considered, then retreated without touching the herbs.
Fire Spirit Fruits tempted him, but taking them now would alert Fan Jie. Too risky.
He returned to his hut.
…
Days later, Fan Jie returned and gathered the three.
“The sect’s been unstable lately. Spirit Plant Mountain’s area isn’t safe. We need stronger defenses!”
“Li An, Wang Zilin, come with me. We’ll set these bells in the forest beyond the fields.”
He pulled a set of red ropes and ten silver bells from his storage bag.
These bells were refined, ringing loudly when touched by living beings with spiritual qi, audible up to ten miles!
Li An was surprised. These Spirit Bells were Mid Grade First Rank Tools, costing dozens of spirit stones.
Fan Jie was loaded!
Li An took the ropes and bells, glancing at Fan Jie. His eyes showed faint traces of fire poison, barely noticeable.
Only Li An’s sharp senses caught it.
Fan Jie had likely found a way to suppress the poison, but as Li An expected, he hadn’t cleared it.
Fan Jie led Li An and Wang Zilin into the forest, stopping short of the pass. He tied and activated the bells at spots he deemed key.
“This is a mile from Spirit Plant Mountain. If something happens, I’ll react from a mile out, plenty of time to escape…” he muttered, then shot Li An a cold glance.
…
Surprisingly, the next two months were calm on Spirit Plant Mountain.
Even the leopards and lynxes that had appeared in the forests vanished.
It seemed the danger had passed.
But this made Li An more wary.
Steady large beasts would’ve reassured him.
Their sudden absence… something was wrong!
From a cultivation clan in his past life, rising to Core Formation, he’d seen plenty of schemes and deception. This calm unnerved him.
Month’s end arrived, and Li An left Spirit Plant Mountain for the outer sect.
He went to Nurture Path Residence first, waiting a long time without seeing Xu Qiuhui. He asked at the registration desk.
Xu Qiuhui was away, her whereabouts unknown.
Li An frowned. No choice, he asked for Mu Qingwan.
She wasn’t there either.
He headed to Righteous Intent Residence. After registering, Wang Dazhu and Zhao Xianchuan came out, both bandaged and injured.
“Brother An, I almost didn’t see you again!” Wang Dazhu was emotional. “Too dangerous, way too dangerous!”
…
(Chapter End)