Volume Two: Travels in Qi Chapter 69: Spirit-Sealing Powder

Zhang Heng and his companion left the Pill Pavilion, escorted by the maids.

Inside on the second floor, Wu Honghong pondered for a long time before ultimately deciding to transmit news about Zhang Heng through a secret method.

Unaware of any of this, Zhang Heng was now aimlessly wandering the streets with Yun Yanrou.

“Master Yun, you’re truly impressive—how could you already be a second-tier alchemist?” Yun Yanrou spoke in admiration. A twenty-year-old, second-tier alchemist—anyone would be captivated.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Heng leaned in close to whisper mysteriously into Yun Yanrou’s ear, “Miss Yun, actually, I’m only a first-tier alchemist. As for second-tier pills, I only know how to make two or three types.”

Zhang Heng thought to himself that it was best to keep a low profile. After speaking, he strode ahead, oblivious to the blush that had spread across Yun Yanrou’s cheeks.

She hurried to catch up with him, shyly suggesting, “Master Zhang, there are many interesting places in Sandstone City. It’s still early; perhaps I could show you around?”

Zhang Heng, however, missed the hint. “Miss Yun, I’m a little tired from refining pills today. I’d like to return and rest,” he replied, heading toward the Yun family’s residence.

Yun Yanrou’s disappointment was palpable. “Oh,” she said quietly.

After all, a young second-tier alchemist could have any companion he wanted.

Zhang Heng walked a few steps, then turned around to see the troubled look on the young lady’s face. He sighed helplessly—ah, women do tend to overthink things.

Yun Yanrou, lost in her thoughts, didn’t watch her step and soon bumped right into Zhang Heng’s chest.

(Of course, Zhang Heng had done it on purpose.)

Flustered, she stammered, “Master Zhang, I’m sorry.”

Zhang Heng took the Returning Yang Pill he’d just refined from his spatial ring and handed it to Yun Yanrou before turning to leave. “Miss Yun, this pill will be good for your health, but remember—take it at midnight for the best effect.”

Yun Yanrou stood there, cradling the pill, stunned. So the pill Zhang Heng had just refined was meant for her. As she realized this, her confidence returned, and her face regained its glow.

She truly was remarkable; it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call her the most beautiful woman in Sandstone City.

Zhang Heng didn’t bother thinking about any of this.

He returned to his room and collapsed onto his bed, utterly exhausted.

He had only refined one second-tier pill—why had it drained so much of his spiritual power?

The system answered mercilessly.

Beep. It’s because the host is too weak.

Fine, Zhang Heng was speechless. Cultivation—indeed, the greatest obstacle.

Early the next morning, Yun Yanrou hurried to knock on Zhang Heng’s cold chamber door.

As soon as Zhang Heng opened the door, Yun Yanrou, anxious, said, “Master Zhang, I’m so sorry for disturbing your rest so early.”

“No matter, Miss Yun. What brings you here?” Zhang Heng asked, though he already knew the situation. Still, he had to play his part.

Yun Yanrou explained hurriedly, “Master Zhang, the Detoxification Pill seems useless. My father’s condition has worsened, and I don’t know what to do, so I came to seek your help.”

Zhang Heng, being a second-tier alchemist, might truly have a way to save her father. Moreover, he was now favored by Wu Hong, the fourth-tier alchemist. Even if Zhang Heng couldn’t save him, perhaps Wu Hong could be persuaded to help.

Zhang Heng smiled calmly. “Miss, don’t worry. Why not take me to see your father first?”

“Oh, all right.” With that, Yun Yanrou led Zhang Heng away.

Zhang Heng had already anticipated the Detoxification Pill wouldn’t work.

Its effects were mainly for common, widespread poisons. But in this vast world, rare and peculiar poisons were endless, and a single pill couldn’t cure them all.

Treatment must be tailored to the poison.

Yun Yanrou’s father was a second-tier Yuan Pill master. The poison used against him would never be ordinary.

Following Yun Yanrou, Zhang Heng stopped outside an extravagant door. Guards stood at the entrance, ready to question them, but Yun Yanrou coldly snapped, “What, must you check even those I bring?”

The guard quickly stepped back and bowed. “Miss, I wouldn’t dare.”

Ignoring everyone’s gaze, Yun Yanrou took Zhang Heng inside.

Though guards were strict outside, the room itself was empty.

No sooner had they entered than two coughs echoed from within.

Yun Yanrou rushed over, anxiously greeting, “Father, how are you?”

Zhang Heng followed, seeing a frail, middle-aged man lying in bed, his entire body tinged with a dark hue—an obvious sign of poisoning.

No wonder Yun Yanrou needed a Detoxification Pill.

Seeing Zhang Heng arrive, Yun Yanrou cheerfully told the man on the bed, “Father, let Master Zhang take a look. He can surely cure you.”

Her father looked at Zhang Heng, then said weakly to Yun Yanrou, “Yan’er, I know my own body. Most likely, there’s no hope. Don’t waste any more energy on me.”

Yun Yanrou hurried to explain, “Father, he’s different. Master Zhang is—”

Before she could finish, Zhang Heng stepped forward and smiled at Yun Yanrou, “Miss Yun, let me take a look first.”

Yun Yanrou rose and stood aside, leaving room for Zhang Heng.

Zhang Heng stared solemnly at Yun Xiaotian, then pretended to feel his pulse.

Diagnosing? What nonsense—how would he know how to diagnose illness?

Hey, system, do you see anything? Zhang Heng had to ask for help.

Beep. Yun Xiaotian has been affected by Spirit-Sealing Powder.

Spirit-Sealing Powder? Zhang Heng had learned about many medicines recently, but this was unfamiliar.

The system first mocked him.

Beep. The continent of cultivation is vast—there are countless things the host doesn’t know.

Then it explained,

Beep. Spirit-Sealing Powder, simply put, enters the body and seals all spiritual energy.

Sealing spiritual energy—then why did he look so weak?

Beep. He was injured by someone.

Why is his body so dark?

Beep. Some other medicines were added to the Spirit-Sealing Powder, creating the appearance of poisoning.

How should he be treated?

Zhang Heng didn’t care about the cause; he only wanted to know how to cure it.

Beep. The cure is simple: fill him with a massive amount of spiritual energy. The Spirit-Sealing Powder affecting Yun Xiaotian is of low grade; its sealing capacity is limited. Flooding it with enough spiritual energy will break it.

Flood him? Zhang Heng mused. He could absorb unlimited spiritual energy due to his unique constitution, but others couldn’t. Too much spiritual energy could cause their bodies to explode.

Beep. That depends on the host’s control.

Perhaps the system had other methods, but this was the simplest and most direct—suiting Zhang Heng’s style.

Time was short.

Zhang Heng stood up, and Yun Yanrou anxiously asked, “Master Zhang, how is it?”

He gave her a reassuring look and said confidently, “Miss Yun, don’t worry. I can cure your father.” Hearing this, the anxiety in Yun Yanrou’s heart finally eased.

But Yun Xiaotian remained skeptical. This man looked so young—how could he possibly know a cure? His daughter must have been deceived.

Zhang Heng activated his thoughts, and the space of the Phantom Stone suddenly expanded, enveloping all three of them.

This was a recent discovery—the Phantom Stone’s area of concealment could actually be manipulated. No matter how the spiritual energy fluctuated within, nothing would appear unusual from outside.

Zhang Heng solemnly warned, “I’m about to begin. Uncle Yun, Miss Yun, whatever happens next, please remain calm.”

He had decided to use the Spirit Spring he brought from Dragon Abyss and flood Yun Xiaotian with it.

People of their level likely had never encountered a Spirit Spring before and would surely be startled.

Just in case, Zhang Heng felt compelled to warn them.