Chapter 373: Feeding Medicine to Elder Yuan
Ning Family’s main bloodline territory.
The residence of Ning Jiufan, secret chamber.
Upon the bed lay an aged Fire Fusion Demon Ape.
Ning Jiufan sat half-upright at the bedside, holding a medicine bowl in one hand and a soup spoon in the other, scooping the thick medicinal liquid spoon by spoon to feed the demon ape.
“Come, Elder Yuan, drink this medicine and your injuries will heal faster.” Ning Jiufan spoke with a gentle smile, his tone soft.
This Fire Fusion Demon Ape was precisely the one entangled in numerous incidents with Ning Jiufan, the very one he had saved from Lava Immortal Palace. It was at the Nascent Soul stage.
The old female ape opened her mouth slightly, allowing Ning Jiufan to pour the medicine into her mouth.
As a demon beast, her instinct to survive was extremely strong. Once she realized the medicine was beneficial, she never resisted.
In the gaze of the female ape, directed at Ning Jiufan, complex emotions surfaced.
On one hand, she was grateful to Ning Jiufan—for he had indeed saved her life. On the other hand, she harbored resentment toward Ning Jiufan for taking advantage of her vulnerability, forcibly binding her as a subordinate servant with the use of official arts and magical treasures during her weakest moment.
And finally, her eyes revealed traces of affection.
Throughout her life, she had taken many mates, but Ning Jiufan brought her a sensation that was entirely new and unique, one that left a deep impression.
Especially during this recent period of lying in bed recovering from injuries, she had received the most tender and meticulous care from Ning Jiufan.
This was a flavor of life she had never tasted before.
In the world of demon beasts, there was only ruthless competition—violent and merciless.
Before she was injured, she had never imagined she could be treated like this! It turned out life could be lived this way.
The spirit and energy of the female ape had waned significantly.
She was already extremely old, her lifespan nearing its end.
To encounter Ning Jiufan at the final moment of her life—she considered it her fortune.
Had it been in her youth, in her prime, if a Golden Core cultivator tried to forcibly dominate her, she would have resisted with all her might and never willingly submitted.
But now, she was completely aged, her fighting spirit nearly extinguished.
She immersed herself in the tender dreamland Ning Jiufan had woven, savoring the final beautiful moments of her life.
After finishing feeding the medicine, Ning Jiufan took out a handkerchief and gently wiped the corners of the female ape’s mouth.
He said, “Elder Yuan, I know your lifespan won’t last much longer.”
“But I don’t want you to die. I want you to live on!”
As he said this, he held the female ape’s hand. “I know, deep down, you resent me, hate that I forcibly bound you using official arts and magical treasures, leaving you no room to resist.”
“I admit, I had selfish motives—because I wanted you to stay by my side!”
“These past days I’ve been healing your wounds—you should know my sincerity.”
“But this medicine is becoming less effective. I need to find better medicine to treat you. Many days ago, I already dispatched a family member to seek medicine for you at Myriad Medicines Sect.”
“Today, I received that clansman's reply.”
“There truly is a remedy at that place that can heal your injuries. Will you come with me?”
The Fire Fusion Demon Ape, being of the Nascent Soul stage, had considerable intelligence. Ning Jiufan also communicated using spiritual sense, so there was no barrier in understanding.
Upon hearing that there was better medicine, Elder Yuan’s eyes already began to shine.
When Ning Jiufan finished speaking, she eagerly nodded and agreed without hesitation.
“That’s good. I know you also wish to be with me, don’t you?” Ning Jiufan was visibly delighted.
To persuade Elder Yuan to act on her own was the best outcome.
If he truly had to force her using official arts and magical treasures, it wasn’t impossible—but such a method would be far too aggressive.
In this regard, Ning Jiufan’s thinking actually coincided with that of Ning Zhuo—do not dominate by force, but win through affection.
Having successfully persuaded Elder Yuan, Ning Jiufan entered Lava Immortal Palace and paid respects to Meng Kui, reporting the matter.
Meng Kui, knowing the Ning Family had the Southern Dou Court at its back, though unwilling, could not insist—after all, Ning Jiufan was not his subordinate.
Meng Kui had no choice but to remind Ning Jiufan to make haste on his return.
It would be best to return to Mount Huoshi before the trap had been fully laid. After all, one more hand meant one more edge.
Ning Jiufan understood that what Meng Kui hoped to rely on was not so much himself, but Elder Yuan.
Precisely because of this, Ning Jiufan’s resolve to go to Myriad Medicines Sect became even firmer.
All because the great battle was imminent, and Elder Yuan had yet to fully recover. If he lingered in Huoshi Immortal City, it would be difficult for him to stand aside in the matter of capturing the ten-thousand-year Fire Essence.
This was because the Ten-Thousand-Year Fire Essence threatened the safety of the entire Puppet Immortal City. As a part of the city, and one at the Golden Core stage, Ning Jiufan had to shoulder the responsibility of a righteous cultivator. After all, the Ning Family lived here.
Ning Jiufan was worried that this action might play into Meng Kui’s hands and cause Granny Yuan to be lost.
He was only able to command a Nascent Soul level Fire Fusion Demon Ape with the support of the Zhu Family. At present, the Ning Family was already the main force holding the Meng Family in check.
If Meng Kui harbored any devious intentions and assassinated Granny Yuan in this battle, the Ning Family would suffer a huge loss!
Thus, he needed to adjust Granny Yuan’s condition to its best possible state.
“The Myriad Medicines Sect is indeed an excellent place for healing. I didn’t expect little Zhuo to run there so quickly.”
“He seems to be doing quite well there too.”
“This little brat...”
Ning Jiufan quietly took Granny Yuan and silently departed from Mount Huoshi, heading straight toward the Myriad Medicines Sect.
He was rather familiar with the Myriad Medicines Sect.
Back in the day, the main force of the Ning Family's migration had left the Myriad Demons Cave via an underground dark river, directly entering the Myriad Medicines Valley.
The entire Ning Family had rested and recuperated in the Myriad Medicines Valley for a period of time.
Such a thing was nearly impossible in any other sect. But the Myriad Medicines Sect had made it possible.
From this point alone, the Myriad Medicines Sect had provided the Ning Family with much crucial and significant assistance.
Therefore, regarding the cooperation mentioned by Ning Zhuo in his letter between the Ning Family and the Myriad Medicines Sect, Ning Jiufan was also inclined to agree.
Ning Jiufan held a strong favorable impression of the Myriad Medicines Sect.
Just as he and the demon ape quietly left, a cultivator staggered, stumbling as he entered Puppet Immortal City.
His name was Liu Zhen, the sixth senior brother of Lin Shanshan.
This time, he had been dispatched by the Sect Master of the Myriad Medicines Sect, Lin Bufan, to gather information regarding Ning Zhuo.
By the time the sun had fully risen, Liu Zhen was already swaying unsteadily, in a terrible state. His vision was blurry, his head was spinning, his legs weak. He had no choice but to support himself against a wall to walk.
Unable to see clearly, he reached for support and missed, falling down and fainting on the spot.
“Aiya, someone collapsed at our courtyard gate!” a servant guarding the gate cried out in alarm.
“Could it be some beggar come to extort us?”
“Nonsense. This place belongs to the City Lord’s estate!”
“Quick, lend a hand. This cultivator is on the brink of death. Get Master Sun to take a look!”
Not long after.
The unconscious Liu Zhen slowly regained consciousness.
His blurred vision gradually cleared, and he realized he was lying on a sickbed. A cultivator beside him was channeling the medicinal scent of a pill into his nostrils.
“Doctor, for saving my life...” Liu Zhen struggled to speak, but was interrupted.
“I know, your surname is Liu and your given name Zhen, from the Myriad Medicines Sect,” the cultivator treating him said. “You collapsed in front of my courtyard. My servants carried you in. I found a token and other belongings on you.”
“Therefore, I learned your identity.”
“Please do not take offense. I am a pill master. Healing is a supplementary skill of mine, and I must gather as much information as possible in order to prescribe the proper treatment.”
Liu Zhen smiled weakly. “Master, please do not be concerned. Since I hail from the Myriad Medicines Sect, I naturally understand these... principles.”
His face was deathly pale, with no trace of blood, and his body was as thin as a skeleton. His life force was extremely faint.
The pill master treating him introduced himself: “My surname is Sun, given name Lie. I am currently residing in Ziyang Courtyard. Since you collapsed at my doorstep, we can consider it fate.”
“I observe that your qi and blood are severely depleted. You suffer from dizziness, tinnitus, fatigue, palpitations, night sweats, and cold limbs.”
“Your complexion is pale as paper, your spirit is weak, appetite poor, tongue pale with a white coating, and your pulse is deep, thin, and forceless.”
“These are obvious signs of kidney essence deficiency!”
“Moreover, the dark purplish bags under your eyes, the black lines on your nails and teeth, and the cold, ghostly aura lingering on your body...”
“You must have encountered a female ghost that drains blood and yang energy, didn’t you?”
Liu Zhen nodded. “Master Sun, your insight is as sharp as a torch. Exactly right. That female ghost seduced me into intimacy and drained me for seven days and nights, nearly ending my life.”
“At a critical moment, I used the protective talisman gifted by my master to escape through the void. Only then did I avoid her deadly grasp.”
Speaking of this, Liu Zhen’s face still carried lingering fear.
If he hadn’t been delayed by the female ghost, he would have reached Puppet Immortal City much earlier.
Sun Lie nodded. “It seems my diagnosis was correct. Rest well. Take my Eight-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill to recover some strength quickly.”
“However, your essence loss is severe. Only top-grade pills or long-term nourishment can restore it fully.”
Liu Zhen replied, “I understand. Once I complete my sect’s mission, I will return to the Myriad Medicines Valley and request my master’s help. That will surely resolve my condition.”
“Master Sun, this life-saving grace shall be repaid!”
Sun Lie nodded. “I’ve long heard of the Myriad Medicines Valley and just happen to be thinking of leaving Puppet Immortal City to continue my travels. My next destination will be there.”
Truthfully, Sun Lie wasn’t eager to leave just yet.
But recently, he heard a secret—City Lord’s estate had been secretly collaborating with Luo Shang for some time now.
This made Sun Lie uneasy.
Back then, the incident involving Han Ming had caused conflict between him and the Soul-Devouring Sect. Sun Lie did not dare gamble on Luo Shang’s stance toward him.
Since the City Lord’s estate in Puppet Immortal City now seemed unreliable, Sun Lie’s desire to leave only grew stronger.
In the past few days, he had been packing up, preparing to leave the city—when Liu Zhen showed up on his own.
Hearing Sun Lie’s plans, Liu Zhen immediately brightened. “That’s great. Master, why not return with me?”
“Very well.” Sun Lie nodded and gave Liu Zhen some pills, instructing him on how to take them.
Liu Zhen was from the Myriad Medicines Sect and had knowledge of healing and pill-making. He asked Sun Lie many questions and remembered each answer clearly.
Thus, Liu Zhen temporarily stayed at Ziyang Courtyard.
Three days later, Liu Zhen had recovered enough to walk without holding onto walls.
He looked in the mirror and saw a head full of white hair and a face aged beyond recognition. The black strands and youthful vigor were gone, filling him with deeper hatred toward that female ghost.
Liu Zhen began preparing to complete his sect’s mission.