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Inside a private booth at The Eternal Night Marquis Teahouse—
Jing Yuan took a sip of tea before asking, "Minister Su, how has your undercover mission within the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus progressed?"
Su Jinyan smiled. "Quite fruitful."
"Oh?"
These four simple words instantly piqued Jing Yuan and Fu Xuan's curiosity.
Previously, the Seat of Divine Foresight had indeed sent Cloud Knights to infiltrate the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus. However, much to their bewilderment, the sect always seemed capable of either uncovering or turning these undercover agents against the Cloud Knights.
Consequently, the Seat of Divine Foresight gradually abandoned the idea of sending more spies. The Cloud Knights were invaluable; they could not afford such sacrifices.
Su Jinyan cleared his throat before explaining, "In truth, during my investigation, I discovered that the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus possess a medicinal formula called 'Dragon-Coiled Soaring Pill'."
"For ordinary individuals, consuming it would prove unbearable due to its potent effects. At best, one's tendons and veins would rupture; at worst, death would ensue immediately."
"However, for eternal life beings like those from Xianzhou, with their exceptional physiques, they typically endure this ordeal unscathed."
"The consequence of this process is—inducing Mara-Strike affliction."
Jing Yuan's pupils contracted sharply. "Inducing Mara-Strike?"
Fu Xuan's small face grew solemn. "Does the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus truly conceal such a malevolent formula within their ranks? No wonder previous infiltrators either got exposed or turned traitor."
Once a Cloud Knight succumbed to Mara-Strike, they embarked on an irreversible path. They could never return to the Cloud Knights thereafter, only be accepted by the Ten-Lords Commission or become part of the cultivator faction.
Su Jinyan calmly stated, "Although my time with the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus has been brief, they have always revered strength above all else."
"Moreover, as someone not hailing from Xianzhou, gaining their trust was relatively straightforward."
As if struck by a realization, Fu Xuan urgently asked,
"In that case, have you also taken the Dragon-Coiled Soaring Pill?" Jing Yuan asked.
"Is Minister Su feeling unwell? Should I summon the Dragon Girl to check your pulse?"
Su Jinyan waved his hand dismissively. "That won't be necessary."
"Truthfully, I was already wary of the Medicine King's secret teachings and did not consume the Dragon-Coiled Soaring Pill."
"I employed a clever ruse to gain the leader's trust."
"How about this—let me show you my weapon, but brace yourselves mentally first."
Jing Yuan chuckled, unconvinced. "Surely Minister Su hasn't acquired some divine armament?"
With a casual gesture, Su Jinyan instantly materialized a menacing-looking long steel spear. Intricate golden branches coiled around it, emanating an aura of suffering.
Fu Xuan stared, astonished.
Jing Yuan abruptly stood up, uncertainty flickering in his eyes. He recognized the source of this power all too well—it originated from the Prosperity Medic's bountiful blessings!
Their astonishment was understandable; such a weapon could only manifest through the divine power of abundance. Only a Shapeshifter blessed by the Prosperity Medic, harnessing ancient miraculous energies, could transform it into a coiled dragon spear.
Upon the Shapeshifter's passing, both the ancient divine armor and spear would dissipate; no one could claim them.
Su Jinyan looked resigned. "Didn't we agree to prepare yourselves mentally beforehand?"
"Consider this—would I truly reveal such a secret to you if I were indeed a Disciple of Sanctus Medicus, a Shapeshifter?"
Once regaining his composure, Fu Xuan spoke gravely, "General, just days ago, this venerable one led him into the Matrix of Prescience."
"A-Yan is absolutely trustworthy; there's no need to doubt him," he continued. "Moreover, if any transformation truly occurred within his body, both you and I would perceive it."
Jing Yuan sighed. "I'm not questioning Minister Su."
"It's just... despite being prepared, I was still taken aback..."
What exactly was Mara-Strike? Among the immortal cultivators who relied on the divine power of abundance for longevity, their inner reserves of this divine energy could abruptly undergo a change at some point. Following this transformation, they would cease being human, transforming instead into mindless evil beings—the so-called "Mara-Stricken" that Xianzhou frequently mentioned.
Normally, outsiders like Su Jinyan would never succumb to Mara-Strike. However, Jing Yuan feared that Su Jinyan might have secretly received blessings from the Prosperity Medic, becoming an eternal life being himself.
After enduring the chaos caused by the High-Cloud Quintet's past transgressions, Jing Yuan could not bear further turmoil. Just as Fu Xuan held unwavering trust in Su Jinyan, so too did Jing Yuan place immense faith in Fu Xuan.
If Su Jinyan, due to his involvement with the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus, fell victim to Mara-Strike and defected from Luofu...
Undoubtedly, it would significantly impact Fu Xuan's mindset. Should this affect him severely enough, Fu Xuan himself might prematurely succumb to Mara-Strike as well.
The ensuing chain reaction would undoubtedly leave Jing Yuan utterly overwhelmed.
Su Jinyan could surmise what concerns weighed on Jing Yuan's mind. He proactively suggested, "General."
"Truthfully, I share some unease myself," he said. "Perhaps we should invite the Dragon Girl here for an examination?"
Jing Yuan's expression showed remorse. "Minister Su, I am not doubting you, but..."
Su Jinyan smiled slightly. "It's understandable. If I were in your position, General, I would likely feel the same."
Shortly after, Bailu—the legendary "Medicinal Dragoness"—pushed open the private room door as scheduled.
Although Su Jinyan had heard much about the Alchemy Commission's "Medicinal Dragoness," he had never met her before. This was his first glimpse of Bailu's true appearance.
She seemed like a petite and youthful, vivacious amethyst-haired maiden. With fair, delicate skin, a charmingly small frame, sparkling eyes, and lips soft as cream, she wore her long purple hair in a ponytail adorned with a pair of adorable dragon horns.
Bailu stood even shorter than Fu Xuan, and when close to her, one could detect a delightful milky fragrance mixed with medicinal scents emanating from her person. Perhaps it was due to constant exposure to herbal ingredients, which had imparted their aroma onto her?
Speaking of, despite looking quite young, Bailu always tried to act very mature, eliciting a barely suppressed amusement.
In a way, it reminded him—he had a friend who absolutely adored little girls like Bailu.
[Bailu, the Medicinal Dragoness of the Vidyadhara clan, future High Elder, and skilled healer of the Alchemy Commission.]
"If you ever get the chance, make sure to befriend Bailu, as she might just save your life one day."
Su Jinyan pondered this thought—befriend Bailu? No problem, I happen to have a friend who loves cheering up kids like her.
Bailu waved him over. "Oh, it's you?"
"The general mentioned you weren't feeling well? Come here, let me examine you."
Obediently, Su Jinyan approached Bailu and allowed her to inspect his condition.
After her assessment, Bailu placed her hands on her hips, looking quite proud. "Missy here finds you full of energy; doesn't seem like anything's wrong with you."
"Oh, right," she added. "That day, Miss Tingyun said you had kidney weakness. Have you taken the medicine Missy prescribed for you?"
Su Jinyan blinked in confusion. Fu Xuan raised an eyebrow. Jing Yuan stared, dumbfounded.
Damn it, he got hard—shamefully hard.
Yes, that's correct; his fists tightened, itching to teach this brat a lesson.
Bailu batted her lovely eyelashes, genuinely puzzled. "Hey, why are you all staring at Missy like that?"