After the elderly alchemist, the rest of the ten or so alchemists entered the side room one after another. Yet, after spending around ten minutes each inside, they all emerged with embarrassed expressions.
Clearly, none of them could deal with this poison—especially one that even Gu He, the Pill King, had found helpless against.
As more alchemists exited with disappointed sighs, the looks on Nalan Su and Nalan Yanran’s faces grew increasingly bleak. By the time the last alchemist had returned with nothing to show, their mood had completely sunk. Nalan Yanran’s eyes, in particular, glistened slightly with red.
"You’re not afraid of exposing yourself?" Yun Yun whispered to Chen Mo, noticing that out of all the Tier 3 alchemists present, he was the only one who hadn’t gone in yet.
Sure enough, before Chen Mo could respond, all eyes in the hall turned toward him.
However, no one spoke. After all, even over a dozen Tier 3 alchemists had tried and failed—what difference could he possibly make?
While Chen Mo was indeed a young prodigy, his actual experience in refining pills might still be inferior to any of the older alchemists present, all of whom had decades of practical knowledge.
Still, despite their doubts, they were curious to witness firsthand what this famed genius alchemist might do.
Nalan Su turned to look at Chen Mo. Though he didn’t hold much hope, he still respectfully invited him to give it a try.
Chen Mo stood up. A flicker of surprise flashed in Nalan Yanran’s eyes. Could he really have a way?
As Chen Mo walked toward the side room, the alchemists who had previously failed all stood up as well, attempting to follow and observe.
But Nalan Su quickly stepped forward and stopped them.
"Gentlemen, my father is gravely ill. We can’t have so many people crowding the room."
He then called for the maids to assist and led Nalan Yanran and Yun Yun into the room alongside him.
The alchemists, naturally, didn’t just sit still. They crowded around the door, eager to peek inside.
The room was spacious. At its center sat a large bed, upon which lay a frail, emaciated old man. Several maids were tending to him, and when they heard movement, they looked up, then quietly resumed caring for the unconscious elder.
Chen Mo slowly walked up to the bed, his gaze scanning the man’s face. His complexion was disturbingly dark, as if death itself was creeping across his skin.
Chen Mo furrowed his brow. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ noⅴelfire.net
"This... is truly troublesome."
Hearing his comment, both Nalan Su and Nalan Yanran sighed deeply. The former said,
"It seems this was destined to be my father’s fate. Still, Master Chen Mo, thank you for coming. Regardless of the outcome, our clan will prepare a generous gift for you."
After giving Chen Mo a grateful look, Nalan Su turned toward the alchemists crowding at the door.
"Everyone, thank you for your efforts. We truly appreciate your time."
At his words, the gathered alchemists shook their heads with bitter smiles and began preparing to leave.
But just then, Chen Mo suddenly spoke:
"As I thought, conventional methods won’t work. I’ll have to use the approach suggested by Pill King Gu He—enter the old master’s body with Heavenly Flame, and burn away the poison from within."
The moment those words left his mouth, everyone except Yun Yun was stunned.
Nalan Su, still processing what he heard, asked in disbelief,
"Master Chen Mo... Are you saying..."
He never finished the sentence. His voice abruptly cut off, and his eyes widened in shock—along with everyone else’s, including Yun Yun.
The room’s temperature suddenly spiked.
All eyes stared, dumbfounded, at the black-blue flame flickering in Chen Mo’s palm.
Nalan Yanran covered her mouth with a trembling hand, her gaze fixed on the flame. Her eyes shimmered with disbelief and growing excitement.
"H-How is this possible?" Yun Yun exclaimed. She knew Chen Mo already possessed the Green Lotus Core Flame. How could he possibly have another Heavenly Flame?
Hadn’t Gu He stated that no one could refine more than one Heavenly Flame?
And the temperature of this black-blue flame... it clearly exceeded even that of the Green Lotus Core Flame.
The dozen alchemists at the doorway—each well-acquainted with fire—were also overcome with shock.
Though they couldn’t identify the exact type of flame, its sheer heat, which distorted the air around it, was unmistakable. Only a Heavenly Flame could possess such terrifying power.
One by one, their stunned expressions turned to envy and awe as they stared fixedly at the dark flame swirling in Chen Mo’s palm.
"Master Chen Mo, is that truly a Heavenly Flame?" Nalan Su asked, barely able to contain his excitement.
"Something like that..." Chen Mo replied vaguely. Then he added,
"I’m going to begin."
"Then we’ll leave it all in your hands. If you can truly save the old master, you’ll forever be a friend to the Nalan Clan!" Nalan Su said with deep emotion.
Chen Mo nodded, then took a seat beside the bed. With a flick of his right hand, Undying Devil Flame surged forth, instantly causing the room’s temperature to soar even higher.
He extended his middle finger, where the black-blue flame danced at the tip. Wrapping the flame in a sheath of soul power, he carefully separated a wisp from the main flame.
With a steady breath and his powerful fire control, he guided the wisp of flame into Nalan Jie’s body.
At that moment, the unconscious elder suddenly convulsed.
With his spiritual perception extended, Chen Mo was able to observe the condition inside Nalan Jie’s body. His bones had turned nearly pitch black.
Chen Mo’s expression turned grim. Wrapping the Undying Devil Flame in soul power, he directed it toward the poisoned bones and began burning away the toxic substance.
Then he noticed something unexpected: as the Undying Devil Flame incinerated the black poison, the toxin transformed into pure energy and was absorbed by the flame itself.
It wasn’t much, but it was enough to strengthen the Undying Devil Flame.
On the bed, Nalan Jie’s eyes suddenly flew open. A hoarse cry of agony burst from his throat as a powerful aura surged forth from his body like a final flare before death.
Nalan Yanran and Nalan Su both cried out in alarm at the sudden movement.
"I’m removing the poison. Suppress your aura, or you’ll end up making things worse," Chen Mo said calmly, sparing a glance at the sweat-drenched old man.
At the sound of Chen Mo’s voice, Nalan Jie turned his head slightly and saw the young, handsome face before him. His eyes flickered with astonishment, followed by a faint smile.
"Young man... you saved me?"
"I’ve started to," Chen Mo replied. "But I haven’t finished yet."
"The Branded Poison has already seeped into your bone marrow. I’ve only removed about half of it today. I’ll need to return tomorrow to finish the job."
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