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Han Cai focused on performing brain surgery while engaging in occasional casual conversation with Li Mo. The other doctors in the inner room, witnessing this, dared not interrupt.
The doctors at Skillful Hands Inn were all handpicked personnel from the port.
They may not have originated from the Heart Beast Sect, but their interests were closely tied to the Four Seas Commerce. In secret, they had long sworn severe Heart Demon Oaths.
The doctors were partially whispering about Li Mo’s identity.
Could it be the rumored Nascent Soul Stage Beast Cultivator behind the Four Seas Commerce, Elder Qing Shan? But how could such an individual appear at Poison Clothes Qinghong Workshop?
It must be noted that, according to semi-credible rumors, Elder Qing Shan single-handedly rivaled Feihong, earning even the Heavenly Sword Sect’s grudging respect.
A hint of barely containable excitement flickered in their eyes.
While the claim that the Heavenly Sword Sect held Elder Qing Shan in high regard might be an exaggeration, his fight with Feihong had been witnessed by many forces.
With Elder Qing Shan overseeing matters, could the Four Seas Commerce be preparing for major action?
Even though Poison Clothes ranks last among the Twelve Qinghong Workshops in scale, its operation relies heavily on the Poison Beast’s inherent Blessed Land Cave Heaven-seeking nature, involving countless vested interests.
If the You Pavilion could profit from it, they would undoubtedly reap immense wealth.
Don’t be fooled into thinking the Four Seas Commerce profits greatly from its exclusive shop in Poison Clothes Qinghong Workshop—in fact, their earnings pale compared to the port’s revenue.
The customers of the Medical Hall are all mortals; how much profit could there be?
Moreover, the difficulty of brain surgery is extremely high. Even Han Cai must perform surgeries on mortal martial artists, earning only a few Low Grade Spirit Stones per operation.
Due to the Four Great You Pavilion’s control over Poison Clothes Qinghong Workshop, the business at taverns has also suffered more than anticipated.
The tongues of the Poison Cultivators at Qinghong Workshop have practically rotted away; they have minimal demand for liquor, and Corpse Wine offers no significant advantages for cultivation.
Were it not for Li Mo’s presence at Poison Clothes Qinghong Workshop, Tian Changwen might have considered retracting all business dealings with Poison Cultivators within ten years.
Li Mo quickly pieced together the situation from Han Cai’s complaints.
Perhaps Poison Clothes Qinghong Workshop is an indescribable treasure trove for Loose Cultivators and mortals, but it truly isn’t suitable for the Four Seas Commerce.
"Master Han, let me lend a hand."
Li Mo, much like when he was in Rong Town, naturally assisted Han Cai during surgery, exponentially increasing the efficiency of brain modification.
"Qing Shan, what do you think of Poison Clothes Qinghong Workshop’s current situation?"
"The forces behind it are unusual; their intentions remain unclear."
Li Mo’s attention was fixed on the surgery.
Han Cai applied inferior spiritual materials refined from the Mountain Lord’s brain to the junctions of nerve tissue, while also modifying the brain region responsible for instinctual control.
Li Mo grew increasingly intrigued.
He realized brain surgery not only enabled mortals to inhale poisonous qi for body refinement but also subtly influenced their physical structure.
Take the martial art Skillful Hands Inn was authorized to use by Jinhong You Pavilion, "Iron Thorns Unstable Finger," for instance.
After completing brain modification, mortals subconsciously emphasize their hands while refining their bodies with poisonous qi—a truly subtle phenomenon.
Li Mo made a mental note.
"If the Twelve Immortals are behind Qinghong Workshop, there must be a senior skilled in medical techniques involved—could it be Mou Miaoqing?"
Han Cai replaced the human brain with a tiger brain, before proceeding to transplant a Mountain Lord Head onto the patient’s neck.
He withdrew limb after limb; the other doctors hurried to take over, as the subsequent surgery presented only mundane blood vessel reconnections.
Once the patient resumed breathing, faint poisonous qi in the air wriggled into their body through their nostrils and mouth.
Calling it nourishment would be more accurate than destruction—it devastated the Five Internal Organs until the flesh was strong enough to harbor Poisonous Spirit Energy, finally allowing entry onto the Immortal Path.
"Twenty mortal surgeries per day, damn it, where does this old man find time to cultivate?"
Han Cai couldn’t help cursing out loud, already nostalgic for the serenity of the port, where he didn’t have to deal with insane brain surgeries daily.
Li Mo interjected, "Master Han, I’ll handle the surgeries from now on."
"No, information regarding Iron Thorns Unstable Finger cannot be disclosed."
Han Cai resignedly explained, "The You Pavilion fears the Poison Clothing Technique circulating beyond their control, hence all personnel at Skillful Hands Inn have sworn Heart Demon Oaths."
His tone grew graver as he added, "Qing Shan, there is no need for you to get involved, let alone swear some ridiculous Heart Demon Oath to beast cultivators."
"You ought to leave Poison Clothes Qinghong Workshop as soon as possible."
Han Cai gazed toward the shop’s exterior, where Loose Cultivators had already started gathering in groups heading for the city gates.
After all, once the Toad Poison Beast relocates to a new Blessed Land Cave Heaven, Qinghong Workshop’s mountain gate would be sealed—they were unwilling to remain in the town.
The Spiritual Energy diffused amid Poison Clothes Qinghong Workshop comprised seventy percent of Poison Element.
Loose Cultivators who couldn’t begin cultivation in poison would waste their time here unless they could afford to drink canned spiritual energy like water.
Thus, they preferred to follow the Poison Beast’s trail.
Should they chance upon a mid-sized Blessed Land Cave Heaven, the Toad Poison Beast might linger for thirty to forty years, offering spiritual materials beyond mere poison type.
It was said that at another Qinghong Workshop, an exposed small-to-mid-sized spirit stone vein was found, netting the participating forces tens of thousands of Mid Grade Spirit Stones.
As for mortals, they had no such concerns as Loose Cultivators. The You Pavilion also performed brain surgeries, making it comparatively simpler for mortals to integrate into Poison Clothes Qinghong Workshop.
Through reciprocation, Loose Cultivators even intentionally brought populations to curry favor with the You Pavilion.
"Don’t worry, Master Han, I’ll be staying at Poison Clothes Qinghong Workshop for now. Iron Thorns Unstable Finger is hardly a challenge—memorizing its procedure takes mere moments."
Li Mo instructed a doctor to bring in a patient, closing his eyes to contemplate cerebral structures.
Han Cai smiled bitterly, unable to refute given Li Mo’s unshakable confidence, and reluctantly acquiesced.
Quietly, Han Cai thought to himself, "My disciple, your comprehension truly defies the norm, even inventing foundational techniques for the Heart Beast Sect, but the Poison Clothing Technique is another matter entirely."
Han Cai had deep doubts—it seemed implausible that the You Pavilion’s brain modification method relied solely on medical skills.
Even mastering basic martial arts had taken Han Cai years; the disciples at the You Pavilion couldn’t all be medical prodigies—it was simply unrealistic.
"Never mind, no need to over-advise."
"Perhaps after a few days, Li Mo may find Qinghong Workshop dull and leave of his own accord."
While Han Cai pondered, a shop assistant brought forth an apprehensive elderly mortal, visibly in his seventies or older.
Han Cai burst out angrily, "What’s going on?"
"I’ve said before, patients older than fifty are disqualified! Aging brains rot and shrink, with no chance of survival!"
"I am named Li Baoquan. Since childhood, I have admired immortals, but my limited talent confined me."
"If the Immortal Masters could demonstrate their medical skills, I..." Li Baoquan gritted his teeth, "I am willing to offer two Mid Grade Spirit Stones with utmost gratitude."
Li Baoquan was evidently a man of modest wealth, originating from an Independent Practitioner Family.
He showed traces of cultivation, perhaps having reached Childhood Stage level one or two in his youth, ultimately lost to the ravages of Death Disease.
Seeing Han Cai unmoved, Li Baoquan’s expression grew desperate.
He had learned that among Poison Clothes Qinghong Workshop’s numerous medical halls, only Skillful Hands Inn boasted a success rate exceeding seventy percent, with its lead doctor being a Core Formation Cultivator of extraordinary background.
"I merely seek immortality—I would repay with undying loyalty."
Li Baoquan kowtowed vigorously, so much that blood and pus slowly oozed from his forehead.
Han Cai cast a sharp, cold gaze toward the medical hall’s other doctors.
"I won’t name names, but whoever pocketed kickbacks—leave Qinghong Workshop and exile yourself to the Heart Beast Black Market as a physician for a century."
The rule dictated patients must be below fifty years of age. Li Baoquan’s entry into Skillful Hands Inn’s inner room clearly entailed financial favor given to certain doctors.
One doctor turned pale as ashes, dropping to his knees to confess and beg forgiveness. Exile to the resource-starved Heart Beast Black Market for a century amounted to punishment akin to forced regression.
Han Cai felt disgraced, having embarrassed himself in front of his disciple after barely conversing.
Li Mo opened his eyes, "Master Han, let me handle this."
Han Cai hesitated briefly, then addressed Li Baoquan, "If you wish to enter the cultivation path, refusal is no longer an option."
Li Baoquan clenched his jaw, "Even should it spell death, I am willing."
Han Cai’s anger subsided significantly. He grabbed Li Baoquan’s limbs and bound him to the surgery table.
The other doctors began preparations, using specialized tools to saw open his skull. Li Baoquan let out a muffled grunt yet refrained from crying out in pain.
Even Han Cai was impressed by Li Baoquan’s composure.
Li Baoquan remained unaware of Li Mo’s identity, though his knack for assessing others—the same skill that had advanced him to family head as a mortal—alerted him.
When the surgery was discussed, all the doctors displayed varying degrees of anxiety.
Except for Li Mo, whose eyes emanated a probing curiosity, as though completely indifferent.
Li Baoquan exhaled mournfully, "Ah, success lies in effort, destiny in the heavens. Decades spent craving immortality—today will determine everything. Let it be today."
Crack, crack, crack...
Strange noises echoed.
The flashback in Li Baoquan’s mind was abruptly severed. Instinctively, he glanced upward.
A piercing scream rang out within the silent inner room.
Li Baoquan, moments ago fully composed, suddenly writhed as if drowning, his face contorting into pure terror toward Li Mo.
The other doctors simultaneously retreated to corners.
Han Cai emitted a burst of sinister laughter.
Under everyone’s shocked gaze, Li Mo’s body stretched to a height of nearly three meters, twelve pairs of arms extending organically from his ribs, with palms adorned in glaring eyeballs.
To their disbelief, the eyeballs seemed imbued with spiritual wisdom, radiating malice.
No Immortal—this was more like a demon.
Li Mo swept his gaze across the room and, within half a heartbeat, decapitated the source of noise.
Examining Li Baoquan’s brain, he noted its size was halved, shriveled to the point of ceasing Brain Marrow Liquid secretion.
Li Mo popped a Bodhi Fruit into his mouth, his mental processing speed skyrocketing severalfold.
"Qing Shan, start with the brainstem..."
Han Cai had barely begun offering guidance when Li Mo’s arms sliced through the air, executing precise strokes across Li Baoquan’s cerebral tissue.
Li Mo simultaneously modified the brain while repairing Death Disease erosion, with precision down to the fraction of a millimeter—a marvel of his medical prowess.
This display left every doctor, including Han Cai, momentarily dumbstruck.
Was this the pinnacle of medical skill?
Unbelievably, despite having spent such little time exploring brain modification for Iron Thorns Unstable Finger, Li Mo had already mastered its nuances.
What kind of monster was he? Or perhaps, were they all simply mediocre?
As they remained dazed, Li Mo had finished the surgery for Iron Thorns Unstable Finger, casually selecting a Mountain Lord Head suitable for accommodating Li Baoquan’s brain.
"It’s just as I expected—Iron Thorns Unstable Finger is hardly groundbreaking."
The complexity paled next to Dao Body Fusion, not even requiring the use of Divine Sense.
Li Mo even contemplated employing White Bone Spider Divine Split to conduct surgeries at a microscopic level, freeing himself from needing to remain at Skillful Hands Inn.