Cultivators do not fall ill.
From the moment the methods of cultivation were born, humanity completely broke free from the shackles of disease and hunger.
This new civilization structure changed everything about the past.
By now, it had been tens of thousands of years since the last time a cultivator died from a disease — so long that even the most ancient records contained no mention of it.
Illnesses could not breach a cultivator’s immune system. Instead, cultivators mostly died in physical altercations or from assassinations by poison.
Consequently, Dan Medicine — being easy to carry, convenient to consume, remarkably effective, and capable of addressing specific issues — became their favorite tool.
In particular, a few Dan recipes passed down from ancient times could basically resolve any physical crisis a cultivator faced while simultaneously boosting their Cultivation Base.
As a result, most Dan Cultivators became too lazy to continue deeper research; after all, learning those standard recipes was enough.
Because of this, the status of Medical Cultivators became somewhat awkward.
Originally, Dan and Medicine were two sides of the same coin. It was said that in ancient times, Medical Cultivators used their knowledge for research, diagnosis, and follow-up care. They would also refine Dan Medicine to treat specific ailments — in fact, the earliest Dan recipes were invented by Medical Cultivators.
However, over the past tens of thousands of years in Shenzhou, the ways one’s life could be threatened were limited to a few specific scenarios.
Sufficient Dan recipes already existed for every case, making in-depth research unnecessary.
Therefore, the research work of Medical Cultivators seemed redundant.
Medical Cultivators gradually faded into obscurity, while Dan Cultivators branched off to handle the medical needs of Shenzhou by selling medicine directly.
This system had persisted for tens of thousands of years without a single mishap.
This was the source of Emperor Jing’s confidence.
Shenzhou did not need Medical Cultivators.
Dan Cultivators were enough.
“The Dan Sect Alliance is nothing more than a group of parvenus clutching onto Dan recipes to hoard wealth. They cannot be called true Dan Cultivators. The real experts are kept deep in the mountains of the major sects, with their own legacies and inheritances. They are far superior to that damn Lingyin Valley!”
Sitting upon the dragon throne in the Great Hall, Emperor Jing was still unable to calm his emotions, his voice harsh and cold.
“Your Majesty,” the official in charge of the Celestial Monitoring Instrument spoke. The handprint from Emperor Jing’s slap was still visible on his face.
His expression was conflicted, as a thousand voices in his ear told him not to provoke the Emperor at such a time.
Yet, a baseless sense of foreboding ultimately drove him to speak. “This poison seems… a bit different this time…”
Emperor Jing gave a half-smile. “Dear minister, pray tell, how is it different?”
The official’s face turned pale instantly.
Emperor Jing had even used a polite address, a clear sign that he was thoroughly enraged. If the official dared to speak recklessly again, he likely would not survive the night.
“No, no, it is nothing different. This humble servant was overthinking,” the official said, cold sweat dripping as he spoke rapidly.
“How could there be anything in this world that those few Seniors cannot solve… They can drag a dead man back from the Netherworld with half his life intact. I must have been overthinking.”
“At least you still have some brains,” Emperor Jing said, his expression softening as his fingertip tapped lightly on the armrest of the throne.
The official bit his lip and spoke once more.
“However, I heard that Consort Chen’s nephew has also unfortunately contracted that strange poison. He is currently being treated by military doctors in the camp, but his condition has not improved… If any accident occurs, it might affect Consort Chen’s mood. I ask Your Majesty to invite those Patriarchs soon.”
“You are certainly thoughtful,” Emperor Jing said, leaning back lazily.
“But there is some truth to it. Why don’t you handle it? Go and summon the reclusive Dan Cultivators from the major sects to provide treatment.”
The official finally let out a sigh of relief. “Your Majesty is wise!”
“Oh, right,” Emperor Jing added languidly. “The military camp is a filthy and smelly place, hardly suitable for recovery. Bring Consort Chen’s nephew into the palace for treatment.”
“That is unwise!” the official cried out in alarm.
“Your Majesty, you mustn’t! The palace is densely populated, and this strange poison seems to have some level of contagiousness. If it spreads to the palace, it will cause chaos!”
“Hmm… Fine,” Emperor Jing waved his hand.
Although he had witnessed the power of those reclusive Dan Cultivators and didn’t care about this so-called strange poison, it would indeed be a hassle if it spread through the palace.
“Then take good care of her nephew. Send him plenty of nutritional Dan Medicine and natural treasures. Dispatch a few theater troupes to entertain him as well. Fulfill whatever requests he has.”
“Your Majesty is wise!”
“What exactly are we doing?” Si Lian asked, following behind Yiqin with a look of confusion.
The expected large-scale brawl had not broken out at the competition grounds.
Li Lao’er had arrived just in time with his father and several Demon Race generals to maintain order, successfully escorting the Taiming Sect group and Si Lian away.
It had now been twelve hours since the end of the Resurrection Match.
However, after ensuring their safety, Yiqin had not taken Si Lian back to the Taiming Sect, nor had she mentioned Jiang Ke’er, who was trapped in another world.
Instead, she had immediately taken Si Lian and the disciples of the Taiming Sect on a shopping spree.
Not only were they shopping, but they had also hidden their identities and scattered across various cities to buy things like madmen.
Si Lian watched in shock as Yiqin opened her Qiankun Bag, sweeping an entire stall’s worth of Pill Refining materials into it in the blink of an eye.
Within just a few minutes, she had nearly emptied the entire street.
“There’s no time to explain, help me pack,” Yiqin said urgently.
“Buy Formation Arts materials, Tool Refinement materials, herbs for Pill Refining, medicine containers, refinement furnaces, Alchemy Furnaces, blank talismans, analysis crystals, high-quality Magic Crystal ores, and any rare materials you find.”
“Why?” Si Lian asked, bewildered. “What is all this for?”
“The Taiming Sect is going into lockdown,” Yiqin explained.
Si Lian realized what was happening. Indeed, since the Emperor had declared he would remove Medical Cultivators from the records, the Taiming Sect’s situation was precarious.
They had to seal the mountain to protect themselves and wait out the storm.
“Qing Yi was the one who said to seal the mountain,” Yiqin added.
Si Lian froze again.
How could Qing Yi possibly know what was happening in Shenzhou from another world? How could she have had time to send a message about sealing the mountain?
Filled with questions, Si Lian joined the procurement effort.
Since the Taiming Sect had done her a great favor, it was only natural for her to support them.
The shopping continued for an entire day and night.
The efficiency of cultivators was extremely high, and with the convenience of Qiankun Bags, 24 hours was enough for the Taiming Sect disciples to convert all the sect’s current liquid assets into supplies.
On the second night, the Taiming Sect’s protective mountain array was activated.
Watching the Barrier gradually glow under the moonlight, Si Lian looked up at the starry sky with worry. Her chest felt tight, filled with an empty, aching sensation.
Qing Yi, Jie Shui, Lin Gang, Gan Ruanruan, A Miao…
Those little ones who had been wild with her, who had faced life and death by her side for six months, were now lost somewhere far across the heavens.
She didn’t even know if they could ever come back.
Just then, a hand patted her shoulder.
Si Lian thought it was Yiqin coming to comfort her, but the voice behind her did not belong to Yiqin.
The voice was cool, yet it held a hint of tenderness that felt like a luxury.
“Don’t worry. That girl has more tricks up her sleeve than anyone,” Qiao Xiaoxian said softly.
Noticing Si Lian’s stunned gaze, Qiao Xiaoxian seemed to feel awkward and quickly turned to walk away.
She then leaped up to sit on a roof beam, resting her chin in her hands as she stared at the sky, her expression full of worry. In truth… she wasn’t doing much better than Si Lian.
Master Yiqin did not notice the subtle interaction between the two women.
Seeing Si Lian’s face filled with sorrow, she approached slowly with her Peach Blossom Staff and stopped by her side.
“When she saw the Celestial Monitoring Instrument, Qing Yi told me two things… I still haven’t figured them out even now.”
“What did she say?” Si Lian asked, startled.
“The first was for the Taiming Sect to immediately seal the mountain after the Resurrection Match and convert all assets into material stockpiles,” Yiqin replied.
“And the other one?” Si Lian asked curiously.
“The other one.”
Yiqin recalled Jiang Ke’er’s expression at that moment and suddenly smiled helplessly.
She did her best to imitate the confident and firm tone Jiang Ke’er had used when she said it:
“‘Emperor Jing will come crying, begging me to return.'”