‘Self-reproduction is a distinct feature of an Epidemic Poison.’
‘From current observations, this unknown new toxin clearly increases in quantity out of thin air, matching the characteristics of the legendary Epidemic Poison.’
‘And if this really is an Epidemic Poison…’
Yiqin rushed into the changing room, destroyed the contaminated protective suit she was wearing, changed into a brand-new set, and headed straight for the mountain gate.
“Junior Sister Yiqin, you are — ” The Peak Master of Starfall Peak was personally standing at the mountain gate responsible for guarding the formation. Seeing Yiqin’s strange outfit and her hurried manner, he asked in surprise.
“Something has happened. An infected person has been found in the valley, and the source is unclear. The situation outside is likely even more critical. I must go tell Emperor Jing,” Yiqin said in a heavy voice.
“Epidemic Poison? What is that?” The Peak Master of Starfall Peak heard the term for the first time.
“No matter what it is, looking for Emperor Jing at this juncture is probably inappropriate, right? You know exactly how that guy views Medical Cultivators.”
“This generation’s Emperor is a bastard, but ordinary people are innocent,” Yiqin gripped her Peach Blossom Staff tightly.
“Even you haven’t heard of the term ‘Epidemic Poison.’ Emperor Jing and those in charge outside probably understand the horror of an Epidemic Poison even less… If left unchecked, Shenzhou is in grave danger!”
“Is it that serious?” The Peak Master of Starfall Peak was shocked.
“Then… I will go with you. At a time like this, Emperor Jing won’t believe anything you say. He might even cut off your head! Starfall Peak can do without me, but Shenzhou cannot do without you!”
“No, you stay behind to help the Sect Leader manage the valley. Tell him the severity of the situation. Don’t let anyone approach the observation area. Only leave Mushuang and a few trained disciples in charge of treatment and research. At the same time, tell the disciples of Lingyin Valley to enter the highest level of Epidemic Poison alert. They will know what to do!” Yiqin was full of worry.
“This toxin is infinitely contagious. We must be on high alert!”
The Peak Master of Starfall Peak raised his hand as if to stop her but eventually let out a soft sigh, helping Yiqin open a path through the barrier.
“I know I cannot persuade you, but you must return safely… If Emperor Jing does not listen, we will find another way. Just do not get into an argument with that foolish tyrant.”
“I will.”
Yiqin nodded, summoned a gust of wind, and flew rapidly toward the Imperial Palace in Jiangdu.
In fact, just after leaving the range of the Taiming Sect’s barrier, Yiqin noticed that the auras of several Honored Ones were following her.
Emperor Jing had clearly not given up on his relentless pressure on the Medical Cultivators.
Yiqin felt a surge of anger in her heart. Obviously, everyone in Shenzhou currently had no realization of the severity of the problem.
She did not rush to the Jiangdu Imperial Palace but stopped in Jiangdu City to check the market conditions.
Before she even had time to activate her Microscopic Vision, the continuous sound of coughing in her ears made her skin crawl. Although not every cultivator was coughing, the sound of coughing rose and fell in waves.
Under the observation of her Microscopic Vision, mouthful after mouthful of black mist was exhaled by those cultivators through their coughing, spraying directly toward the asymptomatic pedestrians on the street.
Then, with every breath those pedestrians took, the mist was sucked into their bodies.
What she witnessed made Yiqin’s mind buzz.
She hurried toward the palace gates, but before she could even reach them, she was surrounded by several powerful auras.
Four Honored Ones formed a circle and, without a word, brandished Chains to bind Yiqin.
Yiqin did not resist.
She knew she was outnumbered, and trying to see Emperor Jing through force would definitely not work.
However, after binding Yiqin with the Immortal-Binding Rope, the four Honored Ones began pulling at the helmet of Yiqin’s protective suit.
“Do not pull that!”
“Why? Have you done something shameful and cannot show your face?” one of the Honored Ones said disdainfully, his hands never pausing.
Yiqin was helpless and had no choice but to let them tear the protective suit.
“The great Valley Master of Lingyin Valley, the backbone of the world’s Medical Cultivators — why are you being so secretive, sneaking into my home like a thief?”
Emperor Jing sat waiting in the palace. He had clearly already received news of Yiqin leaving the barrier and was looking forward to this meeting. It would be a satisfying show. He was looking forward to it immensely.
“I do not have time to bicker with you. On my way here, I saw the Epidemic Poison running rampant everywhere. The living beings of Shenzhou are likely in grave danger,” Yiqin said, looking at Emperor Jing with a serious face.
Emperor Jing was taken aback.
Then he burst out laughing. “I thought you had softened and came to apologize to me. I did not think that you were not only stubborn but that your head had also gone soft.”
“Please be serious. The Epidemic Poison is no ordinary toxin. Based on what I just saw on the road, I am afraid more than half of the Kingdom of Dasi has been eroded by it. The situation in other places is unknown.”
Yiqin let out a long sigh.
“In the current situation, our small petty grudges are not worth mentioning. Please distinguish between what is important and what is not.”
“Oh?” Emperor Jing wore a half-smile. “Fine, then tell me what I should do now.”
“Immediately issue a notice to all of Shenzhou, telling all cultivators to stay in their residences and not travel far. Close markets, Auction Houses, and all other large gathering places. Close the teleportation formations and Cloud Boats. Seal the Sects. Provide the Medical Cultivators with the conditions to study the Epidemic Poison, and dispatch the army to maintain order…”
“Stop, stop, stop! Let’s not even talk about what kind of thing this Epidemic Poison is to scare you so much…” The more Emperor Jing listened, the more he wanted to laugh.
He looked at Yiqin as if looking at a fool.
“Do you know what kind of losses this would cause Shenzhou? Closing the markets and Auction Houses — let’s not even mention whether the Nine Palaces Chamber of Commerce would agree — what about my tax revenue? What about my national treasury? The treasury is already empty from building the Celestial Monitoring Instrument recently. You want to destroy my nation with just a few words? Wow, what a wonderful plan you have!”
Seeing Emperor Jing’s indifferent attitude, Yiqin’s eyes almost spit fire with anger.
“In ancient times, the Epidemic Poison repeatedly brought the living beings of Shenzhou to the brink of extinction. If the Medical Cultivators had not researched the anti-toxin Dan to counter it at the critical moment, you probably would not even have the chance to sit here leisurely pointing fingers,” Yiqin’s face was pale.
“The treasury of the Kingdom of Dasi is worth nothing! Do you know what it will be like if the Epidemic Poison spreads?”
“Do not be in such a hurry.” Emperor Jing leaned back on his dragon throne and crossed his legs.
“I naturally do not want to become a villain for eternity. Why don’t you first explain what the Epidemic Poison outside is like, how serious it is, and why it’s scared you so much… Let’s start with the symptoms. How severe are the symptoms of this Epidemic Poison you’ve seen?”
“Currently, it is just coughing,” Yiqin frowned.
“But coughing means an extremely strong airborne transmission capability, and this toxin can spread from person to person, so — “
“Hahahaha! Just a few coughs, and you are scared like this?” Emperor Jing laughed and pointed at Yiqin’s nose, interrupting her before she could finish.
“People are coughing everywhere now. According to the Alchemist Saint, the Alchemy God, and the Alchemy Immortal, they have already found a specific Dan to counter the coughing. It won’t be long before it can be mass-produced to solve the problem… And more than half of the income from this Dan is mine, so don’t you worry about it!”
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