C17 Black Jade Purple Yin Poison!

"What?" Qiao Mao felt a sudden numbness in his scalp, and his head seemed on the verge of splitting open. He hadn't expected that after saving Qiao Shuang from death, Qiao Shen would be in trouble. He urgently asked, "Mother, what exactly happened?"

Zhen Gui's expression turned somber. After a moment of silence, she spoke softly, "On the day you killed Qin Dian, I sought refuge at your uncle's home, only to discover that he had been treacherously poisoned."

Indeed, at the time Qin Dian had made his move against Qiao Shuang, Qiao Shen had already been poisoned. By the time Zhen Gui arrived at Qiao Shen's residence, he had been bedridden for half a day due to the toxin.

Qiao Shen had kept the news of his poisoning under wraps to prevent any unrest. That's why Qiao Mao was unaware of the situation.

Upon reflection, Qiao Mao realized the truth. Qin Dian must have felt emboldened to attack Qiao Shuang in broad daylight because he knew of Qiao Shen's poisoning.

Qiao Shen was a Mortality Transcending Level Eight Heaven master, an unparalleled warrior in Martial Sun City. Should he unleash his wrath, no one could endure it.

In Qiao Mao's previous life, when Qiao Shen sought revenge against the Qin family for Qiao Shuang, he may have already been poisoned. Otherwise, it was unthinkable that Qiao Shen would have met such a tragic end.

"Mother, what poison has my uncle been afflicted with?" Qiao Mao inquired urgently. As a Spirit Flame Master, he could easily neutralize most toxins.

"Your uncle has been struck by the Black Jade Purple Yin Poison," Zhen Gui sighed. "This poison is notoriously lethal in South Sun County. Without a cure, he is certain to die within three days."

"Qiao Guang, to eradicate his rival within the Qiao family, resorted to such a cruel method. He actually administered such a sinister poison to my uncle." Qiao Mao was seething with anger.

While Qiao Mao could effortlessly neutralize common poisons, the Black Jade Purple Yin Poison posed a significant challenge. Its primary component was the Yin Sifting Flower, found in the Great Tomb. Having absorbed the Yin Poison from corpses over many years, it was exceedingly formidable.

Those with low cultivation levels would perish within half an hour after ingesting it. However, Qiao Shen managed to endure for so long because his cultivation was exceptionally high.

"After Qin Dian's death, Qiao Guang secretly had your uncle and his family imprisoned. When we received word that the Qin family had captured you, your uncle mustered all his strength to carve a path for my escape. Qiao Guang and the Qin family's people intended to draw you out by intentionally lowering their guard. That's how I was able to come and find you. Yet, I never imagined that my actions could have nearly cost you your life," Zhen Gui lamented.

Qiao Mao, upon hearing her words, was consumed with rage. His fists clenched so tightly that his nails pierced his palms, drawing blood. He longed to storm into the Qin family's stronghold this very moment, to annihilate their patriarch and then Qiao Guang.

"Wait! I mustn't act rashly. If I give in to impulse, all our plans will be ruined." Despite his overwhelming anger, Qiao Mao managed to regain his composure.

"I must find a way to rescue my uncle," he resolved, his mind racing with urgency as sweat beaded on his forehead. Finally, an idea struck him. "That's it—the Blood Lotus Pill can neutralize the Black Jade Purple Yin Poison."

The Blood Lotus Pill is concocted from twelve medicinal ingredients. Eleven of these are common and readily available in Martial Sun City. The key ingredient, however, is the elusive Blood Lotus.

This herb thrives in the crater of a volcano, drawing in the Fire Attribute Energy from within, which gives it a distinctive scarlet hue and its name, Blood Lotus.

The volcanic energy within the Blood Lotus is intense and fiery, making it the perfect antidote to the Black Jade Purple Yin Poison. Alas, the Blood Lotus is exceedingly rare.

Upon hearing that Qiao Mao had a solution, Zhen Gui quickly rose to her feet and inquired, "Mao, are you serious? Can the Blood Lotus Pill truly save your uncle?"

"It most certainly can save my uncle," Qiao Mao assured her, supporting Zhen Gui with one hand while speaking earnestly, "The Blood Lotus is the primary component of the Blood Lotus Pill. And I know exactly where to find it."

Hope sparked in Zhen Gui's eyes, only to be swiftly overshadowed by doubt. She sighed, "But even if you locate the Blood Lotus, where will we find a Spirit Flame Master to refine the Blood Lotus Pill?"

Without the expertise of a Spirit Flame Master, the Blood Lotus Pill would remain beyond their reach, rendering all efforts futile. The status of a Spirit Flame Master was esteemed, and not a single one resided in Martial Sun City. The cultivators there typically relied on pills from South Sun County for their practice.

South Sun County City lay thousands of miles from Martial Sun City. Should they fail to reach it swiftly, locating a Spirit Flame Master would be impossible. Moreover, Qiao Shen's life hung by a thread, with possibly less than three days remaining.

"Mother, there's no need for concern, for I am a Spirit Flame Master. Once we procure the necessary herbs to refine the Blood Lotus, our problems will be solved," Qiao Mao reassured, revealing a wisp of Spirit Flame in his palm for Zhen Gui to see.

"You're a Spirit Flame Master?" Zhen Gui was taken aback. When had her son acquired such a prestigious title?

Qiao Mao humbly credited his master for his achievements.

"Our immediate task is to secure a Blood Lotus from Fire Cloud Valley," Qiao Mao pondered. "Mother, please return and keep watch over the happenings in Martial Sun City. Should any trouble arise, seek aid from Zhang Tianbei. I will depart for Fire Cloud Valley now and return without fail in three days."

Zhen Gui advised him with concern, "Be cautious."

With a reassuring smile, Qiao Mao replied, "Don't worry. My master's guidance will keep me safe." He then set off for Fire Cloud Valley, leaving Zhen Gui behind.

Qiao Shen's time was limited to a mere three days, according to Zhen Gui, which meant Qiao Mao had to make haste.

As Qiao Mao disappeared into the distance, Zhen Gui offered a silent prayer, her eyes brimming with pride. "My son has truly excelled," she reflected.

Zhen Gui had noticed a profound change in Qiao Mao since he had awakened from his coma, almost as if he was a completely different person. At times, she even doubted whether he was her son.

After parting with Qiao Mao, Zhen Gui suppressed her musings and stealthily made her way back to Martial Sun City. Meanwhile, the city was abuzz with the news of Qin Zhiri's murder. A Mortality Transcending Level Seven Heaven Martial Dao Great Master and the Young Patriarch of the Qin family had met his end, sending shockwaves through Martial Sun City.

Inside the ancestral home of the Qin family, Qin Hu occupied the seat of honor, flanked by several Qin family elders. Their collective gaze bore down on a black-clad guard kneeling before them.

"Repeat that?" Qin Hu's voice rumbled, a dangerous fury simmering in his eyes.

"All the men we dispatched are dead, and the Young Patriarch as well," the guard stammered, his voice quivering with fear. But before he could finish, Qin Hu was upon him, his face contorted with rage as he struck the guard with a ferocious blow. The guard was dead before he hit the ground.

"Find out who killed my son. I want their entire family wiped out," Qin Hu bellowed. He refused to accept the possibility that Qiao Mao was responsible for his son Qin Zhiri's death.