C15 Yin Flame Pill Poison

In a secluded corner of the black market, an Origin Energy vortex erupted like a colossal meteorite crashing into a tranquil lake, unleashing towering waves. Behind her mask, the beautiful stall owner's eyes emitted a tangible, icy gleam. Her waterfall-like black hair moved as if alive, and her icy, domineering presence bore down on Qiao Gao.

Qiao Gao found himself engulfed in the fearsome Origin Energy maelstrom, appearing as a tiny boat tossed about by the ocean's massive waves. The robust and chilling vortex expanded rapidly in all directions like a frenzied tornado, drawing shocked stares from the independent cultivators scattered throughout the underground black market.

The market was split into three sections, and they were in the outermost part, where most warriors were at the Vein Connecting Stage. Thus, the sudden surge of Origin Energy from a practitioner in the late period of the Soul Connecting Stage captured the immediate attention of all onlookers.

Contrary to expectations, Qiao Gao was not overwhelmed. He remained composed as the Holy Rank Origin Meridian within him stirred subtly, dramatically shifting his aura and effortlessly withstanding the stall owner's oppressive energy.

Recently, Qiao Gao had utilized the legendary Holy Rank Origin Meridian to decisively subdue his senior, Hwang Ningxue. Given that the stall owner was also at the Soul Connecting Stage, Qiao Gao was unfazed by her pressure.

"Continuing to release your Origin Energy will only hasten the Yin Fire Pill's erosion of your Origin Meridian," Qiao Gao remarked calmly, lifting his head. Beneath the metallic silver mask, his eyes conveyed a serene indifference. "Soon enough, you might find yourself plummeting to the Vein Connecting Stage..."

Surprised, the stall owner's gaze lingered on Qiao Gao, her chest rising and falling with emotion, her inner turmoil like a stormy sea struggling to find peace.

Suddenly, several figures burst forth from the distance, their approach marked by a shrill sonic boom. They were the underground black market's enforcers, led by a Soul Connecting Stage expert clad in black beast armor, wielding a spear that glinted with lethal coldness. Trailing him were other guards, all cloaked in black and at the Nine Meridians stage.

"You know the rules—no disturbances in the black market, or you'll face the consequences," the head guard warned Qiao Gao and his companion with a chilling glance. His voice was soft, yet it carried a menacing undertone.

The black market's depths were notorious, guarded by various powerful factions. Not even experts at the Soul Connecting Stage would dare to cause trouble, for angering the market's forces could spell disaster, even for those at the Heaven Connecting Stage. Such was the formidable reputation and authority the underground black market had built over centuries, unshakable by ordinary warriors.

The beautiful vendor gave Qiao Gao a penetrating look, then swiftly withdrew her Origin Energy, causing the fearsome storm of energy to vanish visibly.

Observing that the vendor refrained from any rash actions, the lead guard yawned and stretched, lamenting, "What a drag. It's been ages since I've had a good workout."

"With you in charge, Captain, no one would be foolish enough to misbehave on your turf," a sycophantic Tong Nine Meridians martial artist chimed in from behind the captain.

The captain flashed a smug smile, glanced back at Qiao Gao and his friend, and remarked dismissively, "Humph, as if they'd have the nerve."

With that, he and his subordinates sauntered off.

Once the black market guards had departed, the beautiful vendor locked eyes with Qiao Gao once more.

"Exactly who are you?" she inquired, her gaze wary.

"Relax, I mean no harm," Qiao Gao assured her, stepping closer and speaking softly. "I'm here to propose a trade. I'll provide you with the Detoxification Pill recipe in exchange for that box and a thousand yuan crystals."

He gestured towards the regal box displayed on her stall.

The vendor's expression flickered with uncertainty. "How can I be sure your so-called pill recipe is effective?"

As a princess of the kingdom, she had been afflicted with a poison that not even the royal court physicians could treat. How could she place her trust in the efficacy of a pill recipe from a stranger like Qiao Gao?

If this pill recipe truly works, then it wouldn't just be worth ten thousand yuan—hundred thousand yuan would be a bargain. The agony of the Yin Fire Pill poison is unbearable, a torment so severe that even someone of the transcendent Heaven Connecting Stage finds it excruciating.

What struck her most was her careful observation of Qiao Gao. Despite the mask he wore, his eyes were clear and luminous, free from the murkiness that comes with age and hardship. It's rare to find a Pill Refining Master who isn't advanced in years, but his eyes were unmistakably youthful.

As far as she knew, there were no Pill Refining Masters of such youth near Great Flame City, and certainly none capable of curing the Yin Fire Pill poison that afflicted her.

"This guy is probably just a charlatan," the beautiful vendor quickly concluded, tagging Qiao Gao with suspicion.

"The Yin Fire Pill poison you're suffering from might be bearable during the day, causing only mild itching, but come nightfall, the Yin Fire in your thigh flares up, burning like an actual flame, bringing excruciating pain," Qiao Gao explained in a hushed, rapid-fire manner.

"And during your menstrual cycle, it's almost too much to bear, isn't it? This type of flame is notoriously stubborn, likely the work of a Pill Fire from a fifth-grade, high-level Pill Refining Master."

"To have been harmed by a Pill Refining Master of such caliber, you must hold a significant status yourself."

The beautiful vendor's eyes widened with shock, her astonishment growing with each revelation, leaving her unable to regain her composure for a long while.

"How... How do you know all this?" she asked, bewildered. A whirlwind of thoughts raced through her mind—could this young man be a spy?

But she quickly dismissed the notion. Even a spy wouldn't have such detailed knowledge, down to the most hidden aspects of the affliction.

Qiao Gao simply shrugged and said, "You don't need to concern yourself with how I know. What matters is that this pill recipe can undoubtedly cleanse your body of all the pill poison."

Qiao Gao exuded confidence. He might not possess the formidable pill-refining abilities of the Myriad Tribulation Pill Monarch, but his sharp memory and instinctive sensitivity to the Difficult Maggot meant he could effortlessly pinpoint the affliction.

Having shared his insight, Qiao Gao fell silent, allowing the beautiful stall owner time to ponder the steep price of over ten thousand yuan crystals—a sum that would even strain a Soul Connecting Stage master.

Eventually, the beauty reached a decision. Nibbling at her lip, she opted to take a chance. With a graceful gesture, the golden palace treasure box from her stall glided to Qiao Gao's side.

"And here's another thousand yuan crystals," she said, producing the amount from her Storage Ring and handing them to Qiao Gao.

Accepting the crystals, Qiao Gao passed the pill formula to her and instructed, "Turn these ingredients into a salve and apply it to your thighs. After three days of continuous treatment, the pill poison will surely be eradicated."

The beauty scrutinized the pill formula briefly before asserting with resolve, "If this formula proves ineffective, I vow to unearth you, even if it means digging three feet deep!"

Qiao Gao simply shrugged and replied, "Should there be no improvement after three days, feel free to seek me out at Flowing Cloud Academy."

With those final words, Qiao Gao departed, cradling the palace treasure box in his arms.