Surviving in a world of demons and monsters to achieve martial arts sainthood

The viper was about to detonate the Gu worms inside its body, but its entire body froze, its ferocious expression remained unchanged, and a thin layer of frost appeared on its body surface.

The next moment, he was frozen into an ice sculpture.

Shen Lian looked toward the cave entrance and saw a woman in her early twenties dressed in green. She had a cool and aloof expression and a scholarly air about her.

The woman was none other than Su Qing!

Jiang Han knelt on one knee, his right hand pressed tightly against his chest, veins bulging on his forehead. The Heart-Eating Gu had already burrowed into the vicinity of his heart and was frantically devouring his blood and qi.

"Junior Sister Su, what brings you here?" Jiang Han asked through gritted teeth.

Su Qing quickly walked to Jiang Han's side, pressed his shoulder with her left hand, and took out three silver needles with her right hand, inserting them into several acupoints on Jiang Han's chest.

"I led a team to investigate other areas, but we didn't find anything. After receiving a message from Senior Brother Jiang, I rushed over immediately, and thankfully I made it in time," Su Qing said.

After the silver needles were inserted, Jiang Han's expression eased slightly, but cold sweat continued to pour down his forehead.

Su Qing took out another pill: "This is the 'Blazing Sun Pill,' which can temporarily suppress the Heart-Eating Gu. But to completely eliminate it, we need to think of other methods."

"Lord Su, what should we do with this man?" Li Hu asked, pointing to the viper that was frozen in ice.

Su Qing turned around and walked to the viper. She stretched out her slender finger and gently touched the viper's brow.

Click!

A crisp cracking sound echoed throughout the cave.

The ice sculpture shattered instantly, the viper's body broke apart and fell to the ground, and black worms crawled out of the viper's body.

"The Gu people, who have no human blood left, are only maintaining their life force through Gu worms." Su Qing snorted, then took out a 'Blazing Sun Talisman' and threw it at the Gu worms. A raging fire rose up and burned all the Gu worms to ashes in a short while.

Shen Lian and Li Hu were slightly shocked as they watched this scene.

Su Qing truly lives up to her title of Silver Badge Envoy; her methods are indeed formidable.

Shen Lian glanced at the viper lying shattered on the ground. The viper had transformed itself into a Gu-human, its entire body covered in Gu worms, relying on them to sustain its life. To achieve this, the viper needed to be fed for over ten years.

It must be admitted that vipers will stop at nothing to achieve their goals.

After Jiang Han took the 'Blazing Sun Pill', the black aura on his face faded considerably, but the Heart-Eating Gu was not eradicated; it was only temporarily suppressed. He looked at Su Qing and smiled, "Thanks to Junior Sister Su's timely arrival, otherwise the consequences would have been unimaginable."

Su Qing nodded in acknowledgment, her expression grave. "The Heart-Eating Gu is one of the three forbidden Gu of the 'Witchcraft and Gu Cult.' Once it burrows into the heart meridian, it is extremely difficult to remove. The Blazing Sun Pill can only suppress it for seven days. If the Gu worm is not eliminated after seven days, it will gnaw through the heart meridian. At that time, even a god would be unable to save it. We must find a solution as soon as possible."

Jiang Han said with a wry smile, "It seems we need to hurry back to Qingzhou."

Now all the dens of the "Witchcraft Cult" in Qinghe County have been eliminated, and at least for the time being, the "Witchcraft Cult" will not dare to reappear.

He turned to Shen Lian and Li Hu: "Thanks to you two for holding off the Water Demon Guards, you bought me some time."

"I was just doing my duty," Shen Lian said, then pointed to a pile of wooden crates beside him. "What should we do with these demon stones?"

Su Qing walked to the wooden box, lifted the lid, and found that there were more than thirty dark blue ape stones neatly stacked inside.

"These demon stones are purer in color than those from Jiangxin Island, so they must have been recently refined," Su Qing said after a moment of contemplation. "It's quite remarkable that the Witchcraft Cult can refine so many demon stones in such a short time."

Jiang Han said, "At least their hideout has been destroyed by us, so they won't be able to cause any more trouble."

Suddenly, hurried footsteps came from outside the cave.

Sun Yan arrived in a hurry with several demon-suppressing envoys. Upon seeing the scene inside the cave, he couldn't help but gasp in shock.

"The commander-in-chief received a message ordering us to come and meet him," Sun Yan said.

Jiang Han nodded slightly and said, "All the demon stones here will be destroyed on the spot."

"yes!"

The group immediately sprang into action and quickly destroyed all the demon stones in the cave. These demon stones were considered evil creatures, so destroying them on the spot was the best option.

After destroying all the demon stones, the group left the cave.

……

Qinghe County, Demon Suppression Division, Council Hall.

Jiang Han's face was pale, and the three silver needles in his chest trembled slightly. Although the Heart-Eating Gu was suppressed by the Blazing Sun Pill, the Gu worms under his skin could be vaguely seen moving slowly.

Zhao Shan sat in the main seat, but his brows were furrowed.

Shen Lian, Li Hu, Sun Yan, Chen Yun, and other demon-suppressing envoys stood on both sides, and all eyes were on Jiang Han.

During Jiang Han's battle with the Viper, he was ambushed by the Viper, resulting in the Heart-Eating Gu entering his body.

The Blazing Sun Pill has temporarily suppressed the Heart-Eating Gu, but this is not a long-term solution.

The effects of the Blazing Sun Pill can only last for seven days. After seven days, the medicinal power will dissipate, and the Heart-Eating Gu in Jiang Han's body will be fully awakened.

By then, it will be too late to reverse the situation.

Zhao Shan suddenly spoke up, saying, "Jiang Yinzhang is affected by the Heart-Eating Gu. Is there any way to cure him?"

Su Qing nodded slightly and said, "The Heart-Eating Gu needs to be forced out using 'Millennial Cold Jade Marrow' in conjunction with the 'Nine Yang Rejuvenating Acupuncture Technique.' The Qingzhou Prefecture has a small piece of Cold Jade Marrow in its treasury, but the Nine Yang Rejuvenating Acupuncture Technique... it is said that this acupuncture technique has been lost for a long time, and the last inheritor was the legendary physician Gu Qingfeng, who traveled around fifty years ago."

"Gu Qingfeng?" Old Xu's eyes flickered with surprise. "Is that the legendary physician Gu, who cured the Gu poison in the Southern Frontier with acupuncture?"

"Exactly!" Su Qing nodded. "According to records, Gu Qingfeng lived in seclusion in the northern part of Qingzhou in his later years at 'Luoxia Mountain,' but no one knows the exact location. Moreover, fifty years have passed, and it is unknown whether he is still alive."

Upon hearing Su Qing's words, the council hall fell into a deathly silence.

Finding the legendary healer Gu Qingfeng in seven days is truly unlikely.

"Are there any other methods?" Shen Lian couldn't help but ask.

Su Qing shook her head and said, "The Blazing Sun Pill is already the best way to suppress it. If you forcefully use your internal energy to force the Gu, it will only stimulate the Gu worms to burrow deeper."

Jiang Han smiled and shook his head: "It seems I've really messed up this time. I'll take advantage of these next few days to wipe out all the remaining members of the 'Witchcraft Cult' in Qinghe County."

Zhao Shan spoke up: "Jiang Yinzhang, you are mistaken! How can we easily abandon our comrades in the Demon Suppression Division? Su Yinzhang, please immediately send a message to Qingzhou Prefecture to retrieve the Cold Jade Marrow and review all files related to Gu Qingfeng. At the same time, I will send people to Luoxia Mountain to search for and try to find the Divine Physician Gu Qingfeng."

Su Qing nodded: "I have already sent a message to Qingzhou Prefecture, and the Cold Jade Marrow can be delivered within three days. The area of ​​Luoxia Mountain is vast, so it may not be so easy to find someone there."

"Wow!" Shen Lian stepped forward. "Li Hu and I used to gather herbs in Luoxia Mountain, so we're very familiar with the area."

Before entering the Demon Suppression Division, Shen Lian and Li Hu gathered herbs in Luoxia Mountain in order to survive, and then took them to the market to sell.

"But your injuries haven't healed yet..." Su Qing glanced at him and said.

Shen Lian clenched his fist and said, "I am fine now. Finding Doctor Gu is crucial to Yang Yinzhang's life, and I am willing to go."

"Your subordinate is willing to go."

Li Hu, Chen Yun, and others volunteered to take on the task.

Zhao Shan pondered for a moment, then decided, "Alright. Shen Lian, Li Hu, and Chen Yun, the three of you will set off tomorrow morning to search for Gu Qingfeng's whereabouts at Luoxia Mountain. Sun Yan, you will lead a team to provide support in the mountains. Su Yinzhang, please stay behind at the Demon Suppression Division to assist Elder Xu in researching methods to purify the demonic stone and break the Tide-Summoning Array. Jiang Yinzhang, you should rest and recuperate, and do not act rashly."

Jiang Han could only nod. In his current state, forcibly using his qi and blood would only accelerate the movement of the Gu worms, which would be counterproductive.

The next day, before dawn, Shen Lian and his two companions rode out of the city.

Luoxia Mountain is located in the northern part of Qingzhou, more than 200 li from Qinghe County. The mountain range is continuous and shrouded in clouds and mist. Legend has it that there are many rare herbs in the mountain, as well as fierce beasts and poisonous insects. Ordinary herb gatherers only dare to move around on the outer perimeter.

Shen Lian and his companions rode at full speed and arrived at the outskirts of Luoxia Mountain at noon.

The three left their horses at a village at the foot of the mountain and then hiked into the mountains.

"Brother Shen, this Luoxia Mountain is so big. If Doctor Gu really lives in seclusion here, where would he be?" Li Hu asked, looking at the layered mountains with some worry.

Shen Lian said, "The 'Flying Waterfall Pool' on the east side of Luoxia Mountain, the 'Ancient Pine Ridge' on the west side, and the main peak 'Qixia Cliff' are all places rich in spiritual energy. Since the Divine Physician Gu is a reclusive master, he would most likely choose a place rich in spiritual energy to live in seclusion."

Chen Yun nodded and said, "Shall we split up?"

Shen Lian shook his head: "There are many dangerous places in the mountains, so we can't split up. Let's explore in order, starting with the nearest Flying Waterfall Pool."

Ancient trees towered in Luoxia Mountain as the three of them walked through the woods.

Shen Lian walked at the front, while Li Hu and Chen Yun cautiously observed their surroundings.

When they reached the middle of the mountain, Li Hu suddenly noticed something unusual in the bushes ahead. He immediately drew his sword and stepped forward, using it to part the bushes, only to see a gray rabbit dart away in panic.

"It was a false alarm." Li Hu breathed a sigh of relief.

There are footprints.

Shen Lian saw several very new footprints on the ground, heading towards the depths of the forest. The footprints were small but evenly spaced, like those of a martial artist.

"Walk!"

Shen Lian made a quick decision to follow the footprints.

We followed the footprints for half an hour.

Suddenly, the sound of water came from ahead. The three of them passed through a bamboo forest and saw a waterfall cascading down, the water rushing into a deep pool below.

There was a simple thatched hut by the pool, with herbs drying in front of it and tea sets on a stone table in the courtyard, clearly indicating that someone lived there.

"Someone lives here!" Li Hu whispered.

Shen Lian gestured for the two to hide, then slowly walked forward and gently knocked on the door: "Junior Shen Lian requests an audience with Physician Gu."

No one answered inside.

Shen Lian pushed open the door and entered. The room was simply furnished, with a medical book spread out on the table, the ink still wet.

He reached out and touched the teapot; it was still warm.

"I just left." Shen Lian frowned slightly, and then he left the thatched hut.

"How is it?" Li Hu asked.

Shen Lian shook his head.

Chen Yun's brows furrowed: "So what do we do now?"

"Let's look for it first!" Shen Lian said.

The three searched around the hut and then found a path behind it leading into the depths of the forest.

Shen Lian picked up a silver needle from the ground and examined it. The needle's end was engraved with cloud patterns: "It's a cloud-patterned needle used by physicians. Doctor Gu might be nearby."

Shen Lian and his two companions walked along the path. The further they went, the thicker the fog became, and for a moment they could not tell which way to go.

"Something's not right," Shen Lian said, stopping in his tracks. "There's something strange about this fog."

He gripped the long sword at his waist tightly, mobilizing his internal energy, and said in a deep voice, "Tiger, Junior Sister Chen, stay close to me, don't get separated."

Li Hu nodded slightly, holding his long sword horizontally in front of him.

Chen Yun also gripped her long sword tightly, her pretty face slightly serious.

Shen Lian smelled the scent of medicinal powder in the air, and his brows furrowed even more. He suspected that this was a fog created by human hands.

Shen Lian activated [Combat Power Detection] to examine the surrounding environment.

Before long, he noticed a very faint fluctuation about a hundred feet to his left; there must be something there.

Shen Lian strode forward, with Chen Yun and Li Hu following closely behind.

About fifteen minutes later, Shen Lian and the other two arrived at a deep bamboo forest.

Beside the bamboo grove, a stream babbles, and on a stone platform by the stream, an elderly man with white hair and beard is sitting cross-legged, fishing.

The old man was wearing a faded blue cloth robe, and beside him was a medicine basket, in which several herbs were still covered with morning dew.

Shen Lian stepped forward, clasped his hands in a respectful greeting, and said, "This junior is Shen Lian from the Demon Suppression Division of Qinghe County. I apologize for disturbing your peace, senior. Are you perhaps Elder Qingfeng of the Divine Physician Valley?"

The old man slowly opened his eyes, glanced at the three men, and said, "People of the Demon Suppression Division, what business do you have with this old man?"

Shen Lian briefly explained that Jiang Han had been poisoned by a Gu and needed the Nine Yang Rejuvenating Needle Technique to save him, hoping that Gu Qingfeng could lend a hand.

After hearing this, Gu Qingfeng remained silent for a long time, his fishing rod motionless.

"The Nine Yang Rejuvenating Acupuncture Technique was indeed created by this old man," Gu Qingfeng said slowly. "However, this technique requires using true qi to activate the silver needles, drawing the nine yang qi into the body to burn away the yin evil and poison. Has your Silver Badge Envoy reached the True Qi Realm?"

"Lord Jiang Han is approaching the True Qi Realm," Chen Yun replied.

Gu Qingfeng shook his head and said, "Before entering the True Qi Realm, forcibly using this method will only damage the heart meridian. Moreover, I have already sworn never to practice medicine again."

Li Hu said urgently, "Senior Gu, the 'Witchcraft Cult' intends to flood Qingzhou, which concerns the lives of millions of people! Lord Jiang was poisoned by the witchcraft while investigating this case. If anything happens to him, it will be detrimental to Qingzhou."

"Life and death are predestined." Gu Qingfeng put away his fishing rod, picked up his medicine basket, and turned around.

Shen Lian looked at Gu Qingfeng and said, "Senior, you have lived in seclusion on Luoxia Mountain for fifty years, gathering herbs and fishing every day. It seems carefree, but in reality, you must have always had regrets in your heart, right?"

Gu Qingfeng paused in his steps.

Shen Lian continued, "When we arrived here, we found the ink on the traditional Chinese medicine books in the thatched hut was still wet. If one is truly determined to abandon the path of medicine, why bother writing books at all?"

The valley was quiet, save for the babbling of the stream.

Gu Qingfeng turned around, his brows furrowed, and said, "Young man, do you know why I sealed my needles back then?"

"This junior does not know," Shen Lian said, shaking his head.

Gu Qingfeng walked to a flat, large rock and sat down, gesturing for the three of them to sit down as well.

"Fifty years ago, I was still practicing medicine in the Valley of Divine Physicians. One day, a brother and sister came seeking treatment. The brother was poisoned by a strange and unusual poison. I used the Nine Yang Rejuvenating Acupuncture Technique to treat him for three days and finally forced out the poison. Seven days later, the brother and sister left, and I continued to practice medicine and save lives," Gu Qingfeng recalled.

"Three months later, a plague of Gu poison broke out in Qingzhou. Those infected suffered from festering sores all over their bodies and died within three days. My fellow disciples and I did our best to save them, but we discovered that the source of the plague was that brother and sister. They were spies sent by the Gu witchcraft sect to steal the Nine Yang Rejuvenating Needle Technique. The strange poison that my brother was afflicted with was a self-inflicted injury ruse," Gu Qingfeng said with a pained expression.

Chen Yun gasped: "They stole the acupuncture techniques?"

"They only learned a part of the basics," Gu Qingfeng said with a wry smile. "But they failed to master the secrets of the Nine Yang Rejuvenating Acupuncture Technique. Instead, they used what they had learned to combine with the poisonous arts of the Witchcraft Cult to create the insidious 'Heart-Eating Gu'."

Shen Lian was shocked and thought, "So, the 'Heart-Eating Gu' and the Nine Yang Rejuvenating Acupuncture Technique share the same origin?"

Gu Qingfeng nodded: "After this incident, I felt extremely guilty. If I hadn't trusted others so easily, how could my acupuncture technique have been leaked and turned into a harmful technique? So I vowed to seal away my acupuncture techniques and live in seclusion in this mountain."

Li Hu opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say.

Shen Lian spoke up, "Senior, the past is past. Now the Heart-Eating Gu has reappeared, and the Witchcraft Cult intends to sacrifice millions of lives to refine its evil arts. If you abandon your responsibility today because of past mistakes, wouldn't that be perpetuating the error? The Nine Yang Rejuvenating Needle Technique was originally created to save people. Its exploitation by villains back then was not due to the technique itself, but to the evil in people's hearts. Today, using it to save Lord Jiang, thwart the Witchcraft Cult's conspiracy, and save the people of Qingzhou is the way to make amends."

Gu Qingfeng stared at Shen Lian, his eyes seemingly surging with emotion.

After a long silence, he sighed and said, "Tell me, what were the symptoms of that Silver Badge Envoy after being afflicted with the Gu poison?"

Shen Lian described in detail Jiang Han's condition: his face was ashen, black lines were spreading across his chest, and he suffered excruciating pain every midnight.

Upon hearing this, Gu Qingfeng frowned deeply: "The 'Heart-Eating Gu' has already entered the heart meridian. If it is delayed for a few more days, the Gu worms will lay eggs, and even a Great Luo Golden Immortal will find it difficult to save us."

Shen Lian asked, "Senior, do you have a solution?"

"The 'Heart-Eating Gu' is extremely yin and cold in nature, and must be countered by something of utmost yang. The Seven-Leaf Crimson Flame Grass is the main ingredient for refining the Blazing Sun Pill, but it needs to be combined with the Nine Yang Rejuvenating Acupuncture Technique." Gu Qingfeng stood up and said, "I will go and fetch the grass, and then hurry to Qinghe County."