Volume Three: Rising Fame Chapter Eleven: The Chain of Poisons

When the two saw the dark hole in Qing Anqi’s neck, their faces grew somber.

After several elderly physicians rushed in and completed their examinations, the Qingshan soldiers apprehended the two mysterious young men described by Li Yu. Yet, when the soldiers found them, the bodies were already lifeless and pitch-black.

Whether it was suicide out of guilt or silencing by another, the deed was done; further investigation would prove fruitless. The urgent matter now was to determine what poisons Qing Anqi had been subjected to.

“A chain poison—I can barely identify eleven of the deadly toxins within,” one physician said.

“I managed to detect fifteen,” another added.

“…”

“Just tell me—how do we save her?” Li Yu’s expression was dark, as if water might drip from his face.

Qing Heng, standing nearby, wore a similarly grim look.

The physicians exchanged glances. At last, the eldest among them stepped forward to explain.

“These poisons interact and counteract each other. It’s precisely their mutual neutralization and resistance that has kept the young lady alive,” the old man said, his voice grave, teeth almost all gone. “Without absolute certainty, we dare not act.”

Missing even a single toxin could mean instant death for Qing Anqi.

“Moreover, the balance between these chain poisons is fragile. If we are careless and the toxins are triggered, not even a deity could guarantee her survival,” another elder continued, shaking his head. “No one in the clan can unravel this chain poison.”

Qing Heng’s face darkened further.

These elders represented the pinnacle of medical skill within the clan. If even they were uncertain, it was doubtful anyone in all of Daming could claim the ability to cure her.

The Qing family’s wood-attribute bloodline was known for its affinity with life; these elders had mastered their arts and possessed formidable bloodlines. The combination enhanced their medical prowess beyond measure.

“Is there truly no way?” Qing Heng pressed, unwilling to give up.

“It is much easier to poison than to cure,” the eldest physician said, casting a pitying glance at Qing Anqi. “But you need not despair, Lord Qing. While we cannot cure her, we can sustain her life for now. Still, each discipline has its experts. Though we lack the means, perhaps a master of poisons might know a way.”

Li Yu suddenly asked, “How long can you maintain her life?”

“With help from close relatives and those with high cultivation, we can manage for six months,” the old man answered after thinking it over, his gaze settling on Qing Heng.

‘Obvious scheme!’

Qing Heng immediately understood. The assassins had not been ordered to kill outright; the plan was to keep him occupied during the grand council.

“And it cannot be delayed too long,” the elder continued, “for the toxins will erode her body. The longer it drags on, the more fragile her foundation will become. Even if we save her, she may be ruined.”

“Qing Yi, pass my order: bring every poison expert in the domain to the clan!” Qing Heng commanded, then turned to the elder. “For now, I must trouble you, Elder. Let me know directly what needs to be done.”

“You need not despair, Lord Qing,” the old man said gently. “If you can obtain the Snow Fox Demon Vine, there is a chance to save the young lady outright!”

Despite its name, the Snow Fox Demon Vine was a holy antidote, but its harsh growing conditions meant it had not been seen in a century. The elder mentioned it only as a faint hope.

“Could it be found in the Trial Realm?” Li Yu recalled the space he and Qing Anqi had fallen into.

The realm was brimming with spiritual plants—some even coveted by Qing Heng. Such a treasure-filled place might possibly house the vine.

The elder looked at Li Yu in surprise.

Qing Heng explained, “No need to be surprised, Elder. Li Yu and my daughter discovered the Trial Realm together.”

The old man nodded, then regretfully explained, “The Snow Fox Demon Vine only grows where snow fox clans exist. The Trial Realm could not possibly contain it.”

Having listened carefully, Li Yu understood the situation.

Even if the chain poison’s components were identified, the elders’ success rate was only fifty percent. To cure her, a true poison master was needed—yet such experts were scarce in Daming, elusive as shadows.

Rarely seen, like dragons hidden in clouds.

The highest chance lay in obtaining the Snow Fox Demon Vine; merely consuming it gave a seventy percent chance of survival, and would not disrupt the delicate balance of the chain poison, but would even weaken the toxins. If combined with the elders’ efforts, the chances rose to certainty.

Li Yu pressed his lips together. Seeing Qing Heng had set out to “invite” poison masters, he could do nothing but wait patiently.

Nonetheless, he collected some of Qing Anqi’s blood and samples of confirmed toxins. When no one was watching, he quietly returned to Blue Star, entrusting the samples to Chen Chengde.

Since cultivation methods might not suffice, he would see if science could offer a solution.

Using both approaches was wise; Li Yu was not one to sit and wait for fate.

…

…

“Master,” Xiao Cui called softly from outside the pavilion, a trace of guilt in her eyes.

Li Yu had trusted her so deeply, asking her to care for Qing Anqi. Qing Anqi’s father had shown her kindness and supported her. Yet she had been knocked unconscious, and the young lady poisoned.

She had been distracted ever since, making frequent mistakes.

During the investigation, had Li Yu not spoken up for her, she would surely have faced severe punishment.

“What is it?”

Li Yu turned to look at Xiao Cui.

Since that day, he had not seen Qing Anqi or Qing Heng. Rumor had it Qing Anqi was hidden in a secret location, and Qing Heng had abandoned his official duties to join her.

“The Grand Council of Families is about to begin. We need to prepare for departure,” Xiao Cui said. She hesitated, then added, “This time, it’s said the council will be different. The royal family will open a secret realm.”

“A secret realm?”

Li Yu’s eyes brightened, and Xiao Cui nodded.

“It’s rumored that inside the secret realm, there’s a white fox clan…”

Xiao Cui shared what she had learned.

The Snow Fox Demon Vine required the presence of a snow fox clan to grow. The white fox clan might be a branch of the snow foxes. If their bloodline was pure enough, there could be a chance the vine existed.

The odds were slim, but there was hope.

Li Yu’s eyes lit up. He thought for a moment and said, “Who from our clan will attend? Bring me a list of important external intelligence as well.”

At such a critical time, the sudden news of a white fox clan seemed too coincidental. Li Yu realized as much, but he had no other options. Whether the news was true or a trap, the white fox clan likely existed.

If so, there was a glimmer of hope to save Qing Anqi. If the Snow Fox Demon Vine truly existed…

Li Yu murmured, “Even if it’s a dragon’s lair or a tiger’s den, I’ll brave it!”