Chapter 373: Feeding Yuan Lao Medicine

The main lineage clan grounds of the Ning family.

Ning Jiufan's residence, the secret chamber.

On the bed lay a massive, aged Firemeld Demonic Ape.

Ning Jiufan sat halfway on the edge of the bed, one hand holding a medicinal bowl, the other a spoon, carefully feeding the thick medicinal liquid to the ape, spoonful by spoonful.

"Come, Elder Yuan, drink this medicine, and your injuries will heal even faster," Ning Jiufan said with a gentle smile and soft tone.

This Firemeld Demonic Ape was the same Nascent Soul level beast with whom Ning Jiufan had many entanglements, and whom he had rescued in the Lava Immortal Palace.

The mother ape slightly opened its mouth, allowing Ning Jiufan to pour the medicinal liquid in.

As a demonic beast, its survival instinct was extremely strong. After knowing that the medicine was beneficial to itself, it had never refused.

In the mother ape's gaze towards Ning Jiufan, complex emotions flowed.

On one hand, it was grateful to Ning Jiufan, as the latter had saved its life. On the other hand, it was also angry at Ning Jiufan for taking advantage of its weakness, using official arts and treasures when it was most vulnerable to forcibly bind it as a servant subordinate.

Finally, in the mother ape's eyes, there was also a hint of affection.

In its lifetime, it had many partners, but Ning Jiufan brought it the newest and most unique feelings, leaving a deep impression.

Especially during this recent period of recuperating in bed, it had received Ning Jiufan's tender and meticulous care.

This was a taste it had never experienced in its entire life.

In the world of demonic beasts, there was brutal competition, tyranny, and heartlessness.

Before recovering from its injuries, it had never imagined that it could receive such treatment! Turns out, life could be lived like this.

The mother ape's spirit was weak.

It was already old and nearing the end of its lifespan.

To meet Ning Jiufan at the last moment of its life, it felt it was its good fortune.

If it were in its youth or prime, and was forcibly controlled by a Golden Core level being, it would definitely resist and never willingly submit.

But now, it was thoroughly aged, and had little spirit left.

It indulged in the gentle embrace woven by Ning Jiufan, enjoying the last beautiful moments of its life.

After finishing feeding the medicine, Ning Jiufan took out a handkerchief and gently wiped the corners of the mother ape's mouth.

He said, "Elder Yuan, I know your lifespan is limited."

"But I don't want you to die, I want you to live!"

Speaking of this, he held the mother ape's hand: "I know, you resent me in your heart, you hate me for forcibly controlling you, using official arts and treasures, making you unable to resist."

"I admit I am selfish, because I want you to stay by my side!"

"These past few days, I have been treating your injuries, you should know my sincerity."

"But the effect of this medicine is getting worse and worse, I need to find better medicine to heal you. Many days ago, I dispatched family members to Ten Thousand Medicine Valley to find medicine for you."

"Today, I received the letter from that clan member."

"There is indeed good medicine there to treat your injuries. Will you come with me?"

The Firemeld Mother Ape, having reached the Nascent Soul stage, possessed considerable intelligence. Ning Jiufan also communicated using spiritual sense, so there were no language barriers.

Upon hearing that there was better medicine, Elder Yuan's eyes began to light up.

As soon as Ning Jiufan finished speaking, it impatiently nodded and agreed.

"That's good. I know, you also really want to be with me, right?" Ning Jiufan felt quite happy.

Being able to persuade Elder Yuan to act willingly was the best situation.

It wasn't impossible to force it using official arts and treasures, but that method was too heavy-handed.

In this regard, Ning Jiufan actually coincided with Ning Zhuo's idea: not to force, but to embrace with affection.

Having successfully persuaded Elder Yuan, Ning Jiufan entered the Lava Immortal Palace, met with Meng Kui, and reported the matter to him.

Meng Kui knew that the Ning family was backed by the Southern Dou Royal Family, and although he was unwilling, he could not force them. After all, Ning Jiufan was not his subordinate.

Meng Kui could only instruct Ning Jiufan to go quickly and return quickly.

It would be best to return to Fire Persimmon Mountain before the trap was set up. After all, an extra pair of hands meant an extra layer of certainty.

Ning Jiufan knew that what Meng Kui wanted to rely on more was not himself, but Elder Yuan.

Precisely because of this, Ning Jiufan's determination to go to the Ten Thousand Medicine Gate was further strengthened.

The reason was that with a major battle imminent, Elder Yuan had not fully recovered. If he stayed in Fire Persimmon Immortal City, it would be difficult for him to stand by and do nothing regarding the capture of the Ten Thousand Year Fire Spirit.

This was because the Ten Thousand Year Fire Spirit threatened the safety of the entire Fire Persimmon Immortal City. As a member of the city, and a Golden Core cultivator, Ning Jiufan had to bear the responsibility of an upright path expert. After all, the Ning family lived here.

Ning Jiufan was worried that in this action, he might be calculated by Meng Kui, and Elder Yuan would be sacrificed.

He was able to command the Nascent Soul level Firemeld Demonic Ape because he was supported by the Zhu family. The Ning family was now the main force restraining the Meng family.

If Meng Kui had some intentions and secretly plotted against Elder Yuan in this battle, leading to its death, then the Ning family would suffer a huge loss!

Therefore, he needed to adjust Elder Yuan's condition to be as good as possible.

"The Ten Thousand Medicine Gate is indeed a good place for healing, I didn't expect Xiao Zhuo to run so fast."

"He seems to be doing quite well there too."

"This mischievous boy..."

Ning Jiufan secretly took Elder Yuan and quietly left Fire Persimmon Mountain, heading straight for the Ten Thousand Medicine Gate.

He was quite familiar with the Ten Thousand Medicine Gate.

In the past, the large contingent of the Ning family's migration had passed through the underground dark river, left the Ten Thousand Demon Cave, and directly entered the Ten Thousand Medicine Valley.

The entire Ning family had rested in the Ten Thousand Medicine Valley for a period of time.

This was almost impossible in other sects. But the Ten Thousand Medicine Gate did it.

From this point of view, the Ten Thousand Medicine Gate had given the Ning family many important and crucial assistances.

Therefore, regarding the idea of cooperation between the Ning family and the Ten Thousand Medicine Gate mentioned in Ning Zhuo's letter, Ning Jiufan also tended to agree.

Ning Jiufan had a lot of goodwill towards the Ten Thousand Medicine Gate.

Just as he and the demonic ape quietly left, a cultivator with faltering steps and a staggering gait entered Fire Persimmon Immortal City.

His name was Liu Zhen, and he was Lin Shanshan's sixth senior brother.

He was dispatched by the Ten Thousand Medicine Gate Master, Lin Bufan, this time to investigate information regarding Ning Zhuo.

By midday, Liu Zhen was swaying and in a very poor state. His vision was blurry, he was dizzy and nauseous, his lower limbs were weak, and he had to support himself against the wall to walk.

He couldn't see the road clearly, his hand missed the wall, and he fell down, fainting on the spot.

"Oh dear, someone has fallen at our gate." The servants guarding the gate exclaimed upon seeing this.

"Could it be some beggar extorting us here?"

"Nonsense. This is the City Lord's mansion's property!"

"Quick, lend a hand, this cultivator is almost out of breath. Quickly let Master Sun take a look!"

Shortly after.

Liu Zhen, who had fainted, slowly woke up.

His vision gradually cleared from blurry, and he found himself lying on a sickbed, with a cultivator beside him stimulating the medicinal fragrance of a pill, letting the scent enter his nostrils.

"This physician, your life-saving grace..." Liu Zhen spoke with difficulty, but was interrupted.

"I know, your surname is Liu, your name is Zhen, and you are from the Ten Thousand Medicine Gate," the cultivator treating him said. "You fainted in front of my gate, and the servants carried you in. I found your token and other belongings on you."

"Therefore, I know your identity."

"Please do not blame me. I am a pill master, treating illnesses is incidental, I always need to collect as much information as possible to try to prescribe the right medicine."

Liu Zhen smiled: "Master, do not worry, since I come from the Ten Thousand Medicine Gate, I naturally know these... principles."

His face was pale, completely without any blood, his entire body was almost emaciated into a skeleton, and his life force was extremely weak.

The pill master who treated him introduced himself: "My surname is Sun, my name is Lie, and I am temporarily residing in the Purple Yang Separate Courtyard. You fell in front of my gate, so it is a matter of fate."

"I observe that your qi and blood are extremely weak, you are dizzy and ringing in the ears, mentally fatigued and weak, your five centers are hot and bothered, you sweat profusely at night, yet you are afraid of cold and your limbs are cold."

"Your complexion is as pale as paper, your spirit is listless, your appetite is poor, your tongue is pale with a white coating, and your pulse is deep, thin, and weak."

"This is clearly a deficiency of kidney essence!"

"Furthermore, your eye bags are purplish-black, your fingernails and teeth faintly show black lines, your body is cold, and residual ghost qi remains."

"Did you encounter a female ghost who sought to drain your blood essence and yang energy?"

Liu Zhen nodded: "Master Sun's insight is as sharp as a torch, it is exactly as you said. That female ghost lured me into intimacy, continuously for seven days and seven nights, and exploited me to the extreme, a deep enmity has been forged."

"At the brink of death, fortunately, I had a protective talisman given by my master, which transported me through the void, thus escaping the female ghost's poisonous hands."

Speaking of this, Liu Zhen had a lingering fear.

If he hadn't been delayed by the female ghost midway, he would have arrived at Fire Persimmon Immortal City long ago.

Sun Lie nodded: "It seems my diagnosis is correct, you should rest well and take my Eight-Flavor Rehmannia Pills, which can quickly restore some of your condition."

"It's just that your kidney essence is severely deficient, you need excellent medicine, or long-term conditioning, to fully recover."

Liu Zhen: "I know. After I complete my sect mission and return to Ten Thousand Medicine Valley to ask my master for help, I will definitely be able to resolve my predicament."

"Master Sun, I will definitely repay this life-saving grace!"

Sun Lie nodded: "I have long heard of Ten Thousand Medicine Valley, and I happen to want to leave Fire Persimmon Immortal City and continue my travels. My next stop will be there."

Sun Lie actually didn't want to leave yet.

But recently, he had heard a secret, saying that the City Lord's mansion and Luo Shang had been secretly cooperating for some time.

This made Sun Lie feel uneasy.

In the past, Han Ming's matter had created conflict between him and the Soul Devouring Sect. Sun Lie dared not gamble on Luo Shang's attitude towards him.

Since the City Lord's mansion here in Fire Persimmon Immortal City also seemed unreliable, Sun Lie's desire to leave became even stronger.

These past few days, he had been packing his things, preparing to leave the city, when Liu Zhen "sent" himself to his door.

Hearing Sun Lie's plan, Liu Zhen immediately looked happy: "That's wonderful, why don't you return with me, Master."

"Okay." Sun Lie nodded, gave Liu Zhen some pills, and taught him how to take them.

Liu Zhen came from the Ten Thousand Medicine Gate and also dabbled in healing and alchemy, asking Sun Lie many questions and remembering them one by one.

And so, Liu Zhen temporarily stayed in the Purple Yang Separate Courtyard.

Three days later, Liu Zhen had recovered enough to walk on his own, without needing to lean on the wall.

He looked in the mirror and saw his reflection with white hair and an aged face, no longer having the black hair and vitality of before, which made him hate that female ghost even more.

Liu Zhen began to set about completing his sect mission.