Chapter 30: The Demonic Sect’s Innocent Lotus
An Ran was panicking. She had noticed the grave expression on Mu Xiaodong’s face, and it was clear that the poison afflicting Shen Yu was no ordinary one. Her earlier feelings of unease suddenly made sense. She now rembered why she had felt as though sothing terrible was about to happen—today was the very day, according to her data, that Shen Yu was supposed to die.
She had forgotten this crucial detail and failed to prepare in advance. Seeing Shen Yu lying there, eyes closed, he looked eerily similar to the image she had seen in the data.
“Ran Ran, don’t worry. He can be saved, but it will require you to make so sacrifices,” Mu Xiaodong said gently, trying to console her. He hadn’t intended to bring this up but couldn’t bear to see An Ran’s devastated expression. If Shen Yu couldn’t be saved, he was certain An Ran would follow him in death—a scenario he couldn’t accept.
Mu Xiaodong hesitated briefly before deciding to use sothing he had long planned to destroy—the true recipe for the elixir of immortality.
Unbeknownst to everyone, the recipe for the elixir of immortality had been in Mu Xiaodong’s possession all along. When he had left with An Ran, the master of dicine King Valley had entrusted it to him, instructing him to destroy it. However, he couldn’t bring himself to do so and had kept it hidden.
Now, it seed fate had other plans. Shen Yu’s current condition was not just due to the poison; in a way, it was a blessing in disguise. His body had reached a critical point where, with the addition of An Ran’s heart blood and a few other ingredients, the true elixir could be completed. Ironically, it was thanks to Shen Yu’s previous exposure to An Ran’s blood that he had survived this long.
“Uncle Mu, tell what I need to do to save Brother Shen Yu. Whatever the cost, I’ll do it,” An Ran said resolutely. She blad herself for Shen Yu’s current state and was willing to pay any price, even her life, to save him.
“It won’t cost you your life, Ran Ran,” Mu Xiaodong replied, his tone softening. “But understand this—once Shen Yu recovers, he will no longer age. While you grow old and gray, he will remain as he is now. Won’t you feel jealous or regret saving him?”
An Ran was taken aback by the question.
“Why would I? Isn’t it the living who suffer most? Watching the person you love die while you remain powerless to stop it—what could be more painful? How would I go on without him?”
Mu Xiaodong’s heart ached as he listened. He had posed the question because of his own painful past.
Mu Xiaodong was the first person to achieve immortality, a fact known only to the masters of dicine King Valley. As a child, he had been poisoned in the womb and saved by the first master of the valley. His blood was discovered to neutralize the poison in the elixir, making him the perfect test subject.
While waiting for the experint, Mu Xiaodong fell in love with the master’s daughter. He didn’t dare confess his feelings at first, feeling unworthy. After becoming the only successful recipient of the elixir, he finally gained the courage to propose. To his surprise, the master readily agreed.
Their marriage began blissfully, drawing the envy of many. But as ti passed, cracks began to form. His wife aged while he remained unchanged. Her self-esteem eroded, and she grew fearful he would leave her.
The strain escalated. She poisoned him and even stabbed him in desperation, but he survived each ti. Eventually, Mu Xiaodong started avoiding her. In her final years, she beca obsessed with recreating the elixir, hoping to regain her youth. Her attempts failed, and she died with resentnt in her eyes—eyes that had once been filled with love.
After her death, Mu Xiaodong retreated into isolation, watching as the valley’s masters tried and failed to replicate the elixir. He feared that An Ran and Shen Yu might face a similar fate.
“Let’s hope Ran Ran doesn’t regret her decision,” Mu Xiaodong murmured to himself, shaking off his mories. He knew An Ran’s love was sincere, but only ti would tell if things would turn out differently for them.
“I just want Brother Shen Yu to live. I’m more afraid he’ll hate for giving him immortality,” An Ran said firmly. She knew Shen Yu’s love for her ran deep. If she were to die, he might lose the will to live.
Mu Xiaodong chuckled lightly.
“That boy Shen Yu probably would get angry. Alright, I’ll get everything ready. Stay here and watch over him.”
Buoyed by a newfound optimism, Mu Xiaodong left to prepare the necessary ingredients, leaving An Ran alone with Shen Yu.
As soon as Mu Xiaodong stepped out, An Ran called out urgently, “225, co out now! We have a serious problem!”
A voice responded with a hint of exasperation, “What now? Can’t you go a single day without causing trouble?”
An Ran rolled her eyes.
“This isn’t about ! It’s Shen Yu. What do we do now?”
“Everything looks fine from the data,” 225 replied, sounding skeptical. “We’re at 98% completion. What could possibly go wrong now?”
An Ran, accustod to 225’s sarcastic tone, ignored its attitude and quickly explained Shen Yu’s condition and the dire circumstances.
“You say he’s poisoned? But it seems like he survived, right? My system shows a 98% task completion rate. If he were truly dood, your mission would already be marked as failed,” 225 replied hesitantly, analyzing the situation.
“It’s true he’s still alive, but it’s precarious. Do you have any dicine to boost the odds of success? This wouldn’t have happened if you’d been more responsible,” An Ran shot back, revealing that Shen Yu’s survival was possible but highly uncertain. She hoped to extract so life-saving resources from the system.
“How is this my fault? You were so distracted by your romance you forgot too. But fine, I do have a pill that enhances internal energy—it might help stabilize his condition,” 225 said, feigning reluctance but ultimately offering a solution.
“Really? Hand it over then! For once, you’re actually useful,” An Ran said, surprised but grateful.
“This is the only one. Use it wisely. Administer it now—his internal energy is draining fast, and the poison will take over if it’s not replenished soon,” 225 warned before giving her the pill.
An Ran wasted no ti. After giving Shen Yu the pill, she dismissed 225, finding no further use for it.
“You’re heartless, using and then tossing aside. Typical!” 225 retorted, annoyed, before leaving.
An Ran turned back to Shen Yu, her voice trembling as she sat by his bedside.
“Brother Shen Yu, please hold on. You must survive. If you don’t, I’ll carry this guilt for the rest of my life. Stay strong for , okay?”
While An Ran stayed by Shen Yu’s side, Shen Mie had captured Qin Yuan and his father, the Sword Sea Manor’s master. He subjected them to severe punishnt, not out of a desire for answers but as retribution for what had been done to his son.
“Shen Sect Master, it’s my fault for not controlling my son. I was wrong! Please, end it quickly,” the Sword Sea Manor’s master pleaded, unable to endure the torture. As a figure of prestige, such humiliation was unbearable.
“Father, don’t beg him! It’s all because of him that An Ran betrayed . If Shen Yu were dead, An Ran would be mine! Shen Yu doesn’t deserve her!” Qin Yuan ranted deliriously, his jealousy and madness evident.
“See, Sword Sea Manor Master? Your son has such spirit. Perhaps you should learn from him,” Shen Mie said mockingly, entertained by Qin Yuan’s defiance.
“Son, have you lost your mind?” The Sword Sea Manor’s master lanted, regretting bringing Qin Yuan along.
Shen Mie, growing bored, instructed his subordinates to prolong their suffering without killing them imdiately. He then went to check on Shen Yu, still uneasy despite Mu Xiaodong’s assurances.
When Shen Mie entered the room, he was startled to see An Ran holding a knife to her chest, as if preparing to stab herself.
“An Ran, stop! Put the knife down!” Shen Mie shouted, alard.
“Uncle Shen, it’s not what you think. I just need to draw so blood—it’s not suicide. Don’t worry,” An Ran explained quickly, trying to ease his concerns.
“Even so, you can’t aim at your chest! One mistake and it’s over. Your Shen Yu doesn’t need your blood,” Shen Mie said sternly, shaking his head.
“Then please, Uncle Shen, help . I’m afraid I might miss and injure myself fatally,” An Ran said sincerely, handing the knife to Shen Mie.
“She’s right. This task suits you best,” Mu Xiaodong chid in from the side, preparing dicine for Shen Yu.
Shen Mie, confused and frustrated, asked, “Why do you need her blood? And why such a dangerous place?”
“Uncle Shen, there’s no ti to explain. Shen Yu needs my heart blood. I’ll explain everything later,” An Ran said, urging him to act quickly as Shen Yu’s condition worsened.
With a heavy sigh, Shen Mie relented.
“Fine. Where exactly should I take the blood from?”
“From my heart. Just aim directly at my chest,” An Ran replied, her resolve unwavering.
Seeing her determination, Shen Mie knew there was no talking her out of it. With precise skill, he made the incision and quickly extracted the needed blood.
An Ran fainted from the pain, but before she lost consciousness, she thought, As expected of soone who’s killed countless people—quick and painless.
Mu Xiaodong caught An Ran as she collapsed and administered a hemostatic agent to stop her bleeding before placing her beside Shen Yu. He then mixed her blood with the prepared dicine and fed it to Shen Yu.
After a mont, Mu Xiaodong checked Shen Yu’s pulse and finally relaxed. The poison had been neutralized.
“Uncle Shen, co with . We need to talk,” Mu Xiaodong said, pulling Shen Mie aside. Shen Mie, curious about the truth behind everything, followed him out of the room.
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