It turned out that Qi Tianhu, who had seemed unconscious just moments ago, was actually aware of everything happening around him, though he was unable to speak or move. He knew that Lin Zhiyin had repeatedly provoked and insulted Chen Xiao. Furthermore, if it hadn't been for Chen Xiao today, he would have been killed by Lin Zhiyin. Thus, as soon as he awoke, he unleashed his fury upon Lin Zhiyin.
"Uncle Qi, I was only doing it for your own good!" Lin Zhiyin attempted to argue.
However, Qi Tianhu had no desire to listen further. "I'll say it one last time: get out. If it weren't for your parents, you'd be dead by now!"
Seeing Qi Tianhu's intense anger, Lin Zhiyin dared not say another word and slunk away with his tail between his legs.
Qi Tianhu got out of bed, stretched his limbs, flexed his arms, and kicked his legs. His joy was palpable. "Brother Chen, you are truly a master. Not only have you saved my life three times, but you've also restored my cultivation to its peak. You have given me a new lease on life!"
Qi Qingfei, both surprised and delighted, exclaimed, "What? Dad, you're saying your cultivation has recovered?"
Qi Tianhu smiled and nodded. "That's right. My cultivation had been declining for the past six months, and I consulted numerous renowned physicians, yet none could diagnose the issue. To think that Brother Chen has cured me today! Brother Chen's medical skills are truly extraordinary, unparalleled in this era!"
"Then we must properly thank Master Chen!" Qi Qingfei, overjoyed that her father had not only recovered physically but also regained his cultivation, showed a greatly improved attitude towards Chen Xiao. Reflecting on their past interactions, she felt immensely ashamed.
Qi Tianhu said warmly, "Indeed, Brother Chen, your kindness to me is like a rebirth. Whatever you desire, as long as it is within my power to provide, I will offer it with both hands!"
Chen Xiao shook his head and said softly, "Lianxin Longxian is not so easily cured."
Qi Tianhu was slightly taken aback. "Brother Chen, what are you talking about?"
Old Ji, however, suddenly changed color and asked tremblingly, "Master Chen, could it be that the poison Old Qi has been afflicted with is Lianxin Longxian?"
Chen Xiao nodded. "I cannot be certain, but it is highly likely."
Old Ji slumped onto the chair, his face filled with dejection. Qi Qingfei's previously joyful heart clenched with renewed anxiety.
"Uncle Ji, what is Lianxin Longxian?"
Old Ji murmured, "This poison is refined from the venom of forty-nine types of venomous snakes. The poison is sown from the heart, then spreads throughout the limbs and body, and finally attacks the heart again. Only then is Lianxin Longxian considered to have fully taken effect!"
"When this poison manifests, the victim suffers extreme agony, as if their heart is being gnawed by a hundred venomous insects, with unbearable itching and pain!"
"The victim will endure a tormenting purgatory, wishing to claw open their chest and crush their heart with their own hands!"
"In fact, this is the most common way those poisoned by it die!"
Upon hearing Old Ji's description, Qi Qingfei nearly fainted. Trembling, she asked, "My dad... he's been poisoned by this?"
Old Ji closed his eyes and nodded.
Qi Tianhu forced a calm smile. "Impossible, Old Ji, you must be mistaken. Brother Chen has already cured my illness. Look at me now, I'm perfectly healthy, my cultivation has even returned. How could it be as dreadful as you describe?" He had forgotten that Chen Xiao was the first to mention his affliction as Lianxin Longxian.
Old Ji sighed, his gaze filled with sorrow as he looked at his old friend. "Old Qi, Lianxin Longxian is incurable."
Qi Tianhu pursed his lips. "But..." He could not and would not accept this outcome.
Chen Xiao said calmly, "Old Ji is correct. I have indeed not cured your poison; the Qingxin Talisman only treated the symptoms, not the root cause."
"You likely have only three months left to live."
Qi Tianhu collapsed onto the ground with a thud. In the span of a few minutes, he had been on the brink of death, only to be pulled back, and then instantly plunged from heaven into hell.
"Dad..." Qi Qingfei held her father's hand, her heart aching as if pierced by a knife.
At this moment, Chen Xiao spoke again, "However, you need not despair. Old Ji was partially mistaken; Lianxin Longxian is not incurable!"
"You have a way?" Everyone's spirits lifted, and their gazes fixed intently on Chen Xiao.
Chen Xiao nodded. "With just three ingredients, I can resolve this poison."
"What ingredients, Master Chen, please tell us quickly!" Old Ji urged.
Chen Xiao slowly began. "The first ingredient is a century-old ginseng."
Old Ji immediately replied, "No problem, I have century-old ginseng in my shop."
Chen Xiao continued, "A thousand-year-old Polygonum multiflorum."
Old Ji's brow furrowed slightly. "This item is very difficult to find on the market, but with effort, it is not impossible to procure."
Chen Xiao nodded. The first two ingredients were not difficult to find; the third was the challenge.
"The third ingredient is ten-thousand-year-old Earth Heart Rock."
Upon hearing this name, Qi Qingfei was clearly bewildered. Ten-thousand-year-old Earth Heart Rock? What was that? She had never even heard of it.
Old Ji, however, murmured, "Does ten-thousand-year-old Earth Heart Rock truly exist in this world?"
Qi Qingfei asked, "Uncle Ji, what is ten-thousand-year-old Earth Heart Rock?"
Old Ji explained, "Earth Heart Rock refers to the crystal core at the center of a volcano. Ten-thousand-year-old Earth Heart Rock is a volcanic crystal core that has endured eighty-one eruptions. Because a single volcano often takes ten thousand years to erupt this many times, ten-thousand-year-old Earth Heart Rock gets its name."
Qi Qingfei was dumbfounded. Setting aside how difficult it would be to find this ten-thousand-year-old Earth Heart Rock, the question was whether a stone could actually be used as medicine.
As if sensing Qi Qingfei's doubt, Old Ji explained, "According to ancient texts, ten-thousand-year-old Earth Heart Rock, having been tempered by eighty-one true fires, becomes incredibly brittle and melts upon contact with the mouth. It can not only be used in medicine but can even be consumed. Consuming it not only strengthens the body but also grants immunity to all poisons."
Qi Qingfei looked utterly incredulous. "So there are such miraculous things in this world."
Old Ji gave a wry smile. "I am merely quoting ancient texts. Whether such a treasure truly exists, I cannot confirm." Old Ji's implication was that such legendary items were likely not real. Even if they were, Qi Tianhu's resources might not be sufficient to obtain them.
However, at this moment, Qi Tianhu suddenly said, "Ten-thousand-year-old Earth Heart Rock does exist."
Qi Qingfei was shocked and asked urgently, "Dad, do you know where to get this treasure?"
"Yes." Qi Tianhu nodded, then shook his head. "I know where it is, but I doubt I can get my hands on it."
"Why not?" Qi Qingfei asked, confused.
Qi Tianhu said, word by word, "Because it is in the treasure vault of the Hall of Gods."