Although it wouldn't cost him his life, his physical condition had indeed worsened considerably.
Liu Sandao shared his suspicions with Fu Ruhai.
Fu Ruhai speculated, "Could this newcomer have pulled a trick on us? I really think he's capable of such a thing."
Upon hearing this, Liu Sandao immediately recalled the newcomer's act of distributing blessed fruits earlier.
Initially, he seemed hesitant to distribute the blessed fruits. After Fu Ruhai's shout, his hand paused.
Perhaps his first instinct was to throw the blessed fruit, but he hesitated.
While it was possible he threw a blessed fruit, it was more likely it wasn't.
Liu Sandao and Fu Ruhai, standing at a distance, only saw a fruit-shaped object thrown towards Bai Defa and couldn't be certain if it was truly a blessed fruit.
After Liu Sandao's reminder, Fu Ruhai carefully observed Bai Defa's condition.
Based on his experience with distributing blessed fruits, ordinary mortals typically experienced minor calamities being lessened or nullified upon receiving them.
Yet, Bai Defa had only stumbled slightly, and even then, he was gripping the armrest tightly. How could he end up lying on the sofa, completely unable to move?
This was very strange, truly unbelievable.
However, Liu Sandao's "Manual of Virtues and Blessings" showed no reaction. Liu Sandao even shook it vigorously with his hand, hoping to find something.
Unfortunately, there was nothing.
"You say this greedy fellow doesn't want money, what does he want?"
Although Fu Ruhai was talkative, this question reminded Liu Sandao.
Liu Sandao recalled that on the day of the blessed fruit press conference, the newcomer had posed a question:
"Since it's a settlement, why not just take the blessed fruit directly?"
Why was he the only one to say this at the entire press conference, with no other immortals objecting?
Also, he seemed particularly interested in blessed fruits.
"I know, the problem must lie with the blessed fruits. Otherwise, why would that newcomer go to such lengths to obtain them?"
Liu Sandao deduced.
"What use could these blessed fruits be to an immortal? They are merely mortal possessions,"
Fu Ruhai mumbled to himself.
"Is there something you've deliberately kept from me? For example, that you've secretly hoarded blessed fruits, or something similar."
Liu Sandao asked Fu Ruhai, who shook his head.
Given Fu Ruhai's secretive nature, there were indeed some things he hadn't fully disclosed.
However, after three minutes, Fu Ruhai quietly added,
"I've eaten blessed fruits privately a few times."
Liu Sandao remembered that when he first ate a blessed fruit, Fu Ruhai had merely complained briefly without pursuing it further, which was essentially tacit approval.
At the time, he hadn't understood why Fu Ruhai would act that way.
In fact, Fu Ruhai didn't know the actual effects of the blessed fruits even now.
The two walked and talked, and eventually returned to Yaotian Building.
Although they had returned, the problem remained unresolved.
This was because the newcomer might not come to redeem the vouchers.
One blessed fruit was worth one or three taels of silver.
That newcomer wasn't like Suni; he wouldn't be interested in such a small amount of money.
Yet, that newcomer had diligently accepted the mission. There must be a hidden, unspeakable secret within this.
The most plausible explanation was that blessed fruits held some kind of temptation or utility for that newcomer.
To quickly plug this loophole, Liu Sandao proposed setting an exchange limit in the blessed fruit system.
For instance, if one accumulated five taels, they must redeem it, otherwise, it would become invalid.
This approach could force immortals with ill intentions to redeem their fruits promptly, preventing them from arbitrarily disrupting the rules of the blessed fruit system.
Without timely knowledge of the redemption situation, they couldn't grasp the distribution of blessed fruits, which would lead to significant loopholes and higher risks.
However, as soon as this measure was announced and implemented in the system, it was met with widespread opposition.
Some felt that such rules were too intrusive. Five taels of silver, while not a small sum, was still too much trouble. Why couldn't they wait until thirty or fifty taels before redeeming?
Others worried that from then on, the channels for exchanging silver would be tightened. Previously, they could receive silver the day after completing a mission. Would it be five or ten taels in the future before redemption?
For immortals accustomed to freedom, this was somewhat vexing.
Liu Sandao and Fu Ruhai understood these concerns but were temporarily unable to resolve them.
Zhao Qiansun, due to his recent preoccupation with his official duties and troubles, had not had the chance to meet with Fu Ruhai.
By the time Fu Ruhai learned of this, both he and Liu Sandao had been dismissed from their positions.
This was like a bolt from the blue.
Nothing could be more dramatic or absurd.
Fu Ruhai, having served as a Blessed God for so long and experienced much, had never seen a high-ranking official dismissed over such a minor issue.
Was the current ruler of the Heavenly Court a muddle-headed official who never investigated or verified matters?
Yet, it happened so coincidentally.
Not only was Fu Ruhai dismissed, but Zhao Qiansun's troubles in recent days also pertained to the blessed fruit system.
After attending the press conference, almost all immortals believed that Zhao Qiansun was likely to be promoted.
After all, he had accomplished something unprecedented.
But all of this was merely wishful thinking.
Not only was Zhao Qiansun not promoted, but his title of "Pioneer Official of the Fu Lu Shou Reform" was also revoked.
Fortunately, his position didn't change drastically.
On the day Fu Ruhai was dismissed, he intended to go to Zhao Qiansun's residence to inquire about the situation.
However, upon arriving at Ruyuan, the guards informed him that he would not be allowed to set foot on the premises today, or for a long time to come.
This made Fu Ruhai furious.
"You scoundrel Zhao, you've become so great now? You were just dismissed, and you're already so snobbish, refusing to even see me?"
Fu Ruhai shouted loudly, hoping Zhao Qiansun would hear his voice.
In reality, this was a matter that also gave Zhao Qiansun a headache.
The reason Fu Ruhai was denied entry was entirely to avoid suspicion.
At this juncture, only by stabilizing the situation could they proceed with future matters.
Fu Ruhai, lacking understanding of officialdom's intricacies, could only vent his frustrations.
For thousands of years, apart from deceased Blessed Gods, Blessed Gods were never dismissed.
Their positions were considered frontline staff; as long as they were willing to work, they wouldn't be fired.
Liu Sandao was more philosophical about it, seeing it as an opportunity to prematurely terminate his contract, return to the immortal realm, and continue his carefree life.
The mortal world today was filled with oppressive energy and rampant materialism; it was far from peaceful.
Thinking about this, he couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.
Just as Liu Sandao shared these thoughts with Fu Ruhai, Fu Ruhai exploded in anger:
"You good-for-nothing Liu Sandao, you can't even complete your contract, what kind of Immortal Venerable are you? Do you have any professional ethics?"
Liu Sandao knew this was Fu Ruhai's way of expressing his sulk.
However, these words still deeply wounded him.
"Fu Ruhai, what did you say? If you hadn't set up that scheme back then, would I have signed that indentured contract with you? Now it's great, I'm free!"