Chapter 889: Haoyuan Pill

With a flip of the small bottle, a fiery-red almond-like pill tumbled into his palm.

Gazing at this spiritual medicine refined from a high-level demon core years ago, Han Li’s face revealed a trace of regret. This pill, originally meant to enhance the spiritual power of Core Formation cultivators, was indeed a bit of a waste in this situation. If his magic power hadn’t been sealed and Silvermoon hadn’t been injured, he could have simply used the soul-searching secret technique, sparing him this trouble.

With one hand, he deftly pinched the blue-robed man’s chin, gave a practiced flick of his wrist, and dislocated the jaw, forcing the mouth wide open. With his other hand, he flicked the pill, wrapped in a wisp of azure qi, straight into the man’s mouth.

Han Li released his grip and reached for his waist, producing a slender, gleaming silver needle between his fingers. Cold light flashed as the needle transformed into several silver threads, swiftly piercing various points on the blue-robed man’s body. In an instant, the process was complete, and from the punctured spots, dark, poisonous blood spurted out a foot high, accompanied by a nauseating stench.

Han Li stood up, clasping his hands behind his back as he waited calmly for the man to awaken.

After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, a large pool of poisoned blood had drained from Feng Yue’s body before a faint groan finally escaped his lips, signaling his imminent awakening.

Han Li’s eyes flickered, and with a wave of his fingers, a gust of wind halted the remaining flow of poisoned blood. Then, with a shrug of his shoulder, his second Spirit Infant transformed into a dark cloud, darting into the nearby forest and vanishing from sight.

“It’s you…” The blue-robed man finally opened his eyes, recognizing Han Li before him. His voice was filled with surprise as he struggled to sit up.

“What, are you surprised to see me?” Han Li glanced at Feng Yue and spoke indifferently.

“Did you save me? Where is that old traitor Feng Zhen?” Though weak, the young man’s voice still carried a sharp edge of vigilance.

“You mean the one in purple robes? He’s over there.” Han Li casually gestured toward the mangled remains of the purple-robed elder.

Feng Yue’s eyes shifted with effort, and when he caught sight of the unrecognizable corpse, his face first registered shock, then hatred. Finally, his gaze returned to Han Li, his expression turning strangely complex.

“Did you kill that old traitor too, Brother Han? It seems your abilities are truly unfathomable. I will remember this life-saving grace and repay you generously in the future.” Feng Yue probed cautiously, reaching for a pill at his waist and swallowing it before attempting to stand.

But he had barely risen halfway before his legs gave way, sending him crashing back to the ground.

“What’s happening? Why do I have no strength at all?” Feng Yue lay sprawled, his face paling with panic.

“Repay me in the future? It seems you don’t yet understand your current predicament.” Han Li showed no intention of helping, his expression unchanging.

“What do you mean? What’s wrong with me? Did you place a restriction on me?” The young man glared at Han Li, his face a mix of fear and anger.

“Place a restriction on you? You overestimate yourself. If I wanted to restrain you, I wouldn’t need restrictions. Take a look at yourself first.” Han Li sneered, tossing a small object—a plain bronze mirror—beside Feng Yue.

Feng Yue, though suspicious, picked up the mirror and looked inside.

“Ah! What’s this? My face… This is poison! When did I get poisoned so badly? Was it that thing the old traitor used?” The sight sent terror through him, and he cried out hoarsely before frantically emptying his storage pouch onto the ground. A pile of bottles and jars spilled out, and he hastily grabbed several, swallowing pills indiscriminately.

Han Li watched coldly, saying nothing as the young man consumed the medicine.

Once finished, Feng Yue ignored Han Li and immediately sat cross-legged, circulating his qi to expel the poison with the aid of the pills. But after only a short while, his eyes snapped open again, his face even more horrified.

“How is this possible? None of these antidotes worked! What kind of poison is this?” Realizing the severity of his condition, he grew frantic.

“Though I’ve never seen it before, it should be one of the Ten Deadly Poisons—Bitter Venom,” Han Li finally spoke again, his tone unhurried.

“Bitter Venom? They actually used this on me! That old traitor really did side with the Kong Family. Rumor has it they possess this very poison.” Feng Yue’s face drained of color as he let out an involuntary shriek.

“The Kong Family?” Han Li’s brow twitched slightly, but his expression remained neutral.

“Wait—Bitter Venom kills instantly. How am I still alive?” The young man suddenly recalled this fact and, mustering strength from somewhere, scrambled to his feet to confront Han Li.

“Hmph, don’t mistake kindness for weakness. If I didn’t have questions for you, why would I waste a ‘Haoyuan Pill’ on you? The only reason you’re still breathing is because of that thing around your neck, which delayed the poison. Otherwise, once it reached your heart, even divine medicine couldn’t have revived you.” Han Li’s expression darkened as he spoke bluntly.

“You touched this?” Feng Yue, upon hearing Han Li mention the silver key, realized the item he had hidden as if his life depended on it was now exposed on his chest. His heart skipped a beat, and he forced himself to calm down.

“Naturally, I was curious how a Foundation Establishment cultivator survived Bitter Venom. But the Haoyuan Pill only suppresses the poison temporarily. In a day, it will reach your heart, and you’ll die regardless.” Han Li shrugged indifferently.

“Haoyuan Pill… I think I’ve heard of it. Isn’t it an extremely rare medicine? If I take more, can I keep suppressing the poison?” Feng Yue asked nervously after a moment’s thought.

Han Li was slightly surprised the other knew of the pill but replied coldly, “Taking more could prolong your life, but do you know what it’s made of? This isn’t an antidote—it’s a Core Formation cultivator’s breakthrough pill, priceless and nearly impossible to obtain.”

His implication was clear.

“A Core Formation cultivator’s pill?” Feng Yue was speechless, even though he had expected the pill to be valuable.

“However, if you truly wish to live, there might still be a way.” Han Li suddenly smiled.

“What way? As long as it saves me, I’ll agree to any condition!” The young man perked up eagerly.

“Heh. I don’t need repayment. Just answer a few questions honestly later.” Han Li chuckled dismissively.

“Fine! Whatever I know, I’ll tell you without holding back.” Feng Yue agreed without hesitation.

“The method is simple. Since your body is doomed by the poison, just replace it. Many cultivators who’ve suffered the Ten Deadly Poisons have escaped death through body possession.” Han Li stated matter-of-factly.

“Body possession?” Feng Yue froze, then let out a bitter laugh, much to Han Li’s surprise.

“What, you think this method won’t work?” Han Li raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable.

“Thank you for your concern, Brother Han. But body possession isn’t an option for me.” Feng Yue hesitated before speaking haltingly.

“Not an option? Have you already…?” Han Li guessed, somewhat taken aback.

“To be honest, I’ve already possessed a body once. This isn’t my original form.” Feng Yue smiled bitterly.

“In that case, there’s nothing I can do. The Ten Deadly Poisons have no cure.” Han Li sighed, spreading his hands under the young man’s hopeful gaze.

“Truly no other way? Brother Han, you’re knowledgeable—please think again!” Desperation filled Feng Yue’s voice as he pleaded.

“No need. If there were a way, the Ten Deadly Poisons wouldn’t have their reputation.” Han Li shook his head.

“So… I have only a day left to live.” The young man stood frozen, his face ashen.

“Correct. Even if you take more Haoyuan Pills to delay it, once they run out, death will come all the same.” Han Li’s tone was detached.

“How many Haoyuan Pills do you have? Can I buy them all?” Clutching at straws, Feng Yue fixed Han Li with a desperate stare.

“Oh? You really want to buy them? They aren’t entirely off the table, but I don’t have many. And I’d prefer you answer my questions first.” Han Li frowned slightly before speaking casually.

“Ask away. At this point, what wouldn’t I answer?” Feng Yue replied bleakly.

“Good. First, your identity—you’re not from the Uptala Tribe, are you? You’re a cultivator from a Great Jin noble family, right?” Han Li cut straight to the point.

“Since you’ve guessed, why ask?” Feng Yue glanced at the jade pendant and silver key on his chest, gritting his teeth. He assumed Han Li had pieced it together from these items.

Han Li’s lips twitched slightly, but he remained impassive. “The Ningzhong Feng you mentioned—is that the Ningzhong? Is the Feng Family powerful?”