The Yao Ancestor accepted the jade slip from Yao Lin, sank his Primordial Soul into it, and after finishing the contents, managed to speak only after a long moment.
"Seniors, have you confirmed it?"
"Eighty percent."
Jian Dan did not conceal anything. She answered plainly.
The Yao Ancestor and the Patriarch fell silent at once. Jian Dan's words sounded like a death sentence for Yao Bin.
It was never easy to cultivate a clan genius. Yao Bin was direct-line, gifted, and upright. Why him?
"Because Yao Bin is outstanding, they chose him as a host. They knew the clan would not easily give up such a junior. From how things look now, they underestimated Yao Bin."
"Jian Lu Daoyou, what do you mean?" The Patriarch turned to Jian Dan and asked directly.
"Yao Bin rejected the parasitism of the 'blood insect.' Since the parasite failed to complete its goal, it is currently trying to abandon this temporary host. That is why the young master's condition is worsening so quickly." Jian Dan's inference was essentially the truth.
Yao Bin had gone to the Chimei Mountains for the plant called "Years." They never found it. Instead, he and the clan juniors were attacked by a bloodthirsty spirit flora. Yao Bin himself was cut by it.
Then, as if on cue, those bloodthirsty plants suddenly withdrew, as though they had struck the wrong target. Within a few breaths they vanished without a trace, letting Yao Bin and the others escape.
Sensing something wrong, Yao Bin led his people straight back to Tianquan City. He suspected those who used "Years" to lure him had other aims. On returning, he began tracing the source.
Unfortunately, before he uncovered anything, the "blood insect" lurking in his body revealed itself.
The reveal was almost ironic. The clan's guardian plant, the hibiscus gardenia, came out for air one day and encountered Yao Bin. It immediately detected an alien aura on him, a stench plants found unbearable, like poison itself.
Warned by the clan flora, Yao Bin kept silent. With his early Divine Transformation cultivation, he believed he could expel the poison alone. Following clan advice, he entered seclusion to force it out.
Reality proved harsher. This was no ordinary toxin. Realizing the host meant to expel it, the "blood insect" rapidly extended threadlike channels of its own, seized every meridian it could, and surged for the heart channels.
Yao Bin was ruthless. He shut down his meridians on the spot to block it from the heart and rallied his spiritual power to resist.
With the meridians sealed, he could not circulate techniques and could only rely on the trickle of ambient spiritual energy. He could not last. He sent a distress call to the Ancestor.
The Yao Ancestor, seasoned and strong, recognized the rapidly spreading "toxin." He drove it into one arm at once and moved Yao Bin to the Ice Cavern.
The cold slowed the "blood insect," and the spread was checked. But Yao Bin's body, being the battlefield, paid a terrible price. So the parasite chose to give up. It no longer tried for the heart. It sought to leave the body, which led to Yao Bin's current state.
Back to the present, the Yao Ancestor spoke bluntly after hearing Jian Dan. "According to the jade slip, once this 'blood insect' leaves the body, Bin'er will also perish."
"That is correct."
"Zūnshàng, is there a way to preserve Bin'er's life?" He knew only the group from Heavenly Sword Sect had identified the root cause. He could not help but hope they also held the key to the deadlock.
"Yao Daoyou, give us one day. We will return and study this. Perhaps we can find a solution that spares both life and prize."
This time Jian Jing made the proposal, and Jian Dan nodded in agreement.
"In that case, I must trouble the seniors."
The Ancestor clasped his hands to them, then added, "I will have Yao Lin arrange quarters for you within the Yao estate, if that is acceptable."
Jian Dan understood his intention, and she had her own reasons. If they had not yet found a method and Yao Bin perished, the moment the "blood insect" left the body they would need to seize it on the spot. Being nearby had obvious advantages.
Jian Jing and Jian Po thought the same. Without much discussion, the three agreed to lodge in the Yao estate.
"In that case, we will impose upon you."
Jian Dan answered for them, then turned to Jin Liuli and Jin Ai, who had stayed quiet. "You two will remain as well."
"Yes, Zūnshàng."
Yao Lin arranged a fresh courtyard and respectfully invited them to rest.
At the gate, a young attendant presented a restriction token and withdrew, leaving them privacy.
Jian Jing stepped inside. It was a square, standard courtyard. A hibiscus tree in bloom filled the air with milky-white fragrance.
Aside from the stone paths leading to the main room and side chambers, spirit flora grew everywhere. The spiritual energy was thick. Clearly, a gathering array had been laid.
"Hibiscus, holly-grass, purpleleaf lotus, ebony, trail-seeking grass..." Jian Po named the plants one by one, then added, "To keep these species thriving together like this, the Yao clan has some skill."
Even without Jian Po's remarks, Jian Dan had noticed that several of these flora should not coexist. Here, they flourished in harmony.
Jian Jing had little interest in plant lore. In her words, it was enough to know names, value, and how to harvest them so she would not miss any heaven-sent treasure.
"Come in. Let us talk."
Once seated, Jian Jing raised a barrier and glanced at Jian Dan. "Junior Sister, what is your plan?"
"Senior Sister, I want the 'blood insect' alive."
"Tsk. You mean to take it back and figure out how to poison these vermin for good?"
"Exactly. And we have a ready candidate at hand."
Jian Po, Jin Liuli, and Jin Ai all brightened at that.
"Reporting to Zūnshàng, Jin Ai is willing to try. With a live specimen, I have a chance to craft a targeted toxin."
Jin Ai was already eager.
"The problem is separating the worm from Yao Bin's body. Waiting for Bin'er to turn to ash so it exits is a method, but not an acceptable one." Jian Jing spread her hands.
"A last-resort method at best. The Yao clan will not accept it." Jian Dan pressed her lips together.
Jin Ai lowered her gaze and thought for a moment. "Zūnshàng, if nothing else works, we can use the plan we discussed before, luring the 'blood insect' into me. The Yao clan would have no grounds to object. As a poison cultivator, it may not be able to root in me."
"Nonsense. Do not sacrifice the bride and lose the soldiers as well." Jian Dan shot her a look. Why could she not treasure herself more.
Jin Liuli tugged her aunt's sleeve, urging patience. She believed Zūnshàng already had an idea.
Only then did Jian Dan say, "I intend to draw it out of the body, and at the same time prevent it from consuming Yao Bin's life essence. We also need to trap the 'blood insect' once it is out."
They exchanged looks and turned their eyes to Jian Dan.