Chapter 68: Dan Shu's True Colors Revealed! Jing Yuan Saves the Day!
With her newly empowered companion, Jing Yuan, by her side, Guinaifen eagerly resumed her journey through the questline.
In the original storyline, she had always dreaded facing off against the Disciple of Sanctus Medicus—a formidable foe known for their devastating piercing attacks. Each time this enemy appeared, it summoned two Demonic Yin Body minions, which allowed the main attacker to continuously regenerate health as long as the minions remained alive.
Even Himeko's area-of-effect skills could only chip away at their health bars, leaving Dan Heng to painstakingly eliminate them one by one.
But now?
Guinaifen was practically buzzing with excitement, ready for a fight! Summon minions? The more, the merrier!
Jing Yuan's abilities were tailor-made for crowd control. As soon as Divine Monarch descended onto the battlefield, the screen erupted in massive damage numbers and dazzling visual effects. It was an overwhelming display of power that left Guinaifen exhilarated beyond words!
At this stage, the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus quest had entered its second phase, titled "[Blind Illumination: Heaven's Outcast]."
Dan Shu's research on 'Dragon Coiling, Serpent Leaping' had finally borne fruit, proving once again why she was hailed as a "Genius Head Pill Alchemist."
During her investigation, Guinaifen accompanied Dan Shu to assist a blind little girl. Afterward, Dan Shu expressed her intention to gift the Trailblazer something special.
Guinaifen groaned in frustration. "Throughout this entire quest, there hasn't been a single monster for me to hit!"
"I'm outrageously strong now!"
"I could slap any stray dog that crosses my path!"
The gift turned out to be a longevity-enhancing pill called "[Cloud-Eating Dew-Bearing Pill]."
Two options immediately appeared:
[Swallow it whole]
[Set it aside]
In the past, Guinaifen might have hesitated. Why would the story suddenly prompt her to take medication? Her heightened sensitivity to the word "medicine" made her wary, especially given recent events.
But now…
She had Jing Yuan! With him, she felt unstoppable—like she could "punch fierce tigers on southern mountains and kick mighty dragonfish in northern seas." Overflowing with confidence, she chose [Swallow it whole].
Suddenly, her head throbbed painfully.
"(What's happening…?)"
"(No… something's wrong. My body feels so hot, so uncomfortable… It's getting hard to breathe…)"
From all directions, thick branches began sprouting across the screen, spreading rapidly as if trying to engulf everything. Guinaifen gasped in alarm.
"What's going on?!?"
Jing Yuan chimed in thoughtfully. "I've heard of a sedative called Spring Breeze Powder used in the jianghu; its effects seem somewhat similar to what the Trailblazer is experiencing right now."
"Could it be that Dan Shu has… lustful intentions toward us?" someone suggested half-jokingly.
"What kind of thoughts are those?! Can't you see these branches closely resemble the color of a Demonic Yin Body?" another voice countered.
"Dan Shu targeting us? That doesn't make sense—she just helped a little girl moments ago! Clearly, she's a decent person!"
Despite her confusion, Guinaifen managed to regain some composure. If the protagonist transformed into a Demonic Yin Body, it would spell disaster.
They quickly headed to the Seat of Divine Foresight to consult Qing Zhu. Meanwhile, more branches spread across the screen, and yellow leaves began budding from their tips.
"(Uh… my headache is flaring up again… Could there really be something wrong with Dan Shu's 'Cloud-Feasting Dew Pill'?)"
"(What's happening? Isn't this the Seat of Divine Foresight? Why are so many Demonic Yin Bodies appearing here…?)"
"(No… we can't let them… get any closer…)"
The battle Guinaifen had been anticipating finally arrived—but not where she expected. Instead of fighting outside, they found themselves battling within the Seat of Divine Foresight against what appeared to be Demonic Yin Bodies. Combined with the protagonist's deteriorating state, the situation felt deeply unsettling. Still, the fight had already begun, leaving no choice but to press forward.
"By the radiant might, heed my command: Execute without mercy!"
Equipped with the finest relics from his family, Jing Yuan unleashed a Skill followed by his ultimate ability, effortlessly wiping out the first life of a Demonic Yin Body. A subsequent attack from the Divine Monarch swiftly dispatched its second life.
"Jing Yuan's damage is insanely high!"
"We're killing these monsters in just two rounds now!"
"Battle! So exhilarating!"
But then Guinaifen froze.
"No, wait! The names above these creatures—they're human names!"
"These aren't Demonic Yin Bodies! These are Cloud Knights!"
Realization dawned too late. She couldn't stop the Divine Monarch's Follow-Up Attacks, even if she wanted to.
By the time combat concluded, Qing Zhu's voice echoed urgently.
"Stelle! What happened to you?! Be careful, don't hurt her…"
"The Trailblazer! Trailblazer! Wake up quickly, are you alright?!"
Suddenly, all the branches receded as though consumed by an unseen force.
"Oh, thank goodness! You've finally regained consciousness. I was terrified something terrible might happen—it scared me so much I broke out in a cold sweat."
"You entered the Seat of Divine Foresight and suddenly started wielding your weapon uncontrollably. The way you lost control… it was identical to those who succumbed to the Demonic Yin Body."
---
Back at the Divination Commission, Fu Xuan wasted no time upon learning about the adverse symptoms triggered by the [Cloud-Feasting Dew] pill.
She issued immediate orders: proceed to Exalting Sanctum and arrest Head Pill Alchemist Dan Shu. However, when the Cloud Knights arrived, they found Dan Shu gone—along with all her documents, medicinal ingredients, and supplies.
When this news reached Fu Xuan, her expression darkened.
"That traitor, just as suspected!..."
"Transmit my command: issue a warrant for Dan Shu's arrest across all of Xianzhou!"
"And one more thing!"
"Send envoys to thoroughly investigate the Alchemy Commission!"
While issuing commands, Fu Xuan continued performing divinations. Suddenly, her eyes widened in shock.
"The Stellaron… Disciples of Sanctus Medicus…"
"Could their target be… the Tree of Foundation?!"
---
Meanwhile, in the Shackling Prison, Jingliu and Luocha approached Yanqing. Jingliu's face was obscured by black silk, hiding her eyes and emotions, while Luocha wore a compassionate expression. They revealed golden ornaments in their hands, and a flash of azure light illuminated the room.
Yanqing trembled slightly before springing to his feet, scanning the surroundings warily. Upon realizing they meant to save him, he relaxed—but not entirely.
"Many thanks to this big brother… and uh… this big sister," Yanqing said, subtly narrowing his eyes as he sensed danger emanating from the veiled woman.
He glanced at the ice wall isolating them from the outside world and the Cloud Knights, utterly bewildered by the turn of events. Clearly, these rescuers weren't ordinary individuals either.
Despite his unease, Yanqing mustered courage and stated, "Honored friends, if you help me capture these three wanted criminals, Luofu will forever remember your kindness!"
On the side, the Stellaron Hunters reacted differently to Yanqing's plea. Blade burst into laughter, finding it hilariously ironic.
"Hahahahaha…"
"Boy, do you even know who that person beside you is?!?"
A sickly cheerful grin spread across his face as he brandished his ancient sword and charged toward Jingliu.
Yanqing instinctively drew his own blade to protect her, but Blade swung with ferocious strength. A streak of crimson sliced through the air, knocking Yanqing's sword away and sending waves of pain coursing through his body.
As Blade leapt high, preparing to deliver a fatal blow, a golden glow appeared on the ice-covered ceiling.
A massive blade descended, startling Yanqing. Overwhelmed with surprise and gratitude, he exclaimed, "General!!!"