Alchemist

Meanwhile, in the Wondrous Hall, Mr. Feng had just finished seeing a patient and was sitting in the hall drinking tea.

Several cultivators entered and bowed respectfully to Mr. Feng, saying, "Someone in our clan is severely injured. We respectfully ask Mr. Feng to lend his assistance."

Mr. Feng glanced at their pale yellow Daoist robes embroidered with golden threads. "From the Qian family?"

"Yes."

"How serious is the injury?"

A Qian family cultivator hesitated for a moment before saying, "It seems he was injured by a powerful fire-type spiritual force. His flesh is charred, meridians damaged, and his aura is weak..."

Mr. Feng frowned. "That serious?"

"Our clan has already invited several alchemists to treat him, but they are arguing among themselves and cannot decide. So, we thought of asking Mr. Feng to take a look. Throughout Tongxian, Mr. Feng's medical alchemy skills are truly unique."

"You flatter me," Mr. Feng replied. "Time is of the essence. Let me prepare, and I'll come over."

Mr. Feng's medical alchemy knew no distinction of status or wealth. Whether they were wandering cultivators or clan cultivators, as long as they truly faced difficulties, he generally lent a helping hand.

The Qian family cultivators bowed again respectfully. "Thank you, Mr. Feng."

Mr. Feng selected several medicinal herbs, a few bottles of elixirs, and brought along a few alchemy books. After instructing a few apprentices, he followed the cultivators to the Qian family.

Upon arriving at the Qian family, he learned that the person to be saved was Qian Xing. Mr. Feng frowned slightly, a hint of displeasure crossing his face.

He had heard of Qian Xing's usual behavior—using his power to bully others. However, these were just rumors, and he hadn't seen it with his own eyes. Besides, while Qian Xing was stubborn, there were no reports of him committing heinous acts. Refusing to save him outright for this reason was not appropriate.

The atmosphere at the Qian household was bleak. Several women sobbed quietly, and the elders looked solemn.

Mr. Feng sighed. Cultivators, if they did not become immortals, were still human, subject to life's vicissitudes. Although he had witnessed scenes like this many times, he still felt compassion and would help if he could.

Mr. Feng entered the room to examine Qian Xing's injuries, then discussed treatment methods with the other alchemists.

One alchemist said, "Young Master Qian's injuries are too severe. He should be nurtured with wood-type spiritual materials, supplemented with elixirs, to gradually nourish his physical body for a full recovery..."

Another alchemist disagreed, "Nurturing won't cure the root. He was injured by fire-type spiritual force, and the residual spiritual energy inside him will form fire toxins. If not completely removed, it will continue to damage his meridians and vital energy, causing endless troubles..."

"How do you propose to remove it?"

"Using Heavenly Yuan Water, supplemented with Water Spirit Pills. The synergy of water and fire will thoroughly cleanse the fire toxins. Once the fire toxins are gone, the damaged meridians and flesh will gradually recover..."

"Water and fire synergy is too aggressive. If the fire toxins aren't completely removed, Young Master Qian's life may be at risk!"

...

The debate among the alchemists continued unabated, each holding firm to their own views without convincing the others.

Mr. Feng cleared his throat, and the alchemists quieted down.

For over a hundred years in Tongxian, Mr. Feng had treated countless patients. Though he appeared powerless, his prestige was immense.

Even if a cultivator in Tongxian hadn't been treated by Mr. Feng personally, their relatives and friends had likely benefited from his help. Moreover, the ways of fate were unpredictable, and one could never guarantee they wouldn't need Mr. Feng's assistance in the future.

The present alchemists knew Mr. Feng's character well and held him in high regard. Before attaining a definitive rank, several of these alchemists had even visited Mr. Feng specifically to seek his guidance.

With a cough from Mr. Feng, the alchemists fell silent and listened obediently.

"The fire toxins must be cleared," Mr. Feng affirmed, eliciting a pleased expression from the alchemist advocating toxin removal.

"But Heavenly Yuan Water is too forceful..."

"Mr. Feng is right," the alchemist responded respectfully.

"Nurturing is an option, but it mustn't be too gentle, or it will only nourish the toxins..." Mr. Feng turned to another alchemist, listing several spiritual herbs and elixirs, analyzing how best to use them, adjusting their quantities based on the severity of the symptoms...

Finally, Mr. Feng concluded, "Alchemy requires mutual exchange and discussion. It's good to have your own ideas, but don't be stubborn. No one convinces anyone by being stubborn."

The alchemists nodded in agreement.

Having said his piece, Mr. Feng sat aside and drank his tea.

Several other alchemists whispered to each other on the side. While they had a treatment plan in mind, they still needed to discuss and deliberate on which elixirs to use and how to refine them. It couldn't be finalized in a short time.

Mr. Feng sipped his tea and suddenly asked, "By the way, why was Qian Xing injured so severely?"

The alchemists stopped their discussion, unsure of how to respond. It wasn't a pleasant topic, especially here at the Qian residence.

One alchemist, seeing no Qian family members nearby, whispered, "I heard Young Master Qian bullied someone and ended up being injured himself."

Mr. Feng furrowed his brow.

"It wasn't from being attacked," another alchemist said, "He used a newly learned spell to attack someone, but due to insufficient skill, the spell rebounded, resulting in his current condition..."

"Nonsense! Could a spell rebound cause this kind of injury?" another alchemist argued.

"Injuries from spell rebound are internal, while his injuries clearly came from an external source."

"Exactly, it must have been an ambush using a fire-type spell."

"Don't spells take time to condense? In a few breaths' time, he could have easily dodged. Is Young Master Qian foolish enough to just stand there and get hit?"

"How do you know he isn't foolish?"

"Perhaps he was careless and didn't evade..."

"You're all wrong. It must have been a fire-type talisman, and not a cheap one either, probably a single-use type..."

The alchemists continued their lively discussion.

If they were discussing how to treat someone with elixirs, it would require intense brainstorming and contemplation, a tiring endeavor. But gossiping about scandals? That was a much livelier affair.

Mr. Feng felt a bit speechless and asked again, "Who did he bully?"

"It seems he bullied a child. Some cultivators who couldn't tolerate it came to help, leading to a big fight. Even though society has declined these days, there are still cultivators brave enough to stand up for justice."

Mr. Feng had a guess in his heart, and his expression gradually turned cold. "Do you know who this child is?"

"I'm not quite sure. I only heard that the one who helped fight was an apprentice from Master Chen's artifact refining shop. The child who was bullied seems to be surnamed Mo..."

Mr. Feng set down his teacup, stood up, and brushed his sleeves.

"Mr. Feng..." Several alchemists hurriedly got up to follow.

Seeing this, the Qian family members also quickly caught up, anxiously asking, "Sir, where are you going?"

"Back!"

"You're the only hope to treat the young master's severe injuries..."

"I won't treat him!" Mr. Feng cut them off decisively.

"This... Sir, you..." Several Qian family disciples were at a loss.

A Qian family elder, with a profound cultivation base and deep spiritual marks, blocked Mr. Feng's path. "Mr. Feng, please reconsider. If you heal the young master, our patriarch won't mistreat you!"

"A Foundation Establishment stage cultivator!" The alchemists were slightly startled, exchanging glances.

Mr. Feng glanced at the Qian family elder. "Are you teaching me how to do things?"

"I dare not. Please, sir, save the young master." The Qian family elder clasped his hands.

Mr. Feng snorted coldly. "Throughout my life of alchemy and healing, I've aimed to save lives, not create trouble. What kind of person is your young master? Is he really worth my effort?"

The Qian family elder was rendered speechless. He knew well the kind of person the young master was, and he knew that with Mr. Feng's temperament, once he knew the truth, he wouldn't likely save him.

Mr. Feng's expression remained as calm as water. "Are you going to let me go?"

The Qian family elder, despite his Foundation Establishment cultivation, felt somewhat uneasy under Mr. Feng's gaze. After hesitating for a while, he silently stepped aside.

Mr. Feng flicked his sleeve and walked out of the Qian residence. Several alchemists took the opportunity to bid their farewells. The rest, not daring to offend the Qian family, reluctantly stayed behind.

One of the Qian family disciples asked the Qian family elder, "Elder, why didn't you stop Mr. Feng?"

The Qian family elder glared at him angrily. "Stop him? Back then, Mr. Feng saved my father's life. How could I have the face to stop him? If he doesn't scold me, that's already giving me face!"

(End of the Chapter)