Chapter 71

Chapter 71: The Solution

The group continued onward to the next room.

As expected, after several cultivators took the antidote, none showed the slightest improvement.

The Pill Masters who had been observing all wore expressions of disappointment; clearly, this so-called theory was of no practical use.

The poison would not produce different effects based on an individual’s constitution.

Yet Zhou Luo showed no trace of panic. He remained calm as he proceeded to the next room, like a devout seeker of knowledge still waiting for that sliver of a miracle to manifest.

Finally, they arrived at the room of the old man Zhou Luo had visited before.

Sure enough, when Zhou Luo entered, Lin Xuanfeng followed silently just behind him.

Zhou Luo paid him no mind. He walked to the bedside, took out an antidote, briefly explained his purpose to the old man, then placed the pill into the man’s mouth. Afterwards, he simply stood there, waiting quietly.

By the door, Lin Xuanfeng stood expressionless, his eyes deep and ice-cold.

After roughly a few minutes, the medicine began to take effect.

The old man lay there, apparently unchanged.

The three Pill Masters turned, preparing to leave as they’d become accustomed to.

Right then, the old man’s index finger twitched.

Lin Xuanfeng was the first to notice, his eyes momentarily brightening.

At the same time, Lin Kai also happened to catch sight of it.

His eyes widened, and he instinctively exclaimed, "It’s working!"

The three Pill Masters looked stunned. Swiftly turning back, they gathered around.

Their gazes locked onto the old man’s veined right hand, where the aged index finger was shuddering slightly.

The movement was very slight, but it was undeniable — a significant discovery.

Because without exception, every poisoned individual had been completely paralyzed; aside from their eyeballs, they showed absolutely no response.

But now, the old man’s finger had moved.

Could it mean Zhou Luo’s theory was correct?

In an instant, the several Pill Masters exchanged glances, then simultaneously looked towards Zhou Luo.

Could he truly be a genius?

At this moment, Zhou Luo’s face was also a picture of surprise and astonishment.

"Excellent! I must study this carefully," Zhou Luo proclaimed, his voice brimming with zeal.

Of course, this was all his feigned delight.

While his proposed theory seemed sound by modern logic, who could guarantee it would align with this world’s principles?

Therefore, while refining the antidote, he had intentionally added partial components of the true cure into the pill, granting it the ability to suppress certain aspects of the poison.

That was the reason behind the scene unfolding before them.

A complex expression flickered across Lin Kai’s face, and he found himself turning his gaze towards Lin Xuanfeng at the doorway.

The other person lowered his eyes, as though showing no reaction to any of this.

"Elder Jiu, this is a significant breakthrough. If we can uncover why this elder’s body can suppress the toxin, we might develop an antidote,"

Zhou Luo proactively said, turning to Lin Xuanfeng.

For he knew, from the very beginning, that the other man was the one making the decisions.

According to the plan, he would use the pretext of researching the elder’s body to isolate the others and create an opportunity for them to be alone.

But truthfully, he wasn’t sure if the other would actually grant his wish.

After all, if Lin Xuanfeng knew that he was the one who poisoned the elder, he would surely also prevent him from learning about the spiritual mine.

Lin Xuanfeng, who had been addressed, lifted his gaze towards him. His sharp, hawk-like eyes revealed not the slightest trace of emotion.

Then, he shifted his gaze to the three Pill Masters. "Since Sage Dragon’s constitution is unique, I presume all of you should also be able to develop the corresponding antidote based on your research."

At these words, Zhou Luo’s eyes dimmed sharply.

It seemed the other almost certainly knew about the poisoning now and was still unwilling to let him approach the Great Elder’s faction.

Yet why not just strike directly against him?

Was it because of wariness towards the Great Elder?

Or… was it a matter of setting a long line to catch a big fish?

Zhou Luo couldn’t figure it out just yet. However, faced with this decision, he took a step back, his expression calm. "Elder Jiu speaks wisely. Then, honorable seniors, please proceed with your research."

The three Pill Masters were also deeply curious as to why the antidote only took effect on this one elder, so they didn’t refuse.

One Pill Master placed his right hand on the elder’s wrist, channeling spiritual energy to examine his body.

But other than confirming that the toxicity within him truly had weakened, he found nothing unusual.

"Well… I don’t seem to be able to discern anything," he said with an awkward expression.

"Let me try," another Pill Master declared.

But then… there was nothing.

He too discovered nothing out of the ordinary.

Next was the third Pill Master, achieving equally fruitless results.

All three Pill Masters present looked awkwardly towards Zhou Luo standing nearby.

Zhou Luo maintained a humble posture, his countenance still serene.

Lin Kai, however, looked displeased. He turned to Zhou Luo, his voice cooling slightly. "Zhou Luo, can you see anything unusual about his physique?"

Zhou Luo didn’t even look at Lin Kai. Instead, he focused intently on Lin Xuanfeng. "Elder Jiu, I need a private space to conduct a thorough investigation. Only then might I find a solution."

Lin Xuanfeng remained expressionless. Beside him, Lin Kai’s expression darkened further.

Lin Kai even felt certain Zhou Luo already had a solution. Claiming the need for privacy was clearly just a ploy to get alone with the poisoned elder.

Thinking this, he stole a sidelong glance at Lin Xuanfeng, Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall.

Would the Ninth Elder see through it?

And if he did, how would he respond?

No one spoke. The room fell utterly silent. The atmosphere grew eerily strange.

Everyone waited for Lin Xuanfeng to speak, yet none dared to look directly at the man.

After a long silence, Lin Xuanfeng finally drawled, "In that case… proceed."

Hearing this, both Zhou Luo and Lin Kai started violently.

Lin Kai, in particular, froze. His iron-hued face registered complete astonishment. He stared at Lin Xuanfeng beside him, disbelief evident, only to realize the rudeness of such an act and hurriedly lower his head.

Zhou Luo was equally astounded. He had anticipated obstruction, not outright agreement.

Having spoken, Lin Xuanfeng calmly walked out. Lin Kai hurried to follow. The three Pill Masters, intensely curious about how Zhou Luo would "research" the matter, nevertheless filed out obediently.

Once everyone had left, Zhou Luo felt no shred of triumphant joy at his scheme seemingly succeeding.

Because he suddenly realized that he could no longer gauge the other man’s thoughts.

Previously, the main family line had clearly resisted his entry to the second layer fiercely. So why agree so readily now?

Could it be… they no longer cared?

At this single thought, a terrifying possibility surged into Zhou Luo’s mind.

The main family… intends to silence him.

Permanently.

Only this could explain Lin Xuanfeng’s perplexing behavior.

Furthermore, by eliminating him afterward, they could pin the blame for the poisoning squarely on him, effectively preventing the Great Elder from pursuing any grievance against the main family.

An icy chill seeped through Zhou Luo’s entire body. The serene composure he had maintained cracked, replaced by panic spreading across his face.

His prior calmness had stemmed purely from clinging to the hope that salvage remained possible—that perhaps he could leverage the Great Elder’s faction within the spiritual mine to shield himself.

But if the poisoning were exposed… his death was inevitable.

His face turned slightly pale. He looked towards the immobile figure on the bed, his mind utterly disarrayed.

What… should he do?