「Half an hour ago, at the Tianhai Martial Alliance.」

After Xu Ke snatched his cell phone and left, Lin Zhongtian got up and dragged Peng Hetong into the back room. He then had Peng Hetong's men clean up the chaotic scene. Although Peng Hetong's men found the situation strange, none dared to ask any questions.

As for Lin Zhongtian, he returned to his temporary office, his face contorted with pain.

In the bathroom of his office, Lin Zhongtian stared at his arm in horror. He discovered that the vein Xu Ke had pierced with a poisoned needle had begun to fester. The wound was turning a bruised purple, and it emitted a faint, foul stench.

The True Qi in his body was completely useless against the invading toxin. Pain flared up all over his body as if he'd been set on fire, spreading everywhere.

Pain. Intense pain. Lin Zhongtian's face twisted in an instant.

What kind of poison is this? It's enough to drive me insane on the spot.

He felt both fear and shame—he had been the one to kidnap Xu Ke, only to end up poisoned himself!

"Xu Ke, you bastard!" Lin Zhongtian gritted his teeth, cursing resentfully.

Xu Ke wants to control me with poison? And he said something like, "Starting tomorrow, your whole body will begin to fester, and your True Qi will dissipate. Without the antidote, you're bound to die in ten days"? I can't just surrender! How could an Elder of the Long Capital Grand Alliance give in so easily?

Lin Zhongtian immediately used other means to contact the many doctors he knew, including some top physicians. With his status, no one would dare show disrespect, even for a late-night interruption.

The call connected quickly. It was Ying Changhe, a top doctor from Long Capital's Changhe Pharmacy.

"Ying Changhe, good evening. Pardon the disturbance, but I have something to ask you," Lin Zhongtian began politely.

On the other end, Ying Changhe replied, "No need for pleasantries, Elder Lin. Please speak freely."

"You are experienced and have superb medical skills. Surely you must be familiar with many different medicines, right?"

"You flatter me, Elder Lin. But after decades of practicing medicine in Long Capital, I am indeed familiar with most common medicines," Ying Changhe spoke with modest confidence.

Hearing this, Lin Zhongtian immediately asked, "Then, are you familiar with many poisons?"

"Of course. How can one detoxify without recognizing poisons?" Ying Changhe said with a hint of pride. "Back in the day, I was fortunate enough to receive instruction from the Medical Saint himself, and the very topic was rare poisons. I wouldn't dare claim expertise in creating poisons, but when it comes to identifying them, I dare say I'm second to none in Long Capital. First place belongs only to the Medical Saint himself. Unfortunately, it's been over twenty years since I last saw him."

As soon as he finished, Lin Zhongtian's eyes lit up. This is it! I'm saved!

He immediately inquired, "Then, if someone's wound is turning a bruised purple and emitting a faint, foul stench… what does that indicate? What poison could it be? Can you cure it? An old friend of mine has been poisoned!"

Lin Zhongtian couldn't possibly admit he was the one who was poisoned. How humiliating would that be for a Long Capital Elder? He had to beat around the bush.

Upon hearing this, Ying Changhe was stunned for a moment before replying with some uncertainty, "This… it somewhat resembles a few poisons I've heard of. Elder Lin, why don't you bring your friend back to Long Capital? I have the best medical facilities here. I'm certain they will be of some use!"

Ying Changhe was still hesitant and suggested Lin Zhongtian return to Long Capital.

But how could Lin Zhongtian dare to return to Long Capital? He didn't have time for that!

Thinking this, he could only ask directly, gritting his teeth, "Have you ever heard of something called the Shitian Elixir?"

He believed that with Ying Changhe's extraordinary ability to recognize poisons, he would surely have a remedy upon hearing the name.

But then, something terrifying happened.

As soon as Ying Changhe heard the name "Shitian Elixir," his voice changed completely! He exclaimed in shock, "What did you say?!"

BANG!

The sound of something shattering came from the other end, mixed with the panicked voices of a group of people. Hearing the unmistakable sound of breaking glass, Lin Zhongtian's body trembled, and cold sweat drenched him.

This… what's happening? A strong sense of foreboding welled up in his heart.

"Shi-Shitian Elixir..." Lin Zhongtian muttered.

"Wasn't that thing supposed to have been lost to time?" Ying Changhe cried out. "One of the twelve great exotic poisons, potent and fierce. The toxin deepens with each passing day, torturing the victim relentlessly. Though it's called the Shitian Elixir, few can even last until the eighth day. That's why it's also known as the Seven-Day Death Poison. The Medical Saint himself once regretted being unable to obtain the formula to study it, even telling us he would search for clues in ancient texts... How can it still exist in this world?"

Seven-Day Death Poison?!

Hearing this term, Lin Zhongtian went completely numb.

How is that possible?! Xu Ke has such a rare poison? He must be lying! Yes! That bastard Xu Ke must have heard the name "Shitian Elixir" from some ancient text and thought he could scare me with it, believing I would fall for it... The poison in my body right now absolutely cannot be the Shitian Elixir…

Lin Zhongtian frantically tried to console himself, but he couldn't help but ask aloud, "Then, Changhe, based on the description… is my old friend's condition caused by the Shitian Elixir?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Ying Changhe hurriedly said, "Wait, I'll look it up. Hold on a moment."

Lin Zhongtian could clearly hear Ying Changhe on the other end, telling people to bring out books, followed by a flurry of frantic activity.

More than ten minutes passed.

Ying Changhe picked up the phone, his voice heavy. "This exotic poison was lost long ago, so I can't be certain. However, a friend once told me that after being poisoned, it spreads upward from the point of entry. May I ask, Elder Lin, where was your friend poisoned?"

"In… in a blood vessel on the wrist of the right arm," Lin Zhongtian's voice trembled.

"How long ago?"

"About an hour."

"Then, according to the progression of the Shitian Elixir, try pressing on his shoulder. If it quickly turns a bruised purple, then…"

Ying Changhe didn't finish his sentence, but the implication was clear.

Lin Zhongtian reached for his right shoulder with a trembling hand and pressed lightly…

The bruised purple discoloration was visible to the naked eye. Then, it quickly faded.

Enveloped by despair and fear, Lin Zhongtian's body went limp in his chair.

It's true! The Seven-Day Death Poison. It's the Seven-Day Death Poison! How could Xu Ke have such an exotic poison?! And he actually used it on me?!

He hadn't imagined Xu Ke knew the formula himself; he had simply assumed Xu Ke was lucky enough to have found a vial of it.

Lin Zhongtian's hand holding the phone was completely drained of strength. "Fine… then, if it really is… do you have an antidote?"

"The antidote is likely only recorded in the formula itself. Changhe is at his limit; I have never seen it…" Ying Changhe said with great difficulty. "Elder Lin, I cannot help you."

As he spoke, Lin Zhongtian's face turned completely ashen.

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