NOVEL WEB Chapter 26: May Seem Far Away, Yet It's Actually So Close
"Young friend Jiang Chen."
"And two esteemed alchemists."
"I am Du Bailei, the president of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce."
"Please forgive me for not revealing my true appearance, as I am currently unwell and my physical condition is far from ideal."
Du Bailei's hoarse voice conveyed a subtle undertone of pain.
"I understand, I understand!"
Jiang Chen responded empathetically, expressing his concern. He then engaged in a brief exchange with the President of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce.
Soon after.
Jiang Chen proposed that Qiu Liaoxi and Ning Xian examine him.
After some consideration, Du Bailei consented to their suggestion.
"Please excuse me."
"I hope my appearance will not alarm you three."
Du Bailei spoke as he lifted his hand and removed his black hood.
Suddenly.
A monstrous visage emerged before Jiang Chen, Ning Xian, and Qiu Liaoxi.
The face consisted of intertwined muscles, resembling vines, and its hue was akin to that of severe burns.
However.
Jiang Chen, having experienced the era of information explosion, was unafraid.
Qiu Liaoxi, well-informed as she was, also remained composed.
Only Ning Xian, with her limited life experience and having never encountered such a horrifying visage before, had her pupils contract momentarily before returning to normal.
"Alchemist Qiu, please diagnose President Du Bailei!"
Jiang Chen scrutinized Du Bailei and then nodded gravely at Qiu Liaoxi.
"I will do my utmost!"
Qiu Liaoxi nodded in response and approached to diagnose Du Bailei.
In fact.
Upon seeing Du Bailei, Qiu Liaoxi felt a sense of familiarity.
After a moment of reflection, she recalled some information from the Thousand Green Pill Heart Records.
Du Bailei's condition was the result of something within his body that absorbed not only his Yuan Power and blood but also a portion of his spiritual power.
"President Du Bailei..."
"This wasn't an accident, was it? Someone targeted you!"
"The entity within President Du Bailei's body is called the 'Swallowing Body Snatching Soul Grass'!"
"This grass necessitates a highly skilled alchemist to implant it into the target's body using a specialized technique."
"It will absorb the host's spiritual power and blood to strengthen itself. If left untreated, it will drain the host entirely in a single instance!"
"However, under the influence of a specific medicine, it will only absorb a portion of the host's spiritual power and blood, ensuring the host's survival."
"President Du Bailei, it's evident that you fall into the latter category; someone is employing this method to control you!"
Following her meticulous diagnosis of Du Bailei, Qiu Liaoxi inquired gravely.
Upon hearing these words.
Du Bailei's expression shifted, displaying surprise.
"Swallowing Body Snatching Soul Grass!"
"So, this entity is called the 'Swallowing Body Snatching Soul Grass'!"
"Alchemist Qiu, you truly possess extraordinary medical skills. I have journeyed to numerous locations across the Mysterious Truth Continent, yet only you were able to diagnose me."
Du Bailei's astonishment grew, and his tone became increasingly animated.
Unbeknownst to him, Qiu Liaoxi was actually an alchemist hailing from the Bright Cloud Continent.
"What is going on here?"
Jiang Chen's eyebrows arched, displaying a curious expression.
Internally, he was delighted.
Qiu Liaoxi had identified the cause of Du Bailei's affliction, which implied an increased likelihood of curing Du Bailei before anyone else.
"This matter..."
"I wonder if Alchemist Qiu possesses the ability to heal me?"
"If you cannot, I would not dare to disclose it independently. It would be unfavorable for both of us!"
Du Bailei's astonishment morphed into a mix of anticipation and apprehension, as he spoke hesitantly.
"I am aware of a method to save you!"
Qiu Liaoxi nodded, then altered her tone, "However, it may be challenging to accomplish."
"Alchemist Qiu, please feel free to speak your mind."
Du Bailei inhaled deeply and addressed her with a solemn expression.
"To eradicate the Swallowing Body Snatching Soul Grass."
"We require a unique spiritual plant known as the 'Melting Miasma Fleshy Moss'."
"Where the Melting Miasma Fleshy Moss exists, the Swallowing Body Snatching Soul Grass cannot thrive."
"When the Swallowing Body Snatching Soul Grass encounters the Melting Miasma Fleshy Moss, it is akin to facing a lethal poison, and it will perish instantly."
"Furthermore, upon its demise, a portion of the absorbed spiritual essence will be restored to your body."
"Regrettably, the Melting Miasma Fleshy Moss is an exceedingly rare treasure, and throughout my lifetime, I have yet to come across it even once."
Qiu Liaoxi elucidated the specific treatment approach and then, with a hint of disappointment, shook her head.
"Melting Miasma Fleshy Moss..."
Du Bailei's expression transformed into one of despair, disappointment supplanting the hope he previously held, "Does this mean I am destined to be a tool or slave for the remainder of my life?"
As the President of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce and an experienced appraiser,
He possessed extensive knowledge of spiritual plants, yet he had never encountered this Melting Miasma Fleshy Moss before and had no notion of where to locate it.
"I don't know who committed such a heinous act, utilizing the Swallowing Body Snatching Soul Grass to torment people."
Ning Xian declared indignantly, "It's designed to make people yearn for death!"
"Alas."
"Many thanks to young friend Jiang Chen for inviting Master Qiu to diagnose me."
"Although I cannot be cured at present, at least I now know the treatment method."
"In the future, I will devote all my efforts to searching for the Melting Miasma Fleshy Moss, hoping to find it and eliminate the harm inflicted by the Swallowing Body Snatching Soul Grass."
With a resigned sigh, Du Bailei regained his composure and bowed to Jiang Chen in gratitude.
Just when everyone assumed Jiang Chen was going to console Du Bailei.
"Wait!"
"Melting Miasma Fleshy Moss..."
"Is it a dense, purple-red spiritual plant that resembles moss?"
Jiang Chen rubbed his chin and inquired, astonishment evident in his voice as he addressed Qiu Liaoxi.
"Yes!"
"Melting Miasma Fleshy Moss appears precisely like that. It's a dense, purplish-red moss that resembles flesh!"
"Young Master Jiang Chen, is it possible that you've encountered this plant before!?"
Qiu Liaoxi gazed at Jiang Chen in disbelief. Throughout her life, she had never laid eyes on the actual Melting Miasma Fleshy Moss!
Simultaneously,
Ning Xian's eyes brimmed with astonishment as she too regarded Jiang Chen with incredulity.
Naturally,
If one were to consider the most emotionally stirred individual, it would be none other than Du Bailei!
"Young friend Jiang Chen!"
"Have you truly seen the Melting Miasma Fleshy Moss? Where can it be found!?"
Du Bailei approached Jiang Chen with immense excitement, his eyes widening and his eyeballs nearly bulging out!
"Hahaha!"
"Don't worry, President Du. The Melting Miasma Fleshy Moss you seek may seem far away, yet it's actually so close!"
Jiang Chen smiled faintly, then touched his storage bracelet and retrieved an object...
Simultaneously,
In another room on the third floor of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce's encampment,
"Lai Peng, any response yet?"
Lin Feng paced back and forth, growing increasingly impatient. He turned to Lai Peng, who wore a sheepish expression, and inquired.
"Well..."
"My superior is preoccupied with some matters, so it might take a while before I receive a response."
Lai Peng admitted helplessly. He now understood where the higher-ups of the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce had gone. They were all occupied with negotiations involving the Jiang Clan and their patriarch.
"Alright."
"I'll wait a bit longer."
Lin Feng nodded and took a seat at the table, pouring himself a cup of tea.
His sense of urgency had dissipated.
After all, the patient, Du Bailei, was right there and couldn't escape. He would inevitably have the opportunity to meet with him.
On the other side.
At the top floor of the renowned Wind Observation Tower in Autumn Glory City.
The head of the Jiang family was hosting a group of high-level cultivators from the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce.
"Come on, keep drinking!!"
"Today, we won't return until we're drunk, hahaha!"
A middle-aged man with slightly graying temples raised his wine glass and downed it in one gulp, demonstrating immense enthusiasm.
Buzzing.
Suddenly, a transmission jade token in someone's possession began to emit a sound.
He promptly sought to check it out.