"The Ugly Sovereign: Ascending Beyond Mortal Scorn"

Morning Mist and Medicine

The sun rose pale and cold over the hunter's shack. Granny Wen's cough had kept Luo Feng awake all night. Remembering Xiao Mei's gift, he carefully poured a drop of the honey syrup into a cracked cup of boiled water.

Granny's Trust:

She sipped it slowly, her wrinkled face softening. "It tastes sweet… like the old days."

Luo Feng smiled, relieved. "Rest, Granny. I'll gather more firewood."

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The First Signs

By midday, Granny Wen's breathing turned ragged. Her skin burned with fever, and dark veins crept up her neck like spiderwebs.

Panic:

Luo Feng shook her gently. "Granny! Wake up!"

Her eyes stayed closed, her lips blue.

The Amulet's Warning:

The black jade amulet pulsed angrily. Luo Feng grabbed the honey vial—and finally saw the tiny snake symbol (Yan Clan's mark) etched on the bottom.

"Poison…" he whispered, crushing the vial in his fist.

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Confronting Xiao Mei

Luo Feng ran to Xiao Mei's village, his heart pounding. He found her washing clothes by the river, humming softly.

Angry Accusation:

"You poisoned Granny!" he shouted, throwing the broken vial at her feet.

Xiao Mei's Shock:

Tears filled her eyes. "No! I didn't know! Yan Mo gave me the medicine… he said it would help!"

Truth Revealed:

Yan Mo had tricked her. "He told me it was from a famous healer… I'm so sorry!"

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Yan Mo's Ambush

As Xiao Mei spoke, Yan Mo stepped from behind a tree, smirking. Two thugs blocked the path behind them.

Taunt:

"Stupid girl," Yan Mo sneered. "You actually believed I'd help that monster?"

Luo Feng's Rage:

He lunged, but a thug grabbed Xiao Mei, pressing a knife to her throat. "Move, and she dies!"

Deal Offered:

Yan Mo tossed a small bottle to Luo Feng. "Give me the amulet… and I'll give you the antidote."

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A Terrible Choice

Luo Feng clutched the amulet. The golden serpent's voice hissed in his mind: "Do not trust him!"

Xiao Mei's Plea:

"Don't do it! He'll kill us anyway!"

Luo Feng's Decision:

He threw the amulet into the river. "Now give me the antidote!"

Betrayal:

Yan Mo laughed, crushing the antidote bottle under his boot. "Fool! There is no antidote!"

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Fight for Survival

Luo Feng's fists glowed with Qi. He punched the thug holding Xiao Mei, breaking his nose.

Chaos:

Yan Mo slashed at Luo Feng with a dagger, cutting his arm.

Xiao Mei bit the second thug's hand, freeing herself.

The amulet suddenly flew from the river, glowing gold, and struck Yan Mo's chest.

Retreat:

Yan Mo coughed blood. "This isn't over!" He fled, his thugs stumbling after him.

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The Forest's Secret

With Xiao Mei's help, Luo Feng carried Granny Wen into the forest. The amulet led them to a hidden cave filled with glowing mushrooms.

Antidote Found:

A silver mushroom pulsed with light. The golden serpent's voice whispered: "Grind it… feed her."

Granny's Recovery:

After eating the mushroom paste, Granny's fever broke. She opened her eyes weakly. "You… saved me…"

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Xiao Mei's Guilt

Xiao Mei sat by the fire, her face streaked with tears. "I'll never trust Yan Mo again. I promise."

Luo Feng's Forgiveness:

He handed her a blanket. "You didn't know. But we have to be careful… the Yan Clan won't stop."

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The Serpent's Warning

That night, the golden serpent returned to Luo Feng's dream.

Vision:

Yan Mo knelt before a hooded Yan Clan elder, begging for another chance.

The elder hissed: "Bring me the amulet… or die."

Message:

The serpent growled: "Prepare… the storm comes."

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A New Threat

As Luo Feng slept, the amulet glowed faintly. Unseen by anyone, the crushed antidote bottle seeped into the soil—where a poisoned flower began to grow.