Looking at Nalan Jie's emaciated figure, even someone as composed as Gu He couldn't help but shake his head.
'This old man has truly pushed himself to the brink...'
After all, he was once one of the Jia Ma Empire's top ten powerhouses...
Beside him, Nalan Yanran's eyes reddened slightly, a rare mist gathering in them, making her appear pitiful.
After a brief inspection, Gu He raised his right hand slightly. Purple flames spiraled upward, and in an instant, the temperature in the room soared.
He extended his middle finger, a wisp of purple flame coiling around his fingertip. Then, his soul power seeped out, enveloping the flame and suppressing its scorching heat before gently pressing it against Nalan Jie's back.
The moment the purple flame entered Nalan Jie's body, the unconscious man suddenly trembled violently.
With his finger still pressed against Nalan Jie's back, Gu He narrowed his eyes, his soul power guiding the flame through the main meridians before approaching the bones corroded by the poison.
Through his soul power's perception, the state of Nalan Jie's body became clear to Gu He. The sight of the nearly blackened bones made his frown deepen—this was worse than he had expected.
"A little later, and this old man would've been beyond saving..."
Muttering inwardly, Gu He carefully maneuvered his divine flame closer to the toxin-covered bones.
As the purple flame's temperature rose, Nalan Jie's numb expression twisted in pain. His withered hands clenched, veins bulging along his arms.
Once the flame reached the necessary temperature, Gu He took a steadying breath before directing it toward the blackened bone.
"Ah—!"
Nalan Jie's eyes flew open as a hoarse, agonized roar tore from his throat. A fierce aura flared around him, as if life had surged back into his body.
"Grandpa!"
Nalan Yanran and Nalan Su called out in alarm.
"Patriarch Nalan, I am expelling the poison from your body. If you endure the pain, the toxins will be purged. If not... then I can do nothing more," Gu He stated calmly.
Nalan Jie turned his head slightly, recognizing Gu He's face. After a brief pause, he gritted his teeth and rasped, "Pill King Gu He... I never expected you to intervene."
Gu He's expression remained solemn. "The poison has seeped into your marrow. I am using a Heavenly Flame to cleanse it. Can you withstand it?"
"Hah! Your Excellency, do as you must. Even if I die, no one will blame you. This life of mine was already borrowed time."
Despite the pain contorting his face, Nalan Jie managed a bold smile.
"Grandpa! Don't say such things!" Nalan Yanran scolded, relief and frustration warring in her voice.
"You wretched girl! If not for you storming into the Xiao family to break off the engagement three years ago, would I have been so enraged that my cultivation stagnated? Would I have been reduced to this state by the poison?" Nalan Jie snapped, his voice cracking with fury.
Gu He's brow furrowed. "Silence."
The moment he spoke, the room fell quiet.
Nalan Yanran peeked at her teacher's impassive face before sticking out her tongue discreetly.
'In all these years, who else would dare speak to the hot-tempered old man like this? Only teacher...'
As the room settled into silence, only the faint crackle of flames could be heard.
Inside the quiet chamber, Nalan Yanran and her father exchanged hushed words, their gazes flickering anxiously toward the bed.
Unbothered by their unease, Gu He remained focused. The purple flame, carefully controlled by his soul power, continued its work—scorching away the corrosive poison entrenched in Nalan Jie's bones.
The flame hovered just above the blackened bones, its blistering heat seeping in to force out the toxins. Wisps of black mist rose, only to be swiftly engulfed by the purple fire and reduced to nothingness.
Unnoticed by Gu He, however, traces of something dark lingered within the flames before vanishing completely.
As time passed, the bones gradually regained their healthy hue.
Meanwhile, Nalan Jie's body was drenched in sweat, his face contorted in agony. His teeth clenched as he hissed, "P-Pill King... how much longer?"
Gu He frowned. Seeing that Nalan Jie was nearing his limit, he retrieved a jade vial from his spatial ring and handed it to Nalan Yanran.
"Give this to him."
She immediately uncorked the vial, revealing a vibrant green pill. The moment it appeared, a potent life force filled the air.
Nalan Yanran's eyes widened. "This... a sixth-tier pill?!"
For a moment, she was overwhelmed with gratitude. 'Teacher actually used such a precious pill for my grandfather!'
Without delay, she placed the pill into Nalan Jie's mouth.
The moment it dissolved, a surge of vitality spread through his body, repairing damaged tissues.
"This...!"
Nalan Jie shuddered as an unprecedented comfort washed over him, as though his very essence had been purified.
Watching closely, Nalan Yanran and her father gasped—strands of Nalan Jie's white hair were slowly darkening.
Realizing the pill's immense value, Nalan Su bowed deeply.
"Your Excellency, Pill King... the Nalan family is forever in your debt!"
…
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