"A Tier-1 Detoxification Pills can suppress the toxins in your body. A Tier-2 pill can eradicate them completely. This isn't about a cure—it's about brute force. Or, to put it another way—overwhelming a Tier-1 poison with Tier-2 potency."
Seeing Zhao Yiping's growing confusion, Su Min rephrased with a smile. The Kuntai Sect numbered in the hundreds—no small faction. Their resources and manpower were substantial. If this was the southern border of Great Wei, their territory lay in the northwest.
"Do you have Tier-2 pills?"
"Not currently. Some required herbs only grow in frozen wastelands. This region is perpetually humid—no chance of finding them here."
"Name them. We'll handle the rest."
Before she could finish, Zhao Yiping spoke decisively.
"Very well."
Su Min didn't hold back. Retrieving paper and brush, she began listing ingredients:
Forest Sea Spirit Mushroom
Snowpeak Lotus
Azure Shadowbloom
...and a dozen more.
At first, the men remained composed. By the end, sweat beaded on their brows.
"These are what I need."
She slid the list toward them. Mixed in were materials for both the Tier-2 Detoxification Pills and her Qi-Inducing Pill.
Take it or leave it.
Judging by their expressions, the first few items were manageable. Only the last gave them pause—a herb native to the eastern coast. For her, it was inaccessible. For them? Merely troublesome. She made sure that one was genuinely required for the Detoxification, though.
"Also, I have two more Tier-1 Detoxification Pills. Combined with the one you took, they'll suppress the poison for roughly three years. But be warned—any major injury or spiritual depletion will shorten that timeframe. Use them wisely."
With that, she gestured for them to leave—whether they had further business or not.
"Many thanks, Senior."
Zhao Yiping produced a heavy pouch—nearly a hundred taels of silver—and departed before she could react. Though the bamboo token covered the consultation, he wasn't foolish enough to skip payment.
On the Path Back
Only when nearing the village did the previously terrified bandit dare to speak:
"Sect Leader, was the silver necessary?"
"Fool. Talent like hers? A hundred taels is a bargain. Ten thousand wouldn't be excessive."
"But Sect Leader, you're not exactly young. Could it be you're—OW!"
A sharp smack cut him off.
"Watch your tongue. That 'young maiden' may appear eighteen, but her true age likely surpasses mine. She's undoubtedly stepped onto the immortal path—aging slowly, living centuries."
"Hiss—"
The men exchanged stunned glances. Zhao Yiping's certainty stemmed from her tacit acceptance of the title "Senior"—a sign she not only outclassed him in power but in years.
He was mistaken. Su Min simply didn't care what people called her. Most female cultivators would rage at being addressed as "granny," but she'd let it slide—unless someone pushed their luck.
"Enough. A'Niu, this village is your hometown. You'll remain here."
"Master! I swear I'll never speak out of turn again! Don't expel m—"
"Misunderstanding. I've learned the healer trades bamboo tokens for spirit herbs—sometimes for supplies. Your task is to secure at least one token annually for the sect. Resources will be sent periodically. Here—the sect's core techniques and my personal insights. Cultivate diligently."
He'd initially considered demanding all tokens but reconsidered. Antagonizing her wasn't worth it. One or two per year would suffice—each invaluable for recruiting experts. As for the herbs? He suspected padding but wouldn't protest. They'd gather every item—in abundance.
~Edit and rewritten by Rikhi, Reiya_Alberich, ReiNyam~
"Yes!"
After seeing the mental method given to him by the sect leader, Ah Niu was also ecstatic. He knew that this was the method that his headmaster had comprehended after decades of meditation. In addition to the sect leader, the first elder and the second elder were also practicing madly together.
Unbeknownst to him, this was merely the first chapter. Further rewards depended on his performance.
Meanwhile, Su Min's Hut
"Loose silver—easier to spend. Don't disappoint me. Once healed, go make trouble for Great Wei."
She pocketed the payment without guilt. Her motives were twofold:
Gather Qi-Inducing Pill materials.
Sow discord within the empire.
That "peerless beauty" the emperor doted on? Likely the first chapter's final boss—a master of forbidden arts. The one who wounded Zhao Yiping was probably a puppet crafted by her. Too weak to confront them directly, Su Min would let these "heroes" weaken the court first.
Whether conflict arose later mattered little. The moment she began practicing medicine, she'd accepted this role. After all, she might be the continent's only alchemist. Pills were indispensable for cultivation—yet true alchemists were vanishingly rare.
Only players, with their cheat-like versatility, could master all professions.