Chapter 1963 — 1963: Absorbing the Poison

Eventually, the Azure Dragon Clan calmed down.

"We'll deal with the First Elder and the Third Elder later. For now… since you purified the poison, does that mean our problem has been fixed?" Jiao Zhenhai asked Yuan.

He shook his head.

"Hard to say. Since the Azure Dragon Clan has been exposed to the poison for thousands of years, it might have a permanent effect on your bloodline. However, it's also possible for your bloodline to improve in future generations."

"Can't you just purify the poison in our body?" the Xuanbing asked.

"Like I said, the poison is already deeply rooted in your body. It'd be like trying to remove salt that has already been dissolved in water. It's not impossible, but it's going to be very difficult and time-consuming."

"How long would it take for you to cleanse one person?" Jiao Zhenhai asked.

"I won't know until I try it," Yuan said.

"Can you try it? Only the younger generation really needs to be healed since they're going to be the ones carrying on our bloodline and legacy."

"I'll give it a try, but if it takes too long or is too risky, I won't be able to help you."

Jiao Zhenhai nodded and turned to look at Xuanbing.

"Xuanbing, are you willing to be first?"

He nodded and said, "Of course. Anything for the family."

"Now lend us a quiet place with little to no disturbance," said Yuan.

Jiao Zhenhai brought them to his own room and said, "I'll forbid anyone from approaching this place so you can do the treatment in complete silence."

Yuan looked at Xuanbing and asked, "Are you ready?"

"Whenever you are."

They sat down with Yuan sitting behind Xuanbing.

"I'm going to examine your body first. Do not resist my spiritual energy."

Yuan placed his palms on Xuanbing's back and began spreading his spiritual energy around to examine the interior of Xuanbing's body.

"The poison isn't affecting your physical strength, and your internal organs remain unharmed," Yuan said as he carefully examined Xuanbing. "As for the poison itself, it's deeply embedded within your body, from your blood to your cells, to the point that it's almost undetectable. I'm going to begin the purifying process now. Let me know if it hurts."

Without hesitation, Yuan began the process of removing the poison from Xuanbing's body.

Unlike traditional purification techniques, his method was far more direct. He wasn't neutralizing the poison but absorbing it into himself.

Xuanbing's body began to tremble uncontrollably, his muscles tensing as the poison was drawn out. Yet not a single sound escaped his lips. He clenched his jaw and bore it in silence, choosing to endure rather than show weakness.

Seeing this, Yuan decided to continue without saying a word.

Exactly one week later, Yuan paused the process and examined Xuanbing's condition, comparing his current condition to what it had been when they first began to see how long it'd take to fully heal him.

"At this rate, it will take around four months to remove all of the poison in your body, and the pain will only get worse," Yuan said to Xuanbing.

"F-Four months…?" Xuanbing swallowed nervously. "I-It's okay! I can endure it! No! I will endure it!"

"Alright, let me speak with your father before we continue."

Sometime later, Jiao Zhenhai appeared before them.

"I can heal him in four months." Yuan went straight to the point.

"That's great! Then—"

"However, I will be done once I heal him." Yuan suddenly interrupted. "I have already solved the source of your problem, so I am technically already done. Once I heal him, I'll need the key. If you cannot accept this… then things might get complicated."

"That's…"

The excitement on Jiao Zhenhai's face immediately disappeared when he remembered that Yuan wasn't helping them for free. Regardless of their situation, none of it was Yuan's problem. Moreover, it was not as if the Azure Dragon Clan's lives were in danger.

"Is there no room for negotiation? I have five children, which would only take a little under two years to cure."

In Jiao Zhenhai's eyes, two years was nothing.

"Two years may be nothing in your eyes, but don't forget that I am a human. I also have many things to do. Two years is a long time for me. However, if you make it worthwhile, I guess I can stay here for two years."

"T-The treasury! I'll let you take one treasure from our Azure Dragon Clan's treasury for every child of mine you cure after Xuanbing!" Jiao Zhenhai said.

Yuan narrowed his eyes, but he didn't immediately respond.

"Let me think about it. We can continue this conversation once I heal your son, since we still don't know if he can endure it until I completely remove the poison from his body. It's a painful process, after all."

"Okay." Jiao Zhenhai nodded, hope flickering within his gaze.

After speaking with Jiao Zhenhai, Yuan spoke with the Dragon Emperor.

"I'll be here for at least another four months to heal Xuanbing. After that, I may or may not heal the others, which could take another two years. I'm not going to ask you to stay here with me, so you can return to the Dragon Spiral Mountain."

"Are you sure you want me to leave? What if…"

"It's fine. I doubt the Azure Dragon Clan would do anything to me at this point. Even if they want to do something, Dragon Goddess Yeyou is at my side. Moreover, my friend, Xi Meili, should know about my situation. I don't want her to worry."

"I understand. But instead of leaving immediately, I'll leave in four months, just in case."

Some time later, Yuan resumed the process of cleansing the poison from Xuanbing's body.

Time passed swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, four months had gone by.

"I've successfully removed ninety-nine percent of the poison from your body. While a trace amount remains, it's insignificant—far too weak to have any effect on you."

Yuan said to Xuanbing, who was drenched in sweat.