Poison Cultivation

Chen Luo filled out the registration form and handed it to Li Chongyun. Just then, the pharmacist had already wrapped up all twenty portions of herbs. He took out seventy low-grade spirit stones and paid for it.

Li Chongyun took the form, his gaze falling on the "Special Skills" section. He frowned slightly and asked:

"Fellow Daoist, you seem to have considerable expertise in detoxification?"

Chen Luo nodded slightly.

He inherited the legacy of the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect, and being well-versed in the methods of poisoning, he was naturally even more skilled in the art of antidote.

Ordinary poisons can be neutralized by circulating and refining them with the Five Poisons True Qi.

Even with particularly potent poisons, he usually had a way to deal with them.

"If that's the case, then come with me."

Li Chongyun didn't delve into whether he was lying or not; the truth would be revealed with a test. He immediately got up and led him to the back hall.

Chen Luo followed closely behind, passing through corridors and courtyards, winding and turning several times, until they arrived at a secluded backyard.

Several alchemists were already standing in the courtyard, asking a series of questions to a cultivator with a mustache, clearly testing his detoxification skills.

A voice was heard asking:

How to resolve the toxicity of Trametes versicolor?

The monk with the eight-character mustache answered confidently and calmly:

"Tieyunzhi is a herb that condenses cold toxins. Its nature is to astringe and invade the blood vessels. It needs to be decocted with Liehuozhi and taken internally, and then the true qi should be used to guide the flow of toxins to dispel them in order to resolve the problem."

Another alchemist followed up with a question:

"How can we neutralize the poison of the Crimson Flame Centipede?"

The monk with the eight-character mustache said:

"The toxicity of the Crimson Flame Centipede is fire-based, which burns the blood vessels and injures the internal organs. It should be treated by grinding cold water stone into powder, boiling it together with ice lotus heart, using its cooling properties to suppress the fire toxicity, and then slowly guiding the flow of qi to relieve the toxicity."

The alchemist who posed the question nodded slightly, seemingly in approval, and then asked the final question in a deep voice:

"If a person develops a purplish-black, itchy rash that oozes toxic fluid after ulceration and spreads incessantly, what kind of poison is it?"

Upon hearing this, the cultivator with the eight-character mustache immediately fell into deep thought, his brows furrowing more and more tightly. After pondering for a long time, he was speechless and had no reply.

Seeing this, Li Chongyun couldn't help but turn to Chen Luo and ask:

Do you know what kind of poison it is?

Chen Luo paused for a moment, then answered loudly:

"This is the poison of the Green Centipede Flower. When the poison takes effect, it causes rashes all over the body, turning purplish-black in color. It is intensely itchy and painful. When the rashes break, the poisonous fluid oozes out, and it will stain the skin if it comes into contact with the skin."

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone turned to look at him. The man with the mustache, as if inspired, shouted:

"Yes, yes, it is indeed the poison of the Green Centipede Flower. Ordinary herbs can only provide temporary relief. We must use toad venom combined with the three-leaf detoxifying herb, pound them into juice for internal and external application, and then draw out the poison's root by drawing out the true qi in order to completely neutralize it."

After speaking, seemingly embarrassed yet also explaining, he said to Chen Luo:

"I just thought of the answer and was just about to say it."

Upon hearing this, the alchemists exchanged glances, all expressing surprise.

One of the composed-looking middle-aged cultivators stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting to Li Chongyun, and asked:

"Elder Li, who is this fellow Daoist...?"

Li Chongyun smiled and said, "This is Chen Luo, who recently came to apply for the position of offering servant. He has some unique insights into the art of detoxification."

After saying this, he turned and introduced Chen Luo to Chen:

"This is Xiao Qiyuan, and the others are all alchemists hired by my Li family."

Chen Luo nodded slightly and bowed respectfully according to seniority.

After the two sides exchanged greetings, Li Chongyun glanced between Chen Luo and the eight-character mustache cultivator, and slowly spoke:

"Our alchemists are well-versed in the art of detoxification, but due to limited positions, we cannot recruit more."

Since both of you are here today, we will choose the better one to be admitted.

This statement implies that the two should have a contest of skills on the spot.

The cultivator with the mustache paused, then glanced at Chen Luo. Seeing that his cultivation was only at the sixth level of Qi Refining, a hint of disdain appeared on his face, and he said arrogantly:

"I am already at the seventh level of Qi Refining. Isn't the difference in skill level clear enough for you?"

The alchemists listened and nodded secretly, agreeing wholeheartedly.

Chen Luo, however, remained calm and stepped forward:

"Although my cultivation is shallow, my research on pharmacology is profound."

Besides, today's competition is about expertise, not about the level of skill or understanding.

The monk with the eight-character mustache let out a cold laugh:

"What a silver tongue! Tell me, how do you intend to compare?"

Chen Luo said no more, only looking at Li Chongyun. This matter originated from him, so he should be the one to decide the rules.

Li Chongyun stroked his long beard, pondered for a moment, and said:

"In that case, you two shall test each other with questions. The one who cannot answer them loses."

Xiao Qiyuan clapped his hands and laughed:

"Good, very good! We can take this opportunity to broaden our horizons and learn about the methods of detoxification."

The other alchemists echoed their sentiments, their eyes fixed intently on the two, waiting for the competition to begin.

The cultivator with the eight-character mustache glanced coldly at Chen Luo and said in a deep voice, "I'll ask the question first!"

If a cultivator is accidentally poisoned by the Ice Soul Frost Spider, their blood vessels will stagnate, gradually turning them into an ice corpse. What can be used to cure this poison?

After a moment's thought, Chen Luo answered loudly:

"The venom of the Ice Soul Cold Spider is of the Yin and cold nature, which locks the blood vessels and causes blood stasis. It cannot be cured by ordinary warm medicines."

Three qian of *Fire-Washing Flower* and powdered *Red Yang Stone* are needed, mixed and taken orally. Then, pure Yang energy should be used to gently warm and unblock the meridians, expelling cold from the surface, before any problems can be resolved.

The cultivator with the mustache twitched his brow, surprised that the man had answered so accurately and without a doubt. He was secretly alarmed and snorted.

"You got it right. It's your turn to ask a question."

Chen Luo cupped his hands and said, "I apologize for the offense."

My question is: If someone is poisoned by the scales of a seven-colored poisonous moth, experiencing dizziness, a racing heart, and bleeding from all seven orifices within half an hour, how should one provide first aid?

The cultivator with the eight-character mustache was taken aback upon hearing this. After a moment of contemplation, he said:

"This poison is potent and urgent. It is necessary to administer detoxifying liquid orally, followed by a quick decoction of licorice, honeysuckle, and smilax glabra to induce vomiting and expel the poison in order to save the patient's life."

Chen Luo nodded: "That's right, that's the method."

Seeing that the first round was evenly matched, the alchemists were all slightly moved and watched even more attentively.

Seeing that he couldn't stump him, the monk with the eight-character mustache frowned slightly and posed another question:

"Let me ask you again! There is a strange beast in the sea called the Poisonous Claw Crab. Its claws are so poisonous that if it touches the flesh, it will rot and corrode the bone. How can it be treated?"

Chen Luo calmly said:

"This poison is a damp poison and is most likely to corrode muscles and bones.

Applying a poultice of crushed male semen powder and white dandelion powder externally, along with an internal decoction of dried scales to remove toxins and promote tissue regeneration, is the only way to prevent limb damage.

Every word and phrase is clear and logical, without the slightest hesitation.

The cultivator with the mustache looked increasingly grim, and gritted his teeth as he said:

"Alright! Your turn!"

Chen Luo said calmly:

"I have another question: If someone accidentally ingests a poisonous herb called 'Heartbreak Grass,' experiencing excruciating abdominal pain as if being cut by a knife, with internal organs feeling like they are about to rupture, and medicine is ineffective, what method should be used for emergency treatment?"

This question was extremely tricky, as the poison of the Heartbreak Grass takes effect very quickly, and ordinary medicine simply cannot be administered in time.

The cultivator with the eight-character mustache pondered for a long time, beads of sweat forming on his forehead, before finally answering slowly:

"Half a bowl of raw honey mixed with egg white should be force-fed to protect the stomach and intestines. Then, acupuncture should be performed to relieve the poisoning, followed by the administration of other medications..."

Chen Luo bowed:

"Fellow Daoist's answer is very comprehensive."

The two went back and forth, each posing two questions, their arguments fierce and evenly matched.

The alchemists watching secretly approved, and even Li Chongyun stroked his beard and smiled.

Just as the bearded monk was about to pose another difficult question, hurried footsteps sounded outside the hall, and a man stumbled in, shouting hoarsely:

"Old Li! Quick, help! Miss... Miss is dying!"