Medicine and poison are inseparable; the poison pill system

Shen Wen sat in Yun Man’s Alchemist room, which was filled with the scent of various medicinal Materials. On the table in front of him were several thick rolls of parchment.

These were the painstaking efforts of the Izumo Empire Alchemist Guild over many years, documenting their various attempts to combine the philosophy of a Poison Master with traditional alchemy.

He read with great focus, his fingers occasionally tapping lightly on a certain paragraph or formula.

"Medicine and poison are one... using poison to fight poison, transforming poison into medicinal power... using trace amounts of poison to stimulate medicinal properties, or as a medicinal primer..."

Shen Wen murmured to himself, a look of interest in his eyes.

This set of theories was indeed novel, even somewhat unconventional, within the mainstream alchemy system.

However, it was not without its brilliant points, especially when dealing with certain special injuries, where it might offer an alternative approach.

The complete Poison Pill Method given by Yao Lao appeared in his mind, which then corroborated with these unconventional but practical theories before him.

After a while, the door to the Alchemist room was gently pushed open.

Cao Ying walked in, holding a freshly brewed cup of hot tea. She gently placed the teacup beside Shen Wen, then bent down.

Her soft body almost pressed against his back, her chin affectionately resting on his shoulder, her gaze also falling upon the densely written records.

"Husband, so engrossed? Are these unconventional things really useful?"

Her warm breath brushed past Shen Wen's ear, her voice carrying a hint of languor.

Shen Wen leaned back into her, relaxing, and raised a hand to pat her arm.

"The three thousand Great Daos all lead to the same destination. The path of alchemy also has more than one road to take."

He pointed to the discussion on the scroll about "using trace poison as a primer to strengthen the main medicine."

"Look here, although the idea is a bit crude, the direction might not be wrong.

It might have miraculous effects when dealing with some mild toxins, or assisting in controlling toxic backlash."

Cao Ying blinked her naturally charming eyes, looked closely, and pondered.

"It sounds... somewhat similar to your idea, Husband, of using the Netherworld Poison Flame to help Sister Xian'er control her Poison Physique?"

"Clever." Shen Wen turned his head approvingly and kissed her smooth cheek. "Both are utilizing the power of 'poison' itself. The key lies in how to guide and control it."

Cao Ying smiled contentedly, then asked with a hint of teasing:

"So... Husband, after researching for so long, do you have any clues about simplifying the Poison Pill Method?

Although Sister Xian'er doesn't say it, I can tell she's been thinking about it."

Hearing this, Shen Wen's face showed a confident smile.

"The basic idea is already there."

He picked up the teacup and took a sip.

"Combining the essence of Yao Lao's Poison Pill Method with some clever ideas from these local Alchemists, simplifying it shouldn't be a big problem.

As for the medicinal Materials, most of them should be available in the Izumo Empire. Even if some are rare, we can always find substitutes..."

He paused slightly in his speech, only one thing being a bit troublesome.

"Hmm? What's wrong?"

Cao Ying keenly noticed his subtle pause.

"bodhi transformation saliva, one of the core main Materials, is still indispensable." Shen Wen put down his teacup.

"This item is key to condensing the poison pill, capable of perfectly neutralizing and fusing various overbearing toxins. Its properties currently seem difficult to find a complete substitute for."

Cao Ying slightly furrowed her delicate brows.

"bodhi transformation saliva... I remember this item seems to have been extinct for a long time?"

"Not really."

Shen Wen shook his head, his tone a bit more relaxed.

"As far as I know, information about it occasionally appears at auctions in the Black-Corner Region. After we deal with the Netherworld Poison Flame, we'll just make a trip to the Black-Corner Region."

"Coincidentally, there are some other 'matters' to handle there."

He thought of his transaction with Xiao Xun Er of the Gu Clan and Han Feng's Sea Heart Flame.

Hearing that Shen Wen already had such a clear plan.

Even for the hardest-to-find bodhi transformation saliva, he had a clear target, and Cao Ying's last bit of worry dissipated.

She knew that as long as Shen Wen said it, the matter was basically settled.

She wrapped her arms around Shen Wen's neck, her smile as radiant as a flower.

"I knew it, Husband, you're the best! Nothing can stump you!"

Seeing her proud and honored expression, Shen Wen couldn't help but chuckle, reaching out to pull her in front of him.

"Only now do you know your husband is amazing?"

"I've always known!"

As they laughed and teased, the door to the Alchemist room was knocked on again.

Xiao Yi Xian stood at the doorway, a bit timidly, holding a plate of freshly made delicate pastries.

"Husband, Sister Ying... I've made some pastries. You'll be reading for a long time, so have some to tide you over."

She walked in, placed the pastries on the table, and her gaze involuntarily fell on the open scrolls, her eyes filled with concern, yet hesitant to ask.

Shen Wen naturally understood her thoughts, released Cao Ying, and gently waved to her.

"Xian'er, come here."

As Xiao Yi Xian approached, he took her hand, held it gently, and told her with certainty:

"I've already preliminarily sorted out the Ideas for simplifying the Poison Pill Method.

Once we find the Netherworld Poison Flame and help you initially control your Physique, we can begin preparations.

Most of the required medicinal Materials can be collected here, and for the hardest-to-find bodhi transformation saliva, I also know where it might be."

Xiao Yi Xian's delicate body trembled slightly. She looked up, and her clear eyes instantly welled up with uncontrollable moisture and excitement.

"Really? Husband... I..."

Her voice choked, and for a moment she didn't know what to say... Inside the Alchemist room.

The atmosphere was solemn and focused. Shen Wen stood before the central Medicine Cauldron, while Yun Man, Yan Li, Bai Yi, and other core members of the Izumo Alchemist Guild sat around, their eyes burning with fervor, like the most devout students.

"The Dao of the Poison Pill, the key lies in 'control' and 'balance'."

Shen Wen's voice was steady and clear, echoing in the quiet room. "Toxicity is fierce; it requires precise guidance with Soul Power and the reconcile of auxiliary medicines to transform harm into benefit, to be used by me."

Before his words finished, he flicked his fingertip, and a toxic herb glowing with a faint blue luster fell into the cauldron.

The Myriad Beast Spirit Flame rose, but unlike its usual domineering nature, it appeared exceptionally docile, carefully enveloping the medicinal Materials.

"Look here," Shen Wen explained while controlling the flame, "Refining the 'Azure Blue Mushroom'.

The heat required is three parts lower than that for ordinary medicinal Materials, focusing on stripping away its violent medicinal properties while retaining its essence.

Soul Power must be like fine threads, penetrating it to sense every moment of its toxic change."

Everyone held their breath, fearing they would miss any detail.

They watched as those highly toxic Materials that usually gave them headaches, or even made them avoid them, became docile lambs in Shen Wen's hands, systematically refined and fused.

Starting from the simplest first-grade poison pill, Shen Wen refined his way upward.

"This is the Qi Tempering Pill, which can help Dou Practitioners of Dou Zhi Qi extract the Dou Qi within their bodies faster."

Each opening of the Medicine Cauldron was accompanied by a rich medicinal fragrance and unique energy fluctuations, as round and full poison pills of peculiar colors emerged one after another.