336: Meeting an old friend again

Jiang Donghua strolled along the wide streets of Tianyan City.

This city was more prosperous than Tianshang City, where he had previously stayed, serving as an important transportation hub and trade center in the Northern Region of Central State.

He had just emerged from the city's largest merchant association, the Hundred Treasures Pavilion. His gains from this trip were satisfactory; he had exchanged several unused sixth-grade pills for a batch of rare supplementary ingredients and a seldom-seen Ethereal Crystal, which could be used to enhance spatial power.

Just as he was pondering whether to leave immediately or find another teahouse to inquire about information regarding the Void Flower, the sound of discussion coming from a nearby teahouse caught his attention.

"Have you heard? That genius from the Xie Family, Xie Ying, was poisoned by a strange toxin shortly after returning from outside and has been lying unconscious in bed!"

"Tsk tsk, Xie Ying? You mean the young man who broke through to become a Dou Huang expert before the age of twenty-five? The future hope of the Xie Family! How could this happen?"

"Who knows! The old master of the Xie Family is frantic. He invited all the famous Master Alchemists of the Fifth-Grade and Sixth-Rank from the surrounding cities, but every single one was helpless! They couldn't even determine the source of the poisoning!"

"That sinister? Doesn't that mean he's beyond saving?"

"Alas, it seems that unless they can invite a Seventh-Grade Alchemist Grandmaster to act, there might still be a sliver of hope."

"But what kind of person is a Seventh-Grade Grandmaster? Although the Xie Family is considered a dominant force here in Tianyan City, trying to invite such an existence might require bankrupting their entire family, and even then, they might not succeed! The Xie Family has truly encountered a major disaster this time!"

"Xie Ying, poisoned?"

Jiang Donghua paused, his eyebrows slightly raised.

This name stirred a distant memory within him.

At Jia Nan Academy, on the inner academy strong ranking list, there was indeed a fellow named Xie Ying.

In his memory, that person wielded unrivaled, fierce metal-attributed Dou Qi, which was vigorous and overbearing. He was certainly a notable figure in the Inner Academy.

However, back then on the Inner Academy arena, when this fellow faced him, he was sent flying by a direct hit from the Heavenly Stellar Overlord Fist, losing cleanly and decisively.

"Could it be the same person?"

A ripple stirred in Jiang Donghua's heart.

Central State is vast, and many people share names, but having the same name and surname while also specializing in metal-attributed Dou Qi increased the probability slightly.

Although they were opponents back then, it was a memorable exchange. More importantly, now that he was an Alchemist, he was quite interested in this so-called strange toxin.

"Since I have nothing else to do, I might as well go take a look."

He made up his mind.

If it truly was an old acquaintance, helping him out was no trouble. If not, witnessing a strange toxin that even Fifth-Grade Alchemists and Sixth-Rank Alchemists were helpless against would still be a form of experience.

Thinking this, he turned and walked toward the teahouse, approaching the table of people who were discussing, and asked in a calm tone.

"Gentlemen, greetings. I overheard your discussion about Xie Ying of the Xie Family being poisoned and am quite curious. Might I ask where the Xie Family residence is located in the city?"

The men saw Jiang Donghua's extraordinary bearing. Although they could not perceive his specific cultivation level, they dared not be negligent.

One of them quickly cupped his hands and replied.

"This friend must be an outsider? The Xie Family is one of the three major families in our Tianyan City. Their residence is in the eastern part of the city; it's the largest estate there. However, the Xie Family is currently going through a tumultuous time, and I fear..."

"Thank you for the information."

Jiang Donghua smiled slightly, interrupting his warning, and casually took a small jade bottle from his storage ring and placed it on the table.

"Just a small token. Please enjoy some tea."

Having finished speaking, he turned and left without waiting for their reaction.

The men picked up the jade bottle doubtfully. When they pulled out the stopper and looked inside, they instantly gasped!

Inside were three perfectly round and plump third-grade pills!

For Great Dou Masters like them, this was an incredibly generous gesture!

"Just who in the world was that person?!"

The men looked at each other, inwardly stunned.

Jiang Donghua, meanwhile, followed the directions and walked unhurriedly toward the Xie Family residence in the east of the city.

To the east of Tianyan City, the vermilion lacquered gates were tightly shut. Even the stone lions in front of the entrance seemed to have lost their former majesty, exuding an oppressive atmosphere. Even the guards standing watch had solemn expressions, their eyes showing fatigue and anxiety.

Dressed in a cyan robe, Jiang Donghua walked calmly up to the entrance.

"Halt! The Xie Residence is not receiving outside guests these days, please forgive us."

A guard captain stepped forward, his voice hoarse but carrying undeniable authority. His gaze warily scrutinized the extraordinary stranger before him.

Jiang Donghua stopped, his expression calm, and said lightly.

"I am an old friend of Xie Ying. Hearing that he is unwell, I have specially come to visit. Please relay the message."

"Old friend?"

The guard captain frowned deeply, carefully examining Jiang Donghua again.

The other party looked too young, but those deep eyes made him feel an inexplicable pressure.

He dared not be negligent, especially since the matter concerned the Xie Family's most sensitive person right now.

"What is your esteemed name? I need it to report to the Patriarch."

"My surname is Jiang." Jiang Donghua was concise.

The guard captain hesitated for a moment, then turned and quickly entered the residence to report.

Before long, a middle-aged man wearing brocade robes, whose appearance somewhat resembled Xie Ying but whose brows were clouded with heavy worry, hurried out accompanied by the Third Elder.

This person was precisely the current Patriarch of the Xie Family, Xie Ying's father, Xie Zhen, an eight-star Dou Huang expert.

Xie Zhen's sharp gaze swept over Jiang Donghua. Sensing the unfathomable aura of the other party, which was like a deep abyss, his heart trembled, and he cupped his fists, saying.

"Young Master Jiang, I am Xie Zhen, Xie Ying's father. May I ask when you became an old friend of my son? My unworthy son's condition is currently special, and I fear..."

"Jia Nan Academy, inner academy strong ranking list."

Xie Zhen's body shook, and a sharp light burst forth in his eyes!

Jia Nan Academy, Inner Academy!

That was the place where his son cultivated back then, and it was an experience Xie Ying was extremely proud of!

Since he could name this place, the credibility of the visitor's identity greatly increased.

"So you are an old acquaintance from my son's academy! Please, quickly come inside!"

Xie Zhen's demeanor instantly became warm and urgent as he stepped aside to welcome him.

"Young Master Jiang, to be frank with you, my son Ying—Alas!"

Jiang Donghua nodded slightly, following Xie Zhen and the Third Elder through layers of courtyards until they reached a secluded courtyard with extremely strict security.

The air was filled with a faint medicinal scent and an indescribable chilling aura.

Stepping into the bedroom, the light inside was dim. Several white-haired elders were gathered around the bed, arguing in low voices, every one of them frowning deeply and sighing.

They were all Alchemists the Xie Family had heavily paid to invite, their ranks ranging between Fifth-Grade and Sixth-Rank.

A person lay on the bed.

His complexion was not pale, but instead had a strange greenish-gold hue, as if covered in verdigris.

His lips were purple, his breathing was so faint it was nearly imperceptible, and a faint, chilling death aura emanated from his body.

When Jiang Donghua's gaze fell upon that face—which was somewhat gaunt from the torment of illness, yet still retained that familiar sharpness between the brows—he was certain.

It truly was him!

Xie Ying, the one from the Jia Nan Academy Inner Academy who cultivated metal-attributed Dou Qi to be vigorous and overbearing, and who had fought fiercely with him in the arena!

Now, this genius, who had been full of youthful spirit back then, had fallen into such a miserable state.

"Patriarch, it's not that this old man hasn't tried his best, but this toxin is truly bizarre! The poison not only corrodes the meridians but is also like a bone-marrow maggot, entangling the Dou Qi and even faintly targeting the soul! I have practiced medicine for a hundred years and have never seen anything so malicious!"

Another Fifth-Grade Alchemist interjected.

"That's right. We have exhausted all methods and can only barely keep young nephew Xie breathing. Trying to expel the poison is as difficult as ascending the heavens! Unless a Seventh-Grade Grandmaster takes action!"

At this moment, they noticed Jiang Donghua, whom Xie Zhen had brought in. Seeing how young he was, they all showed expressions of doubt and dismissal.

One of the slightly more impatient Fifth-Grade Alchemists spoke up.

"Patriarch Xie, bringing in an outsider at this time will likely do nothing to help the patient's condition!"

Jiang Donghua acted as if he hadn't heard the discussions and walked straight to the side of the bed.

Xie Zhen quickly motioned for the Alchemists to calm down.