A Divine Farmer

Chapter 298 - The Divine Medicine Was also Poisonous

Zhang Xiaolong was increasingly on edge as he and the python traded blows back and forth. Despite successfully fending off the python each time, the creature remained unscathed. If the battle dragged on, Zhang Xiaolong knew he would likely be the one to succumb to exhaustion, not the massive python.

Silently, he recited the Dragon Controlling True Spell in his heart. Before, he could only channel it through the Heart Sutra of the Hundred-grass Spring Coming Arts. Now, with access to the original Heart Sutra of the Dragon Controlling True Spell, he could unleash its full potential; he just needed to get accustomed to it.

As if on cue, the python lashed out with its iron tail. Zhang Xiaolong's eyes snapped open, and he leapt skyward. Descending, he slashed with his palm as if it were a blade, striking the python's tail.

The sound of tearing filled the air. His hand, though flesh and blood, sliced through the python's tail like a razor-sharp blade, leaving a gash nearly a meter long.

Up until that moment, the python, though seemingly at a disadvantage, had not sustained any injuries. It likely underestimated Zhang Xiaolong, intent on driving him away to protect its Qilin Fruit. But this new wound raised its guard; such an attack could be lethal if aimed at a vital spot. The python realized that it might not only suffer severe injury but also lose the precious Qilin Fruit.

The python paused warily, and Zhang Xiaolong took the opportunity to halt his attack, locking eyes with the creature.

“Do you understand me?” Zhang Xiaolong said after a brief pause. “I need the Qilin Fruit to save someone, and I promise not to take them all. If you keep blocking me, I'll have no choice but to kill you. But if you step back and leave three fruits, I'm confident no one else could take them from you. What do you say?”

After a moment's hesitation, the python retreated.

Zhang Xiaolong nodded in appreciation, plucked four Qilin Fruits from the tree, and carefully placed them in a prepared box. “Thank you, Brother Python. If you'll allow me, I can tend to your wound. Using the Qilin Fruit would work, but I might be able to heal you faster.”

This time, the python remained still. As Zhang Xiaolong approached, the creature retreated slightly, but upon realizing he wasn't a threat, it ceased moving. Zhang Xiaolong reached out and applied the Hundred-grass Spring Coming Arts to the python's substantial wound, which immediately began to heal.

The python appeared astonished, having not expected the human before it to possess such formidable abilities. After a brief hesitation, it swiftly slithered into the underbrush. Just as Zhang Xiaolong was about to depart, the python returned, carrying an oddly shaped object in its mouth. Upon closer inspection, Zhang Xiaolong discovered it was an animal horn.

Considering the bulges atop the python's head, he surmised the horn might have belonged to another of its kind. The material was incredibly hard to the touch, yet it didn't seem to have any medicinal properties. Nevertheless, Zhang Xiaolong accepted the gift with gratitude, recognizing the python's gesture of goodwill, regardless of its practical use.

It seemed the python was seeking his favor, likely due to Zhang Xiaolong's miraculous healing abilities. Otherwise, the creature might have returned to claim the remaining Qilin Fruits.

Having said goodbye to the python, Zhang Xiaolong made his way back to Eternal Light Village. “The legendary Qilin Fruit?” Wang Zhengyi exclaimed, barely able to contain his excitement as he peered into the box.

“Yes, it's definitely the Qilin Fruit,” Zhang Xiaolong confirmed. “I'll start preparing the medicine now. I'm confident that we can eradicate Ebola.”

Wang Zhengyi nodded in agreement, then suggested, “You should infuse the brew with your special power during the preparation. I suspect that will enhance its effectiveness.”

Zhang Xiaolong concurred with the proposal. Wang Zhengyi, being the first outsider privy to the secret of his divine power and well-versed in medicine, had insights that even Zhang Xiaolong appreciated.

Wang Cheng fetched a knife to slice the fruit, but despite his efforts, the fruit remained unyielding. Deceptively beautiful, the fruit was as impenetrable as stone.

“This is Divine Medicine, certainly not your average herb. Xiaolong should handle this,” Wang Zhengyi said, turning to Zhang Xiaolong.

Zhang Xiaolong stepped forward, summoning a surge of divine power into his hand. With the “Divine Dragon Slash” he had mastered in the mountains against a massive python, he cleanly split the fruit in two, revealing seeds that shimmered like pearls and jewels.

“Uncle-Master, are your hands quicker than a knife?” Wang Cheng exclaimed in amazement.

“Get on with the medicine preparation,” Wang Zhengyi chided his son. “The recipe I've devised is on the table. Xiaolong, have a look. I'm certain that brewing it with Qilin Fruit will yield extraordinary results.”

Wang Cheng promptly grabbed the recipe and set to work assembling the herbs. Soon enough, he had all the ingredients in a large clay pot, ready over the fire for boiling.

Half an hour later, Zhang Xiaolong pressed his hand against the pot, channeling his divine power to fully unleash the potency of the herbs. After another thirty minutes, he decanted the reddish-gold elixir.

The moment the medicine left the pot, its sweet fragrance filled the air, instantly uplifting the spirit with just a whiff—drinking it would be even more revitalizing.

“Let's serve some to Senior Brother first,” Zhang Xiaolong suggested.

Wang Cheng quickly ladled some medicine into a bowl and brought it to Wang Zhengyi's lips.

Wang Zhengyi was the most seasoned healer among them, surpassing even Zhang Xiaolong in medical expertise. Having contracted the Ebola Virus himself, he was the ideal candidate for testing the new concoction.

With just one sip, Wang Zhengyi's eyes bulged, seemingly on the verge of popping out, and blood trickled from his ears.

Wang Cheng was taken aback, fearing the worst about the medicine, but it was too late for second thoughts.

Zhang Xiaolong rushed to his side, infusing a thread of divine energy to gently mitigate the medicine's power. After a tense moment, the crisis abated.

“Dad, you nearly gave me a heart attack,” Wang Cheng said, relief washing over him as he dabbed at his eyes. “I was afraid you had ingested poison.”

“Nonsense! How could your Martial Uncle possibly feed me poison?” Wang Zhengyi chided, a sense of relief washing over him. “But the potency of the Qilin Fruit is truly overwhelming. Without Xiaolong by my side, I doubt I could have survived the ordeal; the Divine Medicine nearly burst me at the seams.”

Zhang Xiaolong shared the sentiment, his heart still racing from the close call. They had been so preoccupied with whether the medicine could heal the illness that they overlooked whether the patient's body could tolerate it. Without his direct intervention, the Divine Medicine might have proved more lethal than any poison, and Wang Zhengyi would have met a grim fate indeed.

Ebola had been cured, yet it would have been a pyrrhic victory had the patient perished. A tragic case of injustice.

“So, what's the solution?” Wang Cheng asked, now grasping the crux of the issue after the explanation.

Zhang Xiaolong gently pressed Wang Zhengyi's pulse point and, upon examination, smiled reassuringly. “Elder Brother, the Ebola is gone, and your health is restored.”

“The question remains, how do we administer this medicine?” Wang Cheng still couldn't wrap his head around it.

With the medicine's formidable strength, it couldn't be given directly to the patient. Surely, they couldn't expect Zhang Xiaolong to personally guide each and every one through the process, could they?