Chapter Ninety-Two: The Path of Demons

This time, after falling unconscious, Liang Yan had no idea how much time had passed. In a hazy daze, he felt as if someone was forcing something into his mouth. Although he wanted to resist, his limbs were weak, and he couldn’t even open his eyes. Moreover, his body was already engulfed in unbearable torment, so he simply gave in.

However, as time passed, his internal injuries surprisingly began to show signs of improvement. The rampant spiritual energy within him gradually calmed, the excruciating pain vanished entirely, and eventually, he drifted into a deep, comfortable sleep.

This sleep was remarkably restful, and the nerves that had been tense and on edge for days slowly relaxed. After an unknown length of time, a cold breeze brushed against his face, causing him to shiver and slowly awaken.

Upon opening his eyes, he realized he was inside a small cave, no more than a dozen feet from its entrance. Outside, heavy snowflakes fell, and cold winds howled in, likely the very chill that had roused him.

Liang Yan looked around and saw he was lying on a bed of dry grass. Not far from him stood a firewood pile with flames flickering and crackling softly. On a large stone near the fire rested a stone bowl filled with a steaming black liquid, evidently freshly brewed.

“Where am I? Could someone have saved me?” Liang Yan wondered as he instinctively sat up and moved his body slightly.

“The wild spiritual energy inside me is gone, and my cultivation has stabilized at the seventh level of Qi Refining!” he thought with delight. He then rummaged through the storage pouch at his waist and found all his belongings intact.

At that moment, a figure entered the cave. The man was of average build, wearing a dark robe typical of Taoist practitioners, his hair tied high, with a square face and sharp eyes. A duster hung at his waist.

The man froze briefly upon seeing Liang Yan, clearly surprised, but quickly regained his composure and said calmly, “You’re finally awake.”

“Yes, just now,” Liang Yan replied, standing up and bowing deeply. “I’m Liang Yan. I’m deeply grateful, Daoist, for saving my life!”

“It’s nothing worth thanking for,” the Taoist said with a glance, smiling faintly. “You were unconscious for a whole month. Surviving such a calamity is no small feat, but your body is still weak. This potion will help restore your energy. Drink it while it’s warm.”

Liang Yan glanced at the black liquid but did not move immediately. Instead, he smiled and asked, “I just woke up and don’t know how to address my benefactor. May I ask your Daoist name first?”

The Taoist frowned slightly, showing some impatience. “I am Yun Xuzi. If you are a wandering cultivator nearby, you should know that I am the founding patriarch of Yunxu Sect.”

“Daoist Yun Xuzi!” Liang Yan’s expression grew serious as he bowed again. He had already sensed the man’s cultivation was at the peak Foundation Establishment stage, just shy of entering the Nascent Soul realm. In Zhao Kingdom, that was enough to establish a sect and intimidate smaller factions.

Yun Xuzi nodded and pointed to the bowl of black medicine. “This potion is brewed from many precious herbs and will greatly aid your recovery. You were on the brink of death, and it was this elixir that kept you alive. Best drink it while it’s hot; don’t delay or it will lose its efficacy.”

Liang Yan glanced at the potion but remained unmoved, feigning curiosity. “I have some knowledge of spiritual medicines, but I’ve never seen a concoction like this, with the power to revive the dead. Could you tell me what herbs are in it? I’d like to broaden my understanding.”

Since his ordeal with Zhuo Bufan, Liang Yan had learned how treacherous human nature could be. He had once considered Zhuo Bufan a confidant, only to be betrayed and nearly killed. Though fate spared him, it left him far more cautious.

Yun Xuzi noticed Liang Yan dodging the topic and showing no intention of drinking. Suddenly, his eyes narrowed, hands clasped behind his back, and he said coldly, “You don’t need to keep testing me. I’ll be straightforward: you will drink this medicine, whether you want to or not.”

The truth was laid bare.

Liang Yan’s heart tightened, and he took a few steps back, thinking, “I knew it!”

He was badly injured and had no relation to this man. As sect leader, why would Yun Xuzi go to such lengths to save a mere youth? There had to be some ulterior motive.

“Hmph! You think you can escape?” Yun Xuzi sneered. “Try channeling your spiritual energy into the Shaohai, Shenmen, and Shaochong acupoints, and see what happens.”

Liang Yan’s expression shifted slightly. Half believing, half doubting, he followed Yun Xuzi’s instructions. As soon as he did, a stabbing pain shot through him. Even with his strong will, he couldn’t suppress a groan and collapsed to the ground.

“What... what did you do to me?” Liang Yan gritted his teeth and demanded.

“Heh heh, how do you like the taste of the Bone-Dissolving, Heart-Devouring Pill?” Yun Xuzi’s face darkened.

“Listen carefully,” Yun Xuzi said grimly, “the potion you see is both antidote and poison. Every time you drink it, the poison grows stronger, and the pain intensifies. But if you don’t drink it for seven days, you will die instantly.”

Liang Yan was shocked, thinking, “This poison is cruel indeed. To delay its effects, I must keep drinking the potion, but each dose only worsens the poison. It’s a vicious cycle, like drinking poison to quench thirst.”

He gave a bitter smile. “Daoist, why do you scheme against me when we have no grudge?”

“No grudge?” Yun Xuzi snorted. “If not for me, you’d be nothing but dry bones by now. Killing you here would be perfectly justified.”

Liang Yan was silent for a moment, then slowly rose. This time, without hesitation, he walked straight to the stone bowl and drained the black potion in one gulp.

“Since you saved me, Daoist, you must have a use for me. As my life has been spared by you, I will face any danger. As long as your request does not violate the natural order, I will do my utmost to help,” Liang Yan said steadily.

“Heh, you’re not a complete fool,” Yun Xuzi said with a rare smile, nodding. “Don’t worry. What I ask is simple. You’ll come with me to a place and help me break a barrier there. Once done, I will reward you with the antidote to the Bone-Dissolving, Heart-Devouring Pill.”

“Oh? I’m only at the Qi Refining stage. How can I help you break a formation?” Liang Yan asked curiously.

“No need to ask. You’ll understand when we get there,” Yun Xuzi said dismissively. Then he waved his sleeve, gathering some unused spiritual herbs into his storage ring and turned to leave the cave.

“The journey ahead is long. We must hurry. Let’s depart now,” came his emotionless voice from outside.

Liang Yan paused briefly, then stepped out. It was deep winter; heavy snow blanketed the mountains, and the biting cold pierced deep into the lungs.

He quietly circulated his mixed cultivation technique, dispelling the chill, then donned a straw raincoat and hat from his pouch. With that, he quickened his pace, following behind the dark-robed Taoist.

Amid the vast white snow-covered mountains, their figures slowly receded until swallowed by the swirling snowstorms...