Chapter 66: Unmasking

The atmosphere in the room was oppressive and silent; no one dared to speak. The only sound was the faint scratching of Master Ying's source-pattern brush as it moved across the skin.

Time slowly flowed by.

A highly complex source pattern began to emerge on Wei Bin's body, covering half of it. A surprising fluctuation faintly emanated from it.

"This is a third-grade source pattern!" Wei Canglan's expression was grave, then he exclaimed, "However, this pattern seems to be for auxiliary use only, so even with Young Bin's body, he should be able to bear it."

With a flick of his brush, Master Ying finally completed the last stroke of the source pattern. At that moment, as the pattern fully integrated, a strange light emanated from it, continuously seeping into Wei Bin's body.

Wei Bin, lying on the bed, let out a low groan of pain, his fingers clenching.

"Little brother!" Wei Qingqing cried out anxiously at the sight.

Master Ying smiled faintly. "Young Miss, there's no need to worry. My source pattern is currently dissolving the 'Miasmic Demonic Poison' within his body. The process is just a little painful."

Hearing this, Wei Qingqing could only suppress the anxiety in her heart and nodded, her beautiful eyes fixed intently on Wei Bin.

Under their close watch, after a while, they indeed found that the black spots on Wei Bin's body had begun to recede. In just a few minutes, those originally alarming black spots had completely faded away.

"The Miasmic Demonic Poison has been neutralized?!" Wei Qingqing exclaimed, her face full of joy.

Wei Canglan's tiger-like eyes widened, and his fists clenched, clearly exceptionally agitated.

"This third-grade source pattern of mine, named 'Toxin-Neutralizing Pattern,' was acquired by chance. It can neutralize all poisons under heaven. Although this 'Miasmic Demonic Poison' is formidable, my 'Toxin-Neutralizing Pattern' can still handle it," Master Ying said proudly.

Wei Canglan nodded, praising, "This 'Toxin-Neutralizing Pattern' is indeed remarkable; despite being only third-grade, it can even neutralize the Black Poison King's 'Miasmic Demonic Poison.'" He looked at Master Ying and solemnly cupped his fists, saying, "Master, you are truly a benefactor to my Wei family."

Wei Qingqing also quickly bowed to Master Ying.

"I merely fulfilled a request," Master Ying said with a faint smile.

Wei Canglan glanced at the smiling Qi Hao and the expressionless Zhou Yuan. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly; the debt of gratitude this time was truly immense.

"Prince Zhou Yuan, please stay in the encampment for now. Canglan County is in turmoil and swarming with all sorts of people lately. The military camp is the safest place," Wei Canglan said.

Lu Tieshan's expression shifted slightly. Was Wei Canglan intending to detain them first? If so, how would they go to the Black Abyss to contend for the "Fire Spirit Spikes" and "Jade Poppy Fruit"?

Qi Hao looked at Zhou Yuan with a smile, the amusement and mockery evident on his lips.

Wei Qingqing also sighed inwardly, shaking her head.

"Why are you all so happy?" Just as the atmosphere in the room grew heavy, a clear and pleasant voice suddenly rang out. Everyone looked, seeing Yaoyao, who stood beside Zhou Yuan, speak indifferently.

"Heh heh, Young Master Wei successfully had the poison removed and regained his health. Isn't that cause for joy?" Qi Hao chuckled.

Yaoyao gently stroked Tun Tun's fur and said, "If the poison were truly eradicated, then of course it would be cause for joy. But I fear it's merely a superficial act that will ultimately harm the person."

At her words, everyone in the room changed their expressions.

"Nonsense!" Master Ying was the first to snap, his face turning frosty.

Wei Canglan also furrowed his brows tightly, his eyes like a lion's as he glared at Yaoyao. "Young lady, what do you mean by that? If you speak nonsense here, even if you are His Highness's person, I'm afraid I'll have to teach you a lesson."

Yaoyao ignored them. She simply walked to the bedside, glanced at Wei Bin, and her red lips slightly parted as she said, "What 'Toxin-Neutralizing Pattern'? That's truly laughable."

Master Ying's hair bristled with rage. He roared, "Little girl, are you blind? Where is there any trace of poison left on him? If you continue to make trouble here, don't blame this old man for being impolite!"

Wei Qingqing, beside him, also frowned her delicate brows. At this moment, Wei Bin's pale face even had a hint of color, truly looking as if the poison had been successfully removed. Wei Canglan's expression was also serious because he had checked earlier, and the Miasmic Demonic Poison in Wei Bin's body had indeed disappeared.

Yaoyao still paid no heed to Master Ying's furious outburst. She merely said to Wei Canglan, "Get a silver needle and prick the acupoint three inches below his lumbar spine."

Hearing this, Master Ying's pupils seemed to constrict. He said to Wei Canglan in a deep voice, "General, I was commissioned by someone, not to be insulted by a mere girl!"

Qi Hao also said, "General, Master Ying traveled a long distance to help Young Master Wei. If he is still suspected, it would be truly disheartening."

Seeing this, Wei Canglan hesitated for a moment.

Zhou Yuan suddenly spoke, "General, this matter concerns Young Master Wei's life. It's best to investigate thoroughly, lest you regret it later."

Wei Canglan's expression shifted. Finally, he cupped his fists at Master Ying and said, "Master, please bear with me. If it turns out they are slandering you later, I will definitely seek justice for you."

"Bring a silver needle!" Wei Canglan let out a cold shout, and a maid immediately brought one.

Wei Canglan held the silver needle, approached the bed, and said in a deep voice, "Just three inches below the lumbar spine?"

"All of his Miasmic Demonic Poison was forced into that spot by that master. Other places are useless; only there," Yaoyao said faintly.

Wei Canglan gave Yaoyao a deep look, then acted decisively. The silver needle in his hand instantly pierced three inches below Wei Bin's lumbar spine. The needle went in halfway, then was slowly withdrawn.

The moment the silver needle was pulled out, everyone in the room suddenly changed their expressions drastically.

The tip of the needle was pitch black, emitting a foul odor. It was unmistakably the Miasmic Demonic Poison!

Wei Qingqing's pretty face changed drastically. She suddenly looked up, her beautiful eyes cold as she stared at Master Ying.

Wei Canglan's face also turned ashen. He turned around, held up the silver needle, stared at Master Ying, and said chillingly, "Master Ying, dare I ask what this is about?"

Master Ying's face suddenly became much paler, but he still braced himself and said, "It seems I didn't completely dissolve the poisonous qi; some residue remained."

Qi Hao's facial muscles twitched, and he forced a smile. "General, why don't you let Master Ying try again?"

Yaoyao's voice was clear and cold. "It's not that it wasn't completely dissolved. It's that your source pattern isn't a 'Toxin-Neutralizing Pattern' at all, but a 'Toxin-Suppressing Pattern'."

A 'Toxin-Suppressing Pattern,' as it's called, uses a special method to forcibly suppress the poison within the body. However, Master Ying's pattern indeed had some cleverness to it, managing to suppress it so cleanly that even Wei Canglan couldn't detect it.

"But while you've temporarily suppressed this Miasmic Demonic Poison, this suppression can only last for a year at most. After a year, the Miasmic Demonic Poison will erupt again, and by then, it will have fully matured. Even the most skilled methods probably wouldn't be able to save anyone."

"I imagine those people you supposedly saved with your 'Toxin-Neutralizing Pattern' in the past probably died quite miserably in the end, didn't they?"

At her words, both Wei Canglan and Wei Qingqing's expressions changed dramatically. They glared at Master Ying as if they wished they could swallow him whole.

Master Ying was sweating profusely, and there was fear in his eyes as he looked at Yaoyao. He clearly hadn't expected her to see through his trick with just one glance. To think that even experts in the Primeval Stage would be unable to detect it!

Suddenly, source qi erupted from Master Ying's body. His figure instantly turned into a streak of light and shot out, seemingly unable to bear Wei Canglan's murderous gaze and preparing to flee.

Wei Canglan's expression was grim. He flicked his finger, and immediately, the silver needle, enveloped in a streak of green source qi, vanished with a whoosh.

However, after only a few breaths, a scream suddenly echoed from afar.

"Seize him for me! Daring to come to my General's residence and flaunt your deception – do you really think I have no recourse?" Wei Canglan said coldly.

Outside the room, someone replied respectfully and quickly departed.

Qi Hao's face was also pale, his hands trembling slightly. His eyes were filled with resentment and malice as he looked at Zhou Yuan and Yaoyao. His originally perfect plan had gone awry because of these two.

"Guards, please escort Prince Qi to rest," Wei Canglan said indifferently.

Guards entered and escorted Qi Hao out. As he left, the look he gave Zhou Yuan was filled with chilling murderous intent.

However, Zhou Yuan responded to his murderous gaze with a gentle smile.

With Master Ying and Qi Hao gone, the room once again became oppressive and quiet. Wei Qingqing's beautiful eyes reddened, and she shed quiet tears, while Wei Canglan slumped into a seat, looking as if he had aged considerably.

Yaoyao glanced at them both, her delicate brows furrowing slightly. "What's there to cry about? The person isn't dead."

Wei Canglan was startled, as if sensing the deeper meaning in Yaoyao's words. He hastily looked up at the exceptionally beautiful young girl and quickly said, "I offended you greatly earlier; I hope you won't take it to heart, young lady." After what had just transpired, he no longer dared to underestimate this young girl who showed no trace of source qi fluctuation.

After apologizing, Wei Canglan then cautiously said, "Young lady, I wonder if you have a way to save my son?"

Yaoyao tilted her head slightly, thought for a moment, and said, "I won't save him, but... he can." She extended her jade-like finger, directly pointing at Zhou Yuan.

Wei Canglan and Wei Qingqing's gazes immediately fixed on Zhou Yuan.

Under their gaze, Zhou Yuan's scalp immediately tingled, and he almost swore aloud. Even Master Ying, who could inscribe a third-grade source pattern, couldn't handle this Miasmic Demonic Poison. What good would his mere second-grade source pattern mastery do? Didn't he know his own capabilities?

"Sister Yaoyao, don't set me up!" he cursed wildly in his heart. "At a time like this, it should be you, Young Miss, showing off your divine power in front of everyone, making them tremble with shock!"

Despite his internal rant, facing Wei Canglan's expectant gaze and Wei Qingqing's tear-filled, pitiful eyes, Zhou Yuan could only force a laugh and, finally, gritted his teeth and nodded.

He knew that if he were to shake his head, it was highly probable that he would be 'escorted out' just like Qi Hao.

"Heh, heh..."