The Answer Lies Above

Ming Ren sat in meditation, his spiritual sense barrier a cocoon of concentrated spiritual energy. Sweat trickled down his face as he strained against the unyielding bottleneck at the peak of the eighth layer. He resisted the allure of the peak sixth layer Spirit Sea cores he possessed, knowing their energy would be insufficient to break through. Patience was key; the Spirit Sea Realm offered greater rewards and more efficient ways to utilize such resources.

He focused on cultivating his spiritual energy, drawing upon the natural forces around him, his power growing with each passing moment. Despite the challenge, his resolve remained unyielding. The path of a cultivator was paved with trials, but he would not be deterred.

The shadows that had haunted him earlier did not return. When the caravan halted, Ming Ren dispelled his barrier and received a message from Xu Tian, 'Something is amiss ahead. Can you sense it?'

Extending his spiritual sense, Ming Ren discovered a struggling village, its size almost that of a town. Yet, despite its large population, only a few villagers worked the fields while others stood guard. The majority, young and old alike, lay sick within their humble homes. Outside, pyres of human and spirit ox corpses burned, the air heavy with the stench of death.

'Senior, is it some kind of disease?' Ming Ren inquired.

'Indeed. Come, let us meet with the scouts and village representatives,' Xu Tian replied.

As Ming Ren approached the gathering, he noticed some village representatives wore masks, their expressions grave, their voices hushed. Tension hung thick in the air.

Bao Shi's face was etched with concern, Bao An's usual shyness amplified by the grim atmosphere, Pan Ruolan stood stoic and observant, while Serpent and Slasher, the caravan guards, maintained a vigilant watch.

Xu Tian greeted Ming Ren with a warm smile, a beacon of reassurance amidst the worry. The scout who had just returned stood beside a middle-aged woman, her face carved with exhaustion and worry.

"This is the village healer, daughter of the former village chief," the scout introduced.

"Former?" Bao Shi's eyes widened.

"My father passed away recently," the woman replied. "He regretted not being able to meet with you again, my Lord. He hoped you would continue to look after Big Ox Village in his absence."

"That goes without saying. We were friends for many years," Bao Shi's voice trembled with emotion. "What happened? Did he perish in the spirit beast attack?"

Ming Ren's heart sank with guilt. He lowered his gaze, clenching his fists. The uncontrollable roar that had triggered the beast rampage weighed heavily on his conscience.

"No, my Lord," the woman shook her head. "The villages in this region are plagued by a disease. Father succumbed to it before the beasts arrived."

"Not just Big Ox Village, but others as well?" Bao Shi inquired, unafraid of disease. Cultivators possessed resilient bodies, rarely susceptible to mortal ailments.

"Yes, many have perished. We sought help, but the nearby lords were preoccupied with the aftermath of the spirit beast frenzy. They ignored our pleas."

"We will provide medicine and food," Bao Shi offered.

"Thank you, my Lord. But… all our cattle have died. We cannot repay you." Big Ox Village's economy relied heavily on their spirit ox herds. The plague and the beast rampage had left them destitute.

"Consider it a gift from the Jewel Clan. We will also assist in rebuilding your village," Bao Shi declared, his generosity surprising Ming Ren.

The woman, overcome with gratitude, kowtowed before him. "Thank you, my Lord!"

"I will examine the sick," Xu Tian announced.

"Great Doctor?" Bao Shi's eyes widened in surprise, echoed by the village woman.

"This is Great Doctor Xu Tian," Bao Shi introduced. "Even our ruler pays him respect."

The woman bowed again, apologizing for her lack of recognition.

"Think nothing of it," Xu Tian smiled. "I am but a humble doctor."

Bao Shi, though puzzled by Xu Tian's willingness to aid mortals, refrained from questioning his decision. "As you wish, Great Doctor. My men will deliver the supplies, and then we shall continue our journey."

"Our paths diverge here, then," Xu Tian said. "This old man will remember your kindness."

"The honor was ours. Please visit the Jewel Clan sometime," Bao Shi replied with a hearty laugh.

Bao An pouted, "Father, must I leave? I want to stay with Sister Ruolan."

"No, you will travel to Radiant Bridge City with Serpent. This is no place for someone of your cultivation level," Bao Shi commanded.

Bao An turned to Ming Ren with a shy hopefulness. "Will you come with us, big brother?"

A subtle unease tugged at Ming Ren's heart, as if his soul whispered caution against proceeding. "I will stay with the Great Doctor for now. Thank you for everything," he smiled, bowing to Bao Shi and his daughter.

"As you wish. You are welcome to join the Jewel Clan anytime!" Bao Shi smiled back.

Bao An, her face filled with disappointment, retreated into the wagon. Bao Shi instructed his men to deliver the supplies and then departed with his remaining guards for Mount Ironclaw.

Big Ox Village was a scene of desolation. The stench of death and decay hung heavy in the air, the once-proud homes reduced to rubble, the lifeless bodies of their cherished cattle scattered across the land. The villagers' cries of grief echoed through the deserted streets.

"Let us look at the patients," Xu Tian said, and the middle-aged village elder led the way. Ming Ren and Pan Ruolan followed.

Bao Shi, the caravan leader, watched Ming Ren's retreating figure with a lingering sense of uncertainty. Had he made the right choice in letting the young man go? The allure of a high-grade cultivation technique still gnawed at his mind, but he had ultimately chosen the path of honor. He organized his men, sending a group with Serpent and a sullen Bao An towards Radiant Bridge City while he and the others continued towards Mount Ironclaw.

Big Ox Village was a somber landscape, the air thick with the stench of death and despair. Buildings lay in ruins, remnants of the plague and the spirit beast rampage. The once-proud herds of spirit oxen were now nothing more than lifeless carcasses, a grim confirmation to the village's suffering.

As Ming Ren walked through the desolate streets, the mournful cries of the villagers echoed in his ears. The absence of life and laughter painted a bitter picture of their profound grief.

"I am surprised you decided to stay," Xu Tian remarked, his voice carrying a hint of curiosity. "Most cultivators show little interest in the affairs of mortals."

Pan Ruolan leaned forward, her brow furrowed, her fingers tapping impatiently against her sword hilt.

"Without mortals, there would be no cultivators," Ming Ren replied, his voice carrying a conviction that belied his age. "Is it not our duty to protect them?"

Xu Tian's eyes gleamed with admiration as they entered the makeshift infirmary, the former town hall now filled with the sick and dying. The sight of so many weakened bodies, their voices barely above a whisper, tugged at his heartstrings.

Spotting a small child, his smile softened with compassion as he settled beside her, gently taking her wrist in his experienced hands. He sought to understand the rhythm of her pulse, hoping to glean insights from its subtle fluctuations.

"They experience dizziness, extreme weakness, fevers, and chills regularly," the village leader explained, her voice heavy with worry. In this era, such symptoms were commonly associated with the plague, a catch-all term for any infectious disease with an unknown cause.

Xu Tian examined the patients for a while, his brow furrowed in concentration. "Their heartbeats are slow, their bodies devoid of vitality," he observed. "Their organs are hardening, and their blood is thickening. This is no plague; these are symptoms of poison."

"P-poison?" the village leader gasped, her eyes widening in disbelief.

Ming Ren nodded in agreement. 'As expected of the Great Doctor,' he thought. 'He recognized it immediately, even without knowing the specific poison. Still, it is strange. Some poisons I know can mimic the plague, but...'

Xu Tian retrieved pills and a cauldron from his spatial ring. "I will attempt to formulate an antidote," he declared. "Please administer these detoxifying pills in the meantime."

"These are too valuable…" the village leader hesitated, recognizing the high quality of the medicine.

"There is no time to waste," Xu Tian insisted, placing the pills in her hands.

Ming Ren smiled inwardly, his heart warmed by the Great Doctor's selflessness. He had grown up hearing tales of ruthless cultivators who cared little for mortals. Yet, here was a man of immense power and prestige, extending his compassion to those in need. A true doctor, worthy of admiration.

The Bright Clan had always walked the path of righteousness. Since his awakening, Ming Ren had encountered individuals of varying moral compasses – the honorable like Lin Dong and Xu Tian, the devious like the white elder and the flame commander, and the conflicted like Bao Shi.

Good and evil were not absolute. Ming Ren was no saint, nor did he believe it his duty to save everyone, especially those who had committed atrocities. Yet, he possessed extensive knowledge. If he had the power to help, should he not do so?

'This is not a natural poison, but an artificial one,' he realized, activating his Bright Eyes to scan the patients' bodies. 'Crafted by a skilled Master Poisoner, designed to mimic the plague. And there it is…'

As he focused his senses, he perceived a turbulent spiritual flow within the patients. Leaning closer, he made a startling discovery – tiny, insect-like creatures formed from spiritual energy scurried within their bodies, nearly invisible to the naked eye.

Just as Xu Tian prepared to channel his healing energy towards the child, Ming Ren swiftly grasped his wrist, halting the flow of power. His expression was urgent, his eyes conveying a silent warning.

"What are you doing?!" Pan Ruolan exclaimed.

"Forgive my rudeness, senior. It's dangerous," Ming Ren explained, releasing his grip.

"Dangerous? Explain yourself," Xu Tian frowned.

"If you examine their blood carefully, the truth will become clear. This poison originates from a parasitic bug residing within their bodies," Ming Ren suggested calmly.

"What…?" Pan Ruolan and Xu Tian stared at him, astonished. Bug-type poisons were notoriously dangerous.

"If you use your spiritual energy to treat them carelessly, you risk becoming infected as well," Ming Ren warned, his voice grave.

"He is a ninth-layer cultivator," Pan Ruolan interjected, skeptical of the young man's claims.

"This poison is potent enough to affect even cultivators," Ming Ren countered. "In fact, I believe it was specifically designed to target them."

"...What?!"

"Is it man-made? I considered the possibility, but how can you be sure?" Xu Tian inquired, intrigued.

"While I cannot be certain, the characteristics of this parasite are distinctly unnatural," Ming Ren explained. "Its effect on the spiritual flow and its precise size suggest it may be artificially created or manipulated. The creator is quite talented, having bred Featherwing Spirit Bugs with other species to induce additional symptoms and mimic the plague."

'Bred?' Ming Ren's thoughts raced. 'Could this be connected to the events at the Vagrant Wood...?'

"But why would someone…" Pan Ruolan began, her eyes filled with questions.

"There is only one reason to create and unleash such a poison – to kill as many as possible," Ming Ren replied grimly.

"Featherwing Spirit Bugs?" Xu Tian furrowed his brow, searching his memory for any information about these creatures, but to no avail.

"They are extremely rare and incredibly small," Ming Ren explained. "Worse still, they are beings of pure spiritual energy, feeding on and traveling through it. Had you used your spiritual energy…"

"I see," Xu Tian's eyes widened in understanding. "They can spread through any source of spiritual energy, a potent weapon against cultivators as well."

Ming Ren nodded grimly. The Great Doctor wasted no time, immediately testing the patient's blood for traces of the parasitic infestation. Though invisible to the naked eye and undetectable through his spiritual sense, the reaction within his cauldron confirmed the presence of an anomaly, aligning perfectly with Ming Ren's hypothesis.

"But…" Something still bothered the Great Doctor: "If the purpose was to spread this poison to mortals, making it look like a disease, why would they need to do that?"

"So it could spread to cultivators without their knowledge," Pan Ruolan interjected, her voice laced with a chilling realization.

"Exactly," Ming Ren confirmed. "Normally, even powerful cultivators struggle to detect these spirit bugs. By the time they realize the truth, it would be far too late for anyone below the Spirit Gate Realm."

Cultivating involved absorbing the spiritual Qi of Heaven and Earth, making cultivators susceptible to the parasitic infection without even realizing it.

"And the symptoms are too advanced," Xu Tian added, his voice laced with concern. "A parasitic poison of this nature should progress much slower, don't you agree?"

By this point, Xu Tian held Ming Ren's knowledge in high regard, his curiosity and admiration for the young man growing with each revelation.

"It is indeed a slow-acting poison," Ming Ren affirmed. "Something has caused it to accelerate, but I have no idea what."

Xu Tian sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "It is fortunate that you are familiar with this poison. Do you know of a cure?"

"Detoxification can delay the effects, but eliminating the parasites is no easy feat," Ming Ren explained. "They grow stronger as they consume spiritual energy. Spirit Gate-level pills would be the most effective solution, and even then, these particular parasites are more resilient than usual."

"That is…" Xu Tian trailed off, his voice heavy with disappointment. "Acquiring such pills is impossible."

Who would waste Spirit Gate-level pills on mortals? Only a First-Rank Grandmaster could craft such potent remedies, and even the most influential powers in the Soaring Country had limited access to them.

Ming Ren nodded, deep in thought. 'Should I attempt to concoct something?' he pondered. 'No, without extremely rare ingredients, anything with spiritual energy would only strengthen the bugs. Even the detoxifying pills are a risk, countering the effects but potentially benefiting the parasites as well. Finding an antidote without knowing the specific species involved is difficult, and even then, it would not eradicate the problem. Only by killing the bugs can we truly end this… My low cultivation is a hindrance.'

"How do you know all this?" Pan Ruolan inquired, her eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"I read a lot," Ming Ren replied with a smile, his response earning skeptical glances from both Pan Ruolan and Xu Tian.

Determination burned in the Great Doctor's eyes as he faced Ming Ren, his gratitude evident in his smile. "I won't give up without a fight," he declared with conviction. "I will treat them and do my best to find a cure."

"Now that I understand the nature of these spiritual beings and their mode of transmission, I will proceed with utmost caution," he added, his voice steady and resolute.

"I will help," Pan Ruolan offered, her determination echoing her master's.

"Ruolan, you and Yu Ren should head to Radiant Bridge City," Xu Tian instructed firmly. "Your presence here would only put you at risk."

"But Master…" Pan Ruolan protested, her voice laced with worry.

"There is nothing you can do at your current level," Xu Tian interrupted, his tone leaving no room for argument. "You would only become infected."

His words were harsh, but they stemmed from a desire to protect his disciple.

Pan Ruolan, unable to refute his logic, left the infirmary, her shoulders slumped in defeat.

"You should leave as well," Xu Tian turned to Ming Ren. "Cultivating here is too dangerous. These old bones have lived a long life, but I will not succumb easily."

"Senior, if we can determine what is empowering these spirit bugs, we may find a way to defeat them," Ming Ren countered, hope flickering in his eyes. "My eyes possess a unique ability – I can identify areas free of parasites where we can cultivate and create a safe haven."

Xu Tian's eyes lit up with interest. Perhaps Ming Ren's abilities held the key to solving the mystery of the strengthened spirit bugs.

"You… Thank you," Xu Tian smiled, his gratitude evident. "But you have your whole life ahead of you. Such risks are unnecessary."

"For now, I will clear my mind and search for a solution," Ming Ren bowed and left the infirmary.

He extended his spiritual sense to its limits, but still, he found no clues as to what was empowering the parasites. However, he had not been entirely truthful with the Great Doctor.

There was another way to eliminate the parasites without resorting to Spirit Gate pills. These creatures possessed an innate connection to their parent, the original source of the poison. By killing the parent, the parasites would lose their connection and cease to spread.

Furthermore, the parent's core could be used to create a powerful antidote, even against the advanced stages of the poison. It was unlikely that the creature's creator would allow it to stray too far from the parasites, as this could sever the connection and weaken them. Additionally, the spirit bugs were incapable of reproducing on their own; only the parent could create more.

Ming Ren knew that revealing this information to Xu Tian would only send the old doctor on a suicidal mission. Even with his ninth-layer cultivation, his waning vital energy would not be enough.

'If I can find the creature, there is still a chance,' he thought. 'My bloodline is too potent to be quickly affected by these parasites. I am the perfect candidate for this task.'

Stepping outside, he found Pan Ruolan sitting near the town hall, her posture tense, her expression still reflecting her earlier frustration.

"He is worried about you," Ming Ren said gently. "This is dangerous even for strong cultivators."

"I know," Pan Ruolan sighed. "I have been with him for a long time. I am just… annoyed with myself."

"I will find a safe place for you to cultivate and clear your mind," Ming Ren offered, his voice soothing. "Remember, the answer is always above."

Pan Ruolan's frown softened into a playful grin. "Together?" she teased, her voice laced with a suggestive undertone.

Ming Ren's cheeks flushed crimson, his heart pounding in his chest. "T-together? D-dual cultivation…?" he stammered, flustered by her unexpected suggestion.

Pan Ruolan burst into laughter, her amusement echoing through the air. "Your reaction… it's priceless!"

Ming Ren, realizing his own awkwardness, chuckled sheepishly, the tension easing from his body. Despite his long life and vast knowledge, there was one thing the Bright Scripture and all his experiences had not prepared him for:

Women!