Chapter Twenty: The Draw Marrow Pill

Chapter Twenty: The Draw Marrow Pill

After leaving the cliff, Eli Mason had covered quite a distance yet could still faintly hear the noises of the dispute. He no longer concerned himself with how they resolved the quarrel between Big Wang and Zhang Changgui.

Eli couldn't help but laugh when he thought of Finn standing there, dumbfounded. The lightheartedness he felt now was a stark contrast to the gloom that had weighed on him earlier in the valley.

He wandered through the pine forest, heading further into the remote areas. After walking aimlessly for a while, he came across a narrow stream.

Eli looked up at the scorching sun and then down at the clear, flowing water. He thought it might be a good idea to wash up in the stream.

As he bent down and dipped his hands into the cool water, he heard painful groans coming from upstream.

Eli was surprised to find someone in such a secluded place.

Following the sounds, he discovered a disciple in Mystic Gate robes lying face down by the stream, trembling and twitching uncontrollably.

Eli immediately recognized that this disciple was suffering from an acute ailment and needed urgent assistance to avoid life-threatening consequences.

He rushed over, pulling out a small sandalwood box from his robe. Opening it, he took out several gleaming silver needles and quickly and skillfully inserted them into the disciple's acupoints on his back.

Once he had finished with the back, he carefully turned the disciple over to work on the front.

As he did, Eli gasped. The face he saw was none other than Brother Lucas.

Lucas was far from the fierce warrior who had just dominated the arena. His once stoic face was now twisted in agony, foam bubbling at his mouth—clearly in a state of extreme pain.

Regaining his composure, Eli quickly continued with the acupuncture, inserting needle after needle into Lucas's chest. Sweat beaded on Eli's forehead, and he let out a long breath of relief when he was finally done.

Lucas's body was now adorned with shimmering silver needles, and he began to regain consciousness.

"You... you are..." Lucas tried to speak, but the words wouldn't come.

"I'm from the Mystic Gate's medical division. Save your strength. I've only managed to stabilize you temporarily. Your condition is quite strange. Only Doctor Mo could properly treat you, but he's not on the mountain now," Eli said, checking Lucas's pulse with a furrowed brow.

"Medicine... in..." Lucas stammered, trying to lift his hand but failing.

"You have medicine on you?" Eli guessed, seeing Lucas's reaction.

"Yes..." Lucas managed to nod weakly.

Eli quickly searched Lucas's belongings and found a small white jade bottle among other items. The bottle was exquisitely crafted and tightly sealed, indicating its importance.

Opening the bottle, Eli was greeted by a pungent, fishy smell rather than the expected medicinal fragrance.

Frowning, Eli carefully poured out a small pink pill. Despite its pleasant appearance, the stench was overwhelming.

"Is this the medicine?" Eli asked, his face calm.

Lucas, unable to speak, could only blink desperately.

"Draw Marrow Pills, made from 23 rare ingredients including Helan, Scorpion Tail Flower, and Blue Ant Eggs. Pink in color with a fishy odor. Ingesting it greatly enhances one's current abilities at the cost of future health. Do I have that right?" Eli's tone was cold, his gaze unyielding.

Hearing Eli's words, Lucas's face turned deathly pale, filled with panic.

"Once ingested, it must be taken regularly to avoid debilitating pain and eventual death. Even with timely doses, users rarely live more than ten years. You don't need to tell me this isn't a Draw Marrow Pill," Eli continued, his voice steady.

Lucas's expression revealed a mix of despair and astonishment.

"Surprised that I know this rare pill? It's simple—I've taken one myself," Eli revealed, shocking Lucas further.

"But I used it differently. I divided one pill into ten parts and used it as an additive in other medicines, avoiding the severe side effects. Its distinctive smell and appearance made a lasting impression on me. I never thought I'd encounter another user within our sect," Eli said, a hint of pity in his eyes.

Lucas closed his eyes, struggling to contain his emotions. His body was a testament to the pill's effects, but his spirit seemed broken.

"If you stop taking this pill now, I can ask Doctor Mo to prepare a special remedy for you. It won't restore all your lost years, but it could extend your life by 20 or 30 years. However, you'll lose your martial prowess. Continue taking it, and you'll become immensely powerful, but only for five or six more years. The choice is yours," Eli stated, laying out the stark reality.

Lucas's eyelids trembled as he wrestled with his decision. Finally, he opened his eyes, staring intently at the pill in Eli's hand, his gaze fervent.

Eli silently handed over the pill, watching as Lucas swallowed it dry, his body wracked with pain as the medicine took effect.

Lucas's face gradually regained its color, and his body stopped trembling. He sat up slowly, resuming his meditation to stabilize his condition.

Eli sat nearby, observing Lucas's recovery, reflecting on the heavy burden carried by his fellow disciple.

"What drove you to take such a desperate measure?" Eli asked, his voice softer now.

Lucas opened his eyes, a mixture of pain and resolve visible. "The Shadow Sect... they're relentless. They've taken everything from me. My family, my friends... all gone. I needed power to fight back, to protect what little remains."

Eli nodded, understanding the desperation that had led Lucas down this path. "Revenge is a powerful motivator, but at what cost?"

Lucas sighed deeply. "I know the risks, but I'm willing to pay the price. I have nothing left to lose."

Eli placed a hand on Lucas's shoulder. "You're not alone. We're all fighting the same battle. But remember, true strength comes from within, not from shortcuts."

Lucas looked at Eli, gratitude and determination in his eyes. "Thank you, Eli. Your words mean more than you know."

They sat in silence for a while, the gentle flow of the stream providing a soothing backdrop to their thoughts. Eli knew that their paths were intertwined, each driven by a need to protect and defend.

As the sun began to set, casting long shadows over the forest, Eli stood up. "We should head back. The sect will be worried."

Lucas nodded, slowly getting to his feet. Despite his weakened state, there was a newfound resolve in his stance.

Together, they made their way back to the Mystic Gate, the events of the day weighing heavily on their minds. Eli knew that their fight against the Shadow Sect was far from over, but with allies like Lucas, he felt more prepared to face the challenges ahead.

The journey back was filled with a sense of camaraderie. They talked about their experiences, shared stories, and forged a deeper bond. By the time they reached the Mystic Gate, they were not just fellow disciples but brothers-in-arms.

As they approached the gate, Finn ran out to meet them, a look of relief on his face. "Brother Eli, Brother Lucas, you're back! We were getting worried."

Eli smiled, clapping Finn on the shoulder. "We're fine, Finn. Just had a bit of an adventure."

Finn's eyes widened as he took in Lucas's appearance. "Brother Lucas, are you alright?"

Lucas nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. "I'm fine, Finn. Just needed some fresh air."

Finn looked skeptical but didn't press further. "Alright, if you say so. Come on, everyone's waiting to hear about the match."

As they walked through the gates, Eli couldn't help but feel a sense of hope. The battles ahead would be tough, but with friends like Finn and Lucas, he knew they could face anything.

Together, they entered the main hall, ready to share their experiences and prepare for the next steps in their journey. The Mystic Gate was their home, and they would defend it with everything they had.

The night was filled with laughter and stories, a moment of respite in their tumultuous lives. But even as they enjoyed the camaraderie, they knew that the real challenges were yet to come.

Eli looked around at his friends, a sense of determination filling him. No matter what the future held, they would face it together. And with that thought, he felt ready for whatever lay ahead.