Elder Xia's Solution

"Ohh... Master Xia, I understand what you want to say. So, that's why they call Qiaolian a Forged Practitioner. It's because there are other elixir fields within her body," said Huan Xue and clasped both his hands together behind his back. "Those rumors were really malicious."

"All rumors at some point are carrying ill-intent," Elder Xia mumbled. "Huan Xue, the situation in this continent is not favorable."

"Yes. Master Xia, this continent is on the brink of losing its inhabitants. If the Hex Mile of Tears became mature enough to collect the souls of those infected people, we must intercept it," Huan Xue tilted his head and tried to calculate their next moves.

"The Hex Mile of Tears... The awakening of Lord of the Open Sea... Then, Lady Zhou's condition... Ahh... The cultivators in this continent are at a disadvantage. Our opponent is strong. We cannot underestimate the Taoist that Lady Zhou met."

"I can fight that Taoist, Master Xia. If he is really strong, then, I can test my power by fighting against him."

"It's hard to locate him. Only Lady Zhou saw his identity. And he managed to put a miasma on her which means he did not sense her golden elixir field yet... Because if he had known that Lady Zhou possessed such a rare elixir field like him, he would never offer the miasma to temper her inner core," Elder Xia paused and stared at Huan Xue's anxious expression. He really wanted to just tell Huan Xue to find a safe place for them to continue their cultivation training. But, he knew that such a plan would be useless.

"Master Xia, do you have a better suggestion? Should we prepare a plan to fight the Taoist? This is the direct way of confronting our enemy," asked Huan Xue. He moved closer to the bed and gently touched Qiaolian's hand. Her temperature was neither burning nor freezing which gave him the assurance that she is alive.

Seeing his intimate action, Elder Xia somehow stared at their hands for a few seconds. "Her elixir field will protect her body until she learns to refine the miasma. This situation is no longer a danger to Lady Zhou. Instead, it would allow her yin inner core to evolve into a golden inner core. The problem lies if she also becomes demonic when she wakes up. Either she will refine the miasma... or the miasma will corrupt her consciousness."

"Qiaolian is capable. She can refine the miasma. But, when do you think she will wake up, Master Xia?"

"Hmm... She is indeed capable! Ahh... I have to gather information. I will travel through two dimensions and visit Noble Lui of the Luixing Territories. He is my acquaintance who also possessed a golden elixir field. He might be able to assist us to fight this opponent," said Elder Xia in a calm tone. "We can fight against the Taoist but we have to know the ability of our enemy first. And Noble Lui can understand Lady Zhou's condition better. I will also consult this matter to him."

"Luixing Territories... The organization of that place never provides its services without a return. Master Xia, the Heng continent is three times smaller than Luixing Territories. Your acquaintance may not pay attention to this place," Huan Xue commented.

"Don't worry! That Noble Lui is like a big brother of mine. He will definitely help me," Elder Xia slightly smiled. His expression was full of certainty. "Noble Lui managed to rule the entire Luixing Territories. All cultivators obey his order because of his golden elixir field. I trust him."

"But--- Luixing Territories... T-That place is part of the celestial abyss. Master Xia--- Hmm... never mind. Please be careful," Huan Xue expressed with reluctance.

"Are you afraid that they would play tricks on me and deceive me? Hehehe... Noble Lui is a dignified person. Don't worry, he won't make fool out of me. He is respectable and reliable. And there is no other way of dealing with the situation in this Heng continent," Elder Xia tapped his shoulder and give him a comforting smile.

"Alright. If that mysterious Taoist really wants to gather the souls of the citizens using the Hex Mile of Tears formation, then, he would eventually appear inside our territory to guide the souls out of here. If that happens, I will fight him with all I have," Huan Xue sighed and lowered his gaze.

"I'll do my best to return shortly. If I locate Noble Lui easily, then, it may just take half a day that I won't be here. By the way, Grand Physician and Great Herbalist... Pay attention to them too. I have angered them earlier. They might do something foolish," Elder Xia finished. He then raised his hand and swayed his fingers in the air. A green aura burst open and then the space cracked just a few feet away from them. "Huan Xue, I'm taking my leave."

"En. Be careful, Master Xia," Huan Xue repeated and watched as Elder Xia entered the cracked space until his figure vanished from his sight.

The room was enveloped with complete silence. Huan Xue sat on the edge of the bed and sighed.

"Golden elixir field... Qiaolian, no wonder those sects in Boundless Shoreline want to capture you badly. The Feng Sect patriarch had probably informed the other sect leaders about your elixir field," Huan Xue spoke softly, not minding whether she could hear him or not.

Out of a sudden, the figure of Wang Aija arrived at the door. Her expression looked extremely in panic. "M-Master Huan Xue, i-its about G-Grand Physician Wang Si... H-His room is full of dark aura! He is--- Please check him, Master Huan Xue. I don't know what happened to him!"

Huan Xue turned around and stood straight. "Calm down, Great Herbalist Wang Aija. Is Grand Physician infected by the Hex Mile of Tears formation?"

"N-No! It's different, Master Huan Xue! There is an eerie air around his room. It's like a devil had suddenly possessed him!"

"Could it be the miasma?" Huan Xue wondered. However, he shook his head. "It's impossible. I should be the first to get affected by the miasma since I am the one who carried Qiaolian here."