A Miasma

Huan Xue immediately extended his hand, ready to hold Qiaolian's trembling body. But, before he could reach her shoulder, she raised her face and shook her head.

"Don't touch me. Something odd is attacking my body! It's too aggressive. AHH! It's extremely hot, like I am placed in an invisible searing cauldron! It's dangerous. I-It's tempering my internal organs.... Move farther... Far away. UGH!"

Elder Xia was quick to notice the sudden change in the air around Qiaolian. His calm expression turned sour and his figure flew away. But, seeing that Huan Xue was reluctant to move, he reached his arm and pulled him too.

"It's m-miasma... Huan Xue, stay here," Elder Xia spoke in a serious tone. His voice sounded slightly frightened.

Miasma!

The lines in Huan Xue's forehead became visible as he stared at Qiaolian's figure several meters away from them. "What is it, Master Xia? What did you say?"

"Huan Xue, have you read books about the golden inner core? I have known someone with a golden elixir field during my youth... and he possessed such a bizarre inner core. Its inner force contains very harmful energy. I think this is the reason why Lady Zhou was looking for a cultivation manual. Her inner core had integrated with this energy!"

"She is in pain. Is Qiaolian in danger, Master Xia?" asked Huan Xue with a worried expression on his face. He had no idea what would happen. What he could tell was that Qiaolian's expression showed she was suffering.

"How dangerous do you think are the Martial Tribulations, the Cosmic Trials, and the Trials of Elements?" Elder Xia suddenly asked but, his eyes were completely glued to Qiaolian.

Such were challenges every cultivator would eventually face in accordance with their elixir fields to gain higher comprehension of their cultivation techniques. Those who possessed Scarlet Martial Elixir Field would undergo Martial Tribulations. For Silver Celestial Elixir Field, they had to pass the Cosmic Trials. As for the Jade Immortal Elixir Field, they had to experience the Trials of Elements.

"I know that the Trials of Elements are the final and most dangerous test for an elemental cultivator. Cultivators could end up getting crippled if they failed to handle their tribulations. And if they succeed, the elixir field would greatly enhance its power and their cultivation technique would ascend to a different realm of power," Huan Xue answered and released a deep sigh.

Elder Xia nodded but he hesitated for a moment before he released a sigh too. "T-Then, the situation of Lady Zhou right now is the same as facing a heavenly tribulation."

"She's in danger..."

"However, this danger is tripled because she is dealing with the tempering of her inner core, not the enhancement of the power in her elixir field. Huan Xue, if she can't overcome the miasma, her inner core will burst and will end her life. With her condition, it's up to fate if they send a miracle to her. If you go near her, the miasma will affect you." Elder Xia warned him with his hands clasped together in his chest. He could feel the strong beating of his heart and tried to calm it.

Huan Xue pondered deeply. Indeed, he had noticed that the air around Qiaolian had suddenly turned into a yellowish color. "Hmm... I've never seen or heard of a golden inner core. But, I know that if harmful energy enters the inner core, it would really explode. Master Xia, is there really no way to help Qiaolian?"

"Golden inner core belonged to the demonic bloodline but they do not have an elixir field. So, their cultivation practices are completely different. However, some humans have this kind of inner core too. In the human physique, the golden inner core only responds to the golden elixir field. And its energy is tremendously invasive. With the absence of Lady Zhou's elixir field, the miasma energy will really go directly and attack her body. It will cause her death. At this point, there is no way of helping Lady Zhou. It would have been possible to survive if she possessed a Golden Elixir Field."

In the distance, Qiaolian maintained her agonizing position. Her body was curled like a ball as if she was pressing her chest using her arms and knees. There was no visible movement on her body but her face was contorted in great pain.

"That Golden Elixir Field? Master Xia, what is that?" Huan Xue took a deep breath and somehow felt the pain of Qiaolian just by looking closely at her expression. He closed his eyes and tried to clear his thoughts.

"Some ancient script hailed it as a Firmament Realm or the finest form of elixir field in cultivation. But, that is essentially the combination of elixir fields within the body. Its method of sustaining such elixir fields is extremely difficult." Elder Xia shook his head and looked at Qiaolian with pity.

However, Huan Xue somehow felt at ease. He secretly released a small sigh of relief. "In that case, I hope there is a miracle for Qiaolian to subdue the miasma. I know she is capable."

Elder Xia pursed his lips and stared at him. Unlike his initial worried reaction, Huan Xue's expression appeared to be relaxed? "Huan Xue I did not imagine that you have so much faith in Lady Zhou's ability?"

"Hehe, it's Master Xia who told me she is strong. There is no need for me to question her ability," Huan Xue curled his lips into a small smile. He took a deep breath and finally cleared his thoughts. He was certain she could overcame such pain in no time.

"Ohh... I did give you a list last time! Hehe... Somehow, I could sense that Lady Zhou is fighting the miasma energy and refining it. But, we can't be sure. She had already exhausted her inner force when she went to the Empire of the Open Sea... Well, if she is not capable, she would not be the daughter of the Zhou Clan. She might have a way," Elder Xia stated before he looked away. "The biggest issue here is someone in the Open Sea placed a miasma in her inner core. This is really disturbing. The enemy possessed a Golden Elixir Field."

"First, let's talk about the damage this Hex Mile of Tears formation had done in our region while I am in closed-door cultivation. Master Xia, you've mentioned the condition of the wine merchant and the boatman. How are they?"

"Grand Physician Wang Si is attending to them. The boatman is in critical condition but, they were directly afflicted with the Hex Mile of Tears. There is no known cure for it," Elder Xia replied and then remembered something. "Ahh... Wang Si applied a remedy of the Teal and Turquoise Dew to the boatman to calm his pulse. Hmmm... In fact, I'd better see their situation in the apothecary. Do you want to come with me?"

"I'll observe Qiaolian, Master Xia. I'll check the boatman and wine merchant after," Huan Xue waved his hand and signaled that he was not going anywhere. Elder Xia gave him a nod and his figure instantly vanished in front of him.