"Brother Zheng, Uncle has been poisoned by a Gu! We have to find Yuan Yuan's grandfather!" Huang Hua said urgently before rushing off.

"Poisoned by a Gu?" Chen Zheng was startled. He knew full well how ferocious the Gu were, having even witnessed a cultivator try to use one to control him. In the end, however, he had been the one to annihilate the Gu worm.

But why would he be poisoned by a Gu for no reason? Chen Zheng was puzzled but quickly followed.

In the long history of the Nanhai Stockade, Kuang Yuanyuan's grandfather, Kuang Long, shone like a dazzling star, radiating wisdom and strength. Now in his nineties, he remained vigorous and robust, as if time itself could not leave its mark on him. This was due to his research into medicinal herbs and the heritage of the Nanhai Stockade, which kept the tree of his life evergreen.

On a sunny day, Kuang Long was basking in the courtyard as usual, enjoying a moment of peace. However, the tranquility was shattered by a sudden knock at the door. Kuang Hu ran in, flustered, and told him that his father, Kuang Nie, had been poisoned by a Gu.

Kuang Long immediately set aside his leisurely mood, his expression tense as he instructed Kuang Hu to lay Kuang Nie on the rattan lounge chair.

Kuang Long swiftly tore open Kuang Nie's clothes, revealing a horrifying sight. Bulging veins pulsed on his chest, and pitch-black blood flowed just beneath his skin.

"Ah, this is Snake Gu!" Kuang Long exclaimed, his deep knowledge of poisons allowing him to recognize the severity of the situation instantly. "Unless we find the snake that bit him and take its gallbladder for him to consume, there is no cure."

BOOM! His words struck everyone like a bolt of lightning.

An incurable poison meant certain death, one preceded by excruciating pain.

"Father!" Kuang Yuanyuan and Kuang Hu cried out, their voices echoing in the air.

Kuang Long let out a deep sigh. "Alas..."

"No! There's still hope! I'll find that snake!" Kuang Hu suddenly shouted, rallying his spirits.

"Do you have any idea what kind of snake it was? Even if you go looking for it now, it's already too late," Kuang Long said, gently shaking his head as Kuang Hu froze in place. "The venom has seeped into Kuang Nie's blood and will soon permeate his entire body."

Chen Zheng, who had followed them in, frowned slightly upon hearing this.

Kuang Yuanyuan suddenly realized something. "Brother Zheng! Brother Zheng, can you save my father?"

Kuang Long glanced at Chen Zheng. Before he could speak, Kuang Long said, "It's no use. Not even a deity could save him now."

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully triggering a choice mission.]

[Option One: Cleanse Kuang Nie of the Gu poison and receive the following reward: a minor breakthrough in the Fire Control Technique.]

[Option Two: Refuse and receive the following reward: 1 billion in cash.]

A surge of astonishment filled Chen Zheng's heart. Although his Fire Control Technique was still in its infancy, he firmly believed it was the power he desperately needed.

"I will do my best," Chen Zheng said, his voice firm and resolute. He had already chosen option one without hesitation.

Kuang Long stared at Chen Zheng, skepticism flickering in his eyes. "Are you the young man who miraculously healed Yuan Yuan? Your talent is admirable, but in this situation, I fear..."

His words trailed off, but everyone present understood his implication.

"We'll only know the outcome if we try," Chen Zheng said fearlessly as he walked straight to Kuang Nie's side.

Kuang Long could only shake his head helplessly and say no more. Yet, deep down, he still harbored doubts about Chen Zheng's ability to save Kuang Nie. This wasn't an ordinary illness or poison, but the legendary Gu poison! Sinister, venomous, and incurable—that was its deadly nature.

Chen Zheng carefully scrutinized the situation before placing his hand on Kuang Nie's chest and injecting the scorching Nine Yang True Qi into his body. He immediately sensed a cold and malevolent force. However, the Nine Yang True Qi burst forth, and the frigid energy began to rapidly dissipate.

The unsurpassed strength of the Nine Yang Divine Art lay in its healing abilities and immunity to all poisons, like a blazing sun lighting up the darkness. The Nine Yang True Qi he cultivated was like a searing flame, possessing an overwhelming power against any cold, sinister energy. At this moment, under the influence of Chen Zheng's True Qi, the Gu poison in Kuang Nie melted away like snow in the sun.

Before the astonished eyes of Kuang Long and the others, the bulging veins on Kuang Nie's chest receded like the tide, his skin becoming calm and clear. In just a few minutes, all traces of the Gu poison had vanished from his chest, leaving it as smooth and pristine as before.

Kuang Long was dumbfounded. His knowledge of Gu arts was profound, but not even using a snake's gallbladder to cure the poison could produce such a miraculous effect.

"He did it! He actually did it! This is Brother Zheng's miraculous power!" A heavy weight was lifted from Huang Hua's heart as he exclaimed in heartfelt awe.

Kuang Yuanyuan wept with joy, her tears streaming down her face.

Kuang Hu was overcome with emotion, his expression filled with endless gratitude as he looked at Chen Zheng.

A few minutes later, Chen Zheng withdrew his hand. The Gu poison in Kuang Nie had been completely eradicated by the power of the True Qi. At the same time, Chen Zheng had also repaired the cells eroded by the poison. Kuang Nie was now almost no different from before he was poisoned.

Finally, Kuang Nie's eyes fluttered open.

"Lord Chen Zheng!" he cried, hurriedly getting to his feet and bowing respectfully. He remembered everything vividly and instantly understood that he owed his life to Chen Zheng's miraculous power.

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully completing the mission selection. Reward received: breakthrough in the Fire Control Technique.]

In that instant, a mighty torrent of information flooded Chen Zheng's mind. A series of images flickered past like scenes from a fantastical movie. His mastery of the Fire Control Technique had advanced, illuminating the depths of his soul like the light of dawn.

Now, I have an eighty percent chance of successfully refining the Rohuangdi! Determination sparkled in Chen Zheng's eyes.

"Ah Nie, you're truly fortunate! If it hadn't been for this young man's help, today you..." Kuang Long said, finally snapping out of his shock.

Kuang Nie nodded, deeply moved. But then his brow furrowed. "Ah Hu, when I returned, was there no one else?"

Kuang Hu was taken aback. He thought for a moment, then shook his head. "Father, it was only you!"

"Father, what's wrong?" Kuang Yuanyuan asked from the side.

Kuang Nie gently shook his head, as if trying to dispel his confusion.

"Kuang Nie, are you still alive?" a deep voice suddenly echoed through the air.

Kuang Nie's face turned white as a sheet, his own heartbeat thundering in his ears. He knew that voice all too well. It belonged to the man who had pursued him all night: Vice Chief Qiu, the chieftain of Shanhuan Stockade. He had never imagined that Vice Chief Qiu would actually follow him all the way to his doorstep.

"Father, is that Vice Chief Qiu?" Kuang Hu's expression turned grim, his hand tightening around the hilt of his sword.

"Kuang Nie, should you die, don't blame me for what comes next. I will take the life of every last person in the Nanhai Stockade!" Vice Chief Qiu's voice thundered over the village like rolling thunder. An indescribable fear seized everyone who heard it. They all knew that behind Vice Chief Qiu stood a Gu Master, whose evil deeds were deeply etched in their minds.

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