My father was afflicted years ago with the infamous 'Branding Poison.' For years he endured, but now its toxicity has flared up… and he can no longer hold on."
His hands curled into fists before he relaxed them, forcing a bitter smile.
"You are all esteemed alchemists, each with unique skills and methods.
I beg you ..... give it a try. If there is even the slightest chance to save him, I cannot give up."
His tone grew deeper, more solemn.
"And rest assured ... should any of you succeed in curing the old patriarch, the Nalan family will spare no expense in rewarding you."
With a sweeping motion of his hand, he gestured toward a side chamber, his voice carrying a hint of urgency.
"My father lies inside. Please — take turns, one by one."
The alchemists exchanged looks, their faces grave.
After a long moment, a white-haired elder finally rose to his feet.
He cupped his hands politely toward Nalan Su, his smile calm and confident.
"Very well. Allow this old man to try first."
He stepped into the side room, his robe swaying behind him.
But ten minutes later, he returned, shaking his head with a wry, helpless smile.
"Apologies, Patriarch Nalan. The poison is far too stubborn.
I tried over a dozen detoxification pills, but none produced even the slightest effect."
Nalan Su and Yanran both sighed in disappointment. A faint shadow of despair crept into their eyes.
One by one, the other alchemists followed suit, entering the side room and exhausting their methods.
Yet one by one, they returned .....faces equally dark, equally helpless.
The poison that even Pill King Gu He could not cure was far beyond their abilities.
The atmosphere grew heavier with each failure. By the time the last alchemist emerged, head lowered in defeat, the hall had fallen utterly silent.
Yanran's beautiful eyes glistened with unshed tears.
Even the proud alchemists avoided Nalan Su's gaze, shame burning on their faces.
Nalan Su forced himself to bow slightly, a bitter smile twisting his lips.
"Thank you, everyone. It seems this is truly my father's fate.
Still, I will have the butler prepare generous gifts for you all ... your efforts will not go unrewarded."
It was a polite dismissal, and they all knew it.
The alchemists exchanged wry looks, cupped their hands respectfully, and took their leave.
As the sound of their footsteps faded, Nalan Su's shoulders slumped.
"So many alchemists, yet not one could cleanse the poison…"
His gaze drifted toward Ye Chen, a faint spark of hope igniting once more.
"Ye Chen… is it really true that even Pill King Gu He had no way?"
If even Gu He ... the most revered alchemist in the Jia Ma Empire ..... was helpless, then there was truly no hope.
Would they have to watch the old patriarch die with their own eyes?
The thought of the Nalan family losing its pillar made Nalan Su clench his fists until his knuckles turned white.
Perhaps .. just perhaps ....the young man standing before him might hold a miracle.
Ye Chen nodded calmly, his expression unshaken.
"This Branding Poison can only be removed by one who controls a Heavenly Flame.
Without a Heavenly Flame, there is no solution ... which is why even Pill King Gu He was helpless."
"Heavenly… Flame?"
Nalan Su froze. His breath caught, and then despair washed over him like a cold tide.
Heavenly Flames were legendary treasures that existed only in rumors. He had heard of them, yes, but never in his life had he seen one.
To obtain one was almost impossible ... a feat only those with heaven-defying luck could achieve.
If even Gu He, the famed Pill King, did not possess one, where could they possibly find someone who did?
Yanran's eyes misted again, but then she recalled Ye Chen's words from earlier.
"Senior Brother…" Her voice trembled slightly. "Didn't you say you had a way?"
Nalan Su turned sharply toward Ye Chen, hope flickering in his eyes once more.
"Ye Chen… do you truly have a solution?"
He could hardly believe it, but desperation made him cling to any possibility, no matter how small.
Ye Chen did not answer immediately. Instead, he slowly raised his right hand, his expression calm and confident.
Then .... with a thought ... a mass of pale, ghostly-white fire bloomed in his palm.
It did not roar or crackle like ordinary flame. Instead, it burned silently, yet its presence filled the entire hall.
A wave of heat and cold swept through the room simultaneously, so intense that several of the Nalan family guards instinctively stepped back.
The very air seemed to warp around the flame, and a strange, oppressive aura descended upon the hall.
Yanran's breath caught in her throat, her eyes widening in shock.
"T-This… could it be…"
She covered her mouth with a trembling hand, her gaze locked on the eerie white fire.
Her heart pounded wildly, both fear and joy surging within her.
Ye Chen looked down at the living flame dancing like a spirit in his palm, the corners of his lips curving into a faint, confident smile.
"Uncle Nalan," he said softly, his voice calm yet carrying an unshakable power,
"do you recognize this fire?"
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