I Can Devour Spirits

Chapter 200: Farewell

Shen Ping continued, "When it comes to Martial Artists in the Primordial Qi Realm, poisons become even more insignificant. No matter how potent the poison, once it encounters the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi within a Martial Artist’s body, it instantly dissipates!"

"That’s why Poison Dao, compared to Martial Dao, has become an insignificant path. As long as one advances to the True Qi Realm, they can utilize True Qi to counteract poisons. And if one advances to the Primordial Qi Realm, poisons become utterly laughable."

"However, when I was young, I refused to believe this. I thought that with my talent and effort, I could bring glory to Poison Dao, even making it stand shoulder to shoulder with Martial Dao."

"Now, it seems I was truly indulging in fantasy!" Shen Ping said with a bitter smile, his eyes filled with self-mockery.

But Duan Rong, upon hearing this, was deeply moved. In this moment, he even revered Shen Ping as a hero!

A person who refuses to believe in such notions, who despite past evaluations of it as an insignificant path, is so enamored with it, determined to bring it to glory!

What courage and spirit is this!

Even if he failed! His failure is still valuable!

Because at the very least, it proved to his heart that Poison Dao is indeed difficult to surpass!

A failed hero is still a hero, even a greater hero!

Shen Ping, unaware of Duan Rong’s shock, continued speaking softly as if to himself, "My ultimate dream was that one day Poison Dao could rival the Primordial Qi Realm Martial Artists, making them no longer underestimate poisons!"

"Now, looking back, it’s laughable. It was sheer arrogance, as I spent my entire life without even breaking through the barrier of the True Qi Realm."

"Through diligent research throughout my life, just last month, I refined this First Grade Red. I pinned great hopes on this poison, but after crafting it, I found that it could still be expelled using True Qi. The only difference is that this poison is more intricate, disperses rapidly, and penetrates deeply, requiring stronger True Qi to control it."

"Though it can cause considerable trouble for the strong in True Qi Realm First Level and Second Level, once it reaches the True Qi Realm Third Level, it remains ultimately controllable by powerful True Qi."

"Even so, it represents the pinnacle of my exploration of Poison Dao and is already the most potent poison in the world, which is why I named it First Grade Red."

"The pinnacle of the world, unsurpassable!"

Duan Rong finally understood why Shen Ping said the end of Poison Dao is desolate.

Because he had spent his entire life’s energy refining the most potent poison in the world, yet that poison still could be controlled by powerful True Qi.

In other words, poisons cannot penetrate True Qi! This ironclad rule has not been broken!

Therefore, despite Shen Ping’s lifelong dedication, he ultimately ended in complete failure.

At this moment, Duan Rong seemed to understand Shen Ping’s state of mind, and he couldn’t help but sigh empathetically, "Truly desolate!"

Upon hearing Duan Rong’s sigh, Shen Ping gave a wry smile and said, "I’m not telling you all this to complain. Firstly, to explain the origin of this First Grade Red; secondly, to prevent you from following my old path. Your talent in Martial Dao and Medical Dao far surpasses mine, your prospects are limitless, and you must not trap yourself!"

Listening to Shen Ping’s earnest guidance, a surge of warmth filled Duan Rong’s heart.

Shen Ping said, "The method for refining this First Grade Red is detailed in the notes within the cave, which you can read for yourself."

As Shen Ping said this, his expression suddenly darkened.

He initially intended to personally guide Duan Rong, but a quarrel with Xiao Zongting had changed his mind.

Since Duan Rong was Xiao Zongting’s disciple, why bother teaching him and competing for a teacher-disciple relationship with Xiao Zongting?

However, after spending time together, Shen Ping had great confidence in Duan Rong’s talent in Medical Dao.

He believed that even without his teaching, with Duan Rong’s talent and comprehension, he could learn most of his Medical Dao and Poison Dao just by reading the notes and books left in the cave.

"Read for myself?" Duan Rong said in surprise, "The cave contains all your belongings, Shen Lao. How dare I just rummage through it?"

"All the things in the cave will be yours from now on, and you can dispose of them as you wish," Shen Ping decisively replied.

"Shen Lao, are you leaving here?" Duan Rong suddenly realized.

Shen Ping chuckled and said, "I can no longer stay in Xianggu County. Over the years, I’ve made many enemies. In the past, with my True Qi Realm cultivation and proficiency in poisons, no enemies dared provoke me."

"But now that my Dantian is destroyed, Xianggu County poses some danger to me."

"Moreover, ever since I refined the First Grade Red, I knew I had sunk to rock bottom, my heart turned bleak to the extreme. Unexpectedly, I experienced a major change at this time!"

"Nearly losing my life, but this change gave clarity to my heart. In the first half of my life, I crafted and used poisons, and who knows how many people died from them. Among them, some deserved it, others didn’t, but it doesn’t matter now. So, in my future years, I decided to travel the world, practice medicine, and save lives. To become a benevolent doctor, repaying the sins of my past life!"

Watching Shen Ping’s carefree demeanor, Duan Rong felt mixed emotions.

At this moment, Shen Ping suddenly pulled out three porcelain bottles from his bosom, placing them in Duan Rong’s hand, and said, "The medicine in these bottles has the effect of relieving and neutralizing almost all poisons. If an acute attack occurs, you can swallow one! It can save lives! Keep one bottle for yourself. The other two, one for Xiao Zongting, and the other for Hu Huanhuan."

Upon mentioning Hu Huanhuan, Shen Ping’s expression suddenly showed a struggle, saying, "Tell her, it’s me who let her down. Someone like me is not worth her concern."

After speaking, Shen Ping’s expression lightened, and he said, "Alright, everything that needed to be explained has been explained. Young friend Duan, let us part here. Mountains high, rivers long, see you again in the Jianghu!"

Duan Rong felt a stab in his heart.

To leave as he pleases, this man truly has a carefree spirit.

Duan Rong said, "Shen Lao, is there anything else unfinished that you can ask of me, to exert some of my humble strength?"

Duan Rong felt indebted to Shen Ping, and the only things Shen Ping asked of him were to deliver a bottle of medicine each to Hu Huanhuan and Xiao Zongting.

He believed that having lived in Xianggu County for most of his life, Shen Ping must have other matters that needed closing.

"Naturally, there are other matters, but my mindset has changed. Those matters are no longer important. There is only one matter that, if you can accomplish it one day, I would be extremely gratified for life!"

"What matter?" Duan Rong asked seriously. To fulfill this old man’s wish, is it going to be so easy?

"For me, kill Jie Daohan and Fan Yuanhai." Shen Ping spoke, his expression suddenly showing a trace of hatred.

It wasn’t just because Jie Daohan and Fan Yuanhai tortured him, almost killing him. What made Shen Ping most indignant was the humiliation from these two.

After refining the First Grade Red and feeling utterly defeated, Shen Ping went to the Brothel in Scarf Hat Lane from Wild Boar Mountain, indulging in a drunken frenzy.

But that very night, Jie Daohan and Fan Yuanhai barged in while he was in an enjoyable moment, only to be kicked to the ground suddenly.

Thinking back on it, Shen Ping still wants to crush these two to ashes to ease the hatred in his heart.

"Shen Lao has too much confidence in me. Both of them are True Qi Realm Martial Artists. How could I have the ability to deal with them?"

"I didn’t mean for you to kill them now," Shen Ping said, "One day, when you have the capability, do this for me."

Duan Rong touched his nose, feeling a bit frustrated, hearing Shen Ping’s tone, as if killing a True Qi Realm strongman was as easy as drinking water.

After a brief pause, Duan Rong reluctantly said, "I can only promise you. As long as it’s absolutely safe and without future trouble, I will take action."

Upon hearing this, Shen Ping was very pleased, patting Duan Rong’s shoulder, saying, "Those words are enough for me!"

Duan Rong glanced at Shen Ping, feeling that this old man seemed to have immense confidence in him.

Standing on the cliff, Shen Ping gazed across Duan Rong’s shoulder at the valley he had looked upon countless times, his heart stirred...

But in the next moment, his eyes sharpened, and with a sudden flick of his sleeve, he turned and swiftly departed...