Chapter 74: Chapter 74: Ding Xuanji’s Sister?
Translator: 549690339
Fang Lin gave a faint smile, saying, “I’m afraid the others are experiencing the same thing as us, unable to leave a certain area.”
Indeed, as Fang Lin predicted, not far away from him and his group, several junior disciples wandered anxiously within a forest.
Even further away, around a dozen junior disciples were growing so frantic that they were on the brink of internal conflict.
Xu Shangao asked with a bitter expression, “Fang, how can you remain so unperturbed by our predicament? Do you really intend to waste three days here?”
If they had to waste three days here, it would be unacceptable to everyone. Considering they hadn’t even covered half of the Medicine-Seeking Peak, if they were to end their journey here, they would surely become the laughingstock of the Pill Sect.
Fang Lin contemplated for a moment, “Everyone here has been poisoned, and we have all lost our sense of direction. This poison is quite tricky, and I have no pills suitable as an antidote. However, I am certain that around this poisonous plant, there must be herbal remedies suitable for creating an antidote. I have been closely observing and I am almost certain.”
At his words, everyone rejoiced.
“Fang, then let’s hurry and find the antidote herbs you mentioned?” Xu Shangao suggested urgently.
Fang Lin nodded, leading his group in a certain direction for dozens of steps.
His gaze was sharp, scrutinizing the area of light purple grass ahead.
Along with Fang Lin’s gaze, everyone else started searching in the light purple grass. But they had no idea what the antidote herb looked like, and they were all rather clueless.
Suddenly, they all smelled that strange scent again. As Wu Mengsheng accurately described, it truly did smell like charred meat discarded in a latrine the smell was simply unbearable.
Wu Mengsheng and others exhibited worried expressions, covering their mouths and noses, apprehensive that inhaling this scent would exacerbate their poisoning.
Fang Lin, on the other hand, disregarded the scent and walked straight towards the cluster of herbs. Xu Shangao and the others quickly followed, fearing they might fall behind.
“This is what poisoned us.” Fang Lin walked a few steps and stopped again, pointing at a round-shaped flower growing under an old tree.
This round flower exhibited a very pale pink color, concealed by various purple weeds, making it impossible to spot from a distance.
The round flower was about the size of a baby’s head, with seven distinct, dark green leaves underneath, their veins clearly discernible.
The petals of the round flower were densely packed, overlapping layers interweaving, appearing to pulsate rhythmically.
With each pulsation cycle, the strange scent intensified.
Gazing upon the flower, everyone’s hearts gripped with trepidation—the flower outwardly seemed hostile.
“It seems to be a Seven-hand Buddha.” Wu Mengsheng exclaimed in surprise.
As he spoke, everyone realized at once and recognized the true nature of the flower.
Without providing further explanation, Fang Lin knew that although the
Seven-hand Buddha was relatively rare, it was mentioned in many references. If these disciples from the Pill Sect couldn’t even identify it, that would be truly worrying.
“No wonder! No wonder we couldn’t find our way out of here. As the references suggest, the Seven-hand Buddha emits a strange aura that can make one lose their sense of direction for a certain period of time.” Xu Shangao nodded in understanding.
Upon spotting a white flower next to the Seven-hand Buddha, Fang Lin turned his gaze toward it.
Besides the weeds around Seven-hand Buddha, only this one flower was growing. Even though it was very small, it appeared exceptionally resilient.
“Only one plant, huh?” Fang Lin muttered quietly, letting his gaze wander before it quickly discovered another white flower.
“You should all look for this flower, it is the antidote.” Fang Lin pointed at the white flower, giving everyone his instructions.
Upon hearing his words, they all immediately started to search. Soon after, more than ten identical white flowers were found in their surroundings.
After counting, each person would receive one flower, with three left over.
“Fang, how do we use this flower as an antidote? We’re not supposed to eat it directly, are we?” Standing next to a white flower but not daring to pluck it, Xu Shangao asked cautiously.
Everyone else also looked toward Fang Lin. Prior to him demonstrating the procedure, none of them dared to take any action for fear it would lead to further trouble.
Without responding, Fang Lin plucked his flower gently, detaching the simple crown while leaving the rootstalk embedded in the soil.
Seeing what Fang Lin did, the others followed suit and, too, only plucked their flower crowns, avoiding the roots underneath.
“Steep this flower in water and drink it, don’t consume the flower directly.” Fang Lin instructed, as he dropped his flower crown into his canteen. After giving it a shake, he took a few substantial gulps.
Everyone else immediately mimicked his actions, anxiously drinking their own concoctions.
In no time, they all felt a sudden clarity of mind, and that pervasive strange smell in the air became undetectable.
“It really works!”
“Herbs that can cure the poison grow near the poisonous plant, how miraculous!”
“Following Fang is definitely the right choice!”
Everyone marveled and praised Fang Lin, increasingly realizing the wisdom of choosing to follow him.
Seeing that everyone had recovered, Fang Lin led his group to ascend higher, quickly leaving the area where the Seven-hand Buddha was growing. Although the white flower could detoxify them, if they continued staying here, they would be poisoned again once the effect of the antidote wore off. They headed in one direction and soon exited the area they’d previously been stuck within, spotting a few others who, like them before, were walking in circles in a confined space.
Fang Lin had no time to waste on these people. Seeing Fang Lin wasn’t going to help, the others kept their mouths shut and refrained from saying anything unnecessary.
Eventually, by midnight, they managed to exit the dense forest and arrived at the mountainside.
Upon arriving, everyone’s eyes shone brightly, looking almost incredulous.
“The medicinal herbs here are growing incredibly well this year, there were never this many in past years.” Xu Shangao exclaimed excitedly.
A myriad of medicinal herbs grew in a cluster, creating a vibrant field of medicinals in various hues, filling the air with a mixed aroma of different herbs.
Besides Fang Lin’s group, some junior disciples had already arrived earlier and started picking the herbs here. Seeing Fang Lin and the others, they all wore guarded expressions.
“We discovered this place first, you guys should go elsewhere.” A pretty girl from the group spoke up with a hint of pride and satisfaction in her voice.
Just as Fang Lin was about to reply, Xu Shangao nudged him and whispered,
“She is Ding Xuanji’s sister..”