"Since she's unwilling to save her, we'll find a way to save her ourselves!"
With that, he headed toward the main hall.
"Senior Brother, you can't!"
Lu Nanfeng was alarmed and tried to stop him. "If Master finds out, we'll be done for!"
'This is stealing!'
Bai Yang looked back, a dark glint flashing in his resolute eyes.
"Junior Sister Ye's life is in peril, I have no other choice! You wait here. Even if I'm discovered, I'll bear all the responsibility myself!"
A sharp glint flashed through his eyes. "Besides, Master was just a little provoked today. She won't dare do anything to me, don't worry!"
'He had entered his Master's tutelage at just five years old. You could say his Master raised him by hand, always taking care of him. Even if she found out, she would only be angry. She wouldn't have the heart to punish him!'
Bai Yang turned and walked resolutely into the hall.
Lu Nanfeng pressed his lips together in anxiety, but a life was at stake. Even if their Master was going to punish them, saving Junior Sister Ye's life had to come first!
Entering the main hall, Bai Yang navigated the familiar path to the Hidden Pill Pavilion.
As an Alchemy Grandmaster, Song Wanning's Hidden Pill Pavilion was overflowing with Elixir Pills. Pills that were incredibly rare in the outside world were scattered everywhere here, placed casually on shelves.
Over the years, the few of them had never lacked for Elixir Pills, so they naturally knew how formidable their Master was.
Bai Yang's eyes swept quickly over the high shelves before he swiftly arrived in front of a jade bottle.
He excitedly snatched the jade bottle into his hand. Opening the lid, he saw a round, lustrous pill with a metallic sheen lying inside—the Heavenly Yuan Nourishing Heart Pill.
"'Master truly is the epitome of selfishness!'"
He lowered his head, a cold light flashing in his eyes.
The Heavenly Yuan Nourishing Heart Pill was an Eighth-grade Elixir. It was said to be able to grow flesh on bare bones and bring the dead back to life. Not only could it help a Cultivator repair their physical body, but it could also help restore their Dantian.
This time, Junior Sister Ye was grievously injured and her Dantian had all but shattered. Only the Heavenly Yuan Nourishing Heart Pill could save her!
'But Master would rather hide it away than take it out. She's simply a monster!'
Bai Yang quickly placed the Elixir Pill into his Storage Ring and hurried out.
"Chuxue!"
Gu Qingyuan rushed back to the mountain peak and went straight to Ye Chuxue's room.
The room was filled with people, most of whom were Sect elders. Even the Sect Master was standing there.
Ye Chuxue and Bai Yang were the standouts among the new generation of disciples in the Heavenly Inquiry Sect, renowned as heaven-blessed prodigies.
Now that something had happened to Ye Chuxue, everyone was waiting for Gu Qingyuan to bring back the Elixir Pill to save her.
But he had returned empty-handed.
'Disappointment and shock flashed in Ye Chuxue's eyes. Master went himself, but Aunt Song actually refused?'
"What's going on? Junior Brother Gu, where is the Elixir Pill?"
The Heavenly Inquiry Sect's Sect Master frowned, a strange look flashing in his eyes.
"If you've brought the Elixir Pill back, then hurry up and give it to Chuxue! Any more delays, and forget her Dantian—her very life will be in danger!"
"That's right, Junior Brother Gu, hurry and take out the Elixir Pill."
The people at the side continued to press him.
Gu Qingyuan clenched his fists. 'It's not that I don't want to...'
"It's alright, Master. I'm the one who's caused you trouble. If Aunt Song was unwilling to give it, you can't blame her."
A smile appeared on Ye Chuxue's haggard face. "After all, the Heavenly Yuan Nourishing Heart Pill is incredibly precious. It's only normal that Aunt Song couldn't bear to part with it. Master, please don't be angry with her."
"Chuxue, your Master is useless!"
'Gu Qingyuan's heart ached fiercely. Chuxue only ever thought of others, never of herself.'
'Her life was hanging by a thread, yet she was still thinking of Song Wanning's side.'
'But that venomous woman just watched on without lifting a finger to help!'
"What exactly happened?"
The Heavenly Inquiry Sect's Sect Master frowned deeply. "Don't tell me that even when you went personally, Junior Sister Song was still unwilling to give it?"
They had gone to see Junior Sister Song earlier but had been firmly refused, which was why they had sent Gu Qingyuan to ask for the pill.
"How is that possible? Junior Sister Song has always listened to Junior Brother Gu the most. How could she refuse?"
"Did something unexpected happen?"
The Third Elder asked doubtfully.
For the past century, everyone had seen how Song Wanning treated Gu Qingyuan.
Song Wanning would even give her life for Gu Qingyuan; there was no way she would refuse to part with a mere Elixir Pill.
Gu Qingyuan's expression was grim. "Song Wanning has already taken the Elixir Pill..."
'Now, he was unwilling to even call her Junior Sister.'
"What?"
"This is terrible. The Heavenly Yuan Nourishing Heart Pill is extremely difficult to refine, and the Spiritual Medicines it requires are exceptionally precious. Where are we supposed to find another one on such short notice?"
"Junior Sister Song isn't injured, why would she use the Elixir Pill?"
Only then did everyone become truly anxious. If the Elixir Pill was gone, then the problem was immense!
Ye Chuxue's face turned deathly pale as well. The Elixir Pill was gone. That meant she...
Just then, more people suddenly appeared at the door. It was Bai Yang and Lu Nanfeng, along with An Ze, who had just awakened from a coma.
"I have the Elixir Pill right here!"
Bai Yang strode in, holding the bottle high. "Master didn't take the Elixir Pill at all! She's just letting someone die without lifting a finger to help!!!"
"HISS... When did Junior Sister Song become like this?"
"That's right, she has the medicine but won't save anyone. That's just too much!"
"We're all from the same Sect, but she's so heartless!"
"How can a dignified Nascent Soul True Monarch be so petty?"
The elders muttered their disapproval.
"Really? Quick, quick, bring the Elixir Pill over and let me see!"
The Sect Master snatched the Elixir Bottle, took out the pill, and examined it closely, a look of pleasant surprise flashing in his eyes.
"It really is a Heavenly Yuan Nourishing Heart Pill! Quick, give it to Chuxue!"
He handed the Elixir Bottle to Gu Qingyuan.
"This... Master, we can't. Since Aunt Song was unwilling to give it to me, we can't use it. Otherwise..."
Ye Chuxue shook her head in refusal.
"Whatever the consequences, I will bear them all! You don't need to worry about it!"
Gu Qingyuan's expression darkened, and he took the Elixir Pill and pushed it into Ye Chuxue's mouth.
The Elixir Pill dissolved rapidly inside her, and her complexion visibly began to regain its rosy color.
The people around them were overjoyed, and Bai Yang's eyes, in particular, shone with a bright light.
'As long as she takes the pill, Junior Sister Ye will be fine.'
However, just as everyone was immersed in their joy, Ye Chuxue, who had seemed to be recovering, suddenly spurted out a large mouthful of blood.
"PFFT—"
Her face, like a wilting flower, rapidly darkened and shriveled. Her once supple skin dried out, withering like old tree bark in rapid decay.
It was as if something was strangling her, and her breathing became difficult. In just two or three seconds, she fainted completely.
"CHUXUE!!!!!"
Everyone present was stunned.
Gu Qingyuan immediately sent his Divine Sense into Ye Chuxue's body. He discovered that her Dantian was filled with a black, poisonous liquid, and various toxins were flowing throughout her meridians.
Her already severe injuries worsened once more.
Even her life force showed signs of draining away.
"How can this be? I clearly saw where Master put the Elixir Pill. How did this happen?"
Bai Yang, who had tried to help but only made things worse, was completely dumbfounded.
'Besides, everyone just looked at it. There was nothing wrong with the Elixir Pill!'
"SONG WANNING!!!!"
Murderous intent surged in Gu Qingyuan's eyes, and in an instant, he vanished from the spot.