On the high platform of the Command Center in the Heavenly Court, Mulan Jin glanced at the message on the Mother-child Talisman with her sleeve half-concealed, frowning slightly, not expecting that the fellow still found out. She immediately sent a warning: You belong to different camps, do not act recklessly. Besides, there is no cure for this poison, it is too late.

Shi Chun stared at the Mother-child Talisman and frowned as well. It was evident that he had guessed correctly; it really was Li Hongjiu who was poisoned.

He pondered, Li Hongjiu was so extraordinary, she shouldn't die so easily, right?

What puzzled him even more was that the name of the poison seemed somewhat familiar. It felt like he had read about it in some book at Chao Yue Hall.

Afraid that Shi Chun wouldn't believe her, Mulan Jin unusually explained in detail the formidable aspects of the Demon Dew.

Yet without her explanation, it wouldn't have been as bad; she truly put Li Hongjiu on the path of death. Instead, it truly worried Shi Chun. If Li Hongjiu were to die, what would he do?

Why did he cling to Li Hongjiu so stubbornly, calling her "brother," even if he was framed or betrayed by her, without losing faith? Why did he risk his life in Juku State, fleeing with Li Hongjiu on his back?

Li Hongjiu was his light of cultivation, his light of the future.

Life with the Demon Path but without Li Hongjiu was dull.

The Divine Fire Power raged on, and the Mingshan Sect had produced three at the Earth Immortal Realm. What was his cultivation as the Master? People listened to him now due to Young Master Nan and Mulan Jin showing their faces, but over time, if he remained inferior as the Master, it would inevitably become awkward.

Of course, he could stop being the Master, but cultivation is personal, and how could one refuse a way to improve one's strength?

But reality was too cruel; Li Hongjiu had already fallen victim. According to Mulan Jin, it seemed she was poisoned beyond saving.

"Alas." He couldn't help but sigh softly.

Others heard the sigh and looked toward him, unaware he was contacting through the Mother-child Talisman; they had never seen him so discouraged in public. Feng Chi curiously asked, "Master, what's wrong?"

Shi Chun sighed, "Someone has harmed Li Hongjiu with foul play; she is poisoned and probably won't make it…"

Upon saying this, his heart suddenly seized, realizing something was off. There was a problem with Mulan Jin's words. From her initial warning to guard against Demon Dew to now, according to her, Li Hongjiu should have been done for already. Yet why did Mulan Jin still admonish not to act rashly?

Others, hearing that Li Hongjiu was doomed, felt it was merely the inevitable demise of a prominent figure, regrettable yet with not too deep a sentiment. Only Wu Jinliang understood Li Hongjiu's significance to Shi Chun and thus pondered in silence.

Realizing there was something wrong, Shi Chun stepped aside to avoid being seen by the Heavenly Mirror while sending messages. He quickly utilized a suitable environment, hiding underneath an outcrop, not caring about his previous suspicions about Pang Tiansheng, and fished out the Mother-child Talisman for contact, inquiring about Li Hongjiu's current situation.

On the high platform of the East Victory Command Center, Pang Tiansheng looked at the contents on the Mother-child Talisman and then took a weak glance at Wei Mo beside him.

Wei Mo smilingly reached out, easily taking the Mother-child Talisman to check. Having observed and understood the contact codes, he personally replied, stating Li Hongjiu was currently being escorted away by a team.

Wei Mo didn't truly know what poison Li Hongjiu was afflicted with, nor that Demon Dew, once contracted, would spell a quick end. That's why he employed such a method.

If he had known it was Demon Dew, if he had known its poisonous effects, he instead wouldn't plot this trap against Shi Chun.

Receiving the message, Shi Chun rapidly condensed the content into a short message and sent Li Hongjiu's current situation to Mulan Jin.

After seeing it, Mulan Jin, unsure where this information was gathered from, replied: Teams from all sides are heading there, soon to form a vortex centered on Li Hongjiu.

Her words ended here, considered to have given her utmost; if Shi Chun truly sought death, she didn't wish to say more.

Shi Chun sensed her goodwill, unsure if it was for the sake of her daughter, yet it also highlighted Pang Tiansheng's malice by contrast. The sudden reminder was meant to entrap him in danger.

He immediately deduced that the Mother-child Talisman connecting Pang Tiansheng and Bian Weiyin had fallen into Wei Mo's control because Wei Mo had witnessed his desperate efforts to save Li Hongjiu.

All these could be temporarily ignored. Wei Mo couldn't blackmail him using Pang Tiansheng. If Pang Tiansheng was in trouble, he might help incidentally, but would not specially risk it for him as there was no bond and the other party held no value. Any help would only be due to Bian Weiyin, not Li Hongjiu.

He sent another response with the Mother-child Talisman: Commander, didn't you say that once afflicted by Demon Dew, life or death would soon be apparent, leading to either transformation into a demon or sudden death? Why is Li Hongjiu still fine?

Mulan Jin replied: I am also puzzled by this. From past investigations, those afflicted with this poison had matching symptoms, but it was impossible for anyone to last this long. That one indeed has a knack for survival, but it's clearly getting increasingly difficult. Ultimately, he likely won't escape his fate. I advise you not to make futile efforts.

Shi Chun wasn't surprised that Li Hongjiu endured longer than others; the fellow was extraordinary by nature. He hoped she would endure even longer, immediately stowing away the Mother-child Talisman, turning back to wave at Wu Jinliang. Wu Jinliang quickly darted to his side, asking in a low voice, "What's going on?"

Shi Chun said in a low voice, "We need to make a trip to the Netherworld, detouring to Chao Yue Hall in Dazhi City."

Wu Jinliang questioned suspiciously, "Seriously? Now you're going off to find a woman, after being confined for twenty years?"

Shi Chun gave him a look, "Quit your nonsense. Li Hongjiu has been poisoned by a strange toxin called 'Demon Dew.' If he can't withstand it, he'll die; if he can, he'll transform into a demon. Mulan Jin said there's no cure, but I seem to remember reading about it in a book, probably in the Book Collection Pavilion in Chao Yue Hall. I need to check, see if there's an antidote."

Upon hearing this, Wu Jinliang understood they were hoping to find a cure. If there was one, they'd consider rescuing Li Hongjiu; if not, there would be no need to risk it, especially since they're not in the same alliance. Helping another team—what's the point?

He nodded in agreement, but hesitated, "Demon Dew ... you're right, it does sound familiar. I think I read it in a book from the Book Collection Pavilion, too. Seems we read the same book. But with countless books in that pavilion, do you think we can find it before Li Hongjiu is doomed?"

Shi Chun replied, "If we can't find it, someone else might—Dong Liangyu!"

Wu Jinliang suddenly realized who they needed—the woman, indeed, is quite formidable. He recalled Shi Chun talking about her. Among countless books in the pavilion, she could even remember each book's placement. Nodding repeatedly, "That's right, just find her. She should know which book mentions Demon Dew..."

Suddenly his expression changed, urgently reaching out to grab Shi Chun's arm, stopping him from leaving the rocky outcrop to find a better spot to escape underground.

Shi Chun turned to him, "What's the hold-up?"

"No, Chun Tian, it's not in the pavilion's collection. I recall it being in the 'Beidou Demon Book.' Yes, the Demon Book, just in the Demon Book. It came to me." Wu Jinliang shook Shi Chun's arm, repeatedly assuring.

Shi Chun was perplexed, "You're sure you're not mistaken?"

He doubted Wu's reading ability was better than his. How could Wu remember something he barely recalled?

Wu Jinliang: "No mistake, definitely. Over the years, I've dealt with many incidents. Sometimes when encountering demon cultivator issues, I've looked through that Demon Book repeatedly. I have it now, ready to verify."

Saying this, he used magic to explore the Qiankun Bag, soon pulling out a thick, paper-bound book. Though the binding was crude and lacked a cover, the contents were visible, albeit poorly written with distorted illustrations.

Wu Jinliang took it out and began flipping through the pages.

Shi Chun watched him, speechless and stunned.

After a while, Wu Jinliang forcefully pointed at a page, "Look, look, look, yes, Demon Dew. See, I wasn't wrong. Uh... why are you looking at me like that?"

Shi Chun snatched the Demon Book from his hand, flipping it and observing its simplicity, feeling a toothache realizing this guy simply loved crafting manually. "You copied it?"

Wu Jinliang chuckled, whispering, "Not quite copying, more like transcribing. Oh, not just one copy. To be safe, I recorded it on a Jade Scroll and hid it securely, so no one else could find it. Retrieve it when needed. The original can be given to those rats, but being such an important tome, we should keep a spare, right?"

Shi Chun raised an eyebrow, "Were you planning to make several copies, just in case you could sell them for money if needed?"

Wu Jinliang paused, wanting to refute, but reconsidered as they knew each other too well. He smirked, "Reasons are multifaceted. Can't just sit and eat our mountain empty. Don't know when you'll leave; we need to be prepared.

Besides, this item is of no use to us. Giving it to other demon cultivators? Who knows if they'd retaliate once they succeed in cultivation, realizing I've read the Demon Book. Who knows what they'd plot? I wouldn't dare treat the Golden-haired Rat Clan like you, casually giving things away without fearing retaliation.

Of course, the main reason is for you, Master. Imagine if there's a suitable opportunity, using this to get you out—I'd certainly use it for exchange, wouldn't I?"

Shi Chun couldn't be bothered to argue further, finally realizing Wu's memory was better because he copied it twice—no trace would mean being a fool.

Now understanding where he had seen Demon Dew's record, most likely not in the pavilion but in the Beidou Demon Book, as he had also browsed through it in the past.

Focusing back on the Demon Book's content, carefully identifying the difficult handwriting, Wu Jinliang joined him for another read.

After thoroughly reading the obscure Demon Dew section and understanding what it was, the two exchanged gazes, realizing the Demon Book never called Demon Dew a poison. Instead, it stated it was a tonic, a potent remedy concocted for absorption.

In other words, the Demon Dew section only described demon cultivators' magic skills to create Demon Dew, without mentioning an antidote.

Only an attached final line: the grace of dew can transform all beings.

Until then, neither understood what the final line meant. Shi Chun might even question if Wu Jinliang copied the wrong content.

Now knowing Li Hongjiu's impending fate, they roughly understood its meaning.

Wu Jinliang pointed at the last line, cursing, "Seems it's not just about turning people into demons. It's like transforming plants, animals, anything alive into demons too—transforming all beings. Damn transforming all beings, quite concise. Chun Tian, seems Demon Dew indeed has no solution. Li Hongjiu is finished. They always said he was a demon; now, it seems he really will become one."

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