Chapter 44: The Wound of Cyan!

Yang Nan subsequently selected an auspicious day, gathered thousands of students at the Poplar Academy, and erected a high platform. Amidst a sea of scholars and an ocean of pristine white robes, Yang Nan officially handed over the Collected Manuscripts of the Sages to Fang Xuan!

Among the thousands of scholars, Fang Xuan, dressed in white Confucian robes, knelt before Yang Nan, his back exposed to the intensely envious gazes of countless peers.

At this moment, auspicious clouds suddenly materialized above Fang Xuan's head, glittering with literary brilliance. Those well-versed in Confucian arts naturally recognized the profound significance of this phenomenon. Having entered the academy mere months ago, Fang Xuan already stood out as exceptionally gifted. With such an astonishing display of literary Qi accompanying him, the ordinary scholars, guided by their teacher's teachings, raised no objections whatsoever. Solemnly, Yang Nan handed the manuscript scroll—which had accompanied him for over a decade—into Fang Xuan's hands, speaking with deep gravity: "By receiving this manuscript, you must propagate the orthodox lineage of the Mind School. You must ensure that the Mind School is carried forward and shines brilliantly in days to come. Can you accomplish this?"

Fang Xuan answered solemnly, "This student can accomplish it!"

Yang Nan continued, "By receiving this manuscript, you must uphold righteousness, shatter conventional dogmas, keep the common people of the world in your heart, and harbor no selfish motives. Can you accomplish this?"

Fang Xuan adjusted his sash, his demeanor awe-inspiring, and replied, "This student can accomplish it!"

Yang Nan proceeded, "By receiving this manuscript, you must assist an enlightened ruler, impart education without discrimination, assess the situation shrewdly, adapt to changing circumstances, align above with the Heavenly Dao and below with the Human Dao. Can you accomplish this?"

Fang Xuan lowered his head and said, "This student can accomplish it!"

"That being the case, you may now receive the garments and headwear of my Mind School!"

Following the three interrogations of the Mind School, Yang Nan finally and reverently entrusted the Collected Manuscripts of the Sages to Fang Xuan. From this moment onward, Fang Xuan was designated as the sect master of the Confucian Mind School. Unlike Yang Nan, who had merely served temporarily, Fang Xuan would remain the Mind School's sect master for as long as he drew breath!

Fang Xuan's identity instantly elevated him to one of the three great grandmasters of the Confucian world, endowing him with a transcendent status that would render even the role of imperial tutor entirely fitting. This ceremonial transmission was precisely as it should be. While the Mind School did not overly obsess over strict rituals, this most fundamental ceremony was indispensable.

Seeing that the transmission ceremony was complete, the thousands of scholars rose together and burst into rapturous cheers. Swarming forward, they hoisted Fang Xuan into the air and tossed him repeatedly in celebration. Compared to Yang Nan, a man who possessed little of the traditional Confucian scholarly aura, Fang Xuan was the quintessential Confucian scholar, far more capable of earning the deep affection of the Mind School disciples. Witnessing this carefree and liberated atmosphere, Yang Nan could not help but be reminded of the atmosphere of his university days in his previous life.

With the transmission completed, he no longer needed to reside on Mount Qingming. The sudden appearance of the Azure Star Venerable on Mount Qingming had cast a shadow over Yang Nan's heart. Deeply worried for Fang Qing颜's safety, he bid farewell to the grandmasters that very night, quietly mounted his little azure-dyed donkey, and rode the clouds toward Wenyang Prefecture. Looking back as he departed, Yang Nan suddenly caught sight of the three elder grandmasters appearing amidst the clouds, fully attired in formal robes, stroking their beards and smiling as they watched him. Their faces were filled with admiration and encouragement. A warmth flooded Yang Nan's heart, and he gently waved a final farewell. Drifting white clouds swept him hundreds of miles away in an instant, bringing him directly to Wenyang Prefecture.

Today, the Marquis Tie Fang Estate looked vastly different from the past. Thousands of guards stood rigidly before the gates, radiating a murderous aura. The entire city of Wenyang was tense and brimming with a chilling, martial atmosphere. The streets and alleys were entirely deserted, as if a great storm were about to break over the city.

A heavy sinking sensation gripped Yang Nan's heart: Could a vassal king be attempting a rebellion? Why else would the city be in such a state of heightened tension? Although Southern Continent was governed by the Southern Prince Li Cai, Li Cai lacked any grand ambition and was merely greedy for wine and lust; he was certainly not the material to launch a rebellion!

If no one was rebelling, how could Marquis Tie Fang, a veteran of countless battles, have so rashly imposed a lockdown on the city?

Riding his azure donkey, Yang Nan descended from the sky straight to the estate gates. The guards stationed at the entrance recognized his face, froze for a split second, and then suddenly shrieked at the top of their lungs, "Young Master, you've returned! Please, go save the young miss! The Marquis has already executed over a dozen incompetent physicians in a row!"

"What? Qingyan is seriously ill?" Yang Nan turned pale with shock, a premonition of disaster surging in his heart. He demanded fiercely, "When did your young lady fall ill? Why haven't you led me to her yet?"

The guard nodded repeatedly and scampered ahead, leading Yang Nan straight toward the inner courtyards of the Marquis's estate. This shock dealt to Yang Nan was truly monumental. Fang Qingyan had already attained the realm of a Master-class cultivator; practitioners of the Dao were naturally immune to all maladies. How could she possibly contract a serious illness?

If it wasn't a natural illness, she must have fallen victim to a malicious poisoning!

Who could possibly dare to harm his beloved within the territory of Marquis Tie Fang in Wenyang Prefecture? What on earth were the Four Grandmasters doing?

A fierce, dark intent flashed across Yang Nan's eyes: whoever harmed his family would have their entire clan annihilated!

After entering the inner courtyard, the guard shouted, "The Young Master has returned! Marquis, the Young Master is back from Mount Qingming!"

The figure of Marquis Tie Fang, Fang Da, hurried out from the chambers. By this time, his temples were nearly half-white, and his normally refined and elegant features appeared terribly haggard. His clear eyes were bloodshot. Retaining a semblance of composure as he looked at Yang Nan, he said flatly, "Son-in-law, you've returned."

Yang Nan asked urgently, "Father-in-law, how is Qingyan?"

A trace of desolate sorrow flashed through Fang Da's eyes as he said slowly, "Go inside and see for yourself."

Yang Nan entered Fang Qingyan's bedchamber. Surrounding the gold-lacquered red canopy bed were several of the most renowned physicians from within a radius of a thousand miles. The two maidservants, Lian and Die, stood with lowered heads, weeping softly. Chiyang and Old Pang were also present. Fang Qingyan's mother, Lady Yuan, was being supported by a maid, weeping so bitterly that her heart seemed to break. Seeing his wife's endless tears, the composure Fang Da had forced himself to maintain instantly vanished. With a heavy sigh, he seemed to age a dozen years in a single breath.

Yang Nan parted the crowd and looked at the rosewood bed. There, her graceful figure lay quietly upon the embroidered mattress, her eyes closed, completely silent and motionless, just like a corpse! Her previously peerless and beautiful face was covered in a web of fine black threads. These dark strands slithered like tiny black serpents from her forehead all the way down to her neck, seeming to spread across her entire body!

The black threads looked as if they had grown directly out of her flesh and blood, rendering her once-glorious visage as terrifying as that of an evil ghost!

Yang Nan placed his finger beneath Qingyan's nostrils. A trace of faint warmth drifted from her nose, causing him to let out a mental sigh of relief. He immediately released his divine sense to probe her overall condition. Beneath the sweep of his divine sense, however, he discovered that not only was Qingyan's skin covered in black threads, but her physical body and soul were likewise entangled by countless dark strands!

It seemed that every single inch of flesh and blood within her body harbored innumerable black threads!

The black threads were as dense as blood, omnipresent and ubiquitous!!!

This bizarre and gruesome sight made Yang Nan's heart tremble. In an instant, he understood that Fang Qingyan was not suffering from a normal illness; she had been afflicted by a bizarre and tyrannical poison!

What kind of poison could reduce a Master-class expert to such a state?

Yang Nan turned his head, his expression returning to a gentle, placid veneer as he asked softly, "Big Brother Chiyang, Old Pang, what is the meaning of this?"

Having followed Yang Nan for a long time, both men knew very well that whenever Yang Nan fell into a towering rage, he grew all the more calm. The more composed he appeared, the more terrified Old Pang became. His teeth chattered uncontrollably, and he stood off to the side, completely unable to utter a single word!

Chiyang sighed and said, "It appears to be the Soul-Devouring Orchid! Qingyan has fallen victim to the Soul-Devouring Orchid, a peerless poison of this world! Every single day that passes, her divine soul will be devoured a fraction more by this demonic flower. Three months from now, she will completely transform into a demonic entity of the netherworld!"

Chiyang gently picked up a snow-white, bowl-sized fresh flower resting on the table. Though the flower looked brilliantly white like snow, it faintly emitted a deeply intoxicating aura!

"The Soul-Devouring Orchid is naturally black. Only now that the poison has entered her body and the soul-poison has been partially drawn out does it turn into a white flower!" Chiyang handed the white flower over. Though usually rough and bold, seeing Qingyan in such a horrifying state filled him with self-blame and anguish.

'The Soul-Devouring Demonic Orchid?' Yang Nan furrowed his brow, instantly recalling records from the *Compendium of Kunlun Curiosities*: The Soul-Devouring Orchid is a demonic flower produced in the netherworld. Its color is exceptionally resplendent, resembling a peony. It excels at devouring human souls and corrupting minds. Those afflicted find their physical bodies and souls gradually transforming into demons. The species is extraordinarily rare, and aside from the innate spiritual treasure known as the Profound Ice Soul-Drawing Fruit, it is utterly incurable.

The Soul-Devouring Orchid was the premier supreme poison in the world, and furthermore, its aura was so well-concealed that even high-level cultivators found it difficult to detect. Once afflicted by this poison, toxic threads spread all over the body, penetrating even the soul. No matter what method was employed, it was virtually impossible to eradicate completely. Even undergoing the disintegration of one's physical form to enter reincarnation could not spare one from the entanglement of the Soul-Devouring Orchid's demonic threads!

To demons and monsters, this flower was a supreme tonic, but to humans, it was the deadliest poison imaginable!

During the great war between humans and demons, the Soul-Devouring Orchid earned a fearsome reputation. Countless cultivators who were poisoned transformed into demons and turned around to become mortal enemies of the Daoist world. However, as long as one did not touch this demonic flower, one remained completely safe! The tragedy was that Fang Qingyan had simply failed to recognize this demonic flower, which was why she fell victim to the plot!

The Profound Ice Soul-Drawing Fruit grew within the Ice Heart Spiritual Spring and required a millennium to bear fruit. Such a spring was exceedingly rare, and encountering the fruit was even more difficult. Legend had it that when the Profound Ice Soul-Drawing Fruit bloomed, it resembled a net capable of untangling and extracting all soul-threads like peeling silk from a cocoon, thus purging the toxic threads from a cultivator's flesh and soul. Only such a miraculous treasure in this world could cure the tyrannical poison of the Soul-Devouring Orchid without damaging the physical body or harming the divine soul!

"How did this world-rare demonic flower of the netherworld end up in Qingyan's hands?" Seeing that his beloved wife had indeed met with misfortune, Yang Nan clutched the intoxicating demonic flower, steadying his mind while maintaining his calm expression. Having survived the onslaught of heavenly tribulation, his heart had long since become as immovable as a towering cliff, and his Dao heart was steadfast. Even when confronted with sudden catastrophe, he remained as steady as ever.

Although Fang Qingyan was poisoned by the Soul-Devouring Orchid, she was not entirely beyond salvation. What use was panic at a time like this?

What meaning was there in blaming anyone?

Figuring out a way to treat her was the most urgent priority!

Diyi wept uncontrollably as she said, "Ever since the Madam returned from Mount Qingming, she stayed mostly secluded to serve her parents. Then one day, the Eldest Princess Yuxin, who married into the Western Continent, sent a carriage to invite the Madam to attend a poetry gathering. We all tried our best to dissuade the Madam from going, but she insisted, saying: 'We have known each other since childhood; I cannot simply refuse to go.'

"On the way back, I do not know how, but a flower suddenly appeared in the Madam's hands. Seeing how resplendent and breathtakingly beautiful it was, the Madam was delighted and wore it in her hair every day. Who would have thought that the moment she returned, she collapsed to the ground... For the past few days, she has alternated between consciousness and unconsciousness, and only then did we realize something terribly wrong had happened..."

Biyi dropped to her knees, weeping bitterly as she said, "This servant failed to take good care of the Madam; our crime is unforgivable!"

"She merely went to a banquet? You didn't see any suspicious individuals?"

Yang Nan was stunned. She hadn't encountered any enemies, yet after simply attending a gathering, this demonic flower had materialized in Fang Qingyan's hands?

Where had this flower come from?

Could it be that it had flown onto Qingyan's hands all by itself?

'This poisoning is utterly baffling. If blame is to be assigned, I should first blame Qingyan for acting rashly and going out on her own... How could the maidservants and guards be at fault?' Seeing the two maidservants weeping bitterly, Yang Nan waved his hand and said, "Stop crying. I will handle this matter myself. You may all withdraw. Big Brother Chiyang and Old Pang, stay behind."

Since no enemy had attacked to injure Qingyan, even if Old Pang and the others were willing to lay down their lives, what response could they possibly offer when faced with such a bizarre occurrence?

This matter could not be blamed on them...

Seeing that Yang Nan remained as calm as ever, the others regained their composure and hurriedly retreated outside the room. Seeing his beloved daughter gravely ill, Fang达 had initially been consumed by blind rage, executing numerous physicians who failed to provide a cure. Now, seeing Yang Nan return, he felt a slight relief and asked, "Son-in-law, is there any cure for Qingyan's poison?"

Yang Nan shook his head and sighed, "Father-in-law, this Soul-Devouring Orchid is a supreme and tyrannical entity. On the surface, it looks like an exquisite flower, and even practitioners of the Dao cannot perceive its terrifying nature. Qingyan fell victim to this hidden scheme; recovering from it will likely be extremely difficult!" At this moment, Yang Nan understood in his heart that for such a legendary object to appear so bizarrely in Qingyan's hands meant that this matter had undoubtedly been premeditated long in advance!

Zhu Ding had indeed spoken the truth; driven by her destiny, Qingyan was truly fated to undergo this tribulation!

Even if Yang Nan were to remain by her side day and night, it would be difficult to guarantee his wife's safety. The only course of action left was to dedicate all efforts to finding a way to cure Qingyan...

Fang Da's tiger-like eyes reddened slightly as he muttered in a deep voice, "Who on earth committed such a vicious act? Qingyan has always been beloved by everyone in Wenyang City. Who could possibly hold a grudge against her?"