The old man said, "You detoxified one poison but got poisoned by another; do you take me for a fool?"

Ling Zhenfei said, "But my antidote is quite magical. It won't affect any of your cultivation and actions. As long as you take the antidote within a month, you'll be just like any ordinary person."

The old man said, "And what about the second thing?"

Ling Zhenfei replied, "The second thing is the promise you made to me. You must agree to one condition of mine. We mentioned it earlier, but I haven't thought of it yet, so I will let you know when I decide."

The old man said, "You've poisoned me to control me. How do I know you won't propose a second condition or even a third one? I don't quite trust you."

Ling Zhenfei said, "If we don't trust each other, then there's no way for us to cooperate. Let's just pretend we didn't talk about it before, and the cooperation is void."

The old man hesitated a bit and said, "What day of the lunar calendar is it today?"

Not knowing what the old man meant, Ling Zhenfei said, "It's the tenth day of the lunar New Year."

The old man said, "Alright, I agree with you."

Ling Zhenfei was taken aback and said, "What do you mean? What's the connection between agreeing with me and the day of the month?"

The old man said, "You don't understand, but it's fine as long as I agree. Let's start the treatment."

Ling Zhenfei said, "Senior, you're thinking too much. I never agreed to treat you today. As I mentioned, I'll be going to Xianling Mountain before dawn tomorrow, so I can't treat you. You'll have to wait until I return if you want the treatment."

The old man was stunned, "Can you treat me before the fifteenth day of the lunar New Year?"

Ling Zhenfei hesitated, realizing that the fifteenth day was not possible. If everything went smoothly, he'd either already be in the Capital City or on his way there by the fifteenth, so there was no way he could help the old man then.

Ling Zhenfei said, "That's highly unlikely. Even if everything goes well, I can't treat you before the fifteenth. Regardless of your situation, the timing for treatment is up to me."

"But it's essential for me," the old man said with a hint of pleading in his eyes.

"I'm sorry, but my friend urgently needs the Rejuvenation Grass for treatment, so I must deliver it to her before the fifteenth. Thus, there's no way I can help you before then," Ling Zhenfei replied helplessly.

The old man sighed and said, "Then forget it. It seems this friend of yours is quite important to you, enough for you to risk your life to enter Xianling Mountain. Is she a woman?"

Ling Zhenfei nodded and said, "Indeed, she is a woman."

"Is she your girlfriend?" the old man asked with a smile.

Ling Zhenfei shook his head and said, "This friend of mine is indeed a girl, but she's like a celestial being, untouched by worldly concerns. How could I deserve her? We're just very good friends. Frankly, I haven't met anyone deserving of her."

The old man laughed, "For someone as young as you to have reached the Realm of Reaching Wisdom and to be so quick-witted and skilled in Medical Arts, if even you say you're not worthy, then she truly must be an extraordinary woman."

Thinking of Lu Huanong, Ling Zhenfei said, "She indeed is an extraordinary woman. Not only does she have remarkable skills, but she's also kind-hearted. She's like a Celestial Maiden descended to the mortal world."

The old man nodded, "Such a woman is truly worth the risks you're taking for her. But I must remind you, Xianling Mountain's outer area is extremely dangerous. Many things there can't be explained by common sense; be cautious."

"Thank you for your concern, Senior. Now that we've talked everything over, I'll take my leave. Once everything is settled, I'll come to help you with your treatment."

Having said this, Ling Zhenfei stood up to leave, but the old man called him back and said, "There's one thing I need to remind you of."

"Please enlighten me, Senior." Knowing that what the old man had to say was important, Ling Zhenfei listened attentively.

The old man said, "Xianling Mountain's outer area hides countless cultivation sects, with cultivation techniques that are extraordinarily strange. Be extra cautious."

Ling Zhenfei thought the old man was overthinking it. Last time, during the epic battle with a snake and an eagle at Xianling Mountain, if there truly were so many powerful sects, why didn't they show up back then?

Xianling Mountain spans thousands of miles; perhaps those sects just weren't in that particular area.

"Thank you, Senior. I'll be careful," Ling Zhenfei said.

Although he felt the old man was being overly cautious, he appreciated his good intentions.

By the time he returned home, it was already late at night. As soon as Ling Zhenfei arrived, He Kun noticed the commotion and came out.

"Brother Ling, where did you go in the middle of the night?" He Kun asked.

Ling Zhenfei replied, "I went to Xianling Mountain to see a friend. By the way, I'm going to Xianling Mountain early tomorrow. If everything goes well, I'll be back in a few days. I'd like you to help look after my sister and the others."

He Kun said, "Don't joke around. Everyone knows you're injured. Going to Xianling Mountain now is akin to courting death."

Ling Zhenfei said, "I have no choice. I have to go through with this. I'll be careful and try to return unscathed."

He Kun said, "Although my abilities are lacking, I could accompany you or offer some assistance."

Ling Zhenfei said, "You're not familiar with Xianling Mountain. A friend is coming with me. You should stay and look after them here. Having an expert like you around gives me peace of mind."

He Kun laughed and said, "What expert? I'm just an ordinary cultivator. Since you trust me so, I'll listen to you. But make sure you stay safe."

Ling Zhenfei said, "Don't worry. I'm tough to kill."

He Kun said, "Honestly, sometimes I'm moved."

"Moved by what?" Ling Zhenfei asked.

He Kun said, "I'm touched by your trust in me. I don't often express such feelings, but your actions have really moved me. Ever since that time up on the cliff when you took my word casually and continued to trust me, have you never thought I could be pretending all along?"

Ling Zhenfei smiled and said, "I trust you because I know you're a smart person, and smart people usually make smart decisions. Your choice was the right one; how could it be an act?"

He Kun said, "Anyway, thank you. This feeling of being trusted is amazing. Rest assured, I won't let you down."

Ling Zhenfei patted He Kun's arm and said, "Keep up the good work."

After arranging everything, it was already the early hours of the morning. Ling Zhenfei drove off, the sky still very dim, heading towards the village where Ru Meng lived.

Even though the village bordered Xianling Mountain, getting to that cliff was quicker and simpler by going through Ru Meng's village.

Although Ling Zhenfei could have gone from Qinghe Village's Xi Shan to Xianling Mountain, the distance was too far, and the path was full of cliffs and precipices.

But Ru Meng's village offered a gentler route into Xianling Mountain, transitioning from flat ground to slopes and slowly developing terrain.

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