Chapter 39: Immunity to All Poisons

When they said “half a year,” it did take half a year.

Cheng Lingsu had finally verified every detail of the Scarlet Toad Spirit Pill—its medicinal properties, toxicity, and all potential long-term side effects.

Because the ingredients used in this pill were extremely poisonous, she didn’t allow even the slightest negligence. Though she had confirmed everything by the second month, she still spent four more months rechecking, seeking absolute precision.

But this also meant tremendous consumption of medicinal materials—especially the crimson venom, which had long since been exhausted. With no other option, she had to extract more from the Mang Gu Scarlet Toad.

Fortunately, ever since it had been captured and raised in a corner of their herb garden, fed on various poisons, the toad had not only regained its original size but even grown larger.

And—possibly due to consuming the flower and leaves of the Seven-Heart Begonia—once it finished digesting them, its toxicity became even more terrifying.

As a result, the crimson venom she extracted the second time was even more potent than the first!

The reason Cheng Lingsu took four extra months wasn’t only to perfect the pill, but also to make critical adjustments due to the heightened toxicity of the main ingredient.

Now, at last, a perfect Scarlet Toad Spirit Pill had been refined.

Once ingested, it would grant immunity to all poisons!

The world’s most potent toxins would become meaningless to the one who consumed them.

However, the Seven-Heart Begonia they had cultivated had completely withered from being harvested too often, and the Mang Gu Scarlet Toad also died not long after the second venom extraction.

The Seven-Heart Begonia could be grown again, but there was only ever one Mang Gu Scarlet Toad. Finding a second would be near impossible.

With a smile full of joy, Cheng Lingsu handed over the pill she had poured months of time, effort, focus, and heart into.

“Brother Fang, quickly take this pill. I’ll watch over you.”

As she spoke, she took out silver needles and various bottles and jars filled with antidotes and toxin suppressants, newly formulated over recent weeks.

Although she was confident in her creation, one must always plan for the worst. So she had also prepared measures in case anything went wrong.

Fang Han took the Scarlet Toad Spirit Pill and swallowed it without hesitation.

There was no need for words.

After years of marriage, such formalities were unnecessary.

A warm current slid down his throat. As he closed his eyes and focused, he soon felt the warmth swirling through his abdomen and spreading through his internal organs.

There was a faint burning sensation—not painful, but undeniably hot.

Hoo—

That warmth gradually flowed into his meridians. His Beiming inner force even felt a burning push, and instinctively began circulating.

As if perfectly synchronized with his body, Fang Han immediately sat cross-legged, breathing deeply and steadily, cultivating by the Beiming True Qi method, refining and converting energy.

What was normally a slow cultivation process now felt like taking a miracle elixir.

Oh no—wait—he had just taken a miracle elixir!

The heat flowed with his inner force, traveling throughout his meridians and body.

After one full circuit—

His internal energy had deepened by twenty percent!

Another full cycle—

His internal energy deepened again—another twenty percent!

Unknowingly, his mind grew quiet and focused, completely immersed in cultivation.

On the outside, Fang Han’s entire body flushed slightly red, light heat radiating from his skin.

Cheng Lingsu watched him closely, vigilant.

At the slightest sign of instability, she would immediately intervene to steady him.

Soon, half a day had passed.

Fang Han’s face went from slightly flushed to fully red, then gradually cooled down, finally returning to normal. But his breathing was significantly deeper and steadier than before.

Hoo~

He exhaled a long breath of turbid air.

Fang Han opened his eyes.

His whole body felt warm and relaxed.

He focused inward and was shocked to find his Beiming True Qi had thickened several times over!

Like a flowing stream, his internal energy coursed throughout his body.

In terms of internal energy alone, he could now be considered fairly accomplished.

As for comparisons…

Fang Han had no basis.

In both his first and second simulated lifetimes, he had barely brushed the surface of the martial world. So he couldn’t accurately judge where his internal power ranked—he could only make rough guesses.

But it didn’t matter.

This round of cultivation had multiplied the results of three years in Mount Wuliang severalfold.

Equivalent to over ten or even twenty years of work!

Enough to make Fang Han feel utterly elated!

More importantly…

He had fully digested the Scarlet Toad Spirit Pill.

From now on, he was most likely immune to all poisons! (bǎi dú bù qīn, 百毒不侵)1

One of the ultimate cheats in every wuxia protagonist’s arsenal was finally his!

A cause for celebration!

Just then, a soft, warm sensation touched his wrist. Fang Han returned to himself and saw Cheng Lingsu taking his pulse, a gentle smile on her face.

“How is it?”

Cheng Lingsu’s eyes curved in delight. “Pulse is normal and steady. All’s well.”

Fang Han grew eager. “The n should we test whether I’m immune?”

Cheng Lingsu’s eyes lit up as well. “We should.”

She pulled out a bottle and poured out a faintly fragrant pill.

“Here. Hundred Snake Pill

—refined from the venom of over twenty kinds of snakes. Want to try it?”

Fang Han coughed awkwardly, a bit of cold sweat forming. “How about… we start with something milder? No need to jump straight to the heavy stuff.”

Cheng Lingsu giggled charmingly. “Brother Fang, how can you say that? Don’t tell me you don’t trust me?”

She would never act recklessly. Even if the Scarlet Toad Pill hadn’t granted immunity, she had full countermeasures ready. In short, nothing could go wrong.

Seeing the mischief in her eyes, Fang Han burst out laughing. “Fine, fine, fine! I’ll take it, alright?”

He grabbed the pill and swallowed it in one go.

Hmm—it tasted a little sweet.

Other than that, he felt… nothing.

Cheng Lingsu had joked just now, but the moment Fang Han swallowed the pill, her expression turned serious. She watched him intently.

After a while, seeing no changes in his complexion, she finally let out a long breath. “This Hundred Snake Pill is highly toxic. Most people would feel intense abdominal pain within minutes. Without an antidote, the pain would last a full day and night, rupturing organs, bleeding stomach, and poisoning the five viscera. Death is almost certain.”

Fang Han drew in a sharp breath, staring at Cheng Lingsu in mock horror. “Girl… you do love me, right?”

Cheng Lingsu giggled, revealing teeth like glistening pearls. “That depends on how you treat me! If you don’t behave—I’ll poison you to death!”

She even made a fierce expression as she said it.

Unfortunately, she was now more mature and beautiful than ever. That “fierce” expression didn’t look threatening at all—if anything, it was adorably out of place on her otherwise gentle face.

Fang Han felt warmth stir in his chest and couldn’t keep up the act any longer. He stepped forward and hugged her.

Cheng Lingsu was caught off guard and couldn’t maintain her act. Her flushed cheeks pressed into Fang Han’s chest as she softly murmured, “I’ve already given you my heart—how could I ever hurt you?”

Hearing that, Fang Han was deeply moved—but his mouth still teased:

“Then I’ll have to check your conscience to make sure it’s real!”

“Pfft~ Brother Fang, you rascal!”

Cheng Lingsu blushed furiously and raised her fair hand to smack him.

And so, the poison-testing session came to an abrupt and delightful end.

FOOTNOTES:

1. 1. 1. 1. 百毒不侵 (bǎi dú bù qīn)– “Immune to a hundred poisons.” A common trope in Chinese wuxia fiction, that a character becomes completely resistant to all poisons, often after undergoing intense trials or consuming a mystical pill. It’s considered a “cheat skill” among martial artists in literature, symbolizing invincibility in the face of hidden dangers like poison needles, smoke, or venomous ambushes. ↩ [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/svg/21a9.svg]