Chapter 1049 - 1045: Everyone’s Inner Struggles
As time passed second by second, Xiao Tian’s expression became increasingly grave, and Kojima Minako gave up struggling, turning her attention to the person in front of her, as if trying to thoroughly see through him.
Xiao Tian could sense that Kojima Minako’s current leg condition had similarities to his previous gene failure, though not entirely the same.
In his case, the situation would continue to worsen unless the trend of gene failure was stopped, but Kojima Minako’s condition would not deteriorate further as long as she refrained from using True Qi.
Simply put, this could barely be considered a manageable type of condition.
However, Xiao Tian, who had experienced something similar, understood how devastating and unbearable losing strength could be to a top-tier martial artist!
Just the setback in his abilities had left Xiao Tian struggling to return to his former self, and one could imagine the torment Kojima Minako felt from being unable to use True Qi at all...
At that moment, Xiao Tian couldn’t help but feel a sense of powerlessness. If both situations were exactly the same, he could attempt to use the power of the Megrez Stone to decipher it. However, the problem was that his previous situation, although seemingly similar to Kojima Minako’s on the surface, was fundamentally different. Reckless attempts might have adverse effects.
As Xiao Tian was about to scratch his head, a sudden realization dawned on him... Would the Ten Thousand Laws Pavilion he obtained earlier offer a solution?
With this thought, Xiao Tian’s consciousness entered the Divine Sense Realm, immediately pressing his hand on the miniature pavilion. A visual distortion followed...
Moments later, faced with a sea of books before him, Xiao Tian shouted, "Ice Soul Needle!"
As soon as those three words were spoken, a glowing light flew up from afar, swiftly heading toward Xiao Tian, landing steadily in his hand.
When the light dissipated, revealing the book’s true appearance, it opened on its own without waiting for Xiao Tian to browse, stopping at the page concerning the Ice Soul Needle, highlighted with gentle light, while other contents became automatically blurred.
This user-friendly feature made Xiao Tian marvel, "Indeed, things received during enlightened moments are always rare treasures!"
After the sigh of amazement, Xiao Tian quickly refocused his attention on the content, observing the detailed description regarding its origin and the required materials for manufacturing.
Naturally, Xiao Tian wasn’t interested in these details, scanning them quickly before arriving at the latter section concerning the Ice Soul Needle’s poison.
According to the book, although the overall crafting of the Ice Soul Needle was exceedingly complex, its primary lethal aspect lay in the hook at the tip of the silver needle. Without this hook, unless shot into vital organs like the heart, it would merely cause a tiny blood hole at most!
It wouldn’t reach the point of instant death!
As for that deadly hook, it was refined through a highly complex process, with several toxic substances added and soaked as raw materials.
Although Xiao Tian was unfamiliar with many of the listed drugs, based on the ones he recognized, the hook’s poison seemed to have a near-narcotic effect.
Given that substances like betel nut and poppy had a certain degree of anesthetic effect, it was equivalent to an overdose of anesthesia disrupting the nervous system, causing loss of consciousness!
Understanding this, Xiao Tian couldn’t help but feel heavy-hearted. If this were true, it would be quite problematic?
Whether the damaged portions of the nervous system could recover remained uncertain in his mind...
After taking a deep breath, Xiao Tian gritted his teeth and continued reading; a moment later, he closed the book he held. His expression wasn’t ugly per se, but certainly not relaxed, as it appeared quite complicated.
...
The Ice Soul Needle indeed had an antidote, but it required a pill called the "Reshaping Pill".
This required solving several concerns: firstly, gathering the necessary herbs for crafting the Reshaping Pill would take time; secondly, Xiao Tian was entirely clueless about alchemy, akin to crossing a river by feeling for stones.
Of the two issues, the latter was easier to address, after all, Xiao Tian’s lack of skills didn’t mean others wouldn’t have them, having someone else substitute was just as feasible.
However, the first issue could not guarantee a precise timeline for collection.
Moreover, the most crucial aspect was Kojima Minako’s concern—if the materials were somehow collected, and the Reshaping Pill was successfully crafted, yet the person intended to be saved met unforeseen circumstances, it would be quite nonsensical!
Upon exiting the Divine Sense Realm, Xiao Tian pondered for a while, then abruptly lifted his head, coincidentally meeting Kojima Minako’s focused gaze on him.
The sudden mutual gaze stirred an uneasy feeling within Kojima Minako, akin to being caught doing something wrong, subconsciously intending to avert her gaze.
However, just as she was about to look away, Xiao Tian spoke: "If you trust me, I can assure you that I can cure the Ice Soul Needle’s poison!"
Kojima Minako’s eyes involuntarily revealed a trace of hope; after all, if there was a chance, who would want to spend their life in a wheelchair?
Locking eyes, Kojima Minako seriously gazed into Xiao Tian’s clear, contrasting eyes. Although she couldn’t detect deception, prior assessments and current intuition clearly warned her that the Ice Soul Needle’s poison wasn’t something easily remedied.
"It probably isn’t as simple as you make it sound, right?" Kojima Minako withdrew her gaze, the hope in her eyes already dissipated, reverting to an icy demeanor.
Xiao Tian smiled wryly and spoke honestly, "Sure enough, as you say, but I can guarantee with my life... One year! Give me one year, I promise you’ll walk again!"
Finally, Kojima Minako’s heart was touched. Xiao Tian’s undeniably firm words seemed more credible than any oath, causing her to involuntarily waver.
After a prolonged silence, Kojima Minako lightly nodded, choosing not to utter another word.
This reaction left Xiao Tian perplexed, his visage turning stern as he added, "I hope you won’t have any rash thoughts within this year..."
"Would you feel very guilty if I died?" Kojima Minako asked calmly.
"Yes!" Xiao Tian admitted with a nod, then pondered, "But not entirely!"
"Yes, but not entirely," this contradictory response from Xiao Tian reflects the inner conflict and complexity within him.
Kojima Minako frowned, observing Xiao Tian’s conflicted expression, couldn’t help but sigh internally. Isn’t she also torn by indecision?
Clearly disliking this person, yet inexplicably saving him, the internal struggle was indeed private...
Momentarily, Kojima Minako began pondering deeply, questioning why exactly...