After a prolonged moment, Yan Cangtian gradually regained composure after his outburst.
He locked his gaze onto Ling Feng, scrutinizing him from head to toe. He was seemingly attempting to unravel the young man's entire being.
"Kid, who exactly are you? Who taught you alchemy techniques?"
Yan Cangtian had never fathomed that a mere teenager could wield such mastery in the art of alchemy. Setting aside other considerations, Ling Feng's adeptness in alchemical techniques nearly rivaled that of a sixth-grade alchemist!
"It's sort of a family inheritance," replied Ling Feng, nonchalantly scratching his nose. In truth, he had never actively pursued the art of alchemy. It was only because some of the medical texts left by his grandfather emphasized the role of alchemy for a physician that he diverted some of his attention to studying alchemy.
Even so, coupled with the medical scriptures left by the Medical Saint, "The Profound Art of Acupuncture and Moxibustion," and Ling Feng's exceptional talent, he had already attained a level of alchemical mastery that could be considered first-rated in the Tianbai Empire at his young age.
"Inheritance?" Yan Cangtian narrowed his eyes. "Within the Tianbai Empire, among the medical families that have persisted for over a thousand years—such as the Sun, Hua, Jin, and Li families—I haven't heard of a Ling family!"
"Oh..." Ling Feng pursed his lips, choosing not to reveal his identity as a descendant of the medical saint. Instead, he inquired, "Does that imply there are no other notable alchemists in the world aside from those from medical families? For example, Senior, your alchemical techniques are distinctive and comparable to those of most grandmasters."
"Heh heh, you're quite knowledgeable, kid!"
Upon hearing Ling Feng's words, Yan Cangtian's expression brightened. "Alright, alright, if you're unwilling to reveal your identity, so be it. But tell me, how did you manage to refine the Hundred Herbs Pill? My pill formula shouldn't be wrong!"
"The pill formula completed by you is indeed impeccable," Ling Feng said with a faint smile. "However, Senior, if you examine the medicinal herbs I selected compared to those chosen by you, you might uncover the mystery behind it."
With that said, Ling Feng presented the one hundred materials he had collected to Yan Cangtian and meticulously compared each of them to the ones Yan Cangtian used.
After comparing them, Ling Feng continued slowly, "Out of the hundred herbs required for the Hundred Herbs Pill, you mistook over thirty of them, and six have completely opposite medicinal properties. If your alchemy skill wasn't at its peak, Senior, I fear the pill wouldn't have even formed."
Yan Cangtian's eyelids twitched as he grabbed the misplaced herbs, scrutinizing them back and forth, thoroughly confused. "How could I have made mistakes? They appear identical!"
Ling Feng couldn't help but smile wryly and said earnestly, "Senior, the truth is apparent. Your theoretical knowledge and alchemy skill are indeed superb, but as an alchemist, the ability to discern medicinal herbs is also crucial."
"You're saying that I don't know how to identify herbs...? Haha... I don't know how to identify herbs..."
Yan Cangtian laughed hysterically, "How could I not know how to identify herbs? At the age of three, I, Yan Cangtian, could recognize a hundred herbs; by seven, I had become a first-grade alchemist! And at twenty, I stood among the empire's top alchemists! How could I not know how to identify herbs?"
Ling Feng observed Yan Cangtian's lunatic behavior and concluded, "It's because you're ill!"
Ever since their first encounter, Ling Feng had sensed something off about Yan Cangtian. However, the overpowering herbal scent surrounding him had masked crucial details.
Now, Ling Feng realized that Yan Cangtian's body was burdened with excessive medicinal toxicity!
It seemed likely that Yan Cangtian frequently experimented with various medicines!
Considering Yan Cangtian's completion of the Classic Formula of the Medicine King, he must have experimented with numerous medicinal properties.
As the saying goes, "medicine is three parts poison." Over the years, an accumulation of toxins had built up in his body. Although he managed to suppress these toxins with his martial prowess, his brain had still suffered severe effects.
While much of this was speculation on Ling Feng's part, it was largely accurate. Additionally, Yan Cangtian's experimentation on himself to verify his accomplishments contributed to the mix of pill toxins and medicinal toxins, resulting in fluctuations in his martial prowess.
"Your body harbors excessive medicinal toxicity, which has already disrupted your brain. If this harmful cycle persists, Senior, I fear you won't live for more than three years!"
Ling Feng locked eyes with Yan Cangtian, even as he witnessed Yan Cangtian's expression growing angrier. Nevertheless, Ling Feng proceeded to voice his diagnosis.
"You're talking nonsense!" Yan Cangtian retorted angrily, slamming his palm fiercely on the nearby stone platform. However, his martial prowess suddenly vanished, leaving the stone platform unscathed while his own hand turned red and swollen.
Yan Cangtian clutched his palm, grimacing in pain. "Damn it, my martial prowess is gone again!"
"Hmm?" Ling Feng's expression shifted. "Senior, is your martial prowess becoming intermittent?"
Quickly stepping forward, Ling Feng grabbed Yan Cangtian's arm and felt his pulse, speaking in a deep voice, "Senior, it seems your symptoms may have entered the second stage! If the medicinal toxicity in your body isn't eliminated, first, you'll go blind; second, your martial prowess will be depleted. After that... I don't think I need to say more, do I?"
"You!" Yan Cangtian attempted to push Ling Feng away, but he was both startled by Ling Feng's words and temporarily powerless.
Helping Yan Cangtian to sit down, Ling Feng spoke in a serious tone, "Senior, you've dedicated yourself to experimenting with medicines and diligently studying the Classic Formula of the Medicine King, even completing it. In this respect, I am truly inferior. If you trust me, I am willing to assist you in detoxifying your body."
In fact, Ling Feng's willingness to treat Yan Cangtian stemmed not only from the mentioned reason but also from some personal motives.
The Classic Formula of the Medicine King was something every physician dreamed of.
If I can cure Yan Cangtian and then ask to borrow this invaluable treasured book, there's no reason for him to refuse.
He also harbored great interest in Yan Cangtian's peculiar illness. Treating such an unusual ailment would present a challenge for him.
He had previously been worried that after coming to the Tianwei Academy, there wouldn't be a dedicated medicinal garden for him to study medicine and alchemy. Now, it seemed that that wouldn't be an issue, as Yan Cangtian's medicinal garden was quite suitable.
Regardless, curing Yan Cangtian would undoubtedly bring more benefits than harm.
"Kid, can you truly cure my peculiar illness?"
For some reason, upon meeting Ling Feng's gaze, Yan Cangtian couldn't help but place some trust in him, and his mind seemed to clear slightly.
He was well aware of his own condition. He had discovered long ago that the medicinal toxicity within his body had begun to corrode him, but he had always suppressed it with his cultivation and missed the optimal time for treatment.
Subsequently, his mental state became somewhat erratic, and seeking treatment never crossed his mind. Moreover, his eccentric behavior had caused others to keep their distance and gradually start to label him as an old lunatic.
To witness a genius in alchemy fall to such a state was truly tragic.
"If you believe in me, I can heal you," Ling Feng nodded slightly. "However, your situation is rather complex, and I need to carefully consider it. Nonetheless, tonight, I can administer acupuncture to alleviate the medicinal toxicity in your dantian and Qihai acupoints, preventing your elemental qi from frequently spiraling out of control."
"Alright, I trust you!" Yan Cangtian gritted his teeth. "Let's do it!"