Chapter 57: Where Did This Fortuitous Encounter Come From? (4) (2/2)

This was a very conflicting moment for me, but I didn’t take long for me to make my decision.

I discovered the figures and the box from the Shrouded City Merchants, and with the box I found the map that led me here. This must have been a work of fate. In a time like this, I was the type to face whatever problem fate would give me head on.

Since I made my decision, I proceeded to execute my plan right away.

First I carefully extracted the million-antidote herb. Then I approached the snake with my blade drawn.

Ssshhhh. Hisssss

The snake hissed at me and quickly chased after me.

“I am sorry. I am going to use you for a greater purpose.”

Slas.h.!.+

I cut the head of the snake and quickly extracted the poison sack from within it.

Before I ate it, I took a deep breath, “Please work for me.”

I then ate the sac and swallowed it.

The moment it touched my stomach the poison started spreading throughout my body. It was the worst experience I had in my life. It felt as if my whole body was eroding away from the inside. I quickly activated my Divine Protection Technique to ease the pain and to control the poison.

If I lost control of my body, I was finished.

“Ahhhhhhh!”

I was screaming on purpose so that I could concentrate on my voice.

My body started to turn purple. It felt as if my whole body could melt away at any second.

I must eat the million-antidote herb!

No! It wasn’t time yet! If I ate it now I would fail!

My mind was in a battle with itself. I didn’t know what was what.

I waited and waited.

Now, I felt that enough time had pa.s.sed.

It’s now! I must eat it now!

I tried to eat it but my arm didn’t move.

I wasn’t in control of my body anymore.

So, this is the end.

My vision started to become blurry. The flashback that I had at this last moment was my mother from my previous life.

I was eating dinner with my mother. It was when I was still young.

I remembered this moment. This was when I returned home after defeating the Fight King. As soon as I got home I told my mother what happened and my mother laughed. Now I see it, my mother’s gray hair, the wrinkles in her face, and her hunched back. How could I not have seen it back then? It was because back then I only cared about myself. Then my mother picked up the food herself and fed me.

‘Good job son. I am proud of you. Eat well and grow stronger.’

Her last words, ‘eat well and grow stronger', were ringing in my ear. I forced myself to regain my consciousness. There were tears in my eyes.

Yes, I must eat it. I cannot die like this.

I squeezed every bit of willpower that I had. Although my body didn’t move, I bit my tongue. I could not die like this. I had so many things that I had to do.

Now, my current mother’s face replaced my old mother face.

“You could do it, right son?”

I remembered her laughing and hugging me.

Then my arm started moving bit by bit.

My shaking hand came closer to my mouth.

‘...mother.’

I used everything that I had to place the million-antidote herb in my mouth and forcefully bit down on it. I felt it explode in my mouth and I lost consciousness.

How long had it been?

When I opened my eyes again, all the pain was gone.

I slowly raised my body. My skin which was purple regain its normal hue. I scanned my dantian nervously. If it expanded by even the slightest margin I failed at this attempt. But my dantian remained the same.

I had succeeded!

I had successfully obtained the Poison Immune Physique. From now on I didn’t have to be afraid of any poison. It was because of my two mothers. I felt especially sorry for my previous mother. Don’t worry mother I will fulfill the filial piety for my new parent in your stead.

Please forgive me mother. Since I am much happier than before.

After a tribulation, there were always bound to be rewards. I approached the Solar Sedge and picked it up. I washed it in the pond and ate it whole. I felt the energy given off by it. It felt warm and comfortable compared to when I ate the poison.

Sshhhhh!

The energy was flowing throughout my body. I activated my Divine Protection Technique and started absorbing everything.

After circulating the energy a few times, I scanned my dantian again. I had successfully absorbed sixty years’ worth of energy. Now, I had almost one hundred years worth of energy. I could finally use the forth stance of my Ashura Soul Chasing Sword Art.

By next year around this time I would have achieved one hundred and twenty years’ worth of energy so I will be able to execute my fifth stance. Thinking about that made me excited.

Who could have imagined, the discovery of the dolls would lead to such a fortuitous encounter.

Practices of the White Crane.

Poison Immune Physique.

One hundred Year worth of energy.

But that wasn’t the only thing that I achieved. I discovered this new cave that no one knows about. I could come here whenever I wished to take a rest or to hide from the world.

After burying the corpse I prayed, “I hope that you will pa.s.s on peacefully, senior.”

Since he hadn’t written down anything I didn’t say anything more than that and left.

“Hahaha”

My laughter filled the cave as I left.

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