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

Cheng Lingsu had finally verified every detail of theScarlet 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 theMang 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 theSeven-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 perfectScarlet Toad Spirit Pillhad been refined.

Once ingested, it would grantimmunity to all poisons!

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

However, theSeven-Heart Begoniathey had cultivated had completely withered from being harvested too often, and theMang Gu Scarlet Toadalso died not long after the second venom extraction.

TheSeven-Heart Begoniacould be grown again, but there was only everoneMang 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 theScarlet Toad Spirit Pilland 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. HisBeiming inner forceeven 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 theBeiming True Qimethod, refining and converting energy.

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

Oh no—wait—hehadjust 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 bytwenty 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 dayhad 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 hisBeiming True Qihad 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 consideredfairly 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 theScarlet Toad Spirit Pill.

From now on, he was most likelyimmune 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 youdon’t trust me?”

She would never act recklessly. Even if theScarlet Toad Pillhadn’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. “ThisHundred Snake Pillis 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… youdolove 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:

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com