"Master Zhou, please don't lie to me. I know my own physical condition best," Zhang Zhiqiang said with a wry smile.
He was the president of Zhang Group, thirty-eight years old, but he had indulged in promiscuity. He wasn't someone who maintained his purity, but he also wouldn't drain his body through work.
"I'm telling the truth, President Zhang, please don't be anxious. Listen to me slowly," Zhou Xuan said.
"Alright! I'll listen to Master Zhou first," Zhang Zhiqiang nodded.
Zhou Xuan slowly stated, "Although your body isn't too bad, you haven't cultivated any techniques. You're only relying on ordinary medication to maintain your bodily functions. The so-called Evergreen Elixir is a pill that increases lifespan. Unfortunately, this pill is only suitable for ordinary cultivators, and its effects are not that significant."
Zhou Xuan paused for a moment before continuing, "This pill is taken only once a month, one pill at a time. Therefore, although your internal organs are severely damaged, it is only temporary. They will recover in a few days and will not affect your daily work. However, the side effects of this medication are quite severe. Moreover, you are not a cultivator, but someone whose body is depleted. If you take this pill, you will definitely have problems."
Zhang Zhiqiang was somewhat stunned, "How did you know I took the Evergreen Elixir?"
Zhou Xuan habitually leaned back, smiling at him, "That depends on where President Zhang bought the Evergreen Elixir?"
"This... this... I, I just bought it casually," Zhang Zhiqiang stammered, unwilling to say.
"How did you know?" Zhang Zhiqiang persisted.
Zhou Xuan did not press further, "Your body's Nine Revolutions Floating Life Pulse told me."
Zhang Zhiqiang was a bit confused. He naturally knew that the Nine Revolutions Floating Life Pulse was not a good thing, but he couldn't understand why Zhou Xuan would say he had it.
"The Nine Revolutions Floating Life Pulse is a commonly used pulse in medicine. This pulse holds a very special position in medicine; it can be called the most top-tier pulse in medicine. The Nine Revolutions Floating Life Pulse is divided into nine stages. The first stage primarily adjusts the circulation of qi and blood, mental power, and various bodily functions. Only by the second stage can it truly be called the most top-tier pulse in medicine!"
"For a cultivator, this pulse is precisely the phenomenon before breaking through the False True Pulse."
After hearing Zhou Xuan's words, Zhang Zhiqiang's eyes lit up. He finally understood why his body was in such a state.
"Then Master Zhou, when will my Nine Revolutions Floating Life Pulse return to normal?"
"This... you are not a cultivator, yet the Nine Revolutions Floating Life Pulse has appeared in you, which proves that this is a very dangerous matter. If a martial artist can open their heart and no longer suppress the resentment and hatred in their heart, the Nine Revolutions Floating Life Pulse can be restored to its original state."
"But you..." Zhou Xuan said hesitantly, he was not confident that he could completely cure Zhang Zhiqiang.
Zhang Zhiqiang's eyes dimmed upon hearing this.
"It seems it can't be cured."
"President Zhang, don't be discouraged. There may still be hope. I will do my best to cure you," Zhou Xuan comforted him.
"Your Evergreen Elixir, if I'm not mistaken, is a fake created by someone researching the Spirit Condensing Pill and the Resurrection Pill, isn't it?" Zhou Xuan's tone was very firm, even though he was asking a question.
Zhang Zhiqiang, in his daze, blurted out, "How do you know this?"
"You are unwilling to tell me who sold you the medicine, and I won't force you. After all, it's your privacy. However, to cure you, I need the Evergreen Elixir to examine its ingredients,"
The people attending the banquet tonight all had expressions that were somewhat off.
"Damn it. The Spirit Condensing Pill is not available for everyone. I believe everyone here has tried the Evergreen Elixir as a substitute, right?"
"Damn, I spent five hundred thousand for one!"
"It's over. I'm not a martial artist either. Will I end up like President Zhang in the future?"
"Wuwu... Honey, what should we do? I've already taken three pills. Am I going to die!?"
But even in their panic, none of them thought about finding trouble with the seller.
Zhou Xuan looked around, his eyes narrowing slightly.
What were these people so wary of?
Or who were they afraid of?
Who exactly was secretly researching his medical prescriptions and even creating counterfeit drugs?
The Spirit Condensing Pill was not easy to make.
Was this related to Xu Ying and Black Tiger's earlier mention of the medicinal ingredients being intercepted and acquired in large quantities?
Zhou Xuan fell into deep thought.
Zhang Zhiqiang hesitated for a long time before finally having his secretary bring the item.
"To tell you the truth, this is the Evergreen Elixir."
Zhou Xuan snapped back from his thoughts. He looked at the pill emitting a strong medicinal scent in the velvet box. Glancing at it under the room's light, his expression changed drastically.
"How many pills have you taken?"
Startled by his reaction, Zhang Zhiqiang began to stammer, "Five... five pills..."
Zhou Xuan directly placed the pill in his hand and crushed it with his internal energy. As the pill turned into powder, Zhou Xuan did something unknown, and with a casual flick of his hand, everyone saw wisps of black qi lingering above the powdered pill.
"Heavens! What is this ghost?"
"This black qi is so terrifying!"
"Is this magic?"
"I feel a bit nauseous, what should I do?"
"It's over. President Zhang's medicine is from the same batch as mine. Could mine..."
Zhou Xuan was silent for a few seconds after hearing them and said, "President Zhang, as you can see, this thing carries ominous black qi and contains many prohibited medicinal ingredients. It's not the recipe for the Spirit Condensing Pill at all; it's worlds apart."
"Taking it not only won't strengthen your body but will also cause rapid weakening."
"Where exactly did you get this pill?"
The surrounding people could no longer hold back. Before Zhang Zhiqiang could speak, a beautiful woman rushed forward.
"Master Zhou, it was at the charity gala half a month ago."
"Everyone present bought this pill in the end. Besides this pill, there was also the Resurrection Pill."
"Each of us not only donated to the charity gala but also bought quite a few pills."
"The other party was introduced by President Hao of Tianjing Group. A very old master, his medical skills were also very high, and although he was seventy or eighty years old, he looked only thirty."
"Many people became younger after taking his pills."
"Yes, yes! My illness was also cured by him."
Zhou Xuan, however, said, "This is all a facade. If I'm not mistaken, in a few more days, your after-effects will appear very quickly."
"Once the after-effects appear, just like President Zhang, you will age and die silently within a week."
"Ah!"
"Heavens!"
"By then, if you want to find that master, you might not be able to find him!"