MD 591 to 600

 Miracle Doctor Chapter 591

Amid the bamboo grove, wisps of white mist suddenly rose, shrouding the valley like a fairyland.

“This is… miasma!”

The smile on Elder Longbrow’s face froze abruptly.

Just moments ago, he’d called it an omen of great fortune, only to be proven wrong the next second.

“Fall back!”

Elder Longbrow made a snap decision.

Miasma was highly toxic, a single touch meant certain death.

Yet when he turned around, he realised that fifty metres behind them, more miasma had appeared, completely blocking their retreat.

“Quick, get through here.”

Elder Longbrow shouted loudly, then bolted, aiming to cross the valley before the miasma closed in.

But after just two steps, he stopped.

Miasma had appeared ahead as well.

Now, it surrounded them on all sides—front, back, left, and right.

The miasma grew thicker and more abundant, eventually pressing towards the three of them like a vast cloud layer.

Ye Qiu snorted coldly, “Old man, this is your so-called omen of great fortune?”

“What, are you doubting me?” Elder Longbrow replied, somewhat displeased.

“Do I even need to doubt? The facts are right in front of us,” Ye Qiu shot back irritably.

Elder Longbrow said, “This place is scenic, it doesn’t seem like somewhere miasma would gather, if I’m not mistaken, this must be the work of the Patriarch.”

Shameless, unable to foresee it himself, he blamed it on Master Zhang, utterly brazen.

Ye Qiu’s eyes were full of disdain.

Elder Longbrow caught Ye Qiu’s look but remained unfazed, continuing, “The Patriarch was a figure who ascended to the ranks of immortals, his methods are boundless, he knows past and present, can foresee the future, nothing in heaven or earth escapes his eyes, he must have known we’d come here, so he deliberately set this miasma.”

“Firstly, to test us, secondly, to prevent others from reaching the Heavenly Master’s Sword.”

“As for you thinking my divination was off, I don’t think it’s my fault, the Patriarch is an immortal, he can obscure the heavens, I’m just a mortal, it’s only natural I couldn’t predict it.”

Excuses!

Ye Qiu was thoroughly unimpressed.

Shuisheng said urgently, “Uncle Master, the miasma’s coming, what do we do?”

“What’s there to fear! Since this is the Patriarch’s test, he won’t let it harm our lives!”

Though Elder Longbrow sounded calm, he was panicking inside, silently praying.

“Patriarch, whether this miasma is your doing or not, I beg you to show mercy and save us.”

Just then, the miasma converged from all directions, now only ten metres from Ye Qiu and the others.

“Uncle Master, think of something quick, or we’re all done for here, I don’t want to die,” Shuisheng’s face was full of panic, nearly in tears.

“Don’t panic, the Patriarch surely won’t harm us,” Elder Longbrow said, sneaking a glance at Ye Qiu, hoping he’d come up with a plan.

“There’s only one option now, hold your breath and charge through the miasma’s encirclement,” Ye Qiu said.

“That might work for you, but not for me and Shuisheng,” Elder Longbrow replied, “Shuisheng doesn’t know martial arts, and I’m injured, if I hold my breath, my qi and blood will flow backwards, I’d die before the miasma even gets me.”

Hearing this, Shuisheng’s heart sank.

“It’s over, I’m dead for sure,” Shuisheng simply closed his eyes, bracing for death.

“You little brat, you really have no other ideas?” Elder Longbrow pressed Ye Qiu, unwilling to give up.

Ye Qiu shook his head.

Elder Longbrow’s heart plummeted, “Damn heavens, you can’t really mean to let me die here, I haven’t even gotten the Heavenly Master’s Sword yet.”

The miasma was now just three metres away.

Suddenly—

The miasma stopped.

It formed an encircling ring, trapping the three inside.

Ye Qiu, who’d been watching the miasma closely, immediately said, “Old man, the miasma’s stopped.”

Elder Longbrow let out a surprised sound, “Odd, why did it stop?”

Then he burst into laughter, “I knew it, the Patriarch wouldn’t harm us, haha…”

Ye Qiu said, “Don’t get too happy yet, the miasma’s stopped, but it’s not showing any sign of dispersing.”

Shuisheng opened his eyes, looked around, and said, “As long as it doesn’t come closer, we can sit here and wait, it’ll dissipate eventually.”

“How long are you prepared to wait? An hour? A day? Three or five days?” Ye Qiu said, “Forget whether our rations can last that long, even if they could, the old man’s body wouldn’t hold up.”

“You little brat, no need to worry, miasma can’t last forever,” Elder Longbrow chuckled, “From my past experience, miasma fears sunlight, once the sun shines for half an hour, it’ll vanish on its own.”

“You serious?”

“Of course I am.”

“Then we’ll wait!”

The three sat down on the ground.

Soon, a red sun rose in the east, casting myriad rays.

“The sun’s up, great,” Shuisheng said, his face lighting up.

Elder Longbrow smiled too, “Little brat, I’ll bet we only need to wait an hour at most, and the miasma will be gone.”

“Let’s hope so.”

In the blink of an eye, an hour passed.

The miasma didn’t dissipate.

The three kept waiting.

One hour, two hours, three hours…

Until noon, twelve o’clock!

The sun blazed down, leaving them drenched in sweat, but the miasma showed no sign of dispersing.

“Uncle Master, waiting doesn’t seem to be working, what now?” Shuisheng asked.

Elder Longbrow fell silent.

Ye Qiu glanced around, the miasma was rolling incessantly, like a pack of ferocious beasts ready to pounce any second.

“We can’t wait any longer, we need a plan.”

Ye Qiu stood up.

“Little brat, have you thought of something?” Elder Longbrow asked eagerly.

Ye Qiu said, “I’ll test it out, see if I can walk through, if I can get out, I’ll figure out a way to save you.”

“Be careful, don’t let the miasma get into your mouth or nose, or you’ll die,” Elder Longbrow warned.

Ye Qiu took a deep breath, held it, and stepped forward.

Suddenly, something unexpected happened.

The rolling miasma, as Ye Qiu approached, seemed startled, quickly parting to either side, clearing a path of its own accord.

It feared Ye Qiu, as if getting near him would make it vanish into thin air.

Ye Qiu raised an eyebrow.

What’s going on?

Could this miasma have a mind of its own?

Elder Longbrow was astonished, “Little brat, take a couple more steps and see.”

Ye Qiu walked two more steps forward, and it was the same, as soon as he moved, the miasma retreated to both sides, always keeping twenty centimetres away, never daring to come closer.

Miracle Doctor Chapter 592

This scene was very strange.

Ye Qiu turned back to look at Elder Longbrow and asked, “Old man, what’s going on here?”

“Maybe it’s because you’re too ugly, so the miasma’s afraid of you,” Elder Longbrow said.

Ye Qiu glared at him, “Be serious.”

Elder Longbrow shook his head, “I’ve never encountered this before, I don’t know.”

Ye Qiu took a few more steps forward, and the result was the same.

The miasma parted automatically.

Soon, Ye Qiu had ventured deep into the miasma, his figure vanishing.

“Uncle Master, did you notice something just now?” Shuisheng asked.

Elder Longbrow sighed, “Shuisheng, when I’m gone, follow Ye Qiu.”

“Uncle Master, didn’t you say I should stay at Dragon Tiger Mountain? Why are you telling me to follow Dr. Ye now?” Shuisheng asked, his face full of confusion.

“Ye Qiu’s luck defies the heavens, if you follow him, your future will be bright. Of course, you must remember, no matter where you are, you’ll always be one of us from Dragon Tiger Mountain.”

“Oh,” Shuisheng replied.

Just then, the miasma suddenly stirred, closing in again.

Shuisheng’s face paled in fright, “The miasma’s coming, Uncle Master, why’s it moving all of a sudden?”

Elder Longbrow understood in an instant.

“It didn’t dare come earlier because it feared the power of destiny on the Chosen One, now that Ye Qiu’s gone, it has no fear.”

Elder Longbrow’s expression grew grave as he quickly pulled a talisman from his robe and handed it to Shuisheng, “Shuisheng, this is a life-saving talisman, take it.”

“It’s the only one Dragon Tiger Mountain has.”

“As long as you hold this talisman, the miasma can’t harm you.”

Shuisheng took the talisman, then realised something and asked, “Uncle Master, there’s only one talisman, if you give it to me, what about you?”

“I’m already a dying man, better you have it than me clinging to life,” Elder Longbrow instructed, “Shuisheng, I won’t be able to protect you forever, you must take care of yourself.”

“Also, I won’t get the chance to find the Heavenly Master’s Sword in this lifetime, that task falls to you.”

“Don’t be afraid, Ye Qiu will help you.”

Tears welled up in Shuisheng’s eyes, “Uncle Master—”

“Shuisheng, don’t cry, a man lives one life, like grass through one autumn, in the end, none escape a handful of yellow earth. The road ahead is long, you must learn to be brave, to be strong, you’ll face many hardships, take care of yourself, go now!”

Elder Longbrow waved his hand.

Hearing this, Shuisheng sobbed uncontrollably, dropping to his knees with a thud and kowtowing three times respectfully to Elder Longbrow.

“This disciple bids farewell to the Sect Leader.”

“This parting is forever, life and death severed.”

“Uncle Master… take care!”

After speaking, Shuisheng quickly shoved the talisman back into Elder Longbrow’s hand, stepped back two paces, and stood before the miasma.

Elder Longbrow froze for a moment before reacting, roaring, “Shuisheng, what are you doing? Get back here!”

“Uncle Master, if you and Master hadn’t taken me in, I’d have died twenty years ago.”

“You and Master saved my life, raised me, a debt I can never repay in this lifetime.”

“So, if someone has to die today, let it be me, I miss Master a little anyway.”

“Uncle Master, may we meet again in the next life, may I still be a disciple of Dragon Tiger Mountain, still be your nephew.”

“Goodbye!”

Shuisheng waved, then stepped back into the miasma with a smile.

“Shuisheng, come back!”

“You little bastard, get back here now!”

“You dare disobey me, I’ll beat you to death…”

Elder Longbrow cursed, tears streaming down his face.

By now, the miasma was closing in on him.

Just as it was about to engulf him, the talisman in his hand shattered, emitting a shimmering white light.

In an instant, the light expanded into a circle, like a protective shield, encasing Elder Longbrow.

The miasma was entirely blocked outside the circle.

Elder Longbrow stood and strode forward.

…

Ye Qiu walked about a hundred metres and fully emerged from the miasma’s reach.

The journey had been smooth, with no danger at all.

“A hundred metres isn’t short, what’s the best way to get the old man and Shuisheng out?”

Ye Qiu furrowed his brow, pondering solutions.

After a while.

Suddenly—

Faint footsteps came from within the miasma.

Could someone be hiding in there?

Ye Qiu’s heart jolted, he spun around, swiftly activating his Heavenly Eye, his vision piercing through the miasma.

The next second, his eyes nearly popped out.

“How is this possible?”

Ye Qiu couldn’t believe it.

There was Shuisheng, strolling through the miasma, looking around curiously, completely unprotected yet unharmed.

“The miasma clearly contains deadly poison, how is he fine?”

Suddenly, a possibility struck Ye Qiu.

“Could the old man have been telling the truth, is Shuisheng really a natural-born saint?”

A so-called natural-born saint is one blessed by destiny at birth, endowed with immense luck, able to turn calamity into fortune and danger into safety.

About five minutes later, Shuisheng emerged from the miasma.

Seeing Ye Qiu, he said with delight, “Oh, Dr. Ye, you’re here!”

“How did you get through that miasma?” Ye Qiu asked.

“I just walked through!” Shuisheng said, “Uncle Master said it’s poisonous, but I didn’t feel a thing, I think he might be tricking me.”

Ye Qiu replied, “He wasn’t tricking you, the miasma is indeed toxic.”

Shuisheng paused, scratched his bald head, and said, “Maybe it’s because I’m so handsome, the miasma couldn’t bear to hurt me?”

Shameless!

Ye Qiu rolled his eyes and asked, “Where’s the old man?”

“Uncle Master’s still in the miasma, but don’t worry, Dr. Ye, he’s got a life-saving talisman, he should be out soon…”

Before Shuisheng finished, Elder Longbrow’s figure appeared.

At the same moment, the light circle around him vanished.

“Old man, you alright?” Ye Qiu asked.

“I’m fine,” Elder Longbrow said, stunned to see Shuisheng standing with Ye Qiu, “You little brat, did you save Shuisheng?”

Ye Qiu shook his head and recounted what he’d seen to Elder Longbrow.

“I get it, a natural-born saint, immune to all poisons.”

Elder Longbrow laughed heartily, then swung a slap at Shuisheng’s head, scolding, “You little bastard, you’ve got some guts, daring to defy my orders.”

“Uncle Master, we’re all fine, isn’t that great?” Shuisheng said, aggrieved.

Smack!

Elder Longbrow landed another slap on Shuisheng’s forehead, “Next time you dare go against my orders, I’ll finish you off.”

“Alright, old man, let’s get moving!”

Ye Qiu said, then took the lead forward.

Elder Longbrow and Shuisheng followed close behind.

Soon, they arrived before two mountain peaks.

Between the peaks lay a canyon.

And, as before, a stone tablet stood at the canyon’s entrance.

Miracle Doctor Chapter 593

The three of them, Ye Qiu, arrived in front of the stone tablet and looked up. Several lines of text were carved into the tablet.

Master Longmei studied it for a moment before reading aloud:

“This place is fraught with extreme danger. To prevent outsiders from stumbling into it, I, a humble Taoist, have deliberately set up three trials.”

“The first trial is a poisonous miasma.”

“As for the second and third trials, they shall remain undisclosed for now.”

“If any disciples of Mount Longhu seek this place, they must pass the three trials relying solely on their own strength, without any external assistance. Otherwise, all efforts will surely come to naught. Take heed.”

“May future generations proceed with caution, with caution!”

On the back of the tablet, the signature still bore the name of the Heavenly Master.

“Mount Longhu, Zhang Daoling!”

After finishing, Master Longmei burst into laughter. “Little rascal, I wasn’t wrong, was I? The poisonous miasma was indeed set by the Grandmaster.”

“Hmph, lucky guess,” Ye Qiu snorted coldly.

“Uncle Master, the Grandmaster set up three trials in total. We still have two more to face,” Shuisheng said.

Master Longmei chuckled. “The Grandmaster was an enlightened sage, full of compassion. He created these trials merely to keep outsiders from blundering in. As disciples of Mount Longhu, he won’t make things too difficult for us.”

Shuisheng nodded. “Hmm, Uncle Master makes sense.”

“No time to waste—let’s press on and strive to pass the next two trials in one go. Off we go!”

Master Longmei, brimming with excitement, strode forward boldly.

Ye Qiu and Shuisheng followed closely behind.

The three entered the canyon.

The scenery was once again different from before.

The canyon was flanked by bare, rocky walls, not a blade of grass in sight.

“Uncle Master, what do you think the Grandmaster’s second trial might be?” Shuisheng asked curiously.

Master Longmei replied, “The Grandmaster’s methods are beyond comprehension. How could I possibly guess his intentions?”

The trio walked about two hundred metres into the canyon.

“Look ahead,” Ye Qiu said suddenly.

Master Longmei and Shuisheng looked up simultaneously. Ahead, three leopards were approaching them.

Each leopard stood taller than a person, majestic and ferocious.

“Could this be the Grandmaster’s second trial?” Shuisheng asked nervously, quickly hiding behind Master Longmei.

“Little rascal, what do you think?” Master Longmei asked Ye Qiu.

Ye Qiu responded, “As you said, Heavenly Master Zhang’s methods are profound. I reckon these three leopards weren’t arranged by him.”

“I think so too,” Master Longmei said. “The Grandmaster was a legendary figure from a thousand years ago, but judging by the size of these leopards, they’re only about a dozen years old.”

“Then how did they end up here?” Shuisheng asked.

Ye Qiu and Master Longmei exchanged a glance, both arriving at the same possibility.

They must have wandered in by mistake!

Just then, the three leopards halted, their sharp gazes sweeping the surroundings, their bodies leaning forward slightly, poised to attack.

“Chirp, chirp, chirp—”

A strange sound echoed through the canyon, somewhat like the call of insects, yet also resembling the cries of young birds.

About three minutes passed.

Suddenly, a hole broke open in the ground, and a fist-sized, red creature crawled out of it.

At first, Ye Qiu thought it was a rat, but after observing it closely for a moment, he realised it wasn’t a rat—it was an ant.

“Bloody hell, how can there be an ant this big?”

Ye Qiu was dumbfounded.

Shuisheng piped up, “A fist-sized ant must have a lot of meat. I bet it’d taste great barbecued, Uncle Master…”

“Shut it!”

Master Longmei’s eyes were fixed on the ant, his expression deadly serious.

“Old man, have you figured something out?” Ye Qiu asked.

Master Longmei replied, “This ant looks a bit like the legendary Soul-Devouring Ant.”

“Soul-Devouring Ant?” Ye Qiu was taken aback.

Master Longmei explained, “I once read about Soul-Devouring Ants in ancient texts. They’re described as blood-red, the size of a fist, with sharp teeth. They’re carnivorous, live in colonies, and can devour anything.”

Ye Qiu was sceptical. “It’s just an ant. How could it devour everything? That’s a bit exaggerated, isn’t it?”

“Whether it’s exaggerated or not, I can’t say. That’s just what the ancient texts claim.”

As Master Longmei spoke, more Soul-Devouring Ants began crawling out of the hole.

In no time, hundreds of them were on the ground, and the earlier “chirp, chirp, chirp” sounds were coming from their mouths.

After emerging, they swiftly surrounded the three leopards.

“Roar—”

The leopards let out uneasy growls.

But the Soul-Devouring Ants paid no heed. In the blink of an eye, they climbed onto the leopards’ bodies.

Instantly, the leopards let out piercing, agonised screams.

In less than five minutes, the three leopards were completely devoured, leaving only three skeletons on the ground.

“This…”

Ye Qiu sucked in a cold breath.

Having finished off the leopards, the Soul-Devouring Ants turned and began crawling towards Ye Qiu and the others.

“Retreat, quick!”

No sooner had Ye Qiu spoken than the “chirp, chirp, chirp” sounds erupted from all directions.

Looking around, Ye Qiu realised that Soul-Devouring Ants were emerging from both sides of the canyon—thousands upon thousands of them, densely packed, like an army closing in rapidly.

They were surrounded once again.

“Uncle Master, what do we do?” Shuisheng trembled in fear as the ants drew closer.

“If I’m not mistaken, this must be the Grandmaster’s second trial. Don’t worry, the Grandmaster won’t harm us.”

Though Master Longmei said this, his heart was pounding with unease.

The Soul-Devouring Ants kept advancing, showing no sign of stopping.

Moments later, the encirclement shrank to less than two metres.

They were in dire straits.

“Old man, do you have any more life-saving talismans? Can they deal with these ants?” Ye Qiu asked urgently.

Master Longmei’s face fell. “There was only one life-saving talisman in all of Mount Longhu, and I’ve already used it.”

“In that case, we’ll have to fight them head-on.”

Clang!

Ye Qiu drew the Emperor’s Sword, Chixiao, and shouted at the approaching ants, “Get lost!”

“Chirp, chirp, chirp—”

The hundreds of Soul-Devouring Ants nearing Ye Qiu immediately parted to either side, clearing a path—just like the miasma had done earlier.

Hmm?

Ye Qiu raised an eyebrow. Could these creatures actually understand human speech?

“Move, now!”

Ye Qiu took a step forward.

Master Longmei and Shuisheng were about to follow when hundreds of Soul-Devouring Ants darted in from the side, cutting them off.

“Uncle Master, what do we do?” Shuisheng was on the verge of tears.

“How should I know?” Master Longmei was inwardly frantic.

As the ants drew closer—so close they could see their antennae and razor-sharp teeth—Shuisheng, in a panic, bellowed, “Get out of the way!”

Whoosh!

The Soul-Devouring Ants seemed startled and quickly parted.

Master Longmei froze. That worked?

Miracle Doctor Chapter 594

Shuisheng was utterly dumbfounded by the scene.

He hadn’t expected that a desperate shout from him would produce such an astonishing effect.

Rubbing his bald head, Shuisheng said, “Uncle Master, why do they seem a bit scared of me? Am I that ugly? Or are they charmed by my handsomeness?”

Master Longmei snapped irritably, “Stop talking nonsense and get moving.”

“Oh~”

Shuisheng quickly took a couple of steps forward, then glanced back to see Master Longmei still standing in place. Puzzled, he asked, “Uncle Master, why aren’t you coming?”

“Old man, hurry up!” Ye Qiu shouted loudly.

To their surprise, Master Longmei remained rooted to the spot and said, “The Grandmaster stated that if a disciple of Mount Longhu seeks this place, they must pass the three trials relying solely on their own strength, without any external help. Otherwise, all efforts will be in vain.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means that if I want to find the Heavenly Master’s Sword, I must rely on my own abilities to get through the three trials.”

“You two go ahead!”

“What about you?” Ye Qiu asked.

“Don’t worry, this humble Taoist has a clever plan,” Master Longmei replied calmly, exuding confidence as if he had everything under control.

“Then be careful,” Ye Qiu said before quickly heading to safety with Shuisheng.

Master Longmei stood his ground, watching the Soul-Devouring Ants draw closer. Following Ye Qiu’s example, he bellowed, “Get lost!”

However, the ants didn’t retreat—instead, they kept advancing towards him.

He then mimicked Shuisheng, roaring at the ants, “Get out of the way!”

Still no effect.

“I knew it—I’m different from them.”

Master Longmei swiftly pulled several flame talismans from the sleeve of his robe and flung them out.

Whoosh!

Flames erupted instantly.

A horrifying scene unfolded.

The fire engulfed the Soul-Devouring Ants, yet they remained unscathed, as if they felt nothing, continuing their march towards Master Longmei.

How could this be?

Master Longmei’s expression darkened. He pulled out a thunder talisman and tossed it forward.

“Boom!”

A bolt of lightning struck down, hitting the ants.

This time, it did kill quite a few of them, but their numbers were simply too overwhelming—thousands upon thousands kept closing in on him.

Gritting his teeth, Master Longmei掏出一大把雷符 (pulled out a handful of thunder talismans) from his sleeve and threw them all out.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

A barrage of lightning crashed down.

At least a few thousand Soul-Devouring Ants were blasted to death, but tens of thousands more kept advancing towards him.

“Damn it, Grandmaster, are you trying to kill me on purpose?”

Master Longmei cursed loudly.

From a distance, Shuisheng watched in panic and pleaded with Ye Qiu, “Doctor Ye, think of something quick—save my Uncle Master!”

Ye Qiu gripped the Emperor’s Sword, Chixiao, ready to charge in.

But just then, Master Longmei’s hands flashed through a series of rapid seals in front of him. With a loud shout, he declared, “Heaven and Earth are boundless, Qiankun lends its power—Escape!”

Whoosh—

Master Longmei’s figure vanished from the spot without a trace.

Where did he go?

Ye Qiu was stunned.

Shuisheng’s jaw dropped, and he cried out, “Oh no, oh no, Uncle Master’s been eaten by the ants!”

Thwack!

A sudden knock landed on the back of Shuisheng’s head.

Shuisheng spun around to find Master Longmei standing behind him, completely unharmed.

“Eh? Uncle Master, how did you escape?” Shuisheng asked in shock.

“I’m the head of Mount Longhu—how could I die so easily?” Master Longmei said smugly, brimming with pride.

Ye Qiu was also surprised. In that fleeting moment, Master Longmei had disappeared, and even he hadn’t sensed the old man’s presence.

Glancing up, Ye Qiu noticed the Soul-Devouring Ants weren’t pursuing them. He asked, “Old man, what technique did you just use?”

Master Longmei grinned. “The Art of Escape!”

“The Art of Escape?” Ye Qiu was startled. “Qimen Dunjia?”

“Not bad, you’ve got some knowledge,” Master Longmei said, clearly pleased. “Mount Longhu possesses many secret arts, and the Art of Escape is one of them.”

“If you know the Art of Escape, why didn’t you use it last time in the capital against those Forbidden City folks?” Ye Qiu asked.

Master Longmei replied, “Back in the capital, I hadn’t yet mastered the Art of Escape. I only learned it after returning to Mount Longhu this time.”

“Besides, using the Art of Escape against enemies isn’t very effective—it’s mainly for fleeing.”

Ye Qiu suddenly recalled that the legacy left by the Ye family’s ancestor also included Qimen Dunjia.

“It seems I’ll need to find a chance to learn the Art of Escape. With this escape technique in my arsenal, even if I can’t beat those Forbidden City bastards in the future, I’ll at least be able to get away.”

Seeing Ye Qiu fall silent, Master Longmei assumed he was awestruck by the technique and asked, “Little rascal, want to learn the Art of Escape?”

“No thanks.”

Ye Qiu knew Master Longmei too well—this old man was shameless and loved taking advantage of others.

Offering something unprompted? Either he’s up to no good or he wants something in return.

“Don’t reject me so quickly. I’m doing this for your own good,” Master Longmei coaxed earnestly. “You’ve got so many enemies out there, all itching to see you dead. If you master the Art of Escape, even if you’re cornered, you’ll be able to save yourself.”

“You, doing something for my good?” Ye Qiu sneered. “I don’t buy it.”

“Little rascal, you’ve got to trust me. I’m a dying man—what bad intentions could I possibly have?”

Master Longmei’s tone shifted as he chuckled slyly. “Of course, the Art of Escape is a secret technique of Mount Longhu. It can’t be casually passed to outsiders.”

“I’d be willing to teach you, but there’s a condition.”

Ye Qiu shot him a glare. “I knew it—you old codger never has good intentions.”

“I’m genuinely being kind here,” Master Longmei insisted. “Little rascal, all you have to do is promise me one thing: after I die, look after Shuisheng for the rest of his life.”

“That’s it?” Ye Qiu was sceptical.

“That’s it,” Master Longmei affirmed. “I can even swear to it.”

What’s the point of an oath? You’re already half-dead anyway.

Ye Qiu grumbled inwardly.

At that moment, Shuisheng chimed in from the side, “Uncle Master, using secret arts consumes a lot of vital energy. You’re already injured—will using the Art of Escape cause any problems?”

“Don’t worry, I’m fine… ugh—”

Before Master Longmei could finish, a jet of blood spurted from his mouth, narrowly missing Ye Qiu.

In an instant, his face turned ashen, his breathing weakened, and his body swayed unsteadily.

Ye Qiu quickly steadied him and asked, “Old man, how are you holding up?”

“I’m not dead yet,” Master Longmei managed a weak smile before coughing up another mouthful of blood and passing out.

“Uncle Master, Uncle Master…”

Shuisheng called out anxiously several times. Seeing no response, he turned to Ye Qiu, tears streaming down his face. “Doctor Ye, please, save Uncle Master!”

Ye Qiu pressed his palm against Master Longmei’s back, channeling a thread of innate true qi into him. After a while, with no sign of the old man waking, he checked his pulse.

The next second, Ye Qiu’s expression turned gravely serious.

His innate true qi had failed!

Miracle Doctor Chapter 595

Ye Qiu’s expression was grave.

He hadn’t expected his innate true qi to fail.

Master Longmei’s condition was now critical, hanging by a thread.

What could he do?

Ye Qiu furrowed his brows tightly, racking his brain for a way to save him.

Shuisheng asked anxiously, “Doctor Ye, my Uncle Master…?”

“He could die at any moment,” Ye Qiu replied, not sugarcoating the truth.

“Doctor Ye, you can save him, right?” Shuisheng placed all his hopes on Ye Qiu.

Ye Qiu said solemnly, “I can’t save him.”

Shuisheng’s heart trembled. He stared blankly at the unconscious Master Longmei, tears streaming down his face as he spoke, “If it weren’t for Uncle Master, I might have died twenty years ago.”

“He’s not just my saviour—he raised me, too.”

“Uncle Master is the only family I have in this world. For twenty years, he’s loved and protected me, caring for me in every way. To me, he’s more like my real father!”

“Maybe even my biological father couldn’t have treated me as well as he has.”

Choking back sobs, Shuisheng continued, “Now he’s about to die, and I can’t do anything to help. I can’t save him. I feel so awful—I don’t want him to…”

Thud.

Shuisheng suddenly dropped to his knees before Ye Qiu.

“What are you doing?” Ye Qiu asked, startled.

Shuisheng pleaded, “Doctor Ye, I know you’re a miracle healer. No matter what, please save my Uncle Master. I’ll kowtow to you!”

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Shuisheng frantically began banging his head on the ground.

Ye Qiu quickly pulled him up, saying, “You don’t need to do this. The old man’s my friend—I won’t stand by and let him die.”

“But with my medical skills, I can’t heal the backlash of the Heavenly Dao.”

“I’m just as anxious as you are.”

Shuisheng continued to beg, “Doctor Ye, I’m begging you—you have to save Uncle Master.”

“Enough, stop crying. Let me think of something.”

Ye Qiu felt utterly helpless.

Seeing his good friend on the brink of death, yet being unable to save him, was nothing short of tragic.

“Whether I can save the old man or not, I have to try.”

Ye Qiu took out his golden needles and began acupuncture.

The Nine Needles of Yang Return.

No effect!

The Seven-Star Needle Technique.

No effect!

The Taiyi Divine Needle.

No effect.

The Thirteen Needles of the Ghost Gate.

No effect!

…

Ye Qiu tried over a dozen long-lost acupuncture techniques in one go, but none managed to rouse Master Longmei.

In desperation, he thought of one last method.

Ye Qiu said, “Shuisheng, I have a way to wake the old man up, but it won’t last long.”

“Doctor Ye, what do you mean?” Shuisheng asked hurriedly.

“Think about what you’d like to say to him once he wakes up,” Ye Qiu instructed. “Because after he comes to, he’ll only have five minutes at most.”

Five minutes!

Shuisheng’s heart jolted. That meant once Master Longmei woke up, he’d have just five minutes left.

“Doctor Ye, if we don’t wake him, how long can he hold on in his current state?” Shuisheng asked.

Ye Qiu’s voice was low. “The old man’s life force is draining fast, and his bodily functions are failing rapidly. At this rate, he might last another twenty minutes.”

Shuisheng’s face turned deathly pale.

Ye Qiu’s words made it painfully clear.

Whether it was five minutes or twenty, Master Longmei’s death was inevitable.

“Doctor Ye, is there… really no hope for Uncle Master?”

“I want to save him, but I can’t.”

Wiping away tears, Shuisheng said, “Doctor Ye, wake him up. Even if we can’t change the outcome, I still want to talk to him.”

“Alright!”

Ye Qiu channelled his inner strength and pressed a finger against Master Longmei’s Tanzhong acupoint.

Then, he tapped another finger on the centre of Master Longmei’s forehead.

Ten seconds later.

Master Longmei slowly opened his eyes.

“Uncle Master, you’re awake?” Shuisheng quickly wiped his tears, trying not to let Master Longmei see his sorrow.

“Shuisheng, help me sit up,” Master Longmei said.

Shuisheng propped him up into a sitting position.

“Little rascal, how much time do I have left?” Master Longmei asked.

“You’ve got five minutes,” Ye Qiu replied. “I’ll find the Heavenly Master’s Sword for you, and Shuisheng can bring it back to Mount Longhu.”

“As for the task you entrusted me with in the capital, I’ll take care of that too.”

“Thank you,” Master Longmei said gratefully to Ye Qiu before turning to Shuisheng with a kind smile. “Shuisheng, Uncle Master’s about to leave. Do you have anything you want to say to me?”

Shuisheng replied earnestly, “Uncle Master, after you pass, I’ll bury you on Great Dragon Mountain. That way, Mount Longhu will give rise to a true dragon emperor.”

“I’ve also planned your funeral. We’ll hold it once we’re back at Mount Longhu.”

“Since your body won’t make it back, I’ll make a straw effigy in your likeness and give you a grand funeral.”

“Oh, and Uncle Master, you liked sneaking peeks at Widow Wang bathing—did you fancy her? How about this: I’ll cut out a paper figure in her likeness, bikini-style, and burn it at your grave.”

“And I’m also planning to…”

Smack!

Master Longmei slapped Shuisheng hard on the forehead, fuming, “You wretched disciple, are you trying to infuriate me to death?”

“What’s wrong, Uncle Master? One Widow Wang isn’t enough for you? Even if I wanted to burn a few more paper figures for you, could an old man like you handle it?”

“Shut up!”

Master Longmei barked, then turned to Ye Qiu. “I went through hell and high water to get here. Now that Great Dragon Mountain is within reach, if I die without seeing the Heavenly Master’s Sword, I won’t rest in peace.”

“The Grandmaster left three trials, and we’ve passed two. Only the final one remains.”

“So, no matter what, I have to find the Heavenly Master’s Sword.”

Ye Qiu sighed. “Old man, we’ll find the Heavenly Master’s Sword eventually. The problem is, you won’t last that long.”

“What if I could?” Master Longmei countered.

Ye Qiu froze, suddenly considering a possibility. Shocked, he asked, “Old man, do you have a way to preserve your life?”

“I don’t have a life-preserving method, but I do have a life-extending talisman.”

With that, Master Longmei rolled up his robe sleeve, revealing a red brocade pouch sewn inside.

He tore it off and pulled out a talisman, saying, “This life-extending talisman was drawn by a predecessor of Mount Longhu. There were originally three, stored at Mount Longhu for centuries, entrusted to each generation’s head.”

“During the Republic era, with warlords carving up the land and society in chaos, two of them were used to protect Mount Longhu’s legacy.”

“This one in my hand is the last.”

“I had intended to save it for the next head, but it seems I’ll have to use it now.”

Miracle Doctor Chapter 596

Elder Longbrow placed the life-extending talisman on top of his head, then closed his eyes, swiftly forming hand seals in front of him while silently chanting an incantation.

A few seconds later.

The talisman suddenly shattered, releasing a layer of dazzling white light that enveloped Elder Longbrow.

Soon, Ye Qiu sensed a surge of boundless vitality emanating from Elder Longbrow.

At the same time, Elder Longbrow’s ashen complexion quickly turned rosy.

“What a powerful talisman!”

After his initial shock, Ye Qiu marvelled inwardly, “Dragon Tiger Mountain truly lives up to its reputation as the ancestral seat of Taoism, its foundation is terrifying.”

Ten minutes later.

The white light around Elder Longbrow faded, and he opened his eyes, brimming with energy.

“Uncle Master, how do you feel now?” Shuisheng asked.

“It can only be described with one word—great!” Elder Longbrow stood up and said, “Not only will I not die now, but my cultivation has also been restored.”

“Really?” Shuisheng’s face lit up with joy.

“Of course it’s real,” Elder Longbrow continued, “But I only have four hours.”

“Though the life-extending talisman is powerful, it’s ultimately just a means to prolong life—it can’t last long.”

“Four hours from now, I’ll die.”

“So, I must pass the third trial set by the Patriarch and find the Heavenly Master’s Sword within that time.”

“No time to waste, let’s move now.”

With that, Elder Longbrow took the lead, heading towards Dalong Mountain.

His steps were swift and vigorous.

Ye Qiu and Shuisheng hurriedly followed.

In no time, they passed through two more canyons, yet still encountered no sign of the third trial left by the Heavenly Master.

Soon, they arrived before another canyon.

Elder Longbrow stopped and said, “Beyond this canyon lies Dalong Mountain.”

“If my guess is correct, the Patriarch likely placed the third trial within this canyon.”

“Everyone, stay cautious.”

With that, the three entered the canyon.

They proceeded with great care, observing their surroundings as they advanced, for no one knew what the Heavenly Master’s third trial might be.

After walking a few dozen metres.

Elder Longbrow stopped again.

Ahead stood eighteen stone figures.

Each stone figure was three metres tall, carved with lifelike detail, positioned in various directions, blocking the path forward through the canyon.

Ye Qiu studied the eighteen stone figures.

“See anything?” Elder Longbrow asked with a smile.

Ye Qiu replied, “It feels a bit like a formation.”

“Exactly, it’s a formation,” Elder Longbrow said. “This is called the Stone Array. I’ve seen it in Dragon Tiger Mountain’s ancient texts. Anyone who doesn’t understand formations will get trapped if they enter.”

“If you can’t find the way to break it, you’ll be stuck inside forever.”

Shuisheng asked, “Uncle Master, can you break this Stone Array?”

“Nonsense! Is there any formation under heaven I can’t break?” Elder Longbrow said, “I’ll go in first. You two watch closely, memorise every step I take. Once I’m out, follow the exact path I took, and you’ll be fine.”

“Alright,” Shuisheng nodded.

“Old man, be careful,” Ye Qiu cautioned.

“Don’t worry, the Stone Array isn’t some sophisticated formation. With my skills, I’ll break it in five minutes at most.”

Elder Longbrow was brimming with confidence. With that, he strode towards the Stone Array.

Standing before the eighteen stone figures.

Elder Longbrow clasped his hands and said loudly, “Patriarch, your descendant Longbrow has come to break the array.”

With that, he stepped into the formation.

The next second, Elder Longbrow felt the world spin, his mind growing hazy.

He didn’t panic in the slightest, steadying himself with a smile, “Worthy of an array set by the Patriarch himself—truly powerful. The moment I entered, it activated.”

“Patriarch, you probably didn’t expect this, did you? Though the Stone Array is intricate, to me, it’s a piece of cake.”

“What a pity, Patriarch, that you can’t witness your disciple break the array in person. Truly a shame.”

As Elder Longbrow finished speaking, he took another step forward.

Instantly, the scene before him changed dramatically.

He no longer saw the eighteen stone figures but an antique room with a wooden bed.

On the bed sat a young woman.

To be precise, an exceptionally beautiful young woman.

Her skin was smooth as jade, delicate enough to break with a puff, and she wore a fitted cheongsam that accentuated her curvaceous figure, exuding an alluring charm.

The woman looked at Elder Longbrow, her beautiful eyes filled with resentment.

“Xiao Ru!” Elder Longbrow exclaimed, then asked, “Where is this? Why are you here?”

“You heartless man, you still have the face to see me? Get out!” the woman cursed, tears streaming down her face.

Ten years ago, a car accident occurred at the foot of Dragon Tiger Mountain, killing two of a family of three. Elder Longbrow happened to be there.

At the time, Li Ru was barely clinging to life, and Elder Longbrow saved her.

Li Ru, having lost her husband and child, was heartbroken and wished to die, attempting suicide several times, only to be saved by Elder Longbrow each time.

Feeling pity for her, Elder Longbrow kept consoling her.

Over time, affection grew between them.

They even ended up sharing a bed.

Just as they were about to take the final step, Elder Longbrow suddenly realised he was a man of the cloth, bound by vows he couldn’t break, and left abruptly.

Li Ru later went to Dragon Tiger Mountain multiple times to find him, but he refused to see her.

This became a secret Elder Longbrow buried deep in his heart.

He’d never spoken of it to anyone.

Elder Longbrow was puzzled, he’d clearly entered the Stone Array, so how had he ended up in Li Ru’s room?

Li Ru said softly, “Back then, I went to Dragon Tiger Mountain to find you, but you shut me out. So I found a cliff and jumped, intending to leave this world and make you regret it forever.”

“But after I leapt, a Taoist saved me.”

“That Taoist wore a purple-gold crown, carried a peachwood sword on his back, held a whisk, and was strikingly handsome—far more than you.”

“He also said we’d meet again someday.”

Elder Longbrow thought to himself, the Taoist Li Ru described sounded suspiciously like the Patriarch.

“What was that Taoist’s surname?” Elder Longbrow asked.

Li Ru replied, “He said his surname was Zhang, and Dragon Tiger Mountain was his domain.”

It was indeed the Patriarch!

Elder Longbrow’s heart jolted.

“But that’s not right, legend says the Patriarch ascended long ago, becoming an immortal in the heavens. How could he have saved Xiao Ru?”

“Could it be the Patriarch manifested his divine presence?”

“That must be it. With his boundless abilities, saving someone would be trivial for him.”

“It seems meeting Xiao Ru again is also the Patriarch’s doing.”

“What’s his purpose in this?”

Thinking this, Elder Longbrow asked Li Ru, “What else did that Taoist say to you?”

“He said years later, you’d go to Dalong Mountain to seek the Heavenly Master’s Sword, and then he told me where it is,” Li Ru said, looking at Elder Longbrow. “The Heavenly Master’s Sword isn’t at Dalong Mountain.”

What?

The Heavenly Master’s Sword wasn’t at Dalong Mountain?

Elder Longbrow was shocked and anxious, hurriedly asking, “Where is it?”

“You heartless man, don’t expect me to tell you, unless…” Li Ru looked at Elder Longbrow, suddenly turning shy, “unless you agree to one request.”

“What request?”

Li Ru stood, reaching to undo her buttons. The next second, her cheongsam fell to her feet.

In an instant, a flawless, graceful figure was revealed before Elder Longbrow’s eyes.

Miracle Doctor Chapter 597

Li Ru stood there completely bare, her face tinged with shyness, perfectly blending the charm of a mature woman with the bashfulness of a young girl, making it impossible to look away.

Her skin was as fair as snow, fragrant as jade.

A rare beauty!

Elder Longbrow swallowed hard.

Li Ru’s eyes locked onto Elder Longbrow, her voice tender as water, “In this life, I seek nothing else but one night of passion with you. If you agree to this request, I’ll tell you where the Heavenly Master’s Sword is.”

Elder Longbrow took a deep breath and said, “Xiao Ru, you should know I’m a man of the cloth. If I did that with you, it’d break my vows. Ask for something else instead!”

“I knew you’d say that.”

Li Ru shot Elder Longbrow a sidelong glance before continuing, “That Taoist left a pill and told me to give it to you.”

“Where’s the pill?” Elder Longbrow asked eagerly.

Li Ru turned around, bending down to rummage under the pillow.

Seizing the moment, Elder Longbrow stole a few glances at her body, swallowing hard again.

Li Ru retrieved a small, square wooden box from under the pillow, walked over, and handed it to Elder Longbrow.

Elder Longbrow opened the box, revealing a round, glistening pill inside, clearly something extraordinary.

“What kind of pill is this?” Elder Longbrow asked.

“The Bliss Pill,” Li Ru replied. “That Taoist said this pill can heal the backlash injury in your body.”

“Really?”

Elder Longbrow picked up the pill and sniffed it deeply.

Instantly, a rich fragrance flooded his senses, making him feel as if he were floating among the clouds, light and eup Gifted.

At the same time, the unclothed Li Ru danced gracefully before him, her smile enchanting, causing his heartbeat to quicken uncontrollably.

Gradually, Elder Longbrow’s eyes turned bloodshot, a primal urge boiling within him like water on the stove.

He swiftly shed his Taoist robe.

…

Ye Qiu and Shuisheng stood in place, watching Elder Longbrow’s every move.

After entering the array, Elder Longbrow took just two steps forward and then froze, standing still like a statue.

Twenty minutes passed.

Elder Longbrow still hadn’t moved.

Shuisheng grew worried, “Uncle Master won’t be in trouble, will he?”

“No need to worry. If he said he could break the array, he must have a way,” Ye Qiu replied, but just as he finished speaking, Elder Longbrow stirred.

What neither Ye Qiu nor Shuisheng expected was how bizarre his actions were. In a few quick motions, he stripped off his Taoist robe, leaving only a bright red pair of undergarments, then hugged one of the stone figures and began kissing it frantically.

Shuisheng’s face filled with horror, “Dr. Ye, Uncle Master—he’s gone mad!”

What’s happening?

Ye Qiu quietly pulled out his phone from his pocket and recorded Elder Longbrow’s antics.

…

“Come on, let’s have some fun~” Li Ru slithered toward Elder Longbrow like a water snake, wrapping herself around him.

Though Elder Longbrow was a Taoist, he was still a man.

What man could resist such temptation?

Elder Longbrow embraced Li Ru, kissing her while waging a fierce internal battle in his mind.

“No, I can’t do this, or I’ll break my vows.”

“But Xiao Ru’s being so forward. If I do nothing, am I even a man?”

“Besides, it seems the Patriarch foresaw this day. From what he told Xiao Ru, he shouldn’t blame me.”

“Just this once. After this, I’ll cut all ties with Xiao Ru for good.”

“No, wait—if the Patriarch foresaw this, he surely wouldn’t tolerate me breaking my vows. I am, after all, the leader of Dragon Tiger Mountain.”

Realising something, Elder Longbrow shoved Li Ru away, bit his tongue, and instantly regained his clarity.

“Longbrow, why are you doing this? Don’t you like me?”

Li Ru looked at him, pitiful and heart-wrenching, stirring sympathy in anyone who saw her.

Elder Longbrow sneered, “This is the Ten Thousand Great Mountains. Xiao Ru couldn’t possibly be here. You’re nothing but an illusion conjured by the Patriarch.”

“Longbrow, what are you saying? Open your eyes and look—I’m your Xiao Ru,” Li Ru said, her body swaying, waves of allure rippling forth, utterly captivating.

“A mere illusion won’t trap me.”

Elder Longbrow leapt into the air, bit the index and middle fingers of his right hand, and with them as a sword, began slashing wildly at the sky.

“Heaven is divine, Earth is divine, South Dipper on my left, Seven Stars on my right, defy me and perish, obey me and live, Nine Heavens’ Mysterious Thunder, hasten as decreed!”

As his words fell, two streaks of blood shot from his fingers, swirling in the air before forming a massive “Thunder” character.

“Five Thunder Orthodox Method!”

Li Ru’s face twisted in shock, pointing at Elder Longbrow and cursing, “Longbrow, you’re heartless! To think you’d use the Five Thunder Orthodox Method to kill me—I’ll haunt you even as a ghost!”

“You’re not Xiao Ru. The real Xiao Ru never saw the Five Thunder Orthodox Method.”

Boom!

Five thunderbolts, each as thick as a water barrel, crashed down from the five directions—east, south, west, north, and centre—striking Li Ru.

In an instant, Li Ru vanished without a trace.

Immediately after, the scene before Elder Longbrow shifted, and he found himself surrounded by the eighteen stone figures again.

Pale-faced, Elder Longbrow wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, shaken as he said, “Good thing my resolve held firm, or I’d have fallen to the Patriarch’s trick.”

“Uncle Master, Uncle Master…” Shuisheng’s voice called out.

Elder Longbrow turned to see Ye Qiu and Shuisheng standing where they’d been.

“Uncle Master, your clothes…”

Damn it, how’d I forget that?

Elder Longbrow’s face burned as he quickly picked up his robe and put it on, then strode out of the Stone Array in a few steps, shouting back to Ye Qiu and Shuisheng, “Be careful, this isn’t just a simple Stone Array. The Patriarch laced it with illusions.”

“To break it, remember four words.”

“Hold fast to your heart!”

Ye Qiu finally understood why Elder Longbrow had acted so strangely earlier—he’d been caught in an illusion.

“Dr. Ye, I’ll go break the array first,” Shuisheng said, then marched toward the eighteen stone figures, stepping into the array.

Instantly, his head spun.

Shuisheng felt a pang of fear and stopped, waiting a moment before taking another step forward.

The scene before him changed.

Snowflakes drifted from the sky, and by the riverbank, an infant sat in a washtub, smiling at him.

“Is this baby me?”

“Have I gone back twenty years?”

“No, Uncle Master said this is an illusion. I need to hold fast to my heart.” Shuisheng quickly shut his eyes and silently recited a calming mantra.

Ten minutes later.

Shuisheng opened his eyes to find himself standing among the eighteen stone figures. The earlier vision of the Wei River bank had vanished.

He hurriedly walked out of the array.

“Huh, how’d you get out so fast?” Elder Longbrow asked, astonished. “Didn’t you encounter an illusion?”

“I did, but I followed your advice, held fast to my heart, recited the calming mantra seven times, and walked out,” Shuisheng replied.

That works too?

Elder Longbrow cursed inwardly, Patriarch, you could’ve tricked anyone, why me? Making me strip like that!

“Uncle Master, Dr. Ye’s entered the array,” Shuisheng’s voice suddenly rang out.

Elder Longbrow looked up and sure enough, Ye Qiu had stepped into the Stone Array.

“Uncle Master, how long do you think it’ll take Dr. Ye to get out?” Shuisheng asked curiously.

“That little brat’s got too much baggage on his shoulders. It’ll probably take him an hour or two.”

Elder Longbrow shouted a reminder, “Little brat, you must hold fast to your heart! Don’t let your mind wander, or you’ll get trapped in the illusion and never escape.”

“The Patriarch’s illusions are formidable—I nearly fell for it. Be careful…”

Before he could finish, Elder Longbrow’s eyes widened in shock.

Ye Qiu had already emerged from the array.

Looking at the stunned Elder Longbrow, Ye Qiu smirked disdainfully, “The Heavenly Master’s illusion? That’s it?”

Miracle Doctor Chapter 598

“Little brat, you—how did you get out?”

Elder Longbrow asked in shock.

Ye Qiu replied, “I walked out with my feet, naturally. Didn’t you see?”

“You didn’t encounter an illusion?”

“No.”

In that instant, Elder Longbrow’s face turned extremely sour.

Patriarch, why are you targeting me?

I curse your immortal hide.

Elder Longbrow inwardly raged at Heavenly Master Zhang.

In the first trial, the poisonous miasma, Ye Qiu and Shuisheng passed effortlessly, while he had to use a life-saving talisman to get through.

In the second trial, the Soul-Devouring Ants, Ye Qiu and Shuisheng each scared them off with a single shout, while he was driven to a desperate escape using a teleportation technique, spitting blood and nearly dying in the process.

As for the third trial, he’d been ensnared in an illusion, not only stripping off his clothes but ultimately relying on the Five Thunder Orthodox Method to break free.

Now look at Ye Qiu and Shuisheng.

Shuisheng chanted a calming mantra seven times and strolled through the third trial with ease, while Ye Qiu didn’t even encounter an illusion.

How could Elder Longbrow not be furious?

“Damn it, I suspect the Patriarch is targeting me,” Elder Longbrow grumbled aloud.

Ye Qiu laughed, “Old man, be confident—drop the ‘suspect’ part.”

“What, even you’re mocking me?” Elder Longbrow clenched his fists, ready to strike, but remembering Ye Qiu’s innate true qi and knowing he was no match, he unclenched them and instead slapped Shuisheng on the forehead.

“Uncle Master, why’d you hit me?” Shuisheng complained.

Elder Longbrow snapped, “Do I need a reason to hit you? I hit when I want.”

You little punk, I might not dare touch Ye Qiu, but you think I won’t dare touch you?

Shuisheng’s face instantly filled with grievance.

Ye Qiu put away his smile and said, “Old man, to be honest, after these three trials, I’ve figured it out. Heavenly Master Zhang isn’t targeting you—he’s tempering you.”

“Tempering me?” Elder Longbrow sneered, “I’m about to die, what’s there to temper? Is he trying to grind me into ashes?”

Ye Qiu said, “Mencius once said, ‘When heaven bestows a great task on a person, it first tests their will, exhausts their body, starves their flesh…’ I think Heavenly Master Zhang had the same intention.”

“Enough, little brat, stop trying to console me. Let’s hurry up and find the Heavenly Master’s Sword… Patriarch, I curse you to clean toilets in the heavenly court,” Elder Longbrow muttered, still fuming.

“Uncle Master, does the heavenly court have toilets?” Shuisheng asked.

Elder Longbrow: “…”

The trio set off again, heading toward Dalong Mountain.

At this point, they were just two hundred metres away.

As they walked, Elder Longbrow asked, “Shuisheng, when I was caught in the illusion, did I do anything strange?”

“Yes, Uncle Master, you took off your clothes…”

“Shut up!” Elder Longbrow barked, “I’ll ask you again—did I do anything strange? Shuisheng, think carefully before you answer.”

Shuisheng, honest as ever, said, “Uncle Master, you not only took off your clothes but also hugged a stone figure and kissed it.”

Elder Longbrow exploded, “Nonsense! Stop slandering me!”

“I’m not slandering you. If you don’t believe me, ask Dr. Ye—he saw it too.”

“Little brat, did you see it?” Elder Longbrow glared at Ye Qiu, his eyes carrying a heavy warning.

Ye Qiu shook his head, “I didn’t see anything.”

“Shuisheng, you hear that? Ye Qiu saw nothing, and you’re still slandering me?”

“Uncle Master, I’m not slandering you. You were kissing that stone figure like it was a woman…”

Thwack!

Elder Longbrow smacked Shuisheng on the head, roaring, “Tell me you saw nothing!”

“No, I saw it.”

Slap!

Elder Longbrow slapped Shuisheng’s bald head again, shouting, “I’ll give you one more chance to rephrase—you saw nothing.”

“Uncle Master, I saw it, I saw everything,” Shuisheng said earnestly, “I’m telling the truth, why won’t you believe me?”

“You idiot, you’re going to drive me mad!” Elder Longbrow stormed off, sleeves flapping.

Shuisheng, baffled, asked, “Dr. Ye, what’s wrong with Uncle Master?”

Ye Qiu chuckled, “Ignore him, he’s got a screw loose.”

“Yeah, I think Uncle Master’s sick too, and not lightly. Dr. Ye, can you cure him?”

Ye Qiu: “…”

The two-hundred-metre distance passed quickly.

Dalong Mountain loomed about a hundred zhang high, like a colossal sword piercing the sky, its aura awe-inspiring.

The mountain itself was barren, but its base was lush with grass and trees.

Where could the Heavenly Master’s Sword be?

Ye Qiu’s gaze swept around, landing on a patch of grass, and his heart jolted.

“Old man, look over there—what’s that?”

Elder Longbrow followed Ye Qiu’s pointing finger, and the next second, he dashed over.

“A hundred-year-old wild ginseng!”

“A hundred-year-old gastrodia!”

“A hundred-year-old fleeceflower root!”

“A hundred-year-old codonopsis!”

“A hundred-year-old dendrobium!”

Elder Longbrow spotted over a dozen precious herbs, all over a century old, in one glance.

“Huh?”

Elder Longbrow let out a surprised sound, his eyes locking onto something beneath a rock, burning with excitement.

Ye Qiu walked over, his face showing shock as well.

A three-hundred-year-old lingzhi!

Beneath the rock grew a massive lingzhi, a metre wide, weighing at least twenty or thirty jin by the look of it.

“I knew it—a land of true dragons must hold treasures,” Elder Longbrow said, lunging for the lingzhi.

“Stop!”

Ye Qiu swiftly grabbed Elder Longbrow’s shoulder.

“Little brat, what are you doing? I saw this lingzhi first, you’re not stealing it from me!”

Elder Longbrow shook off Ye Qiu’s hand and lunged again.

Thud!

Ye Qiu kicked Elder Longbrow away.

“Ye Qiu, what’s your problem?” Elder Longbrow snapped, “Don’t think I won’t fight you just because I don’t want to bully the young.”

Ye Qiu said coldly, “If you want to die, I won’t stop you.”

Elder Longbrow froze, “What do you mean?”

Ye Qiu explained, “This lingzhi, along with the other hundred-year-old herbs, died long ago. Their medicinal properties are gone, and not only that, they’re full of deadly poison.”

“Poison? No way, they look perfectly healthy,” Elder Longbrow said, incredulous.

Ye Qiu unleashed a sword qi, slicing the lingzhi at its root.

Soon, Elder Longbrow saw black liquid oozing from the lingzhi’s base, foul-smelling and corrosive, hissing and smoking like sulfuric acid.

“What—how could this be?”

Elder Longbrow was stunned.

“It’s likely the soil,” Ye Qiu said, then fired another sword qi, blasting a pit into the grass.

To their surprise, the soil was pitch-black, exuding an eerie, sinister vibe.

Elder Longbrow’s face changed drastically.

“Damn it, the land of true dragons has turned into a place of great peril.”

Miracle Doctor Chapter 599

A place of great peril?

Hearing Elder Longbrow’s words, Ye Qiu raised an eyebrow, realising that more trouble might lie ahead.

Shuisheng, somewhat confused, asked, “Uncle Master, didn’t you say this was a land of true dragons? How did it become a place of great peril?”

Elder Longbrow’s expression grew solemn as he replied, “A land of true dragons is an extraordinary configuration. Under normal circumstances, this place should be rich in qi and teeming with vitality—a rare and supreme feng shui treasure.”

“The only reason it’s turned out like this is one thing.”

“Someone has already claimed this land of true dragons.”

“Claimed it?” Shuisheng grew even more puzzled. “What do you mean?”

Elder Longbrow explained, “To put it simply, someone has already been buried here.”

Shuisheng’s face twisted into a grimace as he muttered, “I was planning to bury you here, Uncle Master. Looks like Dragon Tiger Mountain won’t be producing a true dragon emperor now.”

Thwack!

Elder Longbrow smacked Shuisheng on the forehead, snapping irritably, “I’m not dead yet, and you’re already planning my burial?”

Shuisheng mumbled aggrievedly, “You’re not dead, but it’s not far off.”

“Say one more word, and I’ll rip your mouth apart.”

Elder Longbrow glared fiercely at Shuisheng, then sighed, “Since ancient times, the blessed reside in blessed lands, and blessed lands await the blessed.”

“A place like Dalong Mountain, a land of true dragons, can only be claimed by someone with profound fortune.”

“If someone with shallow fortune is buried here, the land of true dragons turns into a place of great peril, and problems arise.”

Shuisheng asked, “Uncle Master, what kind of problems?”

Elder Longbrow ignored him and continued, “When I was seventeen, I followed my master down the mountain. We passed through a village where something strange happened.”

“In that village, a wealthy family had an elder pass away. They hired a feng shui master to find a treasure spot and buried the elder there. From then on, strange things started happening.”

“Villagers would occasionally hear someone calling their names in the dead of night. If anyone answered, they’d die inexplicably within days.”

“By the time my master and I arrived, four people had already died, and the village was in a panic.”

“The village head learned my master was the leader of Dragon Tiger Mountain and begged him to intervene.”

“My master took me around the village, and we ended up at that grave.”

“That night, my master had the village head gather everyone at the graveyard. At midnight, strange noises came from the tomb—groaning and whimpering, like someone enduring extreme torment.”

“A little later, the grave started calling out villagers’ names.”

“I was there and heard it clear as day.”

“A few timid villagers fainted from fright on the spot.”

“Under my master’s direction, we dug up the wealthy family’s elder’s grave. Guess what we found?”

Elder Longbrow paused deliberately, building suspense.

“Was the person inside still alive?” Shuisheng asked.

“Nonsense,” Elder Longbrow said, “Buried for half a month—even a living person would be long dead.”

Ye Qiu asked, “A corpse transformation?”

“Sharp as ever,” Elder Longbrow nodded. “Exactly, it was a corpse transformation.”

“When we opened the grave and the coffin, the elder from that wealthy family had a rosy complexion, not at all like a dead person.”

“Not only that, his hair had turned red, like fire. If he weren’t lying in a coffin, anyone would’ve thought he was alive.”

“Even I was stunned, let alone the villagers.”

“What happened next?” Shuisheng asked eagerly.

“Later, my master burned the corpse with tung oil,” Elder Longbrow said. “As it burned, the corpse let out agonised cries that sent chills down your spine.”

“Good thing my master was there, or in a few more days, that corpse would’ve turned into a real zombie.”

“After it was burned, the village settled down.”

“It wasn’t until we left that my master explained the strange events were due to the feng shui treasure spot.”

“Whether it’s a living residence or a burial site, a feng shui treasure spot can only be occupied by someone with deep fortune. Otherwise, it becomes a perilous place.”

“For those with insufficient fortune, even if they claim a treasure spot, their descendants won’t enjoy the blessings. At best, they’ll live in poverty; at worst, their family will collapse.”

Elder Longbrow glanced up at Dalong Mountain and said, “Dalong Mountain is a land of true dragons. Burial here should produce a true dragon emperor among descendants. But if the fortune isn’t enough, it becomes a perilous place—not just any peril, but an absolute one.”

Shuisheng asked again, “Uncle Master, will it be dangerous here?”

“Of course!” Elder Longbrow shot Shuisheng a glare, then added, “But no need to worry too much. Since the Patriarch came here, he must’ve made arrangements.”

“Such a shame about these hundred-year-old herbs—all ruined.”

“Especially this three-hundred-year lingzhi—what a damn pity.”

Elder Longbrow’s heart ached.

“Uncle Master, let’s not waste time—hurry and find the Heavenly Master’s Sword!” Shuisheng urged.

Ye Qiu also asked, “Old man, you said the sword’s here. Can you pinpoint its location?”

“Don’t worry, I’ve got a trick up my sleeve.”

Elder Longbrow pulled an ancient golden compass from his sleeve.

“Uncle Master, you’re using the Secret Art of Heaven’s Will again?” Shuisheng said hurriedly. “That’ll drain your vitality.”

“No matter. If it means finding the Heavenly Master’s Sword, any price is worth it. Besides, I don’t have much time left.”

Elder Longbrow sat cross-legged and began chanting:

“When chaos first split, five directions stood, heaven and earth, sun and moon wove the three bonds. The myriad stars aligned the cosmos, heaven clear, earth murky, balancing yin and yang. Wind, rain, thunder, and lightning all need qi; mountains rise, waters stretch, guided by good means. Qian heaven, Kun earth, high and low divided, set in order or against the norm. Four seasons, eight festivals split day and night, nine palaces, eight trigrams link the celestial gang. Five elements twist through a thousand turns, true dragon, enter my compass of fate!”

Elder Longbrow bit his finger, squeezing out a drop of blood onto the compass.

“Buzz!”

The golden compass suddenly glowed with brilliant light, its needle trembling rapidly before pointing southeast.

“Found it.”

No sooner had Elder Longbrow spoken than his face paled, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.

“Old man, you alright?” Ye Qiu asked urgently.

“I’m fine, let’s go.” Elder Longbrow picked up the compass and led Ye Qiu and Shuisheng to the southeast side of Dalong Mountain.

Looking up, they faced a smooth stone wall.

Elder Longbrow pointed at it and said, “Little brat, find a way to break this wall open.”

Ye Qiu stepped forward, channelled the Nine Revolutions Dragon Technique, and smashed his fist into the wall.

“Boom!”

The stone wall shattered, revealing a dark cave.

Miracle Doctor Chapter 600

Ye Qiu stared at the dark cave for a moment, an inexplicable sense of unease stirring in his chest.

“Let’s go in—everyone, stay cautious.”

Elder Longbrow spoke, then started toward the cave.

“I’ll take the lead,” Ye Qiu said, drawing the Emperor Sword Chixiao and gripping it tightly as he stepped up to the cave entrance.

Inside, it was pitch black, a void where no hand could be seen in front of one’s face, utterly silent and lifeless.

Ye Qiu proceeded carefully, shining a flashlight around to check for danger before taking his first step inside.

Instantly, the temperature plummeted, sending a chill across his skin.

Ye Qiu led the way, with Elder Longbrow and Shuisheng following behind, the trio advancing slowly through the cave.

After about ten minutes, the ground beneath their feet grew softer.

At first, Ye Qiu didn’t pay much attention, but as the yin energy thickened, he slowed his pace.

Crunch!

Suddenly, a sharp sound came from underfoot.

Ye Qiu stopped immediately, shining his flashlight downward, and saw a skull staring back at him.

Sweeping the light across the nearby ground, he was startled to find it covered in a thick layer of white ash.

Ye Qiu crouched, scooped up a handful of the ash, and sniffed it.

The next second, his face twisted in shock.

“Little brat, what are you doing?” Elder Longbrow’s voice came from behind.

Ye Qiu turned, extending his hand toward Elder Longbrow and opening his palm.

“What’s this? Lime?” Elder Longbrow asked, puzzled.

Ye Qiu shook his head, his voice grave, “Bone ash!”

“Holy—!”

Elder Longbrow let out a startled yelp, shining his flashlight on the ground. The bone ash was at least a foot thick.

“How many people had to die to leave behind such a thick layer of ash?” Elder Longbrow’s face was full of astonishment.

“I’ve got a bad feeling about this place. Stay sharp—we can’t afford to mess up at the last step,” Ye Qiu warned.

“Mm.”

The trio pressed on.

After a while, the bone ash gave way to countless scattered skeletons.

Hundreds, at least.

They littered the ground.

Not one was intact—some missing arms, others legs, and a few without heads…

It was clear these people had died gruesome deaths.

Among them were several whose waists had been severed by a sharp blade, reminiscent of the legendary punishment of being cut in half.

Hiss!

Elder Longbrow sucked in a cold breath, “This place looks like a mass grave.”

Ye Qiu said, “Let’s not worry about that for now—keep moving.”

“Wait,” Elder Longbrow called out, stopping Ye Qiu. He then bowed respectfully to the skeletons on the ground, saying, “Infinite Heavenly Venerable! This poor Taoist passes through here today and disturbs you all. My apologies, please forgive me!”

Shuisheng chuckled, “Uncle Master, what’s the point of bowing to these bones? They can’t understand you.”

“Do you even know what ‘respect for the dead’ means?”

Elder Longbrow glared at Shuisheng, “No matter who they were or what status they held in life, today we’re walking over their remains. Shouldn’t we show them some respect?”

“Besides, some things are better believed than dismissed.”

Just as Elder Longbrow finished speaking, a gust of yin wind swept through.

“Wooo—”

The eerie wind howled, and the skeletons rattled with strange noises, as if responding to his words.

Shuisheng shrank back, falling silent.

Ye Qiu continued forward. Perhaps because the bones were so ancient, they turned to dust with the lightest step.

Ten minutes later.

“Clank, clank…”

Suddenly, the sound of iron chains echoed from ahead, accompanied by a heavy wave of yin energy.

“Little brat, we’re probably nearing the cave’s end. Be careful,” Elder Longbrow warned again.

Ye Qiu nodded slightly, tightening his grip on the Emperor Sword.

After another hundred metres or so, the trio finally emerged from the dark cave.

Light flooded their vision.

They now stood in a massive stone chamber, its walls carved with numerous square niches, each holding an ever-burning lamp.

One, two, three, four…

Ninety-nine in total!

“Clank, clank…”

The sound of rattling chains came from above.

The three looked up, their faces paling.

Three zhang above them hung a pitch-black coffin.

It was more than twice the size of an ordinary coffin, suspended by four iron chains anchored to its corners, the other ends embedded in the stone walls.

It dangled silently in the air!

As the yin wind blew, the chains swayed slightly, producing the chilling “clank, clank” sound that sent shivers down their spines.

“Uncle Master, where’s the Heavenly Master’s Sword?” Shuisheng asked.

“It should be here. Search around,” Elder Longbrow instructed, “Don’t touch anything carelessly. Once we find the sword, we leave immediately.”

“Mm,” Shuisheng nodded, trailing behind Ye Qiu as they began their search.

Elder Longbrow glanced up at the suspended coffin, unease gnawing at him.

A moment later.

“Old man, come look at this,” Ye Qiu called.

Elder Longbrow hurried over to Ye Qiu’s side, asking, “What’d you find?”

“Look there.”

Ye Qiu pointed at the stone wall.

Elder Longbrow looked up and saw a carved figure on the wall—a Taoist in robes, holding a whisk, wearing a purple-gold crown, and carrying a peachwood sword on his back, exuding an air of celestial grace.

“It’s the Patriarch’s portrait.”

Elder Longbrow pointed at Heavenly Master Zhang’s image and erupted, “Damn your grandmother, all you know is how to screw with me!”

“What else are you good for besides messing with me?”

“Don’t think I’m scared of you just because you ascended to immortality. You’re so great, huh? Bet you didn’t expect I’d slap you one day!”

Elder Longbrow stepped forward and smacked the portrait.

“Crack!”

A corner of the image broke off, revealing a line of text in Elder Longbrow’s view.

“Longbrow, as a descendant, you dare disrespect this Heavenly Master. Are you trying to betray your master and destroy your lineage?”

Thud!

Elder Longbrow dropped to his knees in terror, kowtowing frantically to the portrait while pleading, “Sorry, Patriarch! It’s Longbrow’s insolence—please forgive me!”

Crack!

The entire portrait shattered, revealing four more characters.

“The sword is in the coffin!”

The Heavenly Master’s Sword was inside the coffin?

Elder Longbrow leapt up, staring at the suspended coffin and said, “Little brat, cut the chains—I’m getting that sword.”

Ye Qiu suggested, “Why don’t I just lift the lid and grab the sword for you?”

“Right, why didn’t I think of that?” Elder Longbrow grinned, “Little brat, thanks for the trouble.”

Clang!

Just then, the airborne coffin jolted violently, as if some terrifying entity within had awakened.