Chapter 246: Li Yi’s Invitation

Medicine Elder observed Zhu Yanyi’s expression. He remained silent and asked Gu Jingtian, "What is your assessment after taking the pulse?"

"The vitality is slowly wearing away. It seems something is devouring Old Madam Ouyang’s life force. I felt intermittent signals in her pulse, suggesting a creature not native to her body is growing within." Gu Jingtian stated her judgment.

Zhu Yanyi admired Gu Jingtian’s medical skills. As Medicine Elder’s eldest disciple, he was truly impressive. She possessed special abilities that allowed her to see inside a person’s body clearly, but Gu Jingtian reached such a conclusion solely through pulse diagnosis. He was indeed worthy of being the senior brother.

Medicine Elder nodded, saying nothing else. He looked at Zhu Yanyi. "Where is Ani?"

She had been treating this old lady all along, so she knew the situation well. However, she had been unable to find a solution. She had brought Zhu Yanyi along to try her luck, as she had learned things she did not know, such as internal formations. But what did it matter? She was her disciple. If she was strong, she was happy.

Zhu Yanyi pondered for a moment. "Did the old lady ever visit the Miao-Gui border region?"

This was the first time she had seen such a case. Zhu Yanyi hoped it was just an accident, not a conspiracy.

"Yes. My mother worked as a geological surveyor in her early years. To better understand our country’s geography, she went deep into the Miao-Gui region many times." The middle-aged woman beside them looked surprised. "How did you know?"

Zhu Yanyi glanced at the middle-aged woman but did not answer directly. She organized her thoughts before speaking. "Have you heard a story like this? Once, there was a man who loved traveling. She went everywhere, from Jiangnan to the frontier, deserts to cloud borders. Wherever there were unique customs or scenery, she went. After visiting one place, she fell ill. She felt thirsty every day, but hospitals found nothing wrong. Eventually, it was ignored, but her body grew weaker. One day, she met a good friend, an ethnic minority from Miao-Gui. The friend looked at her and asked, 'Did you visit a mysterious village in Miao-Gui?' The man asked in surprise, 'How do you know?' The friend told her, 'I see you have a Fire Gu in your body. Fortunately, it is not mature yet. Now you are just thirsty. If it reaches the late stage, you will burn to death.' Later, with her friend’s help, she removed the Gu worm and recovered her health."

"What do you mean by this story?" The middle-aged woman was not stupid. Since Zhu Yanyi told this story, there must be a reason.

Zhu Yanyi looked at the middle-aged woman. "If my diagnosis is correct, the old lady has been infected by a Gu worm called the Breath-Sucking Gu from the Miao-Gui region. This Gu worm does not harm people when it is an adult. Even if you catch it, it is like a silkworm. But if someone accidentally drinks water containing its eggs, they are in trouble. This Gu worm survives on vitality. Outside, it has leaves and insects for food. But once the eggs settle in a human body, it can only survive by absorbing various elements from the host. So, the person’s vitality is slowly sucked away, leading to death. When the person dies, it emerges through the seven orifices, still living stubbornly."