Chapter 185 Nether Essence Soul Poison
Arthur stood before Cora and Aixen, his expression a mixture of concern and determination.
He wasted no time in addressing the matter at hand.
"What can you tell me about her condition?" Arthur inquired, his gaze locked on Cora, who was the expert Alchemist.
Cora's brow furrowed as she considered the information she had at her disposal. "Prince, I cannot directly sense her condition since my soul is currently weaker than yours. However, based on your observations and what you've described, there are a few possibilities."
She began listing potential causes, her fingers forming a mental checklist as she spoke. "Soul poisoning, soul injury, or even soul corrosion could be at play here. These are all effects commonly known in the cultivation world. But without directly examining her, it's difficult to ascertain the exact cause."
Arthur nodded, absorbing her insights. The mention of 'soul poisoning' piqued his interest, but he waited for Aixen's analysis before drawing any conclusions.
Aixen, his eyes shimmering with a serene but intense power, closed them for a moment as if delving deep into the Empress's soul.
The room was filled with an air of anticipation as they awaited his findings.
When Aixen finally spoke, his voice was laced with a hint of shock. "Prince Arthur, it seems that the Empress's condition is a result of the Nether Essence Soul Poison."
Arthur's eyes narrowed as he absorbed the unfamiliar term. "Nether Essence Soul Poison? Explain."
He had no memories of such a thing and this made him sigh in his heart, 'Another reason to focus on the Nine heavens Soul Technique for now.'
Aixen took a deep breath, his gaze steady. "This type of soul poison is the result of exposure to Nether Essence, a substance found exclusively in the Nether Realm, also known as the underworld."
His words shocked Cora greatly, "What?! How can she encounter something like that in the small realm."
"I don't know," Aixen shook his head and looked at Arthur who had a thoughtful expression on his face.
The gravity of Aixen's words hung heavy in the room. The Nether Realm, the domain of departed souls, was a realm shrouded in mystique and dread.
It was where souls went to be reincarnated or to face judgment, their ultimate fate determined by the balance of their deeds in life.
Arthur's mind raced as he processed this revelation. The Nether Realm was a place of otherworldly significance, and the implications of its influence on the Empress's condition were profound.
He turned to Aixen, determination blazing in his eyes. "Right now it doesn't matter how she got poisoned, we can investigate that later. For now we need to find a way to counteract this Nether Essence Soul Poison. Mother's life is at stake, and we cannot afford to delay."
Arthur, Cora, and Aixen gathered around, their minds racing as they speculated about the potential causes of the Empress's condition.
The gravity of the situation weighed on them as they searched for a solution.
"What can we do to counteract this Nether Essence Soul Poison?" Arthur's voice held a sense of urgency as he turned to Cora, his eyes unwavering.
Cora, though an accomplished alchemist, hesitated for a moment before responding. "Prince Arthur, even at the peak of my abilities, I could, at best, eliminate around 20% of such a potent poison. However, given my current weakened state, I can only do little more than suppress its effects temporarily."
She went on to describe the ingredients required to craft an antidote, her slender fingers outlining an intricate series of symbols and formulas in the air.
All the components were available except for one, a rare and elusive substance known as Nether Soul Grass.
Arthur absorbed this information, his mind already racing to formulate a plan.
At this time, it was then that Aixen, the custodian of the Nine Heavens Palace, interjected with a few words that seemed to breathe hope into the dire situation.
"I have Nether Soul Grass," Aixen announced calmly, his eyes meeting Arthur's with smile laced on his face. He was happy to be of help to his Master.
Relief washed over Arthur's features as he processed the words. "You have it? That's incredible news."
Without hesitation, Arthur turned to Cora. "Prepare the antidote immediately, Cora. Time is of the essence."
Cora nodded, as she could sense Arthur's attachment to the Empress. "I will gather the ingredients and commence preparations right away."
'Though I wonder if she is the one who really gave birth to this monster,' she thought.
As Cora set about her task, Arthur made a decision.
He chose not to inform the Emperor of their findings and the impending solution for now.
He wished to present the antidote as a surprise, one that would hopefully bring joy and relief to the Emperor during these times.
Aixen and Cora returned to the inner worlds and Arthur was left alone with the Empress in the room.
The Emperor returned to the chamber, his eyes reflecting a mixture of hope and trepidation.
He cast an expectant gaze upon Arthur, the air around them thick with anticipation.
"Son," the Emperor inquired, his voice tinged with a hint of desperation. "Have you found a way?"
Arthur shook his head slightly and didn't reveal the full extent of his knowledge just yet and this caused the expression of the emperor to appear dejected.
The Emperor was always calm and collected but when it came to his wife's condition his hardened heart couldn't help but turn soft.
His wife Alfina had been with him since a very young age and played a great role in his ascent as the Emperor of the Hartfield Empire.
As Markus recalled these memories he sighed in sorrow and said, "It's okay... we'll find a way eventually."
Arthur frowned in thought. Although he had discovered a potential solution, but he needed more time to give his Father a pleasant surprise.
With a sense of urgency, he replied, "Father, I've made some progress, but I require three more days to be certain. I will do everything within my power to find a way to help Mother."
The Emperor, though visibly relieved by Arthur's words, still bore the weight of concern on his aging features. He nodded, his trust in his son unwavering. "Take the time you need, Arthur. Do whatever it takes."
Two days passed in anxious anticipation, both within the palace and within Arthur's inner circle. During this time, Cora diligently labored to refine the antidote – the Soul Rejuvenation Pill.
This was a remarkable Peak Grade Rank 9 Pill held the potential to save the Empress from her wretched condition.
There was no Rank Nine Alchemist in all of the Southern Continent.
If news of such a pill spreads it would inevitably cause a great storm.
When Cora successfully completed the pill, she approached Arthur with a series of delicately crafted pill bottles, each containing ten Soul Rejuvenation Pills.
Her explanation was thorough, emphasizing that exceeding the prescribed dosage would render the pill ineffective.
The Empress could expect to regain consciousness within a day after ingesting the pill, but she would remain paralyzed and exceedingly weak. Gradual recovery would follow, allowing her to regain basic motor functions.
Arthur, armed with the precious pills and knowledge of their use, wasted no time. He hurried to the chamber where the Empress lay, seeking to administer the antidote and end her prolonged suffering.
As he entered the chamber, he turned to the invisible guards present, hidden from the naked eye, "Leave us," he commanded, his voice firm yet compassionate.
The guards hesitated briefly before they vanished from sight, respecting Arthur's request.
Cora had provided Arthur with precise instructions on how to administer the Soul Rejuvenation Pill.
He carefully placed the pill on the Empress's lips, his fingers trembling ever so slightly as he did so.
'There a few things I care about, and this family is one of them.'
In a matter of moments, the pill dissolved, disappearing into the Empress's fragile form. A tense silence filled the chamber as they waited for the pill to take effect.
Suddenly, the room was filled with a chilling presence as two transparent black wisps, like ethereal serpents, slithered from the Empress's brows. Her features tensed, and a soft moan escaped her lips. Slowly, her eyelids fluttered open.
The sight of her regaining consciousness after years of unconsciousness made Arthur smile widely in happiness.
She blinked at Arthur, her gaze filled with momentary confusion. Her son had grown and matured in her absence.
"Arty?" Her voice wavered as she tried to speak, her strength still returning to her.
At that very moment, the Emperor, drawn by the commotion, entered the chamber.
His eyes locked onto the woman before him, and his entire world seemed to freeze. He gasped, his voice shaking with disbelief as he uttered a name from the depths of his memory.
"Alfina?"
He couldn't believe what he was seeing and stood still in a walking position which looked almost comical to Arthur, but he didn't laugh as he could understand the Emperor's emotions.
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