This pendant was actually a small red cloth pouch, its opening tied shut with a red string.
Gold thread was woven through the pouch, forming a peculiar pattern.
"A couple of days ago, my grandfather was almost harmed by some bad people, so they gave me this amulet to wear, saying it would protect me," Luo Qiqi said.
Lin Fan sneered, "Wearing this thing, it's a miracle you'd stay safe!"
Hearing him curse, Luo Qiqi immediately became unhappy. "This was personally sought for me by my second uncle. Even if it doesn't work, it's the thought that counts. How can you curse it?"
"Your second uncle really dotes on you."
Lin Fan's smile grew colder.
Gao Lu sensed something was off with him and asked, "Xiao Fan, is there something wrong with this amulet?"
"This isn't an amulet at all, it's a slow-acting poison meant to kill," Lin Fan explained.
"What?!" Gao Lu exclaimed.
Luo Qiqi cried out, "Impossible! Why would my second uncle want to harm me?"
"You'll have to ask your dear second uncle about that. I'm absolutely certain," Lin Fan said, yanking the necklace from Luo Qiqi's neck.
Faint black mist coiled around it!
The pattern formed by the gold thread, at first glance, appeared chaotic, like the talismans on amulets from a Taoist temple. An untrained eye could not discern its true nature.
But Lin Fan possessed the "Zhi Heng Lü Dian" and recognized it instantly as a malevolent curse from the Wu sect!
He untied the pouch, and a strong wave of black mist rushed out, carrying a foul, fishy stench.
Both Gao Lu and Luo Qiqi covered their noses.
"Did your second uncle tell you never to open this pouch, no matter what?" Lin Fan asked, feigning ignorance.
Luo Qiqi nodded. "Uncle said the pouch contained an amulet blessed by a Taoist priest, and opening it would render it useless."
"Nonsense. The moment the pouch is opened, his scheme is revealed."
The black mist, with its overpowering stench, made Lin Fan gag, nearly expelling the oysters he had just eaten.
"What is this thing? It smells so bad!"
Gao Lu and Luo Qiqi recoiled, covering their noses.
Lin Fan poured the contents of the pouch out – the corpses of four Gu insects, all enshrouded in dense black mist.
"This is the Si Sha Gu Zhou, a 'Death Gu Curse'. Anyone exposed to it will suffer a fatal poisoning within three days, dying unnaturally."
"During this process, the black mist and poison are gradually inhaled into the body. Once the person dies, they vanish without a trace."
"Even a forensic examiner wouldn't be able to find any clues."
Luo Qiqi's face turned ashen. "How could this be… Why would my second uncle harm me? He's doted on me like his own daughter since I was little. How could he harm me?"
"This is of the same origin as the Shi Xin Gu that afflicted your grandfather. If I'm not mistaken, your grandfather's poisoning was also orchestrated by your second uncle," Lin Fan stated bluntly.
Luo Qiqi frowned, "Are you saying my second uncle is also trying to harm my grandfather?"
"It's so obvious you could figure it out with your backside; no need to ask," Lin Fan scoffed internally. This villain striking again was a good opportunity for him to drag the culprit out of the shadows.
"Could it be about the company heir?"
"It shouldn't be. Although Grandpa planned to give me the company, I'm not good at managing it and haven't agreed. Plus, I even told him my second uncle could manage it."
Luo Qiqi's mind was in turmoil; she couldn't bring herself to believe Lin Fan's speculation.
Gao Lu interjected, "Man's greed knows no bounds. In the face of profit, even angels can turn into demons."
Lin Fan glanced at her, realizing she was indeed qualified to utter such profound words.
"Then, then what should we do?"
Luo Qiqi began to panic. "If my second uncle realizes my amulet has been opened, he'll surely find other ways to harm me."
"How many days have you been wearing this?"
Lin Fan only knew that Luo Qiqi hadn't had this on when they were at Luofeng Mountain, so it must have been a recent addition.
"Today is the third day…"
As Luo Qiqi spoke, she suddenly spat out a mouthful of black blood.
Her face instantly turned as pale as paper, and she weakly began to collapse.
Gao Lu quickly caught her. "Qiqi, how are you?"
Luo Qiqi clutched her chest in pain. "Lulu jie, I feel so unwell. My chest is tight, I can't breathe, and my head is so foggy, I want to sleep…"
Lin Fan stepped forward. "This is bad. The toxins have severely invaded her body, and her organ functions are declining."
"Aren't you a divine doctor? Hurry and save her!"
Before Gao Lu could finish speaking, Lin Fan extended his sword fingers and pointed them at Luo Qiqi.
A stream of spiritual energy flowed into Luo Qiqi's body, rapidly repairing her internal organs.
Her complexion improved significantly, though still somewhat pale.
"The toxins in her body are potent. I can only temporarily suppress them. To eradicate them completely, a medicinal bath is required."
Lin Fan's heart felt heavy. While these toxins acted slowly, it also meant that by the time they were discovered, they had already permeated the entire body, making eradication incredibly difficult. Even with his extraordinary abilities, he would need to use spiritual energy daily for forty-nine days to achieve a full recovery.
"A medicinal bath? Does that mean I have to take off all my clothes and soak?"
Luo Qiqi's expression turned more bitter than if she had eaten yellow pods.
Lin Fan chuckled, "That's right. If you wear clothes, the medicinal effects won't be fully utilized."
"But, I'm a girl…"
Luo Qiqi hesitated.
"Oh Qiqi, at a time like this, are you still concerned about such things? Is your life more important or your modesty?"
"If all else fails, once you're cured, let Xiao Fan marry you. It's perfectly normal for your husband to see you completely."
Gao Lu earnestly persuaded her.
Lin Fan and Luo Qiqi were both stunned for a moment.
This…
Luo Qiqi shook her head, banishing all the chaotic thoughts.
Lin Fan had temporarily suppressed the toxins in her body, and her spirit had recovered considerably, giving her back some strength.
"What do we do next? If my second uncle finds out I'm still alive, won't his scheme be exposed?"
"Qiqi, go back home as if nothing has happened. If your second uncle notices anything amiss, he'll surely go question that sorcerer. The rest will be up to me."
Lin Fan finished, then injected another stream of spiritual energy into Luo Qiqi, restoring her to her optimal state. She wouldn't experience any abnormalities before nightfall.
"I, I'm scared."
Luo Qiqi was thoroughly panicked now.
"Xiao Fan, why don't you accompany Qiqi back? She's just a young girl, and I'm worried she won't be able to handle this situation alone," Gao Lu suggested.
Lin Fan considered it and nodded. "That's fine. You go back first then. We'll talk about the medical insurance machine another day."
"Be careful," Gao Lu cautioned, then turned and left.
Luo Qiqi's car was parked not far away – a fiery red Ferrari, its design striking and its engine powerful.
Vroom! Vroom! Vroom!
The rear engine roared like a beast as it sped away, leaving dust in its wake.