Book 3: Chapter 317: Flickering Dawn Flames

Late at night, rows of braziers burned across the front courtyard, their flames illuminating the broad grassy grounds. On the central path, physicians gathered in clusters, listening to reports relayed by their companions before turning their gazes toward the brightly lit building not far away.

Within, several masters surrounded the center, watching as Sylutia used the Blood Copper Tincture to treat the infected patient lying there.

Unlike the woman she had saved during the day, whose plague virus had already been suppressed to 2%, this treatment aimed to verify whether the Blood Copper Tincture could eliminate that final 2%, achieving a complete cure for the infected.

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The crowd watched as the young woman skillfully diluted the tincture, then injected it into the infected patient, followed by a period of observation and using the wristband to draw out the metallic complex precipitates from the blood.

Gradually, as the blood vessels beneath the wristband grew visibly darker, Sylutia withdrew the needle and bled the patient, releasing the congealed murky black blood until the flowing blood turned red once more before she stopped the bleeding.

"Let's run a test now," one of the masters standing by decided to check the results.

Ten minutes later, after various methods of testing and assessment, the plague virus within the infected patient had been suppressed to below 1%. Those who saw the results couldn't help but hold their breath, restraining the excitement surging within them.

But everyone knew this was no time to celebrate. This was still merely a sliver of light glimpsed before dawn.

Sylutia then proceeded with a second round of injection and extraction. When it concluded, another hour had passed.

Soon, the test results came back. The plague virus had now been suppressed to 0.4%. The crowd could barely conceal the joy spreading across their faces, a thrill they could scarcely put into words.

No, this still wasn't the moment to get excited. They had to keep calm and await the final outcome.

Then came another long, tense hour. The waiting was agonizing, making sleep impossible. Though it was already deep in the dead of night, everyone on site remained utterly focused, unwilling to miss the slightest detail.

After the tense examination of the infected patient's condition concluded, everyone suppressed their impatience and waited for the results.

"The plague virus has now been suppressed to below 0.1%, and some detection methods can no longer distinguish him from a normal person."

"Does that mean he's cured, Master Guan?" someone asked eagerly.

"I can't say that just yet. We still need to observe him for several days, and during that time, it would be best to administer one more round of treatment." The master's words were somewhat deflating, yet the physicians present all understood he was right. It was simply that everyone desperately needed some concrete hope and success to shatter the despair that had been piling up before now.

Even though the final verdict would still take days, from tonight—or perhaps from this very moment—many people's eyes toward Sylutia had changed.

It was a complex look, blending envy, admiration, and an indescribable shock and awe, as if their minds couldn't quite process the result.

So many top-tier physicians had researched this for so long, yet it was a half-trained gardener and apothecary who had solved such a formidable problem.

There was no helping it—people's perceptions didn't shift overnight. Fortunately, in the months and even years ahead, they would continue to be struck by what this young woman brought, until every shred of doubt and suspicion in their hearts was washed clean.

Three days later, after several rounds of treatment, the infected patient showed no trace of the plague virus under any detection method. The uncontrolled flesh growth within his body had completely ceased, returning to a normal, stable state.

A week later, the assembled masters finally fully acknowledged the efficacy of the Blood Copper Tincture and convened all physicians and apothecaries to study and discuss how to improve and mass-produce the tincture.

The goals were to enhance its effectiveness, reduce side effects, simplify the production process, and source cheaper, more readily available materials.

After another month and a half of repeated experimentation, the final version of the Blood Copper Tincture was completed. Its potency was 60% weaker than what Sylutia had originally refined, the number of steps required for extraction had been reduced from the initial 39 to 31, and the "Blood Crystal" needed as material had dropped from Eighth Tier to Seventh Tier.

Previously, the formula and samples of that tincture had been brought before the Alliance Council for presentation. A substantial budget was approved afterward, and arrangements were made for Apothecary Guilds in various regions to organize production, with the Alliance purchasing at appropriate prices.

By this time, because Worze District was where the tincture had first been discovered, the experimental version of the Blood Copper Tincture produced by physicians over the past month had already treated the local infected patients one after another, dramatically improving the situation.

...

"Finally, I can rest a bit."

In her room, Sylutia gazed at the densely packed experimental reports and notebooks filled with writing spread across the desk before her, feeling a mix of exhaustion and quiet satisfaction.

She looked out the window. The previously desolate streets now had a few scattered passersby. Though still somewhat bleak, the survivors no longer wore numb, pessimistic expressions—instead, faint smiles and glimmers of hope adorned their faces.

How wonderful. She gently closed her eyes, then lay back on the bed, spreading her arms wide to let herself relax as much as possible.

The next day, Sylutia requested a day off and went out for a stroll under her parasol. She first went to visit Abesha's children, and along the way, she ran into familiar faces like Jiaman.

"Miss Ya!" The adventurer snapped to attention the moment he saw Sylutia, his heels clicking together with a sharp pop.

Seeing this, the young woman lightly extended her wrist from her pristine white sleeve, signaling that such formality wasn't necessary. Her delicate, clear brow shifted subtly with her eyes as she gave him a slight nod.

"Mr. Jiaman, have any new infected appeared on the streets during this time?"

"None so far. And even if there were, with the current zone-based quarantine measures in place, it wouldn't spread. Once discovered, treatment would be administered promptly."

After a moment's thought, he continued.

"Everyone is deeply grateful to Miss Sylutia. Because of the tincture you developed, many people have survived."

"Hmm, but this is also the achievement of many others. Without everyone's cooperation, there's only so much I could have done."

Sylutia thought of every person she had come to know during this period. It wasn't just her—so many had worked tirelessly to overcome the plague. Just because she had succeeded didn't mean their efforts should be overlooked.

"Miss Ti Ya, you're too modest." He shook his head, then his eyes suddenly grew bright and fervent.

"In my heart, Miss Ti Ya is like a goddess, someone who saves the world. I believe it's not just me—many who have met you feel the same way, and none of us will forget what we've been through in this time."

Indeed, it wasn't only because this young woman had saved so many lives, but also because of the aura she carried—one that naturally put people at ease. As if the moment she appeared, all difficulties could be overcome, all despair could be redeemed, and nothing was frightening anymore.

Though some knew this was merely a psychological dependence and comfort, there was no denying that in the darkest, most oppressive of days, without even this sliver of hope and anticipation, it was hard to imagine how one could persevere without collapsing entirely.

People don't survive on objective material needs alone—they also require spiritual hope and an anchor. Otherwise, they become like a small boat lost at sea, gradually swallowed by the cold, surging tides.

The Proud Sun, representing the brilliant bloom of matter, and the Phantasmal Moon, representing the radiant light of spirit—together, they bestow life upon all things in this world.