Apart from that, there were two people wearing the traditional attire of an ethnic minority inside, an old man and a young girl.
The old man donned plain traditional clothes, while the young girl's were a bit more vibrant, blue silk adorned with silver ornaments, combs, and hairpins. Though young, her aura was striking, her skin as white as snow; indeed, she was a beauty in the making.
"Tan Clan Patriarch, Lady Tan's curse is an insidious Bloodthirsty Spell from the Black Witch Clan. Initially, it will devour the body's True Qi, then start to consume the Blood Energy, and finally, the person will waste away to skin and bones, dying in agony," the elder said as he lifted his hand from Tan Yun's wrist and heaved a sigh.
The white-haired elder sitting in the main seat furrowed his brows and said, "Does that mean even Elder Liao is at a loss?"
"The spell can be undone, but it requires the fresh blood of the one who cast it, so..." Elder Liao sighed deeply.
If they could obtain the blood of the spellcaster, there would be no need for such desperation.
In the end, Elder Liao was unable to lift the curse on Tan Yun.
Upon hearing the elder's words, a trace of sorrow appeared on Tan Yun's pretty face, and she said with a forced smile, "Thank you, Elder Liao. My death isn't so much the issue; it's just pitiable for the child in my belly. It's the fruit of my union with Xiao Nai, doomed to die before even being born."
The crowd's faces were painted with bleakness. Suddenly, a middle-aged man spoke up: "Great Elder, it's just a treasure, isn't it? We can't just stand by and watch Xiao Yun die. Moreover, the Black Witch Clan is taking us too lightly by insulting us like this."
"That item is a legacy left by our ancestors for us to keep safe, how can we simply hand it over to outsiders? As for Xiao Yun's illness, we'll have to find another solution," the elder said in a commanding tone, making it clear there was no room for debate. This man was the Great Elder of the Tan Family, Tan Songtao.
The one speaking up for Tan Yun was her father, ranked third in the family hierarchy and an Intermediate Martial Emperor, so his status was not very high, and his words carried little weight.
While everyone was discussing, suddenly two men and a young girl entered through the doorway. One of them was Xiao Nai, and another was somewhat unfamiliar, a youth with a tall and straight figure.
As for the other girl, she was delicately pretty, her skin like white porcelain, generating instant fondness from those who saw her. Even that young girl, who considered herself not lacking in beauty, felt a tinge of envy upon seeing her. The girl was Yingzi.
"Great Elder, Dad, Xiao Yun," Xiao Nai walked in and called out.
Tan Xiang and Tan Yong were also in the crowd. Seeing Lin Mo arrive, they spoke up: "Great Elder, it was him who beat up Hou Jun yesterday. He's a master that big sister called over from Jiangzhou."
Tan Songtao frowned, having heard about the incident the day before. A so-called master should at least be around his age. As for the exceptionally talented, they should be middle-aged – how could it be a green youngster of seventeen or eighteen?
Xiao Nai took the initiative to introduce: "This is Mr. Lin from Jiangzhou, and this is his Maid. Mr. Lin says he has a way to save Xiao Yun."
Upon hearing Xiao Nai's words, skepticism, distrust, and even scorn flashed in the eyes of the gathered individuals.
"Even Elder Liao can't easily cure Xiao Yun, so what makes him think he can?" someone said with a sneer, carefully framing it so as not to offend Elder Liao's dignity, implying that he was actually unable to help.
Elder Liao was an influential figure of the White Witch Clan, the most renowned medical expert in curses for miles, across vast regions. When it came to curses, he claimed to be second to none.
"Indeed, Elder Liao is the Great Elder of the White Witch Clan and an expert in Insect Poison Magic. Can the divination of some newcomer from Jiangzhou really match up? Xiao Nai, surely you haven't been duped," a middle-aged woman said with a slight frown.
However, Elder Liao humbly replied, "On the vast land of Huaxia, great talents emerge in every era. We must not judge a person by their age. Young man, do you truly have a way to heal Lady Tan's curse?"
Lin Mo nodded slightly, yesterday he could actually break the spell, but to save the child, he needed a reliable method.
"Pfft, so young and already bragging, watch you don't twist your tongue," Liao Wen pursed her lips and said, in her heart, her grandfather was a Divine Doctor, and no one could surpass him.
Tan Songtao glanced at Xiao Nai and shook his head; although Xiao Nai was the son of a secretary, within a magic family, only true strength was recognized. Had it not been for the mutual resistance of considerable pressure between Xiao Nai and Tan Yun, the Tan Family would never have sought an ordinary person.
It is thus imaginable what Xiao Nai's status in the Tan Family was like. Now, claiming to have brought a master, he presents a mere kid; how could this be convincing?
"Xiao Nai, you're a grown man; how unreliable," someone couldn't help shaking their head.
Yet Xiao Nai, Tan Yun, and her father, Tan Ji Yong, all pinned their hopeful gazes on Lin Mo.
Lin Mo didn't speak and pulled Tan Yun up, then swiftly cut her arm, causing blood to seep out of the wound. He then handed her a Spirit Yellow Pill and instructed her to swallow it.
"What is this for?" Elder Liao looked puzzled.
Lin Mo pressed a hand on the wounded area and said, "It might hurt a bit in a moment, you'll need to endure it."
"Okay." Tan Yun nodded, glanced at her husband, and showed a determined look.
"Mr. Lin, I entrust you with this," Xiao Nai said, clenching his hands nervously.
"Ah!" Indeed, Tan Yun's face paled, she bit her silver teeth hard but couldn't help crying out loud. Sweat broke out on her forehead; she was clearly enduring great pain.
The strength of a mother is formidable; even men may not bear such agony. Tan Yun bit her bleeding teeth without making another sound.
After Tan Yun took the Spirit Yellow Pill, Lin Mo's Divine Sense entered her body, working with the elixir to expel the spell.
Amid the scornful, dubious, astonished, and shocked expressions of the onlookers, a dark blood thread suddenly shot out from the wound on Tan Yun's hand, trying to escape but hitting the small-scale Prohibition set by Lin Mo.
"This evil, malevolent thing has harmed many," Lin Mo's palm suddenly erupted in Flames, incinerating the spell-infused blood to ash.
An utter silence fell over the entire courtyard, even Elder Liao, who was helpless against the terrifying spell that required the caster's blood to break, was dumbfounded to see Lin Mo effortlessly eradicate it!
Liao Wen covered her mouth in surprise, her pretty face full of astonishment.
"The master's skill is admirable," Elder Liao stood up excitedly, bowing respectfully.
As they say, whether you learn martial arts sooner or later, the master is a teacher and the stronger is respected.
Tan Songtao, Tan Ji Yong, Tan Yong, Tan Xiang, and others looked at Lin Mo with slight amazement. It turned out that the youth Xiao Nai had brought back was truly a powerful expert!