Behind the metal tanks, smaller devices were stationed alongside the personnel responsible for operating them, forming eight production lines that led to a storage room on the other side of the building. General Wan was inside, giving orders to soldiers and people in white coats. When he saw Fang Mo enter, he stopped and approached him with a smile.
"Doctor Mo, the first batch of penicillin is ready to be created. Everything is in order, just as you asked for."
General Wan looked at Fang Mo with a spark in his eyes. A few days earlier, Fang Mo had produced a small dose of penicillin and demonstrated its effects on one of the injured soldiers.
The soldier in question had a severe arm infection, and none of the antibiotics available in the camp had any effect. Just one day after receiving the penicillin, the improvement was already obvious.
The high mortality rate caused by infection had been a major problem in the camp. Each day, dozens of lives were lost because of it, and the other medics hadn't been able to do much. Fang Mo's contribution was about to become the most valuable in the entire war.
Fang Mo smiled. How could he not understand how vital antibiotics like penicillin were during times of war? On Earth, before penicillin, the mortality rate from infection among soldiers was as high as 18%. After its development during World War II, that number dropped to less than 1%.
Every soldier saved was one who could fight again, and potentially kill one more enemy. The advantage provided by this new antibiotic could very well change the course of the war. General Wan understood that better than most. After all, he had spent over twenty years on the battlefield, participating in dozens of wars.
"There isn't much for me to do. All the steps needed to separate the mold from the penicillin and how to use it are written here." Fang Mo took out a piece of paper with a few instructions from his satchel and handed it to General Wan. "Give this to the workers and medics, and they will know what to do."
Before General Wan could take the paper, Xue Xiu reached out and accepted it, unable to contain her excitement. General Wan did not mind, as he knew she would be the one overseeing production anyway.
"Thank you, Doctor Mo," General Wan said, his tone filled with gratitude.
"What about the things we agreed on, General Wan?" Fang Mo asked, not hiding his expectation and excitement. Now that he had upheld his part of the bargain, it was time for General Wan to uphold his.
"Doctor Mo, let's talk in a more private place." General Wan moved toward the exit and signaled Fang Mo to accompany him. Xue Xiu stayed behind to coordinate the production of the new antibiotics, while Fang Mo followed General Wan to his private tent.
"The laboratory you asked for is already ready. Since you requested discretion, I had it built about half a kilometer away from the camp. As for the herbs, they'll take one or two days to arrive. Because of the war, healing herbs have been harder to gather. I hope you understand, Doctor Mo."
Fang Mo nodded. He didn't mind waiting a bit longer.
"Thank you. Starting tomorrow, I'll be too busy to tend to the soldiers, but I'll still be able to see a few each day."
After more or less recovering from his injuries, Fang Mo wanted to begin training as soon as possible. Only by strengthening his body would he be able to use the Opening Meridian Solution to open his meridians without dying.
"Don't worry, what you've done already has helped immensely. Our doctors can take over from here," General Wan said. He wasn't just being polite. The greatest problem in the camp had been infection. With Fang Mo's antibiotic, they could now do more with fewer people.
"Doctor Mo, regarding what you asked me about immortal cultivation…" General Wan's face turned serious. "Immortal cultivators usually gather in sects, where they train year after year to increase their power. Even a general like me rarely interacts with them. Most cultivators won't casually involve themselves with mortals, so many never even get the chance to speak with one. I only know a little because the State Lord has ties with a Mortal Tier sect."
Fang Mo didn't know much about sects or their tiers, but he guessed they were likely divided by cultivation realms, like the manual had been. "How can I enter one of these sects and meet immortal cultivators?"
General Wan sighed. "Doctor Mo, forgive my bluntness, but you have mortal spiritual roots, don't you?"
He believed someone as capable as Fang Mo could easily afford a test. If he had immortal roots, he wouldn't be asking about cultivation; he'd already be in a sect.
Fang Mo saw no reason to hide it and nodded in response.
"People with mortal spiritual roots are only accepted into sects as service disciples. Though you'll be able to interact with immortal cultivators, the title of disciple is just for show. You'll be treated as a servant," General Wan said seriously. Truth be told, he wanted to discourage Fang Mo. To him, it was a waste for such a brilliant doctor to end up as a servant.
Fang Mo understood his concern but had no intention of backing down. Even if there was only a sliver of hope, he was willing to pursue it. "Thank you, General Wan, but I still want to give it a try," he said without hesitation.
General Wan looked at him with pity, but a deal was a deal. "One of the State Lord's sons has immortal spiritual roots. I've heard he'll be going to the capital in ten months to participate in a selection for an immortal sect. If you accompany him, your chances of being accepted as a servant disciple will be much higher. I can request a favor from the State Lord to have you travel with him. What do you think?"
Excitement bubbled up inside Fang Mo, but questions quickly followed. "Why would the lord's son wait almost a year to join a sect? Can't he enter one now?"
"As far as I know, it's possible to join weaker sects anytime. But unless you have supreme immortal spiritual roots, most sects only recruit new disciples during the annual Winter Immortal Conference. The State Lord has high hopes for his son and wants him to aim for a better sect. As for which ones are the best, I don't know."
Fang Mo understood. General Wan, like himself, was still a mortal and had limited knowledge about the cultivation world. If he wanted to learn more, he'd have to investigate on his own.
He cupped his hand in respect. "Thank you for all the information, General Wan. Please let the State Lord know that I would like to accompany his son to the Winter Immortal Conference next year."
General Wan sighed but nodded. 'I'll do that. I'll have an officer show you the way to your new laboratory."
***
"Senior Apprentice Brother Han, are you sure we're going to find a Blood Lotus here?" asked a woman with a slender figure, dressed in white Taoist robes trimmed with black lines. Beside her stood two other men in similar clothing.
Han Ping smiled handsomely as he replied, "Junior Apprentice Sister Lei, the war has been going on for weeks now. I've heard that more than a hundred thousand soldiers have died on this battlefield. The Blood Lotus doesn't need water or a high level of spiritual energy to grow, only a high volume of blood. As long as many people die in a small area, a Blood Lotus is bound to appear."
Despite the handsome man's words, Lei Qiu still looked worried. "The Blood Lotus is a Tier 3 spiritual plant. Won't others come here to steal it? With our strength, I'm afraid…"
Her words were cut short by the laugh of the other male cultivator. "Sister Lei, if you're scared, then you should've stayed in the sect cultivating. We outer disciples from weak sects must risk our lives for resources, or we'll never even step into the Foundation Building Stage."
"Who's scared, Ding De?"
Lei Qiu snorted and prepared to bicker with Ding De, but Han Ping interjected.
"All right, you two. That's enough. Junior Apprentice Sister Lei, don't worry. Not many people know about the Blood Lotus, so we should be safe. If someone too strong shows up, we can just leave. As long as we don't fight for it, most cultivators won't bother killing us. The plant isn't that valuable."
Lei Qiu turned her head to the side, and Ding De did the same. Han Ping knew they argued about everything and didn't bother to appease them. As long as they didn't get in his way, that was good enough.
"Let's go to that village. I heard it's the closest mortal village to the battlefield," Han Ping said, and together with Lei Qiu and Ding De, he made his way toward Liushi Village.