Chapter 295: Poisoning Xiao Yi Xian to Death
A young man, a white clad woman, a black robed figure, and Elder Qi from the Falling Star Pavilion… The appearance of these reinforcements only deepened the bitter expression on the She Clan ancestor's face.
The She Clan did not have a particularly close relationship with the Falling Star Pavilion, and their sudden assistance could only mean one thing the other party had their eyes on something that belonged to the She Clan.
Although he wasn't sure what it was, he could already imagine the pain of having to give it up, as though slicing off his own flesh.
On the other side, when the names "Yao Chen" and "Medicine Venerable" were mentioned, the expressions of the two Nine Nether Earth Python youths darkened considerably.
Alchemists especially high ranking ones were people no one wanted to offend. They had vast networks of connections and countless powerful allies willing to come to their aid. Provoking an alchemist was akin to provoking a powerful faction.
The Nine Nether Earth Python Clan wasn't afraid but these two individuals certainly were.
As two star Dou Zuns, they might be considered outstanding figures in Zhongzhou and respectable powerhouses even in the Beast Domain, but compared to an alchemist of Yao Chen's caliber, they were far from being on equal footing.
What should they do?
Yao Zhuo and the delicate featured young man exchanged glances, their eyes flickering with hesitation. But in the next moment, they gritted their teeth, a sharp glint flashing in their gazes.
"Kid, we don't know anything about Yao Chen. This matter is purely between the Nine Nether Earth Python Clan and the She Clan. They stole an important treasure from us!" Yao Zhuo growled coldly, his dark red flames flickering ominously in his eyes. These flames weren't warm but instead brought a bone chilling coldness that made one's entire body shiver.
"Now, we, the Nine Nether Earth Pythons, have come to take it back. Anyone who dares stand in our way is an enemy of the Nine Nether Earth Python Clan!"
He couldn't let go of the Seven Colored Primordial Stone. With that treasure, he was confident he could break through to a three star Dou Zun within a year! There was no way he could give it up!
"Hah… You're trying to use the Nine Nether Earth Python Clan to intimidate me?" Lu Bu sneered. "Have you forgotten where you are? This is Zhongzhou, not the Beast Domain. How far do you think your threats will get you here?"
"Leave now get out of Falling Star Pavilion's territory or die!" Lu Bu's eyes suddenly turned cold as he issued his ultimatum.
"You're courting death!" The delicate featured young man, Yao Chi, snarled, his face twisting with malice. He let out a shout, and his figure instantly vanished.
The Nine Nether Earth Pythons were accustomed to being the ones oppressing others. Now, someone dared to turn the tables on them?
This was unacceptable!
"Medicine Venerable or not, today I'll turn you into a corpse. Remember this the one who killed you is Yao Chi, a prodigy of the Nine Nether Earth Python Clan!"
Clang!
In the next instant, a loud explosion rang out as two fine blue threads shot out from the void, compressed to their limit. These were razor sharp water threads!
With a glint of chilling light, the deadly threads cut through the air, carrying a sharp, fishy stench as they aimed straight for Lu Bu and Xiao Yi Xian's throats.
Take down the leaders first! Yao Chi's plan was clear capture these two key figures, and the rest would follow.
Xiao Yi Xian's eyes turned cold, a gray vortex swirling in her palm. But before she could act, a black robed figure stepped forward, shielding both her and Lu Bu.
Clang! Clang!
The sound was as sharp and piercing as a ringing bell. The two compressed water threads struck the black robed figure like heavy battering rams.
A shockwave exploded outward, sweeping through the hall like a violent gust of wind. The She Clan members screamed in terror, some weaker individuals coughing up blood as they collapsed from the sheer force.
When the dust settled, the black robed figure at the center of the storm remained motionless. As his robe shifted slightly, faint golden light flickered beneath it.
"What?!" Yao Chi's pupils shrank as he stared in disbelief. The black robed figure had taken his full attack without moving an inch!
"Kill them," Lu Bu said coldly, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"W Wait!" Yao Zhuo's face turned pale with fear as he hurriedly shouted, but it was too late.
Boom!
A deep crater exploded on the ground as the black robed figure vanished. In the next instant, two massive fists tore through the air like hammers, slamming into Yao Zhuo and Yao Chi's chests.
Bang!
The two youths were sent flying like ragdolls, smashing into the stone walls and embedding themselves in the rock.
Pfft!
Blood sprayed from their mouths as their faces turned ghostly pale.
"I'll spare you for the sake of the Nine Nether Earth Python Clan. Now get lost," Lu Bu said indifferently. The black robed figure had already returned to his side, standing silently like an unshakable guardian.
Xiao Yi Xian's eyes turned cold, her delicate fingers twitching slightly as a faint, colorless, odorless poison began to spread invisibly.
"Cough… Your strength is undeniable. This time, we admit defeat. Farewell!" Yao Zhuo said hoarsely, clutching his chest as he dragged his pale faced companion away.
Their footsteps were unsteady, their earlier arrogance nowhere to be seen.
As they retreated, Yao Chi wiped the blood from his mouth, his eyes filled with malice. Falling Star Pavilion? I'll remember this…
Watching the two leave, the She Clan elders finally let out a sigh of relief. Their clan had narrowly escaped annihilation.
"Thank the Falling Star Pavilion, thank Medicine Venerable Yao Chen!" they muttered in gratitude.
Indeed, the famed Medicine Venerable lived up to his reputation. A healer with a benevolent heart, so compassionate!
"Thank you, friends from the Falling Star Pavilion, for your assistance. We are deeply grateful!" The She Clan ancestor stepped forward, bowing repeatedly as he expressed his thanks to Lu Bu.
"Truly, the Falling Star Pavilion is a pillar of Zhongzhou, a force to be admired. We of the She Clan are humbled and filled with awe!"
The ancestor's endless flattery made Elder Qi beam with pride. His wrinkles seemed to smooth out as a delighted smile spread across his face.
"Elder She, you flatter us. This is what the Falling Star Pavilion should do," Elder Qi replied warmly, basking in the praise.
"Indeed, it is our duty. But not without compensation," Lu Bu interjected coolly. "Elder, perhaps we should find a quiet place to discuss further matters?"
Elder Qi's face froze, his earlier joy replaced with a hint of awkwardness. He was about to speak when Xiao Yi Xian's cold gaze swept over him.
A chill ran down Elder Qi's spine, and he felt as if he'd been plunged into an icy abyss, unable to move.
Opposite them, the She Clan ancestor's expression also stiffened. He'd lowered his stance and offered endless praise, all to avoid this exact situation. Yet here they were.
"Shall we?" Lu Bu said calmly.
"Please, this way!" the She Clan ancestor stammered, snapping out of his daze. He quickly led Lu Bu and his party to a side hall, leaving the other She Clan elders behind in confusion.
The remaining She Clan members slowly realized the truth: the Falling Star Pavilion's help had not come without a price. Their faces turned pale as they finally understood.
In another grand hall, She Yu instinctively gulped, his Adam's apple bobbing nervously as he spoke with difficulty. "What can I do for you…?"
"I want the Seven Colored Primordial Stone, and I'd also like you to tell me where you got the information about it," Lu Bu said with a calm smile.
At those words, the She Clan ancestor and She Yu, the clan leader, instantly turned pale. As expected, the other party, like the Nine Nether Earth Python Clan, was after their Seven Colored Primordial Stone.
"As part of the deal, I can help heal the injuries on your body," Lu Bu added flatly, observing their frightened expressions.
Hearing this, a mix of joy and worry flashed across the She Clan ancestor's face. The man before him claimed to be Xiao Yan, disciple of the famed Medicine Venerable Yao Chen, so his alchemy skills were likely exceptional enough to solve the problems afflicting his body. But… losing the Seven Colored Primordial Stone was a bitter pill to swallow!
"You have ten seconds to decide," Lu Bu said, his smile now carrying a faint edge, far less playful than before.
"No need to think about it, I agree. I'll do as you say," the She Clan ancestor hastily replied. Compared to the Nine Nether Earth Pythons, who had threatened his entire clan without offering any compensation, this Xiao Yan from the Falling Star Pavilion was already being generous.
"Good. Where's the item?" Lu Bu asked with a faint smile.
She Yu's face twitched, his heart aching as he hesitated for a moment. Finally, he shakily reached into his storage ring and retrieved a small stone shimmering with seven radiant colors, about the size of an adult's fist.
Though it was smaller than the piece Lu Bu had obtained from the battlefield ruins in the Black Corner Region, the energy it emanated was no less potent.
Xiao Yi Xian's eyes gleamed briefly. Back in the Northwest Continent, Lu Bu had used a similar Seven Colored Primordial Stone along with the Heaven's Fortune Pill to help Medusa successfully advance to the Dou Zun level, leaving her and Yun Yun far behind.
However, this stone's quality was far superior to that one.
The moment the Seven Colored Primordial Stone appeared, Lu Bu casually sliced the air with his palm, snatching it away. "Not bad. Now, gather the herbs listed here. I'll refine the pill."
With a flick of his finger, Lu Bu sent a piece of white paper floating over. The paper was densely packed with the names of hundreds of medicinal ingredients.
The She Clan ancestor and She Yu both froze, their expressions stiff. The herbs listed were anything but cheap, and since alchemy carried an inherent risk of failure, they would need to prepare two or three full sets of ingredients.
"Is there a problem?" Lu Bu raised an eyebrow and asked.
"N No problem! I'll prepare them immediately!" She Yu stammered, snapping out of his daze.
The She Clan had already given up the Seven Colored Primordial Stone for their ancestor. There was no turning back now. After all, a single Seven Colored Primordial Stone was as valuable as an eighth tier pill. Having paid such a high price, how could they afford to stop halfway?
Without hesitation, She Yu dashed off to prepare the ingredients.
An hour later, She Yu returned in a hurry, holding a storage ring filled with the necessary herbs. At the same time, he ordered the entire mountain peak sealed off, forbidding anyone from approaching while putting the entire clan on high alert, ready for battle at any moment.
Though puzzled by these orders, the She Clan members dared not defy their clan leader and ancestor. They obediently followed instructions.
Lu Bu was satisfied with these arrangements; after all, refining pills required a quiet environment.
…
Time flowed steadily, day after day.
In a remote valley deep within the Yi Snake Mountain Range, Yao Zhuo and Yao Chi sat cross legged, their eyes closed as their Dou Qi slowly circulated. The powerful energy emanating from their bodies caused the surrounding magical beasts to scatter in terror, fleeing for their lives.
"Big brother, are we really going to slink away like this?" Yao Chi glanced at the towering mountain peak in the distance, his face full of reluctance.
The Seven Colored Primordial Stone was a priceless treasure! Even the high ranking members of their clan would be tempted by it. How could he simply give it up?
"No! When the Nine Nether Earth Python Clan sets its sights on something, we don't give up so easily," Yao Zhuo said coldly, dark red flames flickering in his eyes.
"So what should we do?" Yao Chi's eyes lit up. This was the decisive and ruthless big brother he admired!
"Of course, we kill those people from the Falling Star Pavilion, take the Seven Colored Primordial Stone, and then force the She Clan to reveal where it came from," Yao Zhuo said with a snort. "Once we have the information, we'll return to the clan and report. That so called Medicine Venerable? He's just a human. If he dares to set foot in the Beast Domain, he'll suffer a fate worse than death."
"What's more, Yao Chen has been missing for countless years. Who knows if he's even still alive?"
Boom!
Suddenly, the sky above the Yi Snake Mountain Range rumbled as deep thunderclaps echoed through the air. In an instant, dark clouds gathered, shrouding the heavens in an impenetrable blackness. From within the pitch black clouds, streaks of azure and silver lightning began to flicker.
Terrifying heavenly pressure descended, blanketing the entire Yi Snake Mountain Range.
Countless magical beasts and humans trembled under the overwhelming force of the heavens.
"An eighth tier alchemist…" Yao Zhuo's face paled. That brat was truly an alchemist and a supremely powerful one at that!
"Big brother, what do we do now?" Yao Chi's voice quivered. Though alchemists were physically fragile, their extraordinary soul perception made it nearly impossible to launch a sneak attack.
Worse still was the black robed figure by Lu Bu's side. That man was unbelievably strong, capable of gravely injuring both of them with a single punch.
"Hmph, only fools fight head on," Yao Zhuo sneered. "It's true that an alchemist's soul perception is formidable, but there are things in this world even their perception can't detect."
"And that black robed man may be powerful, but everyone has weaknesses."
"You mean… the woman?" Yao Chi's eyes lit up as he recalled the white haired woman among the group.
That woman appeared frail and delicate, her strength seemingly unimpressive. Compared to that pretty boy alchemist, she looked like an easier target.
"Exactly. The woman," Yao Zhuo said coldly. "That alchemist seems very close to her, but no matter how strong his perception, he won't sense our poison!"
"If we poison the woman, I doubt he'll have the courage to fight back."
"Excellent plan!" Yao Chi sneered. "I brought the Emperor Python's Heart Corrosion Venom with me. Even a Dou Zun wouldn't survive it. And without the right antidote, not even an eighth tier alchemist could cure it!"
Many believed the Nine Nether Earth Python Clan's strength lay solely in their intelligence network. Few realized their true fame came from their unparalleled mastery of venom, which had crushed countless formidable enemies.
"Let that alchemist watch helplessly as his woman dies from the venom!" Yao Chi said with a sinister grin. "Dare to take something from the Nine Nether Earth Pythons? This is what you get!"
(To be continued.)
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