Chapter 227: So, Everyone Knows I'm Not to Be Messed With Now, Right?
"What's with this girl?"
Atop the Blue Eagle, Xiao Yi Xian's gaze landed on the small Zi Yan nestled in Xiao Yuan's arms.
"This little one's true form is a magical beast. She's absorbed too much energy recently and is having trouble digesting it, so she fell asleep."
Xiao Yuan gave a simple explanation, then told her the origin of Zi Yan.
"I never expected you to become an alchemist."
Hearing this, a complex expression flashed in Xiao Yi Xian's eyes. Back then, she too had dreamed of becoming a revered alchemist. But now, she had become a walking poison feared by all.
"I guess you could call it fate. This little girl may only be a Dou Wang, but even a Dou Huang expert would have trouble taking a punch from her. The poison masters in the Cloud Empire are pretty strange with their methods. I didn't originally plan to bring her, but she followed me herself, then fell asleep on the spot, so I had no choice but to carry her along."
Xiao Yuan sighed, clearly helpless about the situation.
"Hmm. It's been years, but your strength has really improved."
Xiao Yi Xiang leaned naturally against Xiao Yuan's shoulder, breathing in the subtle herbal scent he deliberately carried with him—it brought her a rare sense of peace.
"Compared to you, I wouldn't say my cultivation is that fast."
Xiao Yuan teased.
"Yeah, because I traded my life for it."
Her eyes dimmed at his words. She hadn't wanted to become what she was either—but the world had forced her into being the ruthless Heavenly Poison Woman.
"Aiyo, listen to me bringing up sad things again. Don't worry. From now on, you have me to protect you. I may just be a Nine-Star Dou Wang now, but even if a Dou Zong shows up, I'll still take them on!"
Xiao Yuan hugged the sleeping Zi Yan in one arm, and with the other, pulled Xiao Yi Xiang into his embrace.
Surprised by the sudden motion, her face turned a bit red. But then, realizing Xiao Yuan was dressed as a girl and had no real strength in his current hold, she gave a symbolic struggle—just enough to show she'd resisted—then leaned into his shoulder.
The Blue Eagle below let out a joyful cry. Over the years, it had heard Xiao Yi Xiang talk about Xiao Yuan many times. Seeing them reunited now, it too felt comforted.
"Hmph, keep bragging."
She muttered quietly.
"Heh, I'm not bragging. I'll prove it to you later."
Xiao Yuan laughed.
"Pervert!"
Her pretty face turned red, and she bit her lip as she cursed lightly.
"How is that perverted? I really am amazing. I've defeated a Dou Zong before."
Xiao Yuan blinked, clearly confused by her outburst.
Hearing that, Xiao Yi Xiang was startled. Wait… was that not what he meant? Did she misunderstand?
She struggled to accept the idea, then noticed the strange look Xiao Yuan was giving her through the veil.
"Between us… who's the real pervert?"
He said with a smirk.
"Shut up! Don't say another word!"
She threatened, gray-purple Dou Qi gathering in her palm as if she'd strike him at any moment.
"Okay, okay, I'll stop."
Xiao Yuan lifted his hands slightly in surrender.
"Hmph."
She turned her head with a proud pout, dispersing the Dou Qi—but there was a visible smile in her eyes.
Even though their reunion had only lasted a short while, the happiness she felt already outweighed all the joy she'd found in years spent in the Cloud Empire.
How wonderful.
Xiao Yi Xiang narrowed her eyes slightly, a faint smile curving her lips as she rested against Xiao Yuan's shoulder.
Though the Blue Eagle slowed its flight after their reunion, it still quickly arrived at Heavenly Poison City. But everyone in the Poison Sect knew this was the Sect Leader's mount, so no one dared approach or stir up trouble.
Even though the city was heavily guarded—be it on the ground or in the sky, with countless watchful gazes scanning the air—Xiao Yuan and his party moved through unhindered.
While he wore a veil, Xiao Yuan still altered his appearance as a precaution.
In the Cloud Empire, changing one's appearance wasn't rare. Poison Masters often leaned toward unconventional methods, and one such tool, the Phantom Beast Skin, allowed for minor facial alterations. Of course, once removed, the face would return to normal.
These skins varied in quality, and so did the believability of the disguise. But with Xiao Yi Xian's status, she had naturally given Xiao Yuan the best one. In addition, he used makeup techniques to enhance the illusion. At this point, even Ya Fei or Xiao Yu wouldn't recognize him unless they got very close.
At that moment, a figure rose from the ground. Xiao Yuan immediately sensed Xiao Yi Xian's aura turning colder.
"Sect Leader, who are these two?"
An old man with a powerful presence blocked their path, sweeping his gaze over the two beside her before frowning.
This man was of high standing in the Poison Sect. Dressed in a pale green robe, his face bore a black centipede tattoo that squirmed with every wrinkle, exuding a chilling aura.
Xiao Yuan's gaze lingered on him for a few moments. That black centipede reminded him of something Xiao Yi Xiang had mentioned about the Poison Sect's internal affairs.
The Poison Sect had grown rapidly, and as such, wasn't exactly unified—many factions coexisted. This old man, named Wu Ya, was once the leader of the "Centipede Sky Mansion" in the Cloud Empire. Not long ago, he'd surrendered to the rapidly expanding Poison Sect and become a high-ranking elder. He'd since gathered many followers. Sometimes, he even openly contradicted Xiao Yi Xian's commands.
At his question, Xiao Yi Xian's eyes flashed coldly. Without standing up or even looking at him, she replied with indifference, "They are members of our Sect. Why? Elder Wu, do you have a problem?"
"Hehe, of course not. But Sect Leader, when you bring guests, shouldn't the Sect be informed? If our disciples were to accidentally offend them, wouldn't that be shameful for you?"
A glint of mischief flashed in Wu Ya's eyes as his gaze lingered on Xiao Yuan and Zi Yan. Upon realizing their cultivation was only at Dou Wang level, a faint smirk curled his lips.
"My dear, this old coot is already making you lose face. If outsiders saw this, they'd think he was the real Sect Leader."
Xiao Yuan's soft, feminine voice sounded, but its sarcasm toward Wu Ya was clear.
"A mere Dou Wang dares act so arrogant before me?"
Wu Ya's face darkened. His Dou Qi surged, releasing a powerful pressure as he tried to intimidate Xiao Yuan. Below, other elders took flight, alarmed and wary.
"You see? He's bullying me!"
Xiao Yuan clung pitifully to Xiao Yi Xian's arm.
Seeing this, the surrounding elders had strange expressions. Was the Sect Leader keeping a lover?
"Wu Ya, I said they are my people. Don't you understand?"
Though inwardly amused, Xiao Yi Xian's expression remained cold.
Then, she stood atop the Blue Eagle. Her gray-purple Dou Qi burst forth, revealing an aura only slightly weaker than Wu Ya's.
"So the Sect Leader gained strength again on this trip. I've overstepped."
Wu Ya's pupils contracted. Though she was only a Five-Star Dou Huang, her mastery of poison made her aura nearly match that of an Eight-Star. This white-robed woman clearly had an unusual relationship with her!
"Hmph."
She flicked her sleeve but refrained from attacking. Killing Wu Ya wouldn't be easy, not with so many elders around.
Still… she doubted that pervert Xiao Yuan would let this go.
Knowing his personality, she reached for his hand—hoping to stop him and also to signal to others the closeness between them.
But…
She suddenly found herself clutching the sleeping little girl as the white-clad figure beside her began to fade away.
Buzz!
A faint rumble of thunder sounded. Xiao Yuan's figure ghosted behind Wu Ya. Dou Qi flooded his Qingmu Qi Palace, and a deep green force condensed in his palm.
Great Sorrow Wind-Ripping Palm!
As energy blazed from his hand, intense wind-attribute Dou Qi compressed into a crystalline layer, clinging tightly to his palm.
Sensing the terrifying wind behind him, Wu Ya panicked and gathered Dou Qi to his back. Waves of poisonous energy surged, trying to corrode Xiao Yuan.
But Xiao Yuan showed no fear. Pale brown flames coursed through the crystalline layer as he struck fiercely.
Hiss!
Though he hadn't used the Heavenly Flame Trinity Technique, he'd channeled nearly all the Dou Qi from five Qi Palaces into this single blow. In terms of force, it rivaled a full-power strike from a Nine-Star Dou Huang!
The palm crushed Wu Ya's defense like paper, pierced his chest, and ripped out his heart.
Boom!
Without hesitation, Xiao Yuan crushed it. Thanks to his Dou Qi barrier, not a drop of blood touched his body.
Originally, he'd planned to soak his white robe in this old bastard's blood to send a message. But… this outfit belonged to Yun Yun—it wouldn't be right to stain it.
So he spent extra Dou Qi to stay spotless.
But in the eyes of the Poison Sect, the white-robed woman now bathed in flying blood yet perfectly untouched was dazzling.
With one move, she had annihilated the peak Dou Huang Wu Ya. No one dared even consider holding her accountable.
Xiao Yi Xiang was also stunned. Wu Ya had long been a thorn in her side. Now that Xiao Yuan had killed him in one move, she felt both shocked and elated.
"Now everyone should understand who I am, right? My dear Heavenly Poison Woman is kind-hearted and patient with idiots. But I've got a bad temper and love killing for fun. If you want to die, come see me. One comes, I kill one. Two come, I kill four. Buy two, get two free. Quite a deal, don't you think?"
With a wave of his hand, Xiao Yuan's green wind shredded Wu Ya's corpse completely. A storage ring floated into his hand.
His voice was colder than moonlight, yet his words sent a deeper chill than winter. The crowd fell completely silent.
What was he saying? That the Heavenly Poison Woman was kind? That "buy two, get two free" applied to killing?
Was this the Sect Leader's Dou Wang lover? No—he was clearly a calamity she brought back!
Everyone held back their anger. Xiao Yuan wasn't done.
"Of course, no need to panic. Killing Wu Ya wasn't just for intimidation. You don't want to be monkeys in a warning, do you?
I checked—he used to lead the Centipede Sky Mansion, but he also had close ties to the Ten-Thousand Scorpion Gate. Given how suddenly he joined us and started forming factions, he's likely a spy. As for evidence—you find it yourselves."
Stunned, even Xiao Yi Xiang was left speechless. The Ten-Thousand Scorpion Gate?
At once, many eyes turned to those who had defected from the Centipede Sky Mansion along with Wu Ya.
In this situation, Xiao Yuan's terrifying power couldn't be ignored. Wu Ya was dead, but the Poison Sect was no weaker. Besides, his relationship with the Sect Leader was clearly special—he couldn't be treated casually.
But if his claims were true, those people might be ticking time bombs!
Would this offend the Centipede Sky Mansion? A joke. How could offense matter more than someone who kills without blinking?
Sure enough, several figures among Wu Ya's former allies exchanged glances, then scattered.
Clearly, they understood—if there was dirt on them, it wouldn't hold up under scrutiny.
"Heh, couldn't sit still, could you?"
Xiao Yuan returned to Xiao Yi Xian's side and chuckled as he wrapped an arm around her.
(END CHAPTER)
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