Xiao Yi Xian

Due to its proximity to the desert, the weather here was rather dry and scorching. The blazing sunlight poured down from the sky, baking the ground beneath his feet until waves of stifling heat constantly rose from it. That heat slowly drifted upward, even causing one's vision to become slightly warped and blurred.

Yet at this moment, Xiao Yan not only felt no heat, but instead felt a chill run down his spine!

No wonder his teacher had immediately taken him away from the Monster Beast Mountain Range after sensing that person's aura, not even allowing him to make a trip to Qingshan Town.

Such terrifying strength, such terrifying foundations and backing—and they might even be enemies. Who could withstand that?!

"It feels so despairing that I can barely breathe..."

Xiao Yan murmured.

"Hahahaha, it is not quite despairing enough to suffocate you. You are my, Yao Chen's, disciple."

Yao Chen, in his soul form, laughed heartily and patted Xiao Yan's shoulder. "Kid, do not let that fellow discourage you. The Cloud Rain Sect's cultivation methods are completely different from those of ordinary people. They rely on devouring the Dou Qi of Flesh Cauldrons to improve so quickly. If we are talking about cultivation talent, he cannot compare to you."

"Besides, do not overthink it. Your teacher did have some conflicts with the Cloud Rain Sect, but that was already several decades ago."

"Your teacher has already fallen and become a soul body. That brat could not possibly have come for me. Besides, even if I had grievances with the Cloud Rain Sect, you have never had any contact with them. There is no need to worry."

"I know, Teacher. I was merely shocked by how powerful they are." Xiao Yan shook his head with a bitter smile. Dou Zong, Dou Zun—what unimaginably powerful realms those were.

"Rest assured. Under my guidance, your achievements will definitely not fall below theirs!"

Yao Chen stroked his beard. "All right. The Tagor Desert is best suited for those cultivating fire-attribute and earth-attribute cultivation methods. The conditions here are harsh, making it far better than the Monster Beast Mountain Range for tempering oneself."

"Your two brothers also happen to be in the city. Stay in this region and cultivate for the time being."

"Yes, Teacher!"

Xiao Yan nodded heavily and took a thick, heavy black ruler from his Storage Ring.

The Black Heavy Ruler was forged from Flame Meteorite Black Iron. It was exceptionally sturdy and incomparably heavy, and possessed the miraculous effect of suppressing Dou Qi.

Earlier, he had put away the Black Heavy Ruler so he could run faster. Now that he was resuming his cultivation, he naturally had to wear it again.

Feeling the weight transmitted from the Black Heavy Ruler, Xiao Yan let out a soft breath. He looked at the city ahead, engraved with the words "Mo City," then strode inside without hesitation.

"So what if it is a Dou Zong? So what if it is a Dou Zun?"

"I definitely will not disappoint you, Teacher!"

Qingshan Town was the town closest to the Monster Beast Mountain Range.

Because it was situated near the Monster Beast Mountain Range, it was also known as Monster Beast Town. Naturally, the largest group of people in the town were mercenaries who lived each day with their lives on the line.

They gathered in groups, linking arms as they swaggered through the streets, spittle flying as they brazenly discussed which women in town had the most flavor, where the strongest liquor could be found, and where the fiercest monster beasts roamed...

Yet within this bustling little town, there was one place that seemed utterly out of place.

It was the Myriad Medicine Pavilion at the edge of town. Usually, the place was quite lively, but for certain special reasons, the entire Myriad Medicine Pavilion was deathly silent at this moment. The small estate was guarded with remarkable strictness, with more than a dozen fully armed guards stationed there.

Inside the estate, within a rather secluded room, a woman dressed in a white gown was carefully preparing medicinal powder with her head lowered. From time to time, she used a small crystal rod to pick up a little powder and gently sniff it beneath her delicate nose.

Though the woman could not be called breathtakingly beautiful, she was still a rare beauty. Her face carried a faint, tranquil smile, exuding a fresh and ethereal temperament. That distinctive aura greatly enhanced her charm.

Most alluring of all was her willow-slender waist, bound by a green sash and so slim it could barely be grasped in one hand. Its delicate frailty made one want to reach out and play with it after only a glance!

However, a sudden knock sounded at the door. A middle-aged man's voice drifted in, shattering the beautiful scene.

"Hehe, is Xiao Yi Xian here?"

Although his words sounded like a question, the moment he finished speaking, he pushed open the door on his own. His eyes swept around the room before he turned to Xiao Yi Xian with a smile. "Xiao Yi Xian, have you thought it over?"

"Mr. Yao, I did not obtain anything from that cave in the first place. Everything is merely a rumor spread by the Wolf Head Mercenary Group."

As Xiao Yi Xian placed the jade bottles on the table into the inner pocket of her sleeve, she said blandly, "Why must you keep pressing me so relentlessly?"

Hearing Xiao Yi Xian's words, Mr. Yao said with a smile that did not reach his eyes, "Xiao Yi Xian, whether you did or did not obtain something, you and I both know the truth. I merely came to remind you that the three-day deadline is almost here."

"...Then we can discuss it once the time comes."

Xiao Yi Xian did not even turn her head. Her cold reaction made Mr. Yao's expression stiffen slightly, but he still forced out an extremely false smile. "Xiao Yi Xian, you are one of the core physicians of my Myriad Medicine Pavilion. If you give the Poison Scripture to me, everyone in Qingshan Town will receive superior medical treatment and techniques."

"You should think of the bigger picture—think of the people of Qingshan Town!"

"..."

The room fell deathly silent. Seeing Xiao Yi Xian continue to handle the jade bottles, Mr. Yao's expression stiffened, his eyes filled with displeasure, but he still forcibly restrained himself.

"All right, all right. Think it over carefully. But I hope that you can give me a satisfactory answer in one day."

"..."

Seeing that Xiao Yi Xian did not react to him in the slightest, Mr. Yao's face twitched. In the end, however, he could only wave his hand fiercely and slowly leave the room with several guards.

The room became quiet again.

Xiao Yi Xian sat silently, unhurriedly arranging the bottles and jars. Mr. Yao's threats seemed not to have affected her in the slightest.

After roughly half the day had passed, seemingly waiting for those outside to leave, Xiao Yi Xian suddenly leaned toward the table and gently sniffed the blackish-purple powder on its surface.

The powder entered her body. In the next instant, Xiao Yi Xian's originally rosy face suddenly took on an eerie blackish-purple hue, like someone who had been poisoned.

Yet there was not the slightest trace of pain on Xiao Yi Xian's face. Instead, an intoxicated expression emerged.

No one knew how long passed before that intoxicated look gradually faded from Xiao Yi Xian's face. The girl, immersed in an unknown pleasure, opened her eyes again, though they were slightly vacant.

After a long while, her gaze fell upon the remaining blackish-purple powder on the table, and a bitter smile gradually appeared on her lips. Moments later, that bitterness deepened. Xiao Yi Xian suddenly covered her face with both hands, and intermittent, choked sobs came from behind them.

"I could not resist again. I... I truly deserve to die..."

"You were only following your instincts. Why be so harsh on yourself?"

An abrupt voice rang out in the room, and the sobbing girl's body froze.

In the next instant, Xiao Yi Xian spun around sharply and flung her right arm, scattering the bottles and jars in her hand behind her.

In an instant, poisonous powder filled the entire room!