Nether Poison Flame, Nirvana Rebirth

"Success."

Xiao Yan's gaze swept over the writing.

"This Sect Master suppressed the poison body and traveled the continent, entering and leaving countless poisonous lands. Finally, a hundred years later, just as the poison body was about to erupt, This Sect Master found the Nether Poison Flame here!

After another year, This Sect Master successfully subdued the poison flame, completely resolving the calamity of the Woeful Poison Body, and even gained Fire Attribute Dou Qi through it.

This Sect Master originally possessed a mutated constitution of poison mixed with wood. Now that this Dou Qi had gained fire, misfortune had turned into fortune, and This Sect Master stepped onto the path of alchemy.

With the great calamity of the poison body resolved, This Sect Master felt relieved. Thereafter, This Sect Master traveled among mountains and rivers while practicing the art of alchemy, becoming a Sixth-grade Alchemist in merely a few years.

This Sect Master had thought such carefree days would continue forever. However, good times did not last. This Sect Master encountered a Venerable, and this person recognized that This Sect Master possessed the Woeful Poison Body. Without another word, he began shouting about killing and slaughtering!"

The handwriting grew somewhat messy here, and the strokes were especially sharp. Even through the words, Xiao Yan could sense the resentment and hatred of the person who had written them a thousand years ago.

"So the owner of the Ice Coffin died at the hands of that nameless Dou Venerable."

Old Yao found it regrettable. Without the threat of the poison body erupting, it would not have been difficult for a Woeful Poison Body to reach Dou Venerable. Given enough time, even becoming a Dou Saint would not have been impossible.

"That fellow was unworthy of his status as a Venerable. His mouth was full of righteousness and eliminating evil for the people. But how could This Sect Master not know his thoughts? This person was an Eighth-grade Alchemist. He acted this way merely because he coveted the Nether Poison Flame.

"The might of Heavenly Flames defies all reason. The Nether Poison Flame had used the Woeful Poison Body as its seedbed and flourished, growing more powerful by the day. This Sect Master was fortunate enough to escape the Dou Venerable with his life and flee to the Northwest Continent.

"Unfortunately, the disparity in rank could ultimately not be overcome. The injuries on This Sect Master's body were difficult to heal and gradually worsened with the passage of time.

"Fortunately, while traveling the continent, This Sect Master happened upon the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan's Nirvana Method. After improving it, it became a miraculous art suitable for human cultivation, leaving This Sect Master a sliver of hope for survival.

"This Sect Master used the poison flame in place of Phoenix Flame and the Illusory Dream Ice Condensation Liquid as an egg, entering a state of false death and sleeping here in hopes of Nirvana Rebirth.

"However, this method is only a rough creation and may contain flaws. Once this sleep begins, who knows when it will end...

"Junior, since you were able to reach this place, you must have passed the trials of countless mechanisms and Poisonous Substances.

"There are a few relics left behind here by This Sect Master. They still have some value, so take them. Do not disturb This Sect Master's slumber.

"Otherwise, death is certain!!!"

"This Nirvana Method can actually let him survive for a thousand years?"

Xiao Yan could not help reaching out, wanting to touch the Ice Crystal Coffin.

"Don't touch it!"

Old Yao roared, and Xiao Yan hurriedly withdrew his hand.

"How reckless! You nearly disturbed a sleeping Dou Zong, do you understand?!"

Xiao Yan looked embarrassed. "Teacher, I was only going to touch it. Surely it's not that serious?"

Old Yao shook his head, truly at a loss over what to do with this foolish disciple.

"The Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan is one of the Three Great Families of magical beasts, and there is no shortage of Dou Saint experts among them.

"The Nirvana Method mentioned by the Ice Coffin's owner originated from an ancient Dou Technique within the Heaven Demon Phoenix bloodline: 'Heavenly Phoenix Bathing in Fire Nirvana.'

"This Dou Technique can burn the Heaven Demon Phoenix's bloodline and transform it into an egg that envelops the Heaven Demon Phoenix within. Even at death's door, it can grant the Heaven Demon Phoenix a second life.

"However, although this method is powerful, it is not perfect. The egg formed from the Heaven Demon Phoenix bloodline is extremely fragile. The slightest external force can shatter it and ruin everything.

"This Ice Coffin is the same. It looks sturdy, but it is as fragile as an eggshell.

"The moment you touched it, this Ice Coffin would have exploded."

Old Yao could sense a powerful, violent flame within the young man inside the Ice Coffin, nurturing his body.

The terrifying temperature of that flame and the Ice Coffin's bitter cold canceled each other out, forming a delicate and fragile balance.

Let alone touching it with a hand—even a light breeze could risk causing the Ice Coffin to fall apart.

"Still, there is one thing I don't understand."

A trace of confusion flashed through Old Yao's eyes. "Heavenly Flames can sense one another. The Nether Poison Flame is inside this young man's body.

"I should have sensed it the moment I entered the cave. Why can I only clearly detect the presence of the Heavenly Flame now?"

Though there were some doubts about the matter, the aura of the Nether Poison Flame could not be false. Old Yao could only attribute everything to an error in his perception.

"But, Teacher, the Nether Poison Flame is inside this Ice Coffin."

Xiao Yan's voice was hoarse. His Flame Mantra needed to devour strange flames in order to evolve. If he could obtain the Nether Poison Flame...

"Forget about it. Even if the Ice Coffin's owner awakens early, like a premature infant and unable to recover his full cultivation, after sleeping for a thousand years, he has at least recovered to the Dou Emperor realm. Trying this would be no different from snatching food from a tiger's mouth.

"Besides, the Nether Poison Flame already belongs to someone else. You bear him no grudge, so why kill him and seize his flame?

"The owner of the Ice Coffin has already left behind an inheritance and shown goodwill toward you, a latecomer. That is more than enough courtesy. Take it, and it will be enough to make you rich beyond measure.

"You must have your own bottom line in both life and conduct. Do not let Heavenly Flames cloud your judgment."

Xiao Yan took a deep breath, and most of his greed for the Nether Poison Flame faded away.

"I will remember your teachings, Teacher."

"Good. Go see what the Ice Coffin's owner left behind. The inheritance of a Dou Zong expert is not something often seen in the Northwest Continent."

"Yes."

Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian searched the cave with torches for a while before spotting three ancient boxes resting on a stone table in the corner. The keys were on the table as well.

"Click."

Xiao Yan tried the keys and opened the first stone box. Inside was an ancient Scroll with damaged edges, clearly weathered by age.

"Nine-Colored Poison Scripture?"

Xiao Yan looked at the small words on the Scroll and was greatly disappointed. As an alchemist, he had no interest in a scripture on poison-making.

"Give it to me."

Xiao Yi Xian's eyes lit up as she spread open the Scroll.

"This book records This Sect Master's lifelong skill in using poison, as well as detailed records concerning the Woeful Poison Body. Junior, This Sect Master hopes you will use this book well.

"If you encounter a Woeful Poison Body in later generations, please give this book to her."

"Woeful Poison Body..."

Xiao Yi Xian's jade hand tightened around the Scroll as she quickly found the section detailing the Woeful Poison Body.

"The Woeful Poison Body is born with a tiny Seven-Colored Thread located on the owner's lower abdomen. As the poison power increases, the Seven-Colored Thread will gradually extend upward until it reaches the heart..."

The very first sentence struck Xiao Yi Xian like lightning!

I really am a Woeful Poison Body...

Thinking of her mother and the villagers who had died when her poison body awakened, Xiao Yi Xian's heart twisted like a knife.

Xiao Yan did not notice Xiao Yi Xian's abnormality and opened the second box.

"Flying Dou Technique, Purple Cloud Wings. While traveling the continent, This Sect Master happened upon the method for crafting Flying Dou Techniques. On a whim, This Sect Master casually hunted and killed a fifth-tier Black Flame Purple Cloud Eagle and made this.

"This Dou Technique can grant those below the Dou Wang realm the ability to fly. It is rather valuable."

Xiao Yan's pupils widened slightly. "There is actually such a miraculous Dou Technique!"

"Yes. Nowadays, the crafting method for Flying Dou Techniques has nearly been lost across the continent. Only a handful of sects still possess the inheritance.

"It is also fortunate that the owner of the Ice Coffin was someone from a thousand years ago. Otherwise, obtaining a Flying Dou Technique would not have been easy."

Xiao Yan stored the Purple Cloud Wings in his Storage Ring, his appetite whetted as he eagerly anticipated the treasure in the third box.

At that moment, footsteps sounded from the cave entrance, and a sudden change erupted!

"Damn it, we've been discovered!"

Xiao Yan's heart sank.

"Hahaha, Xiao Yi Xian, Xiao Yan, I was wondering why you ran out in the middle of the night. So you came here to hunt for treasure."

Greed flashed through Mu Li's eyes. More than a dozen mercenaries from the Wolf Head Mercenary Group followed behind him.

Xiao Yi Xian was shocked and furious. "You followed us!"

"That's right!"

Mu Li grinned viciously. "Hand over all your treasures, and I might spare your lives!"

"It looks like we're in for a hard battle."

Xiao Yan's expression turned solemn as he gripped the Black Heavy Ruler on his back.

Xiao Yi Xian bit her lip lightly. The Nine-Colored Poison Scripture had been left behind by that Woeful Poison Body senior. She could not possibly hand it over.

Seeing their expressions, Mu Li snorted coldly. "Stubborn fools. Attack!"

The dozen or so mercenaries were all skilled Dou Zhe. Under their combined assault, Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian were quickly driven back, forced to retreat deeper into the cave.

Before long, the two had retreated to the deepest part of the cave, with the crystal Ice Coffin right behind them!

Xiao Yan spat out a mouthful of blood. He had already suffered injuries, and he felt things were going terribly wrong. They could not retreat any farther. If these ignorant mercenaries disturbed the Ice Coffin's owner's slumber, everyone would be buried here!

"Die!"

Mu Li hurled a spear strike directly at Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan instinctively turned his head to evade it, but he regretted it almost immediately.

"Crack!"

The spear plunged into the Ice Coffin. The sound of ice crystals shattering rang out at once as fragments scattered across the purple soil.

Xiao Yi Xian cried out in alarm.

"Now, we're truly finished..."

Xiao Yan's face was full of bitterness.