Black Wind Gorge Ancient Road, Intercept Yu Xiaogang!

At this moment, Dugu Bo could not even lift his head. Nothing remained in his heart but boundless fear and reverence.

Yue Guan and Yang Wudi also stared in utter shock at the Pope's figure, like an emperor of ice.

Feeling that mighty power, as though it could freeze the world itself, their entire bodies trembled with excitement.

Qian Renxue looked at that figure, like a deity descending amidst the endless chill. Sensing the even deeper power of ice than before, strange light flickered repeatedly in her golden eyes.

Ye Xian slowly withdrew that earth-shaking aura, and the Frost King Sword silently returned to its sheath.

He felt the vast Soul Power surging endlessly through his body, seemingly inexhaustible.

As well as his nearly perfect control over Ultimate Ice. A glimmer of satisfaction flashed through the depths of his ice-blue eyes.

Ye Xian slightly raised his hand and pointed in the direction of Heaven Dou City, a faint light seeming to gather at his fingertip.

"Dugu Bo, continue serving as your Poison Douluo in Heaven Dou City. Keep a close eye on every disturbance in Heaven Dou City for me."

"Especially..."

Ye Xian's tone suddenly turned severe.

"Those two homeless dogs—Tang Hao and Tang San!"

"You must also keep watch over the movements of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan connected to them."

"Once your intelligence contributes to Spirit Hall, not only can I remove your snake venom, I may even raise your strength to a higher level."

"However..."

As he spoke, an invisible pressure came crashing down.

Dugu Bo let out a muffled groan. His knees weakened beyond his control, and he nearly fell to his knees.

He desperately mobilized his Soul Power to resist. Veins bulged at his temples, while cold sweat streamed down his face.

"If you dare to outwardly comply while secretly defying me, or pass along even a shred of false intelligence..."

Ye Xian's voice was like a sentence of judgment. The phantom of the Frost King Sword flickered in and out beside him, its ultimate sharpness and frost instantly locking onto Dugu Bo.

"I can see through the poison in your body at a glance, and naturally, I can make it erupt at once."

"I'll let you experience... the feeling of being devoured, inch by inch, bone and soul alike, by the deadly poison you have devoted your life to studying. It will be ten thousand times more painful than what you suffer now."

"Still, I believe the renowned Dugu Bo is a man who understands the times. I think highly of you..."

Dugu Bo repeatedly bowed.

"Y-yes, Your Holiness the Pope."

He did not doubt the truth of Ye Xian's words in the slightest.

Before this Pope, who could destroy the Clear Sky Sect with a mere wave of his hand, the poison arts Dugu Bo took such pride in were laughably fragile.

"But how am I supposed to send out the intelligence?"

Dugu Bo asked, somewhat at a loss.

"Don't worry. Someone will contact you."

He turned to Yang Wudi at his side.

"Clan Leader Yang Wudi, remain here for now and copy down each of the Immortal Herbs and medicinal plants within."

"Yes, Your Holiness!"

A fervent light instantly burst from Yang Wudi and Yue Guan's eyes, their voices trembling slightly with excitement.

Merely being able to examine these legendary Immortal Herbs up close was enough to make them this excited.

Ye Xian's figure shifted, instantly transforming into a streak of deep-blue light and vanishing into the mist where ice and fire intertwined, leaving behind only a bone-piercing chill that lingered for a long time.

Qian Renxue and Yue Guan followed closely behind.

Especially Yue Guan, whose face was full of reluctance.

But the Pope had said nothing, so he naturally did not dare remain behind.

Dugu Bo cast one last glance at the valley. His dark green figure was like a Poison Serpent merging into the shadows.

Silently, he slipped toward Heaven Dou City.

The three of Ye Xian did not return directly to Spirit Hall.

Instead, they remained in a small town outside Heaven Dou City.

The three concealed their auras and changed their appearances, drawing no attention whatsoever.

The very next day, a swift black figure silently appeared inside Ye Xian's room.

The newcomer was clad head to toe in specially made black light armor, his face covered by a featureless mask.

Only a pair of eyes, sharp as an eagle's, was exposed.

He was one of Spirit Hall's Dark Guards hidden within Heaven Dou City.

They were the ones who would contact Dugu Bo.

"Reporting to Your Holiness! Urgent news from Heaven Dou City!"

The Dark Guard's voice passed through the mask with the cold texture of scraping metal, ringing clearly through the room.

Ye Xian lowered his ice-blue gaze, as though a deity had cast his eyes downward.

"Speak."

"According to Dugu Bo's intelligence, Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong left Heaven Dou City two days ago and headed for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."

"The Dark Guards stationed at the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan report that the two left the clan early this morning."

The Dark Guard spoke extremely quickly, each piece of information precise.

"They brought no attendants, traveling only by fast horse, and appeared to be in great haste."

"Based on their direction and speed, they are currently racing back to Heaven Dou City along the Black Wind Gorge Ancient Road."

"They are estimated to be only a hundred li from Heaven Dou City at present and will arrive in two hours!"

Black Wind Gorge Ancient Road!

"This Dugu Bo is quite sensible!"

Ye Xian smiled faintly. It seemed this old poisoner truly intended to pledge loyalty to Spirit Hall.

Sure enough, the condition of being able to cure the snake venom in his and Dugu Yan's bodies was simply too...

"Yu Xiaogang?"

A curve lifted at Ye Xian's lips, carrying a trace of unsurprised mockery.

"I wonder what expression Tang San will have when he learns that his beloved teacher has fallen into the hands of my Spirit Hall?"

He slowly rose to his feet. His dark robes stirred without wind, and a suffocating current of cold instantly swept through the entire room.

His gaze turned toward Yue Guan, who stood waiting at the side, and Qian Renxue, who waited behind him.

"Yue Guan, Xue'er, come with me."

The icy command was issued.

"Black Wind Gorge Ancient Road!"

"Intercept Yu Xiaogang!"

"Yes, Your Holiness!"

Cruel excitement flashed through Yue Guan's eyes as he bowed to accept the order.

Not the slightest ripple appeared on Qian Renxue's holy face.

She understood that Ye Xian's will could not be questioned.

And as one of the people most important to Tang San, Yu Xiaogang naturally had to be placed among the highest-priority targets for elimination.

The phantom of the Six Winged Archangel behind her flashed faintly, and pure golden light enveloped her entire body.

The three figures silently departed from the small town.

They left behind no trace of their auras, as though they had never been there.

The afterglow of the setting sun was like spilled blood, dyeing the rugged Black Wind Gorge Ancient Road a tragic orange-red.

Gale-force winds howled through the narrow gorge like the wailing of ghosts.

They swept up clouds of yellow sand, lashing against the two galloping steeds and their riders.

Yu Xiaogang's face was pale as paper, and his lips were cracked and peeling.

Days of physical and emotional exhaustion had left his already frail body seeming as though the gorge's wild winds might scatter it at any moment.

Fortunately, his return to the clan had finally persuaded his father and several elders completely.

That gave Yu Xiaogang some comfort.

He clutched the reins tightly, his knuckles whitening from the force, while his body jolted violently atop the horse.

"Xiaogang! Hold on! We're almost there!"

Ahead of him, Liu Erlong's voice pierced through the wind and sand.

Her fiery red battle attire was already coated in dust, yet she still resembled a blazing flame.

She repeatedly looked back, her fiery red eyes filled with concern for Yu Xiaogang.

Yet they also held the vigilance of a beast.

As a Soul Douluo-level powerhouse, her senses were far sharper than Yu Xiaogang's.

The closer they came to Heaven Dou City, the stronger that inexplicable sense of foreboding became.