Sacred Tower Forges Foundation, Dragon Qi Surges; Black Hand Returns, Burying Immortal Traces

The octagonal base of the Ten Thousand Dragon-Phoenix Pagoda, like a giant god long in slumber, was firmly rooted in the heart of the oasis. Its earthy-yellow metallic luster flowed wantonly under the scorching sun, resembling the blood of time coursing through the giant's body. The natural dragon-scale patterns on the surface of the base flickered in rhythm with the inhalation and exhalation of the Earth Vein Dragon Qi, mimicking the gentle rise and fall of a sleeping giant's breath and exuding a mysterious, majestic power.

At the center of the base, an illusory vortex of dragon qi pulsed like a beating heart, every rotation brimming with endless vitality and strength. It tugged at eight branching pillars of dragon qi, causing them to vibrate and emit a low, resonant hum, as if the giant were murmuring in its sleep. This sound pumped the pure and vast Earth Vein Dragon Qi like a rushing river, continuously surging into the entire core area of the oasis. The surrounding air warped slightly due to the energy, which was so dense it had become almost tangible; with every breath, one could feel the fragrance of soil and the heavy weight of power intertwining in their nasal passages.

The surviving Snake-People Tribe warriors, under the command of their elders, worked like industrious worker ants, busily and methodically transporting more Star Steel and Earth Vein Stone inscribed with defensive arrays to the edge of the base. Yue Mei personally oversaw the operation; her posture was elegant, her gaze firm, like a general commanding a thousand armies. She directed several Snake-People elders proficient in arrays, carefully guiding the dragon qi to scour and smelt these rare materials. Under the baptism of the dragon qi, the materials gradually fused and deformed, allowing the base to stack and take shape at a slow but steady pace. Each stone that fell was accompanied by a low rumble, like the soft snoring of the sleeping giant. The light of hope in the eyes of the Snake-People grew ever more fervent; this was the Holy Temple of their rebirth, the true backbone of their tribe's future, carrying all their dreams and expectations.

However, on the edge of this land of hope and reconstruction, within the deep pit of the Spirit Gathering Pavilion plaza, the atmosphere was starkly different, as if they were two separate worlds.

Xiao Zhan sat cross-legged at the bottom of the pit, pale golden mist steaming from his body like a mysterious halo enveloping him. The charred hole at the center of his brow no longer bled; its edges were stubbornly covered by pale golden granulation tissue, repairing most of the damage like a glimmer of dawn in the darkness. Yet, at the very center, a speck of black as fine as a needle tip remained stubbornly embedded in his skull, like a poison thorn lodged in flesh, radiating a chilling, heart-palpitating aura. The newly born Dragon-Phoenix Power acted like the most tenacious craftsman, continuously scouring and scorching this Nirvana Extinction Residual Poison. Every collision of power made Xiao Zhan's body tremble slightly, and a bone-deep stinging pain radiated from his brow, as if countless needles were pricking him at once; simultaneously, a cold aura seeped into his soul, as if he were trapped in an ice cellar, making him shiver uncontrollably.

"Hoo..." Xiao Zhan slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air, the breath carrying a scorching heat that seemed capable of igniting the surrounding air. He slowly opened his eyes, two golden rays emerging from within, deeper and more steady than before, as if hiding a deep, ancient pool. Yet, in the very depths of his eyes, traces of lingering exhaustion remained, as if he had just endured a long and arduous battle.

At this moment, he had stabilized at the peak of the two-star Dou Zong realm, his aura thick and solid. Under the extreme pressure of the Nirvana Extinction force, the Dragon Phoenix Tyrant Body Art had successfully broken through to 60%. The passive trait of the newly born Dragon-Phoenix Will acted like a sturdy suit of armor for his soul, greatly strengthening his soul defense and purification capabilities. However, the Nirvana Extinction Residual Poison, clinging like a maggot to a bone, had become a shadow he could not shake from his heart. This residual poison originated from the rule-based power of a Dou Sheng; its level was far beyond imagination. Even though the Dragon-Phoenix Power was peerless and domineering, before this poison, it could only grind away at an extremely slow pace, like water dripping through stone.

Nirvana Extinction Residual Poison erosion: 1.5%... Purification speed: 0.01%/shichen... Estimated time for complete purification: 625 days (requires continuous operation of the Dragon Phoenix Tyrant Body Art to suppress)

The system's prompt was cold and realistic, like a sharp dagger piercing into Xiao Zhan's heart.

"Hun Mietian... what a ruthless method..." Xiao Zhan's fingertips lightly brushed his brow; the touch was slightly cool, as if reminding him of the grievous injury he had suffered. His eyes turned icy cold, like icicles in the depths of winter. This single finger strike not only caused him severe bodily harm but also planted a bomb on his path forward that could detonate at any moment. 625 days? In such a long time, how could the Soul Hall ever give him a chance to catch his breath!

"Father!" At this moment, Xiao Yan's voice came from the top of the pit, filled with deep concern and a hint of irrepressible excitement. "How do you feel? The base is finished!"

Xiao Zhan slowly raised his head, his gaze crossing the edge of the pit toward the massive metal foundation in the distance that radiated a vast and majestic aura. The base stood like a dormant beast, quietly rooted in the oasis, releasing an awe-inspiring power. A hint of relief flashed in his eyes, as if he saw the light of hope for his tribe's future.

He then forced a breath, his aura surging, and his figure flickered like a ghost, instantly appearing at the edge of the pit. Although his aura still carried the weakness of his injury, as if a light breeze could blow him over, the heavy, condensed pressure belonging to a Dou Zong expert had re-formed, making him impossible to underestimate.

"The foundation is set, very good." Xiao Zhan's voice was steady and powerful, echoing in the air like a great bell. His gaze swept slowly over the busy Snake-People in the distance, watching them move back and forth like industrious bees, his heart filled with emotion.

"Yue Mei!" Xiao Zhan suddenly called out.

"Here! Elder Xiao!" Yue Mei immediately flew over like an agile swallow, bowing respectfully, her eyes filled with awe and worship as she looked at Xiao Zhan. In her heart, Xiao Zhan, who had withstood a finger strike from a Dou Sheng and survived, was already a near-divine existence, a peak she would forever look up to.

"The base is cast, and the dragon qi is surging; this is the perfect time for the oasis to undergo its transformation." Xiao Zhan said in a deep voice, his tone carrying unquestionable majesty. "Organize the people immediately to carefully construct the Spirit Gathering Array around the base. You must guide the dissipating dragon qi like threads to every corner of the oasis, allowing the vegetation to be nourished and burst with vitality; at the same time, strengthen the defensive light barrier to build an indestructible shield for the oasis. Additionally, select those with outstanding talent in the tribe to enter the area around the base where the dragon qi is densest to cultivate. Let them use the magical power of the Earth Vein Dragon Qi to temper their bones and improve their strength, storing power for the future of the tribe!"

"Yes! This subordinate obeys!" A sharp light like a blade erupted from Yue Mei's eyes. Her aura surged, and she immediately accepted the order without hesitation, her footsteps hurried yet decisive and capable.

"Yan'er," Xiao Zhan turned slowly, his gaze falling on his son with tenderness and depth, finally focusing on the ring on his left hand that radiated an ancient aura. "How is Senior Yao Lao doing now?"

At the mention of his teacher, Xiao Yan's previously steady face instantly bloomed with excitement, his eyes flickering. "Teacher's sleeping soul has brightened a bit more under the nourishment of the fragment's energy! Although he has not fully awakened, his aura has stabilized significantly, like a warm current about to break through the ice in winter, giving us hope!"

"Hmm, that is a good thing." Xiao Zhan nodded slightly, though a more solemn look quietly flashed in his eyes, as if he foresaw the coming storm. "But Yan'er, you must remember that the fragments of the Bronze Immortal Palace are a double-edged sword. The ancient information they contain is like a vast ocean, too immense and complex. Before your soul power is strong enough to control this force, you must never again attempt to piece the fragments together or deeply sense their mysteries. Otherwise, once it backfires, it will be like playing with fire, and you will regret it too late!"

Xiao Yan recalled the pain of his soul being torn twice before, the feeling of countless needles pricking the depths of his soul, and he still felt a lingering fear. He straightened his expression and nodded heavily. "Yes, Father! This child understands the stakes and will certainly keep your teachings in mind!"

"Also," Xiao Zhan's voice dropped suddenly, like a low bell tolling in the dead of night, carrying unprecedented seriousness and gravity. "The 'Lord Hun Mie' and the 'descent of the Saint's true body' that Gu You mentioned before he perished were no empty threats, but real, tangible dangers. The Soul Hall has suffered such a great loss this time; like a provoked beast, their true retaliation could strike like a violent storm at any moment! The location of the oasis has likely been exposed and has become a target in their eyes. During this time, you and Xiao Yi Xian must stay in the core area, like two turtles hiding in their shells, and must not leave even half a step to ensure your own safety!"

Xiao Yan's heart tightened, as if a basin of cold water had been poured over him, and he instantly felt the mountain-like pressure in his father's words. "Yes! This child will strictly follow your instructions!"

Just then, a cold and calm voice drifted over from not far away like a mountain spring. "Uncle Xiao."

Xiao Yi Xian had arrived quietly. She was still wearing the light purple Snake-People combat outfit, her figure slender and graceful, like a purple bamboo swaying in the wind. However, her temperament was completely different from before. The pale, fragile appearance was long gone, replaced by skin as lustrous as jade, as if she were enveloped in a soft radiance. Her eyes, deep as a purple starry sky, were calm and waveless, yet they swirled with an introverted and mysterious luster, as if hiding endless secrets.

Her gaze landed on the center of Xiao Zhan's brow, where a speck of black remained like an discordant dark star in the night sky. Xiao Yi Xian's brows furrowed slightly, a subtle movement that was almost imperceptible.

"Uncle Xiao's injury... does not seem to be an ordinary Dou Qi wound." Xiao Yi Xian's voice was as light as the wind, yet carried a sharpness that pierced to the essence, as if she could see through all disguises. "That lingering black aura... contains a kind of... rule-based power that erases existence?"

A hint of surprise flashed in Xiao Zhan's eyes, like ripples on a calm lake. That this girl's perception of the essence of energy was so sharp was truly beyond his expectations. He nodded slightly, his tone carrying a hint of gravity. "Indeed, it is a bit of Nirvana Extinction Residual Poison left behind by the Soul Hall Hall Master, Hun Mietian. This poison originates from the level of rules and is extremely difficult to remove, clinging like a maggot to a bone."

Xiao Yi Xian was silent for a moment, as if contemplating something. Then, she slowly raised her right hand, and above her palm, the Woe Poison Pill, the size of a dragon's eye and carved from what looked like perfect purple crystal, appeared silently. Inside the poison pill, a deep purple nebula slowly rotated like a mysterious universe, with a speck of dark gold light flickering at its core, as if hiding endless power.

"My poison pill... seems to have some reaction... to that cold, filthy power." Xiao Yi Xian's voice carried a hint of uncertain exploration, as if she were groping her way forward in the dark. "Perhaps... I could try?"

Xiao Yan and Yue Mei were both stunned by Xiao Yi Xian's words, turning their surprised gazes toward her in unison. That Nirvana Extinction Residual Poison could only be slowly ground away by an expert like Elder Xiao through the effort of water dripping through stone; yet she, a mere woman, actually had the intention to try and remove it?

Xiao Zhan's gaze was deep as an abyss, staring intently at the poison pill in Xiao Yi Xian's palm, then slowly shifting to her calm, water-like purple eyes. The Woe Poison Body was the source of all poisons and could dissolve all poisons in the world. And although this Nirvana Extinction Residual Poison originated from a Dou Sheng, its essence was also a kind of extreme, evil, and filthy power... perhaps... there really was that one glimmer of possibility?

"Be careful." Xiao Zhan did not refuse Xiao Yi Xian's attempt and said in a deep voice. With that, he slowly sat cross-legged, his Dou Qi receding like a tide, completely exposing the stubborn black speck at his brow.

Xiao Yi Xian took a deep breath, as if to draw all the surrounding air into her lungs, and her eyes instantly became incredibly focused, as if this were the only thing left in the world. She curled her finger and tapped lightly against the Woe Poison Pill, her movement gentle yet containing an inexplicable power.

Hum!

The poison pill trembled slightly, as if it had been awakened. Immediately after, a wisp of poison mist, refined to the extreme and presenting a deep dark purple, emerged from the pill like a silk thread possessing life. This wisp of poison mist was no longer as violent and rampant as it had been in the past, but instead carried an introverted, calm aura that controlled everything, as if a steady sage were calmly examining everything.

Under Xiao Yi Xian's precise control, this wisp of poison mist acted like the most dexterous probe, approaching the black speck at Xiao Zhan's brow with extreme caution, as if walking on thin ice. Every inch it moved felt like crossing an invisible, treacherous peak.

Sss... sizzle...

The moment the dark purple poison thread finally touched the Nirvana Extinction Residual Poison, a strange change occurred! It was as if two extreme forces had collided, stirring up layers of invisible ripples.

There was no earth-shattering clash of energy, nor any sharp, piercing sound of dissolution. The black speck, which had been as stubborn as a rock, seemed to have encountered its destined nemesis and suddenly shrank inward! The evil rule-based power that constituted the Nirvana Extinction Residual Poison, the moment it touched the origin poison power of the Woe Poison Pill, was like a subject meeting a more noble emperor. Suppressed by that higher-level power of destruction and assimilation, it began to decompose and dissolve at an extremely slow, almost imperceptible speed!

The speed was as slow as fine sand dripping through an hourglass, almost indistinguishable to the naked eye. However, Xiao Zhan felt clearly and distinctly that the bone-deep stinging pain at his brow and the coldness that had haunted his soul were weakening! The Nirvana rule, which had been clinging like a maggot to a bone, was now being forcibly decomposed and transformed by a higher-level "poison" rule, as if in a silent but intense struggle.

"It's working!" Yue Mei could not help but exclaim, her voice filled with unbelievable surprise, like a lamp suddenly lighting up in the darkness.

Xiao Yan also widened his eyes, his gaze locked onto that wisp of dark purple poison thread. He watched as it ate away at the black speck bit by bit, inch by inch, his heart filled with shock. The power Xiao Yi Xian displayed after mastering the Woe Poison Body was so strange and powerful, as if it came from another mysterious world.

Fine beads of sweat gradually seeped from Xiao Yi Xian's forehead, like dew on flower petals in the morning. Controlling this wisp of origin poison thread for such delicate work was undoubtedly a huge drain on her; every output of power felt like it was draining her energy. But her eyes remained focused and calm, like a bottomless lake. The dark gold light deep within her purple eyes flickered slightly, like the brightest star in the night sky, acting like a stabilizing needle to steady her mind and maintain absolute control over the poison power.

Time flowed like a babbling brook, passing silently. The black speck, the size of a needle tip, finally shrank by a circle visible to the naked eye under the continuous and persistent erosion of the dark purple poison thread! At the same time, the mountain-like pressure at Xiao Zhan's brow also lightened by a fraction, as if an invisible boulder had been lifted.

"That is enough." At this moment, Xiao Zhan spoke at the right time, his voice steady and gentle. His gaze was sharp, and he had long since seen that Xiao Yi Xian was nearing her limit; her face was slightly pale, and the sweat on her forehead had not yet dried, as if telling of the hardship she had just endured. He continued, "This poison is exceptionally stubborn and can never be removed in a single day. That you could weaken it is already a pleasant surprise; do not overexert yourself."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yi Xian immediately understood and decisively withdrew the poison thread. The wisp of dark purple poison mist returned to the poison pill like a bird returning to its nest. In an instant, the light of the poison pill seemed to dim slightly, as if exhausted after a great battle. She breathed slightly, her breath a bit hurried, and then nodded lightly at Xiao Zhan. Her cold face remained expressionless, like a deep, calm lake, but a trace of faint relief flashed in the depths of her eyes, as if she were relieved after completing an important mission.

"Thank you." Xiao Zhan said solemnly, every word filled with sincerity and gratitude. He had deeply recorded this favor, as if treasuring a precious gem in the bottom of his heart.

"Uncle Xiao is too kind." Xiao Yi Xian shook her head slightly, her movements elegant and composed. Her gaze slowly turned toward the core area of the oasis, where some of the wounded, who still appeared listless under the nourishment of the dragon qi, were resting quietly. She said softly, "I will go check on the others." With that, her figure drifted away like a purple butterfly merging into the wind, leaving behind only a faint purple silhouette.

"This girl..." Yue Mei watched Xiao Yi Xian's departing back, feeling deeply moved, her eyes filled with wonder and admiration. Who could have imagined that the Woe Poison Body, once regarded by everyone as a disaster to be avoided at all costs, would now become an indispensable guardian of the oasis, like a brilliant star illuminating the hope of this land.

Xiao Zhan stood up slowly, his posture as straight and proud as a towering pine. He closed his eyes, carefully sensing the relief of the pressure that had been weighing on his brow. Within his body, the Dragon-Phoenix Dou Qi flowed like a babbling brook, surging forward without obstruction, as if the roars of dragons and the cries of phoenixes were echoing through his very veins. A moment later, he opened his eyes, his gaze burning like a torch as he fixed it upon the tower foundation being forged in the distance. He said in a deep voice, "Continue forging the tower! Time... is already running out."

A hundred miles away from the Snake Abyss Oasis, in a desolate wasteland, a massive weathered rock pillar rose from the ground, its peak piercing the clouds. At its summit, two figures stood as silently as ghosts, appearing to merge with the mottled, age-worn rock beneath their feet, as still as specters in this world.

One of them was withered and hunched, resembling a corpse drained of all vitality by the ruthless passage of time. He was wrapped in an oversized, pitch-black cloak that seemed to swallow all light, concealing his form within endless darkness. The shadow of his hood acted like a heavy curtain, obscuring his face entirely, save for two points of ghostly green soul-fire burning slowly in the dark. The light was bone-chillingly cold, devoid of any warmth, with only a cold, greedy indifference toward the flesh and blood of the living pulsing within. In his hand, he leaned upon a bone staff twisted like a crawling snake, its top embedded with a skull that seemed to be wailing in agony. Wisps of cold, deathly aura drifted from the staff, causing the surrounding parched air to condense into tiny black ice crystals wherever it passed, like a silent dance of death.

The other was exceptionally tall and burly, like a moving iron tower, exuding an intense sense of oppression. He was also shrouded in a black robe, but it could not fully hide the knotted, rock-hard muscles beneath. He carried no weapons; a pair of fan-sized hands protruded from the robes, the skin a strange, metallic blue-gray. His knuckles were terrifyingly thick, and his fingernails were pitch-black and curved like eagle talons, shimmering with a cold, sinister luster. Within the shadow of his hood, only a pair of eyes flashing with violent red light could be seen, like a beast waiting to devour its prey, radiating a bone-chilling aura.

These two were none other than the Nether Duo sent by Hun Mietian—Elder You (the withered one) and Elder Ming (the burly one)!

"Jie jie jie..." Elder You's raspy, dry voice, as grating as bones grinding against each other, rang out. The two points of ghostly green soul-fire peered through the gap in his hood, locking onto the pillar of Earth Vein Dragon Qi that had yet to fully settle above the oasis a hundred miles away, as well as the magnificent, massive metal tower foundation rising beneath it. He said gloomily, "The Ten Thousand Dragon-Phoenix Pagoda... what a grand undertaking! Does this tiny Snake-People Tribe truly possess such deep foundations? Or is it... the work of that human called Xiao Zhan?"

"Hmph! Nothing but flashy, useless trinkets!" Elder Ming's voice rolled like thunder, laden with thick disdain and contempt. His scarlet eyes swept over the busy Snake-People figures on the outskirts of the oasis like burning flames, scanning them back and forth as if looking at lambs about to be slaughtered, devoid of any mercy. "Mere Snake-People, plus a Dou Zong who luckily survived—do they really deserve for us to act personally? The Hall Master is being far too cautious! We should just slaughter our way in, capture the Woe Poison Body, seize the Green Lotus Core Flame, and crush that tower foundation to dust. Why go to such great lengths!"

"Utterly foolish!" Elder You snapped coldly, his voice sounding as if it had emerged from an ice cellar, biting and chill. He tapped his bone staff against the ground, and in an instant, a visible black ripple spread out like water, forcibly suppressing the violent aura radiating from Elder Ming, as if shackling a manic beast. "Have you forgotten the images sent back by Gu You's avatar before it collapsed? That human Xiao Zhan was able to take a strand of the Hall Master's Nirvana Finger intent and survive; he is no ordinary person, and you would do well not to underestimate him! And that Woe Poison Body... to be able to condense a Poison Pill under Gu You's Soul-Devouring Lure is no small feat! But more importantly..."

The ghostly green soul-fire beneath Elder You's hood flickered slightly, like two cold, distant stars. His voice carried a trace of hard-to-detect gravity, pressing down like a heavy lead weight: "When Gu You finally collapsed, he seemed to sense a trace of... an aura that should not exist in this lower plane... Although it was so faint it was almost impossible to capture, the Hall Master confirmed it personally... It is the trace of the 'Bronze Immortal Palace'!"

"The Bronze Immortal Palace?!" Elder Ming's scarlet pupils contracted sharply, as if two burning gems had suddenly been shrouded in frost. Hearing such a taboo name, even his violent aura stagnated for a moment. His voice carried an incredulous suspicion, like an echo from the abyss: "That legendary thing... appearing in this godforsaken desert?"

"Better to believe it exists than to take the risk!" Elder You's voice was decisive, clashing like metal, carrying unquestionable authority. "The Hall Master's command is as heavy as Mount Tai; how could it be questioned? Our mission is clear and explicit: capture the Woe Poison Body alive, seize the Green Lotus Core Flame, and investigate clues regarding the Immortal Palace! As for that Xiao Zhan... the Hall Master wants him alive. Do not act rashly and ruin the grand plan!"

Having said this, his withered, twig-like fingers tapped lightly in the void, as if the brushstrokes of fate were sketching in the nothingness. A tiny black rune, meticulously constructed from pure soul power, silently merged into the air like a drop of ink into a vast lake, disappearing without a trace, yet containing infinite mystery.

"Let these snake-spawn... fall into chaos on their own first." Elder You let out a cold, eerie laugh, the sound like the cry of an owl, making one's hair stand on end. "The 'Soul-Devouring Lure' has already been planted... Soon, this oasis, which appears as solid as a fortress and perfectly orderly, will begin to rot from within... like a tree eaten by worms, gradually collapsing!"

The scene shifts to a corner of the oasis, a temporary shelter for the severely wounded. The air was thick with the heavy scent of medicine—the breath of hope for the injured; mingled with the pungent smell of blood—the cruel mark left by battle; and the faint, fishy odor unique to the Snake-People, weaving together into a complex and heavy atmosphere. Dozens of Snake-People warriors, who had been eroded by sinister soul power or suffered grievous wounds in the previous battle, lay quietly on crude stone beds, their breathing as weak as a candle in the wind. Their wounds were wreathed in a gray-black aura that was difficult to dispel, like evil claws tightly entwined, causing them to moan in pain from time to time, as if recounting the cruelty and ruthlessness of war.

Xiao Yi Xian moved like a silent purple butterfly, fluttering noiselessly among the wounded. Her expression was as cold as frost, yet her eyes were as focused as torches, as if she could pierce through all appearances to reach the core of the pain.

She walked gracefully to the bed of a Snake-People warrior whose injuries were the most severe. This warrior's body was half-covered in a strange and hideous blue-black hue, as if shrouded in a dark haze; his skin was as shriveled as the bark of a tree that had weathered the ages, the deep furrows revealing the fragility of life; his wounds were deep enough to see the bone, as if slashed by a ruthless blade, and the blood flowing out was a viscous, dark purple, emitting a cold and foul stench that made one want to retch. His eyes were tightly shut, his breath flickering and unstable, like a candle in the wind; he was clearly on the verge of death, his flame of life ready to be extinguished at any moment.

Beside him, an old Snake-People apothecary was drenched in sweat, his expression anxious and helpless. He tried to draw the poison from the warrior with herbs, his hands moving frantically, but the results were minimal, and he could only shake his head and sigh, his eyes filled with frustration and powerlessness.

Xiao Yi Xian leaned over slightly, extending her fair, slender fingers, which were as smooth as mutton-fat jade, and pointed them lightly toward the warrior's brow from a distance. In an instant, the iconic Poison Pill did not appear in her palm, but an invisible, extremely pure suction force spread quietly from her fingertips, like an invisible net shrouding the space.

Chi chi...

The gray-black sinister soul power wreathed around the warrior's wounds seemed to be pulled by an invisible hand, instantly transforming into wisps of black mist. They twisted and struggled frantically in the air, emitting extremely faint yet sharp, piercing shrieks, like dying evil beasts. However, they could not resist the powerful suction and were quickly drawn toward Xiao Yi Xian's fingertips, eventually disappearing as if swallowed by darkness.

As the sinister soul power was continuously drawn away, a miracle occurred. The warrior's originally blue-black skin began to regain a hint of color at a speed visible to the naked eye, like parched earth welcoming long-awaited rain. Although he remained extremely weak, his flickering breath clearly stabilized, as if he had seen a glimmer of hope in the darkness.

"This... this..." The old apothecary beside her stared in stunned silence, his eyes wide as copper bells, completely unaware that the herbs in his hand had fallen to the ground. The sinister poison they had been helpless against was being easily drawn away by this seemingly delicate human girl—such methods were simply beyond his imagination!

Xiao Yi Xian paid no mind to the shock of others, the invisible suction at her fingertips continuing unabated, drawing out the sinister poison that had long resided in the warrior's body like pulling silk from a cocoon. Her complexion gradually turned pale, like plum blossoms blooming in winter covered in a thin layer of frost; clearly, this operation, which required such minute, focused control of poison power, was quite taxing for her.

However, when she saw the warrior's gradually stabilizing breath, like a candle flickering in the wind but no longer in imminent danger; when she saw the skin regaining a hint of color, like parched earth welcoming the first ray of vitality, the dark gold light deep within her purple eyes brightened for an instant, like a shooting star streaking across the night sky.

"Next." Her cold voice, like a clear spring flowing through the mountains, rang out clearly in the slightly noisy environment. Having said this, she moved gracefully toward another wounded man who was roaring in pain, like a trapped beast being tortured by soul poison.

Just then!

"Ughhh—!!!"

A shrill, inhuman scream, like a sharp bolt of lightning, suddenly exploded from the other side of the stone hall! This was followed by the dull, chaotic sound of tables and chairs being overturned, and screams of terror that had shifted in pitch, as if countless startled birds had taken flight in the dark.

Xiao Yi Xian's pupils contracted instantly, like the flickering of stars in the night sky, and her figure flickered like a ghost, appearing at the source of the sound in an instant.

A Snake-People warrior who had been in stable condition and lying quietly on a stone bed receiving treatment was now rolling frantically off the bed like a mad beast possessed by a demon. His eyes were blood-red, filled with spiderweb-like blood vessels, and the whites of his eyes were completely replaced by a strange, ink-green, as if they were two bottomless pools hiding endless madness. He made strange, rattling noises in his throat, like whispers from hell, and saliva mixed with black blood foam dripped continuously like broken beads. Beneath his skin, countless twisted black patterns squirmed and bulged like living things, as if black venomous snakes were slithering under his flesh. A violent, chaotic aura filled with the desire for destruction erupted from his body like a surging tide!

"Kill... kill you all... all go to hell!" He roared, his voice raspy and insane, having completely lost his reason, like a puppet controlled by darkness. He waved his arms, which had grown sharp black bone spurs like two blades of death, and lunged frantically at his stunned companions and the apothecary, as if to tear everything in front of him to shreds.

"A-Tu! What has happened to you, have you gone mad?!" "Quick, hold him down together!" The surrounding Snake-People warriors were shocked and angry, their faces filled with disbelief and anxiety, as they scrambled to try and subdue their out-of-control companion.

However, a sudden change occurred.

Puchi!

A nearby Snake-People warrior was caught off guard and had his shoulder pierced through by the berserk warrior's blade-like black bone claws. In an instant, a gray-black aura spread from the wound, as if it were a mark eroded by darkness. The warrior screamed, stumbling backward, his face turning ashen as if all the blood had been drained from him, and he swayed, on the verge of collapse.

"No! He has been completely eroded by soul poison! Everyone, be careful!" someone shouted in terror, their voice trembling as if they saw the shadow of death approaching.

"Get back!" At this critical moment, Xiao Yi Xian snapped, her voice crisp yet carrying unquestionable authority. Her figure was like a purple bolt of lightning, instantly blocking the path of the berserk warrior. Her eyes were as cold as frost, as if they could freeze all evil. Facing the black bone claws lunging toward her with a fishy stench, she did not dodge, standing as immovable as a towering mountain.

Her right hand reached out like lightning, and a deep purple light suddenly ignited at the tip of her index finger, like the brightest star in the night sky, radiating a mysterious and powerful aura.

Chi!

Her fingertip pointed with absolute precision at the center of the berserk warrior's brow, like the judgment of fate, striking directly at the depths of his soul.

Wum—!!!

A pure, domineering dark purple poison power, carrying a supreme will of purification and suppression, surged into the berserk warrior's mind like a bursting flood. This power felt like a judgment from another world, carrying the mission to purify all evil.

"Aooo—!!!" The berserk warrior let out an even more shrill scream, the sound like a wail from hell. His body convulsed violently, and his movements froze, as if solidified by time. The black patterns squirming frantically beneath his skin turned charred and withered instantly, as if thrown into boiling oil, as if evil were being scorched by justice. The ink-green rapidly faded from his blood-red, chaotic eyes, replaced by boundless pain and a fleeting moment of clarity, as if he had seen a glimmer of hope in the darkness.

The dark purple light at Xiao Yi Xian's fingertip flared suddenly, like purple fireworks blooming in the night sky, brilliant and dazzling. She exerted the full power of her Poison Pill, that force surging like a raging tide, sweeping toward the violent soul poison will in the warrior's mind with unparalleled power of purification and suppression, as if to annihilate this evil completely.

However, at the very moment when the last trace of clarity in the berserk warrior's eyes was about to be completely drowned by the boundless darkness of pain, like a candle in the wind, Xiao Yi Xian's powerful and keen soul perception, like an invisible yet precise net, clearly captured a very subtle existence at the deepest part of his soul origin. It was a pitch-black mark buried deep like a seed, lying dormant yet continuously radiating a cold, desperate aura. Its fluctuations were like an invisible hand, inducing people toward the abyss of madness.

"Soul-Devouring Lure?!" Cold light erupted in Xiao Yi Xian's purple eyes, like two sharp purple lightning bolts piercing the darkness. In an instant, she understood! This was by no means a simple worsening of injuries or a loss of control over soul poison! Clearly, someone had used vicious means in the dark, planting this evil seed that induced madness, like burying a bomb under a calm lake that could be detonated at any moment.

Boom!

Just as she was distracted by investigating this crucial clue, the last trace of soul poison suppressed within the berserk warrior's body erupted like a demon long imprisoned finally breaking its shackles! His body swelled up as if filled with endless gas, the veins beneath his skin bulging like hideous earthworms squirming, emitting a bone-chilling aura.

"Careful! He's going to self-destruct!" Xiao Yi Xian warned sharply, her voice ringing out like a great bell in the chaotic environment. At the same time, her figure moved like lightning, pulling back rapidly in an attempt to avoid the impending fatal explosion.

However, she was half a step too late!

Puff—!!!

A dull, muffled sound erupted suddenly. It was not the earth-shattering, eardrum-piercing explosion one might expect, but rather the sickening, soft squelch of an overripe watermelon being crushed under immense pressure. The berserker's body, having swollen to a limit that seemed to defy the heavens, suddenly collapsed inward, only to detonate like a festering, poisoned tumor.

Viscous, foul-smelling blood and shredded flesh splattered in all directions like a torrential downpour. The gore was mixed with pulverized organs, emitting a pungent, rotting stench, while thick, grey-black Soul Poison swirled within the spray like clusters of cold, malevolent mist, adding a layer of terror and evil to the carnage.

The two Snake-man apothecaries and one warrior standing closest were instantly drenched in the putrid remains, covered from head to toe in the filth. The grey-black Soul Poison acted like maggots burrowing into bone, frantically drilling into their mouths, noses, and wounds, as if a swarm of starving ghouls were desperate to devour their life force.

"Ah—!!" A shrill, miserable scream pierced the silence of the stone hall, sounding like the mournful cry of an owl and chilling the blood of all who heard it. The three contaminated individuals convulsed violently, as if pulled by countless invisible hands. Their skin rapidly turned ashen, like withered leaves drained of color, and their eyes began to manifest the same ink-green chaos that had possessed the berserker—the mark of evil corruption.

"Poison... Poison explosion! Retreat!" A terrified shriek echoed throughout the hall, acting like a piercing alarm. The once-orderly infirmary descended into chaos; people fled like frightened beasts, and panic spread like a plague, leaving everyone in a state of frantic dread.

Although Xiao Yi Xian retreated with lightning speed, moving like a nimble purple butterfly through the chaos, a few drops of tainted blood still splattered onto her arm. The grey-black Soul Poison acted like a living creature; the moment it touched her skin, it frantically attempted to burrow inside. However, the dark purple poison energy naturally circulating on her skin instantly erupted with immense power, burning the Soul Poison away like searing flames until only wisps of blue smoke remained.

She watched the sudden descent into madness, feeling the panic and despair in the air pressing down on her heart like a physical weight. At the same time, she keenly sensed the cold, malicious intent manipulating it all, as if pairs of icy eyes were peering at her from the darkness. For the first time, a cold, frigid fury appeared on her serene face, sharp as winter frost and enough to make one shudder.

"Soul Hall... you are courting death!" Xiao Yi Xian's voice was cold as frost, laced with an unquestionable, icy resolve.

She hesitated no longer, her hands swiftly weaving complex and mysterious seals, as if communing with the poison energy of the world. In an instant, the Woe Poison Pill in her dantian flared with brilliant light, rising like a dark purple sun that cast the surrounding darkness into insignificance.

"Ten Thousand Poisons Return to Source! Purify!" As her cold voice fell, it was as if a clarion call had been sounded for all the poison in the world.

Hum—!!!

An invisible yet immensely powerful suction force erupted from her as the center. This pull was like a starving giant beast opening its maw, or a massive vortex spinning wildly within the stone hall. The grey-black Soul Poison permeating the hall was drawn in like threads pulled by an invisible hand; the splattered gore seemed to lose its weight, forcibly torn toward the center; even the Soul Poison rampaging within the three newly-infected Snake-men met its nemesis, being slowly extracted from their bodies.

Wisps of grey-black energy flowed toward Xiao Yi Xian like a hundred rivers returning to the sea. Three feet around her, an invisible dark purple force field unfolded like a precision filter. The moment the filthy impurities touched this field, they were instantly annihilated, dissipating into wisps of smoke, while the pure Soul Poison energy was greedily swallowed by the poison pill, as if it were enjoying a grand feast.

The three contaminated Snake-man warriors collapsed to the ground like marionettes with their strings cut. Though their bodies were incredibly weak, as if a gust of wind could topple them, the ink-green chaos in their eyes receded like a retreating tide, leaving behind only the dazed, lingering fear of those who had narrowly escaped death.

The chaos was forcibly terminated in that moment. The air in the stone hall, which had been churning like boiling water, gradually calmed, leaving behind the stillness that follows a storm.

Xiao Yi Xian stood alone amidst the wreckage, dark purple light flowing incessantly around her, making her look like the brightest star in the night sky. She was like a Queen of Poison, controlling life and death, standing high above and looking down upon it all. Her cold gaze seemed to possess the power to pierce through everything—through the walls of the hall, past countless obstacles—as if she could see the two figures hidden in the shadows a hundred miles away. They were the source of the evil, and the targets she was about to hunt down.

"Found you..." Xiao Yi Xian's red lips parted, her voice a low whisper, cold as an ice blade sliding through the night. At her fingertips, a wisp of refined grey-black Soul Poison lingered, moving like a nimble yet lethal viper. At the core of this poison, a faint, flickering trace of energy—fragile as a candle in the wind—remained tethered to the source of the evil. It emitted a cold, sinister fluctuation that Xiao Yi Xian's eagle-sharp gaze locked onto firmly, as if she had caught the tail of the devil.

At this moment, Xiao Zhan was sitting with Yue Mei and several elders, carefully discussing the intricate details of the tower's construction, each step a culmination of their wisdom and effort. Xiao Yan sat nearby, listening quietly, his eyes filled with focus and contemplation.

Suddenly!

[Warning! High-intensity malicious soul mark fluctuation (Soul-Devouring Lure) detected! Source: Infirmary! Associated target: Unknown Soul Hall expert (Suspected peak Dou Zong)!]

[Warning! Associated target has locked onto host's location! Crisis level: High!]

The system's [Crisis Foresight (Basic)] module flashed with blinding red light, and the shrill alarm sounded like thunderclaps in Xiao Zhan's consciousness, causing his mind to tense instantly.

At almost the same moment!

"Father! Something happened on Xiao Yi Xian's side!" Xiao Yan also jerked his head up, his expression changing drastically, as if shrouded by a dark haze. Although his soul power was not as deep or powerful as Xiao Zhan's, he had vaguely sensed the sudden eruption of chaos in the infirmary, as well as a cold, clinging malice surging toward them from that direction.

"Soul Hall!" Cold light erupted from Xiao Zhan's eyes like two sharp bolts of lightning piercing the darkness. His reaction was swift as lightning; with no time for explanation, powerful spatial energy erupted within him, surging like a volcanic eruption. He grabbed Xiao Yan's shoulder with a grip that felt capable of piercing space-time. In the next instant, their figures vanished from the spot as if teleporting, leaving behind only a slight ripple in the air.

Yue Mei and the elders felt a blur before their eyes, as if time had shifted, and the father and son were already gone. Immediately after, they heard the chaos and screams coming from the infirmary, the sounds piercing the previous tranquility like a sharp whistle.

"Enemy attack! Enter the highest state of alert!" Yue Mei roared, her voice carrying the unquestionable authority and urgency of a war drum from the front lines. In an instant, her massive aura as a Dou King erupted like a green storm, sweeping outward from her. She transformed into a dazzling green light, charging toward the infirmary like an arrow released from a bow, the air whistling in her wake.

At the same time, the alarms across the entire oasis, which had just settled, rang out once more, the shrill sound cutting through the sky like the mournful cry of an owl, making everyone's heart leap into their throats.

When Xiao Zhan arrived with Xiao Yan via teleportation, the sight before them made their hearts tighten. Xiao Yi Xian stood alone in the hall, dark purple light flowing around her like the brightest star in the night sky. She was exerting her full power to forcibly quell the chaos and consume the rampaging Soul Poison. The hall was a mess; tables and chairs were overturned, objects were shattered, and a nauseating, foul stench filled the air. The surviving Snake-man warriors were still in shock, their eyes filled with fear and helplessness.

"Xiao Yi Xian! Are you alright?" Xiao Yan was frantic, rushing forward regardless of the danger, his eyes filled with worry and concern.

Xiao Yi Xian slowly retracted the power of her poison pill, the dark purple light around her gradually dimming. She shook her head gently, her cold purple eyes looking toward Xiao Zhan, her voice carrying a trace of icy killing intent, sharp as winter frost: "Uncle Xiao, it is the Soul Hall! Someone planted a 'Soul-Devouring Lure' from afar, like throwing a boulder into a calm lake, detonating the Soul Poison lurking within the wounded to create this chaos! The source... is a hundred miles to the northwest! There are two of them! Their strength is formidable!"

As she spoke, she flicked her finger, and the wisp of grey-black Soul Poison she had refined—containing a trace of the cold source—floated toward Xiao Zhan like a nimble viper.

Xiao Zhan's eyes were cold as ice, like two sharp blades. He reached out, and the wisp of poison landed steadily in his palm. His powerful soul energy, mixed with the Dragon-Phoenix Will, instantly surged into it, acting like an invisible key that opened the door to the truth.

Hum!

A fragmented image, extremely blurry yet carrying a strong sense of spatial coordinates, rushed into Xiao Zhan's mind like lightning. In the image, a hundred miles away, atop a massive wind-eroded rock pillar, two figures shrouded in deep black robes were flickering in and out of view. One figure was withered and hunched, holding a Skull Bone Staff, the ghostly green soul fire atop it flickering incessantly like hellfire; the other figure was as massive as an iron tower, its scarlet gaze filled with endless violence, like an enraged beast.

The Nether Duo! The true core enforcers of the Soul Hall! Their strength was at least at the peak of the Dou Zong realm—a terrifying existence that made people tremble.

"Good! Very good indeed!" Xiao Zhan laughed in his fury, the sound like a cold wind blowing from the Nine Nether Abyss, chilling to the bone and enough to make one shudder. He had been filled with frustration at being unable to find those Soul Hall scoundrels, and yet they were so arrogant as to not only come to his doorstep but to use such vicious, underhanded means to harm the wounded in the oasis. Their crimes were unforgivable!

"Yan'er, Xiao Yi Xian, you must guard the oasis!" Xiao Zhan left behind a single, iron-clad, unquestionable command. In an instant, the space around him began to twist and fluctuate violently, as if being kneaded by an invisible pair of giant hands. His massive aura as a two-star peak Dou Zong erupted without reservation, like a primordial beast that had been sleeping for eons suddenly awakening. Mixed with the newly awakened Dragon-Phoenix Will, it felt like a peerless, bloodthirsty weapon drawn from its sheath, radiating a chilling sharpness.

"Old dogs! Get out here and die!!!" Xiao Zhan roared, his voice like rolling thunder exploding in the heavens, shaking the very air around him.

Boom—!!!

Xiao Zhan's figure instantly tore through space, as if crossing the boundaries of time itself. Carrying heaven-burning rage and icy killing intent, he transformed into a streak of crimson-gold light that ripped through the sky. The light was like a meteor streaking across the night, carrying the momentum to shatter the heavens as he charged toward the wind-eroded rock pillar a hundred miles away. A heart-stopping battle was about to erupt!

"Hm? Discovered?" At this moment, atop the wind-eroded rock pillar a hundred miles away, the ghostly green soul fire beneath You Lao's hood flickered slightly. The dancing flames, like eyes in the darkness, keenly sensed that the Soul-Devouring Lure he had planted had been forcibly purged and that his position had been countered and locked onto. He couldn't help but let out a surprised hum, his voice tinged with astonishment.

"So what if we were discovered? It saves us the trouble of looking for them!" Ming Lao sneered, his laughter like the mournful cry of an owl, sinister and terrifying. The violent aura in his scarlet eyes flared, like two burning fires ready to incinerate everything around them. His black robes fluttered without wind, and a terrifying aura like that of a primordial beast erupted. Under the impact of this pressure, the rock pillar beneath his feet instantly filled with spiderweb-like cracks, as if it could collapse at any moment.

"A brat who just entered the Dou Zong realm dares to deliver himself to our doorstep? I'll tear him apart!" Ming Lao said viciously, his tone filled with disdain and killing intent.

Before his words had even faded into the wind!

Rumble—!!!

The space ahead, like a mirror smashed by an invisible yet terrifying giant hand, instantly shattered! A figure wrapped in crimson-gold flames, like a scorching sun falling from the sky, charged through the spatial barrier with the terrifying momentum of shattering the void, appearing above the wind-eroded rock pillar.

It was Xiao Zhan! Crimson-gold light burned fiercely in his eyes, his rage seemingly materialized, hot and surging. The pitch-black mark on his forehead, which had been suppressed, remained dormant for now, yet it added a layer of ferocity and majesty to his face, making him look like a war god walking out of hell. The Seven-Colored Little Snake coiled around his wrist keenly sensed its master's sky-high killing intent and let out a sharp, miserable hiss, as if cheering for the coming battle.

"You harmed my people and brought chaos to the oasis... Soul Hall scoundrels, today I shall use your soul fire to—consecrate the tower!" Xiao Zhan's voice was like thunder exploding from the nine heavens, carrying endless rage and resolve, rolling across the sky above the rock pillar and shaking the surrounding air.

He did not waste a single word. His right fist, burning with Dragon-Phoenix Dou Qi, carried the terrifying power to crush mountains. That force seemed capable of tearing through any obstacle, ignoring the distance of space, and surged forward with an unstoppable momentum, slamming fiercely toward the two figures shrouded in black robes atop the stone pillar!

"Dragon Phoenix Tyrant Body! Void Breaker!"

Following his roar, the space where his fist passed disintegrated inch by inch like fragile paper, leaving behind trails of pitch-black spatial rifts. His target was none other than the iron-tower-like Elder Ming!

"Arrogant!" Elder Ming let out a deafening roar, a sound like the bellowing of a wild beast, filled with disdain and provocation. He did not dodge; instead, a massive, greenish-grey metallic hand thrust out from beneath his black robe, fingers splayed wide as if to seize everything. A ball of viscous, ink-like black energy condensed instantly in his palm, and within that sphere, countless twisted, agonized ghostly faces wailed in silence, as if they were a collection of resentful spirits from hell.

"Nine Nether Death Soul Wave!"

BOOM—!!!

The crimson-gold fist imprint and the pitch-black Death Soul Wave collided atop the stone pillar like two burning stars! The shockwave generated by the impact swept outward in all directions like a raging tsunami, causing the stone pillar to collapse and sand and gravel to fly everywhere in its wake.