You're Not Poisoned, It's Martial Soul Backlash

"No need."

Qian Renyuan lifted the teacup from the table and took a light sip, his tone calm.

"You'll stay in Spirit City."

Xiao Wu was slightly startled. She felt both relieved and uneasy. Once Qian Renyuan left, she would have to face the powerful people in Spirit City alone.

"Put your mind at ease. Mother has already given the order. As long as you behave yourself, no one will dare touch you."

Qian Renyuan glanced at her.

"While I'm gone, stay obediently in the palace. If you dare entertain any foolish thoughts of running away again, you know the consequences."

Xiao Wu bit her lower lip hard and lowered her head deeply.

"...I understand."

Early the next morning, Qian Renyuan quietly left Spirit City with Jiangmo Douluo.

Ten days later, Heaven Dou Empire, Sunset Forest.

They left the carriage in a small town on the outskirts, and Qian Renyuan and Jiangmo Douluo entered the forest directly.

As the two ventured deeper, fewer and fewer soul beasts could be seen nearby. In their place, a faintly fishy-sweet stench that made one nauseous gradually spread through the air.

Jiangmo Douluo, who was walking ahead, suddenly stopped and raised an arm to shield Qian Renyuan behind him.

"Your Highness, there's poison ahead."

Following Jiangmo Douluo's gaze, they saw a layer of emerald-green mist drifting through the forest not far away. The plants along its path had already begun to wither.

"Just Jade Phosphorus Snake Poison."

Qian Renyuan remained composed as he slowly raised his left hand. A streak of black light surged from his palm, and the Black Lotus silently emerged, spinning rapidly in midair.

As the Black Lotus turned, the surrounding green poison mist was immediately drawn toward it, transforming into thin streams that flowed into the lotus's core.

After a few breaths, the poisonous mist blocking their path had been completely devoured.

"Keep going."

Qian Renyuan put away the Black Lotus.

The two followed the direction where the poison mist was thickest. Before long, a manor hidden amid the mountains and forest appeared before them.

Before they even approached, panicked shouts came from inside.

"Bad news! The young miss's poison has flared up again!"

"What do we do? The master is still gathering herbs in the back mountain. We can't contact him at all!"

Several servants dressed as household attendants huddled trembling at the entrance to the inner courtyard, terror written across every face. Not one dared step inside.

Emerald-green poison mist continuously poured out from the courtyard. Two servants who had merely stood a little too close already had an unnatural bluish tint appear on their faces.

Ignoring the servants in utter chaos, Qian Renyuan walked straight toward the inner courtyard shrouded in poison mist.

"Stop!"

A middle-aged soul master forced himself to block the way and shouted sternly, "This is Poison Douluo's private territory! Outsiders are forbidden from entering!"

"Noise."

Jiangmo Douluo snorted coldly and took a heavy step forward.

A tyrannical aura descended. The middle-aged soul master let out a muffled groan, his body forced uncontrollably to retreat to the side.

Without even sparing him a glance, Qian Renyuan crossed the arched gate as though taking a leisurely stroll and entered the inner courtyard.

In the center of the courtyard, a purple-haired girl was half-kneeling on the ground in agony, both hands clawing desperately at her chest, her nails nearly digging into her flesh.

She appeared to be only twelve or thirteen years old. Her neat short hair was completely soaked with cold sweat, clinging wetly to her cheeks.

Even more horrifyingly, her originally fair, delicate arms were covered in fine green markings that writhed like venomous snakes.

An emerald-green serpent phantom coiled behind her, uncontrollably spewing poison mist outward.

It was Dugu Yan.

Hearing footsteps, Dugu Yan struggled to lift her head. Her bloodshot eyes were filled with wariness. "Who... are you?"

"The people here to save you."

Qian Renyuan walked up to her and looked down at the green poison markings still spreading across her body.

"If you circulate your Soul Power again now, the poison will enter your heart meridians."

Dugu Yan clenched her teeth and retorted sharply, "Nonsense! My grandfather is Poison Douluo. No one in this world understands poison better than him. Once he returns, he'll naturally suppress it for me..."

"He can't even cure the poison in his own body. What can he use to save you?"

Qian Renyuan's words made Dugu Yan's expression darken.

"You dare insult my grandfather?"

She had always been spoiled and fiery. Enraged now, she actually forced herself to raise her right hand. The Jade Phosphorous Serpent behind her bared its fangs, and a vast cloud of green poison mist surged toward Qian Renyuan.

"Your Highness, watch out!" Jiangmo Douluo's eyes sharpened as he reached back to draw the Coiling Dragon Staff from behind him.

"No need."

Qian Renyuan summoned the Black Lotus again.

The moment the poison mist approached, a powerful suction force erupted from the center of the Black Lotus and swallowed it all.

The poison released by Dugu Yan vanished completely before it could even touch the corner of Qian Renyuan's clothes.

Dugu Yan froze in utter shock.

Jade Phosphorous Serpent Poison had always been the Dugu Clan's strongest weapon. Any soul master of the same rank who came into contact with even a trace of it would quickly lose the ability to fight.

Yet this child before her had actually devoured her poison.

"Your poison is useless against me."

Holding the Black Lotus, Qian Renyuan continued walking toward her.

Dugu Yan instinctively tried to retreat, but another stabbing pain suddenly shot through her chest.

"Urgh—!" She let out a pained groan. Her body went limp, and she nearly collapsed face-first onto the ground.

Qian Renyuan looked down at Dugu Yan and said, "It's your Martial Soul that's poisoning you to death, little by little."

Dugu Yan's breathing halted.

"Impossible..." she muttered in instinctive denial.

The Jade Phosphorous Serpent Martial Soul was her greatest pride. She had never imagined that the Martial Soul she was so proud of would one day take her life.

Yet the green poison markings continuously spreading across her arms left her unable to argue further.

"You... can you really save me?"

Tormented by the threat of death, Dugu Yan stared fixedly at Qian Renyuan. Her tone finally softened, even carrying a trace of pleading.

"I can, but you must withdraw your Martial Soul first."

A trace of vigilance remained in Dugu Yan's eyes. "Why should I believe you?"

"You can choose not to." Qian Renyuan's expression was icy. "In another half an incense stick's time, once the poison fully invades your heart meridians, even if you kneel and beg me, you won't get another chance."

Dugu Yan lowered her head to look at her arm. The green poison markings had already reached her shoulder, while the pain in her chest grew increasingly intense.

She bit through the tip of her tongue, forcing herself to remain conscious, before finally withdrawing the Martial Soul behind her in defeat.

"I'll believe you this once! If you dare deceive me... my grandfather will definitely tear you into eight pieces!"

Qian Renyuan felt nothing at this utterly harmless threat. He bent slightly and raised the Black Lotus before her.

"Clear your mind. Don't resist."

The Black Lotus slowly rotated, and a strand of devouring power entered Dugu Yan's body.

"Argh—!"

Dugu Yan's body suddenly arched backward. The Jade Phosphorous Serpent Poison accumulated within her meridians was tugged at and began to churn violently.

Qian Renyuan controlled his power, slowly stripping away the toxins that had gone out of control.

Soon, a strand of emerald-green poisonous gas flowed out through Dugu Yan's arm and was swallowed by the Black Lotus.

Dugu Yan's tightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed. The stabbing pain that had tormented her for so long truly began to lessen.

Outside the inner courtyard, however, the middle-aged soul master could not understand what was happening.

All he saw was Dugu Yan sitting on the ground with a pale face while an eerie Black Lotus drew power from her body.

The middle-aged soul master did not dare delay. He immediately took out a signal flare.

Whoosh!

Green light shot into the sky and exploded above Sunset Forest.

Deep in the forest, Dugu Bo, who was gathering medicinal herbs, suddenly froze and abruptly looked up.

Seeing the signal rising from the direction of the manor, he instantly crushed the herbs in his hand.

"Yanyan!"

Killing intent surged in Dugu Bo's eyes as his figure became a streak of light that raced toward the manor.