In the deep autumn moonlight, heaven and earth lay dim and murky. Both banks of the great river were shrouded beneath the night, and the waves of the Cang River were like a bolt of black satin, brushing over the sandy shore with a soft rustling. Only upon a stretch of jagged rocks on the southern bank did bright light shine, casting countless interwoven shadows. Beyond the edge of that light, it was like a domain of ghosts.
Several figures stood within the illuminated area. At the very center, Gu Zhi was speaking with easy confidence:
"It is still insect venom, but there are traces of artificial refinement. It has also been incorporated into a special method, forming a Poison Art. This is distinctly different from the natural toxins we encountered before. Presumably, the culprit believed the Zhu brothers' cultivation was too profound for ordinary poison to be effective."
"Can you trace the murderer?"
"Judging from the venom residue, after succeeding, the murderer went straight into the river to wash away the scent and remaining poison. The fish we found downstream that had been harmed by residual venom came from this. It can be said that the method was exactly the same as in the previous cases."
"Since they acted, can we learn anything of their origins from this?"
"I fear that is beyond my abilities. The varieties of insect venom are exceedingly complex, and the Poison Arts they form are ever-changing..."
"Oh, I understand."
"It is good that Fairy understands." Gu Zhi smiled faintly, several lines gathering at the corners of his eyes. Though his youth had passed, he possessed a different kind of mature grace.
Only last year had he stepped into the Void-Stepping realm, yet he had come too late. Even Essence Profound Truth could not reverse