Reconstruction of the Jia Ma Empire's capital was in full swing. In the square, a white jade statue of the Soul Hall envoy had begun to take shape. Craftsmen carefully carved the folds of his robes, striving to recreate the heroic figure who had burned his soul to purify the Otherworldly Demons. Xiao Yan stood before the statue, watching the chisels in their hands. The Dou Qi of an eight-star Dou Wang circulated slowly within him, growing ever denser and more substantial after being nourished by the resources from the Misty Cloud Sect's treasury.
"My young friend, this is the latest report from the border." Chairman Fa Ma approached with his staff and handed him a rolled parchment map. Vermilion markings showed the distribution of the remaining Otherworldly Demon forces. One location, the Fog Forest on the border between the Jia Ma Empire and the neighboring Black-Corner Region Empire, bore a conspicuous skull symbol. "Word from the Black-Corner Region says that large numbers of mutated magical beasts have appeared in the Fog Forest. They suspect surviving Otherworldly Demons are controlling them from the shadows."
Xiao Yan's fingertip traced the Fog Forest on the map. "Mutated magical beasts? Creatures contaminated by Otherworldly Demon poisonous qi?" Fa Ma nodded. "Very likely. The Black-Corner Region Empire has already sent an envoy requesting aid, hoping we can dispatch powerful cultivators to help investigate. After careful consideration, I believe you are the best choice-your Mysterious Yellow Flame can purify Otherworldly Demon poisonous qi, and..." He paused. "According to our intelligence, mysterious black-robed figures have been sighted near the Fog Forest. They may be connected to Clan Head Xiao Zhan's whereabouts."
"A lead on Father?" A sharp light flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes, and he immediately tightened his grip on the map. "I'll leave at once!" Fa Ma took out a Storage Ring and handed it to him. "These are supplies prepared by the association, including ten High-Rank Purification Talismans and five Qi-Gathering Pills. The Black-Corner Region is unlike the Jia Ma Empire. Its factions are a tangled mix, so you must be even more cautious."
When Xiao Yan returned to the Xiao Clan residence to pack, Xiao Bo was teaching the clan's younger members the newly acquired Misty Cloud Sect techniques. Seeing Xiao Yan approach, the old man hurried over. "Are you going on a long journey, my young friend?" Xiao Yan briefly explained the situation in the Fog Forest. Xiao Bo took a beast-bone token from inside his robes. "This is a token from Ten Thousand Beasts Valley in the Black-Corner Region. I had some friendship with their valley master in my younger days. With this token, you can obtain their help."
Xiao Yan accepted the token and carefully put it away, then gave several clan stewards instructions concerning the remaining reconstruction work. When he stepped out of the residence, Nalan Yanran was already waiting at the entrance, her robes whiter than snow and the sword at her waist gleaming coldly. "I'm going with you," she said firmly. "I'll repay what the Misty Cloud Sect owes you through my actions. Besides, my wind Dou Qi is suited to tracking. It may be useful in the Fog Forest."
Seeing the sincerity in her eyes, Xiao Yan nodded. "All right." They walked side by side toward the outskirts, then unfurled their Azure Luan Wings together. Gold and azure wings shone against each other in the sunlight, drawing passersby to a halt. As the pair rose into the sky and flew away, the capital's outline gradually shrank until it became a tiny dot on the horizon.
The terrain of the Black-Corner Region Empire was utterly different from that of the Jia Ma Empire. Mountain ranges crisscrossed the land, dense forests covered the ground, and the air carried damp moisture and a faint scent of blood. The closer they drew to the Fog Forest, the more chaotic the Dou Qi fluctuations became. Occasionally, they spotted the ruins of villages destroyed by magical beasts, with black traces of corrosion still clinging to the shattered walls.
"Up ahead is Falling Wind Town, on the outskirts of the Fog Forest." Nalan Yanran pointed toward the distant silhouette of a town. "Let's gather information there before venturing deeper into the forest." Despite its position on the border, Falling Wind Town was unusually prosperous. Stalls selling magical beast materials lined both sides of the streets. Most pedestrians radiated formidable auras, with swords or sabers at their waists and wary eyes surveying everyone who passed.
As they entered the town's largest tavern, a clamor of conversation washed over them. Mercenaries around the tables were discussing the strange happenings in the Fog Forest, spittle flying as they spoke. "Did you hear? Another expedition vanished yesterday. They couldn't even find their bones!" "I saw a giant python in the forest that could spit poisonous mist. Its scales were all black, and one breath poisoned three Iron-Armored Rhinos to death!"
Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran took seats in a corner, ordered some food and wine, and quietly listened to the conversations around them. Several mercenaries at the next table lowered their voices. "The mutated magical beasts aren't the scariest part. It's that 'Poison Fairy'! They say she can control poisonous creatures and is vicious beyond belief. Anyone who enters her territory dies a horrible death..." "I heard she's an exquisite beauty. Too bad poison has her in its grip and completely changed her temperament..."
The Poison Fairy? Something stirred in Xiao Yan's heart. The title reminded him of someone. Just then, a commotion broke out beyond the tavern, accompanied by terrified screams. "Poisonous mist! The Poison Fairy is here!" Everyone surged toward the windows. In the square at the center of town, a cloud of dark green poisonous mist was spreading. Flowers and grass withered the instant it touched them, while countless tiny holes corroded the stone paving.
At the center of the mist, a purple figure hovered in midair. The woman wore a purple dress, her dark hair cascading like a waterfall. A sickly flush stained her exquisite face, and dark green poison Dou Qi swirled around her. It was Xiao Yi Xian, who had disappeared so long ago! Her eyes were tightly shut and her brows furrowed. She had clearly lost control, and poison Dou Qi was spilling from her unchecked.
"Xiao Yi Xian!" Xiao Yan sprang to his feet, the Mysterious Yellow Flame instantly igniting in his palm. "She's been contaminated by Otherworldly Demon poisonous qi!" Nalan Yanran also recognized Xiao Yi Xian, and her expression shifted. "Her strength... she's actually reached the Dou Zong level! But her Dou Qi is mixed with a dense Otherworldly Demon aura. It's extremely unstable!"
The poisonous mist in the square grew denser. The mercenaries unleashed their Dou Qi to resist it, yet some still accidentally inhaled the fumes and collapsed on the spot, convulsing as their skin blackened at a visible pace. Xiao Yi Xian's poison Dou Qi continued to surge. Her purple dress billowed without wind, and even the air around her twisted and warped under the deadly poison.
"We have to stop her!" Xiao Yan rushed out of the tavern, spread his Azure Luan Wings, and shot into the air above the square. Golden Mysterious Yellow Flame formed a barrier before him, blocking the spreading mist. "Xiao Yi Xian! Wake up!" At the familiar voice, her tightly closed eyes trembled slightly. Dark green blood seeped from the corner of her mouth. She was clearly fighting the Otherworldly Demon poisonous qi within her.
"Xiao Yan..." Xiao Yi Xian forced out his name, her gaze briefly clearing. "Quick... kill me... don't let me hurt anyone..." The poison Dou Qi inside her suddenly ran wild. A hideous Otherworldly Demon apparition appeared within the dark green mist and let out an ear-piercing shriek.
"An Otherworldly Demon remnant soul is controlling her poison body!" Xiao Yan immediately understood. Xiao Yi Xian's Woeful Poison Body was already overbearing; contamination by Otherworldly Demon poisonous qi had only piled snow upon frost. "Nalan, help me hold her steady!" Nalan Yanran immediately unleashed her wind Dou Qi. Azure air currents formed a vortex, temporarily containing the spreading mist.
Xiao Yan drew a deep breath and unleashed all the Dou Qi of his eight-star Dou Wang cultivation without reservation. The Mysterious Yellow Flame and Green Lotus Core Flame intertwined into a spiral. "Purifying Spirit Burning Heaven Record, eighth form-Flame Sea Purification!" Gold and azure flames surged toward Xiao Yi Xian like a tide, only to be repelled the instant they touched her poison Dou Qi. The dark green mist collided with the golden flames, producing a sizzling hiss.
What potent poison! Xiao Yan was startled. Xiao Yi Xian's Dou Zong strength, amplified by her Woeful Poison Body, actually made his Purification Flame struggle to take effect. The Otherworldly Demon remnant soul within her seemed to sense the threat and let out a piercing screech. Her poison Dou Qi surged again, forcing the flames several feet back.
"Xiao Yan, be careful!" Nalan Yanran cried. Cracks had appeared in her wind vortex; it clearly would not hold much longer. Xiao Yan clenched his teeth and drew upon a resource from the Misty Cloud Sect's treasury stored within his body-a stalk of millennium green spirit grass containing pure wood Dou Qi! "Spirit grass as the catalyst, twin flames to break the poison!" The green energy of the green spirit grass merged into the flame vortex. The golden flames immediately swelled, charging toward the poisonous mist with ceaseless, burgeoning vitality.
This time, the flames pierced the barrier of mist and reached Xiao Yi Xian's body. She let out a howl of agony as the Otherworldly Demon remnant soul struggled madly within her. Dark green poison Dou Qi and golden flames clashed fiercely across her skin, producing an eerie purple-gold radiance. Xiao Yan could clearly sense the Mysterious Yellow Flame purifying the Otherworldly Demon elements within her poison Dou Qi, but the innate toxicity of the Woeful Poison Body remained extraordinarily stubborn.
I have to purify deep inside her meridians! Xiao Yan made his decision. Risking corrosion from her poison Dou Qi, he pressed his palm against her dantian. Golden flames flowed down his arm into her body, purifying the poison Dou Qi in her meridians wherever they passed. The cunning Otherworldly Demon remnant soul, however, hid inside the core of her Woeful Poison Body.
"Aah!" Xiao Yi Xian let out a heart-rending scream. Her body shook violently, and fine veins rose beneath her skin. Nalan Yanran shouted anxiously, "She can't take much more!" Cold sweat covered Xiao Yan's forehead. His eight-star Dou Wang Dou Qi was draining rapidly, and the Mysterious Yellow Flame's purification power was gradually weakening. "Hold on! It's almost over!"
He risked drawing on the lingering power of the Heavenly Fire Three Mysterious Transformations, briefly raising his strength to that of a Dou Emperor. The golden flames swelled instantly and forced their way into the core of the Woeful Poison Body. The Otherworldly Demon remnant soul let out a desperate shriek as the dark green mist churned violently. At last, under the purification of the Mysterious Yellow Flame, it burst with a sharp bang and dissipated completely. With the remnant soul gone, the poison Dou Qi within Xiao Yi Xian quickly receded. Her purple dress settled, and her exquisite face regained its former delicate beauty.
Xiao Yan withdrew his palm. His entire body went limp, and he nearly fell from the sky. Nalan Yanran hurriedly supported him, spreading her Azure Luan Wings to carry them slowly to the ground. Xiao Yi Xian also lost consciousness and slumped, and Xiao Yan caught her as she fell. The poisonous mist in the square gradually dispersed. Under the lingering power of the Mysterious Yellow Flame, the contaminated ground returned to its original color, though the remaining Dou Qi fluctuations still made hearts tremble.
The surviving mercenaries gathered around, their eyes filled with awe as they looked at the unconscious Xiao Yi Xian and weakened Xiao Yan. The mercenary who had spoken about the Poison Fairy earlier murmured, "So she was being controlled by poison... This young man actually purified such overpowering poisonous mist..." The tavern owner hurried over with clean water and healing pills. "Hero, please rest. These are our finest Poison-Cleansing Pills!"
Only after settling Xiao Yi Xian into the town's inn did Xiao Yan finally breathe a sigh of relief. Having checked her condition, he told Nalan Yanran, "The Otherworldly Demon remnant soul has been purified, but her Woeful Poison Body is still unstable. It needs continued nurturing with the Mysterious Yellow Flame. Thank goodness you helped contain the mist this time. Otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable."
Nalan Yanran handed him a cup of clean water. "You've exhausted yourself too. For an eight-star Dou Wang to forcibly purify an Otherworldly Demon remnant soul inside a Dou Zong was already beyond your limits." She looked at the unconscious Xiao Yi Xian on the bed, curiosity flashing in her eyes. "Is she the friend skilled in alchemy you mentioned before?" Xiao Yan nodded. "Yes. Her Woeful Poison Body was difficult to control to begin with. This Otherworldly Demon contamination only piled snow upon frost."
Three days later, Xiao Yi Xian finally woke. Seeing Xiao Yan keeping watch beside her bed, surprise flashed in her eyes before a bitter smile appeared. "You saved me again... Was it a lot of trouble this time?" Xiao Yan handed her a cup of warmed spirit liquid. "Drink this first. Your body is still very weak. The Otherworldly Demon remnant soul has been removed, but your poison body needs long-term treatment."
Xiao Yi Xian drank the spirit liquid, and a little color returned to her pale face. "The mutated magical beasts in the Fog Forest really are connected to the Otherworldly Demons. Three months ago, I entered the forest to search for medicinal herbs that could suppress my poison body. I accidentally discovered an Otherworldly Demon Altar and was contaminated by the poisonous qi it released. After that, my poison body went out of control, and my temperament changed completely..." She paused, fear flashing in her eyes. "There are many black-robed guards around the altar. They seem to be researching how to use magical beasts to breed Otherworldly Demon warriors!"
"Black-robed figures?!" Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran exchanged a glance, both their hearts tightening. Xiao Yi Xian continued, "Their leader's aura was very strange, and his strength was far beyond that of a Dou Zong. I vaguely heard them mention the name 'Xiao Zhan.' They said they wanted to use his bloodline for some kind of sacrifice..."
"Father!" Xiao Yan sprang to his feet, his eight-star Dou Wang Dou Qi erupting instantly. "Where are they? Where exactly is the altar?" Xiao Yi Xian hurriedly replied, "The altar is in Black Wind Valley, in the deepest part of the Fog Forest. It's heavily guarded! I can take you there, but the Otherworldly Demon energy is extraordinarily dense. Your Purification Flame might..."
"No matter how dangerous it is, I have to go!" Xiao Yan's gaze was resolute. "Thank you, Xiao Yi Xian. This information is incredibly important." Xiao Yi Xian took a map from her Storage Ring. "This is a route map of the forest I drew. It marks the distribution of mutated magical beasts and the patrol routes of the black-robed figures. Although my poison body hasn't fully recovered, I can still control poisonous creatures. Perhaps I can help."
Studying the densely packed markings on the map, Nalan Yanran frowned slightly. "Black Wind Valley is surrounded by mountains on three sides and has only one entrance. It's easy to defend and hard to attack. We need a thorough plan. Ideally, we should secure help from the Black-Corner Region Empire." Xiao Yan nodded. "I remember Xiao Bo gave me a token from Ten Thousand Beasts Valley. They're near Black Wind Valley. Perhaps we can ask them to send troops to help."
While they rested, Xiao Yan used the resources from the Misty Cloud Sect's treasury and the combat insights gained from purifying the Otherworldly Demon remnant soul to consolidate his eight-star Dou Wang cultivation. The Mysterious Yellow Flame had been tempered while purifying Xiao Yi Xian, making its purification power even purer. The Green Lotus Core Flame had also absorbed some energy from the poison Dou Qi, gaining a strange hint of purple and a considerable increase in temperature.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yi Xian refined antidotes. After the ordeal of Otherworldly Demon contamination, her alchemy had unexpectedly achieved a new breakthrough, allowing her to refine compound pills that resisted both poisons and Otherworldly Demon poisonous qi. Nalan Yanran took charge of studying the terrain and devising tactics. The sensory capabilities of her wind Dou Qi allowed her to detect surrounding energy fluctuations with ease. With their duties clearly divided, the three made thorough preparations for their approaching journey to Black Wind Valley.
Sunlight streamed through the inn's window, casting warm patches of light across the floor. Xiao Yan gazed at the mist-shrouded forest outside and tightened his grip on the heavy sword in his hand. His eight-star Dou Wang Dou Qi circulated slowly within him, while the Mysterious Yellow Flame and Green Lotus Core Flame stood poised for action. A clue to his father's whereabouts lay right before him, and the Otherworldly Demons' plot was gradually becoming clear. A new battle was about to unfold deep within the Fog Forest. This time, however, he would not be fighting alone. Beside him stood Xiao Yi Xian, skilled in alchemy and poison arts, and Nalan Yanran, adept at tracking and support, with the forces of Ten Thousand Beasts Valley soon to be contacted.
Before you continue