"That..." Zhong Tianyao found himself in a difficult position. He had only heard legends of Nether Bats; how could he have known their poison had to penetrate deep into the soul!
"Forget it. This Xiao happens to know an ancient detoxification technique, so I can try it on Fellow Daoist Zhong!" Xiao Hua said with a smile.
Zhong Tianyao was overjoyed once again. Cupping his hands, he said, "Then... please come with this Zhong to my Zhong family's ancestral hall. We can study the ancient art of artifact refinement together, and this Zhong may also witness Fellow Daoist Xiao's ancient detoxification method!"
Seeing how tactful Zhong Tianyao was, Xiao Hua smiled. "Excellent! However, this Xiao must make a trip outside first and bring my wife to Zhongling Mountain Villa!"
"Good—this Zhong shall wait here for Miss Xue!" Zhong Tianyao said, cupping his hands. "I committed many offenses earlier. This old man will certainly apologize to her in person!"
Xiao Hua smiled, turned, and flew out of Zhongling Mountain Villa. Before long, he returned hand in hand with Xue Xue!
When Zhong Tianyao and the others saw Xue Xue, they naturally offered formal apologies. Xue Xue was generous as well, returning their courtesy respectfully. Then the two of them were invited by Zhong Tianyao into the Zhong family's ancestral hall, the place Zhong Tianyao guarded at all times and would not easily leave even when Xiao Hua slaughtered members of the Zhong family!
The Zhong family's ancestral hall consisted of several low wooden huts nestled among the densely packed buildings of Zhongling Mountain Villa. It was just as simple and dilapidated as Shang Hua Ming's ancestral hall, strikingly out of place.
When Xiao Hua followed Zhong Tianyao inside, he saw countless incense candles and many black wooden tablets. Golden-painted characters covered