“No, it can’t be a Holy Rank poison; this kid also can’t possibly possess a Holy Rank poison!”
Gu Zhixuan, truly worthy of being one of the top geniuses from the Wansu Sect, quickly realized a fact after his brief shock. All this was based on that white-robed youth having only a half-step Holy Rank cultivation.
To become a Holy Rank Meridian Refining Master, the first prerequisite is that the Power of Soul must break through to Holy Rank Low Level. Another essential prerequisite is that the Meridian Qi Cultivation must be at least at the Hua Xuan Realm Early Stage.
Since the white-robed youth in front of him only had a half-step Holy Rank cultivation, it was impossible for him to be a Holy Rank Poison Vein Master, nor could he wield a Holy Rank poison.
The path of poison is extremely dangerous; without reaching that level, even if one forcefully uses it, the ultimate result may be backfiring and death. No one dares to take such a risk.
“Ah!”
Another scream from Du Xin reached his ears, finally snapping Gu Zhixuan back to reality. Seeing his flickering gaze, he quickly flashed to Du Xin’s side.
“Senior… Senior Brother, save… save me!”
Seeing Gu Zhixuan approaching, Du Xin seemed like a drowning man grasping at the last straw. However, the intense pain from within made his voice hoarse and unpleasant.
“Gu Zhixuan, is it? I advise you not to touch him, otherwise, the consequences won’t be something you can bear!”
As Gu Zhixuan reached out to press on several key acupoints on Du Xin’s body, Yun Xiao’s calm voice drifted over, causing Gu Zhixuan’s extended right hand to freeze.
Although Gu Zhixuan had considerable confidence in his Poison Meridian Skill, he no longer dared to underestimate this white-robed youth. Perhaps he was also a half-step Holy Rank Poison Vein Master, just like him.
“Senior Brother?”
Seeing his senior brother hesitating due to the opponent’s threat, Du Xin’s heart sank, and he voiced his incredulity. Where had that confident and unyielding senior brother gone?
Pop, pop, pop!
Gu Zhixuan would not leave Du Xin unattended. He used Meridian Qi to seal acupoints instead of using his fingers. Several soft sounds followed, as three acupoints on Du Xin’s chest were forcibly sealed, protecting his heart meridians.
“It’s useless. Even if you save a perfectly intact heart, he will still not escape death in the end!”
Yun Xiao’s leisurely voice came again, making Gu Zhixuan more annoyed. He didn’t want to listen to that guy’s voice, but deep down, another voice told him the other person’s words might be true.
Gu Zhixuan’s hands continuously struck Du Xin with Meridian Qi, yet as time passed, he increasingly realized that the rampaging poison wasn’t weakening at all; it was becoming more intense.
At this point, Gu Zhixuan finally understood that the white-robed youth wasn’t merely making empty threats. He indeed possessed Poison Meridian Skills that truly matched his audacity, even surpassing Gu Zhixuan’s talent despite both being half-step Holy Rank Poison Vein talents.
“Boy, this time, we of the Wansu Sect admit defeat. The position is yours; just quickly hand over the antidote!”
After trying various methods to no avail, Gu Zhixuan had to admit he was at a loss. Not daring to touch Du Xin with his fingers, he turned his head and spoke in a low, gloomy voice.
In Gu Zhixuan’s eyes, considering himself as one of the top geniuses of the Wansu Sect, this kid wouldn’t dare disrespect him. Speaking like this was already giving Yun Xiao an out; if he was wise, he should comply.
In fact, this was just a stalling tactic from Gu Zhixuan. Given his status, having suffered such a setback, he couldn’t possibly swallow his anger. It’s just that he couldn’t resolve Du Xin’s poisoning right now.
Once Du Xin’s poisoning was actually resolved, that boy with only half-step Holy Rank would not be a threat. He’d only need three days beneath this ancient tree; after three days, it would be the boy’s end.
“Sorry, I already gave him a chance. He broke his promise first and acted against me afterwards. This outcome is a result of his actions.”
Who would have known that just when Gu Zhixuan thought the opponent would not push things to the extreme, the white-robed youth would calmly speak such words, making his expression so dark it seemed to drip water.
Yun Xiao was not one to let things slide. He’s always been a person who doesn’t offend others unless offended first. If offended, he must retaliate. Getting bullied and still enduring isn’t Yun Xiao’s style.
Just as Yun Xiao said, he had already given Du Xin a chance earlier. If Du Xin had kept his promise and relinquished the spot, Yun Xiao wouldn’t have pursued the matter further.
Unfortunately, this Wansu Sect genius was overly arrogant and confident, thinking that without making a Heavenly Tribulation Poison Oath and finding a perfect excuse, he could thus attack Yun Xiao.
From the moment Du Xin made a move against Yun Xiao, his fate was already sealed. If someone is attempting to kill you and you can still pretend not to see, then it’s sheer obstinacy.
“You… you dare to kill a genius of the Wansu Sect?”
Hearing Yun Xiao’s few words, Gu Zhixuan trembled with rage. At least in the outer regions of the Nine-layered Dragon Cloud East Domain, few dared to underestimate the Poison Vein Masters of the Wansu Sect.
Despite the Wansu Sect’s headquarters being located in the Nine-layered Dragon Cloud Southern Domain, its reputation spread throughout the Nine-layered Dragon Cloud, especially due to the numerous Poison Vein Masters within, making provocation lead to endless consequences.
The identity of a Wansu Sect genius also made Gu Zhixuan and his comrades increasingly arrogant, as was the case in Erosion City before, and now in Ancient Wood City too. Unfortunately, both times he has encountered tough obstacles.
“If you wish to avenge him, I don’t mind letting another genius of the Wansu Sect die!”
Yun Xiao eyed the ground where Du Xin writhed in pain, his expression unchanged, and upon those words, Gu Zhixuan fell into an eerie silence, merely staring intently at Yun Xiao, speechless.
Truth be told, if it were a year before, Gu Zhixuan would have likely shouted to kill Yun Xiao, but after a life-threatening experience in Erosion City, his temperament had undoubtedly become more tempered.
Back then, it was due to Gu Zhixuan’s misguided judgment and forced hand that he nearly lost his life in Erosion City, making him act with far more caution since.
The white-robed youth opposite, though merely revealing his half-step Holy Rank Meridian Qi Cultivation and that bizarre Poison Meridian Skill, Gu Zhixuan questioned whether he was inferior, but if it came to a fight, he didn’t have much confidence.
Ultimately, it was because Gu Zhixuan was inherently cold-hearted, a tradition within the Wansu Sect, to resort to any means for personal gain, even if it means mutual destruction among sect members.
Despite Gu Zhixuan and Du Xin referring to each other as brothers, in truth they weren’t too deeply bonded. On the contrary, Gu Zhixuan was always worried about being surpassed by Du Xin, thus further lowering his standing in the Wansu Sect.
Due to Yun Xiao’s intimidation, Gu Zhixuan was undoubtedly caught in a dilemma at this moment: the dilemma of whether Du Xin lives or dies, and whether to uphold the Wansu Sect’s dignity.
Among these dilemmas, the latter ranked first, and merely during this period of indecision, Du Xin’s screams grew softer, his rolling motions weaker, and finally, he lay motionless, silent.
“Du Xin… is dead!”
Seeing this scene, many took a deep breath, simultaneously casting a look of awe at the white-robed youth. At least for now, no one dared claim they were stronger than him.
Originally, upon Du Xin poisoning Huang Wu and the Wansu Sect duo revealing their identities, many spectating cultivators understood that this batch’s best Ancient Wood Commentary slots likely wouldn’t have a place for them.
But who knew that Huang Wu’s inadvertent actions would draw out a strange-faced white-robed youth, leading to events that caught them completely off guard.
Du Xin was a talent of the Wansu Sect, many had heard his name, his Poison Meridian Skill had reached Heavenly Rank Advanced, and he was a genius at the Heavenly Realm Peak.
Yet such a Wansu Sect genius died inexplicably under the ancient wood; it’s indeed tragic and lamentable. Who exactly was this mysterious white-robed youth that accomplished such a feat?
“Kid, dare to kill Du Xin, and await the Wansu Sect’s pursuit to the ends of the world!”
Only after Du Xin was completely motionless did Gu Zhixuan regain his senses, seeing him gloomily threatening aloud, which merely drew a sneer from Yun Xiao.
“Hmph, does the present Wansu Sect still think it’s the same as back then?”
For insights into the Wansu Sect, Yun Xiao possibly surpassed this Wansu Sect genius Gu Zhixuan. Hearing his words, many secretly nodded.
At least everyone knew that in the Nine-layered Dragon Cloud, although the Wansu Sect was formidable, there were still a few forces they couldn’t afford to provoke. If the white-robed youth came from Emperor Canglong Palace, the Wansu Sect might just swallow the bitter pill!
“I’ll say it again: if you wish to avenge him, act now, otherwise get lost!”
Following Yun Xiao’s sneer, without waiting for Gu Zhixuan’s retort, he had already stated his position, and the final rude remark nearly drove this Wansu Sect genius to act on impulse.
Thankfully, Gu Zhixuan retained a bit of rationality; the youth across seemed fearless, simply disregarding the Wansu Sect and himself. Reacting rashly might lead to numerous unforeseen changes.
“This time out, the most important is the Xuanyuan Platform Meeting, so let’s spare this kid for now!”
As this thought flashed through Gu Zhixuan’s mind, he forcibly suppressed his anger, not even glancing at Du Xin’s corpse, and walked to a spot below the ancient wood to sit down, without looking back.