Chapter 149: Lethal Poison

Azure Ethereal Peak, the mountain of the Azure Ethereal Vapors.

The fragrant aroma of tea wafted gently from a porcelain cup, adorned with a white mouth and green lid. The freshly brewed tea emitted delicate wisps of steam that dissipated throughout the room.

In a secluded chamber within the Jade Purity Hall, the three most powerful and renowned figures of the righteous path gathered, sipping tea and discussing matters in a composed manner.

The attendants of the Azure Ethereal Vapors, who had been serving tea, had quietly withdrawn, leaving only the venerable Daoxuan, the venerable Puhong, and Yun Yilin.

Daoxuan broke the silence first, smiling as he said, “This tea is a local specialty of our Azure Ethereal Vapors. Though it may not be exceedingly rare, it is indeed a fine and aromatic blend. What do you two think?”

Yun Yilin put down his teacup and nodded, “The fragrance lingers on the palate, flowing all the way to the stomach. It is indeed a good tea.”

Daoxuan smiled, “If Brother Yun enjoys it, once we overcome this beast-demon calamity, I shall ensure that you take some back to the Incense Valley.”

Yun Yilin smiled and nodded, “That would be wonderful. Do remember your promise, Daozhen.”

Both men exchanged smiles. Puhong, however, chanted a Buddhist prayer. Daoxuan glanced at him and asked, “Is something troubling you, Master?”

Puhong sighed, “I know we must remain calm to face this great calamity, but as a follower of the Buddha, my heart aches for the suffering people. I cannot help but feel anxious, and I apologize for my lapse.”

Yun Yilin’s expression changed slightly, and a glint flashed across Daoxuan’s eyes, but he soon regained his solemn demeanor.

Gazing at Puhong, Daoxuan said slowly, “Master speaks truly. As those who claim to follow the righteous path, we must take the well-being of the world as our responsibility. I apologize for my earlier discourtesy.”

Puhong shook his head and chanted another prayer, “Do not worry, Daozhen, I did not mean to blame you.”

Yun Yilin’s expression had returned to normal, and he smiled, “Enough, enough. Such formalities are hard to bear. Let us not waste more time on empty words and get to the point.”

Daoxuan and Puhong both smiled, and Daoxuan nodded, “Brother Yun is right. We are here to discuss the recent changes in the beast-demon calamity.”

Yun Yilin and Puhong looked startled. Yun Yilin asked, “What changes, Daozhen?”

Daoxuan’s face grew serious, “I sent Xiao Yicai and Lin Jingyu, among others, to investigate the situation. They returned last night and reported something unusual.”

Puhong, seeing Daoxuan’s grave expression, asked, “What happened?”

Daoxuan paused before answering, “According to Yicai, the countless beast-demons that were advancing northward have suddenly stopped and moved southwest. Only about forty percent of them continue to move north.”

Yun Yilin pondered for a moment, “Southwest, isn’t that where the Demonic Sect usually causes the most trouble?”

Daoxuan nodded, “Yes, the Demonic Sect is currently divided into three factions: the Venomous Sect, the Ghost King Sect, and the Blissful Sect. They are fighting each other, and their strongholds are likely in the southwest. This sudden movement of the beast-demons towards that direction is puzzling.”

Puhong frowned, “Could it be that the beast-demons have clashed with the Demonic Sect and are going to support them?”

Daoxuan’s face grew somber, “We are not sure yet, but if the beast-demons and the Demonic Sect fight each other, it would be for the best. Both are threats to the world, and their mutual destruction would benefit the people.”

Yun Yilin suddenly shook his head, “Fellow leaders, I think it’s not that simple.”

Daoxuan looked at him, “Oh? Please enlighten us, Valley Lord Yun.”

Yun Yilin continued, “The Demonic Sect is known for its selfishness. I doubt they would fight the beast-demons for the sake of the world. On the contrary, they might even retreat if the beast-demons threaten them, leaving the task to us.”

Daoxuan and Puhong nodded in agreement. Yun Yilin smiled, “So, why are the beast-demons moving southwest?”

Yun Yilin fell silent, then spoke, “Based on their previous behavior, they seem to be without a specific target, just killing along their path. This sudden change suggests that something has caused them to redirect. There must be a reason in the southwest, perhaps the Demon God’s forces have suffered a setback. However, the only significant force there is the Demonic Sect, so it must be something within their ranks.”

Puhong raised an eyebrow, “What do you mean by ‘something’?”

Yun Yilin chuckled, “That, I cannot say for certain.”

Puhong laughed, “So, you spoke in vain, Valley Lord Yun?”

All three shared a laugh, but Daoxuan grew serious again, “Regardless, this gives us some respite. We must use this time wisely. The people look to us for hope, and we must show them that we are doing something.”

Yun Yilin looked at Daoxuan, “Are you suggesting we take advantage of the beast-demons’ absence and strike?”

Daoxuan nodded, “Yes, every beast-demon we eliminate is one less threat to the people. This is our duty.”

Puhong chanted a prayer, and Yun Yilin’s eyes flashed with a hint of mockery, but he quickly regained composure, “Indeed, let us follow Daozhen’s plan. The Incense Valley will lead the charge.”

Daoxuan smiled, “With such resolve, we shall surely triumph. But we must also be cautious. The southwest holds many secrets, and we should not ignore it entirely.”

Puhong nodded, “Agreed. We need to know what is happening there.”

Yun Yilin suggested, “We should send some high-ranking disciples to investigate discreetly.”

Daoxuan agreed, “Good, let it be so.”

Suddenly, Yun Yilin thought of something, “Oh, one more thing. I would like to ask a favor, Daozhen.”

Daoxuan was surprised, “Valley Lord, you are too kind. What is it?”

Yun Yilin smiled, “I heard that Lu Xueqi of the Small Bamboo Peak has been punished. My disciple has been begging me to intercede on her behalf. Given the current crisis, we need every capable hand. Could you please pardon her?”

Daoxuan sighed, “It is my fault for being too strict. I apologize.”

Yun Yilin smiled, “No need for apologies. These are matters between the young. I suggest we let them handle their affairs.”

Daoxuan nodded, “I will pardon her. She can join the investigation and atone for her mistakes.”

Yun Yilin grinned, “And I will send Li Xun to accompany her.”

Daoxuan nodded, “Very well, let it be so.”

In the southwest, the Venomous Snake Valley.

Surrounded by dense, ancient forests, the valley is often shrouded in toxic mists. Countless venomous snakes inhabit the area, creating a natural barrier and a treasure trove of poisons for the Venomous Sect. The only place free from these creatures is the Venomous Sect’s compound, protected by their secret techniques.

At dawn, a faint, colorful mist rose from the forest, a deadly trap for the unwary. Recently, the usual patrols of the Venomous Sect had ceased, indicating a brewing conflict within the sect.

Suddenly, a small stone rolled onto the broken, overgrown path leading to the valley. Three large, wolf-headed beasts appeared, sniffing the air cautiously. They approached the valley, which was eerily quiet, as if unguarded.

One of the beasts detected something and signaled the others, then headed towards a nearby bush. A faint, bloody smell emanated from it. The beast roared, stepped into the bush, and emerged with a strange, long, decaying object, likely a tail.

The other two beasts snarled, recognizing the object. The one with the tail howled, dropped it, and ran back, while the other two charged into the valley, only to be felled by the poisonous mists and devoured by the waiting snakes.

Inside the Venomous Sect, the battle for power had turned the sect’s compound into a bloodbath. The three rival factions, led by Fan Xiong, Cheng Wuya, and Duan Ruyan, had fought viciously for days. Many had died, and the tension was palpable.

Duan Ruyan, the third disciple, had gained the upper hand. He stood before the box containing the Venomous Sect’s seal, about to claim it. However, as he opened the box, he was suddenly struck by a terrible poison. The Seven-Tailed Centipede and the Foul Flesh Moss, two of the deadliest poisons, claimed his life in a gruesome manner.

Fan Xiong and Cheng Wuya, enraged, confronted Qin Wuyan, the youngest disciple, accusing him of the treachery. Qin Wuyan, however, revealed that he had been entrusted with the leadership by their late master, and his mastery of the sect’s poisons was unparalleled.

The remaining elders, recognizing Qin Wuyan’s skill and the futility of following the other two, ultimately sided with him. Qin Wuyan, now the new leader of the Venomous Sect, vowed to protect their legacy and confront the rising threats.