The sudden cessation of the fierce battle in the sky left countless people below bewildered, their whispers spreading various speculations. On the fortress, Hai Bodong had already returned, and he could only shrug his shoulders in response to the inquiring gazes, indicating that he, too, was unaware of what had truly transpired in the skies.
“Who would have thought that heartless woman would stop fighting? It’s truly surprising. Could it be because she fears Xiao Yan? But now, after using the fire lotus once, Xiao Yan seems quite weakened, doesn’t he?” Jia Xing Tian mused.
“No matter the reason, it’s best if that woman stops. Her poisonous techniques are terrifying and unpredictable. If she were to fully unleash them, the toxic fumes would spell doom for these ordinary soldiers,” Fa Maha sighed. Though the Poison Sect’s Mistress might not surpass Medusa in terms of combat power, her terrifying poison arts could easily result in heavy casualties on their side. Therefore, if they could avoid further conflict, it would be the best outcome for the Empire of Jia Ma.
“It seems they are discussing something… I hope Xiao Yan can truly suppress that woman. If he can, the Empire of Jia Ma will be spared a great calamity,” Xiao Ding also sighed. In the past year, the Poison Sect’s Mistress had left a deep impression on them. Even now, just thinking about her poisonous techniques, Xiao Ding felt a chill run down his spine.
…………………………
“Control?” Xiao Yixian was slightly startled, then furrowed her brows, scanning Xiao Yan’s serious expression with a hint of interest. “If you can completely control this Catastrophe Poison Body, you won’t accidentally poison and kill others. Instead, the toxins within you will become your tools to use at will.”
Hearing Xiao Yan’s words, Xiao Yixian’s eyes flickered with curiosity. “Can you really do it?”
“Believe me,” Xiao Yan nodded firmly. With his experience, he wouldn’t have known how to handle the Catastrophe Poison Body, but among the vast knowledge left by Elder Pharmacist, Xiao Yan had discovered a method, though it was a stringent one. The crucial requirement: three types of Strange Flames!
This was perhaps an impossible task for most, but for Xiao Yan, it wasn’t difficult. The Falling Heart Flame, the Blue Lotus Earth Core Fire, and Elder Pharmacist’s Bone Cold Fire in his body would be enough to meet the requirement.
Her gray-purple eyes locked onto Xiao Yan’s serious face, and Xiao Yixian’s cold gaze softened slightly. She nodded and turned to the silver-fanged Medusa enduring the pain, waving her hand. Gray-purple blood patches slowly emerged from Medusa and were absorbed into Xiao Yixian’s body.
As the gray-purple blood patches left her body, Medusa’s complexion quickly returned to normal. “I could have dispelled it myself,” she said coldly.
Xiao Yixian neither confirmed nor denied it, turning her gaze back to Xiao Yan. “Help me control this Catastrophe Poison Body, and I’ll withdraw my army and the Triad Sects. This war was merely to find a way to break the Catastrophe Poison Body.”
“Millions from the Empire of Jia Ma and the Snake People have perished. Do you think you can just let it go like that?” Medusa sneered.
“If I give the order, even with your protection, both the Empire and the Snake People will vanish. You’re not a naive child; you should understand the law of the jungle!” Xiao Yixian’s gray-purple eyes flashed with coldness.
“Let’s see who is stronger then!” Medusa’s face turned icy, and she prepared to attack again, but Xiao Yan pulled her back.
“If she fights desperately, the combined power of the Triad Sects will cause even greater losses to the Snake People and the Empire. Don’t act recklessly now.”
Medusa’s expression shifted as her gaze swept over the endless black mass of troops. “I remember what she did to the Snake People. I’ll take it back one day,” she said, gritting her teeth.
Xiao Yan sighed bitterly. After all these years, Xiao Yixian was no longer the kind-hearted girl she once was. Her ruthlessness was no less than Medusa’s. The cessation of the battle was partly due to Xiao Yan and partly because of the allure of controlling the Catastrophe Poison Body.
“You said you started the war to get the method to dispel the Catastrophe Poison Body after destroying the Empire of Jia Ma?” Xiao Yan asked, his brow furrowing.
Xiao Yixian hesitated for a moment before saying, “A mysterious organization approached me, promising to give me the method if I captured the Empire and the Alliance leader. I didn’t expect the Alliance leader to be you.”
Both Medusa and Xiao Yan were taken aback. They hadn’t expected the issue to circle back to him.
“There were many opportunities to destroy the Empire, but you never appeared, so I didn’t proceed. It seems you’ve offended quite a few people. That mysterious organization is very strong and unafraid of my poison,” Xiao Yixian said, her gaze lingering on Xiao Yan.
Frowning deeply, Xiao Yan wondered, “Could it be the Soul Temple?”
“Yes, the mysterious organization that collects souls across the continent. They seem to have designs on you. It seems you’re no longer the weak fighter from the past,” Xiao Yixian replied, smiling faintly, reminding Xiao Yan of the kind-hearted girl she once was.
“Your smile is as beautiful as always,” Xiao Yan smiled, his voice soft.
Xiao Yixian bit her lip, then whispered, “Some things change. Back then, it wasn’t suitable for me.”
“But I liked it,” Xiao Yan chuckled.
Xiao Yixian was momentarily stunned, then grinned, her face softer. “Are the Soul Temple people still in the Yun Empire?”
“I’m not sure. The Soul Temple is elusive. Unless you’re familiar with them, it’s hard to find them,” Xiao Yixian shook her head.
Xiao Yan sighed, disappointed. He had hoped to capture someone from the Soul Temple and learn more about his father and Elder Pharmacist.
“In that case, I’ll withdraw my army today. But the Catastrophe Poison Body must be controlled soon. I can feel the time for its full eruption is near. It will be too late then,” Xiao Yixian said solemnly.
Xiao Yan nodded. “Can you sense when it will erupt?”
“Within half a year to two years,” Xiao Yixian answered with a bitter smile.
“So urgent…” Xiao Yan’s expression changed. “If not for the urgency, I wouldn’t have agreed to the Soul Temple’s demand for war,” Xiao Yixian said, somewhat melancholy.
“Alright, I hope the eruption can be delayed. Once we gather the materials, I can help you control it.” Xiao Yan pondered, then said firmly.
“Okay, I’ll come to you tonight,” Xiao Yixian nodded, giving Xiao Yan a deep look before turning and flying away.
Seeing Xiao Yixian depart, the leaders of the Triad Sects bowed in greeting. As she landed, Xiao Yixian glanced at them and declared, “All forces, withdraw to the Yun Empire.”
All the leaders were stunned. Though they had lost two Battle Sect experts, their combined strength was still formidable. Why retreat now?
“Master…”
Before they could finish, Xiao Yixian’s gray-purple eyes swept over them, her voice cold. “Anyone object?”
Struck by her cold gaze, everyone shivered and hastily scattered, passing her orders through the army.
In the sky, Xiao Yan watched the army disband with a sigh. Who would have thought that the young pharmacist from the past would become the true ruler of the Yun Empire? What a stark difference!
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