The actions of the Poison Sect towards the Ten Thousand Scorpion Gate were clearly well-prepared. Thus, on the second day after Xiao Yan and his companions reached the City of Heavenly Poison, the massive machinery of the Poison Sect swiftly sprang into action. Countless people were dispatched, converging in a scattered manner around the Scorpio Mountains, where the Ten Thousand Scorpion Gate was located. Within just three days, they had secretly sealed off the entire area inside and out.
Of course, although the large-scale movements of the Poison Sect might have kept some outsiders in the dark, it was evident that they could not deceive the keen-eyed Ten Thousand Scorpion Gate. When the Poison Sect’s people began to appear around the Scorpio Mountains, the Ten Thousand Scorpion Gate became aware of their presence. Consequently, the tensions between the two forces escalated to their most intense level. Every day, there were no less than a hundred skirmishes in the Scorpio Mountains, with both sides sustaining casualties in the conflicts.
Initially, it was only the lower ranks who accidentally met and engaged in combat. However, as the Poison Sect’s formidable warriors arrived, the top fighters from both sides began to clash. For a time, the usually quiet Scorpio Mountains plunged into an unprecedented tumult.
As the conflict between the two sides intensified, Little Healer Immortal, accompanied by the Poison Sect’s strongest elites, appeared at the Poison Sect’s encampment in the Scorpio Mountains.
The camp chosen by the Poison Sect was not far from the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Scorpion Gate, separated only by a deep ravine. The cliffs surrounding the ravine were covered with countless colorful poisonous scorpions, and the ravine itself was shrouded in a mist of toxic fumes, which emitted a faintly pungent smell.
The camp’s defenses were extremely strict, even the sky above was constantly monitored. If not for Xiao Yan’s group following Little Healer Immortal, even with their combined strength, it would have been difficult for them to enter unobstructed.
At present, Xiao Yan and Medusa, apart from Zi Yan, had altered their appearances, as their real faces had left a strong impression on some of the Poison Sect’s powerful members during the previous battle, and presenting themselves in their true forms might cause unnecessary trouble. Changing one’s appearance was not uncommon in the Cloud Empire, where poison masters were known for their eccentric and bizarre methods. A special item called “Illusion Beast Skin” could alter one’s appearance. Of course, once removed, the original appearance would be restored.
However, Illusion Beast Skins varied in quality and thus in their effectiveness. But given Little Healer Immortal’s status in the Cloud Empire, the ones provided to Xiao Yan and Medusa were the best, making it unlikely for anyone to recognize them.
After passing through the heavily guarded camp, Xiao Yan and his companions stopped outside a large tent at the center. By this time, many of the Poison Sect’s powerful members had gathered, clearly having received word of Little Healer Immortal’s arrival.
With a brief exchange of greetings, Little Healer Immortal waved her hand and said, “Let’s talk inside. Tell me in detail about the current situation.”
“Master, who are these…?” An elder standing at the forefront of the group glanced at Xiao Yan and his companions behind Little Healer Immortal and inquired, his brows furrowing.
This elder, clearly of high rank within the Poison Sect, was dressed in a pale green robe. Most striking was the black centipede tattooed on his face, which, combined with his wrinkles, gave the impression that the centipede was alive, slowly writhing and exuding a chilling aura.
Xiao Yan’s gaze lingered on him several times, and when he saw the black centipede on his face, he recalled something Little Healer Immortal had mentioned earlier about the internal affairs of the Poison Sect.
Because of its rapid growth, the Poison Sect was not the monolithic entity Xiao Yan had imagined. It was riddled with factions, and this elder, named Huyan, was one of them. With a peak Battle Emperor level strength, he had once been the leader of the Huyan Heavenly Palace in the Cloud Empire but had voluntarily aligned himself with the expanding Poison Sect, becoming a highly influential elder. He had amassed a considerable following among the sect’s elite, even defying Little Healer Immortal’s orders at times. He was, in fact, the primary opponent within the Poison Sect during the Cloud Empire’s military retreat.
Hearing Huyan’s query, other Poison Sect elites also turned their attention to Xiao Yan and his companions, with most of their gazes settling on Zi Yan. They seemed incredulous that such a delicate girl would venture into such a perilous place.
“They are my invited friends. What’s the matter, Elder Huyan, do you have any concerns?” Little Healer Immortal, seemingly expecting Huyan’s question, replied without raising her eyes.
“Haha, I naturally have no objections. However, this war with the Ten Thousand Scorpion Gate is crucial for our future reputation in the Cloud Empire. We must be more cautious. Master, if you are to invite outsiders for help, we must be very careful.”
Huyan’s left eye flashed with a strange light, and he scrutinized Xiao Yan and his companions. Noticing that their levels were only Battle Emperor, his face twitched. Of course, with his strength, he couldn’t discern Medusa’s true depths, so under her suppressed aura, he assumed she was merely a Battle Emperor.
“Still, Master, in such a battle, relying solely on three Battle Emperors might not be very effective, right?”
“Whether or not it will be effective will be seen in due time. Eldar Huyan, you seem to have many opinions today.”
Seeing the old man’s repeated interjections, Little Healer Immortal’s face slowly turned cold.
“Haha, Master, what are you saying? I’m just thinking of the Poison Sect. This war is too important to us.”
Seeing Little Healer Immortal’s expression, Huyan smiled. Though he feared her, he wouldn’t show it openly. He knew that if not for his influence within the Poison Sect, he would have long been eliminated by Little Healer Immortal.
“I trust the people I’ve invited.” Little Healer Immortal frowned slightly, then waved her hand, ignoring him, and headed into the tent. The Poison Sect guards at the entrance promptly stepped aside.
Xiao Yan and the others followed closely, and as they passed by Huyan, Xiao Yan’s eyes discreetly glanced at him. This old man dared to question Little Healer Immortal in front of so many, proving that he indeed had a significant power base within the Poison Sect.
‘I need to remind Little Healer Immortal to be cautious of this old guy. Though the Poison Sect is powerful, it’s unstable internally, and this old man might be the biggest source of unrest,’ Xiao Yan thought, entering the spacious tent.
Outside the tent, Huyan watched Xiao Yan and the others’ retreating figures, his eyes fleeting with a shadow of menace before he entered the tent, laughing and talking with the other Poison Sect members.
Inside the tent, everyone took their seats. Xiao Yan and his companions sat casually beside Little Healer Immortal, while the rest of the Poison Sect’s elites sat below.
“What is the current situation in the Scorpio Mountains?” As soon as they were seated, Little Healer Immortal got straight to the point, asking curtly.
“After engaging with our Poison Sect for a few days, the Ten Thousand Scorpion Gate has begun to retract its defenses. Most of their people are now consolidated in the Scorpio Mountains. During this period, we have lost many of our men, including two Dou Wangs in a rash pursuit,” Huyan said, clearing his throat.
Hearing this, Little Healer Immortal frowned. The Poison Sect’s overall strength was greater than the Ten Thousand Scorpion Gate’s, so how could their losses be so severe?
“Master, based on my observations, it seems that every time we make a significant move to clear the area, they seem to know beforehand. The Ten Thousand Scorpion Gate’s elites evacuate the targeted regions, leaving behind only the insignificant lower ranks. And wherever our defenses are weak, they launch a major assault, causing us substantial losses. I suspect there might be a spy from the Ten Thousand Scorpion Gate within our ranks.”
His words caused an uproar in the tent, with all the Poison Sect’s elites casting wary glances at each other.
Looking at the chaos in the tent, a cold light flashed in Little Healer Immortal’s eyes. If there truly was a spy from the Ten Thousand Scorpion Gate within the Poison Sect, wouldn’t all their actions be exposed to the enemy?
Xiao Yan, sitting to the side, watched the commotion coldly. His gaze frequently lingered on Huyan, who had first suggested the presence of a spy. Now, Xiao Yan was no naive youth; he had seen his share of cunning individuals.
‘It seems that being the Master of the Poison Sect isn’t easy for Little Healer Immortal…’
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