Rubbing his chest, Xiao Yan tore open his shirt and glanced around. He discovered that a peculiar rune now surrounded the mysterious black demonic toxin spot, seemingly blocking its expansion. “This is the method of sealing toxins I learned from the Seven-Colored Toxin Scripture we found by chance in the cave in Green Mountain Town. With your abnormal fire to assist, I believe the demonic toxin spot won’t erupt for about two years,” Little Healer Immortal softly said as she observed Xiao Yan’s actions. “Which means, within two years, you must find a Dou Zun powerhouse to help detoxify you, or else the seal will dissipate on its own, and the demonic toxin spot will fully erupt.” As she said this, Little Healer Immortal’s expression became slightly more serious. “Hmm.” Xiao Yan nodded slightly, but he didn’t mention that if he could find the third anomaly fire, he might be able to completely purify the demonic toxin spot. After all, finding the third anomaly fire was just as difficult as finding a Dou Zun.
“According to my knowledge, there are no Dou Zun powerhouses in any of the surrounding empires. In fact, it’s extremely hard to find one in the entire northwest region…” Little Healer Immortal frowned and sighed.
A Dou Zun level powerhouse is considered to be at the top of the Dou Qi Continent’s pyramid. Across the vast continent, these high-level powerhouses are exceedingly rare. Only those major forces at the peak of the continent can possess such power. Compared to these massive entities, the Poison Sect and the Flame Alliance appear insignificant. After all, the Jia Ma Empire and the Outlaw Empire are merely small corners of the vast and expansive Dou Qi Continent. Even in the northwest region, Jia Ma and Outlaw are not in positions of great influence.
“Let’s take it step by step; after all, we still have two years…” Xiao Yan sighed inwardly, but smiled nonchalantly.
While speaking, a name that felt somewhat familiar suddenly flashed through Xiao Yan’s mind—a powerful figure once mentioned by Pharmacist Elder and Grand Elder Su Qian of the Inner Academy of the Canaan College… Wind Venerated!
In the Dou Qi Continent, only Dou Zun level powerhouses are addressed as “Venerable.” Clearly, this old friend of the Pharmacist Elder, who had a life-and-death bond with him, must be a true Dou Zun. A Dou Zun’s status is extremely high. Regular people wouldn’t be able to request such a figure to detoxify them even if they were to find one. Therefore, a relationship must exist, but given the stature of a Dou Zun, how could such a relationship form without impressive abilities in terms of strength or other aspects? Most relationships are built on mutual strength, which is a stark reality, yet undeniably true. Thus, if we truly want to search, perhaps this old friend, who is said to have a life-and-death bond with the Pharmacist Elder, would be more reliable. According to Grand Elder Su Qian, this Wind Venerated seems to have a deep bond with the Pharmacist Elder, even searching tirelessly across the continent for his traces during his long disappearance. This bond is surely much stronger than one could imagine.
If we can find this mysterious Wind Venerated, with the Pharmacist Elder’s relationship, he should be willing to help… However, thinking of this, Xiao Yan furrowed his brows. The Dou Qi Continent is so vast, where would he start looking for the Wind Venerated? Should he spread the word that he is a disciple of the Venerated Pillist Ycdan? By then, the Wind Venerated might not come, but he would certainly attract the attention of the Soul Temple and some of the Pharmacist Elder’s old enemies, with dire consequences…
After much contemplation, Xiao Yan still had no clue. He shook his head wearily and looked at Little Healer Immortal with a helpless smile. “Where are Cai Lin and Zi Yan?” “Outside.” Little Healer Immortal smiled gently and stepped lightly, her graceful figure walking towards the stone forest. “Let’s go. Since the demonic toxin spot is sealed, it’s not good for you to stay here.”
Xiao Yan nodded slightly. The area was filled with poisonous gases, and though the regular poisons would be incinerated by his Glazed Lotus Heart Flame, staying too long was still detrimental.
As Xiao Yan and Little Healer Immortal left the stone forest, Medusa and Zi Yan, who were guarding the entrance, noticed and hurried over. Seeing Xiao Yan in good health, both relaxed visibly.
“Is it done?” Medusa stepped forward, scanning Xiao Yan with a narrow gaze, her tone laced with concern.
Xiao Yan nodded and smiled. “Thanks to Little Healer Immortal’s sealing method, it would have been much harder to deal with this thing otherwise.”
This was true. Just a tiny trace required Xiao Yan to expend two-thirds of his Dou Qi. If the entire demonic toxin spot erupted, Xiao Yan would have no means of resistance. Moreover, this statement was also intended to ease the tension between Little Healer Immortal and Medusa, as the two women were always at odds when they met.
“How long will the seal delay the eruption of the demonic toxin spot?” Ignoring Xiao Yan’s words, Medusa asked the crucial question, her brows slightly furrowing.
Xiao Yan sighed and shook his head. This woman always cuts to the chase. “The seal can last for two years.” Little Healer Immortal hesitated for a moment before replying.
“Two years?” Medusa’s brows furrowed deeper. “So, within two years, a Dou Zun powerhouse must be found to detoxify Xiao Yan, or the demonic toxin spot will erupt again?”
“That’s right.”
“Can you set up another seal after two years?” Medusa asked sternly.
“Well… no. This sealing method can only be used once, and a second attempt would have little effect.” Little Healer Immortal hesitated and chuckled bitterly.
Medusa’s brows rose, seeming ready to rebuke Little Healer Immortal. Seeing this, Xiao Yan quickly stepped between them, saying helplessly, “It’s no use talking now. Let’s discuss how to find a Dou Zun powerhouse. Little Healer Immortal, could you arrange accommodation for us? Cai Lin and Zi Yan need to rest after that battle.”
Little Healer Immortal, naturally, did not refuse. After a few quiet words with Xiao Yan, she turned and left, likely to prepare their accommodations personally.
Watching Little Healer Immortal leave, Xiao Yan turned to Medusa with a bitter smile. “She has already helped us enough; don’t give her any more trouble.”
Xiao Yan’s lecture was neither confirmed nor denied by Medusa. She raised her eyes and asked, “What do you plan to do now? You can’t just wait for death.”
“We’ll see… Rest for a day, and get some information about the Soul Temple from that guy tomorrow…” Xiao Yan shrugged and touched his Storage Ring, a cold glint flashing in his dark eyes. His trip to the Outlaw Empire was to capture someone from the Soul Temple, hoping to obtain some intelligence related to the Soul Temple or the Pharmacist Elder.
Hearing this, Medusa hesitated for a moment and sighed, nodding.
In the spacious room, a faint, pleasant fragrance lingered, and soft lights illuminated the space, dispelling the darkness without being too harsh. On the bed, Xiao Yan closed his eyes, forming a cultivation seal, slowly absorbing the energy from the surroundings. Cultivation is like rowing against the current; if you don’t advance, you retreat. It requires persistence. To become a strong, respected figure, one must put in extraordinary effort.
Two thin white mists, like long snakes, coiled around his nose, following his breath and entering his body gracefully. After multiple rounds of refinement, they added to his already robust Dou Qi.
After about an hour, the faint energy mists disappeared, and his tightly closed eyes slowly opened. His chest lowered slightly, and he exhaled a long, heavy breath, relaxing his tense body. After a moment of silence, he pulled open his shirt, his eyes fixated on the strange demonic toxin spot.
“Dou Zun powerhouse…”
Xiao Yan muttered to himself, then let out a bitter laugh. It would be more practical to place hope on the third anomaly flame. If he could neutralize and absorb the demonic toxin spot with his own strength, the benefits would far outweigh seeking help from others.
“Anomaly fire…”
Tapping his knee, Xiao Yan murmured, his gaze fixed on the flickering flames. Suddenly, his fingers paused, and he snapped his Storage Ring. Several ancient, tattered maps appeared in his hand.
The maps had a very archaic color, evidently of great age. At the edge of one broken map, there was a blurry pattern. Looking closely, it was a black, eerie lotus.
The black lotus, covered in a thin layer of dark flames, looked particularly sinister. Xiao Yan stared intently at the black lotus pattern, his heart pounding. No longer the ignorant youth he once was, he knew full well how terrifying this entity was.
The Demon Purifying Lotus Fire, ranked third!
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