As Cang Yan dodged, several guards from the Beast Clan were struck by the lightning orbs, instantly turning black and collapsing, reverting to their original forms.
Cang Yan could only continue to dodge frantically, unlike Jin Lin.
Jin Lin was born with a divine body. Even if struck by lightning, he would only feel pain but suffer no fatal injuries.
Cang Yan was different.
Though he was the king of the Beast Clan, his throne was usurped. He lacked an innate divine body, and before breaking through to the Eternal Life stage, no matter how noble or glorious his status, he was still just a demon!
And demons feared nothing more than being struck by lightning! Tribulation lightning during a breakthrough was one thing—surviving it meant ascending to a higher realm with greatly enhanced power.
But being struck by lightning outside of a tribulation could reduce one’s cultivation level at best, or worse, cost one’s life!
Cang Yan dodged so desperately because he knew the lightning chasing him was definitely not for his breakthrough!
Being struck by such lightning wouldn’t kill him, but it would certainly make him suffer!
“Ahahaha! The Beast King’s escape is truly one-of-a-kind!” Jin Lin roared with laughter, thoroughly amused by Cang Yan’s disheveled state.
Though reluctant to admit it, he had to give Mo Changxing credit: “Well done!”
If only he had some sunflower seeds to snack on while watching the show. Since he had nothing better to do, he might as well enjoy the spectacle.
Jin Lin casually sat on a large rock by the roadside. But before he could settle in, a worried cry suddenly rang out.
“Qingxue!”
It was Mo Changxing’s voice! Jin Lin instinctively turned toward the sound and flew over with the wind.
Yun Qingxue lay unconscious on the grass, her clear eyes shut, a trace of suspicious crimson at the corner of her lips.
“What happened to Qingxue?” Jin Lin frowned, asking Mo Changxing, who held her.
Mo Changxing looked up at Ziqu Shengjun instead.
Ziqu Shengjun carefully checked Yun Qingxue’s pulse, then released her hand after a long moment, his expression grave with self-reproach. “I was careless! I was careless!”
“What exactly happened?” Mo Changxing frowned tightly, while Jin Lin also looked tense.
“Poisoned!” Ziqu Shengjun uttered the two words slowly.
Jin Lin and Mo Changxing froze. After a moment, Jin Lin reacted angrily, “It must be that bastard Cang Yan! Qingxue only interacted with him besides us!
Master, Senior Brother, you two take care of Qingxue. I’ll go get the antidote from Cang Yan!”
Jin Lin was about to fly off when Ziqu Shengjun stopped him at the last moment.
“From my examination, the poison has already seeped deep into her bones. It wasn’t administered recently!” Ziqu Shengjun said gravely. “If Qingxue hadn’t exerted herself fighting Cang Yan, the poison wouldn’t have flared up!
Otherwise, she would appear completely normal! Even the most skilled physicians couldn’t detect it unless the poison was active!”
“Master, enough explanations! What poison is it?” Jin Lin pressed urgently.
“Suo Ling,” Ziqu Shengjun uttered the two words heavily.
Jin Lin pondered but realized he’d never heard of such a poison.
“What is that?” he asked. “Since you know of it, Master, you must be able to make an antidote!”
“Suo Ling is a secret, unique poison of the Flora Clan. Even among them, few know how to refine it.
Due to its extreme cold and malevolent nature, successive Flower Kings have prohibited its production!
Mo Changxing shared what he knew, then looked expectantly at Ziqu Shengjun. “Even when active, most physicians wouldn’t recognize it.
So… Master, you must know the antidote’s formula, right?”
Ziqu Shengjun sighed deeply. “I’ll try my best! Qingxue has been poisoned for a long time. We must act quickly, or else…”
He trailed off, but his solemn expression told Jin Lin and Mo Changxing that the consequences would be dire if Yun Qingxue’s poison wasn’t treated soon.
“Or else what?” Yun Qingxue, half-conscious, had heard everything. She opened her eyes weakly and asked.
“Qingxue!”
“Qingxue, how do you feel? Still in pain?”
Seeing her awake, Mo Changxing and Jin Lin asked together.
Yun Qingxue shook her head slightly, forcing a pale smile. “I’m better…
Master, or else what?”
She persisted.
Ziqu Shengjun’s frown deepened, but he finally sighed and looked at her seriously. “Suo Ling lives up to its name.
‘Ling’ sounds like ‘spirit’ and carries two meanings. First, it restricts the victim’s cultivation, making breakthroughs nearly impossible.
Secondly… in the later stages, the poison will flare up frequently, subjecting the victim to excruciating pain akin to death by a thousand cuts.
This poison has a flaw: it’s extremely difficult to refine, with a low success rate. Moreover, it must be administered gradually. A large dose would alert the victim, who could expel it before absorption.
So… Qingxue, your deep poisoning wasn’t done overnight!
Coupled with your initially negligible cultivation, your diligent training in Luoyun Mountain accelerated the poison’s activation…
Your battle with Cang Yan fully unleashed the toxin’s effects.
Without prompt treatment…
“Your cultivation will eventually dissipate. Even with a divine body, you’ll endure unbearable pain and become a cripple!”
“How vile!” Jin Lin was horrified, wishing he could tear the poisoner to pieces.
Mo Changxing tightened his embrace, as if to convey his unwavering support.
He whispered in her ear, “Don’t be afraid, Qingxue. I’ll save you.”
“Master…” Yun Qingxue looked up at Ziqu Shengjun, a glimmer of hope in her eyes. “The medicine you gave me before made me feel much better. If not for today’s battle, the poison wouldn’t have flared up again!
Could that medicine… have accidentally countered the poison?”
Ziqu Shengjun’s expression turned stern at her mention of the medicine, filled with guilt. “Qingxue, I failed you! I was too careless, not noticing your condition sooner.
How much of that medicine do you have left?”
Yun Qingxue retrieved a porcelain vial from her storage ring.
Ziqu Shengjun immediately took it, recognizing it as the medicine he’d obtained for her.
“I only took one pill. The rest are here,” she said.
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