Chapter 381: She Started Humming Too
"There's nothing absolute in this world. Yin and yang, positive and negative—these are the laws of nature. If there is poison, then there must be an antidote. They say it's incurable only because the cure hasn't been found yet."
Xiao Yuan shook his head. Still, though he said that, his expression was a little grim. He had heard of this Emperor Python's Soul-Corrosive Poison before. While he had a vague idea on how to approach it, he did not dare underestimate such a deadly toxin.
"It's said that the blood of pill beasts—beasts formed from transformative pills—can cure any poison. That's why I came here to try my luck."
Qinglian explained.
"True, pill beast blood can resist many poisons, but that alone isn't enough to completely purge the toxins in your body. Especially not a poison known as incurable."
Xiao Yuan shook his head, then added:
"But it's not a big issue. If we can get our hands on pill beast blood, the Emperor Python poison, while fierce, isn't impossible to deal with."
Upon hearing this, Qinglian breathed a sigh of relief. If her Young Master said it wasn't a problem, then it surely wasn't.
"How did you end up provoking the Nine Nether Earth Serpent Clan? They're not easy to handle."
Mu Qingluan asked curiously.
"I didn't provoke them—they provoked me." Qinglian puffed up her cheeks with a hint of grievance. "I came to the Beast Region looking for powerful serpent-type beasts. I didn't expect to run into a Nine Nether Earth Serpent elder. He recognized my Green Snake Tri-Flower Pupils and tried to capture me. I had no choice but to resist. I ended up controlling him, but just before he died, he sent out a distress signal. After that, the whole clan came after me. I had to capture some of them too…"
"The Green Snake Tri-Flower Pupils are the bane of all serpentine beasts. Except for a few rare ones with pure ancient bloodlines—like Sister Cai Lin's Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python—most serpent beasts are at their mercy. With such an eye, it's no wonder they tried to catch you."
Zi Yan muttered, clearly still a bit bitter about earlier.
Xiao Yuan smiled and patted Qinglian's shoulder.
"It's fine. The poison is troublesome, but not unmanageable. The ruins are about to open, and we haven't found any pill beasts yet, so your treatment will have to wait. Once we leave, I'll find a way to cure you. For now, stay by my side, alright?"
"Mhm."
Qinglian nodded, cheeks flushed.
"But since this poison is lurking in your system, avoid fighting in the ruins unless absolutely necessary. Don't worry—if I'm around, you won't get the chance anyway."
Xiao Yuan chuckled.
"Yes, Young Master."
She answered softly with her head lowered.
"Alright, everyone should rest. The ruins will open fully in a day or two. Qinglian, come with me. That poison won't harm you in the short term, but let's add an extra layer of protection just in case."
As he spoke, Xiao Yuan turned and headed back to his tent.
"Tsk. Green Snake Tri-Flower Pupils… even I've never seen such a thing. That boy's luck is something else."
Venerable Tianhuo couldn't help but sigh.
"Senior Tianhuo, please keep watch over the area tonight."
Cai Lin bowed slightly to the elder.
"No worries. No one will disturb that boy. You all go rest."
Tianhuo smiled.
"Thanks, old man!"
Zi Yan remained her casual, cheeky self.
"Much appreciated, Senior."
Mu Qingluan didn't dare be so flippant. Even her own clan leader didn't give her as much pressure as this elder.
Xiong Zhan also offered a respectful salute.
Venerable Tianhuo simply smiled and waved them off.
Inside the tent—
Being alone again with the Young Master she had longed for, Qinglian's heart pounded wildly.
Just as Xiao Yuan had said, she was now a legitimate Dou Zun. In the northwest continent where the Jia Ma Empire lay, that made her a supreme figure. Even in Central Plains, she was top-tier.
She was finally eligible to think about things she hadn't dared dream of before.
She wasn't some lovesick fool… but her Young Master really did smell so good.
"Here. Take this pill first."
Xiao Yuan held a light green pill to her lips.
Qinglian moved to reach for it, but seeing his intent to feed her directly, she opened her mouth and accepted it obediently.
A cooling sensation spread through her body, and she couldn't help but let out a soft, contented hum.
Xiao Yuan held steady. He moved behind her and pressed one palm gently to her back. A golden flame began to rise.
It was a soul-sealing method Venerable Tianhuo had once given him, called the Heavenly Blaze Seal.
Complex, but effective.
Tonight, however, he didn't need the full method—just its principles. He used Heavenly Flame to wrap her blood vessels and meridians in a protective membrane, reinforcing her inner defenses.
But the process wasn't exactly... subtle.
And with her Young Master beside her, Qinglian finally relaxed, no longer fearing pursuit or capture.
Which led to… intermittent humming coming from Xiao Yuan's tent.
Now, this was natural under the circumstances.
But to anyone outside, it sounded less like healing—and more like a little maid seducing her Young Master into doing unspeakable things.
"The world's really gone to the dogs."
Sitting on a boulder outside, Venerable Tianhuo shook his head, casually tossing up a soundproof Dou Qi barrier.
He didn't need to hear any more of that.
Two days later—
As the first rays of dawn broke through the darkness blanketing the mountain range, the once-quiet area suddenly exploded with activity. The air was filled with the sound of people taking off, and countless silhouettes shot toward the center of the mountains like locusts.
Atop the summit, Xiao Yuan and his group had long since prepared. Due to the extreme danger inside, only he and a few close allies would enter the ancient ruins. The disciples and two elders from Starfall Pavilion were left behind to provide support.
Though they were disappointed not to experience the rare event themselves, no one objected. Xiao Yuan's commands now carried undeniable authority within Starfall Pavilion.
Standing at the mountain's edge, Xiao Yuan watched the swarm of cultivators flood the skies and couldn't help but shake his head. The ruins' draw was greater than he had imagined.
"Let's go."
Without further delay, he raised his hand and shot forward like a rainbow beam. The others quickly followed.
The entire Bone Mountain Range erupted with a shocking vitality. The sheer number of people soaring through the air diluted even the area's naturally chilling aura.
As they approached the ruins, Xiao Yuan's soul perception detected many previously hidden, powerful auras now moving into action—flashes of light streaking out from distant peaks.
Their mountain was close to the center, so within minutes, they saw the twisted space ahead.
Landing atop a towering tree, Xiao Yuan scanned the area. A massive basin nearly a thousand li wide stretched before them. But now, it was completely filled with bone. A forest of white skulls gleamed like snow, sending chills down the spine.
Countless figures stood around the bone sea, eyes blazing as they stared at the twisted space at its center. Once the seal broke, these people would flood in like a tidal wave.
Xiao Yuan's gaze swept over the crowd and paused in several places. Even with a quick scan, he spotted more than five three-star Dou Zun experts.
"Heaven-tier Dou Techniques… who wouldn't want one?"
He sighed inwardly. He was tempted, too—but unlike the others, he actually knew where it was.
This one… he had to win.
Boom!
While Xiao Yuan was thinking, a subtle vibration ran through the land. Countless eyes turned toward the center of the bone sea as spatial fluctuations grew stronger.
The ancient ruins… were finally about to be revealed.
Shuaa—
The distortion intensified, sounding like rushing water. The fluctuations grew wild.
"Hoo…"
Countless eyes turned bloodshot. Breathing grew heavy. Hands gripped weapons tightly, knuckles whitening.
Xiao Yuan narrowed his eyes. That strange watery sound accompanied an intense, terrifying energy—like a volcano beneath the surface, ready to erupt at any moment.
Shuaa—
With another strange ripple, the distorted space froze for a moment—then shattered like fragile glass with a sharp crack.
"Go! The ancient ruins have opened!"
The moment the seal shattered, countless figures around the bone sea surged forward with crimson eyes and greedy howls.
"Retreat!"
While others rushed ahead blindly, Xiao Yuan's face changed the instant the space broke. He summoned Dou Qi to shield his group, activated green lightning underfoot, and retreated with incredible speed. The others followed without hesitation.
From the surrounding trees, many other observers also retreated swiftly—they too had sensed danger.
And just in time. As Xiao Yuan and his group fell back, the shattered spatial seal suddenly flared.
Boom! A terrifying spatial storm erupted—so violent even Dou Zuns would tremble. Those who charged in first were instantly swallowed. Screams echoed across the bone sea.
The storm carved through the crowd like a scythe. Those in the rear finally realized the danger and fled in panic. Chaos reigned.
Boom!
Thankfully, the distance saved Xiao Yuan's group from harm. As the storm subsided, they saw the aftermath—bodies everywhere, blood soaking the sea of bone.
"What terrifying force… Even after all these years, this seal from a Dou Saint can still be this powerful."
Even Venerable Tianhuo was stunned.
"Let's go. They were too greedy—they deserved it."
Xiao Yuan smiled and took off once more. The others who had avoided the backlash followed suit.
Inside the vast bone sea, they finally saw it—a massive structure looming like a mountain.
A great palace.
Nearly a thousand feet tall, it dwarfed even the Hall of Souls branches Xiao Yuan had seen before. Facing it, one couldn't help but feel small.
The entire structure glowed crimson, like it was aflame. Amidst the pale bones, it was glaringly brilliant.
The surrounding cultivators stared in awe. Only after a long while did they come back to their senses, exchanging glances with shock and reverence.
This… was the grandeur of a Dou Saint's legacy.
(END CHAPTER)
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