Chapter 135: The Woeful Poison Body
After Xiao Yan left, the mercenaries eagerly gathered around the magic cores he had left behind.
"We're rich!" someone exclaimed, their excitement mirrored by the glint in everyone's eyes.
The value of a second tier magic beast core ranged from 5,000 to 20,000 gold coins. These four cores alone were worth close to 50,000 gold coins. Split evenly, each mercenary would receive over 1,000 gold coins a sum large enough to fund three years of extravagant living or even early retirement.
And all of this? Because a certain young lord was trying to win over Xiao Yi Xian.
"Generous lord!" they silently praised, awe and gratitude filling their hearts.
Meanwhile, that very "generous lord" soared through the skies, his vast seven tier spiritual power scanning the surrounding mountains. Within half a day, his search led him to a hidden basin.
"If I'm not mistaken, she should be here." Xiao Yan's sharp senses detected that the energy within the basin was denser than the surrounding areas.
"Young Master, this area feels peculiar," came the voices of the two elders, Xiao Wen and Xiao Wu, resonating in his mind.
"What's strange about it?" Xiao Yan landed lightly on a small hill overlooking the basin.
The basin wasn't particularly large comparable to the Seven Star Valley back in the Xiao Clan.
"We cannot determine the specifics, but this place may have witnessed the fall of an ancient expert," Xiao Wen said, his tone solemn.
"An ancient expert?" Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow in surprise.
Scanning the basin, he noticed something unusual: the area had very few magical beasts, a stark contrast to most places with such abundant energy.
Still, as the heir to the Xiao Clan, Xiao Yan wasn't overly concerned about so called ancient experts. Even if one were to reappear, it would likely be a mere Dou Saint, which wouldn't pose a threat to his protectors, Xiao Wen and Xiao Wu.
For now, his thoughts were entirely occupied with Xiao Yi Xian.
Extending his spiritual power across the basin, Xiao Yan soon found a small cottage standing amidst a tranquil plain. The scene radiated serenity, as if untouched by the clamor of the outside world.
By the cottage, a young woman dressed in white leaned against a majestic blue feathered eagle, holding a colorful scroll in her hands.
"So, it's true… I really have the Woeful Poison Body." Her soft voice carried a note of despair as her delicate figure slumped against the blue eagle.
"My dream was always to become a respected alchemist… or at the very least, a healer. But why? Why did I have to be born with this cursed body?"
Tears welled in Xiao Yi Xian's eyes, sparkling as they fell like tiny gems.
The Woeful Poison Body was infamous across the continent, a terrifying constitution that brought fear wherever it manifested. Those born with it would develop an uncontrollable craving for poison. Consuming toxins would grant them great power, but the accumulation of poison would eventually overtake their minds. At their peak, such individuals would transform into vessels of destruction, spreading toxins that left everything in their wake lifeless.
Every host of the Woeful Poison Body had brought calamity to the world before their death.
After reading about this in the Seven Colored Poison Codex, Xiao Yi Xian's heart shattered.
"I was born to bring disaster, wasn't I?" She let out a bitter laugh, tears streaming down her face.
Her thoughts drifted to a mischievous, smiling face the face of a certain young man.
"Hmph, what kind of man would ever want a woman like me?"
"I would."
A playful voice interrupted her thoughts. Her tear streaked face froze as she turned around sharply.
There he was a black clad young man leaning casually against the doorframe, a roguish grin on his face.
The sunlight spilled over half of his face, casting a golden glow over his dark hair. The sight carried a strange, indescribable allure.
Xiao Yi Xian's heart skipped a beat, the moment etching itself deeply into her memory.
"What are you doing here?" she demanded, her expression turning cold as if trying to mask her emotions.
"Why am I here? Didn't I tell you to stay where you were? Yet you ran off." Xiao Yan's voice carried a trace of authority, ignoring her icy demeanor.
"Hmph." She let out a cold laugh.
"I told you before, I don't like you. In fact, I find you quite detestable. Now, leave me alone."
"That's not up to you to decide." Xiao Yan smirked, his playful grin only deepening as he stepped closer.
"You… What are you doing?" This time, it was Xiao Yi Xian's turn to panic as he approached.
"What am I doing? Isn't it obvious?" Xiao Yan teased, his voice full of mischief as he leaned in closer. She could feel the warmth of his presence.
"I told you you can't escape from me," he said with a laugh, his tone light but undeniably confident.
"Stop joking, Xiao Yan!" Xiao Yi Xian's tone softened, her gaze steadying as her emotions calmed.
"We're not suited for each other. I've told you before: no man would dare marry someone like me."
"That's fine. If not a wife, you can be a concubine." Xiao Yan shrugged nonchalantly, closing the distance between them further.
"Stop it! You don't even know who I am…" Xiao Yi Xian's voice wavered.
"Of course I do. You're the host of the Woeful Poison Body, aren't you?" Xiao Yan's calm voice cut through her protests.
"You…" Her eyes widened in shock. "You already knew?"
"Such a minor problem. Do you think that could scare me away?" Xiao Yan chuckled, gently taking her hand in his.
"As long as you're with me, the Woeful Poison Body is nothing to worry about."
"Braggart!" Xiao Yi Xian rolled her eyes, but there was a flicker of hope in her gaze.
"Do you even know how terrifying this body is?"
"Of course I know," Xiao Yan said with a smile, waving his hand dismissively.
"The Woeful Poison Body is a peculiar constitution that allows the user to rapidly grow stronger by absorbing poisons. The telltale sign of this condition is a faint, seven colored line on the abdomen. This line grows longer and more vivid as the poison energy within the body accumulates."
Xiao Yan glanced at Xiao Yi Xian, whose delicate face had gone pale. He smirked, a teasing glint in his eyes.
"And when that colorful line reaches the heart, the Woeful Poison Body reaches its peak. But that's also when the body succumbs to the agony of being consumed by countless toxins."
"At that point, you'll lose all rationality, becoming a mere vessel for deadly poison. You'll bring calamity wherever you go before finally succumbing to madness and death. Am I wrong?"
Xiao Yi Xian's face turned even paler, her beautiful eyes filled with anxiety and fear.
Seeing her trembling, Xiao Yan suddenly chuckled. Gently, he pulled her stiffened body into his arms and softly patted her back to calm her.
"The Woeful Poison Body is indeed fearsome, but it depends on who you encounter. Little lady, you're in luck you've met me. And to be honest, I happen to know how to resolve it."
Xiao Yi Xian's head shot up in disbelief, her eyes wide with shock.
"Y you're serious?" she asked, her voice trembling as her emotions wavered uncontrollably.
"Of course," Xiao Yan said with a gentle smile, his teasing demeanor softening.
"Don't worry. How could I let you suffer like that? When I've cured you, not only will you control the poison in your body, but you'll also be able to use it to enhance your strength rapidly."
Xiao Yi Xian suddenly collapsed into his embrace, her strength seemingly drained.
"Why are you so kind to me?" she murmured, her voice barely audible.
"Didn't I already say? I like you. Do you think I'm joking, woman?" Xiao Yan smirked, his signature roguish grin returning.
"But how do you plan to resolve the Woeful Poison Body? Even Dou Zong experts can't fix it." Xiao Yi Xian looked up, curiosity shining in her eyes.
"Dou Zong? Is that supposed to be impressive?" Xiao Yan scoffed. "Give me half a year, and I'll reach the Dou Zong level myself."
"Braggart! You'll die if you stop boasting, won't you?" Xiao Yi Xian rolled her eyes at him.
"You ignorant village girl, do you even know what an Eight Star Dou Huang is? That's me!" Xiao Yan retorted, exasperated.
"I don't believe you," Xiao Yi Xian said with a laugh, unfazed by his remark.
Xiao Yan fell silent, momentarily speechless. He sighed internally. Looks like I need to break through to Dou Zong soon. These people in the Northwest think Dou Wang is the pinnacle!
"Fine, you don't believe I'm a Dou Huang, but you trust me to cure your Woeful Poison Body?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"To be honest, I'm not sure you can," Xiao Yi Xian admitted, her tone calm. "But even if you're lying, the fact that someone's willing to take such a risk for me is enough."
Her face lit up with a playful, almost carefree smile.
"Relax," Xiao Yan reassured her with a grin. "What Dou Zong can't handle, Dou Zun can. And if Dou Zun can't manage it, there's always Dou Sheng. If that fails, we'll bring in a Dou Di."
He added silently to himself, Grandfather will sort it out if it comes to that.
"Dou Sheng? Dou Zun? Those are realms far beyond my reach," Xiao Yi Xian said softly, her voice tinged with sorrow. "But whether you're serious or not, if I ever lose control, I want you to end me. Please. I don't want to hurt innocent people."
"What kind of nonsense is that?" Xiao Yan growled, giving her a light smack on her rear, making her cheeks flush.
"Look at this."
In his palm, black and white flames intertwined, forming a mesmerizing yin yang fire.
"Flames made of Dou Qi? You're really an alchemist!" Xiao Yi Xian's eyes lit up with curiosity and joy.
Xiao Yan let out an exasperated sigh.
"This isn't Dou Qi fire it's Heavenly Flame. Do you understand what that means?"
Xiao Yi Xian's expression turned to one of shock, though she still shook her head.
"Ugh! I'm trying to show off here. Can't you cooperate a little?" Xiao Yan sighed dramatically. The yin yang flames in his hand transformed into two small fish, one black, one white, swimming lazily in a circle.
At last, Xiao Yi Xian's eyes reflected genuine amazement.
"This is a Heavenly Flame, a rare treasure that alchemists dream of possessing. It's a pure, unparalleled flame born of heaven and earth."
Xiao Yan's smile grew as he saw the awe in her gaze.
"With this, and a few more Heavenly Flames, I'll help you suppress your Woeful Poison Body."
Xiao Yi Xian's gaze softened as she looked at him, her expression full of warmth.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"Why are you thanking me? You're already mine. Of course I'll take care of you," Xiao Yan replied with a grin.
"Scoundrel! Who's yours?" Xiao Yi Xian huffed, her cheeks red. Gathering her courage, she leaned in and gave him a quick peck on the cheek.
"That's it? I didn't even feel it. Do it again," Xiao Yan teased, feigning ignorance.
"Keep dreaming," she said, a playful smile gracing her lips as she tried to pull away from his embrace.
But how could anyone steal a moment from Xiao Yan without consequence?
Strong arms held her firmly by the waist. Startled, Xiao Yi Xian looked up just in time to see his handsome face inching closer.
"Mmph!"
Her eyes widened as her lips met his.
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