Chapter 31 - Arc 2: The Linyuan Small Secret Realm | Chapter 31: Hundred Damage Pill
Translator: Lynn
For two consecutive days, Xu Ziqing observed the ongoing conflicts between individuals from the Xu and Tian families. Whether it was disputes over spiritual objects or deliberate provocation, the participants showed no mercy, seemingly ready to kill each other. If the Xu family initiated the fight, Xu Ziqing would allow them to settle it among themselves. However, if the Tian family provoked the situation, he felt compelled to intervene and support the Xu family. To avoid unnecessary trouble, he continued to wear a mask, ensuring that his true face remained concealed unless his cultivation level surpassed that of the Foundation Establishment stage.
Thankfully, in all these years, Xu Ziqing had not encountered anyone at the Foundation Establishment stage. Even if he encountered individuals with strong spiritual power but below the Foundation Establishment level, he could still evade them.
The third day passed without any major incidents.
The conflicts grew increasingly intense, as the Tian family’s members displayed audacity. In the secret realm, it wasn’t just the Xu family who fell victim to their greed; the other three families also faced the same fate. When encountering the Tian family alone, they would be ruthlessly killed and robbed of their treasures. It was a vicious cycle.
Although Xu Ziqing managed to save a few people, there were some whose cultivation level exceeded his own, making it impossible for him to defeat them. Thus, he could only watch them depart, feeling a sense of weariness.
The secret realm was already steeped in bloodshed, surpassing the brutality of previous years. Having just rescued a son of the Xu family who had recently reached the fifth level of Qi refinement, the son persistently demanded to see Xu Ziqing’s true face. Annoyed by this, Xu Ziqing simply left him behind and employed the Grass Transport Technique to fly away until he reached a desolate depression on the edge of the realm.
This location was devoid of spiritual plants or objects, and consequently, very few people ventured here. With only half a day remaining until the secret realm closed, Xu Ziqing intended to rest momentarily in this secluded spot before seeking out a gathering place for the Xu family’s children. He would wait there discreetly, improvising his plans if necessary. He realized that the least he could do was to reveal his identity, pretending to comply until he escaped the secret realm and found an opportunity to flee.
With this mindset, Xu Ziqing’s anxiety subsided, and he settled down to rest.
After a few days of combat, even though he had only opened one or two acupuncture points, he had made considerable progress. Engaging in battles with others had familiarized him with the manipulation of spiritual energy and the transformation of magical techniques. He was no longer as rusty as he had been when practicing alone in the past. However, the bloodthirsty demon vine had not been nourished for three days and was becoming restless. Xu Ziqing’s cultivation had improved, and he had become more adept at the “Ten Thousand Woods Great Heart Planting Technique.” Despite having more vines, their suppressive power was even stronger than before, allowing them to remain contained and harmlessly dormant.
The Bloodthirsty Demon Vine was an ancient species that grew more powerful as it matured. Despite being suppressed by Xu Ziqing, it could consume any cultivator below the Foundation Establishment stage. Even if a Foundation Establishment cultivator attempted to confront it, the vine had the ability to halt them and engage in a battle. Xu Ziqing possessed this entity, which served as an additional means of protecting his life. However, due to its formidable nature, he pondered whether it would ultimately prove to be a blessing or a curse.
As usual, Xu Ziqing immersed his consciousness into his dantian and established a connection with the faint consciousness of the demon vine.
As expected, within moments, his consciousness was filled with a subtle mix of resignation, reminiscent of a curious toddler. It was both endearing and accompanied by a bloodthirsty desire that brought forth a slight trace of ruthlessness in his mind.
Remaining composed, Xu Ziqing transmitted a soothing thought, which initially brought a sense of joy to the faint consciousness. However, it soon became agitated. Through the careful and persistent influence of his soothing thoughts, the agitation gradually subsided, and a state of joy emerged. This was the expected outcome.
During the first encounter, Xu Ziqing was still unfamiliar and slightly cautious about something he didn’t fully comprehend. However, with more interactions, he realized that the demon vine’s consciousness had just surfaced and was essentially blank. Its alleged bloodlust was merely an instinctive response, thus reducing the need for excessive wariness. The demon vine and Xu Ziqing were already in a symbiotic relationship, with Xu Ziqing as the master and the demon vine as the servant. Consequently, Xu Ziqing treated the spiritual intelligence of the vine like that of a baby, nurturing and guiding it with care. The understanding between the two continued to deepen.
After calming the vine, Xu Ziqing intended to draw in the spiritual energy of the heavens and the earth, circulate it through his eight channels and limbs, and refine his spiritual power. However, a sudden commotion from outside disrupted his consciousness, causing him to awaken. Despite having arrived in such a remote location, he hadn’t anticipated encountering anyone.
Considering the situation, Xu Ziqing stood up and proceeded toward the source of the noise. Although he preferred not to engage in any further activities, he acknowledged the role of fate. Thus, he headed northwest.
As he walked a few steps in the northwest direction, the sound grew progressively louder.
Xu Ziqing paused briefly, reaching out to pluck a banana-like leaf and wrapping it around his body. Instantly, his entire form transformed into a shadow, as if he merged with the wind. Only upon closer inspection could one discern a subtle peculiarity.
By chance, Xu Ziqing had reached the outskirts of a forest when he spotted a woman dressed in yellow consoling a girl in a purple dress within a clearing. As soon as the woman in yellow patted the girl’s back, she forcefully expelled a mouthful of blood and collapsed a few feet away, her face drained of color.
On the other side stood a handsome man who laughed arrogantly, his eyes gleaming with a lecherous expression.
Upon witnessing this scene, Xu Ziqing couldn’t decide whether to laugh or sigh.
He recognized two out of the three individuals present. The girl in the purple dress, Xu Zitang, was someone Xu Ziqing had intentionally avoided. The arrogant man was Tian Tian Liang, whom he hadn’t seen in years. The woman in the yellow dress, whom Xu Ziqing also recalled, was a close friend of Xu Zitang’s whom he had encountered just three days ago. This woman should also be a member of the Xu family, but he couldn’t comprehend why she was betraying Xu Zitang from behind.
It was unfortunate that Xu Zitang had placed too much trust in the woman in yellow and lacked the presence of other cultivators with profound skills to protect her. Granted, with Xu Zitang’s cultivation at the sixth level of Qi refinement and the woman in yellow at the seventh level, she should have been safe within the secret realm. Xu Zitang disregarded the woman’s presence when facing Tian Liang and exposed her back, which led to sudden betrayal and severe injuries.
Observing the treacherous and intricate atmosphere between the two women, Xu Ziqing hesitated for a moment. He wasn’t certain whether he should intervene in such a situation.
After pondering for a while, he opted to wait and observe how things would unfold before making a decision.
Witnessing Tian Liang’s extreme arrogance and Xu Zitang’s grievous injuries, he applauded and laughed, saying, “Miss Ziqian, you are indeed formidable. I express my gratitude.”
The woman in yellow smiled warmly and replied, “It was fortuitous timing that we crossed paths.” She added, “Young Patriarch Tian, you and I are simply utilizing each other, so there’s no need for such courtesy.”
Despite suffering from damaged meridians caused by the woman’s palm strike, Xu Zitang endured the pain and turned to Xu Ziqian, angrily questioning, “Xu Ziqian, I regarded you as my future sister-in-law and had always been close to you. How could you stoop so low? Are you truly a traitor?”
Xu Ziqing was taken aback. No wonder Xu Zitang had placed so much trust in Xu Zi Qian. She was Xu Zifeng’s fiancée and would soon become a part of their family. “Xu Zitang, although I am on the verge of becoming Xu Zifeng’s wife, he only considers you as his sister in his heart. How could I tolerate that?”
Xu Zifeng, currently the eldest son of the Xu Clan, possessed unstoppable potential even before establishing his foundation. To solidify their hold on him, the Xu Clan needed to find a wife for him within the family.
Xu Ziqian was also a remarkable woman of their generation, possessing exceptional qualifications and being just a year older than Xu Zifeng. Among the Xu family women her age, she was the first to become engaged to Xu Zifeng.
Xu Zifeng and Xu Zitang, both orphaned at a young age, share a deep bond as siblings. Xu Ziqian may appear tolerant and gentle, but beneath her facade, she harbors resentment and envy toward Xu Zitang because of her longstanding love for Xu Zifeng.
Upon hearing Xu Ziqian’s words, Xu Zitang grew even angrier. “What sophisticated reasoning! My brother loves and cares for me because of our familial relationship. Since you are marrying my brother, you are my elder sister-in-law. According to the saying, ‘an elder brother is like a father, an elder sister-in-law is like a mother.’ Yet, you show no compassion towards me and instead use it as an excuse to commit cruel acts.”
Xu Ziqian’s gaze turned cold. “Keep talking all you want. You won’t leave this secret realm alive. I will find a way to make Zifeng believe in me, so you need not worry about it here.” She glanced toward Tian Liang and said, “Sir Tian, it’s getting late. You may proceed to enjoy yourself.”
Tian Liang chuckled with satisfaction, no longer concealing the lust in his eyes as he looked at Xu Zitang. “Xu Zitang, you think highly of yourself. Not only did you reject my marriage proposal when I visited the Xu clan’s house, but you also dared to embarrass me in front of my father. Today, you are at my mercy, aren’t you? Hand over your virginity obediently!”
Upon uttering those words, he swiftly waved his fan, slicing off Xu Zitang’s skirt, and exposing her lavender undergarments.
Shocked, Xu Zitang had not anticipated such vile thoughts from this despicable man. She hastily mobilized her spiritual energy to resist. However, her meridians had been severely damaged, and she was unaware of the methods Xu Ziqian had employed to strip her of all her strength.
Xu Ziqian let out a cold laugh. “I will crush the Hundred Damage Pill into powder with my palm and force it into your body. Within moments, your meridians will be completely destroyed, so don’t hold any hope.”
Upon hearing the mention of the “Hundred Damage Pill,” Xu Zitang was engulfed in despair.
This pill was known for its treacherous nature and potent toxicity. If it entered her body, her meridians would undoubtedly be ruined… She glared fiercely at Xu Ziqian and cast a venomous gaze toward Tian Liang.
Tian Liang, brimming with confidence, raised his hand and playfully waved his fan twice, delicately slicing open Xu Zitang’s undershirt.
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