Chapter 16: Poisonous, Definitely Poisonous

The supply of *Chi Yang Du Long Xian* continued to diminish, while the areas Li Changshou explored expanded further.

He had searched the regions described in ancient texts without success, and the same went for the surroundings of the Chaotic Miasma Treasure Forest.

Three days after incidentally saving Youqin Xuanya, Li Changshou still hadn't found any *Xian Jie Cao*. Instead, his deeper ventures into *Bei Ju Lu Zhou* yielded several useful poisonous herbs and spiritual medicines.

He even captured two rare *Fen Shi Chong*, which he could take back to refine into Calcining Corpse Powder, bringing his methods for disposing of bodies up to twelve.

Though he felt a bit frustrated deep down, he never forgot that he was in the dangerous territory of *Bei Ju Lu Zhou*, keeping his guard up at all times.

Logically speaking, *Xian Jie Cao* was a precious but unusual poisonous herb that few people sought; the areas he searched all matched its preferred growing conditions, yet he couldn't even spot a single seedling...

It was truly baffling.

Had all those years he spent squeezing in time during his cultivation to read dozens of poison manuals and medicinal texts been for nothing?

"After all, it's just that Master has such poor luck."

Li Changshou could only console himself this way, pushing aside his inner reluctance as he began to consider when to head back.

He decided to go another two hundred *li* to the west!

If he still found nothing, he'd have to give up and check in that town to see if anyone was selling *Xian Jie Cao*... though the chances were even slimmer.

Moving swiftly, Li Changshou left trails of afterimages in his wake, determined to complete this final leg of his search.

After scouting fifty *li*, there was no sign of it;

After another fifty *li*, he circled all the nearby areas where *Xian Jie Cao* might grow, still without a trace, though he unexpectedly harvested a few precious spiritual herbs for making Soft Immortal Powder...

Look at that—useful poisonous herbs for himself were practically lining up to jump into his storage treasure, while the ones that could help Master were nowhere to be found, not even a single root.

This was probably the difference in character and fortune.

Without *Xian Jie Cao*, he couldn't refine *Rong Xian Dan*, so that path was blocked.

Fortunately, he had prepared backup plans two and three in advance; though neither was as reliable as *Rong Xian Dan*, they could still assist Master to some extent.

A buzzing sound—

The spiritual energy of heaven and earth fluctuated—someone was engaged in a battle.

Li Changshou's spiritual awareness immediately probed toward the source, but the thick miasma and churning poisonous gases limited his effective range to just over twenty *li*.

The fight was happening about thirty *li* away, where his awareness caught glimpses of several figures darting about...

Was this heading into the areas where those *San Xiu* operated?

On the borders of *Bei Ju Lu Zhou*, many Qi refiners were active, typically venturing thousands of *li* into the continent to hunt for rare flowers and exotic fruits, which they traded for resources to aid their cultivation.

For instance, the *Ci Jiu* who had been killed in a counterattack earlier had reached the Return to Dao Realm and earned a living this way when not involved in dirty work.

Li Changshou instantly felt the urge to retreat.

He halted and hid behind a rock, carefully weighing his options.

He had already searched all the areas mentioned in the ancient texts, and now this direction had Qi refiners fighting—it was time to leave if not now, when?

As the saying goes, a gentleman doesn't stand under a dangerous wall; this trip to *Bei Ju Lu Zhou* would have to end on a regrettable note...

But suddenly, Li Changshou's spirits lifted!

His extended spiritual awareness accidentally detected three unassuming green herbs swaying gently on top of a cliff about twenty-three *li* to the northwest!

They resembled orchid grass in shape but were shorter, with mysterious patterns on their leaves and a faint glow enveloping each one.

*Xian Jie Cao*!

The very *Xian Jie Cao* that could poison a *Yuan Xian* and severely injure a *Zhen Xian*'s primordial spirit!

Judging by the number of magical patterns on them, the central one was at least three thousand years old, while the two beside it were over a thousand years each!

Li Changshou nearly jumped out from behind the rock.

But he quickly recited the Pure Heart Mantra to calm himself down—the herbs weren't in his hands yet, so it was too early to celebrate.

Stay calm; only after securing the herbs and safely leaving *Bei Ju Lu Zhou* could he allow himself a small celebration...

Actually, refining the pills would be troublesome too, so at the very least, he should wait until he returned to the mountains, successfully refined *Rong Xian Dan*, and then rejoice.

Time to get to work!

Using Earth Escape, Li Changshou tunneled straight toward the *Xian Jie Cao*, while his spiritual awareness spread through the earth to analyze the surrounding environment.

Beside the *Xian Jie Cao* stood a bare, old cypress tree... perfect, he could switch from Earth Escape to Wood Escape to approach it.

A poisonous herb of several thousand years would surely be a great tonic for toxic beasts, so there had to be something guarding it.

Sure enough, Li Changshou soon spotted a Three-Eyed Bi Bo Snake.

This snake was cunningly hidden at the base of the cliff and knew how to conceal its aura, its three-*zhang*-long body blending into the rocks, with its greenish scales emitting a subtle, eerie light.

If not for Li Changshou's meticulous scan, he wouldn't have noticed this creature merging with its surroundings.

On the snake's forehead, a fleshy bump had already formed, looking rather unsightly and sparking some bold ideas; its triangular head was elongating, and its body was thicker than that of ordinary snakes.

Clearly, it was on the verge of transforming into a dragon and achieving immortality.

The oldest *Xian Jie Cao* was likely the key to its transformation, though its toxicity and potency weren't sufficient yet.

"This will be tough to handle."

Li Changshou also noticed the many bones at the base of the cliff, including several human skeletons...

No direct confrontation—it had to be outsmarted.

This near-immortal toxic beast was incredibly powerful, and as a venomous demon, the nine types of poisons he carried, which could threaten an ordinary *Yuan Xian*, would be useless against it.

Based on his mastered spells, he might not lose in a head-on fight, but the environment was too hazardous, full of unstable factors...

How to outsmart it?

Sneak over with Wood Escape, grab the herbs, and run? But snake-like beasts were usually very agile, so that plan was clearly flawed.

As Li Changshou sped through the earth, he fell into thought and quickly came up with over a dozen schemes.

Drawing closer to the coveted *Xian Jie Cao*, his spiritual awareness also picked up more details of the distant battle. When he focused, he nearly choked on his breath underground, coughing a few times and almost turning back right then.

Why did he run into her again...

Was Youqin Xuanya cursed or something? Might as well rename her *You Du Xuanya*...

He had drawn a map for her to go southwest—how did she end up here?

She was a full two thousand *li* off from the expected location!

Li Changshou's mouth twitched, feeling like he had unwittingly stumbled upon some blind spots in his knowledge...

"Hmm? There's an immortal's pressure among her pursuers?"

A spark of inspiration flashed in Li Changshou's mind as his awareness captured the chase. Suddenly, he had a plan for obtaining the *Xian Jie Cao*.

Thinking about it, if not for the battle fluctuations in this direction, he might not have discovered these three *Xian Jie Cao* plants;

And based on his previous route, this spot probably wouldn't have been searched.

From that perspective, he actually owed a thanks to *You Du Xuanya*.

"Last time I saved you; this time, I'll just use you a little. That makes us even."

Li Changshou muttered to himself in the earth, paused briefly, then channeled his magical power fully, suppressing his aura as he continued with Earth Escape. He swiftly and silently approached the cliff, observing Youqin Xuanya's pursuers.

At that moment, Youqin Xuanya was surrounded by flaming flying swords, her figure hovering in the air as she shifted toward the cliff.

Her swords spun rapidly, forming an impenetrable defense.

But Li Changshou could see at a glance that Youqin Xuanya was putting on a strong front while weak inside. She hadn't fully mastered this sword technique, sticking to fixed patterns without adapting on the spot, so her defense couldn't effectively counterattack...

Her pursuers were six black-clad figures: two in Return to Dao Realm and four in Return to Void Realm. Though they attacked with full force, they avoided her vital points, clearly aiming to capture her alive.

This was lucky for Li Changshou—those two *Yuan Xian* from their group were busy maintaining a Trapped Dragon Array, where some *Zhen Xian* was causing a ruckus, tying up their attention.

"But these guys probably aren't even enough to fill that Three-Eyed Bi Bo Snake's teeth."

Fortunately, there were two more auras in the air that hadn't joined the fight yet, and Li Changshou was somewhat familiar with them—

Yuwen Ling, the great general from that kingdom;

And Yuan Qing, his fellow disciple from Broken Heaven Peak.

Within a thirty-*li* radius, only Yuwen Ling gave off an immortal's pressure, which was what he had sensed earlier.

Li Changshou's mind started racing with ideas.

But to think about it...

Why hadn't that so-called gentleman Yuan Qing made a decisive move? Just dragging things out like this—was he underestimating the strength of *Du Xian Men*?

*Du Xian Men* might only be a mid-tier immortal sect, but it was still a widely recognized branch of the Three Teachings. Even if some mortal kingdom had a few immortals, *Du Xian Men* wouldn't take them seriously.

If Wine Nine *Shishu* and the others didn't return to the sect on time, immortals would surely come north to investigate. Yuan Qing and his group dawdling like this was basically asking for trouble.

In the end, this fake gentleman was probably just after Youqin Xuanya's body, right?

Tsk, how vulgar!

In Li Changshou's eyes, from the immortal Yuwen Ling in the clouds to the ones chasing Youqin Xuanya below, they were all now labeled as tools one through four...

Locking his spiritual awareness on Youqin Xuanya, Li Changshou activated his incantation and cast the "Wind Language Spell," transmitting his voice directly to her ear.

"Face the direction you're currently facing as the *Qian* position, retreat to the *Zhen* position, eight *chi* distance."

Youqin Xuanya, who was busy defending against the incoming treasures, suddenly perked up.

Longevity *Shixiong*!

How was he here?

Though puzzled, she instinctively followed the guidance, stepping on her flying sword and pulling back along the ground as two streaks of light just missed her sword formation!

"Retreat further, to the *Li* position, six *chi*."

Li Changshou's voice came urgently, and Youqin Xuanya dodged accordingly, with two more streaks of light sweeping past on the other side.

Then, his voice continued streaming into her ear:

"Don't just stand there—if you have the energy, counterattack. Watch your expression, don't let them suspect anything.

There's a powerful toxic beast hidden below the cliff. Lure them over and use the beast to break through your enemies.

To the *Li* position, three *chi*, then turn to the *Zhen* position, five *chi*."

Youqin Xuanya's previously dim eyes quickly regained their brightness;

She kept her lips sealed tight, murmuring a soft "mm" in her heart as a response.

Soon, she was dodging left and right with increasing ease, appearing more agile in the eyes of her six pursuers and the two above.

Had she broken through in the midst of battle?

Her attackers' assaults were mostly evaded, and her previously defensive flying swords found openings to strike back;

With this shift, her pressure eased significantly, and she methodically retreated toward the cliff where the Three-Eyed Bi Bo Snake lurked.

Meanwhile, Li Changshou's figure had already appeared within the rock layers above the cliff, just over a hundred *zhang* from the *Xian Jie Cao*.

The Three-Eyed Bi Bo Snake seemed to sense something, poking its head out from below the cliff and scanning alertly.

Ahead of the *Xian Jie Cao* was a patch of grass, with the sturdy black-barked cypress standing sixteen *zhang* from the cliff's edge, its shade falling over the herbs.

Li Changshou targeted the cypress's main root, dispelling his Earth Escape in the rock layer and enduring the immense pressure around him. He gritted his teeth and switched to Wood Escape, burrowing into the tree's root and concealing his aura as he surged upward.

The old cypress tree: ...

Hmm?

Hmm...