Refining the Mountains and Rivers

Chapter 425 – Three Kinds of Poison

Elder Xu sighed. He stood up and said, “The poisons within the sealed pagoda’s fourth level are incomparably dangerous. Even if protections are in place, there is always the chance of accidents occurring.” He turned and said, “Have everyone below the Blue Sea realm withdraw from the temple and wait in the square for the gambling fight’s final outcome.”

Although some people didn’t really wish to follow this order, no one expressed any objections. They all began to walk out. After all, compared to the safety of their lives, watching for fun wasn’t much in comparison.

Soon, the entire square was filled with people, hosting a cacophony of sounds and discussion. When the others learned that the sealed pagoda’s fourth level was to be opened, countless cultivators were shocked.

The sealed pagoda…in the Black Demon Sect, it was an extremely terrifying treasure. Or, to be more accurate, it was something entrusted to the Black Demon Sect by a poison master of the demonic path many years ago.

Just how many poisons were inside the sealed pagoda? Perhaps not even the Chief Elder, Sect Master, or anyone else could answer such a question. But, this didn’t affect the incomparably terrifying status that the sealed pagoda held in the hearts of the Black Demon Sect disciples.

3200 years ago, the Black Demon Sect encountered a sect-exterminating disaster. At that time, a group of sect powerhouses were being delayed outside of the sect. They watched as the sect entrance was almost broken through and their orthodoxy forever destroyed. But at this time, the acting Chief Elder of that era used himself as a sacrifice and forcefully broke open the seventh level of the sealed pagoda. It was rumored that a world phantom descended upon the world and remained for several breaths of time before vanishing. The Black Demon Sect was completely fine, but all the cultivators caught up in the world phantom had disappeared.

As for why these were rumors, it was because almost no cultivators who witnessed the battle that year had survived. For 3000 miles all around the Black Demon Sect, all lives had been extinguished.

“The sealed pagoda’s fourth level! It is said that those poisons can easily kill a Blue Sea level cultivator!”

“That is too terrifying! The two grandmasters actually dare to use their own bodies to experiment with those fourth level poisons!”

“Splendid, this is too splendid!”

Soon, news of this spread throughout the entire Black Demon Sect. It was like a giant underwater bomb had exploded, causing massive waves everywhere.

Some of the sect’s powerhouses that didn’t care too much about this event also revealed looks of shock. After a brief moment they stood up and soared towards Heavenwait Temple. Today’s gambling fight and the events that followed had already surpassed the significance of the gambling fight itself. For these two grandmasters to dare to touch the fourth level of the sealed pagoda, that in itself was enough to stir their attention.

“Elder Li!”

“Elder Nan has also come.”

“Elder Hu, it has been a long time.”

More and more people arrived at Heavenwait Temple. But, there were only some small greetings and nods before they all sat in their seats and quietly watched from the observing platform.

Elder Zhou’s authority was insufficient. He had to request the leader and an overseer from the Internal Affairs Division for assistance. Only with the three people working together were they able to open the seal of the fourth level. The speed of the unsealing was extremely slow. According to the current pace, it would take two to four hours before it could be opened.

Grandmaster Jiang could no longer bother with maintaining the pose and posture of a great expert. He sat down cross-legged and started to recover the damages he had suffered. Even if he had hidden cards in his hand and even if he was confident in dispelling the poisons of the fourth level, he still didn’t dare to underestimate them…otherwise, if he made even the smallest mistake, then losing the competition was one matter, but there was even a chance he could lose his life!

He diligently melted away the damage the invading poisons had done to his heart and lungs. As the hot tingling feeling ran through his body, he thought about how he had been forced by that surname Yao to this step and his teeth began to itch with hate. action

An hour later, Elder Zhou and the others revealed a dignified expression. They glanced at each other and each cautiously formed hand seals.

Hum –

The sealed pagoda slightly trembled and a sphere of deep green light appeared, covering it. Just looking at this green light made one’s scalp tingle and fear rise from their bones.

Poison!

An extremely terrifying poison!

Within the temple, this was the first time that many Black Demon Sect masters saw the fourth level of the sealed pagoda opened. As they saw the green light appear, their pupils shrank. With their incredibly formidable divine sense, they could feel the potent destructive strength within this glossy green light. At this moment, if this green light were to explode…their chests tightened and their expressions became more dignified. They had an even clearer understanding of the sealed pagoda.

Elder Zhou let out a long breath, sweat drenching his back. “Alright.” Perhaps it was because he had been too anxious just now, but his voice was a bit hoarse.

“This green light is the sealed pagoda’s self-isolating barrier. It will prevent the poisons from leaking outside. But, just in case, we should speed things up.” Elder Zhou said in a deep voice. “Grandmasters, there is still time for you to change your mind. Otherwise, I will take out the poisons.”

Jiang Taishou coldly laughed. “I will absolutely not withdraw…Grandmaster Yao’s little play has gone on for too long and become too big. He should be careful of accidentally sinking.”

Without the numerous cultivators from the sect watching, there was no longer any need for him to conceal his manners anymore. After all, those that had the qualifications to stay in this temple all knew about the entangled benefits between him and this surname Yao.

Grandmaster Yao clenched his teeth. “You want me to admit defeat? Keep dreaming!”

“Good! Elder Zhou, please take out the poisons!” A cold chill rose in Jiang Taishou’s eyes.

Elder Zhou no longer delayed. It was far too difficult to separate out the poisons. If a problem really occurred, then that would be a real problem.

He lifted his hand and the surface of the dark green sphere of light rippled like water. Two little rocks flew out. These two extremely ordinary-looking little rocks were each the size of a knuckle. They were dark gray on the surface and even had traces of weathering on them…of course, this was absolutely only just an external appearance!

Watching from the observation platform, many Black Demon Sect powerhouses held their breath. Magic power revolved in their bodies as they locked out their pores, separating their bodies from the outside world.

In particular, when Elder Zhou and the others took out the little rocks they immediately drew back several dozen feet and raised shields of magic power, their faces as if they were facing a perilous enemy.

“Hold on!” Grandmaster Yao suddenly said. “A mere single poison, even if it comes from the sealed pagoda’s fourth level, what could it possibly do? I am confident I can dispel it. But today, I have important matters to attend to so I don’t want to waste my time here any longer. Grandmaster Jiang, do you dare to take out another poison and swallow them both at once to find a decisive victor?”

As these words were spoken, everyone in the temple widened their eyes. A fourth level poison was horrible enough, but he actually requested another on his own initiative and wanted to swallow them both together…? Did this surname Yao want to commit suicide?

Grandmaster Jiang was startled but his complexion immediately darkened. This surname Yao was absolutely trying to force him to retreat. His thoughts raced and then he clenched, laughing in anger and saying, “Who cares about two kinds of poison? Does Grandmaster Yao dare to simultaneously take out three kinds of poisons to challenge me?”

Surname Yao, since you want to court death, let me send you along the way. This time, even if I must use up all my cards, I will make sure you die without a grave!

To die without a grave, this wasn’t a metaphor but a truth. If a corpse contained three kinds of poisons from the sealed pagoda’s fourth level, then no matter where it was buried, it would be a malignantly poisonous danger. The surrounding area for hundreds of miles around would suffer disaster. Only by being burnt to ashes, packed into a sealed container and then tossed into the depths of the vast sea could the corpse be processed.

Grandmaster Yao’s voice was sharp and high, “Jiang Taishou, you must not want your life! Good! Very good! Then let’s see which one of us will survive! Bring out all three poisons!”

Elder Xu said, “Do as the two grandmasters wish!”

Elder Zhou hurriedly bowed. He raised his magic power shield and carefully approached. Lifting his hand, four objects flew out from the fourth level of the sealed pagoda.

Two green grasses and two wild flowers…they were similar to the little stone. Their appearance was common and ordinary without anything unusual about them. Moreover, the two grasses were incomparably lush and green and the two wild flowers had traces of morning dew, as if they had just been plucked this morning.

A flash of surprise appeared in Qin Yu’s eyes. The fourth level of this sealed pagoda was extremely strange; it actually spit out such common-looking objects. If it weren’t for those in the temple taking such extreme precautions against them and having such looks of dread on their faces, he feared he would have regarded this as some boring practical joke.

Looking at the sealed pagoda that was covered in a dark green light, Qin Yu’s eyes flashed.

Grandmaster Jiang took a deep breath. He lifted the little rock, green grass, and wild flower near him. Then, as if feeling the aura of his life, the little rock, green grass, and wild flower trembled briefly before turning into three gasses that were gray, blue, and red. These three gasses flowed along his nose and mouth, instantly submerging into his body.

His body shook and a horrifying gray white color appeared between his eyebrows. Then, it spread across his body at an astonishing speed, covering him in the blink of an eye.

Jiang Taishou looked as if he had turned into a stone statue. If it weren’t for the violent fluctuations of aura emanating from his body, everyone would have assumed he had died!

But soon, faint traces of a dark red color began to appear from his flesh and blood. His stiff gray and icy cold body began to shake.

Pa –

Pa –

The dark red color was like little knives hidden in his body, cutting open his gray skin. Along the openings that were formed, dark red and viscous blood flowed out. But what was strange was that his blood didn’t fall down, instead floating around him in drops. As more blood flowed out, the gray color of Jiang Taishou’s skin gradually dissipated as he was restored to his original skin color.

Elder Xu’s heart relaxed and he revealed a look of acclaim. Jiang Taishou was indeed worthy of being an alchemy grandmaster who was approved by the Sect Master; his strength was unfathomably deep. Disregarding all else, just the skill and method by which he forced out the three poisons from the sealed pagoda’s fourth level was enough qualifications to have him rank first amongst the alchemists of the Black Demon Sect.

As for Yao Bin…Elder Xu’s expression was faint and his heart filled with a bit of disdain.

This person had some strength and his origins seemed mysterious, but even so, so what? In these years his performance in the sect had been mediocre at best and he ranked at the bottom of the alchemy grandmasters. This time, he even dared to touch upon Jiang Taishou’s benefits from spirit plant transactions.

Did he not know that this was something tacitly consented to by the Sect Master? Did he not know about the divisions of influence in the sect? Did he not know that the Chief Elder had received benefits? Did he not know that even he, Elder Xu, had received some benefits…? If he didn’t know anything but continued onward recklessly, wasn’t that the same as seeking death?

Did he really think that by relying on whatever unnecessary or mysterious background he had, he could run wild in the sect?

Within the temple, the Black Demon Sect powerhouses all revealed looks of admiration. Jiang Taishou lived up to his reputation. It seemed that today’s gambling fight, as well as the first place alchemist of the sect, had been decided.

Some people glanced at Grandmaster Yao. He seemed to be frightened silly right now, looking at the three poisons in front of him without doing anything. Their eyes filled with ridicule. Was regret useful right now? The challenge had already begun, so it was already too late to admit defeat.

Looking around, no one was paying attention to him. He was someone that would soon turn into a corpse, so in their opinion he no longer held any value. But as for Jiang Taishou…what means could they use to form relations with him? This sort of alchemy grandmaster, this sort of poison dispelling authority, there was no one that didn’t want to be on good terms with him.

14th minute.

Hu –

Releasing a long breath, Grandmaster Jiang’s eyes shivered and he opened them with difficulty. His body had thinned considerably, his face was deathly pale, and his aura was extremely weak. But though his eyes were filled with exhaustion, there was even more pride in them. The reason was simple. This was because Jiang Taishou was now the only alchemist in the Black Demon Sect that could dispel three poisons from the fourth level of the sealed pagoda at the same time!

Around him, the floating beads of blood shook and screeched. They all self-destructed, turning into powder as the poison within them was destroyed.