Free Web NovelChapter 229: Chapter 228: Hidden Poison
The geniuses of the Sixteen Countries were beginning to display their brilliance, their strength astonishingly profound and unfathomable.
The winds of change were stirring. Everyone knew that beneath the apparent calm, a much larger storm was brewing.
Wen Tongyu stared ahead with a cold, gloomy expression, a frigid aura spreading out from him.
"Brother Tongyu, where are we going now?" a student from the Purple Sun Prefecture asked from the side.
Wen Tongyu said grimly, "If people like us act alone, we will certainly be assassinated by those from other countries, who will then steal our Talisman Seals. As I see it, we only have one path forward."
The people from the Purple Sun Prefecture reflexively asked, "What path?"
"To temporarily ally with people from another country." Wen Tongyu paused. "Didn’t Hua Country’s Seventh Young Master try to recruit me last time? He only attacked after I refused. This time, I’ll go and ally with him. Then, we can discuss how to vie for the Array Seals."
Upon hearing this, the people from the Purple Sun Prefecture fell silent for a long moment. They all knew this was their last resort.
’How is calling it an "alliance" any different from simply surrendering to them?’
.......
「Two days passed in the blink of an eye.」
Wen Qingye sat in a dilapidated house, a Cornerstone in his palm. He looked from it to the One Thought Sword. Once he left the Thousand Rivers Secret Land, he would have plenty of time to integrate the Cornerstone into the sword.
With his Yang Fire and his own strength, the One Thought Sword would definitely break through to become a King-Grade Weapon.
’I can finally cultivate the third style of the Undying Seal Technique.’ Wen Qingye exhaled. His hands began to move through a series of continuous changes, and a flow of black and white energy gradually stirred. The strange Seal Technique condensed into existence once more.
At dusk, Wen Qingye opened his eyes, slowly rose, and walked outside.
For some reason, everyone was gathered together, discussing something amongst themselves.
"Brother Wen, you’re out." Nie Shuang’s brow relaxed slightly when he saw Wen Qingye walk out.
Wen Qingye nodded, then asked, "Yes. Has something happened?"
Yann Chuxue nodded, her expression somewhat grave. "Everyone from Heng Country and Bailin Country has been wiped out. We don’t know which country was responsible."
Nie Shuang continued, "There were also remnants of Puppet Birds nearby. It seems the massacre of Heng Country and Bailin Country was meticulously planned."
Heng Country and Bailin Country weren’t considered particularly strong among the Sixteen Countries, but their complete annihilation overnight still came as a shock to everyone. The weaker countries, in particular, felt a palpable sense of danger.
"A crime this big can’t be covered up. They killed the people from Heng Country and Bailin Country for no other reason than to get their Talisman Seals. When the time comes to vie for the Array Disc, whoever has a suspiciously large number of Talisman Seals will be the culprit," Wen Qingye said with a small smile.
Wen Qingye’s words seemed to have a reassuring effect. Seeing him remain so calm and composed, completely unruffled, everyone couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Wen Qingye himself had a considerable number of Talisman Seals—some from Yul Country, some from Tang Country, and Zhou Yuling’s as well. As for the matter of him killing Jiangg Feng and Jiangg Tian, that news was bound to get out sooner or later. After all, people from Heng Country and Lanyu Country had also been present at the time.
Yann Xiangyang looked at Wen Qingye and said in a low voice, "But this incident seems to have stirred up more countries. Recently, many people have appeared near the borders of our Celestial Martial Country’s territory. This area is quite remote; it’s too strange for them to be appearing here."
Wen Qingye’s eyes narrowed slightly. ’When the Array Disc appears, it’s bound to emit a strange glow. Their presence here is definitely not for the Array Disc, which means they can only have one objective.’
"All of you, be careful. I have a feeling the Array Disc will appear soon," Wen Qingye said. "I have some extra Talisman Seals here. I have no use for so many, so you should take them." After speaking, he took out the Talisman Seals and handed them to Yann Chuxue.
Although Wen Qingye only gave away the Talisman Seals he had no use for, he was still looking out for the people from Qig Mountain Academy by giving them to Yann Chuxue and the others first.
After he finished speaking, Wen Qingye chatted with the others for a while longer.
Luoo Ying, Guann Xuan, Wenren Xiao, and others all had cultivation at the Refining Spirit Eighth Layer Heaven. This suddenly made Wen Qingye feel a trace of pressure—an inexplicable pressure. ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm
Wen Qingye had already used most of the Snow Lotus Seeds he had obtained. As for the Snow Lotus petals, they were used for refining Healing Medicine, so Wen Qingye could only store them away for future use.
Just then, a series of footsteps suddenly sounded from outside the door. The steps were powerful and imposing, clearly belonging to an expert.
’Who could be coming at a time like this?’
Everyone couldn’t help but tense up, their hearts leaping into their throats.
"Brother!"
Guann Xuan’s hearty laughter reached everyone’s ears as he strode into the room.
Seeing that it was Guann Xuan, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Wen Qingye smiled, his eyes scanning him over. It seemed Guann Xuan’s strength had improved again after his battle with Wenren Xiao.
But suddenly, Wen Qingye sensed something strange about Guann Xuan.
Guann Xuan saw the people from Celestial Martial Country and nodded. He then turned to Wen Qingye and said, "The Array Disc usually appears three months after the Thousand Rivers Secret Land opens. In the blink of an eye, it’s already been almost three months since we arrived..."
Wen Qingye nodded and asked, "Brother Guann, do you know about the recent events concerning Heng Country and Bailin Country?"
"I know a little." Guann Xuan’s expression turned serious. "The people from both countries died horribly. Most of them succumbed to poison. In my opinion, there must be a poison expert among our Sixteen Countries."
"A poison expert?" Nie Shuang frowned. "Why haven’t I ever heard of such an expert among the Sixteen Countries?"
Guann Xuan shook his head and chuckled. "Forget you, even I have never heard of such an expert. Every genius from the Sixteen Countries has their own hidden trump cards. You never know their true strength until the very last moment."
Hearing this, everyone nodded in deep agreement. None of the geniuses from the Sixteen Countries were to be trifled with. Who could truly understand another, or know all their hidden cards?
"Brother, could we speak in private for a moment?" Guann Xuan said, looking at Wen Qingye.
"Alright." Wen Qingye nodded. ’For Guann Xuan to ask like this, he must have something important to say.’
The two of them walked toward the courtyard in the back.
Guann Xuan’s brow was tightly furrowed. He sighed and said, "I’ve been feeling very uneasy lately, and I don’t know why."
"Oh?" Wen Qingye’s tone lifted with interest.
Wen Qingye asked, "What is it that’s making you feel uneasy?"
Guann Xuan gazed at the rockery ahead and said grimly, "I don’t know. It just feels like there’s a pair of eyes constantly watching me from behind."
Wen Qingye raised an eyebrow, a cold glint suddenly flashing in his eyes.
"Give me your hand," Wen Qingye said abruptly.
Although Guann Xuan didn’t know what Wen Qingye intended to do, he extended his hand.
Wen Qingye extended a finger and tapped a point on Guann Xuan’s Hand Three Yin Meridians.
"Hiss!"
For a reason he couldn’t explain, Guann Xuan felt a sharp pain course through his entire body.
Wen Qingye felt the slight tremor in Guann Xuan’s arm and said softly, "It seems you’ve been poisoned."
"Poisoned!?" Guann Xuan exclaimed in shock.
Wen Qingye nodded gravely and said in a serious tone, "The person who poisoned you has skillful methods. Moreover, this is a latent poison; you wouldn’t have discovered it until it flared up."
"How is that possible? With my skills, how could someone manage to poison me without me knowing?" Guann Xuan suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.
Wen Qingye chuckled lightly. "This poison you’ve been given requires several herbs to be administered over time, and the final onset is still a ways off. I think it won’t be too late to treat you after we leave the Thousand Rivers Secret Land."
Guann Xuan looked at the nonchalant Wen Qingye and said in amazement, "I never expected you to be so incredible, Brother. You’re even well-versed in Alchemy Skill and the art of medicine."
Wen Qingye smiled. "It never hurts to know a little more."
"You’re right. Once we’re out of the Thousand Rivers Secret Land, we’ll drink and celebrate together."
"Hahaha!"
Guann Xuan burst into laughter. With Wen Qingye’s assurance, he felt completely at ease and was no longer concerned about the poison at all.
Right now, all he wanted was to have a good drink with Wen Qingye.
Hearing Guann Xuan’s words, a light flickered in Wen Qingye’s eyes. He nodded. "Yes. We’ll drink and celebrate."
"Hahahaha!"
The two of them laughed together.
