bookbashuk Chapter 326 Very good, this guy understands the art of "donning the imperial robe"!
Chapter 326 Very good, this guy understands the art of "donning the imperial robe"!
Chapter 326 Very good, this guy understands the art of "donning the imperial robe"!
As night fell, the Ye family arranged an exquisite courtyard for everyone.
Xiao Bai stood alone on the roof of the courtyard, gazing at the starry sky, his eyes filled with thoughts.
"Come out!"
After a moment of silence, Xiao Bai lightly waved his sleeve, and a soul barrier rose up within a radius of several feet around him.
In the blink of an eye, a figure shrouded in black mist appeared from the distorted void, standing beside him with his hands at his sides.
"When did you arrive in Zhongzhou?" Xiao Bai didn't turn around; his calm voice revealed a hint of coldness.
"It's been almost a year, hasn't it? You've caused quite a stir here, and the Soul Palace has taken notice. Knowing I have some connection to you, they summoned me here!"
The newcomer's voice was hoarse. He slowly raised his head, revealing a pale face with two flashes of red light in his pupils.
It was a hawk.
"and then?"
"It seems there's a powerful figure in the hall who highly values Yao Chen. Someone wants to use your connections to get him to serve the Soul Hall!"
Red Eyes glanced at a courtyard not far away, and Wu Ying shrugged.
Xiao Bai was taken aback upon hearing this, feeling somewhat speechless.
"It seems the Soul Palace doesn't harbor much hostility towards me?"
He hadn't expected the Soul Palace to have designs on Yao Chen. This time, instead of capturing him directly, they wanted to use him as a go-between.
"According to them, it depends on your choice. If you cooperate, you'll be one of them; if you don't cooperate, they don't mind turning you into one of their own."
"Furthermore, before I went out to act alone, the Soul Palace already knew that the fall of Mu Gu and an elder was related to you. You are also aware of the Soul Palace's methods. They sent me here this time simply because they think I have some connection with you and wanted to test your attitude first. If you cooperate, then the past can be wiped clean."
The hawk's tone was somewhat grave, and a strange light flickered in its red eyes:
"You'd better be prepared now; decide whether to fight or make peace as soon as possible!"
"The way you're implying is that you really want me to cooperate with the Soul Hall, or even join them?"
Xiao Bai looked at Wu Ying with suspicion. If he didn't know that the soul seal was still intact, he would have thought that this guy had betrayed him again.
"nonsense!"
The eagle tilted its head, its red eyes staring blankly at Xiao Bai, and said speechlessly, "Can our current strength overthrow the Soul Palace? No!"
"Since we can't beat them for now, let's join them. With your talent, you might just be able to sit on the throne of the Hall Master someday. Then the entire Soul Hall will be ours, so why bother overthrowing it?"
The hawk spoke with an encouraging tone, becoming more and more excited as it spoke, its eyes gleaming red, much like a minister who wanted to support the future emperor's ascension to the throne.
Xiao Bai's lips twitched slightly as he stared at the hawk with a strange look in his eyes.
"Are you serious?"
The hawk shrugged, the red light in its eyes gradually calming down:
"What else? You should know something about the Soul Palace's strength. A head-on confrontation now will only lead to a quicker death. It's better to infiltrate first. With your methods, you can first cleanse the lower-level protectors, and then slowly erode upwards. When your strength is enough to rival the Palace Master, you can naturally take his place!"
As for whether Xiao Bai can reach the level of the Palace Master, Wu Ying was extremely confident.
This guy is a complete freak. When Yunlan Sect first met him, he was only at the peak of the Dou Wang realm. How long has it been? His cultivation has reached a level that even Yunlan Sect can't see through.
The future is expected!
If Xiao Bai hadn't known that the Soul Palace was backed by the Soul Clan, he would have given Wu Ying a thumbs up after hearing his words.
Very good, this guy knows how to "don the imperial robe"!
After a moment of silence, he chuckled softly, "Wu Ying, your idea is quite interesting."
A red light flashed in Wu Ying's eyes as he said in a low voice, "I'm just telling the truth. The Soul Palace's influence is spread across the continent. Rather than being their enemy, we should take advantage of their power. With your talent and abilities, you might just be able to control the entire Soul Palace in the future."
Xiao Bai stood with his hands behind his back, gazing intently at the distant night sky: "Behind the Soul Palace, there is more than just one Palace Master."
Wu Ying was slightly taken aback, then somewhat puzzled. Given his status, his knowledge only extended to the level of the Soul Hall Master; anything beyond that was beyond his reach.
Seeing that Xiao Bai did not intend to answer, Wu Ying remained silent for a moment, then sighed:
Even so, it's not necessarily a bad thing to play along for the time being; at least it can buy you a lot of time to grow.
Xiao Bai turned to look at him, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes: "You've certainly thought of everything for me."
Wu Ying gave a bitter laugh: "I'm in the same boat as you now. If something happens to you, I won't survive either."
Xiao Bai nodded and pondered for a moment, then said, "Tell the Soul Palace that I need time to consider."
The eagle hesitated and said, "They probably won't have to wait long."
Xiao Bai said calmly, "It's alright. If we can't delay any longer, we'll just let them come find me!"
The eagle felt a chill run down its spine, knowing that he had made up his mind. It didn't ask any more questions and lowered its head, saying, "I understand."
Xiao Bai waved his hand: "Go ahead, let me know if there's any news."
The eagle bowed respectfully, its figure gradually enveloped by the black mist, and finally disappeared into the night.
After the hawk left, Xiao Bai removed his soul barrier, revealing a jade box in his hand.
"Soul Palace. Soul Clan!"
He murmured to himself, a strange look flashing in his eyes. The idea of the eagle... it didn't seem like it was impossible to consider, but it had to be done in a different way.
"Brother Bai, what are you thinking about?"
Before he arrived, his voice preceded his appearance. Xiao Yan appeared on the rooftop, carrying two jugs of wine.
"I was wondering how you managed to get so lucky!"
Taking the wine jug he was offered, Xiao Bai plopped down on the roof ridge and laughed.
Xiao Yan chuckled and tilted his head back to take a swig of wine:
"Isn't this all thanks to Brother Bai? My original purpose in coming out this time was to attract Mu Gu's attention so that Valley Master Tang could help eliminate the trouble forever, but I didn't expect..."
"Brother Bai, you actually solved the problem for me without saying a word!"
Xiao Bai shook his head, picked up the wine jug, tilted his head back, and took a swig of wine. The spicy liquid slid down his throat, bringing a burning sensation.
The night breeze was cool, dispelling the smell of alcohol, but it couldn't dispel the deep look in his eyes.
After a moment, Xiao Bai collected his thoughts, glanced at the ring on Xiao Yan's hand, chuckled, and said in a playful tone:
"Old Yao, it's an old friend, why are you hiding?"
The ring on Xiao Yan's hand shimmered slightly, and a phantom figure slowly emerged. Yao Chen stroked his beard, his eyes filled with a complex mix of emotions and shock.
"Xiao Bai, you've gotten this far in just a few years!"
The memory of their first meeting at the Xiao family flashed through his mind. Xiao Bai was only fifteen years old and merely a Great Dou Master.
In just a few short years, he now possessed a faint air of authority befitting a venerable being, which greatly impressed him.
Yao Chen's ethereal figure appeared particularly distant under the moonlight. He gazed at Xiao Bai, his eyes filled with both relief and an indescribable complexity.
"Master Yao, it's been a long time." Xiao Bai smiled slightly and raised his wine pot in greeting.
Yao Chen shook his head and smiled wryly: "You're becoming more and more unpredictable. I really don't know how far you'll go in the future."
Let's set a small goal for the future first.
Xiao Bai picked up the wine pot, took a sip, winked at the old medicine master, and smiled:
"Let's become the Emperor of Battle!"
Upon hearing this, Yao Chen nearly had several strands of his beard plucked from his hand, staring in disbelief.
"Fighting Emperor? You really dare to say that!"
Xiao Yan spat out a mouthful of wine, coughed, and laughed:
"Brother Bai, your goal is indeed quite 'small'."
Under the moonlight, the three men looked at each other and laughed, the aroma of wine wafting in the night breeze.
The three chatted for a long time until the east began to lighten. Xiao Bai stood up, his internal fighting spirit slightly circulating, dispelling the smell of alcohol.
"Brother Bai, take care!"
Seeing this, Xiao Yan stood up with great reluctance.
He knew that Xiao Bai was leaving again today, as if the two of them had been separated for long periods of time ever since they got rid of the reputation of being "useless".
"Cultivate diligently, and when you break through to the Dou Zun realm, I'll take you somewhere!"
Xiao Bai looked at the young man in front of him and patted him on the shoulder.
Xiao Yan was taken aback. Seeing that he didn't intend to say anything more, he didn't ask any more questions. He smiled and nodded. Compared to the boisterous young man he used to be, he now looked much more composed.
"Elder Yao, remember to visit the Pill Tower!"
Before parting, Xiao Bai waved to Yao Lao with obvious disdain, his eyes looking at him like he was looking at a scumbag!
"!" said the old medicine doctor.
"Don't worry, Brother Bai. I'll go check out the Yang Huo Ancient Altar first, then head straight to the Pill Tower to see Aunt Xuan!"
Xiao Yan smiled and replied, a hint of anticipation in his eyes.
"You two brats!" Yao Lao laughed and cursed as he watched Xiao Bai's departing figure.
Fallen God Gorge.
Deep within the Fallen God Gorge, a perpetually shrouded dark green poisonous fog flows through the canyon like a living thing.
A wisp of golden light danced at Xiao Bai's fingertips, burning the poisonous mist that tried to approach with a sizzling sound.
Little Fairy Doctor walked ahead as if she were in her water. Her snow-white skirt brushed against the poisonous plants that were enough to kill a Dou Huang expert instantly. Not only was she unharmed, but the poisonous plants trembled slightly as if they had met a king.
"Three li to the southeast."
Little Fairy Doctor suddenly stopped, her eyes flashing with a strange purple light. "That guy seems to have sensed me too!"
Xiao Bai looked in the direction she pointed, and his soul power pierced through the poisonous fog, vaguely catching a violent aura.
As they ventured deeper, a sticky, dark purple moss began to appear on the ground, and each step brought with it a nauseating, putrid stench.
"hiss--"
A six-tier, two-headed venomous python, as thick as a water bucket, suddenly darted out from a crevice in the rock, but abruptly stopped three zhang away from Little Fairy Doctor.
The two ferocious snake heads twisted uneasily, and finally crawled back slowly to the ground.
Xiao Bai could clearly see that the liquid dripping from the python's fangs transformed into a purer toxin upon contact with the pale purple battle aura surrounding Little Fairy Doctor, and was instantly absorbed.
"It seems your 'Calamity Poison Body' has a great suppressive effect on these poisons."
Xiao Bai chuckled and flicked out a wisp of golden lightning, burning several poisonous spiders that had stealthily approached to ashes.
Just as Little Fairy Doctor was about to respond, the entire mountain stream suddenly trembled violently, and a ten-zhang-high purplish-black water column erupted from the poisonous pool in front of her.
"Humans! How dare you trespass on my territory!"
A shadow as large as a small mountain appeared in the water curtain. When the water droplets fell, Xiao Bai finally saw the full appearance of this seventh-order magical beast—its upper body was a humanoid form with bulging muscles, and its bluish-purple skin was covered with strange patterns.
A pair of enormous dragon wings flapped, but below the waist was a huge scorpion body, with its tail hook gleaming with a cold, eerie blue light;
Most striking are the three pairs of compound eyes on his forehead, which are staring greedily at Little Fairy Doctor.
Xiao Bai shielded Little Fairy Doctor behind him, but found that the beast's gaze remained fixed on her.
Suddenly, all six compound eyes contracted simultaneously, emitting a piercing laugh:
"A body of calamity and poison! Hahaha, Heaven has been kind to me!"
The scorpion excitedly slapped the water's surface, splashing venom that corroded the rocks, creating honeycomb-like holes.
The ferocious beast reared up and shouted in broken human language, "My beauty, become my woman! Our offspring will surely inherit the most perfect and pure bloodline!"
Xiao Bai's eyes flashed with cold light, and just as he was about to make a move, a cool, soft hand pressed against his wrist.
Little Fairy Doctor stepped forward, her body enveloped in swirling purple mist: "Let me do it."
Her voice was soft, but carried an undeniable firmness: "I should show you how much I've improved."
When the Scorpion Dragon Beast saw Little Fairy Doctor step forward, its three pairs of compound eyes flashed with a lewd light.
Suddenly, it opened its blood-red maw and spewed out a waterfall of dark green venom. The venom instantly transformed into countless fine needles upon contact with the air, engulfing the two of them.
The Little Fairy Doctor neither dodged nor evaded, her jade hands forming a strange hand seal.
The poisoned needles suddenly froze about a foot away from her, then changed direction as if controlled by an invisible hand.
With a flick of her sleeve, the countless poisonous needles coalesced into a spiraling torrent that swirled back into the air.
The ferocious beast raised its scorpion tail in a mixture of shock and rage to defend itself, and sparks burst forth from its carapace.
"Seven Star Dou Zong, interesting!"
Sensing Little Fairy Doctor's aura, the Poison Dragon Beast grinned and stomped the ground, causing the entire poisonous pool to boil.
Xiao Bai stood with his arms crossed at the edge of the battlefield, a look of relief in his eyes. The girl who once needed his protection had now mastered the Calamity Poison Body to such a refined degree.
"Poison Dragon Strangulation!"
The ferocious beast suddenly lunged forward, its eight scorpion legs simultaneously plunging into the rock wall. The poisonous mist from the entire ravine converged wildly upon it, forming a vortex of poisonous gas with a diameter exceeding five zhang in front of it.
Little Fairy Doctor was caught off guard and sucked into the center of the vortex, about to be corroded by the deadly poison. At the critical moment, she suddenly clasped her hands together, and a deep purple fire mark appeared between her brows.
"Poisonous fire, appear!"
A deep purple flame erupted from her seven orifices, transforming into a bewitching fire lotus before her. The moment the vortex of poisonous gas collided with the fire lotus, it melted away like ice and snow meeting the blazing sun.
The Poison Dragon Beast roared in disbelief: "Netherworld Poison Fire?!"
Little Fairy Doctor gave it no chance to breathe, her slender fingers flashing. Flames pierced the gaps in the beast's carapace from different angles.
Amidst the sickening corrosive sound, the Scorpion Dragon Beast's prized defense was melted through holes.
"burst."
With that soft shout, the ferocious beast's body exploded. The poisonous blood that filled the air was incinerated by the purple flames before it even hit the ground, leaving only a fist-sized, deep purple demonic core that clattered to the ground.
Little Fairy Doctor swayed slightly, but was steadily supported by Xiao Bai who appeared in a flash.
Seeing that she was alright, Xiao Bai shook his head helplessly and carefully helped her to a relatively clean stone platform.
When he took out the magic core, he discovered that there were dragon-shaped patterns moving inside the crystal, which was indeed an excellent material for refining poison pills.
Xiao Bai glanced around at the poisonous creatures that were gradually gathering. They were clearly drawn to the battle that had just taken place. "Before dealing with the Calamity Poison, I need to set up some defenses."
Little Fairy Doctor nodded, then suddenly grabbed his collar.
"Promise me," her voice unusually tinged with panic, "if I fail, end my life yourself."
Xiao Bai was speechless. Was this girl putting on a pitiful act for him?
He pressed his index finger against her lips, took out the prepared medicinal herbs from his storage ring, and spoke with a voice as firm as a vow:
"With me here, you'll be fine."
(End of this chapter)