Within the Hall of Souls Xiao Yixian had been feeling an unusual kind of boredom these days. Life had changed so much compared to the past. Every member of the hall whether elder or common disciple now treated her with the utmost respect. Wherever she walked people bowed lowered their heads and stepped aside. The reverence was suffocating. For a girl who had once wandered between villages healing ordinary folk and hiding her cursed physique such treatment was difficult to grow accustomed to.
There had been a time when she could occasionally lend her medical skills to help injured members of the hall. Back then she had felt some sense of purpose. Yet ever since Elder Mu Gu returned from his travels she had almost nothing to do. Mu Gu was a true alchemist of the eighth tier far beyond her own knowledge. In the hierarchy of cultivation an eighth rank alchemist was as revered as a Dou Sheng. Compared to him her ability as a physician who had not even formally stepped into the alchemist's path appeared insignificant.
Even the poisonous pills she consumed daily to stabilize and strengthen the Calamity Poison Body no longer came from her own hands. All of them were refined by Mu Gu. For her swallowing poison pills had become routine. Every day she devoured them as if they were candy. That steady stream of toxic energy refined within her body had raised her strength at astonishing speed. At this moment she had already stepped into the peak of the Dou Zong realm. She could even faintly sense the bottleneck loosening. Perhaps in just a few days she would have a chance to attempt the breakthrough to Dou Zun.
She clenched her small fists. She had to grow stronger faster. Otherwise she would be left behind by his footsteps.
Xiao Yixian's figure drifted toward the Pill Refining Pavilion. There she found Mu Gu at work. The old man's soul power floated across the hall dividing medicinal ingredients into precise categories. At the same time flames of his alchemy cauldron danced to his will. Watching him work Xiao Yixian's eyes glimmered with envy. If only she could become a true alchemist rather than a physician defined by poison.
She approached with a sweet smile. "Elder Mu Gu the poison pills you gave me a few days ago are already gone. I will need more. Also may I trouble you to refine one seven tier poison pill for me I want to attempt a breakthrough in the next two days."
Mu Gu paused his control over the flames flickering slightly. Surprise colored his wrinkled features. "Already gone That fast"
Xiao Yixian blinked her clear eyes and placed an empty jade bottle on the table. "Of course. I told you I would use them quickly."
Mu Gu's lips twitched. So this was truly the dreaded Calamity Poison Body. He had refined so many sixth tier poison pills yet in the span of four or five days she had devoured every last one. Even poisons capable of killing an ordinary Dou Zun instantly melted like sugar in her stomach. For her swallowing them was as natural as breathing.
The pressure on him was immense. If things continued this way even his eighth tier skill might not be able to keep up with her needs once she broke through to Dou Zun. Still he could only sigh. He placed two jade bottles on the table.
"One contains sixth tier poison pills. The other holds three high quality seventh tier Emerald Scorpion Poison Pills. But remember breaking through to Dou Zun cannot be rushed. You must not let impatience lead you to ruin."
He spoke earnestly. After all this young woman was no ordinary disciple. She was the woman of the hall master. If something happened to her he would never be able to explain.
Xiao Yixian only laughed. "I know you have said the same thing many times already." She collected the bottles and prepared to leave. Yet suddenly she froze. Her bright eyes turned toward the distant horizon. A familiar presence brushed against her senses. Joy lit her face and without another word she transformed into a streak of light and flew away.
Mu Gu blinked in surprise. Only a moment later he too felt the aura approaching. His eyes lit up. The hall master had returned. "How could that girl sense it even earlier than me" He shook his head and hurried outside to greet.
Above the Hall of Souls the void rippled. A tall figure in black robes appeared stepping out of distorted space. His face still carried that demonic allure but his body swayed slightly. His aura was unsteady.
Countless voices resounded at once. "We greet the hall master" Figures emerged from every corner of the hall kneeling in reverence.
Xiao Yixian soared upward her white dress fluttering. She landed gently before Soul Miesheng her voice soft and concerned. "You are hurt are you alright"
Soul Miesheng looked at her worried face and smiled faintly. "Just minor injuries. Nothing fatal. But someone far away must be choking on rage right now because of me."
Her brows furrowed. "Where are you injured I can help. Do not forget I am a physician." Her eyes lit up as she offered.
Soul Miesheng tilted his head giving her a strange look. His lips curved with mischief. "Truly no matter where I am injured you would treat me"
The implication struck her suddenly. Her cheeks flushed crimson. "Shameless rogue"
He spread his hands innocently. "Your medical skills are still far from perfect. I would not dare let you treat me. Besides we still have Elder Mu Gu." His gaze shifted to the old man.
Xiao Yixian pouted softly. "I would never harm you."
Soul Miesheng's eyes grew cold as he fixed them on Mu Gu. "And I believe Elder Mu Gu would never harm me either. Right"
A chill ran down Mu Gu's spine. He quickly bowed low. "This subordinate pledges absolute loyalty to the hall master without a shred of betrayal."
Soul Miesheng's smile returned. His sleeve swept outward and his gaze passed over the assembly of subordinates. "Hear me well. The Hall of Souls has severed its ties with the Hun Clan. Soon Hun Tiandi will march with the might of the clan to crush us. Life and death will be decided by fate. Whether you stay or leave shall be your choice."
His voice spread across a hundred li. Every cultivator heard it clearly.
The crowd erupted in confusion. Some faces turned pale. Even Mu Gu stiffened. The power of the Hun Clan was legendary. How could the Hall of Souls resist such a colossus The hall had always been only a chess piece on the board of the Hun Clan. To stand against them was to court annihilation.
Whispers and uncertainty spread. Some began to doubt their loyalty.
Soul Miesheng observed everything calmly. This disaster would serve as a trial for the hall. How many would depart How many would die How many would remain loyal Only time would reveal the answer.
Beside him Xiao Yixian bit her lip. "By declaring this now are you not shaking your army's morale before battle" She had long suspected his ambition of independence. She had even foreseen that this day would come. But she had not expected it to arrive so swiftly.
Soul Miesheng's voice was cold. "Those who wish to leave cannot be held. Those disloyal who remain I shall purge with my own hand."
He reached out and hooked her delicate chin lifting her gaze to his own. A wicked smile curved his lips. "This time death is very real. Are you afraid"
Her fair face blossomed with a faint blush yet her clear eyes did not waver. "You once told me my life already belonged to you. Is that not true" Her smile blossomed like a flower pure and bright. Dressed in white she seemed a celestial maiden who had descended to the mortal realm.
For once Soul Miesheng was briefly stunned.
But she continued her voice tinged with sadness. "If death truly awaits then before that I want you to accompany me to one place."
He asked without thinking. "Where"
"Home."
His brow arched. "Qingshi Town"
Her eyes dimmed. She shook her head refusing to speak more. That place was the beginning of the cursed name Poison Girl. For her it was an eternal nightmare.
Soul Miesheng only laughed gently and stroked her long hair. "Wait until I emerge from seclusion."
She nodded obediently. "Yes."
At that word his figure vanished leaving only the lingering warmth of his presence. Xiao Yixian stood in the air her expression lost between longing and sorrow. Mu Gu's face shifted uncertainly. The subordinates below exchanged anxious glances each unsure of the future path.
Meanwhile Soul Miesheng had already returned to the hidden chamber. He sat cross legged adjusting his breath. His mind calculated the gains and losses from this venture. He had returned alive bearing new treasures but also new enemies. The path forward would only grow darker.
(End of Chapter)
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