I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals

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Chapter 372: Nascent Soul Killing Tribulation (Part 2)

Above the colossal, mountain-like greenish-gray pagoda.

The swarm of black scorpion insects scattered, revealing an elderly Daoist in a gray robe, holding a horsetail whisk. He formed a hand seal with one hand, chanting incantations, and activated the ”Pagoda Art”, which he had cultivated for centuries.

Beneath him, the pagoda projected a greenish-gray light barrier downward. Golden light spots outlined its structure, gradually solidifying and thickening, forming semi-solid walls.

”Pagoda Wanderer, be wary of that bitch abandoning her body in desperation later.”

From a distance, True Monarch Red Serpent, who controlled the Black-Blood Inkstone, sent a voice transmission as a warning.

”Rest assured, Fellow Daoist. I still vividly remember when Brother Yunlan erupted in the Ancient Nether Hall back then. The injuries from that time took me years to recover from...”

Overlooking Purple Mist Fairy, who was barely holding on below, Pagoda Wanderer showed a trace of pity and regret in his eyes.

He couldnʼt help but recall his visit to the Yunxia Sect in his early years when he first met Purple Mist Fairy—her breathtaking beauty at that moment, and the graceful way she served tea, every smile and frown enchanting.

”So this is Pagoda True Monarch, known as Pagoda Wanderer?”

Atop the battlefield, Lan Changʼan and his companion also noticed the newly revealed Pagoda Wanderer.

Lan Changʼan had heard of this person before—a loose cultivator who had reached the Nascent Soul stage, once a close friend of Yunlan True Monarch.

Back then, when the Ancient Nether Hall opened, Yunlan True Monarch had entered it with this very person. After Yunlan True Monarch’s accident, this cultivator mysteriously vanished for many years.

Purple Mist Fairy had gathered multiple clues, suspecting that Pagoda Wanderer had colluded with outsiders to betray Yunlan True Monarch.

Now, his sudden reappearance, combined with the ambush by Great Snake Mountain, confirmed her suspicions as truth.

”Senior Sister Jiang, let me handle this one.”

Lan Changʼan noticed that Purple Mist Fairyʼs Hundred-Heavens Brocade was being further tainted by the three black-blooded jiao dragons, forcing it into retreat. He knew he could no longer sit back.

Swish! Swish!

Two third-rank puppets materialized on either side of him, assisting in bearing the sealing power and launching an assault on the pagoda.

Pagoda Wanderer, seeing this, didn’t take it seriously, as he was well aware of the methods of Puppet Master Xiang Dalong.

But just as he was about to lift his gaze, two more third-rank puppets emerged.

The puppet count reached four.

Then, in an instant, the number doubled again—eight third-rank puppets now stood around Lan Changʼan.

”Eight third-rank puppets?!”

”How can this boy’s spiritual sense be so strong that he can control eight third-rank mid or higher grade puppets at the same time?!”

Pagoda Wanderer was momentarily stunned.

Even the True Monarch Red Serpent in the distance showed a hint of surprise.

Everyone knew that the more puppets one controlled simultaneously—and the higher their quality—the greater the burden on the puppet master’s spiritual sense.

Yet, Lan Changʼan had summoned eight third-rank puppets, including two superior-grade third-rank puppets and six top-quality mid-grade third-rank puppets—this already surpassed the limits of an ordinary superior-grade third-rank puppet master.

”With so many third-rank puppets, it’ll be difficult for him to unleash their full power… But still, this kid’s wealth is beyond expectations, and he even has resources left to prepare for forming his Nascent Soul?”

A strange light flickered in True Monarch Red Serpent’s eyes, his interest in Xiang Dalong’s secrets growing.

In todayʼs battle, Purple Mist Fairy might escape with her Nascent Soul, but under the eyes of two Nascent Soul cultivators, Xiang Dalong had no chance of fleeing.

Just as that thought arose, the battlefield suddenly shifted.

The eight third-rank puppets surrounding Lan Changʼan began interweaving silk-like puppet force threads, crackling with lightning, forming a puppet force array in midair.

Zzt! Zzt!

A powerful spiritual pressure erupted from the array, shattering the previous energy level restriction and surging straight toward the Nascent Soul stage.

Next, a pillar-thick beam of crystallized puppet force shot skyward, slamming into the greenish-gray pagoda above.

The mountain-like pagoda trembled, its brilliance dimming slightly.

Instantly, the overwhelming sealing force on Purple Mist Fairy weakened significantly, allowing her mana and blood essence to circulate freely again. Her once pale complexion regained a rosy hue, as radiant as morning clouds.

”A Puppet Army Formation!”

”This boy actually mastered such an advanced puppet technique!”

Both Pagoda Wanderer and True Monarch Red Serpent, experienced figures in the cultivation world, couldn’t help but furrow their brows, their faces showing surprise.

Lan Changʼanʼs displayed Puppet Army Formation had power touching the Nascent Soul stage, making it impossible to underestimate.

”Junior Brother Xiang, you’ve worked hard.”

Purple Mist Fairy’s expression eased, a sense of relief flashing in her eyes, as if finding light amidst the darkness.

She hadnʼt expected Xiang Dalong to have such a hidden trump card.

Now, the suppressive power originally imposed on Jiang Ziyan was being completely countered by Lan Changʼan and his puppet formation.

”Senior Sister Jiang, focus on fighting True Monarch Red Serpent. I can hold off Pagoda Wanderer.”

Lan Changʼan’s steady voice transmission made Jiang Ziyan feel more at ease.

In truth, the Puppet Army Formation Lan Changʼan had just deployed was only a ”stripped-down version”.

The full version required sixteen puppets, doubling the current power. In a battlefield setting, it could fully contend against a Nascent Soul cultivator.

Moreover, there was an enhanced version, which used the quasi-fourth-rank spirit peacock as the core, further elevating its strength.

However, since Purple Mist Fairy only needed him to ”restrain” Pagoda Wanderer, Lan Changʼan saw no need to unveil his full strength.

Firstly, it would be too shocking.

Secondly, in the ever-changing world of cultivation, it was always wise to conceal some power.

…

”Junior Brother, be careful as well.”

After receiving Lan Changʼanʼs assurance, Purple Mist Fairy broke through the greenish-gray pagodaʼs light barrier and engaged True Monarch Red Serpent in a one-on-one battle at full strength.

Atop the pagoda, Pagoda Wandererʼs expression darkened.

However, the pagoda he controlled could only restrain one early Nascent Soul cultivator—any more, and it would exceed his mana limits.

With Lan Changʼan, a peak Core Formation cultivator, wielding a puppet army formation, he was already tying up most of Pagoda Wandererʼs techniques and mana, making it impossible for the pagoda to keep restraining Purple Mist Fairy.

”All below the Nascent Soul stage are mere ants. And yet, a mere Core Formation cultivator dares to challenge this Daoist?”

Seeing Lan Changʼan confidently claim that he could restrain him, Pagoda Wanderer grew enraged. If word of this spread, wouldnʼt he become a laughingstock among Nascent Soul cultivators?

Whoosh!

Pagoda Wandererʼs gray robe billowed as his Nascent Soul spirit body within his sea of consciousness synchronized with his physical body, forming hand seals. His spiritual pressure surged, and the greenish-gray pagoda beneath his feet became covered in intricate golden patterns, radiating a more intense brilliance.

Lan Changʼan immediately felt his soul tremble, his body grow unbearably heavy, as though crushed under the weight of an ancient mountain. His breathing and blood circulation slowed as if he was being forcibly sealed.

”Hmph, trying to suppress me with realm and magical treasures?”

Lan Changʼan snorted coldly, refusing to back down. He immediately swallowed a secret medicine and activated a secret technique to boost his mana, increasing its density and potency by 40–50%.

In an instant, his superior-grade magical treasure, the braided lightning whip, crackled with a storm of lightning, like a raging Thunder Dragon, lashing fiercely at the pagoda.

Even if he couldnʼt harm a Nascent Soul cultivator, he could at least force the enemy to expend mana and disrupt his focus.

”Something’s wrong with this kid!”

After exchanging blows for ten breaths, unable to suppress Lan Changʼan, Pagoda Wanderer finally sensed something off.

It wasnʼt just that this kid had a powerful spiritual sense or an amplified mana pool—his physical body also seemed extraordinary. Under the gravity suppression of the pagoda, he could still fight with ease.

Among early-stage Nascent Soul cultivators, Pagoda Wandererʼs mana reserves were already on the weaker side, but that wasn’t the real issue.

It was that Xiang Dalongʼs mana, physique, and spiritual sense all surpassed the norm for a peak Core Formation cultivator.

Even just the gravity suppression of the pagoda—which should have been enough to crush a normal Core Formation cultivator into paste within a few breaths—wasnʼt even making Lan Changʼan struggle.

Though the puppet army formation was taking on a portion of the pressure, the fact that Lan Changʼan was still fighting comfortably was too unnatural.

”This old Daoist comes from a loose cultivator background, so his mana and offensive skills are rather mediocre. Heʼs actually weaker than the fourth life ‘Lihuo Master’.”

After a brief exchange, Lan Changʼan, relying on the memories from the three Nascent Soul lifetimes, came to a conclusion and felt relieved.

However, Pagoda Wandererʼs defenses and sealing techniques were exceptionally strong, making him the toughest Nascent Soul opponent Lan Changʼan had ever faced.

Once trapped by the pagoda, even with his full puppet army formation, Lan Changʼan wouldn’t be able to gain the upper hand.

Fortunately, he didnʼt need to defeat Pagoda Wanderer—he only needed to stall him.

Once the battle drew the attention of other Nascent Soul cultivators in the Great Yu Kingdom, Great Snake Mountain would be forced to retreat.

At least on paper, the laws of Great Yu Kigndom prohibited Nascent Soul cultivators from outright killing each other in direct conflict.

”Never would I have thought that this boy would be the biggest variable in this ambush.”

Meanwhile, True Monarch Red Serpent, who was fighting Jiang Ziyan, darkened his expression upon seeing Pagoda Wanderer being stalled.

In terms of magical prowess and techniques, True Monarch Red Serpent definitely had the upper hand against Jiang Ziyan.

However, since they were both early Nascent Soul cultivators, a one-on-one battle wouldnʼt be quickly decided.

”Iʼve already sent a message to the sect! This battle will soon draw the attention of Great Yu Kigndom’s Nascent Soul cultivators, and reinforcements will arrive.”

Purple Mist Fairy remained calm and composed, suppressing her burning fury and killing intent. She recalled her half-tainted purple silk magical treasure, then summoned a new treasure—the Cloud Comb.

Sizzle—!

The Cloud Comb was far more aggressive, unleashing razor-thin cloud-light blades, each as sharp as a knife, severing the black-blooded jiao dragons emerging from True Monarch Red Serpent’s inkstone treasure, preventing them from tainting her magical treasure.

However, the inkstone continuously produced more jiao spirits, replenishing its forces as long as True Monarch Red Serpent had mana.

Thus, Purple Mist Fairyʼs mana consumption was far greater.

If the battle dragged on, she would eventually lose.

…

”Finish that kid first!”

True Monarch Red Serpent, fighting with ease while keeping an eye on the battlefield, decided to eliminate Xiang Dalong first.

After all, Xiang Dalong mainly relied on external tools like puppets. As long as he was taken down, Pagoda Wanderer, the Nascent Soul loose cultivator, would be freed.

On the other hand, Purple Mist Fairy had the option of escaping with her Nascent Soul if she was forced into a desperate situation.

If Xiang Dalong was taken down, True Monarch Red Serpent could seize control of the puppet army formation and use it to counterbalance Lord Earthrock, who was also a significant threat.

”Go!”

Suddenly, the spirit pet pouch at True Monarch Red Serpent’s waist trembled violently, unleashing a surge of terrifying demonic winds and baleful aura.

A piercing, soul-shaking roar echoed through the battlefield.

Then, a massive, crimson-marked serpent, stretching twenty zhang in length, wrapped in a red cloud of demonic wind, shot forward like a lightning bolt, aiming directly at Lan Changʼan within the pagoda’s barrier.

”Junior Brother, be careful! That’s True Monarch Red Serpent’s strongest spirit pet—the Scarlet Flame Serpent!”

Purple Mist Fairy’s expression changed drastically, immediately sending a voice transmission.

However, locked in battle, she was already being suppressed by True Monarch Red Serpent and had no spare strength to intervene.

”Jie Jie! With his puppet army, this brat is barely holding off a Nascent Soul loose cultivator. Now that my quasi-fourth-rank Scarlet Flame Serpent has entered the fray, how could a mere Core Formation cultivator possibly stop it?”

True Monarch Red Serpent let out a sinister cackle.

This Scarlet Flame Serpent was a hybrid descendant of the Scarlet Abyss Serpent King from Great Snake Mountain and possessed earth-grade bloodline potential.

There was no such thing as a quasi-fourth rank half-step Nascent Soul for human cultivators, however, demon beasts followed a different evolutionary path.

If a demonic beast refined a semi-complete Essence Spirit Core, it could far surpass late third-rank demon beasts in power, though still inferior to true fourth-rank demon kings.

This quasi-fourth-rank Scarlet Flame Serpent was certain to shatter the battlefield’s balance, crushing Xiang Dalong and breaking the stalemate.

”A quasi-fourth-rank, earth-grade bloodline serpent?”

Lan Changʼan’s powerful spiritual sense locked onto the incoming Scarlet Flame Serpent.

Its bright, glistening red scales gleamed seductively—it was top-tier material for refining quasi-fourth-rank talisman skins.

How could there be such a good thing?

Lan Changʼan’s heart filled with delight, and without hesitation, he patted his waist storage pouch.

Whoosh!

The Scarlet Flame Serpent, its face twisted in savage fury, opened its blood-drenched maw, ready to devour Lan Changʼan in a single bite.

But suddenly, its vision blurred, and it felt an overwhelming spiritual pressure and resistance press down upon it.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

Around Lan Changʼan, the number of puppets instantly doubled.

Buzz!

Sixteen third-rank puppets seamlessly assembled into formation, their crystalized puppet-force threads interweaving, unleashing a blinding storm of arcing lightning.

The puppet force formation in midair expanded explosively, its power doubling.

Boom!

A full-fledged Nascent Soul-level wave of puppet force erupted from the puppet army formation, shocking all three Nascent Soul cultivators on the battlefield.

Atop his pagoda, Pagoda Wanderer was briefly distracted, sensing the immense pressure rippling through the pagoda’s domain.

”Not good—!”

From a distance, True Monarch Red Serpent’s expression changed dramatically. He immediately tried to mentally command the Scarlet Flame Serpent to dodge.

But it was already too late.

The Scarlet Flame Serpent had practically thrown itself into the puppet army formation—there was no way to stop it.

Boom!

A massive crystalline puppet arm, condensed from the puppet army’s power, swung downward and slammed into the Scarlet Flame Serpent’s skull with devastating force.

The serpent’s enormous head, as large as a house, was nearly shattered into pieces—flesh-torn, blood gushing like a waterfall.

One strike. Severely injured!

The Scarlet Flame Serpent nearly lost consciousness, its vision spinning as golden stars burst before its eyes.

It was completely stunned!

Suddenly, Lan Changʼan struck!

With a swift motion, two quasi-fourth-rank talismans flew from Lan Changʼan’s hand.

Soul-Suppressing Talisman! Demon-Sealing Talisman!

Both talismans struck the severely wounded and dazed Scarlet Flame Serpent at the same time.

The Soul-Suppressing Talisman caused its spirit to sink into oblivion, freezing its consciousness.

The Demon-Sealing Talisman halted its demonic energy, gradually sealing its entire body.

After arriving in Great Yuan, Lan Changʼan had studied this coastal state, where demonic beasts ran rampant, while ghost cultivators infested the northern regions.

Because of this, he had adjusted his stockpile of talismans, ensuring he had targeted countermeasures.

Now, these two quasi-fourth-rank talismans completely neutralized the Scarlet Flame Serpent, causing its demonic energy to collapse.

Seizing the opportunity, Lan Changʼan summoned a razor-sharp flying sword.

Swish!

A cold flash cut through the air—

The Scarlet Flame Serpent’s massive head was severed in one clean stroke, sending a torrent of blood spraying several zhang high.

”Stop—!”

In the distance, True Monarch Red Serpent let out a furious, panicked roar, but he was too late to intervene.

Pagoda True Monarch attempted to stop Lan Changʼan, but the fully deployed puppet army formation blocked him completely.

The two Nascent Soul cultivators could do nothing but watch as Lan Changʼan sealed the Scarlet Flame Serpent and severed its head.

Due to the effects of the Soul-Suppressing and Demon-Sealing Talismans, Lan Changʼan safely extracted the Scarlet Flame Serpent’s semi-formed Essence Spirit Core from through the air.

At the fourth-rank demon king level, a beast’s spirit and core fused together. Even if their physical body was destroyed, they could flee or even attempt soul possession—though their escape speed was not as fast as a Nascent Soul spirit body.

If the Essence Spirit Core detonated, the resulting explosion would be catastrophic.

This was precisely why Lan Changʼan had used the two restrictive talismans.

Taking out a jade box, he sealed the Scarlet Flame Serpent’s Essence Spirit Core inside.

Then, he wrapped the beast’s corpse with spiritual energy, compressing it into a sphere for easy storage.

”Xiang Dalong! Great Snake Mountain will remember this debt!”

True Monarch Red Serpent, having witnessed the entire event, was livid—his face dark as iron, his chest nearly bursting with rage.

But there was nothing he could do.

Lan Changʼan remained unfazed. Even though he hadn’t reached the Nascent Soul stage, an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator posed little threat to him.

Controlling the puppet army formation, he was now suppressing Pagoda Wanderer with ease.

Pagoda Wanderer excelled at sealing and defense, but Lan Changʼan wasn’t in a position to threaten him directly—and had no interest in doing so.

The puppet army formation was best suited for positional warfare. In hit-and-run skirmishes or pursuit battles, its power would be greatly reduced.

However, by forming a unified military array, the sixteen puppets were far easier to control than if they were individually commanded, significantly reducing the mental strain.

Even so, for an ordinary superior-grade third-rank puppet master, controlling such a formation would be impossible.

...

”Junior Brother Xiang, you have made a great achievement today!”

At this moment, Purple Mist Fairy finally snapped out of her daze.

The series of thunderous attacks Lan Changʼan had unleashed left her shaken to the core, utterly in disbelief.

Many of the mysteries surrounding him suddenly became clear.

Even without Lord Earthrock, Xiang Dalong alone possessed power comparable to that of a Nascent Soul cultivator.

No wonder that even after Lord Earthrock advanced to the fourth rank, he still treated Xiang Dalong with the utmost respect, never daring to show even the slightest defiance.

However, after the initial shock and joy, Purple Mist Fairy felt a mix of excitement and concern.

Xiang Dalong had hidden too deeply.

With the power he had just demonstrated, combined with Lord Earthrock, he could easily surpass her within the sect.

Fortunately, Xiang Dalong seemed to have no ambitions for power—he was entirely focused on cultivation and refining his skills, with little interest in political struggles.

”Senior Sister Jiang, beware of his venomous tricks.”

With his battlefield position stabilized, Lan Changʼan was now free to observe Purple Mist Fairy’s fight.

The situation was now clear-cut.

As long as both of them could hold off a Nascent Soul True Monarch, and avoid being defeated too quickly, the arrival of other Nascent Soul cultivators from Great Yu Kingdom would force Great Snake Mountain to retreat.

”Junior Brother Xiang, just hold out for half an hour! I have already sent a message to our sect for reinforcements…”

Purple Mist Fairy transmitted a message to him.

Reinforcements from the sect?

Lan Changʼan’s expression changed slightly as a thought struck him.

The only Nascent Soul reinforcements that could arrive in time would be those with exceptionally high speed.

Other than allied Nascent Soul cultivators, the only one who fit that criteria was—

The fourth-rank Sacred Beast guarding the sect—Lord Earthrock.

Using Purple Mist Fairy’s special sect transmission, a message would instantly reach the sect’s guardian beast within Great Yu Kigndom’s borders.

If Lord Earthrock became worried about its master’s safety and left the sect to intervene…

”Do not leave the sect!”

Lan Changʼan’s voice resounded through his spiritual connection with Lord Earthrock.

Through his spiritual pet bond, Lan Changʼan sent a vague yet firm order to Lord Earthrock, who was far away at the sect’s mountain gate.

As long as Lord Earthrock remained stationed within the sect, relying on the fourth-rank grand formation and the many cultivators defending it, even if multiple Nascent Soul cultivators attacked together, they wouldn’t be able to break through in the short term.

”Lord Earthrock… No! Great Snake Mountain’s heavenly bloodline Scarlet Abyss Serpent King hasn’t shown up yet. This might be a bait-and-ambush strategy!”

Now temporarily free from immediate danger, Purple Mist Fairy suddenly realized something terrifying.

Great Snake Mountain’s plan had multiple layers.

Under normal circumstances, they would leave a Nascent Soul True Monarch behind to guard their sect, likely Red Refinement True Monarch, their newly ascended Nascent Soul cultivator.

If that was the case, then the Scarlet Abyss Serpent King, who was stronger than True Monarch Red Serpent, would be completely free to act.

The Scarlet Abyss Serpent King’s bloodline, race, and cultivation techniques perfectly countered the newly ascended demon king, Lord Earthrock.

Most likely, the Scarlet Abyss Serpent King was lying in wait near Yunxia Sect, preparing to ambush Lord Earthrock if he left the mountain to assist them.

”Senior Sister Jiang, as long as we hold out, there’s no need for Lord Earthrock to intervene.”

After transmitting his command, Lan Changʼan felt a weight lift off his chest.

”Hmph, Great Snake Mountain never expected you to have the means to fight a Nascent Soul cultivator, Junior Brother Xiang.”

Purple Mist Fairy let out a subtle sigh of relief—they had avoided falling into Great Snake Mountain’s trap.

...

The duel continued, dragging out for quite some time.

Between Lan Changʼan and Pagoda Wanderer, the battlefield remained surprisingly calm.

Pagoda Wanderer, despite his anger and frustration, had no choice but to accept reality—he was being suppressed by a mere Core Formation cultivator.

In contrast, the battle between Purple Mist Fairy and True Monarch Red Serpent was much more intense.

Secret techniques, divine abilities, and magical treasures clashed violently, sending shocking waves of energy sweeping through the battlefield.

True Monarch Red Serpent’s mana reserves were vast, his combat experience extensive, and his initial ambush had inflicted internal injuries on Purple Mist Fairy.

Her flowing palace robe had been torn in two places, one was a charred wound on her shoulder, and the other was a deep, bloody gash on her long, ivory-white leg, nearly cutting to the bone.

”Just hold on a little longer!”

Sweat beaded on Purple Mist Fairy’s forehead, but she suppressed her internal injuries with sheer willpower, gritting her teeth and persevering against True Monarch Red Serpent.

Hiss!

Suddenly, her body swayed—a wave of dizziness crashed over her, and her mana circulation faltered.

Deep within her Niwan Palace, her Nascent Soul spirit body, which looked like a miniature version of herself, originally flawless and delicate, now had a sinister blue centipede-like pattern creeping across its face.

”Fourth-rank Nascent Soul Venom!”

”When did this happen?! I was on guard the whole time!”

Purple Mist Fairy’s expression paled, her entire body turning ice-cold.

Her starry eyes widened in shock and disbelief.

She had remained vigilant throughout the battle, fully aware of Great Snake Mountain’s underhanded methods.

From the very start, she had used mana to lock her seven apertures, cast detoxification spells to purge foreign substances, and isolated the air around her to prevent airborne toxins from infiltrating.

With all these precautions, how had the poison still managed to invade her body—and even her Nascent Soul?!

”Jie Jie Jie! This is a newly developed fourth-rank Nascent Soul Venom, specially concocted by our very own ʼRed Refinement True Monarch.ʼ”

True Monarch Red Serpent let out a sinister laugh.

”It can infiltrate and lurk within mana itself.”

”In the heat of battle, our mana clashed repeatedly—that’s how the Nascent Soul Venom found its way in. And with your open wounds, the poison spread even faster!”

True Monarch Red Serpent’s chilling, triumphant laughter echoed across the battlefield. He had finally seized the upper hand.

The poison master of Great Snake Mountain, though lacking combat strength, had recently advanced to Nascent Soul. However, the deadly toxins he refined could be used by any Nascent Soul cultivator, and with terrifying effect.

”Ugh!”

Purple Mist Fairy forcibly circulated her mana, expelling a mouthful of dark, poisoned blood.

Her pale complexion, tinged with suffering, carried a tragic yet haunting beauty.

With a flick of her silken sleeve, two porcelain bottles appeared in her palm.

She immediately retrieved two detoxification pills—one black, one white—and swallowed them in rapid succession.

”Tsk tsk, ordinary fourth-rank antidote pills won’t work.”

True Monarch Red Serpent sneered and launched a fierce offensive, giving Purple Mist Fairy no time to purge the poison or tend to her wounds.

This Nascent Soul Venom was at least twice as potent as the one used against Yunlan True Monarch years ago.

If the poison spread further, even if she tried to escape with her Nascent Soul, the consequences would be devastating.

Boom! Boom!

More spells and magical treasures clashed violently.

Purple Mist Fairy’s Nascent Soul mana was rapidly depleting. Forced into retreat, she struggled desperately.

With a final devastating strike, True Monarch Red Serpent sent her flying, the sickening sound of bones fracturing ringing through the air.

”Senior Sister Jiang!”

A familiar male presence caught Purple Mist Fairy as she plummeted downward.

By sheer fortune, she had been thrown in Lan Changʼan’s direction.

With his formidable physique and mana, he had managed to break through the greenish-gray light barrier of the pagoda, allowing him to intercept her safely.

”You little bastard! Daring to play the hero under my very nose?!”

Seeing Lan Changʼan catch Purple Mist Fairy, True Monarch Red Serpent flew into a murderous rage, his voice dripping with venomous killing intent.

Slap!

Lan Changʼan pressed a palm against Purple Mist Fairy’s back, infusing her with wood-element healing mana, stabilizing her internal injuries.

He felt a sharp pang in his heart—he was on the verge of burning through one of his precious fourth-rank treasure talismans.

He also mentally prepared himself to unleash his secret trump card, the Exotic Spirit Peacock if necessary.

”Junior Brother Xiang, hold on tight.”

With her starry eyes half-closed, Jiang Ziyan lifted a delicate white jade finger, holding a lightning-charged talisman.

A powerful aura pulsed from it—

”A fourth-rank Thunder Escape Talisman!”

Lan Changʼan’s eyes lit up with joy.

As expected of a Nascent Soul sect with thousands of years of heritage—they still had trump cards left.

Before he could react, Purple Mist Fairy’s curvaceous body pressed against his chest, her slender arms tightening around his waist.

A boom of thunder erupted, lightning engulfing them both.

True Monarch Red Serpent’s fury-fueled final strike missed, obliterating only two fading afterimages.

Crackle—Zzt!

Before his very eyes, the two figures entwined in each other’s arms transformed into a streak of lightning, vanishing ten li away in an instant.

”Fellow Daoist Red Serpent, according to the plan, we must not delay further...”

Pagoda Wanderer’s voice transmission came, carrying an urgent tone.

”This pair of dogs!”

True Monarch Red Serpent glared murderously at the direction of the fleeing lightning arc, gnashing his teeth in rage.

Unable to contain his fury, he cursed aloud, his face twisted with resentment.