Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

Chapter 186: 186 Hypocrites are hard to guard against

As an Outer Disciple, Shen Xiao originally did not possess such potent toxic liquids; however, he obtained this bottle from Elder Fu Du, whose toxic concoction filled him with pride and satisfaction.

After the first round of the Outer Sect Competition, Fu Du took the initiative to visit Shen Xiao and gave him this bottle of toxic liquid. Clearly, Fu Du’s target was not the Ling Wan, but the youth named Yun Xiao.

Perhaps even Fu Du had not anticipated that Shen Xiao would use this bottle of toxic liquid during his fight with a chubby boy at the Late Stage of the Meridian Gathering Realm, which disrupted his plans somewhat.

However, Fu Du, being a secretive man, did not show any emotion in front of the crowd, and he even intended to disassociate himself from this bottle of toxic liquid.

If outsiders were to find out that a dignified Inner Sect Second Elder resorted to such cunning schemes against an Outer Disciple, even the Sect Leader of Jade Pot Sect might not protect him anymore.

Fu Du’s conspiracies and tricks could only be carried out in the dark and would never be brought out into the open. Even if the Sect Leader and Great Elder were fully aware of his actions, without evidence, there was nothing they could do about Fu Du.

On the arena, Shen Xiao, driven by a malicious desire to strike while his opponent was down, aggressively pounced towards Ling Wan. From his demeanor, everyone understood what he intended to do.

”This Shen Xiao, isn’t his nature too ruthless? Even after Ling Wan conceded defeat, he still wants to strike a killing blow!”

This was the prevailing thought among most people present. Although they did not have a close relationship with Ling Wan, they could empathize—wondering what they would feel if they were in Ling Wan’s situation.

However, this was the arena of the Outer Sect Competition, and outsiders were strictly forbidden from interfering with the duel, so even though these Outer Sect prodigies disapproved of Shen Xiao’s actions, none voiced their displeasure on behalf of Ling Wan.

Of course, this does not include a certain person. As Shen Xiao fiercely approached Ling Wan’s convulsing body, intending to deliver a fatal strike on the chubby boy who had humiliated him, a thin figure suddenly appeared before him.

Bang!

Shen Xiao’s definitive strike, unable to halt in time, collided with a palm strike from the lean youth, producing a loud echo. Yet, his deadly blow ultimately failed to claim Ling Wan’s life.

”Yun Xiao?!”

Shen Xiao, his figure wavering slightly, recognized the person who had retreated three steps before steadying himself at first glance—he was familiar, no, extremely familiar with this figure.

As Shen Xiao spoke in a deep voice, everyone beneath the arena saw clearly who this person was. Clad in simple clothing, the lean figure was none other than Yun Xiao, who had just defeated Feng Hang.

In the previous arena showdown, Yun Xiao had certainly made a spectacle of himself. Joking aside, even Feng Hang ranked number one on the Mortal List had been blasted off the arena by him, losing also his right arm—this made Yun Xiao one of the top geniuses of the Outer Sect.

Since both Yun Xiao and Ling Wan had performed admirably these days, their relationship was thoroughly investigated by many Outer Sect prodigies -- it was well known that both were close friends. Thus, Yun Xiao stepping onto the arena to assist at this time was traceable.

”Yun Xiao, do you realize this is the arena of the Outer Sect Competition? Aren’t you interfering a bit too much?”

Regaining composure, Shen Xiao’s face was as dark as Yun Xiao’s. His intention had been to kill the chubby boy who had ”insulted” him with a ”fart”, and now that Yun Xiao had thwarted his plan, how could he swallow this insult?

”Yun Xiao, don’t tell me that defeating Feng Hang has led you to see yourself as the foremost among the Outer Disciples?” Without waiting for Yun Xiao to reply, Shen Xiao spoke again, including a jibe at someone in his tone, filled with mockery.

From one part of the crowd, the recently bandaged Feng Hang, upon hearing Shen Xiao’s undisguised ridicule, nearly spurted blood in anger. The resentment building in his eyes deepened even further.

In Feng Hang’s heart, the previous Shen Xiao was nothing more than a coward, always living timidly, daring not to provoke him. Who knew that now, revealing his true nature, Shen Xiao would be so detestable?

But Feng Hang forgot, his former status as the top of the Mortal List had evaporated under Yun Xiao’s kick. Now, in Shen Xiao’s eyes, and even in the eyes of ordinary Outer Disciples, he no longer posed much of a threat – he wasn’t the fearsome Feng Hang of the past anymore.

Leaving aside the seething Feng Hang below the arena, on the central platform of the arena, Yun Xiao, already in a foul mood, faced Shen Xiao’s bombardment of accusations and mockery, and a murderous intent towards this insidious man began to emerge.

Initially, Yun Xiao didn’t harbor substantial hatred towards Shen Xiao, but after this battle, he completely dismissed such thoughts. This man was clearly even more cruel and detestable than Feng Hang.

It is easy to deal with an outright villain, but hard to defend against a hypocritical gentleman!

Clearly, Shen Xiao was such a hypocritical gentleman—maintaining a saintly facade typically, but revealing his sinister nature when his interests were threatened.

”Shen Xiao, Ling Wan had already conceded defeat earlier, so why did you still ruthlessly try to kill him?”

Yun Xiao didn’t bother with the words that Shen Xiao had just uttered, nor did he care about this frame-up, but directly stared at him and retorted. After these words were spoken, everyone in the Arena Hall, except for Xuan Zhi and Zhao Ningshu, deeply agreed.

Just now, Ling Wan’s words ”I concede” were very clear, and everyone in the arena heard them distinctly. Logically speaking, after these words, Shen Xiao should have immediately stopped.

But what about Shen Xiao? After Ling Wan conceded, not only did he throw out violently poisonous liquid, but he also attacked fiercely after Ling Wan was poisoned, clearly violating the rules of the Outer Sect competition.

Even Shen Xiao couldn’t bear such a major accusation. After all, he was just an Outer Disciple, and the real power within the Jade Pot Sect still rested with the influential elders.

Therefore, when Yun Xiao pointed his finger and accused him, Shen Xiao could only suppress the anger in his heart and softly said, ”Sorry, I was carried away in the heat of the moment and failed to stop myself!”

This response only infuriated Yun Xiao even more. If it had been claimed that the first release of poisonous liquid was accidental, he might have reluctantly believed it, but if it weren’t for his timely intervention, Ling Wan could probably have died from his brain exploding right?

However, since Shen Xiao staunchly denied it, Yun Xiao had no way to deal with him, and he also had more important things to attend to now, like treating the severe poison that Ling Wan was suffering from.

”Since it was an unintentional mistake, then bring out the antidote!”

Yun Xiao couldn’t be bothered to exchange more nonsense with this supremely hypocritical person, and simply stretched out his hand, his words causing Shen Xiao’s gaze to flicker slightly towards a certain location in the north.

The violently poisonous liquid was given to Shen Xiao by Elder Fu Du, so how could he possibly have an antidote? Moreover, with such a deadly poison, even he could not withstand it, and he would rather Ling Wan just die from the poison.

But at this moment, Shen Xiao had to fabricate a reason. Seeing him shift his eyes, he quickly responded, ”Sorry, I found this bottle of poison by accident, so I wasn’t aware of its effects, and of course, I don’t have any antidote!”

”You...”

Yun Xiao was utterly unprepared for Shen Xiao’s shamelessness to reach such an extent, his anger was truly extraordinary. From the latter’s words, he knew it was impossible to expect anything from this hypocrite.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

As Yun Xiao was driven mad by Shen Xiao’s words, three breaking sounds suddenly arose. When he turned his head, he saw three familiar, aged faces.

It turned out that taking advantage of the verbal altercation between Yun Xiao and Shen Xiao, the Great Elder Lu Zhan, Second Elder Fu Du, and Sixth Elder Su He appeared on the arena stage.

”Shen Xiao, wasn’t your attack a bit too vicious?”

Sixth Elder Su He looked slightly dissatisfied. Although he was criticizing Shen Xiao’s excessive force, he did not question the final outcome of this Outer Sect competition.

The rules of the Outer Sect competition did not prohibit life and death nor the use of some power-enhancing elixirs, whether it was to poison the opponent or otherwise. Perhaps this was also a kind of trial for these Outer Disciples, after all, in real-life encounters with death, those enemies won’t discuss rules with you.

Shen Xiao had already said it; he failed to control himself which inadvertently harmed Ling Wan. Whether true or false, in the absence of evidence, they really couldn’t do anything to him.

”Hmph!”

After Su He finished speaking, Great Elder Lu Zhan coldly snorted. Originally having a favorable impression of Shen Xiao, he was now evidently despising this Outer Sect genius.

As an elder of the Medical Pulse, Lu Zhan was always compassionate, and he could never have imagined Shen Xiao being so cruel and even using the typical tricks of the Poison Vein, which especially displeased him.

Lu Zhan was indeed benevolent. At this moment, he didn’t pay much attention to Shen Xiao but quickly walked up to Ling Wan. Seeing the youth’s face turning green, his anger grew even stronger.

With slightly dry fingers placed on Ling Wan’s right wrist, Lu Zhan was clearly diagnosing the nature of the severe poison. Observing his actions, Elder Fu Du next to him couldn’t help but reveal a mocking look in his eyes.

”Hehe, even if you, Lu Zhan, are a Great Elder of the Jade Pot Sect, you might not recognize the details of this violently poisonous liquid!”

Elder Fu Du didn’t voice this thought out loud. Knowing that the violently poisonous liquid was originally from his own hand and intended to target Yun Xiao, it was naturally no ordinary substance.

This Poison Vein Sect leader of the Jade Pot Sect clearly knew how strong Yun Xiao’s resistance to poison was. Ordinary poisons probably wouldn’t affect him much, so this time, the poison was truly exceptional.