Chapter 200: Reuniting with Xiao Yi Xian, The Ice Venerable of Ice River Valley
"How is this possible? How could you have a Heavenly Mechanism Token?"
In the headquarters of the Poison Sect, located in the Chu Yun Empire, the words "Heavenly Mechanism Token" from the Ice Venerable's mouth sent waves of shock through the surrounding Dou Zong experts.
The murderous intent that had filled the air just moments ago vanished instantly, replaced by shock and fear.
The reason was simple: the Heavenly Mechanism Token held a terrifying reputation.
Once the Heavenly Mechanism Token was activated, bloodshed was inevitable. If the token holder's demands were not satisfied, their enemies would face annihilation, with entire clans or sects being wiped out.
Since the Heavenly Mechanism Tower was established, the token had only been activated three times:
900 years ago, a peak Dou Zun angered the holder of the token. After killing the holder, the Dou Zun returned to his sect, only for the entire sect equivalent to a first rate power to be wiped out overnight, leaving not even a chicken alive.
500 years ago, a wandering two star Dou Sheng humiliated a small sect holding the token. When the token was activated, the Dou Sheng fled immediately. However, the next morning, his corpse was delivered to the sect's doorstep.
150 years ago, a sect called Yanhuo Sect, comparable in strength to Ice River Valley, was annihilated after its young master assaulted a young woman. Unable to bear the shame, the woman took her own life. Her father activated the Heavenly Mechanism Token, and that same night, Yanhuo Sect's 3,000 members including Dou Zun and Dou Zong experts were all killed.
Now, the Ice Venerable and his men, thinking they could easily take down the "Poison Mistress," were horrified to discover that she held a Heavenly Mechanism Token.
"What now, Valley Master? The Heavenly Mechanism Token has been activated. The Heavenly Mechanism Tower's people will be here soon. Let's leave while we can!" A nine star Dou Zong urgently suggested.
The Ice Venerable's face darkened. He knew this situation was dire but still clung to a sliver of hope.
The previous activations of the Heavenly Mechanism Token had all occurred in Zhongzhou. This wasn't Zhongzhou, nor was it within the direct sphere of the Heavenly Mechanism Tower's influence. Perhaps...
His eyes glinted coldly as a cruel idea formed.
"Kill her. Take her corpse, and we'll leave immediately."
Despite their fear, the others saw the Ice Venerable's expression and resolved to take the risk.
"Attack!"
In an instant, a dozen terrifying attacks shot toward Xiao Yi Xian.
The Turning Point
As the attacks closed in, Xiao Yi Xian's eyes dimmed. Just as she was about to make a desperate last stand, a sudden shift in the atmosphere stopped everything.
The attacks froze mid air, as if bound by an invisible force.
Then, a gentle hand rested on Xiao Yi Xian's shoulder, accompanied by a warm, soothing voice.
"Giving up already, Xiao Yi Xian?"
The touch not only prevented her from fully unleashing her Woeful Poison Body but also sent a gentle stream of Dou Qi into her, quickly healing her injuries.
"It's you?" Xiao Yi Xian's eyes widened with joy. She had thought her end was near, but the man who had given her the Heavenly Mechanism Token back in Qingshan Town had arrived.
"Hehe, you still remember me, little girl?" Xiao Tiance said with a smile, ruffling her hair affectionately.
"Of course I remember! You're the one who gave me this token," she replied, her excitement evident.
Confronting the Ice River Valley
Xiao Tiance's gaze shifted to the frozen attackers. His eyes lingered on the Ice Venerable, and he raised an eyebrow.
"Ice River Valley? What's their connection to this?"
Confused, Xiao Yi Xian frowned. "Ice River Valley? I've never heard of them. I only know they were hired by the Ten Thousand Scorpion Gate to deal with me."
Xiao Tiance nodded slightly. "Ice River Valley is a prominent faction in Zhongzhou. That man is their leader, the Ice Venerable, a five star Dou Zun. Strange... Ice River Valley is far from here. Why would their leader come all this way to target you?"
With a wave of his hand, the immobilized Ice Venerable was pulled forward, his head freed from the restraint.
"I didn't expect the renowned Ice Venerable to personally lead his forces against a young girl. Don't you have any shame?"
Although his body was paralyzed, the Ice Venerable's mind was still active. The moment Xiao Tiance appeared, he knew he was in trouble. The man had subdued him as if it were child's play proof that his opponent was at least a Dou Sheng.
"S Senior! I am the Ice Venerable of Ice River Valley. I did not know this girl was under the protection of the Heavenly Mechanism Tower. It was an unintentional offense. I am willing to compensate please, have mercy!" the Ice Venerable pleaded desperately.
Before Xiao Tiance could respond, the air rippled as spatial distortions appeared nearby. A voice echoed through the rift.
"Who activated the Heavenly Mechanism Token?"
Moments later, over 20 peak Dou Zong experts and four Dou Zun powerhouses stepped through the spatial rift.
Their leader scanned the scene, but upon seeing Xiao Tiance, he immediately dropped to his knees.
"Your servant greets the Tower Master!"
The other Dou Zuns quickly followed suit, kneeling as they greeted him.
"We greet the Tower Master!"
The entire group, comprising all the Heavenly Mechanism Tower's reinforcements, knelt in unison.
"Stand," Xiao Tiance said calmly.
He wasn't angry. He could tell these men had rushed here as quickly as possible after sensing the activation of the Heavenly Mechanism Token.
However, he was surprised that the assailants were from Ice River Valley one of Zhongzhou's "Three Valleys," alongside Burning Flame Valley and Sound Valley.
Among the three, Burning Flame Valley was the strongest, Sound Valley the most mysterious, and Ice River Valley the most active.
Xiao Tiance's expression darkened. "So, Ice Venerable, you claim you didn't know this girl was under the Heavenly Mechanism Tower's protection? Yet you recognized the Heavenly Mechanism Token at a glance and even planned to kill her to cover your tracks?"
"Ice Venerable, are you under the impression that killing her will allow you to evade the Heavenly Mechanism Tower's pursuit, or do you think the Tower is powerless against you?"
The Ice Venerable's face turned pale. He quickly bowed his head and pleaded, "P Please, senior, calm your anger! I was momentarily blinded by greed and will never dare such actions again!"
Seeing him grovel, Xiao Tiance lost interest. He turned to Xiao Yi Xian and said with a smile, "Little girl, you've activated the Heavenly Mechanism Token. Their lives are in your hands now. Whether they live or die, you decide. The rest, leave to the Heavenly Mechanism Tower."
Xiao Yi Xian froze momentarily but quickly recovered. After processing his words, she turned to Xiao Tiance and asked cautiously, "It doesn't matter to me if they live or die, but I want to know how he managed to suppress the Woeful Poison Body."
As soon as she finished speaking, the Ice Venerable, still restrained, hurriedly shouted, "Xiao Yi Xian, I'll share the method to suppress the Woeful Poison Body! Just spare my life!"
Xiao Yi Xian glanced at him, hesitated, and then looked back at Xiao Tiance, who gave her an encouraging smile.
"No need to look at me. I already said it's your decision. Do as you see fit. The Heavenly Mechanism Tower will cooperate with you," Xiao Tiance reassured her.
Xiao Yi Xian's Inquiry
Feeling a bit more confident, Xiao Yi Xian nodded. "Thank you... Um, I don't even know your name."
Xiao Tiance laughed lightly. "Ah, a valid point. I've lived over a thousand years and am old enough to be your ancestor. But calling me 'old ancestor' makes me feel ancient. Let's keep it simple just call me 'Tower Master Xiao,' like the others."
"Alright, thank you, Tower Master Xiao," Xiao Yi Xian replied with a small smile before turning back to the Ice Venerable.
"I have two questions for you." Her voice regained its usual composure, but a sharp undertone remained.
"First, why did the Ten Thousand Scorpion Gate hire your Ice River Valley to attack me? We're far from Zhongzhou, and as far as I know, there's no connection between you and the Ten Thousand Scorpion Gate."
"Second, how do you suppress the Woeful Poison Body? You mentioned earlier that you also possess the Poison Body, and despite being poisoned by me, you showed no signs of harm. Explain how you've managed this."
The Ice Venerable flinched under her gaze. He quickly responded, knowing he had no room to lie.
**"The Ten Thousand Scorpion Gate didn't hire us. Instead, it was a Protector from the Hall of Souls who told me about you. They knew I was searching for a Natural Woeful Poison Body to refine mine, so they used your whereabouts as a bargaining chip to secure our assistance.
"As for the Ten Thousand Scorpion Gate, they latched onto us after we arrived in the Chu Yun Empire. We have no direct ties to them.
"Regarding suppressing the Poison Body, my method is stored in my storage ring. It's called the 'Poison Pill Method.'"**
A Shocking Revelation
Xiao Yi Xian frowned deeply. "The Hall of Souls? I've never heard of them. How could they know I possess the Woeful Poison Body?"
Beside her, Xiao Tiance recalled details from the original timeline. In the story, the Ice Venerable learned of Xiao Yi Xian's Natural Woeful Poison Body after her arrival in Zhongzhou. His goal was to capture her, refine her, and evolve his own Acquired Woeful Poison Body into a Natural one.
Later, during the siege of the Ye Clan, the Ice Venerable personally attempted to capture Xiao Yi Xian. However, Xiao Xun'er and two Dou Zun elders from the Gu Clan intervened, forcing him to retreat after recognizing their heritage.
Breaking from his thoughts, Xiao Tiance refocused on the present as the Ice Venerable nervously continued.
**"There is no way to cure the Woeful Poison Body, Xiao Yi Xian. It can only be controlled. With the right opportunities, the Poison Body can be completely mastered, allowing its owner to wield its poison freely.
"The control method involves condensing a Poison Pill. By gathering the accumulated toxins in your body, you can form a Poison Pill, granting you complete control over the Poison Body. Once the pill is formed, the Poison Body transforms into a powerful, unrestricted constitution."**
Xiao Tiance's Explanation
Hearing this, Xiao Tiance spoke calmly. "He's not lying. As far as I know, there is no cure for the Woeful Poison Body, only methods to control it. And with control comes strength. Your potential for growth is immense if you master it."
Reassured by his words, Xiao Yi Xian turned back to the Ice Venerable. "How do I refine the Poison Pill?"
The Ice Venerable sighed, knowing he couldn't withhold anything. **"To refine a Poison Pill, three components are required:
Three different types of Heavenly Flames.
The magic core of a seventh tier Sky Poison Scorpion Dragon Beast.
Bodhi Transforming Saliva.
"But these items are extremely rare. True Sky Poison Scorpion Dragon Beasts are believed to be extinct. The Bodhi Transforming Saliva is an equally elusive treasure. Many with the Poison Body have sought to master it, but they've all failed because these materials are nearly impossible to find."**
Xiao Yi Xian's Despair
Xiao Yi Xian's face turned pale as she looked at Xiao Tiance, who nodded solemnly to confirm the Ice Venerable's words.
Her hands trembled, and tears began to flow down her face.
"Heavenly Flames are rare enough finding three of them is almost impossible. Sky Poison Scorpion Dragon Beasts are extinct, and I've never even heard of the Bodhi Transforming Saliva... It seems I'm destined to die after all," she said with a broken smile.
Her despair was evident, the weight of her cursed fate crashing down on her once again.
Seeing her in such a state, Xiao Tiance sighed. He reached out, gently wiping her tears away.
With a comforting smile, he said, "Why are you crying? Just because you don't have these items doesn't mean I don't."
(End of Chapter)
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