Subscribe to the MTL WORLD (@mtlworld1) YouTube Channel.
***********************************
Novel: [The Primordial Law]
Volume 3: [Qiu Prefecture Lantern Festival]
Chapter 6 (150): [The Night Emperor Toad Venom]
(6th of Volume 3)
Translator: Shadow Knight AK
Editor: Shadow Knight AK
***********************************
Yin Shi San's lips curved into a faint smile, but his eyes remained deadly serious.
"Junior Brother, I must say a few words. The most important thing about the Hidden Sect is the word 'hidden.' Even when you become a Divine Hidden One, you must conceal your identity from even your most trusted companions. This applies not only to Cang Li's sister but even to Cang Li himself."
"I will report this matter truthfully to the Hidden Lord in the future. I hope Junior Brother won't take offense."
"Senior Brother Shi San, rest assured! I will keep her in check. Our identities will never slip from her lips." Li Weiyi understood Yin Shi San's concerns but had long suspected the Hidden Lord's true identity, so he didn't believe this would cause any significant consequences.
After all, Once he officially became a Divine Hidden One, none of this would matter.
A Divine Hidden One would be responsible for his own actions, and no one would have the right to criticize or interfere.
Li Weiyi asked, "How did you leave Yaoguan? Are Yaoyin and the others safe?"
Yin Shi San replied through Spiritual Qi transmission: "We used the underground Blood River. Two weeks ago, the Hidden Ones began evacuating Li Prefecture in batches, each heading to their own destinations. Yaoyin, Yin Ershi Si, and the others should have gone with Yin Jiu to the provincial city of Qiu Prefecture to join the Qianlong (Hidden Dragon) Lantern Festival!"
"With Yin Jiu's cultivation and innate talent, he's fully qualified to compete for the treasures offered by the Du'e (Calamity Crossing) Temple. Forget the Immortality Pill; even the Dragon Seed alone holds a fatal attraction for the top young geniuses on the verge of entering the Dao Seed Realm."
"What exactly is a Dragon Seed?" Li Weiyi asked curiously.
"All I know is that it's an extremely precious Dao Seed."
Yin Shi San glanced at Li Ling, completely shrouded in her black robe, and suddenly said with a meaningful tone, "Weiyi, that girl Yaoyin was very worried about your safety. She repeatedly tried to venture deep into the Mangshan Mountain Range to find you, but fortunately, everyone stopped her. In the end, Yin Ershi Si had to forcibly drag her away."
"I'm sorry for causing everyone concern. See? I emerged from the Nether Realm of the Dead completely unharmed."
Li Weiyi thought of Yaoyin's condition, a wave of worry washing over him. Her Ice Soul Cold Qi could flare up at any moment, and no one knew if the next time would be her last.
He had to find her as soon as possible.
He had promised her something, and he would keep his word.
"Senior Brother Shi San," Li Weiyi asked, "earlier you mentioned that your mission this time was to escort a group of important officials from the imperial court to Qiu Prefecture?"
"Right now, Qiu Prefecture is the most stable place in the entire Southern Territory. Everyone's fleeing there."
Yin Shi San asked, "Why don't you two come with us? Zhi Prefecture isn't safe at all. The Li Clan is powerful but lacks discipline and has immense ambition. Not long ago, they sent troops into Li Prefecture to attack the Jiu Li Tribe, behaving no differently from bandits taking advantage of a crisis. Moreover, the cavalry from Hills Night City in southern Zhi Prefecture frequently raids passing Martial-Mystic Cultivators."
Li Weiyi naturally jumped at the chance. He was tired of sleeping rough, constantly rushing, and having no time to cultivate. He asked, "Would that be convenient?"
Yin Shi San laughed heartily: "If your Senior Brother Shi San didn't have this much skill, what right would I have to oversee the Hidden Sect's Five Seas Realm affairs?"
Steaming hot noodle soup was served.
After devouring a bowl each and settling the bill, Yin Shi San led Li Weiyi, Li Ling, and over a dozen eunuch officials who had been purchasing supplies toward the docks.
As for the news of the San Chen Palace, Night City, and Ember Spirit colluding, it had already been spread far and wide.
At the dock outside the town, amidst the chaotic jumble of fishing boats, stood a single large vessel suitable for long-distance voyages.
It was a three-story ship over seventy meters long, its bow bearing the flag of the Sea of Coffins. This served as a cover for the Coffin Sea Merchant Guild, making it easier to navigate these waters controlled by the Li Clan.
Each season, the Coffin Sea Merchant Guild would bribe officials along the route, exchanging vast sums of silver coins to ensure safe passage.
The unrest in Li Prefecture had erupted over a month ago, and the true core members of the imperial court had long since evacuated.
This ship was filled almost entirely with the concubines, illegitimate children, and illegitimate daughters of court officials.
Unable to travel openly with their legitimate families, they were secretly transported and settled by the Attendant Hall.
Yin Shi San, the chief clerk of the First Office, one of the three main offices within the Li Prefecture Attendant Hall, held a high position on the ship. He oversaw all miscellaneous tasks, making him the third-most important figure, after "Madam Xue" and the commander of the guards, Wu Zhaonan.
According to Yin Shi San, even he had never seen Madam Xue's true face. He only knew she had a powerful background and was the highest-ranking concubine, residing in the uppermost third-story cabin.
No one but Madam Xue's personal guards, servants, and maids were allowed to set foot on the third floor. Any unauthorized entry would be met with immediate execution.
Wu Zhaonan, clad in Spiritual Artifact armor, stood tall and imposing, appearing to be in his forties or fifties. He sported a short white beard on his chin, but his true age was over seventy.
"Spies from the Attendant Hall?"
Wu Zhaonan's gaze shifted strangely to Li Weiyi and Li Ling, who followed Yin Shi San.
He wasn't questioning their identities as spies, but their attire was simply too peculiar.
Li Ling, being a rare Pure Immortal Physique, wore a grotesque mask and loose robes to conceal her true nature. Li Weiyi, to match her, adopted the same attire.
Yin Shi San chuckled: "We happened to meet them in Tianchi Town. They're on a secret mission and also heading to Qiu Prefecture."
Wu Zhaonan didn't press for further details, clearly trusting Yin Shi San implicitly.
"That guard commander... he's at the Fourth Stage of the Five Seas Realm, isn't he?" Li Weiyi transmitted through Spiritual Qi as they walked along the deck corridor.
Yin Shi San was surprised: "Not bad eyesight. You could tell that?"
Li Weiyi had already fought Martial-Mystic Cultivators at the Fourth Stage of the Five Seas Realm, so he had a general understanding of their Intent aura.
Third-floor cabin.
Zhuang Yue, dressed in a blue maidservant uniform, hurried back to her lavish and spacious cabin. Inside, a hundred-character Formation was set up, with Formation Scriptures floating in mid-air and clinging to the floor, walls, windows, and ceiling.
Jiang Ning sat cross-legged at the center of the Formation, her upper body nearly bare.
Her face was deathly pale, fine beads of sweat dotted her forehead, and pure, potent Spiritual Qi coursed through her body as she closed her eyes to heal her wounds.
Her snow-white back, as flawless as jade, had once been a masterpiece of nature, but now it was marred by a deep claw mark that exposed bone and constantly leaked black mist.
"Pfft!"
A mouthful of black blood erupted from her lips.
Her eyelids fluttered open slightly, revealing tired, weak eyes. She draped her outer robe back over her shoulders and sighed softly, "The Night Emperor Toad Venom is truly formidable!"
"Are you still unable to completely refine and expel the poison?" Zhuang Yue asked anxiously, having never seen her Miss so severely injured.
Jiang Ning shook her head: "Legend says the Night Emperor Toad is a venomous beast raised by the Ancient Heavenly Emperor, and its poison is no ordinary matter. Yuwen Tuozhen's surprise attack with his poisoned claw Spiritual Artifact was soaked in this venom. Fortunately, tens of thousands of years have passed, and the true Night Emperor Toad Venom has long since vanished, leaving only poison artifacts with greatly diminished potency."
" What's the situation outside?"
Zhuang Yue reported, "We've already escaped Li Prefecture and entered Zhi Prefecture. Miss's brilliant deception has surely thrown Long Ting, Yuwen Tuozhen, Mie-Di, and Dao-Di off our trail. They'll never catch up to us now!"
Over a month ago, in the Mangshan Mountain Range, Jiang Ning pursued Long Ting into the Nether Realm of the Dead, only to be ambushed by Yuwen Tuozhen, the Young Lord of Night City, and Mie-Di and Dao-Di.
Severely wounded, she was then relentlessly pursued by these four formidable experts.
She narrowly escaped death in the Netherworld, relying on her wits and fighting skills to evade them.
Finally, she managed to return to Jiu Li City through a circuitous route.
However, the imperial experts, led by the Prefect of Li Prefecture, had already evacuated Jiu Li City. With no one else to turn to, Jiang Ning had no choice but to hide aboard this ship, disappearing from the four experts' sight.
The real Madam Xue had long been subdued by her using talismanic runes, reduced to a puppet under her command.
Jiang Ning shook her head lightly: "These four are no ordinary individuals. Their minds and Martial-Mystic Path skills are among the best of the younger generation. Although I've set up a diversion in Jiu Li City to create the illusion that I'm still there, I can't say how long it will hold them off. Moreover, this ship's defenses are weak. Whether it can withstand other dangers we might encounter on the journey remains uncertain."
Zhuang Yue said, "By the way, Miss, two spies from the Attendant Hall boarded the ship earlier. Should we contact them?"
The Attendant Hall was a subordinate force of the Phoenix Terrace.
"No need to complicate matters. The best course of action is to keep our presence on this ship a secret from everyone."
Jiang Ning resumed her healing.
....
Li Weiyi and Li Ling were assigned cabins at the stern of the first deck, their rooms adjacent.
Li Ling entered her cabin for a brief inspection before emerging.
"One room will do!"
Hearing this, even Yin Shi San was stunned.
Li Weiyi himself felt uncomfortable, thinking their relationship was developing too quickly.
Watching Li Ling enter Li Weiyi's cabin, Yin Shi San gave him a serious look and transmitted through Spiritual Qi: "Junior Brother, I must warn you: Li Ling's identity is not simple. Don't provoke her lightly, and certainly don't try to play both sides. You need to consider what will happen to Yaoyin. Also, stay away from the third deck. If you need anything, come to me anytime. My official name is Chen Chuan, but you can call me Clerk Chen or Officer Chen."
As Yin Shi San left, he clapped Li Weiyi heavily on the shoulder.
"Yaoyin?"
When Li Weiyi agreed to Zen Hai Guanwu's trial relationship, he hadn't even considered this question.
In his eyes, Yaoyin was just a little sister who deserved his pity.
He entered the cramped, narrow cabin and looked at Li Ling, who was sitting on the edge of the bed.
Li Ling's voice was serene: "I'm going to Shaoyang Star to continue absorbing its power to nourish my soul and strengthen my physical body."
"That's good. I had the same idea."
Li Weiyi breathed a sigh of relief.
He planned to enter Shaoyang Star during their journey to Qiu Prefecture to cultivate in seclusion, striving to break through to become a Great Spiritual Master as soon as possible and harvest Xihe.
He took out the Ghost Banner and Yin Banner and arranged them within the cabin.
That afternoon, the grand ship, pulled by three Water Lion Beasts, sailed against the current.
Inside the Blood Mud Space, Li Weiyi retrieved his Boundary Pouch and poured out nearly a hundred pounds of Immortal Soil, spreading it into a three-foot-square patch on the Spiritual Soil.
The Immortal Soil shimmered with four colors, radiating a mystical aura and the essence of a priceless treasure, utterly unlike the ordinary soil of this world.
Like a wealthy landowner, he sat on the ground, counting his rare medicines.
He had a total of one hundred and fifty-four Crimson Haze Herbs, far too many to plant all at once. So, he selected ten that would help him open his Qi Sea and planted them in the Immortal Soil.
It should be noted that one ounce of Immortal Soil was worth a million silver!
A hundred pounds of Immortal Soil could be considered priceless.
_______________________
END OF CHAPTER
Subscribe to the MTL WORLD (@mtlworld1) YouTube Channel.
***********************************