Chapter 128: Grand Gift Package
As the tri-colored waves of flame gradually dispersed, the scene below—like a magma-filled purgatory—appeared before the trio.
From the ruins, wisps of green smoke rose. On the ground, many rocks had already melted into lava, and some had even turned into transparent crystalline formations. Charred corpses were scattered everywhere, some still burning with flames that emitted a sizzling sound.
The sight was truly terrifying. If a timid person were here, they might burst into tears on the spot.
Yao Yan released a powerful burst of soul force from his brow, instantly sweeping across the entirety of Myriad Scorpion Mountain. He quickly located the heavily injured Xie Bi Yan. The old man wasn't dead—just severely wounded. One of his arms had been blown off, much of his body was charred, and he emitted the scent of roasted meat. His appearance was utterly miserable.
"Oh? Still alive~"
Yao Yan was slightly surprised upon seeing this scene and couldn't help but comment.
It had been a calculated strike: a long-charged ultimate move, followed by the Eight Desolation Burning Heaven Seal layered on top. Both were extremely destructive even among Earth-tier Dou Techniques. That the man hadn't been instantly killed only confirmed his reputation—a half-step Dou Zong truly had tenacious vitality.
"He wasn't at the explosion's core. That's why he survived."
Yao Lao wasn't surprised. Xie Bi Yan had been several hundred meters away from the epicenter. At such a distance, it was possible for him to survive. As for Yao Yan's later technique—the Eight Desolation Burning Heaven Seal—it looked impressive, but its destructive power was still far below that of the tri-colored flame lotus.
Because Yao Yan's current Dou Qi wasn't strong enough to fully unleash the might of an Earth-tier Dou Technique.
Thinking it could instantly kill a half-step Dou Zong was clearly too optimistic.
"It's you two?!"
Xie Bi Yan, who had lost an eye, looked like a vengeful ghost as he glared at Yao Yan and Cai Lin with gritted teeth. He hadn't gone to seek trouble with them, yet they had come all the way to his sect and destroyed everything he built.
Looking at the ruined remains of Myriad Scorpion Sect, regret surged within him. Had he known this would happen, he would've killed them at all costs back then!
"Good, you recognize us. Saves us the introductions."
Yao Yan didn't immediately finish him off. Like a villain savoring victory, he stood above Xie Bi Yan with a condescending gaze. He didn't know whether the old man had completed the "grand gift," but it was worth pushing him before he died—perhaps something unexpected might surface.
As for a counterattack…
Yao Lao was right there—not just for show. A weaker opponent retaliating against a vastly stronger one was a joke.
"Jie jie... I've lived a ruthless life, never showing mercy... cough... But it seems I still wasn't ruthless enough—to myself!"
Xie Bi Yan coughed up dark blood with chunks of organs, his expression becoming more hideous and terrifying. His voice, too, carried a chilling tone.
The older one got, the more afraid of death they became. Had he known, he would've gone all out from the start—at least he wouldn't be in this situation.
What kind of laugh was that supposed to be?
Yao Yan raised an eyebrow as he heard the deranged laughter.
Then Xie Bi Yan revealed a vicious grin, eyes fixated on Yao Yan. "Brat, for someone so young, your talent is astounding—and you're an alchemist too. I've always wondered… Can my poison technique be broken? Why not give it a try!"
As he spoke, his charred body turned crimson. Countless blood blisters bubbled up on his skin, each one filled with churning blood—ghastly to behold.
"Then let's try it."
Yao Yan smirked with disdain. Rather than retreat, he took a step forward and even beckoned to Xie Bi Yan with a crooked finger. At the same time, he sent a soul message to Cai Lin and Yao Lao: "Don't interfere."
"?!"
Cai Lin and Yao Lao were both stunned. Seeing this side of Yao Yan was strange—it was the first time he had revealed such an expression.
"You arrogant little bastard! You'll pay for your conceit!"
Xie Bi Yan's eyes gleamed with manic glee. The blood blisters on his body boiled to the limit, and he opened his mouth to spit out a pitch-black beam of blood light that shot toward Yao Yan like lightning. As the attack left his body, the light in his eyes visibly faded. Yet even as he died, he kept his eyes wide open—wanting to see Yao Yan fall.
But what he saw next made his eyes widen in disbelief, dying with regret.
A soul body beside Yao Yan calmly raised a palm and grasped the dark blood beam midair. It was completely restrained—immobile—and even severed from its source. That final scene broke Xie Bi Yan's spirit, and he collapsed lifelessly on the ground.
No one cared that he was dead.
"Is this what you were waiting for?"
Yao Lao looked at the blood orb floating in his palm and frowned slightly. He glanced at Yao Yan and asked.
He had come to understand Yao Yan's temperament over time. The boy wasn't a reckless, arrogant genius. Especially not one to make such a rookie mistake during a life-or-death battle. His behavior had clearly been intentional—an act.
"I heard from Hai Bodong that the poison masters of the Chu Yun Empire have a sinister technique. At the brink of death, they condense all their poisonous Dou Qi into a 'Devil Poison Spot' and inject it into their enemy to drag them down together. I wanted to see if Xie Bi Yan had it too."
Yao Yan looked at the floating Devil Poison Spot and explained calmly.
A half-step Dou Zong's lifetime of energy—even after removing most impurities—still contained enough essence to elevate Yao Yan to the Dou Huang level.
Had Xie Bi Yan been more talented, Yao Yan would've kept him alive longer. But that would take time. A few years later, Yao Yan might already be a Dou Zong—so it was better to kill him early.
"...Are you sure you can handle it?"
Cai Lin was visibly shocked. Her cold and elegant eyes locked on Yao Yan with a questioning tone.
Even if Xie Bi Yan was despicable, his strength was undeniable. Few in the combined Jia Ma and Chu Yun Empires could match him. The poison condensed from his life's Dou Qi must be terrifying—perhaps even a real Dou Zong wouldn't dare touch it.
Yet Yao Yan treated it like a grand gift.
If Xie Bi Yan could hear him now, he'd die of anger a second time.
"Anyone else couldn't. But this kid... it's hard to say."
Yao Lao had a different opinion. Thanks to the Flame Mantra, Yao Yan was the one person in the world least afraid of poison masters. If he ever obtained the Nether Poison Flame, all poison-related materials in the world would become nourishment for him. Even without it, heavenly flame alone was enough to resist most poisons.
If Yao Yan truly refined this Devil Poison Spot, his strength would skyrocket. As for side effects… heavenly flame could burn all impurities.
Yao Lao suddenly realized Yao Yan was walking the true path of a Flame Mantra cultivator.
After a pause, he handed the Devil Poison Spot to Yao Yan. "Make your own decision. But this contains the essence of a half-step Dou Zong poison master—it's extremely toxic. Even with the Green Lotus Core Flame protecting your body, you might not endure it."
Heavenly flame was tyrannical, but Yao Yan hadn't yet unlocked its full potential. To be completely immune to the Devil Poison Spot was impossible.
As for refining the poison outside the body… Yao Lao feared he might destroy it entirely. Every strand of energy was entwined with poison. It had to be absorbed and refined from within to harness its essence.
It's like trying to strip a pill of its medicinal properties while retaining its core energy—Yao Lao couldn't do it.
"Don't worry. It's just a little poison~"
Yao Yan said calmly, grabbing the foul-smelling Devil Poison Spot. The moment he touched it, it clung to him like a parasite, burrowing through his pores. His Dou Qi couldn't block it—not even the Green Lotus Core Flame.
It quickly spread through his meridians and acupuncture points, absorbing his Dou Qi and eroding his life.
"You!"
Cai Lin's face changed when she saw Yao Yan reach for it. She was too late to stop him. As it entered his body, a surge of inexplicable anger rose within her. She lashed out at him: "Why push yourself so hard?! With your talent, even normal cultivation will make you a powerhouse. Why risk your life? Aren't you afraid you'll end up dead?!"
Seeing her so agitated, Yao Yan was stunned. Then he laughed awkwardly and replied, "Relax. I wouldn't do it if I weren't confident."
"...You came out here with me. If you die, how am I supposed to face Cai Die?!"
Realizing her tone, she coldly added an explanation.
Yao Lao watched the scene with amusement, rubbing his chin. He found it entertaining. Perhaps Yao Yan had unknowingly left a mark in Cai Lin's heart. She might not even realize it—and Yao Yan surely hadn't noticed.
Such was the blindness of those caught in the moment.
Ah, youth… a time full of ambiguous feelings. Yao Lao's eyes grew nostalgic. When the tension finally eased, he spoke slowly: "That Devil Poison Spot really is formidable. The Green Lotus Core Flame alone won't be enough. But if you can refine the Falling Heart Flame, and add my Bone Spirit Cold Flame, it won't be a problem."
He examined the Devil Poison Spot with soul power. As expected of a technique from Chu Yun Empire's poison masters—it grew more dangerous with its creator's strength. Without Flame Mantra, Yao Yan might have really ended himself.
Yao Yan nodded in agreement, then said, "We're done here. Time to go. If we stay longer, strong cultivators from Chu Yun Empire might show up~"
"Then let's head for the Black-Corner Region…"
Yao Lao's nostalgic look paused and darkened. His expression turned heavy as he responded in a low tone and returned to the Bone Flame Ring to rest.
Because heading to the Black-Corner Region meant confronting his traitorous disciple. No one else could understand what that meant.
To Yao Lao, Han Feng wasn't just a student—he was like a son, someone he raised since childhood. The betrayal, and even the attempt on his life… it was unforgivable.
Yao Yan understood his mentor's feelings but offered no comfort. He couldn't relate—and words were useless. Yao Lao had lived for centuries; what could a junior say to console him? Anyone can speak lofty ideals—but are they really needed?
Cai Lin didn't know any of this. She was still caught in her earlier emotions. For some reason, seeing Yao Yan risk his life like that stirred up an unexpected anger in her. Perhaps she feared her sister would grieve if something happened to him.
"Let's go~"
Yao Yan smiled at Cai Lin. The Dou Qi wings on his back trembled slightly as he transformed into a streak of light, flying off into the distance.
(END CHAPTER)
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