Minglong

Chapter 343 Am I worthy?
As night fell, the Hundred Miasma Swamp completely transformed into a deadly wasteland, a place where no living being could survive.

The occasional flashes of lightning in the sky illuminated the miasma-ridden swamp, making it appear and disappear intermittently. A dark cloud covering several miles floated above the swamp, so dense that even lightning could not penetrate it, making it look from a distance like a black mountain floating on the earth.

Lu Yan, holding the Imperial Edict, paused before the dark clouds, his gaze quite solemn.

"How is Master Kuya doing?"

Beside him, Kuya, dressed in a coarse monk's robe, had several holes from corrosion on it, and several bruises on his left arm that spread toward his torso, with a layer of skin and flesh even being corroded away.

The ascetic sect belongs to Buddhism. Although they are not as immovable as the meditation sect, they have developed unparalleled resistance and endurance through rigorous training since childhood. They can survive in harsh environments that ordinary people cannot endure, and they are unaffected by lightning or fire. As for poison resistance, it is so high that it is almost immune.

But just now, when the two were chasing Gu Xuanzun and the others, the monk Kuya, with the help of Lü Yan, got close to restrain Gu Xuanzun. He had already blocked Gu Xuanzun, but the black-robed man who had been hiding suddenly appeared and slapped him, and his arms were corroded like this.

The poison's power was so potent that it was difficult for Lü Yan, a fragile Daoist, to withstand it. Moreover, this person was faster than them even while carrying two burdens, so his strength was definitely not to be underestimated. The two could only stop in front of the poisonous fog and wait for reinforcements, lest they be ambushed and killed if they recklessly pursued him.

At this moment, the monk Kuya examined his physique:
"It's natural snake venom, not like the methods of the Gu poison sect. Who is this person?"

The toxicity of the Gu poison sect comes from artificial synthesis or breeding of Gu worms. Each sect has different formulas and materials, and the toxicity is also different. For example, Lin Zisu has incorporated the "Glue-like Powder" into her poison skills. As long as someone is affected, the source of the toxin can be immediately identified.

Natural snake venom, as the name suggests, is a toxin that has not been extracted or mixed by humans. Under normal circumstances, its toxicity is very low, and it would be difficult to kill even a fourth or fifth-grade cultivator. The fact that it could penetrate the poison resistance of the monk Kuya means that the snake venom was taken from a snake of the same kind, that is, a fourth-grade giant snake.

In all his years, Lü Yan had never seen a mountain or marsh spirit of any grade higher than Super Grade, let alone one of similar cultivation level. After a moment's thought, he replied:

"Chen Yishan himself is at most at the fifth realm, it's impossible for him to raise such a powerful mountain and marsh spirit. As for Ancestor Sikong, it's possible that he gave Chen Yishan snake venom..."

For nearly a century, Patriarch Sikong has dominated the Southern Frontier. In addition, the Gu Poison Sect has been raising venomous snakes, scorpions, and Gu worms since childhood. It's possible that they could create a super-grade long worm by using rare and precious materials.

Since Shang Lianbi was involved in witchcraft, he must have kept such a creature, but it might not have been a dragon or snake. According to legend, when the opportunity arose 60 years ago, an octopus larger than a ship appeared in the near sea and was eventually captured by Shang Lianbi.

If Shang Lianbi hadn't slaughtered it for materials, but instead raised it until now, given the abundant resources of Dragon Bone Beach, it wouldn't be surprising to have raised a top-grade spirit pet. That's also where the saying "teasing the octopus girl" comes from...

Lu Yan suspected that the man in black robes was Chen Yishan, but since the other party had not revealed his background, it was also possible that he was from Yanbo City. He was a little confused and was discussing this in secret when he heard a commotion from behind.

sough--

Looking back, I saw two figures streak across the sky and land nearby.

Ye Yunchi, carrying his sword, first examined the arm of the monk Kuya, then turned his gaze to the thick black mist:

"What a domineering poison technique."

Xie Jinhuan, carrying a large hammer in his left hand and a suit of golden armor tucked under his arm, inquired:

"You lost them?"

Lu Yan wasn't surprised at all that Xie Xiao'er could kill Long Boyuan, but seeing that 'Are you even capable?' look in his eyes, he was slightly dissatisfied:

“Gu Xuanzun is not to be feared, but that man in black is quite powerful. He seems to have already entered the fifth realm, and his poison skills are quite troublesome. He is either Chen Yishan, the second-in-command of the Gu Poison Sect, or someone from Yanbo City. We dare not pursue him too far.”

Xie Jinhuan was certain that this group of people had connections with the Underworld God Cult, and even the two henchmen the black-robed man was carrying might be acquaintances.

If the man in black robes is indeed Chen Yishan, then the old man Sikong has also come to light, but he didn't have a chance to verify his identity just now.

Seeing that old man Lü Yan hadn't pursued further, and knowing that Xie Jinhuan was too late to catch up anyway, he handed the armor to Lü Yan:

"We just destroyed Long Boyuan and obtained the armor and weapons. As agreed, we'll split the spoils. Master Lü also added a fire spell. Don't be shy."

"However, Blood Rain Pavilion is a business, and the rules cannot be broken. Escorting the two to safety, plus killing one person and getting two immortal herbs, now we have five breakthrough medicinal herbs."

Lu Yan hadn't dared to look at the spoils of war, so seeing that Xie Xiao'er was actually taking the initiative to share the spoils, he was quite surprised. He reached out and took Long Boyuan's golden armor, intending to offer a few words of politeness, but upon closer inspection—it was rough, dented, and uneven…

What is this?

Lu Yan picked up the golden armor and examined it, only to find that the once exquisitely crafted armor had been burned into a sheet of iron, making a creaking sound even when slightly bent. His two eyebrows furrowed into one.
"Is this really the same golden armor from before?"

Xie Jinhuan shrugged slightly:
"Can I conjure one from somewhere else? Although it has minor battle damage, it is mostly intact, and its value after repair is definitely more than two immortal herbs."

Lu Yan knew that Long Boyuan's life-saving magical armor would be quite valuable once repaired, but it had all been melted down into a large shield...

At least they recouped some of their losses. Long Boyuan's life was far more valuable than a few immortal herbs. Consider it a way of venting their anger by hiring someone and getting something out of Xie Xiao'er. It wasn't easy after all...

After comforting himself for a long time, Lü Yan finally put away his golden armor, which was tantamount to acknowledging the deal he owed Xie Jinhuan for five immortal herbs. He then stroked his beard and offered some advice:
"Hmm... We righteous people also need to consider the costs when we act. Next time you slay evil, try not to be so ruthless. It's best to kill with a single blow and leave the body intact. After all, this isn't the armor of the evil path, it's your armor! Damaging it only kills one villain, it doesn't contribute to the righteous path..."

As the junior brother of the White-haired Fairy, Xie Jinhuan was well aware of this principle. If he wasn't worried about Shang Laomo jumping out and making a big deal out of it, he could have refined Long Boyuan and squeezed out every last bit of value.

"I've learned something. It seems we can't catch up. Should we keep chasing them, or send Elder Lü and Senior Kuya back to heal their injuries?"

"Sigh..." Lu Yan suffered a complete loss in this battle and really wanted to try to recover some of the losses.

But he boasted that he was going to find Sha Tu, and after a pointless search, he not only failed to find the man, but also led the monk Kuya into an ambush, almost getting killed along with him.

Now that the monk Kuya has been poisoned while acting as a meat shield, his most important task is to safely send the person back, so as not to earn the title of "Northern Zhou's number one pig teammate".

After sighing softly, Lü Yan still accompanied the group back, inquiring about Ye Yunchi's identity along the way.

Unexpectedly, before the four of them had gone far, Xie Jinhuan frowned and turned around to look behind him.

Seeing this, Ye Yunchi stopped and asked:
"Is there any movement?"

Xie Jinhuan didn't notice anything amiss, but his ghost wife said the weather over there was off, so after thinking for a moment, he said:
"There seems to be some movement, but I'm not quite sure. Why don't you send Master Kuya back to the city to heal his wounds first, and I'll go take a look?"

Lu Yan also wanted to join in, but the monk Kuya wasn't there to kill and plunder; he was there out of compassion to pursue the demon. If he dragged others into the fight and acted as a human shield, he risked being killed himself, and he couldn't abandon his teammates. Therefore, he reminded him:

"This place is dangerous. If you encounter Gu Xuanzun and his group while I'm away, you might not be able to escape easily. You should know when to quit while you're ahead."

Xie Jinhuan and Senior Sister Naigua, though they wouldn't dare say they could kill anyone they saw, could move freely and easily. Regarding this, they said:

"It's alright, I have my own plans. If we manage to keep Gu Xuanzun and the others here, then Elder Lü won't need to pay any more. Elder Lü, please remember to take care of your safety on the road."

Knowing Xie Jinhuan's abilities, Lü Yan figured that even if he died on the road, this kid might not necessarily die, so he didn't say anything more and sped off towards Yanbo City.

Ye Yunchi followed Xie Jinhuan in the opposite direction, wondering along the way:

"Why didn't I feel anything?"

"It seems so, but I can't be sure. Let's go check it out..."

……
-
Earlier, at the Dragon Emperor's Cave.

The giant sinkhole, several miles in diameter, is located at the end of the swamp. Turbid water flows into the sinkhole from all sides along several streams, making it look like dozens of waterfalls.

The outside world could hear the 'splashing' sound of flowing water, but there was no roar of a waterfall cascading to the ground. It was as if a gaping maw that could never be filled was greedily devouring the water veins of heaven and earth. Just peeking at the edge of it was enough to send chills down one's spine.

He Can was dragged by the back of his collar and plunged into the sinkhole. He kept looking back, his face pale. Only when he saw that old man Lü Yan was not chasing after him did he breathe a sigh of relief.

"Why are there so many people? Is it really worth it to kill that old scoundrel Sha Tu?"

Zhang Chu was so frightened that he couldn't speak, and he kept looking back, afraid that there would be more pursuers.

Ancient Xuanzun walked beside him, concealing his Yin energy. His robes bore numerous burn marks. Although he had escaped danger, his expression showed no joy at surviving a calamity. Instead, he roared angrily:
"Is this your terrible idea? Long Boyuan and I came here to help, but you'd rather bring two pawns than lend a hand to the people of Yanbo City. Now that Long Boyuan is dead, how am I supposed to explain this to my superiors?!"

Gu Xuanzun established his sect in Dragon Bone Beach to make a living, so he must have been a lackey of Yanbo City and belonged to the same camp as Long Boyuan.

The figure in black robes was a high-ranking member of the Underworld God Cult. He had come on Zhang Chu's advice to set up a scheme and had temporarily summoned the two men to help him. They were allies of the two men, but not from the same family.

However, it wouldn't be so bad to say he betrayed his teammates, the black-robed figure replied:
“That woman just now has a close relationship with Ye Sheng, and her cultivation is no less than mine. With the four of them surrounding him from the front and back, Long Boyuan was unable to escape. We would have to give up if we tried to save him, so we had no choice but to retreat first.”

Ancient Mystic Venerable knew that the situation was beyond saving, but he still said:

"I was initially helping Long Boyuan out of trouble, while you just kept your head down and fled, not even bothering to cast a spell behind him. If you had joined forces, why would Lü Yan and the others have gotten so close?!"

Seeing that there was a tendency for infighting, and fearing being caught in the crossfire, He Jian interrupted:
"It's good that you're out. The world is unpredictable, and nobody wants this to happen. If it really does happen, there's nothing we can do. We'll talk about it when we get back..."

The figure in black robes still needed the help of Yanbo City. Seeing that Gu Xuanzun was furious and questioning him, after landing at the bottom of the Dragon Emperor Cave, he thought for a moment and then lifted the hood that was covering his face:
"My identity is special, so it's inconvenient for me to take action."

The three looked up and saw that under the hood was not Chen Yishan's old-fashioned face, but a young face that looked to be in his thirties. His narrow eyes had a three-pointed, venomous aura, and when he looked directly at his face, it even gave people a chill.

?

He Can had always assumed the man in black was his grand-uncle Chen, but upon seeing his appearance, he was struck by the stark difference and couldn't help but wonder:

"Who is the senior?"

"I am your ancestor."

"what?"

He Can blinked, thinking to himself:

How do you swear?
If you were my ancestor, would you... do I deserve to be called one?

(End of this chapter)