As the voice faded, the heaven and earth energy was completely absorbed into the center of the mountain's formation. The dazzling light in the sky vanished instantly, and the night returned to silence.
Black mist hovered in the air but dared not approach the formation at the mountain peak. It waited quietly.
After holding her breath for a moment, a clear whistle rang out, shaking the heavens and earth. The mountain trembled as a radiant azure beam shot into the sky.
A woman in plain robes slowly materialized, her toes lightly tapping the void. She absorbed the azure light, transforming it into clusters of ethereal blue butterflies that fluttered around her like celestial beings.
The Three Paths Gu had evolved once more, breaking free from their cocoons as butterflies. Little Doctor Xian's power surged, fully resolving the flaws of her Poison Body.
Every ounce of terrifying poison she gained now strengthened the gu poison. Rivers of toxicity flowed, but in the end, all merged into the sea.
"Who are you?" Little Doctor Xian asked coldly, her gaze fixed on the black mist as killing intent radiated from her.
"Jie jie! The Calamity Poison Body lives up to its name. Just breaking through to Dou Zong has already shaken the world," Protector Iron sneered. "But while the Poison Body can devour toxins to grow stronger, it does so at the cost of your own lifespan."
Little Doctor Xian frowned. Only Xiao Yan in the entire Chu Yun Empire should know about her Poison Body. How had this black mist uncovered such secrets?
"Blue Butterfly Poison Mist!" She flicked her slender jade fingers, and the blue butterflies around her surged toward the sinister black fog like a storm.
"Hmm?" Protector Iron recoiled in shock. "What a violent little girl! You and that Protector Yan are a match made in hell."
Clang! Chains as black as venomous snakes shot out from his body, slicing through the sky with blinding speed.
The massive iron chains collided with the fragile blue butterflies—a bizarre sight. Despite their delicate appearance, the butterflies held their ground against the chains. The clash of forces shook the fabric of space.
Then, the butterflies exploded one after another. Azure light seeped into the black chains like liquid poison, corroding them rapidly.
"Poison?!" Protector Iron gasped. As a soul entity without a physical body, even the deadliest toxins shouldn't affect him.
Without hesitation, he severed the corrupted chains and retreated, putting distance between himself and Little Doctor Xian.
The severed chains shattered mid-air, dissolving into swarms of blue butterflies. Staring at the fluttering horde, Protector Iron's earlier arrogance vanished, replaced by wariness.
This "Poison Maiden" had not only poisoned his attack but turned it into her own weapon.
"I asked for your name," Little Doctor Xian repeated, her violet eyes icy. Though the creature before her was strange, killing it would cost little effort.
"Protector Iron of the Soul Palace," he growled, chains coiling around him defensively. "Remember that name. Only the Soul Palace can cure the flaws of your Poison Body."
"Soul Palace?" Little Doctor Xian narrowed her eyes. An unfamiliar faction. "What do you want?"
The chains rattled as Protector Iron tensed. "I can rid you of your Poison Body's curse and help you destroy the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect. In exchange, I want the souls of every member of that sect."
Little Doctor Xian scoffed. "The Poison Sect could crush the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect effortlessly now. Why would we need your help? You're the one begging for our strength to claim their souls. Pathetic. Die."
"What?!" Protector Iron barely dodged the onslaught of butterflies. The Calamity Poison Body's fate was supposed to be endless suffering—how could she disregard her own life so callously?
The black mist condensed into a shadowy humanoid figure. Chains whipped through the air like monstrous tentacles, tearing ripples in space as they lashed at the butterflies.
But the Three Paths Gu butterflies were no ordinary poison. The chains began to turn azure, though their sheer numbers slowed the corrosion this time.
Seizing an opening, Protector Iron shattered a cluster of butterflies with a thunderous crack and fled into the night as scattered mist.
"Poison Maiden! Your arrogance will be your downfall! You'll regret crossing the Soul Palace!" His voice echoed hollowly.
Little Doctor Xian waved her hand, summoning the butterflies back into her body as pure energy. The poison-infused chains now fueled her growth, leaving her mind sharper and spirit invigorated.
"What is this Soul Palace?" she murmured, gazing into the distance.
A streak of light cut through the sky as Xiao Yan arrived, his black-and-white wings fluttering.
"Why stop me from killing that rat?" Little Doctor Xian asked coldly. With a bit more time, Protector Iron's energy would have been hers.
Xiao Yan's eyes turned grave. "I have my reasons."
"You know of them? The Soul Palace?"
"I planned to tell you later, but since they've shown themselves..." He paused. "They're our greatest enemy."
Little Fairy Doctor raised an eyebrow. "Then why not eliminate them early? That creature was at least a four-star Dou Zong. Killing him would have struck a blow."
(End of Chapter)
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