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"What should we do now? Should we go in?" the Amethyst Winged Lion King couldn't help but ask Xiao Yan. Although it had previously teamed up with Little Fairy Doctor to enter the Profound Nether Valley, Xiao Yan was undoubtedly the core of their group.
Xiao Yan pondered for a moment. Suddenly, Venerable Tian Huo's voice came from within the storage ring, "Be careful. I sensed a trace of a Dou Venerate's aura just now."
"A Dou Venerate?! An elite Dou Venerate has appeared!?" Xiao Yan's heart trembled. Could the strange phenomenon earlier have been caused by a Dou Venerate?
"No, it's not an actual Dou Venerate. This should be the activation of a Dou Venerate's inheritance. Something has activated that inheritance relic… but it hasn't fully appeared yet," Venerable Tian Huo said.
After hearing these words and contemplating for a while, Xiao Yan slowly shook his head. He said to Little Fairy Doctor and the others, "No, we are not in a hurry. Even without the poison barrier, the Profound Nether Valley is still a perilous place. Let them test the waters first. Besides, I fear this time it won't be that simple."
The poison barrier was merely the first line of defense for the Profound Nether Valley. If the valley only had the poison barrier, then what difference would there be now compared to when the barrier receded?
The Profound Nether Valley was rich in poisonous herbs and also abundant with venomous creatures and poisonous insects. It was similar to Zi Yan's experience in the Inner Academy; obtaining heavenly treasures usually required battling the guarding magical beasts.
Since Xiao Yan had spoken, the others naturally had no objections. Dark Poison City, originally overcrowded, emptied by more than half almost in the blink of an eye as everyone scrambled toward the Profound Nether Valley.
Xiao Yan and his companions thus found it easy to secure a place to stay.
Gradually, more and more news about the Profound Nether Valley trickled back.
Firstly, just as Xiao Yan had thought, the valley indeed no longer had the poison barrier. However, the venomous creatures guarding the heavenly treasures were still present. Consequently, many weaker Poison Masters met with misfortune, and quite a few even died.
Furthermore, there was no news regarding the Heavenly Flame or the Clear Soul Nether Orchid that concerned him.
The news of the anomaly in the Profound Nether Valley and the disappearance of the poison barrier spread from Dark Poison City at extreme speed. It reached the ears of the major factions and even the imperial family of the Chu Yun Empire. Within just a few days, this news had spread throughout the entire Chu Yun Empire, and even the Jia Ma Empire had caught wind of it.
This news was simply too shocking. Some Dou King experts even consumed pills to hasten their journey, crossing mountains and rivers to deliver this message to their respective factions as quickly as possible.
In fact, the leaders of many factions in the Chu Yun Empire were so stunned by this news that they didn't hesitate to disturb the powerful experts meditating in seclusion within their clans, ensuring the message reached their ears.
Even some old undying experts who were hidden away in seclusion, aiming to break through to higher levels, were shaken by such news.
Even the renowned experts of the Chu Yun Empire experienced a drastic change in expression. "The valley's poison barrier has completely disappeared?!"
"Since records began, the Profound Nether Valley has always had its poison barrier. It has always been a perilous land, a place capable of burying even Dou Ancestors. What reason could cause the Profound Nether Valley's poison barrier to disappear?!"
Rumors and speculation spread like wildfire. Some believed it was an omen of great change for the Chu Yun Empire. Even the emperor felt that something big was about to unfold.
When some ancient, undying figures heard about the complete disappearance of the poison barrier in the Profound Nether Valley, they couldn't help but speculate. "Could it be... the inheritance of Venerable You Du is about to open?!"
These old monsters knew the reason Dark Poison City was named as such was because the legend was true. A Dou Venerate had indeed once fallen within the Profound Nether Valley, and that Dou Venerate's title was You Du (Dark Poison)!
"Could it be that Venerable You Du's inheritance is finally seeking a successor, and that's why the poison barrier disappeared!?"
This conjecture wasn't limited to just one or two individuals. Many powerful experts from factions speculated similarly, knowing that the Profound Nether Valley indeed concealed a Dou Venerate's ruins.
With this conjecture, countless powerful experts from the Chu Yun Empire's sects instantly became eager to try their luck! They even dispatched large numbers of disciples to Dark Poison City immediately.
It was hardly surprising that such a thing happened. A Dou Venerate's inheritance ruins! It held immense temptation for everyone, regardless of who they were. Even the older generation experts, who had witnessed countless worldly affairs, couldn't resist such allure.
One must know, part of the reason Xiao Yan's current alchemy skills were so formidable and his cultivation so strong was precisely because he had obtained Venerable Yao's inheritance.
Even disregarding the items in the Bone Flame Ring, just considering Venerable Tian Huo alone: if Venerable Tian Huo had truly perished, then by obtaining his inheritance, Xiao Yan would possess not only Di Class Qi Methods and Dou Techniques but also the Essence Flame of the Fallen Heart Flame.
Who wouldn't desire such things?!
If one could enter the inheritance ruins left by a Dou Venerate, many great fortunes would await. Who wouldn't want to obtain legendary fortuitous encounters and inheritances?
Within a short period, many young Poison Masters from the Chu Yun Empire entered Dark Poison City, aiming to gamble for an opportunity.
And just on the fifth day after the poison barrier completely disappeared, someone discovered a Space Lock in a certain part of the valley!
"A Space Lock?!"
"Yes! In one area of the valley, someone discovered a place with traces of spatial distortion. After investigation, it was determined to be a Space Lock seal cast by a Dou Venerate!"
"Could it be... the legend is true! This really is the place where a Dou Venerate fell! Could it be that the Dou Venerate left behind an inheritance before dying!!"
Instantly, news of the Dou Venerate inheritance spread throughout the entire Dark Poison City, and even beyond its walls.
"However, that Space Lock cannot be entered. Even several elite Dou Emperors working together couldn't break through it. I heard disciples from the Poison Sect and the Ten Thousand Scorpion Gate have already gone to request the Dou Ancestor experts within their sects to take action!"
"Big news! A 6th-tier alchemist went to that Space Lock. Although he couldn't open it, he asserted that inside the Space Lock is a massive secret realm, one that has never been discovered before!"
The discovery made by the 6th-tier alchemist using his spiritual perception spread quickly. Inside the Space Lock was not only a Dou Venerate's inheritance but also a secret realm, a treasure land that had never been discovered before. How could this not be utterly shocking?
Within a short time, Dark Poison City became even more bustling than it was initially. Countless young Poison Masters dreaming of obtaining the Dou Venerate inheritance and entering the secret realm to seek fortune swarmed into Dark Poison City. Even many renowned sect heirs didn't hesitate to risk the adventure.
Among the Poison Masters entering Dark Poison City, there were also some particularly eye-catching powerful individuals.
Poison Granny was one such individual. Clad in a white dress and wearing a white veil, she was seen flying in while stepping on a white lotus. White petals fluttered down when this figure appeared in Dark Poison City, making her appear as pure and holy as a goddess on a pilgrimage.
However, seeing the white figure's appearance clearly instantly made one's scalp tingle. Beneath the white veil was actually an old woman on the verge of death. Half of her face was rotten from poison, with pus and blood oozing out. It was extremely nauseating.
"Be careful of those white petals! Those petals are highly poisonous!" Many Poison Masters who recognized Poison Granny quickly retreated, their faces full of dread.
In the Chu Yun Empire, the truly powerful were not necessarily those with high cultivation. Here, being highly skilled in poison techniques was what made one truly formidable.
Although Poison Granny only possessed the strength of a 7-star Dou Emperor, it was rumored that she had once poisoned a Dou Ancestor to death!
"It's not surprising that an old monster like Poison Granny came. Even Xie Shan, the Gate Leader of the Ten Thousand Scorpion Gate, has arrived. And he even brought their mountain-guarding magical beast, the Four Wings Sky Demon Scorpion," said a Poison Master familiar with the situation.
Many people were shocked upon hearing this news. "No way, Xie Shan came too! He even brought the Four Wings Sky Demon Scorpion! Is he planning a massacre?!"
Just as everyone was discussing the Ten Thousand Scorpion Gate, one of the strongest powers in the Chu Yun Empire, a voice laced with Dou Qi spread throughout the entire Dark Poison City.
"Such a lively gathering. It seems I haven't arrived late."
It was even more shocking when the voice fell and a person appeared. A figure seemed to flash from the distance, appearing in the sky above Dark Poison City in a single step.
Walking through the air—an elite Dou Ancestor!
Looking closely, they realized that a short man was standing in the sky above Dark Poison City at this moment. His face looked to be in his early forties, but his height was only one meter thirty.
Although this middle-aged man was much shorter than the average person, no one dared to look down on him because of his stature.
Because he was none other than the current Sect Leader of the Poison Sect, Dugu Tian Gao.
Although Dugu Tian Gao was short, his entire body bulged with muscles; his physique was extremely sturdy. His whole body seemed filled with power, and those iron hands looked capable of tearing anything apart.
Especially when his Dou Ancestor aura erupted, everyone in Dark Poison City broke into a cold sweat and swallowed hard. No one dared to utter a single word.
"Poison Sect's Sect Leader Dugu Tian Gao! Heavens, the Gate Leader of the Ten Thousand Scorpion Gate and the Sect Leader of the Poison Sect have both come!" Many Poison Masters couldn't help but draw a sharp breath as their faces changed drastically.
The leaders of the two strongest factions in the Chu Yun Empire had actually both arrived!
"Heh heh, quite the imposing display, Dugu Tian Gao. Someone who didn't know better might think you've already reached the peak Dou Ancestor realm."
Thud!
A massive scorpion lay across the middle of the street. Xie Shan stood on the back of the Four Wings Sky Demon Scorpion, his hands clasped behind his back, looking faintly at the Poison Sect's Sect Leader.
Others might fear him, but he, Xie Shan, did not. Although Xie Shan was only a peak Dou Emperor, Dugu Tian Gao was merely a 1-star Dou Ancestor.
With himself and the Rank 6 Four Wings Sky Demon Scorpion, he was not afraid of facing a 1-star Dou Ancestor.
"Heh heh, Xie Shan, why are you the only one here?" Dugu Tian Gao's eyes narrowed. He slowly asked as his Dou Ancestor perception swept over the Ten Thousand Scorpion Gate's camp.
Xie Shan naturally knew what he was looking for and smiled coldly, "Stop looking. The Old Ancestor did not come."
Everyone knew that the Ten Thousand Scorpion Gate had a long history and once had a Supreme Elder named Xie Bi Yan. This person's cultivation had long reached the Dou Ancestor realm, but he had disappeared for a long time, and everyone was unsure if he was still alive.
The two men's gazes met, and they instantly reached a consensus. Both were old foxes and understood the proverb 'When a snipe and clam quarrel, the fisherman benefits.' They planned to first join forces to break the Space Lock and enter that mysterious secret realm before deciding anything else.
"Let's go! The Poison Sect and the Ten Thousand Scorpion Gate are joining forces to forcefully attack the Space Lock!"
"I heard it's not just the two of them joining forces. Even experts like Poison Granny plan to team up to break the Space Lock. After all, if you can't get in, everything else is just empty talk."
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's follow them. Even if they eat the meat, we can drink some soup."
Upon learning that the Poison Sect and the Ten Thousand Scorpion Gate planned to join forces to break the Space Lock, everyone swarmed after the two major factions.
Normally, even a Dou Ancestor couldn't break a Space Lock set by a Dou Venerate. However, the energy of a Space Lock wasn't eternal, and now with many experts joining forces, it might be possible.
Only Xiao Yan, this 'foreigner,' calmly sat in the inn drinking tea.
"Hey Xiao Yan, how much longer do we have to wait here? Everyone else has left," Zi Yan propped her chin on her hands, looking extremely bored. She wanted to hit someone.
Xiao Yan slowly sipped the hot tea, exhaled a puff of white steam, and said calmly, "What's your hurry? I went to look at that Space Lock. Those Dou Emperors and Dou Ancestors definitely cannot break it. Even if we all attacked together, it would be difficult to break through."
"Ah, then what do we do? The things you're looking for are inside, right?"
Xiao Yan poured himself more tea and said, "We wait. That Space Lock doesn't need to be broken. It will open by itself in another two days. Those guys are just wasting their efforts."
Xiao Yan hadn't actually seen the Space Lock, but Venerable Tian Huo had.
Venerable Tian Huo was a Dou Venerate, after all. His understanding of Space Locks was much deeper than Xiao Yan's or Little Fairy Doctor's. He quickly discovered that the power of this Space Lock originated from the poison barrier that initially enveloped the valley.
Now that the poison barrier had disappeared, the Space Lock would soon run out of energy and vanish.
Venerable Tian Huo estimated that the poison barrier was likely absorbed by the secret realm inside the Space Lock, meaning there was indeed something existing within that secret realm.
And the reason the Profound Nether Valley's poison barrier periodically receded was likely due to this reason as well. Two days later would coincidentally be the seventh day since Xiao Yan arrived in Dark Poison City, which was when the poison barrier was originally supposed to recede.
Xiao Yan slowly looked toward the distance and murmured, "The Heavenly Flame should be inside that secret realm. What Little Fairy Doctor saw back then might have been the Heavenly Flame inside the Space Lock. Poison barrier... could the Heavenly Flame inside the Space Lock be that one?"
Ghostly Poison Flame, ranked 20th on the Heavenly Flame Ranking.
Nourished for millennia by the sky-covering poison miasma in the Poison Swamp, the flame consumed endless poison gas. It took a hundred years to gain spirituality, a thousand years to take form. Upon reaching maturity, its color leans toward green, and it would wander through the poisonous miasma like a ghostly fire.
Creak. Little Fairy Doctor came in from outside and said, "The medicinal ingredients have been bought. Are you planning to refine pills?"
Xiao Yan nodded. "Mm, if I'm not mistaken, the Heavenly Flame you and the Lion King saw back then should be the Ghostly Poison Flame. This kind of Heavenly Flame is different from ordinary ones. To refine it, I need to prepare some Detoxification Pills and Poison Resistance Pills."
"Fortunately, Dark Poison City is not only abundant in poisons but also in things that counteract poison. Otherwise, it would have been troublesome."
The Ghostly Poison Flame itself was nurtured into a spirit by the poison barrier and contained lethal poison. Merely touching a spark would result in being severely poisoned, thus making it almost impossible to devour and merge with! If Xiao Yan wanted to refine the Ghostly Poison Flame, he first had to figure out how to deal with the potent poison.