飘零影音

Chapter 32 - Arc 2: The Linyuan Small Secret Realm | Chapter 32: Scum

Translator: Lynn

Xu Zitang’s anger surged, causing her chest to rise and fall rapidly. Her bare bosom caught Tian Liang’s gaze, making his throat dry and his mouth water. Xu Zitang understood the intentions behind his lecherous stare. Realizing that escape was futile, she considered detonating her dantian, even if it meant sacrificing her own life to deny these two men their desires. However, the potent effects of the Hundred Damage Pill rendered her powerless to fulfill even this small wish…

“Quickly, seize the opportunity and take the pills!” Xu Ziqian urged impatiently.

Xu Ziqing had been hesitant, but now he could no longer stand by and watch Xu Zitang’s innocence being defiled by these vile individuals. Moreover, Tian Liang mentioned his intention to extract Xu Zitang’s Yin energy. If her Yin energy were forcibly taken away, it would not only harm her life and cultivation but also her very existence.

With a decisive resolve, Xu Ziqing swiftly released a green rope from his hand, wrapping it around Xu Zitang’s waist and pulling her behind him while Xu Ziqian and Tian Liang were caught off guard.

Xu Zitang was saved, while the two men stood momentarily stunned by the sudden turn of events.

Before them stood a young monk, dressed in simple attire and wielding a staff-like wooden weapon. His face was masked, but his composed and elegant demeanor left a lasting impression.

Witnessing their plan foiled, Tian Liang’s displeasure became evident as he shouted, “Where did you come from? How dare you interfere with my affairs? Release her immediately, or your life will be in danger!”

Xu Ziqian, proud of her status, refrained from scolding angrily and instead offered a warm piece of advice, “Though your cultivation may be formidable, so are ours. Engaging in a fight would only lead to mutual destruction… It’s in your best interest to reconsider.”

Xu Ziqing sighed, “Since I have found myself in this remote place, I did not intend to meddle in others’ affairs. However, I cannot simply turn a blind eye to what is happening.”

Xu Ziqian, growing colder, questioned, “Are you against us?”

With a faint smile, Xu Ziqing replied, “I’m sorry, but yes.”

Growing impatient, Tian Liang declared, “Miss Ziqian, enough with the nonsense. Together, you and I have nothing to fear from this kid!” He continued, “Young man, brace yourself!”

As he spoke, Tian Liang signaled, and a three-legged cauldron descended from the sky, exerting immense pressure akin to a colossal cliff about to crush Xu Ziqing.

Xu Ziqing, annoyed by Xu Ziqian’s behavior, raised his hand and summoned a cloud-like handkerchief, which expanded in the air, forming an impenetrable net to intercept the descending cauldron.

The cauldron, resembling a mountain, clashed with the net like a torrent meeting an obstacle. Xu Ziqing, a young man, appeared on the verge of being trapped and crushed to death.

Unaware of the stranger’s intentions, Xu Zitang felt a surge of relief and urgency. If Xu Ziqing were defeated, she would have no chance of escaping.

She warned, “That cauldron is a medium-grade magic weapon called the ‘Zhenshan Tripod.’ It possesses the power of a mountain and is incredibly formidable. Once you are ensnared, it will drain your spiritual energy, making it nearly impossible to move! Be careful!”

Hearing this, Xu Ziqing realized there was no escape.

He swiftly unleashed a string of green blades from his hand, forming a hoop-like barrier that held the cloud handkerchief in place.

The cloud, originally intended to envelop Xu Ziqing, halted two feet away and could no longer compress further. Meanwhile, multiple green cords emerged above Xu Ziqing’s head, resembling a bow bending downward, preventing the Zhenshan Tripod from striking his head.

Although Xu Ziqing’s defense surprised both Xu Ziqian and Tian Liang, they were unable to escape or defeat him.

Enraged by Xu Zitang’s fortunate rescue, Xu Ziqian realized that if Xu Zitang escaped, her own demise would be imminent. Not to mention, it would jeopardize her plans to marry Xu Zifeng, who was accountable for her demise.

Tian Liang’s dissatisfaction grew as he had coveted Xu Zitang for a long time, and now that he had a chance to possess her, an unexpected interference arose, fueling his anger.

With an additional surge of spiritual power, he exclaimed angrily, “Let’s see how long you can hold on!” He turned to Xu Ziqian and urged, “Don’t hold back your energy, Miss Ziqian. It’s two against one. We can’t let him escape.”

Xu Ziqian pondered for a moment and realized the validity of his words. Although their cultivation levels were similar, the numerical advantage favored them. Even if they had to deplete their spiritual energy, the newcomer stood no chance. Thus, they suppressed their anxiety and unleashed more of their spiritual power.

Meanwhile, Xu Ziqing found himself indeed depleted. The medium-grade magic weapon was exceptionally potent and imposing, making it challenging for him to maneuver. Fortunately, both the green rope and the blades were made of wood and connected to his consciousness, exerting less mental strain compared to Xu Tian and the others.

He managed to communicate with Xu Zitang amidst the predicament, saying, “Miss Zitang, do you have any spiritual medicine that can alleviate your condition?”

Xu Zitang smiled bitterly and replied, “No, I don’t. The Hundred Damage Pill is a forbidden substance, extremely difficult to produce. Obtaining the antidote is even more challenging. I have no idea how to obtain it.”

Pondering for a moment, Xu Ziqing possessed some knowledge about the Hundred Damage Pill. It was derived from highly toxic ingredients that targeted the meridians and veins. Through intense refining with fierce fire, the toxicity became more potent. Once ingested, it rapidly wreaked havoc within the body, breaking tendons, damaging vital energy, and destroying foundations. Ultimately, it severed the vitality of the meridians, leading to the symptoms observed.

In his contemplation, he realized there might be a possible solution.

He said, “Miss Zitang, if you trust me, then don’t resist.”

Though skeptical that this man could cure the poison of the Hundred Damage Pill, Xu Zitang had no other option but to grasp at straws. She agreed immediately, saying, “I will trust you.”

Xu Ziqing smiled and reached out to feel Xu Zitang’s pulse. Xu Zitang’s wrist trembled, but she did not pull away.

In the next moment, gentle and benevolent spiritual energy entered Xu Zitang’s meridians through her pulse gate. It flowed like a tranquil stream of energy, devoid of any forceful dominance. Amidst this serenity, a vibrant vitality emanated, causing a rejuvenation effect wherever it passed, as if the grass and trees were coming alive in the awakening spring.

This was the purest form of Ethereal Wood Qi! Who was this person? Despite being at the seventh level of Qi refinement, his spiritual energy flowed incessantly and possessed remarkable richness.

Xu Zitang was immediately astonished, never having encountered such a pure and untainted flow of Qi before. As a knowledgeable and proud individual, she had her elder brother with dual spiritual roots in front of her, but even for him and her other sibling, their cultivation inevitably carried a mixture of the five elemental Qi due to their dual spiritual roots. This was an inherent result of having dual spiritual roots, where the thinner root still had an effect. Upon reaching higher levels of cultivation, various methods were necessary to remove the excess mixed energies from the body. Thus, the purer one’s spiritual roots, the faster their cultivation progress would be.

The purity of this man’s spiritual power made her wonder if he possessed a single spiritual root. However, it had been a thousand years since a person with a single spiritual root had been seen, so if someone with such exceptional talent truly existed, how could she have remained unaware?

Without dwelling on these thoughts, the Ethereal Wood Qi flowed through her damaged meridians, promoting self-repair and gradually restoring vitality. Within a few breaths, Xu Zitang felt significant improvement, and the spiritual energy that had settled in her dantian and couldn’t be mobilized before was now stirred up, alleviating the tingling sensation in her meridians.

Observing the positive change in Xu Zitang’s expression, Xu Ziqing inquired, “How do you feel?”

With her heart somewhat relieved, Xu Zitang replied, “It’s truly effective.”

Xu Ziqing was overjoyed. It was his first time using this technique, so he had naturally felt some apprehension. However, seeing it work brought even greater joy. Xu Zitang, too, felt immense relief. Though someone had come to her rescue, a cultivator without spiritual power was like a duckling without a home. Now that she had hope of regaining her spiritual power, she felt a sense of security.

Xu Ziqian and Tian Liang couldn’t help but notice the conspicuous actions of Xu Ziqing and Xu Zitang. Xu Ziqian, in particular, sarcastically remarked upon seeing Xu Ziqing holding Xu Zitang’s pulse, “I wonder why this gentleman didn’t leave. It seems he’s taken a fancy to a beautiful woman.”

Hearing this, Xu Zitang’s usually proud face flushed with anger as she retorted, “Do you think everyone has a mind as filthy as yours? I won’t allow you to be my sister-in-law anymore. Why not marry Tian Liang and create a perfect match between you two?”

Xu Ziqing was left speechless. This woman’s verbal combat skills surpassed that of many men. He couldn’t afford to provoke them, so it was better to continue providing Xu Zitang with his Yi Wood Qi to help her regain strength and assist him.

Growing impatient with the two women’s argument and realizing that the Zhenshan Cauldron couldn’t defeat his opponent, Tian Liang shouted, “What are you arguing about? I don’t have much time. I must use her, so I don’t have the patience to listen to your quarrels! Step aside and witness this lord’s strike!”

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