Chapter 584: I Gah... You Are Toxic

Late at night, the world was steeped in darkness. Only sporadic lights, hazy in the wind, dotted the earthen cities scattered throughout the Küsheng Mountain Range.

The wailing wind blew incessantly, occasionally stirring up sand and dust that swirled through the earthen cities.

While not much sand and dust reached the mountain range, what did arrive rattled against the door panels. Hearing it might initially cause unease, but after a long time, one grew accustomed to it.

At least for Xu Qing, this was true. The howling wind outside had become a constant presence in his life over the past half-year.

A peculiar gleam appeared in his eyes.

Three days had passed since his return from the Reversal Moon Palace. For these three days, Xu Qing had been continuously analyzing the curse information, and he had finally processed it all.

The Reversal Moon Palace's research into curses had reached an astonishing level of intricacy.

Xu Qing murmured, convinced that the curse information he had obtained by exchanging poison pills and spirit stones was well worth the cost.

This information was quite comprehensive, clearly not compiled by a single generation but passed down over many years. It contained diverse tests on curses and numerous conjectures.

Some had determined through multiple experiments that these curses possessed a form of life. Others, after researching hundreds of races, found subtle differences in the curses afflicting various groups. It seemed that some races had very few curses from birth, with the affliction only gradually increasing over time.

Furthermore, Reversal Moon Palace researchers specifically studied the changes in curse outbreaks, compiling one hundred and thirty-seven distinct reactions. It appeared that the precise details of a curse outbreak varied among different races.

These curses could be tailored to inflict specific torment upon different races. For example, the Dingyang race naturally lacked physical pain sensation, so for them, a curse outbreak would manifest in their souls.

Another principle discovered by the Reversal Moon Palace was that the curses of different races could be blended.

For all beings in the Sacrifice Moon Great Domain, the curses within them were not static. Curses from different races could be compounded and influenced each other through oral ingestion and bloodline transfer.

Xu Qing's eyes gleamed with wonder. This method opened many new avenues of thought for him; he had never imagined curses could be utilized in such a manner.

For instance, someone might mix a curse primarily targeting the soul after an outbreak into a race not susceptible to soul damage. This would blend their existing curses, thereby reducing the torment at the moment of outbreak.

The distinct curses among various races allowed for a process of mutual interchange and fusion—this was the principle behind the Tribulation-Dispelling Pill.

Xu Qing lowered his head, picking up one of the many jade slips in front of him that contained curse information. The slip described this method, and Xu Qing finally understood why the Tribulation-Dispelling Pill was so expensive and rare.

Any Tribulation-Dispelling Pill required integrating the characteristics of multiple races to achieve comprehensive neutralization, thereby alleviating the curse outbreak for the one who consumed it.

Furthermore, at a higher level, a pill refiner would need to custom-make it, adjusting the concoction according to the user's racial characteristics.

In essence, the Tribulation-Dispelling Pill was a curse pill that blended the curse powers of multiple races. However, the intricacies required extensive adjustment and refinement to ensure these mixed curses didn't amplify their power but instead neutralized each other.

It was a method of using curses to counter curses, transforming synergy into antagonism.

Xu Qing sighed. He understood that the information he had obtained was merely the tip of the iceberg of the Reversal Moon Palace's curse research. Yet, even with just a fragment, he could profoundly sense the wisdom of the Reversal Moon Palace cultivators.

With such ongoing research, perhaps one day they could truly create a pill that perfectly neutralized curse outbreaks, thereby offering a possibility of escaping this domain.

The prerequisite, however, was that the Crimson Mother had not altered the nature of the curses, and that the transmission of knowledge had not been lost due to the destruction brought by her arrival.

Xu Qing took a deep breath. After studying this information, he realized that the Tribulation-Dispelling Pill would be his breakthrough point in understanding and countering curses.

I possess power from the same origin as the Red Moon. To some extent, I can also use it to unleash curses. Theoretically, my blessings both deepen the curses and, paradoxically, consume them.

My previous approach, however, was flawed. I had aimed to resolve the curses in one go, but given my insufficient Purple Moon cultivation level, the difficulty was too immense.

So, what if I were to weaken the curses...? Xu Qing pondered for a moment, determination glinting in his eyes.

I need a Tribulation-Dispelling Pill to verify my hypothesis.

With this thought in mind, Xu Qing retrieved his mirror and re-entered the Reversal Moon Palace.

The next instant, at the foot of the mountain range where the Reversal Moon Palace was situated, the eyes of the statue on a small temple's altar instantly opened and closed.

Without acting rashly, Xu Qing stood on the altar, first sensing his surroundings to confirm that all was clear. He then controlled the statue's form, stepping forward to descend.

After landing, he flexed his form once more and checked if the statue had undergone any changes.

It was still covered in cracks, its appearance unchanged: an old man in a long robe, with a gourd on his back.

Everything was as it should be.

Only then did Xu Qing push open the temple door and step outside.

Gazing at the blue sky and bright light, as well as the statues coming and going, he didn't hesitate and joined their ranks.

This time, his objective was clear: to find a Tribulation-Dispelling Pill he could exchange for. On his way, he instinctively glanced at the temple where he had traded poison pills three days prior.

Although that temple glowed, its owner seemed absent. Xu Qing paid it little mind, swiftly moving on to search through others. However, there were simply too many temples here to check them all at once, and even when he found one selling Tribulation-Dispelling Pills, he couldn't meet the required conditions.

As for the temple where twenty red Skyfire Crystals were originally exchanged, Xu Qing found upon arriving that, for some unknown reason, it had closed its trade and disallowed outsiders from entering.

Xu Qing felt some regret. After searching for a long time, he could only exchange for some curse information at other temples before departing.

Time flowed on, and soon ten days had passed.

During these ten days, while digesting information and researching beast curses, Xu Qing spent almost half his time daily immersed in the Reversal Moon Palace, constantly searching for Tribulation-Dispelling Pills he could trade for.

During this period, he repeatedly checked the temple that required Skyfire Crystals, but it consistently remained closed.

Also absent was the Master who had traded poison pills with Xu Qing to cultivate an immunity to all poisons. However, this Master's temple wasn't closed; one could enter, but the statue always remained inanimate. On a few occasions, Xu Qing entered and found that the floating light clusters inside the temple contained trade information that hadn't been updated for a long time, and some of the medicinal herbs within the light clusters were even empty.

It was as if, after completing the trade with Xu Qing, this Master had never returned to the Reversal Moon Palace...

Could something have gone wrong after he consumed the poison pill? Xu Qing felt a mix of surprise and unease. He had no grievances with the other party...

Yet, Xu Qing had clearly warned him.

"I must be overthinking it. After all, those who can cultivate an immunity to all poisons are powerful individuals."

Xu Qing pondered, thinking he might be overthinking it. Perhaps the Master hadn't appeared due to other urgent matters.

Until this day, as Xu Qing continued to search for Tribulation-Dispelling Pills, moving in and out of the glowing temples, the entire Reversal Moon Palace suddenly began to tremble.

Blindingly dazzling light erupted from the sky, accompanied by a terrifying fluctuation that enveloped the entire Reversal Moon Palace mountain.

Xu Qing sensed it, walked out of the temple, and looked up.

He wasn't the only one; at this moment, many statues within the temples emerged and gazed towards the sky.

In the sky, among the nine ancient temples beneath the sun, one temple door suddenly opened. Endless light radiated from within, and a gigantic figure was revealed inside.

With its appearance, the entire Reversal Moon Palace shook, auspicious phenomena materialized across the sky, and brilliant light spread for ten thousand zhang.

"Greetings, Deputy Palace Master!"

Voices filled with reverence instantly emanated from the mouths of the statues. Converging, they transformed into a massive wave of sound that reverberated in all directions.

Xu Qing was among them, his heart churning. This was his first time seeing a high-ranking member of the Reversal Moon Palace. Although obscured by the statue's form, preventing him from sensing their specific cultivation level, the ability to cause such changes in the Reversal Moon Palace indicated that this Deputy Palace Master's cultivation was certainly extraordinary.

At the same time, with the opening of the temple door and the emergence of the statue, a low voice, like heavenly thunder, echoed in all directions amidst the endless shimmering light.

"I announce three matters to my fellow Reversal Moon cultivators."

"Cultivators of Resilient Fate are appearing frequently; a spark is about to ignite a prairie fire!"

"Through our efforts over the past half-year, we have successfully destroyed five Red Moon branch temples, slaying eleven divine envoys, dozens of divine servants, and hundreds of divine slaves!"

"According to verified intelligence, the Young Lord and Princess Mingmei have recovered from their injuries and are unharmed. We are diligently attempting to contact them, and once successful, our Reversal Moon Palace will usher in a glorious era!"

"Everyone, the Red Moon is not eternal!"

The statue's voice reverberated, and waves of stirring emotion surged in the hearts of many statues. Even many closed temples opened, their owners returning.

Finally, all statues spontaneously bowed towards the sky, echoing the same words.

"May hope last forever!"

The sound was deafening, reverberating through the clouds.

The seed of hope was once again planted.

Xu Qing, among them, gazed at the giant statue within the celestial temple, feeling an intense sensation. After announcing these matters, the statue said no more, retreating back into the temple as the temple door closed.

Though he departed, the disseminated information would spread throughout the entire Sacrifice Moon Great Domain at the fastest speed. Xu Qing was thoughtful, observing the excited statues around him. He was about to leave when his gaze swept over the temple he had long been interested in—the one requiring Skyfire Crystals—and saw that it, too, had opened.

He immediately flew over. After entering the temple and sensing the light clusters within, he found the exchange for the Tribulation-Dispelling Pill. Without any hesitation, Xu Qing took out twenty red Skyfire Crystals and completed the transaction.

The moment he obtained the Tribulation-Dispelling Pill, Xu Qing felt a sense of relief and turned to depart.

At this moment, following the Deputy Palace Master's announcement, all statues that could manifest chose to return, making the Reversal Moon Palace extremely lively.

Looking around, it was as if divine beings and demons from all heavens were fluttering in all directions.

Only the temple where Xu Qing had traded the poison pill remained unchanged...

Xu Qing didn't know what to say. He silently glanced at it, swiftly returned to his own temple, and chose to withdraw.

Meanwhile, in the Azure Sand Desert, a multicolored light was rapidly moving forward. Behind it, the azure sandstorm now faintly showed traces of white.

It seemed the azure wind was transforming into a white wind!

The parrot within it was now filled with terror, cursing as it flew.

"What the hell? All I did was fly a bit slower out of laziness, and then take a crap in a quicksand pit. How did the wind turn white?!"

As the parrot fled in terror, teleporting multiple times, trying to escape the gradually whitening sandstorm, Xu Qing's figure appeared in the back room of the earthen city in the Küsheng Mountain Range.

He sat cross-legged, anticipation in his eyes. He raised his hand and took out the newly acquired Tribulation-Dispelling Pill, observing it intently.

This Tribulation-Dispelling Pill was multicolored, a blend of various hues, appearing quite strange. However, the curse aura emanating from it was very distinct.

Xu Qing did not act rashly. This Tribulation-Dispelling Pill was too precious; he had no means to acquire a second one. He could only use this single pill to research it as thoroughly as possible.

So he first observed it, carefully examining the pill's outer layer. Then he held it before him, sniffing it repeatedly, a thoughtful expression in his eyes as he rapidly analyzed it in his mind.

There was no sensation of it being formed from medicinal herbs.

But it certainly contained curses—not just one kind, but many. The key, however, was its internal material.

A substance that could absorb curse power.

Xu Qing continued his analysis.

The amount of each curse strand was different; there must have been a formula that used the curse powers of different races as its 'herbal ingredients'.

Interesting. These curses were clearly from the same origin, yet they exhibited different outbreak variations.

But this was still a curse after all. Although consuming it could alleviate pain, the curses didn't actually diminish; instead, they increased.

Especially with the increase in the amount of curses, it would trigger many chain reactions, such as the depletion of life force and a drop in cultivation... these were the side effects of the Tribulation-Dispelling Pill.

Drinking poison to quench thirst, Xu Qing sighed inwardly. Then he raised his left hand, and the Purple Moon power within him converged, forming numerous purple threads.

Approximately several hundred of them floated before him. With a thought from Xu Qing, these purple threads shot straight towards the Tribulation-Dispelling Pill.

They rapidly penetrated and merged into it. Each thread contacted a different curse within the Tribulation-Dispelling Pill, beginning to mimic it.

This was impossible for others to do, but Xu Qing's Purple Moon shared the same origin as the Red Moon. Therefore, the changes the Red Moon could manifest, he could also manifest.

Previously, he lacked references and sufficient experiments, but now all these answers were contained within the Tribulation-Dispelling Pill. For Xu Qing, this was an unlocked door.

Time passed bit by bit, and Xu Qing's expression grew increasingly solemn. The purple threads he emitted continuously adjusted themselves in this simulation, changing according to the distinct curses.

Throughout the entire process, he was incredibly cautious, controlling the fluctuations of hundreds of threads, doing his utmost not to detonate the curses within the pill.

After three hours, despite such intense concentration, a slight flaw eventually appeared.

In an instant, this incredibly precious Tribulation-Dispelling Pill trembled. The next moment, all the curses surged, then crumbled, turning into black ash that fell through Xu Qing's fingers onto the ground.

Xu Qing felt no regret. A peculiar gleam appeared in his eyes. In three hours, he had successfully simulated all three hundred different racial curse powers contained within the Tribulation-Dispelling Pill.

He lowered his head to look at the black ash on the ground, then let out a soft exclamation. He picked up a pinch and held it before him, finding it increasingly familiar the more he looked.

"This is—" Xu Qing's eyes flashed. He took out a pouch, poured out the black ash inside, and after comparing them, found that both were identical.

The black ash Xu Qing possessed was what remained of the ferocious beasts after their curses fully erupted during his earlier research. At the time, he hadn't perceived any use for this ash, but he had collected it anyway.

Looking at it now, this was precisely the material that absorbed curses.

Xu Qing pondered. After a moment, he grabbed a handful of black ash. The Purple Moon power within him spread, forming hundreds of threads that rapidly merged into it. According to his previous research, he quickly simulated strands of different curses, attaching them to the black ash.

During this process, the clump of black ash began to shrink, its color gradually changing until it became multicolored, and its size also changed.

Xu Qing squeezed it, and an irregularly shaped pill appeared in his palm.

Its appearance was almost identical to the Tribulation-Dispelling Pill, and its aura was the same, but its essence was different.

Because all the curses were actually transformed from Xu Qing's Purple Moon power.

If the Red Moon curses were likened to an enemy army, then the current state of my purple power was like changing into an enemy uniform and altering my appearance. This way, the enemy would find it difficult to spot any flaws, allowing me to successfully infiltrate their ranks.

Using this method, by instantly erupting within the enemy ranks, I could counteract some of the curses before they could be fully absorbed.

Xu Qing's thoughts were clear. He took out a beast for experimentation—a scorpion—which, upon appearing, trembled and dared not raise its tail.

Xu Qing glanced at it, then placed the pill in his hand near its mouth.

"Eat."

Xu Qing said calmly.

The scorpion dared not refuse, obediently swallowing it. Afterward, its body trembled even more, and in just over ten breaths, it collapsed with a bang, turning into black ash.

The disguise was unsuccessful.

Xu Qing frowned. After recalling his previous refining process, he took out the black ash again, made subtle adjustments, and continued refining.

Days passed, and Xu Qing's attempts continued. With each failure, he made minute adjustments, until finally, on the evening of the tenth day, his pill's disguise was successful.

The ferocious beast that consumed the pill did not collapse; in fact, the curses within its body even calmed down.

A ripple rose in Xu Qing's heart as he looked at the Tribulation-Dispelling Pill he had made. This was the fruit of his half-year of meticulous research.

Although there was still some disparity compared to the true Tribulation-Dispelling Pill due to their differing approaches, the effects were not far off.

The purpose of the Tribulation-Dispelling Pill was to alleviate the pain of curses; my purpose was to completely neutralize curses, with pain alleviation being merely a side effect. Even if I couldn't achieve it entirely now, this method should be correct.

Additionally, my Purple Moon power also needed to be enhanced... and more information about curses had to be collected to gradually perfect this.

Xu Qing's expression was expectant. He was about to refine more Tribulation-Dispelling Pills with a wave of his hand, but the next instant, he suddenly looked up, a sharp glint in his eyes, staring outside.

His body flickered, disappearing directly from the back room, and reappearing by the pharmacy counter.

Ling'er was happily recording accounts. Noticing Xu Qing's sudden appearance, she immediately turned white and slipped into Xu Qing's sleeve.

The Adamantine Sect Patriarch also instantly showed a sharp gaze, locking onto a direction. At that moment, Xu Qing's expression softened slightly as he looked out the window.

A multicolored light appeared out of thin air there, then with a flash, it entered the pharmacy and appeared beside the small seedling, which was already over a foot tall.

The seedling's swaying stopped, and it dared not move. The multicolored light transformed into a parrot, and an arrogant voice came from its mouth.

"When a parrot is born, Daddy is nothing! Quickly call me Grandpa, I'm here!" After saying this, the parrot looked at Xu Qing, strutting proudly.

"Hey, you, whoever you are, Chen Mou Niu told me to call you to light some damn fire."

"Light what fire?" Xu Qing recognized this parrot. Hearing its words, he frowned, not quite understanding.

"How the hell should I know what fire to light?! That damn Niu just told me to call you to light a fire, light a fire, hurry up and light a fire!"

The parrot spoke arrogantly, then turned its head and took a bite out of the small seedling, munching loudly.

The seedling trembled, not daring to hide.

Ling'er quickly poked her head out from Xu Qing's collar, glaring furiously at the parrot.

"Stop that!"

The parrot squinted at Ling'er, then looked at Xu Qing, before raising its head, posing like a stick, and speaking proudly through its nostrils.

"I won't!"

The Adamantine Sect Patriarch instantly moved towards it, but the moment he approached, the parrot suddenly vanished, teleporting to the other side of the seedling and taking another bite.

"I just won't!"

Such speed astonished even the Adamantine Sect Patriarch. As he was about to continue his pursuit, the parrot kept flickering, teleporting around the seedling, taking bite after bite.

"I won't, I won't, I won't!"

Just as the parrot was smug, its body suddenly trembled, its small eyes widened, and it coughed up a mouthful of fresh blood.

"I... Gaa..."

"You're poisoned!!"

It glared furiously at the seedling, which trembled. The parrot, however, coughed up blood again, and its body began to rot. It realized that it wasn't the seedling that was poisonous, but that poison existed all around it. It was about to speak, but instead, it tumbled down, landing on the ground, and looked at Xu Qing in terror.

At the same time, the seedling swiftly pulled up its roots, leaped down, and furiously stomped on the parrot, getting its revenge.

The parrot wailed, wanting to flee but unable to. It could only continuously roll on the ground until the Adamantine Sect Patriarch appeared. The parrot then froze, its eyes filled with extreme fear.

The seedling also dared not continue, slowly crawling back to plant itself again.

Xu Qing's face was devoid of expression. He sat to the side, looking down at the parrot struggling on the ground.

"Now, can you speak properly?"

The parrot rapidly nodded. It finally understood why its dad usually feared this person before them: this person was unreasonable and even poisoned his own people.

"Uncle-Master Xu, could you please first cure me of this poison...? After saying this, the parrot coughed up blood again, on the verge of death, its body almost rotting away."

Xu Qing raised his hand and waved. Most of the poison on the parrot dissipated, and it immediately shivered. But after Xu Qing's gaze swept over it, its body trembled, and it quickly became well-behaved.

"Uncle-Master Xu, I was wrong. Uncle-Master Er Niu really sent me to call you to light a fire. I don't know what kind of fire, but it seems to be related to the sun."

Xu Qing was thoughtful, looking at the parrot. Its previous speed had surprised him a little, so he asked a question.

"What abilities do you possess?"

"I can teleport. I'm the fastest among my dad's offspring, and my teleportation ability is unaffected by even the harshest environments or sealed areas. Before, when my dad encountered danger, I always teleported him away. In short, I... uh, this humble one can teleport anywhere."

After speaking, the parrot cautiously looked at Xu Qing.

Xu Qing nodded, about to speak, but the next instant he felt something and walked to the window.

Wind blew from the horizon towards the earthen city. Houses trembled, wooden doors rattled, and it also blew across Xu Qing's face, lifting his hair.

In the distant world, a storm connected to the sky. Massive swirls of sand and dust, resembling a sea of mist, continuously rolled and spread. Flashes of lightning gleamed within, and roars reverberated in all directions.

It was as if deities were within, driving the sandstorm forward. Wherever it passed, the world changed color, and winds and clouds stirred.

That was a sandstorm.

And its color was rapidly changing from azure until it completely turned white.

A wailing sound intensely reverberated at this moment, as if the sky was weeping and the earth was wailing, intending to bury all living beings, taking everything as its funeral accompaniment.

Moreover, a terrifying pressure descended upon the entire desert with the appearance of the white sandstorm.

The white sandstorm had arrived. It swept across the land, covered the sky, affected the Küsheng Mountain Range, making everything outside, at this moment, a hazy white, permeated with a strong sense of ominousness.

Xu Qing's gaze was solemn. He looked down at his feet; his shadow was out hunting and had not yet returned...