Chapter 72: Black Venom King

In the quiet courtyard, Su Youwei sat peacefully on a blue stone slab, her upper body straight, a slight curve appearing on her chest, and her waist slender, as if it could be encircled by a single hand. Around her, Origin Qi flowed, wisps of it from heaven and earth being drawn in, continuously pouring into her body. At the same time, a faint, muffled thunder-like sound seemed to emanate from within her.

Suddenly, Su Youwei opened her bright eyes, which were clear and moist. A flash of crimson lightning seemed to dart across them. The next moment, she extended her delicate hand and gently clenched it. A crimson Origin Qi surged from her right hand, seemingly imbued with leaping lightning and burning flames, emitting a dominant aura. She then extended her left hand, from which an icy-blue Origin Qi rose. This qi emitted an extreme cold, appearing to freeze the very air as it ascended.

Fourth-grade Origin Qi: Flame-Thunder Qi!Fourth-grade Origin Qi: Cold-Nether Qi!The two cultivation techniques, the Flame-Thunder Art and the Cold-Nether Scripture, had finally been mastered by Su Youwei simultaneously.

Su Youwei's bright eyes shone with joy as she gazed at the two distinct types of Origin Qi surging from her palms. A hint of excitement crossed her beautiful face, for she could clearly feel that with the cultivation of these two Origin Qi types, her strength would surge dramatically compared to before. Although she had previously entered the Nurturing Qi stage, her Origin Qi was merely rudimentary and lacked attributes or various special effects because her cultivation techniques were incomplete. Consequently, its power was significantly weaker.

"Clap, clap!"

As Su Youwei delightedly observed the two types of Origin Qi, applause suddenly reached her ears. She looked up and saw Zhou Yuan standing not far away, clapping with a smile.

"Your Highness," Su Youwei said with a slight smile.

"Congratulations, congratulations! Divine cultivation complete, unifying the world will be just around the corner!" Zhou Yuan teased.

Su Youwei cast a soft, enchanting glance at him, then raised her delicate hand and lightly scoffed, "Want to test its power?"

Zhou Yuan grinned. With Su Youwei's mastery of these two fourth-grade Origin Qi types, her combat power had undoubtedly skyrocketed. Even though she was only at the early Nurturing Qi stage, in a real fight, it would be difficult for even someone at the mid Nurturing Qi stage to defeat her. After all, two fourth-grade Origin Qi types with completely different attributes would be enough to give her opponents a severe headache. Therefore, when Su Youwei first entered the Nurturing Qi stage, Zhou Yuan was still confident he was no weaker than her. But now, he was likely no match for her, unless he could also enter the Nurturing Qi stage and use the aid of Genesis Runes to contend with her. Of course, this was assuming he had not yet cultivated the first level of the Ancestral Dragon Scripture, the "Heaven-Reaching Dark Python Qi."

"This Ancestral Dragon Scripture is truly difficult to cultivate." Thinking of this, Zhou Yuan couldn't help but sigh. The Genesis materials required for techniques like Su Youwei's Flame-Thunder Art and Cold-Nether Scripture, though numerous, could all be purchased with some Origin Crystals. This was why Su Youwei, relying on her talent, had managed to master them in just over ten days. But then he thought of himself, who hadn't even gathered all the Genesis materials yet. Compared to her, it was truly disheartening. Fortunately, his eighth meridian had become increasingly pliable with recent efforts, and he expected to fully open it soon.

"Let's go. We're setting off for Black Abyss today," Zhou Yuan said, reining in his thoughts and smiling at Su Youwei.

Su Youwei nodded slightly, quickly tidied herself, and then followed Zhou Yuan out of the General's Mansion.

Outside the General's Mansion, Wei Canglan was already waiting, and beside him stood the graceful Wei Qingqing, clad in soft red armor, a battle skirt, and battle boots. The slightly long battle boots accentuated Wei Qingqing's remarkably long and fair legs, making Zhou Yuan couldn't help but steal a couple of glances. Compared to the beauty of Su Youwei and Yaoyao, Wei Qingqing might have been slightly less striking, but her impressive long legs certainly added to her appeal, making her quite memorable.

Behind Wei Canglan and Wei Qingqing stood five figures, all exuding powerful Origin Qi fluctuations, clearly experts who had reached the Heavenly Gate stage. Further back was an elite team of about several dozen people, all at the Nurturing Qi stage. This force could be considered the most formidable power in Canglan Province. On the other side of Wei Canglan's group was the Imperial Army contingent, led by Lu Tieshan, comprising three Heavenly Gate stage experts and twenty Nurturing Qi stage individuals. The combined lineup of both sides was truly impressive.

"Your Highness, are you ready?" Wei Canglan asked with a smile upon seeing Zhou Yuan emerge.

Zhou Yuan nodded.

"In that case, let's depart," Wei Canglan declared, acting decisively as he waved his hand. As his command fell, both contingents moved with a roar, like a torrent, rushing out of the provincial city and speeding towards the Black Abyss.

Black Abyss, Black Venom City, City Lord's Mansion.

Inside the reception hall, a figure was seated. The familiar face belonged to Qi Hao, who had slipped away from Canglan Province a few days prior.

"Oh? Your Prince Qi's Mansion wants to cooperate with me?" A hoarse voice echoed in the hall. On the main seat, a black-robed middle-aged man sat with a half-smile. His nose was slightly pointed, and black markings adorned his face. Around him, wisps of black qi surged and swirled, emitting a faint, foul odor. This black-robed middle-aged man was none other than the infamous Black Venom King, City Lord of Black Venom City, whose notoriety spread throughout Black Abyss!

Facing the notorious Black Venom King, even Qi Hao felt a slight cold sweat on his forehead. However, he maintained his composure, immediately nodded, and cupped his fists, saying, "With the appearance of the ancient ruins in Black Abyss, the Great Zhou Imperial Family and Wei Canglan have already joined forces. Although Black Venom City dominates Black Abyss, it might struggle to stand alone. If you cooperate with our Prince Qi's Mansion, we can certainly inflict heavy losses on them."

"I'm not afraid of Wei Canglan," the Black Venom King chuckled, his eyes fixed on Qi Hao with a sinister gaze. "And do you really think I don't know that Zhou Qing hasn't come this time? As long as that Grand Prime stage expert isn't here, Wei Canglan can do nothing to me. So, you're merely here to use my power against Wei Canglan. If that's the case, show me your sincerity, or else..."

Feeling the black qi surge around the Black Venom King, Qi Hao paused, then stated gravely, "The Black Venom King must know that Wei Canglan considers you a thorn in his side and constantly wants to eliminate you. I imagine the Black Venom King also wants to resolve this major threat, right?"

The Black Venom King's eyes narrowed slightly. Wei Canglan, stationed in Canglan Province, constantly kept a close watch on Black Venom City's movements. Whenever they made a move, Wei Canglan immediately obstructed them. Over the years, this had indeed caused him a great deal of trouble, so the Black Venom King also regarded him as a major threat and always sought to eradicate him.

"As long as the Black Venom King helps our Prince Qi's Mansion obtain the 'Fire Spirit Sprout' this time, once our mansion overthrows the Imperial Family, Canglan Province will belong to Black Venom City."

"Oh?" The Black Venom King raised an eyebrow. "Are you so sure you can overthrow the Great Zhou Imperial Family?"

Qi Hao sneered, "Our Prince Qi's Mansion is backed by the Great Wu Dynasty. Does the Black Venom King truly believe that a decaying Great Zhou Imperial Family can contend with Great Wu?"

The Black Venom King was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "The Fire Spirit Sprout is also a valuable treasure for my Black Venom City."

Qi Hao calmly replied, "But Black Venom City cannot take this item. Otherwise, my Prince Qi's Mansion will not give up, and similarly, the Great Wu Dynasty behind us will not agree."

The Black Venom King scoffed at the first part of the statement, but when he heard "Great Wu Dynasty," his expression changed, and a strong sense of apprehension flashed in his eyes. After all, the current Great Wu Dynasty was unlike Great Zhou; its national fortune was flourishing, and it boasted numerous powerful experts, far beyond what his Black Venom City could rival. If he provoked Great Wu, he, the Black Venom King, would be nothing more than a stray dog. However, the Black Venom King was unaware that the current Great Wu Dynasty was embroiled in conflict with two other major dynasties and had no spare capacity to pay attention to their remote region.

The Black Venom King's eyes flickered. After a long moment, he slowly said, "I can cooperate with you."

Qi Hao was immediately overjoyed.

"However..." The Black Venom King paused, then coldly stated, "Canglan Province alone isn't enough to sway me. Therefore, I also want the two other provincial cities adjacent to Black Abyss."

Upon hearing this, Qi Hao's expression instantly changed. The entire Great Zhou only had thirteen provincial cities, and now the Black Venom King, in one gulp, wanted three provinces, including Canglan Province, which was almost a quarter of Great Zhou's territory. His appetite was truly ruthless.

"If you don't agree, then please leave," the Black Venom King said indifferently.

Qi Hao's eyes flickered, and finally, he gritted his teeth and said, "Alright, as long as the Black Venom King helps us obtain the 'Fire Spirit Sprout,' these three provincial cities will belong to Black Venom City in the future!"

Hearing this, a smile finally appeared on the Black Venom King's sinister face.

"In that case, Black Venom City will accept this deal."

Qi Hao secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He lifted his head, looked in the direction of distant Canglan Province, and a sinister glint flashed in his eyes.

"Zhou Yuan, don't think that just because you've won over Wei Canglan, you can become complacent. In this struggle for the ancient ruins, it's still uncertain who will emerge victorious!"