Chapter 308: Soul Poison

A Whirlwind Across the Nine Provinces

"If the symptoms aren't obvious, how can you be sure the poison is potent?"

"Zhao Li said Lu Ye was the one who figured it out."

"Tell them to return to the main sect at once!"

"We've already sent word to them."

At the Heavenly Esoteric Sect's outpost, Lu Ye watched Zhao Li at the table, seeing two streams of fresh blood flow from his nostrils. He suddenly turned and punched Ju Jia's nose.

The punch was powerful, and Ju Jia was a little stunned, staring at Lu Ye with a puzzled expression before nosebleeds began to trickle from his nostrils.

"Punch me," Lu Ye told Ju Jia.

Ju Jia scratched his head, then mumbled, "No."

Lu Ye was speechless. He could only slam his head onto the table in front of him. Stars instantly burst before his eyes. He looked up again and sniffed.

Zhao Li was somewhat disoriented, his voice weak. "Brother Yi Ye, what are you doing?"

"To your Heavenly Esoteric Sect's main sect!" Lu Ye called out to Ju Jia as he spoke.

Ju Jia calmly stood up and lifted the unsteady Zhao Li.

"Lift me up too," Lu Ye quickly shouted.

"Oh."

Ju Jia hoisted Lu Ye onto his shoulder and strode towards the Heavenly Esoteric Sect's Heavenly Secret Hall. Along the way, Heavenly Esoteric Sect disciples who saw this scene were bewildered. However, news quickly spread that the guests from the Blood Fiend Sect, along with their garrison commander Zhao Li, were all severely poisoned.

The numerous Heavenly Esoteric Sect disciples erupted in an uproar, finally understanding why the outpost had suddenly been sealed off and why there was a sweep to check who was not present within the outpost.

Lu Ye had only just arrived at the Heavenly Esoteric Sect's outpost when he was poisoned. The culprit was clearly a Heavenly Esoteric Sect disciple, someone who had access to the food.

Such a matter would not be difficult to investigate, so the person who secretly administered the poison would certainly not be able to hide. To survive, they would only have to leave the Heavenly Esoteric Sect's outpost as quickly as possible.

Anyone who had access to the food and left the outpost within an hour would be the poisoner.

However, no one had expected that Lu Ye's talent tree could burn away toxins, allowing him to detect it immediately. This meant that the person who acted secretly had not anticipated being exposed so quickly. Therefore, if the Heavenly Esoteric Sect acted quickly enough, there was still a chance to apprehend the escapee.

Lu Ye was only thankful for one thing at the moment: Amber only ate raw meat and had not consumed anything from the table.

From Zhao Li and Ju Jia's reactions, the weaker the physique, the stronger the reaction to the poison. That was why Ju Jia appeared unbothered. But once the poison fully erupted, Ju Jia's endurance was uncertain.

Most likely, he wouldn't be able to withstand it. Since the Myriad Demon Ridge had already made its move, they would surely ensure no loose ends.

Lu Ye and Zhao Li had already formed an alliance, and Lu Ye had previously accepted Ju Jia as a probationary disciple of the Blood Fiend Sect. Therefore, even though neither of them originated from the Heavenly Esoteric Sect, they could still use the Heavenly Esoteric Sect's Heavenly Secret Pillars to enter the main sect.

Upon their arrival at the main sect, the senior members of the Heavenly Esoteric Sect, who had already received the news, were all waiting under the leadership of Yu Xiao. Their expressions were so grim they looked as if they could drip water.

Something happening to someone from the Blood Fiend Sect on their own territory meant they were undeniably at fault. If Lu Ye were to die in the Heavenly Esoteric Sect, they wouldn't know how to explain it to the Blood Fiend Sect.

The Heavenly Esoteric Sect had medical cultivators ready. A short while later, the three were settled in a room, each attended by a dedicated medical cultivator.

By this point, Zhao Li's condition was very dire. He continuously vomited blood and looked extremely weak. The medical cultivator treating him was in a frantic state.

Ju Jia also showed some reactions, but his symptoms were not as severe as Zhao Li's.

As for Lu Ye, he tilted his head and fainted as soon as he arrived at the Heavenly Esoteric Sect's main sect.

The medical cultivator assigned to him examined him carefully, then raised her eyebrows.

Things were a bit complicated.

She continued her diagnosis for a moment, confirming she wasn't mistaken, before rising and approaching Yu Xiao, whispering a few words.

Yu Xiao looked surprised and whispered, "Are you certain?"

The female medical cultivator, a True Lake Realm Third Stage cultivator, nodded. "Certain."

Yu Xiao had great trust in his medical cultivator's skills. She could be said to be the most skilled medical cultivator in the entire Heavenly Esoteric Sect; no one else compared.

Dispatching their most skilled medical cultivator to treat Lu Ye showed the Heavenly Esoteric Sect's considerable effort.

"Then go look after Zhao Li," Yu Xiao instructed, exhaling deeply while simultaneously worrying about his own disciple.

However, he was still a Sect Master, and he quickly understood Lu Ye's intention. He didn't expose him, allowing him to lie there.

Time passed, and as the medical cultivators worked, Zhao Li's condition slowly stabilized. As for Ju Jia, his reactions were initially not too severe.

By the time the night passed, Zhao Li's breathing had completely stabilized, indicating that his life was out of danger, but he remained unconscious. Not only him, but Ju Jia had also fallen asleep.

The female medical cultivator approached Yu Xiao and reported, "Sect Master, the toxins in their bodies have been removed."

"So they're fine?" Yu Xiao breathed a sigh of relief. Zhao Li had remarkable talent and a sharp mind, otherwise he wouldn't have become a garrison commander. It would be a great loss if he were to perish like this.

The female medical cultivator said, "Logically speaking, they should be fine. But judging from their current reactions, I suspect..."

"Suspect what?"

"I suspect the poison doesn't just affect the physical body; it primarily targets the soul." This was also why the medical cultivators were able to remove the bodily toxins so easily.

Yu Xiao's expression instantly became serious. "Are you certain?"

The female medical cultivator glanced at Zhao Li and Ju Jia, who were lying there. "Seventy percent!"

"This is troublesome."

Poisons that target the soul are the most difficult to resolve. If the poisoned individual were a Divine Sea Realm cultivator, it would be manageable; at that level of cultivation, the power of the soul can be directly manifested, making detoxification easier. However, Divine Sea Realm grand cultivators would not easily fall victim to such poisons.

Zhao Li and Ju Jia were only Spirit Stream Realm cultivators. While they possessed their own souls, it was an innate power; their cultivation level was insufficient to freely activate it, thus preventing them from cooperating with the medical cultivators for detoxification. Both were currently in a deep slumber, making any cooperation out of the question.

The Myriad Demon Ridge had gone to the extent of using a hidden operative to target Lu Ye, clearly with great confidence. Once that unknown poison was released, it left the Heavenly Esoteric Sect's medical cultivators helpless.

"Sect Master, if we don't find a solution, the greatest possibility is that they will slowly die in their sleep. That Ju Jia might last ten days to half a month, but Zhao Li should not live beyond two days."

The female medical cultivator's words clearly implied that their medical skills were limited, and they were helpless in the current situation.

"Both are at the Ninth Stage, why is there such a huge difference between Zhao Li and the others?" Yu Xiao frowned. Both were poisoned, yet one couldn't survive two days while the other could last ten days to half a month. The disparity was too obvious.

The female medical cultivator shook her head. "I'm not quite sure, but judging solely by the symptoms, Ju Jia is clearly much less affected. Perhaps his soul is naturally stronger than others."

As she spoke, she couldn't help but glance at Lu Ye, who was lying there.

While Ju Jia's situation could be attributed to a naturally strong soul, what about this one? When they were treating Zhao Li, Zhao Li had told them that this Lu Yi Ye also drank the poisoned wine and ate a few bites of food, so he should have been poisoned as well.

"Elder Bai," Yu Xiao turned to his Grand Elder, "Please quickly set up a Soul Nurturing Array and place them inside."

Since a strong soul had an inhibitory effect on the poison, they needed to find a way to strengthen their souls. Although a Soul Nurturing Array was quite costly and wouldn't show significant results in the short term, there was no time to worry about that now.

"I'll go at once," Bai Qian said, turning to leave.

"In Misty Province, which medical cultivator do you think can cure this poison?" Yu Xiao asked the female medical cultivator.

The medical cultivator thought for a moment, then sadly shook her head. "Although there are medical cultivators in Misty Province with higher skills than mine, curing this poison might not be something that can be resolved by skill alone. Perhaps..."

"Perhaps what?"

"Has the Sect Master forgotten? The Blood Fiend Sect itself has a top-tier medical cultivator."

Yu Xiao thought for a moment, then suddenly realized. He quickly said, "I'll send a message to Elder Tang at once."

He had been somewhat flustered before. Since this involved a Blood Fiend Sect disciple, he should have messaged Elder Tang immediately.

A message was sent, and a reply soon came. Yu Xiao was slightly surprised, because Elder Tang was already on the way, and was even bringing Senior Sister Shui Yuan.

Yu Xiao turned to look at Lu Ye, who was lying on the bed, realizing this must be Lu Ye's doing. Otherwise, there was no reason for those two from the Blood Fiend Sect to arrive so quickly.

Waving his hand, he dismissed everyone else, leaving only himself.

"Young friend Lu," Yu Xiao called out softly.

Lu Ye, who had been "unconscious" since arriving at the Heavenly Esoteric Sect's main sect, opened his eyes, slowly got up, and bowed. "Sect Master Yu."

His feigned unconsciousness might fool others, but it certainly wouldn't deceive the female medical cultivator who had examined him. She would definitely not conceal such a matter from Yu Xiao. Now that Yu Xiao had remained alone, it was clear he had something to say to him.

"Elder Tang and Senior Sister Shui Yuan are already on their way and should arrive within half a day."

Although Bing Province and Misty Province were far apart, the speed of Divine Sea Realm grand cultivators flying through the air was very fast. Lu Ye had sent a message, and the Sect Master and Second Senior Sister immediately set off, so it naturally wouldn't take long for them to arrive.

"You must have heard what I just said," Yu Xiao turned to look at Zhao Li, who was beside them. "Zhao Li may have had selfish reasons for inviting you, but he certainly had no intention of harming you. It was just unexpected that our sect harbored a hidden operative from the Myriad Demon Ridge, causing you and young friend Ju Jia to suffer this calamity. Our sect..."

Lu Ye raised a hand to stop him. "Sect Master Yu, there's no need to say more. I already understand the situation. As the saying goes, it's hard to guard against a thief from within your own home. This is something no one wants to see."

Yu Xiao nodded. "It's best that young friend can think this way. This Sect Master has a request."

"Don't worry, Senior Sister Shui Yuan won't take her anger out on the Heavenly Esoteric Sect. Brother Zhao and I also hit it off. When Senior Sister Shui Yuan arrives, I will ask her to treat Brother Zhao."