Chapter 379: Entering the Toxic Miasma

The mist demon’s goal seemed to be to claim this piece of Seven-Colored Profound Ice. How could it not have left a contingency behind on it? Taking it wouldn't be easy.

About fifteen minutes later, under everyone's nervous gaze, Xue Wanzhong finally groped his way to the center of the poisonous mist. That was where the Seven-Colored Profound Ice was.

Lu Xiunan's lips curled up at the corners. "Success!"

"It seems Xue Wanzhong is truly superior in skill!"

"It's incredible that he could endure such a terrifying poisonous mist for so long!"

He was immensely relieved that he had brought Xue Wanzhong, who possessed the bloodline of an ancient giant. Otherwise, solving the problems here would have been an indefinite task.

*Whoosh*—

Suddenly.

The center of the poisonous mist erupted like a volcano. A cloud of poisonous mist, so dense it was almost corporeal, suddenly gushed forth! It was over ten times denser than the surrounding mist! It was terrifyingly thick! As it spread, it quickly merged with the existing mist, causing the mist's concentration to skyrocket. Moments later, Xue Wanzhong's pained cry echoed.

Immediately after, his massive body came hurtling back along the black iron soft thread. The commotion he made was like a startled giant elephant. Soon after, Xue Wanzhong emerged from the poisonous mist. His appearance horrified everyone present. His entire body was covered in countless, densely packed decaying patches. Not an inch of his skin was intact.

Most terrifying of all were his hands. All flesh was gone, leaving only bloody bone claws. Had it not been for the protection of his ancient giant bloodline, even his bones would likely have corroded into dust.

As soon as he emerged, he lost all strength and collapsed onto the ground with a thud. A closer look revealed his eyes were glazed over; he had inhaled too much poisonous mist and was barely conscious. He had only managed to return by sheer willpower.

Lu Xiunan's face paled in alarm. He quickly pulled out a high-grade healing pill and put it into Xue Wanzhong's mouth. With this, Xue Wanzhong gradually regained consciousness, successfully saving his life.

"What happened?" Lu Xiunan asked, his voice filled with alarm and uncertainty.

Xue Wanzhong replied with difficulty, "Underneath that Seven-Colored Profound Ice, there was a mass of liquefied poisonous mist. The moment I moved it, it erupted. If I hadn't activated my ancient giant bloodline in time to block ninety percent of the mist, I'm afraid I would have been reduced to a puddle of blood."

"What?" Lu Xiunan fumed. "That damned mist demon!"

He looked again at the now several-times denser poisonous mist and asked, "Xie Liushu, do you still dare to go down?"

Xie Liushu looked slightly apprehensive. "I'll try," he replied. He swallowed several bottles of prepared anti-toxin elixirs, took a deep breath, and approached the edge of the poisonous mist. He extended a finger into it.

*Hiss, hiss, hiss*—

The sound of highly corrosive poison eating away at metal immediately rang out. Xie Liushu, as if shocked, quickly pulled his hand back. He gasped in pain. He saw his finger was corroded and bloody. Xie Liushu stumbled backward in fright, distancing himself from the poisonous mist. Still shaken, he exclaimed, "The toxicity of the poisonous mist has increased severalfold! I'm afraid I can't be of any further assistance!"

The Seven-Colored Profound Ice was indeed tempting, but one had to be alive to claim it! The mist, after its eruption, had far exceeded his endurance.

Lu Xiunan's face was grim. Xue Wanzhong was injured, and Xie Liushu was helpless. The poisonous mist had erupted again and was about to contaminate deeper levels of the mine.

"The sky is falling!" Lu Xiunan sighed, looking up. These mines were the source of thirty percent of the Supreme Sect's crystal stones! He dared not imagine what kind of upheaval the sect would face if news of the mines' destruction reached them! He, the elder dispatched to handle this matter, would be the first to bear the brunt. He would be held fully accountable! A crushing sense of impending doom made his vision blur and his steps falter.

Just then, a faint voice drifted to his ear: "I'll try."

Lu Xiunan steadied himself, and seeing it was Jiang Fan, the glimmer of hope that had just arisen in his eyes quickly faded. "If neither Xie Liushu nor Xue Wanzhong could do it, what makes you think you can?"

Jiang Fan said nothing. He walked straight to the edge of the poisonous mist, rolled up his sleeve, and extended his arm into it. A burning sensation spread through him. The poisonous mist seeped into his body through his pores, but before it could harm him, it was absorbed by the poison core within his body. A few seconds later, Jiang Fan withdrew his arm; it was still fair, without even a trace of burning.

"There shouldn't be any problem."

This sight made Lu Xiunan's aged eyes widen, and his immensely gloomy mood instantly transformed into wild joy. "You... you're so resistant to poison?"

Xie Liushu wore a ghost-like expression. "No way? Did this guy also cultivate poison arts?"

The injured Xue Wanzhong raised his head in astonishment, his bell-like eyes wide. "How could he be completely fine? Is my ancient giant bloodline inferior to his poison arts?"

The Supreme Sect outpost disciples, who had completely lost hope, all cheered. "There's still hope! Our mining area can still be saved!"

Lu Xiunan's face lit up with joy. He stepped forward in surprise and delight. "Jiang Fan, quickly, please retrieve that Seven-Colored Profound Ice. Once you take it away, the Seven-Colored Profound Ice is yours to keep!"

Jiang Fan, however, was not in a hurry. "Elder Lu," he said, "have you forgotten that I have two conditions? The Seven-Colored Profound Ice is just one."

Only then did Lu Xiunan remember Jiang Fan's other demand. That was, for the Supreme Sect to share half of its territory with the Azure Cloud Sect.

"That's impossible!" Lu Xiunan stated emphatically. "Even if I agreed, the Sect Master would never approve!"

Jiang Fan, with his hands behind his back, looked at the vast mining area being steadily eroded by the poisonous mist and said: "I, however, believe that if the Supreme Sect Master knew the current situation, he would definitely want you to agree. After all, between losing the entire mining area and losing only half, it's such a simple choice even a child could make."

This... Lu Xiunan hesitated.

Qin Wangchuan shook his head. "What a fool," he said. "Haven't you considered what fate awaits you back at the sect if you simply watch the entire mining area be destroyed?"

Lu Xiunan suddenly realized. He finally understood the core of the problem. Perhaps his unauthorized decision to cede half the territory would cause dissatisfaction within the sect. But if he clearly had the chance to save half the territory and failed to seize it, that would incite the sect's thunderous wrath. Which consequence was more severe was self-evident!

"Alright! I agree!"

Jiang Fan smiled faintly. He took out paper and a pen and immediately drafted the agreement. As the elder with full authority to handle the poisonous mist in the mining area, the Supreme Sect could not refuse to acknowledge an agreement signed by Lu Xiunan.

Once both parties had signed, Jiang Fan smiled faintly. "Wait for my good news!"

He grabbed one end of the black iron soft thread and tied it around his waist. Then, he subtly took out his Heavenly Silkworm Silk and tied one end to a stone. He dared not entrust his life to someone else's equipment. The Heavenly Silkworm Silk, having been thoroughly tested in real combat, was far more reliable.

With preparations complete, he leaped into the poisonous mist. The poisonous mist, which caused a burning pain to the skin, surged towards him. It penetrated everywhere: pores, mouth, nose, and ears! However, as they entered Jiang Fan's body, they were all absorbed by the poison core. Jiang Fan held the compass in his hand and walked swiftly, following the direction of its needle.

In just about seven or eight minutes, he successfully reached the center of the poisonous mist. He then saw the Seven-Colored Profound Ice that had been moved. It was only the size of a baby's head, round, and emitted an astonishingly intense chill. Streams of seven-colored poisonous mist continuously emanated from it. And in the Seven-Colored Profound Ice's original position, some liquefied seven-colored poisonous mist remained. That was how Xue Wanzhong had been afflicted earlier.

"Lucky me," Jiang Fan thought with a faint smile. He bent down to pick up the Seven-Colored Profound Ice. But the poisonous mist behind him suddenly began to swirl eerily. An irregular mass of poisonous mist abruptly extended a sharp claw, poised to violently stab Jiang Fan's back! It was silent and invisible. It gave Jiang Fan no time to react!