The Immortal’s Poison

Not long after Wen Leyang was brought to Shiwan Mountain by Hanba, Red Pot finally completed the process of dissolving the evil soul. The toad was an inherently special species that could completely understand a person’s thoughts after it refined its soul. Thanks to Red Pot, the few demon immortals learned about the enmity between Kong Nuer’s god-level body and Xiang Liu back in the day.

As she spoke, Zhui Zi suddenly stretched out her hand, knocked gently, and shattered the glacier ice spell that was used to freeze Red Pot.

Red Pot shivered comfortably. It raised its head and looked at Zhui Zi as it laughed, “So, have you figured out what happened?”

Zhui Zi shook her head, “I’m still going to freeze you in a while…”

Before she could finish her sentence, Red Pot grew impatient. It had only been a while and it was already frozen and thawed twice. Despite being a broiler, it would be infuriated. Zhui Zi did not acknowledge it but laughed as she pointed to the large group of listeners in front of her. She lowered her head and said to Red Pot, “The relationship between Kong Nuer and Xiang Liu is still better personally explained by you.” Zhui Zi then exchanged glances with Fei Fei.

Fei Fei understood that Zhui Zi was signaling her to analyze Red Pot’s words. She raised her chin and proudly smiled as if she understood the demon immortal’s intention.

Red Pot threw a tantrum for a long while, before speaking earnestly, “Xiang Liu and Kong Nuer are not good people at all; these two monsters are biting at one another. They are doing so because of the chaos’ egg on the wasteland!”

No one knew if this was a coincidence or a laborious effort, but the only chaos’ root system in between heaven and earth was found by Kong Nuer’s god-level body, which he then installed the reversed tower’s great formation. He had prompted his own split body into leading the Landhopper to the formation in order to absorb the strong life vitality force on his behalf.

Yet not long after that, the nine-headed Xiang Liu somehow found out. Xiang Liu’s sole intention was to turn heaven and earth back to the primitive ages, thus it was determined to acquire this chaos’ root system.

From then on, Xiang Liu was looking for Kong Nuer all over the world.

Kong Nuer hid for a while before he took the initiative to locate Xiang Liu.

As Red Pot was explaining, it soon immersed itself in the role. Even its tone changed as if it was imitating the two people who were having a conversation like they used to.

After Kong Nuer found Xiang Liu, he went straight to the point, “Giving you the chaos’ root system; there is no reason why it shouldn’t be this way!”

Xiang Liu had never thought Kong Nuer would deliver himself to Xiang Liu’s home. Secondly, it did not expect that he would speak in such a carefree manner. Its eighteen eyes were squinting all at once, as it sized him up and down from all directions, while all nine of its mouths were opened.

Goosebumps raised on Kong Nuer’s forehead, “After you have acquired the chaos’ root system, it will not be long before heaven and earth return to the period of chaotic times. If I were to do so, this is equal to digging my own grave!”

Xiang Liu still did not speak.

“That is why you ought to wait until I achieve mastery in my cultivation, and ascend to heaven as a flying immortal. Only then shall you acquire that chaos’ giant egg! By then, even though the heaven collapses and the earth cracks, it’s no business of mine.” Kong Nuer inhaled a deep breath of foul-smelling air before he continued, “Otherwise, my body may be in thousands of pieces, and you still won’t get the chaos’ root system!”

The water element head with the most tyrannical and aggressive temper amongst Xiang Liu’s nine heads could not refrain itself and spoke, “If you were to fail to cultivate into that state, my effort of waiting would be futile.”

Of course, Kong Nuer was no ordinary person. Under the nine strange snakeheads’ coiling, he maintained his composure and silence. After he heard Xiang Liu’s words, he suddenly laughed ever so loudly, “That’s why I am here to see you! You shall help me ascend to heaven as an immortal, and I will gift you the chaos!”

Amidst the loud rustling and hissing noises, Xiang Liu changed the positions of his nine snakeheads. The moon genus head with the mildest temperament revealed a smile, “What do you mean?”

Kong Nuer answered, “I’m cultivating in the power of heaven and earth in the profound Taoist magic. You shall help me look for a sun and moon genus monster, as I will have my own magic spell to seize his life vitality. It will take more than a thousand years’ time before I’ll be able to cross god’s punishment! When the god’s punishment cloud has arisen, I will gift you the chaos’ giant egg, and from then on, we would not owe each other anything anymore.”

The rest of the event was after a series of scheming and plotting. The two old demons finally reached an agreement based on Kong Nuer’s plan.

As it spoke, Kong Nuer once again broke into curses. Just by depending on its cultivation base back in the years, Kong Nuer was no match for it. It was useless even if he knew about Red Pot’s weaknesses, so it turned out everything was secretly directed by Xiang Liu, who constantly informed Kong Nuer about Red Pot’s whereabouts, leading to its capture.

Even the location of Desert Rebel Mountain was also forcefully molded into the shape of the magic formation on a stretch of wasteland, according to Kong Nuer’s request, by Xiang Liu who exhausted the power from its true body!

Of course, Xiang Liu was not foolish either. It dared to make a deal with Kong Nuer without being afraid to be cheated by him. It set down a few heavy prohibition spells on Kong Nuer’s body in succession, and from then on, it could control Kong Nuer’s movements at any time. It would only need to cast a magic spell in order to make Kong Nuer return to its side.

In Xiang Liu’s perception, everything was according to a smooth process, yet there was one day, when it suddenly discovered that it had forgotten many things. The feeling was extremely horrible as it apparently knew that there were certainly some incidents that took place in the recent few decades. But alas, it could never remember what those incidents were, regardless.

At that moment, Red Pot suddenly croaked and laughed strangely, “This bugger, Kong Nuer’s heart was as dirty as sewerage, yet his magic spell was indeed amazing! He managed to cast a prohibition spell for each of Xiang Liu’s ten souls unknowingly and surprisingly! The nine-headed monster did not even realize when it was cast with the spell!”

Kong Nuer was skilled in the Art of Soul; he was also aided by the mighty power of the tremendous force from the chaos’ root. Even though he was not strong enough to become Xiang Liu’s enemy, to launch a peculiar trick in secret to entrap Xiang Liu was not necessarily an impossible task.

Wen Leyang turned around and peered at Fei Fei. She spoke to him softly, “Everything that it said is the truth.”

Red Pot had already cast off from its role; it continued to laugh and commented, “Kong Nuer knew that it was not right for him to hide like that and that sooner or later, Xiang Liu would find him one day, so he immediately set down a trap that not only sealed Xiang Liu’s memories but also received the power of a primitive monster. Heh-heh, he was really remarkable!”

Wen Leyang was at a loss of whether to cry or laugh. Red Pot’s words were truly and sufficiently carefree. It was as if it was not the one that was suppressed by Kong Nuer at the time.

After Kong Nuer succeeded in his plan, the situation was truly at peace for a while. Until that point, First Brother and Second Brother were already used to the situation, while Third Brother was arranged to search for the nine genera of master cultivators by him.

Xiang Liu was a monster that lived and died with heaven and earth. Kong Nuer’s soul seal was incisive, but he was incapable of completely sealing the monster’s memories for eternity. This meant that with everything that happened and the agreement with Kong Nuer would be remembered by Xiang Liu, sooner or later.

While Kong Nuer was thinking hard and finally found a way to suppress Xiang Liu, he instructed the Third Brother to start preparing for the Black and White Island’s demon-suppressing great formation.

Wen Leyang knew about everything that happened afterward. It was only until two thousand years ago when Tuo Xie was visiting the Black and White Island, that the true soul regained its memories. It sent Tuo Xie to the Desert Rebel Mountain instantly.

No matter the incident, as long as Kong Nuer was involved, it would certainly be filled with layers of conspiracies and schemes that shocked the heavens. Kong Nuer would then receive an enormous benefit from his doings, and even though Wen Leyang was mentally prepared beforehand, he was still terrified upon learning about it.

Not only were Kong Nuer’s god-level body and split body cunning to the greatest extent, but they were also extremely bold. The god-level body dared to scheme against Xiang Liu, while the split body was even more sinister. He first died then resurrected, seized the abode twice, and finally turned himself into the god level body.

After Red Pot was done speaking about the event, it bulged its eyes as it looked at Zhui Zi; its gaze more piteous than Zhui Zi’s.

Zhui Zi felt uneasy from being stared at by Red Pot, “Tell us about what you’ve been bustling about for the past few years then.”

It was unknown if it was injustice or excitement. Red Pot croaked twice in a peculiar manner, before speaking to the rest of the people, “Ever since Zhui Zi brought back the Centipede Grass, the group each performed its parts. Even though my cultivation power was restored in a piteously meager amount, my skin and bones that were forged from the essence of the sun and moon were very sturdy, moreover…” As it spoke, Red Pot laughed again, “My ability in swimming is not bad either. For the past few years, I was specially tasked with the responsibility to monitor the movements on the Black and White Island.”

The rest of the people laughed. The Black and White Island was located overseas, and it was a tough job for Red Pot to swim for half a month before it could enter the island every time.

Red Pot turned around and looked towards Zhui Zi again. It asked softly, “I’m done speaking of the Black and White Island. Am I going to be frozen again?”

Zhui Zi shook her head, “No, I still have some questions for you.”

“Goodness gracious, all of you have not seen the situation on the Black and White Island now. The place is shaking every day. Loud noises and enormous quakes happen continuously, but according to my judgment, if Xiang Liu were to completely struggle free from its entrapment, it would take more than just a day or two. He would still need another few decades.” Red Pot was nodding like a see-saw; it became high spirited again, “Two of the heaven’s cone nails were broken, but Xiang Liu lost a true soul and two evil souls. Also, it was trapped for thousands of years and had only half a life left. That is why it’s incapable of breaking the rest of the cone nails right now.”

The moment Red Pot was done speaking, Zhui Zi dipped her finger and used her ice spell to seal the toad without honoring her promise.

Zhui Zi dared not look at Red Pot’s gaze that was penetrating through the ice. She hastily stuffed the ice block to Chang Li, while Fei Fei asserted her authority by revealing the result, “Everything that Red Pot said was the truth!” She then shook her head and laughed, “But I made the judgment through its voice. The result may not be that accurate, but it is still a toad nonetheless, so I may not necessarily be correct.”

Wen Leyang was pondering over Red Pot’s statement earlier. While he spoke, “There is no way for us to judge the past events, however… to take a look on the Black and White Island, that is not considered a difficult task.”

The First Uncle, Wen Thai, immediately added, “The most urgent matter now is to visit the Black and White Island, in case the monster struggles free now, we can still be prepared for that! I don’t know if Red Pot’s words are to be trusted, but if the monster were to struggle free from its entrapment, the Nine Peaks Mountain will be in great trouble!”

The relationship between Xiang Liu’s ten souls was deep and profound. With the enmity of Wen Leyang for killing the true soul, it was afraid that the souls would hate him a little more than Kong Nuer who suppressed them for thousands of years. Even though Xiang Liu only had seven heads left now, it was easier to be dealt with than it was in the beginning, but even for a one-legged lion, it would not be difficult for it to kill a rabbit.

Amongst the group of people, the person who was most suited to investigate Xiang Liu on the Black and White Island was no one else but Zhui Zi. She was suppressing the demon on the Black and White Island for thousands of years and was familiar with everything there, including a grain of sand and rock. So this errand would be well-handled by her regardless.

Wen Leyang wished to join Zhui Zi on this trip, as firstly, he was trapped alive in the ghost formation for four years. Now that he finally returned to the mortal world, he wanted to personally participate in all sorts of events. Otherwise, he would feel uneasy. Secondly, he was the real enemy for Xiang Liu. No one could declare the exact situation on the Black and White Island now; perhaps the nine-headed monster had already struggled free. Wen Leyang could not and refused to allow Zhui Zi to risk her life alone.

The few demon immortals seemed to be doing nothing for the past few years; they appeared to be idling on the Nine Peaks Mountain, yet after their laborious efforts were finally revealed, the people in the Wen family understood very well in their hearts, despite not voicing it out. How could they allow Zhui Zi to go to this unusually dangerous place under heaven alone?

Mumu, little Chi Maojiu and the rest wished to go too, but the whereabouts of the descendants of the heaven’s cone nails remained unknown. The Nine Peaks Mountain needed master cultivator’s protection. On the other hand, Zhui Zi’s embodiment of true water was also incapable of shielding too many people. It would only be more inconvenient if too many people were to go. In the end, they debated for a long while, and the decision for Zhui Zi and Wen Leyang to travel together was made.

Four days later, Liu Zheng’s severe injuries were healed with the miraculous effect of the Centipede Grass. He would only need to recuperate quietly for a period of time before he could be recovered, while Darling Little Five too made a call, and was informed that Hanba had already met her. They were on the way to return to the Nine Peaks Mountain and would arrive in the village in less than a few days. Wen Leyang and Zhui Zi packed light, joined hands, and rushed to the Black and White Island.

In case of emergency, Zhui Zi too intentionally brought along two pieces of Centipede Grass’ leaves.

The guests from the Temple of Great Mercy, Eyang Sect, One Word Palace and the rest had already dispersed by now. Old Gu was also burdened by his official affairs and had since left the village, while the siblings Fei Fei and Xiao Sha stayed behind. When they were sending off Wen Leyang from the mountain, Fei Fei asked Zhui Zi softly, “There is still one more matter that Xiao Sha and I could not figure out all along. Is Liu Zheng’s master teacher the descendant of the Black and White Island?”

Before Third Brother seized the abode back in those years, other than gathering a group of strong and powerful cultivators, he also passed down a lineage of disciples. When the Black and White Island’s great formation was completed, he sent his disciples to the island to guard the great formation. The three enlightened persons with the ‘Tian’ name-generation were all Kong Nuer’s disciples and disciple’s disciples.

Judging by this, not only was there no enmity between Liu Zheng and Kong Nuer, they were even a little related. Yet in the past few years, Liu Zheng had been playing a part in the effort to look for the descendants of the heaven’s cone nails all along. He had chosen his side, obviously.

Amongst the few demon immortals, Zhui Zi had the most intimate relationship to Liu Zheng. She chuckled softly upon hearing that, “Liu Zheng was acting in defiance on behalf of his three teachers. Tian Yin and Tian Shu lived in seclusion on the Black and White Island because they wanted to guard the heaven in solitary, not only because of Kong Nuer’s selfishness.”

Fei Fei answered in agreement. She did not inquire anymore, but turned around and looked towards Wen Leyang, before diverting the topic of their conversation, “Xiao Sha and I have been discussing Red Pot’s situation for the past few days. We have an indistinct thought, but we will still need to find out about the situation on the Black and White Island if it matches Red Pot’s description.”

Xiao Sha’s expression was peculiar and strange, “It better not be the same. If it is, there is no way for us to explain anymore!”

Wen Leyang burst out laughing, “We shall discuss further when we have returned!” He did not waste time making small talk, but waved his hand and bode farewell to his family members soon after he launched his movements. He then left with Zhui Zi by his side.

The Black and White Island was located on the outside of the East China Sea. Their journey was arranged well by the siblings, Fei Fei and Xiao Sha, through Old Gu’s relationship with others. Hence, there was no need for them to worry about anything. Zhui Zin and Wen Leyang chatted and laughed all the way. Wen Leyang was still feeling eager in his heart, for the driver who was sent by Old Gu to them was utterly unaffected by their flirtatious feelings. He stepped onto the accelerator desperately, honked and blared the police siren at each car that blocked their path; he was very majestic-looking.

Zhui Zi watched with glowing eyes. She giggled as she said to Wen Leyang, “After Xiang Liu and Kong Nuer’s matter has been solved, perhaps I should work for Gu Xiaojun? He seemed to be a very domineering person.”

Wen Leyang had yet to speak, when the driver suddenly turned around, “Sounds good!” He was about to report to Gu Xiaojun that Zhui Zi wanted to join the gang…

Wen Leyang attempted to ask about the possible situations that would take place on the Black and White Island along the way. Zhui Zi laughed as she shook her head, “We shall discuss this after we have arrived on the island. In the meantime, don’t ruin our cheeky banter!”

Two days later, Wen Leyang and Zhui Zi boarded a fishing boat that appeared old and broken, but was still very functional, on a pier on Qingdao. The boat traveled towards the east continuously under Zhui Zi’s guidance. This was the first time Wen Leyang sailed out to the sea on a boat properly; he was in an extremely good mood. Zhui Zi on the other hand had changed her mind. She decided not to become a police officer with Old Gu but said that after the matter was settled, she would buy a fishing boat and become a boat captain.

Ever since they sailed out to the sea, the weather was extremely good. The wind was warm and the waves were gentle, the sea was green and the sky was blue, while the boat sailed in a steady and speedy manner. Eleven days later, Zhui Zi suddenly instructed for the boat to stop.

The boat’s captain working for Gu Xiaojun looked at the boundless blue waves before his eyes and was slightly puzzled, “Are we here? Where is the island?”

Zhui Zi was a little frustrated, “It’s still far away, but this boat cannot cross the sea anymore.” As she was saying that, she picked up a metal pail that was hung on the boat’s rail conveniently, raised her hand, and tossed it.

Wen Leyang and the boat captain stood gazing at one another. No one knew what Zhui Zi was trying to do. Just as the metal pail rolled with the waves all the way, when it was about to glide out of the edge of their sight, an enormous vortex was formed abruptly. It sucked the pail that was floating on the water, and soon after, a muffled sound that was filled with saltiness and fishiness echoed. The sea regained its prior calmness once again.

The boat’s captain was staring in bewilderment. If the vortex earlier were to approach the side of his boat, it would certainly be dragged down into the vortex.

Zhui Zi grabbed hold of Wen Leyang’s shoulder, “The Black and White Island’s surroundings are cast with powerful prohibition spells; ordinary people who trespass the area will only end up dead. Let’s go!” Her body floated gently. Wen Leyang did not even hesitate to breathe in and lightened his body. He allowed her to pull him along as he jumped towards the surface of the sea. Zhui Zi was a water element demon immortal, and if she were to bring him along and jump into the sea to drown, there was truly no manifestation of heaven’s will in this world.

As expected, the moment Zhui Zi jumped up, the surface of the sea surged. Where their gaze touched, countless waves that were rolling with silver lining parted into two, akin to the lotus seat under the bodhisattva tree that firmly supported them. Zhui Zi raised her charming chin at Wen Leyang. She was just like a proud little girl when she led Wen Leyang towards the depth of the sea.

Wen Leyang could feel that the surface beneath his feet was firm and sturdy; it was just like walking on the ground. The surface underneath his feet did not feel like a boundless great sea at all.

The boat’s captain only knew that the organization assigned him to ferry these people, yet he did not expect his passengers to actually be a demon. He stood on the boat with his eyes filled with fear. After half a minute, he reacted to the situation and he roared loudly towards Zhui Zi, “We will be waiting for you here. Do return soon!”

Zhui Zi did not even turn around as she waved her hand towards the boat’s captain and shouted, “I shall gift you some fishes!” She pinched her hand into the magic conjuration gesture, and several muffled thumps were suddenly heard from the boat. Dozens of huge fishes jumped onto the fishing boat in a splutter. Wen Leyang burst out laughing towards Zhui Zi, “I still think that you’re better off working on a fishing boat.”

Zhui Zi pouted her lips, “This boat is too small. There are still some bigger fishes that I dare not catch as gifts!” Thunderous water noises then echoed from their back, revealing a hideous giant fish that was no smaller than a small island. It was covered in blisters and was suddenly lifted out from the depth of the sea by Zhui Zi’s magic spell.

In comparison, the fishing boat was akin to a toy. The boat captain sat onto the deck out of surprise and squalled towards Zhui Zi from afar, “Send back the Dragon King, quick!”

Zhui Zi was laughing with joy. With a bang, she tossed the sea monster to the far end at her side. Her little hand firmly grasped onto Wen Leyang’s wrist, as she laughed and reminded, “We have reached the prohibition spell. Hold your breath and calm your nerves, I shall deal with this myself!”

Wen Leyang had yet to answer to her when the seawater underneath his feet suddenly shook. The sounds of roaring that was rippling with thousands of tons of water pressure surged out from the surface of the sea aggressively and shattered the warm sunlight that covered the sky in a flash. Soon after, giant waves as huge as the mountain took form at the edge of their sight, just like a large group of primitive mammoths. The waves then surged towards them wildly within the sound of their howls!

The thundering sound of water filled the heaven and earth to its brink, akin to the sound of war drums used by the Dragon King to gather his soldiers that shattered the sea, the sky, as well as causing the sun to cower in fear.

Zhui Zi was still laughing, and her pitch-black pupils were blooming with brightness and excitement. She walked faster. Soon, the giant river-like monstrous waves approached them closer and closer, while the waves that were condensed underneath her feet finally moved. With Zhui Zi’s magic conjuration gesture, the waves were glimmering with silver radiance. It was as tyrannical as the ice blades, as graceful as the lotus that only bloomed once before wilting, and one that firmly cut into the boundless murky waves, sweeping through everything in a flash!