The Immortal’s Poison

Ever since he stepped into the cultivation world, Wen Leyang had heard of the words ‘spirit possession’ many times now. He had a fantasy-like understanding of ‘spirit possession’– that his soul was a ‘little person’ who spent his days sitting in his brain, controlling every action and thought, and one day an even stronger ‘little being’ came from the outside, and kicked away the initial ‘little being’, taking its place…

 This understanding was not considered incorrect; it was true for the ordinary cultivators – that ‘little being sitting in their brains’, was precisely the cultivator’s primordial spirit or primordial soul.

 Cultivators could never cultivate into heaven’s path by merely feeding on uncooked five grains and coarse cereal. That was why they attempted to absorb the energy scattered in between heaven and the earth.

 If one were to attempt to stop feeding on steamed buns and absorb spirit primordial energy instead, one would still need to first survive starvation. The first step was to gain complete and all-rounded control of one’s body. Not only should one be able to move one’s limbs, blink one’s eyes and speak, one should also be able to control one’s heartbeat, blood flow, the metabolism of one’s internal organs and more. Only by exercising complete control of one’s body, one would be able to change the order of one’s circulation and metabolism, and gradually change the body’s primary driving mode from steamed buns to spirit primordial energy.

 To accomplish the first step, first of all, one would need to possess a different spirit power and perception power, from those of ordinary people. An ordinary person is neither able to sense the digestion in his stomach nor the hormone secretion in his adrenal glands. There is no way an ordinary person would be able to control or change it.

 Even after the primary driving mode was reformed, one would also need to find, or perhaps sense the existence and vibration of the Spirit Primordial Energy of the world. Otherwise, one would still need to revert to one’s mode before starving to death… That was why the cultivator still needed sufficient spirit power and perception power, to be able to exercise control over one’s body, all while simultaneously sensing and searching for the energy scattered in between heaven and the earth.

 This form of spiritual power and perception power was precisely the so-called ‘root of wisdom’. Since the beginning of time, it was always the seniors and master teachers who went searching for disciples for their cultivation sects, without opening their gates to recruit them. That was because the ‘root of wisdom’ was hard to find.

 Other than Tuo Xie’s lineage, all the cultivators under heaven would need to go through all sorts of tests, to pursue the ‘root of wisdom’ that continuously grew stronger.

 Once there was the ‘root of wisdom’, one could effectively exercise control, reform the body, and find the Spirit Primordial Energy that was necessary for cultivation. After the Spirit Primordial Energy was absorbed into the body, it would allow the ‘root of wisdom’ to grow even stronger. One could then go one step further and reform the body. The ‘root of wisdom’ would grow stronger and stronger, and the body would become more and more accustomed to the use of Spirit Primordial Energy as its driving force.

 When one’s spirit power and perception power were sufficiently strong, the ‘root of wisdom’ would gradually exist in the state between virtual, in-between-virtual and reality. The root of wisdom too would be refined into the so-called primordial spirit.

 In simpler words, the ‘root of wisdom’ and primordial spirit, were only different in terms of versions; the latter was the former’s upgraded version. However, regardless of versions, the spirit power and perception power were the foundation that allowed a cultivator to exercise control over his body. It was more of its foundation in the pursuit of heaven’s path, and that was the ‘little person’ sitting in the brain in Wen Leyang’s imagination.

 The true soul was a special yet strong Primordial Spirit born with heaven and earth, capable of seizing a profound cultivator or a demon immortal’s dharma body. In conclusion, it depended on a good asset that was gifted by the chaotic world in prehistoric times.

 However, Wen Leyang’s cultivation method was turning his human body into a saint. He only prioritized in strengthening his body and had never bothered to pursue the cultivation of primordial spirit all along. There was never a ‘little being’ in his brain, and he insisted that his spirit, thoughts, and body were whole, akin to salt melting in water. If the true soul truly wanted to wipe away his thoughts, killing him would be the only option. Wen Leyang too had no way of coming close to being like the primordial spirit of the enlightened person, Tian Yin, back then. He was incapable of assuming a fighting stance and instead, urged his soul power to fight with the ‘little being’ from the outside.

 As long as this body still existed, Wen Leyang and the true soul were helpless against one another.

 Whether the real Wen Leyang was dead or alive, the true soul could not care less. He understood that despite the strength of Wen Leyang’s cultivation method, he was after all, still an ordinary person. The true soul could easily gain control of this body; leaving Wen Leyang with no chance to even cause any trouble.

 Wen Leyang was completely unable to feel any sensation in his body at that point. Even when he was stabbed with the icicle, it was also the true soul that was clenching its teeth in pain, as opposed to Wen Leyang, who only felt nothing but numbness.

 The icicles that covered the entire sky were howling sharply and coldly, while the dragon-shaped, bony Ning Jiao was hissing and roaring. Zhui Zi and the true soul fought and made a huge mess.

 Chang Li and Hanba were already severely injured; they did not even have the strength to conjure the Demon Body Breaking spell once more. Little Five’s cultivation base was utterly futile in assisting them, as she could only hold on to her Mourning Staff anxiously. Qin Zhui balled up his fists tightly and clenched his teeth in rage, as he glared at his master teacher.

 The golden monkey’s expression was extremely unpleasant. It hesitated for a moment before suddenly stretching out its hand to pull Qin Zhui up. It leaped at lightning speed and ran out of the Wen family village. Qin Zhui bawled loudly in rage, while the golden monkey did not stop moving. It shouted alarmingly, “Shut up! Wen Leyang cannot be saved…”

 Qian Ren had yet to fully recover from its severe injuries, and there was only ten or twenty percent of its life vitality left. Even so, Qin Zhui still had no room for struggling within its hand. He spoke defiantly in rage, “We can’t just stand aside and watch his body be conquered by the true soul! Even if we had to kill that young lad, it would be fair considering the friendship between us!”

 Qian Ren was burning with rage. It raised its hand ferociously but did not seem willing to muster a slap in the end. It heaved a dull sigh, “What will happen after Wen Leyang is killed? The true soul will then choose the next person to possess once again. Then, will you and I be killing the next person together? If we were to kill our way to the end, who will be the last person to be killed? The last person will still be the true soul! We will only be sacrificing lives for nothing!”

 Qin Zhui was stunned for a moment; there was no way he could refute the monkey’s words, yet he could not suppress the rage that filled his heart. Regardless, he broke out in curses on his own accord.

 Qian Ren’s gaze was sinister; it did not utter a word after that. It held on to Qin Zhui and moved without stopping. It leaped in the Nine Peaks Mountain faster than the speed of light and immediately vanished into the vast and boundless mountain.

 Qian Ren was right – Guo Huan was suspended in midair, muttering and cursing to itself. Yin’s Error and Yang’s Mistake were spinning around wildly as if the weapons were thrashing about in a rage, yet they did not join the battle the entire time. There was only Zhui Zi, who paid no attention to this trick, as there was only one intention in her heart. Wen Leyang could only be Wen Leyang. He could die, yet he could never be someone else!

 The true soul, on the other hand, was not in a hurry. Zhui Zi’s offensive attack came surging continuously. It was beneficial for him to familiarize himself with this new body.

 Wen Leyang’s cultivation method was special – he had a swift response and his body was coordinated to a great extent. The more the true soul became familiarized with his body, the happier it was. While he was fighting ferociously with Zhui Zi, he spoke with a smile, “Two days ago, there was a rumor going around that Wen Leyang’s cultivation power had been vastly enhanced. He was evenly matched to the top demon immortal only by depending on his embodiment of strong poison. This information gave me a twitch in my heart, so I deliberately rushed here to take a look. Heh, as expected, this child did not disappoint.”

 Zhui Zi’s expression was cold and indifferent; she did not acknowledge the true soul, but she was urging her supernatural power with great effort. She gritted her teeth and fought fiercely.

 The true soul was neither too fast nor too slow; his tone of speech was filled with elation. The more the enemies refused to listen to him, the more he wanted to speak, “The body of Tian Yin was initially ideal. What a waste to have me ruin it.” As he spoke, a sense of genuine remorse was seen on his face, “I launched the Distant Talisman too many times. That body could not withstand it anymore, and his meridians were already withered…”

 Not long ago, the true soul continuously launched the Distant Talisman. Under immense stress, Tian Yin’s body could no longer withstand the mighty power of spirit primordial Energy’s tearing. In addition to the initial ‘soul that did not possess the body’, the process of recuperation and healing could not be fully achieved regardless, so the body had already started withering gradually. The true soul was in a haste to look for a new body. When the Wen family was about to organize a grand wedding event two days ago, Ji Fei and Shui Jing had spread the news that Wen Leyang achieved vast enhancement in his Art of Poison cultivation, to boost their reputation.

 

It was not an arduous task for the true soul to possess the body of a top demon immortal, but the troublesome part was that the more profound a cultivator’s cultivation base was, the stronger his primordial spirit would be. When the true soul subdued Tian Yin’s primordial spirit, in the beginning, it spent a full two thousand years subduing it.

 Even so, Wen Leyang’s cultivation method pursued the strength of the body, which was the exact opposite of all the Art of Heaven Cultivation in the world. Primordial spirit was nonexistent in his cultivation, even the ‘Thirteen Shall Not Pass’ prohibition spells in the crystal ore cave did not regard him as a cultivator. The true soul’s effort in seizing Wen Leyang’s body was naturally much easier than seizing the bodies of Chang Li, Zhui Zi and the rest.

 Wen Leyang was like a slice of dessert that was fortunately stumbled upon; he tasted scrumptious and unparalleled and was very easily consumable. The true soul felt that Wen Leyang’s ability was too weak in the beginning, so it did not pay attention to him. However, Wen Leyang had already thoroughly remolded himself right now.

 With no control over his body, Wen Leyang was clueless as to the kind of creature he was at that point. He was able to listen to every word that Tian Yin spoke, and he could relatively sense a fleeting, crucial hint before his eyes, but was unable to stretch out and grab it.

 During the conversation, Tian Yin suddenly stabilized his waist and took a stride. He exhaled, and with the muffled sound of a clap, he raised his hand and met Zhui Zi’s slap with his hand.

 Zhui Zi was like a cloud, untainted by a speck of mortal dust. She floated gently in midair and turned her body around as she continued to urge her supernatural power. Her mouth muttered half a muffled ‘humph’, and a dim, grey layer entangled with black and white stripes was spreading towards her arm, inch by inch, along the edge of her white, jade-like palm. A wave of unbearable pain, capable of possessing one’s soul and corroding one’s bones, radiated from the poisoned palm’s side ferociously, and pierced straight into Zhui Zi’s heart!

 The true soul did not expect that Wen Leyang’s Poison of Life and Death was that surprisingly domineering. He managed to hurt the other party, the moment he urged the poison. He was wild with joy all at once, as he urged the Poison Tide of Life and Death strenuously. His body leaped so swiftly that it was difficult to make out his figure, followed by countless kicks and punches rolled into a gust that struck towards Zhui Zi ferociously.

 The Poison of Life and Death circulated in layers. The real Wen Leyang suddenly felt as if there was a strand of spiritual thread that was pulling him into the void of nothingness. He had completely lost contact with his body, but there was still a strand of tacit connection between his heart and spirit, to the Poison of Life and Death. The more vigorous the Poison of Life and Death surged, the stronger this sensation grew.

 The true soul became more and more celebratory from the fight, and burst into gales of laughter, “So this is the Art of Poison, huh? Looks like Tuo Xie’s lineage of disciples does have a knack for this!” At that moment, Wen Leyang suddenly felt uneasy.

 It was Grand Master Tuo Xie.

 Grand Master Tuo Xie once met the true soul in the Black and White Island back then!

 Grand Master Tuo Xie’s cultivation method was the same as Wen Leyang’s. Both of them turned their poisonous body into a saint; almost without any primordial spirit in them. In terms of one’s bodily power, Tuo Xie was much stronger than the three enlightened people with the ‘Tian’ generation name, but in terms of the element’s genus, Tuo Xie’s cultivation method had its unique style. Of course, he would not be affected by the restrictions of the Black and White Island, as it was second nature to crush the rest of the eight Heaven’s Cone Nails and release the monster’s true body. Two thousand years ago, the true soul had the chance to abandon Tian Yin and possess Tuo Xie, but it let that opportunity slip away.

 There was no way Wen Leyang could fight for the body with the true soul, but he still had an ounce of strength left to urge the Poison of Life and Death. For that short burst of a moment, Wen Leyang exerted all the strength he had.

 There was only one golden opportunity!

 The Poison of Life and Death surged and rolled, and layers of icicles disintegrated into a fine powder from the strong poison raised by the true soul in between his moves. Just as the joyous expression on the true soul’s face grew more intense, a bitter and agonizing scream was heard. All the scars on his ugly face were distorted, all at once.

 The true soul did not even know what was going on! Like a snake hiding in ambush, a gush of strength that did not belong to this body leaped to constrict himself ferociously! He then felt a surge of agony so sharp, powerful enough to collapse the heaven and crack the earth.

 Tuo Xie was just like Wen Leyang; he did not have anything else, except for the strong poison that filled his body. The true soul did not possess Tuo Xie’s body. Wen Leyang would have gathered that no matter how foolish he was, the true soul was afraid of Grand Master Tuo Xie’s poison, the Strong Poison of Aqua Blue.

 The true soul was not afraid of Poison of Life and Death, but it was afraid of the Strong Poison of Aqua Blue.

 To save Chang Li’s life two months ago, Wen Leyang absorbed the Poison of Aqua Blue forcefully into his body. It was until after his flesh and blood were remolded by the Poison of Life and Death, that a puddle of the grand master grandfather’s Strong Poison of Aqua Blue still could not be expelled or refined. The Poison of Life and Death could only circulate in layers, and seal the Poison of Aqua Blue within it.

 No matter how the Poison of Life and Death in Wen Leyang’s body was usually circulating, it was in charge of sealing the Strong Poison of Aqua Blue and would never move. Unless Wen Leyang was truly tired of life, only then could he intentionally remove the layer of the seal.

 Wen Leyang had truly grown tired of life right now!

 The true soul predicted that Red Pot was outwardly strong and inwardly weak. It also predicted that Red Pot’s precious item was incapable of killing itself and that the Molten Metal Fire Bell that startled itself previously had since lost its true master… Regardless, it could not predict that there was still Grand Master Tuo Xie’s strong poison that was sealed in Wen Leyang’s body. He was also not able to predict that Wen Leyang could open the gate now, and release this fierce tiger, capable of swallowing itself.

 Wen Leyang too did not expect that the grand master grandfather’s strong poison was capable of poisoning a person and even souls, to death! How could the magnitude of such a strong poison, enough to poison all sorts of living matters and creatures in the world, possibly be refined? In reality, he did not know that the Poison of Life and Death was futile against the true soul, only because it was still inferior to the fire element’s strong poison. The Poison of Life and Death had fused Yin and Yang with the four elements of metal, wood, water, and it was now only an inch away from becoming the Poison of Peerless.

 It was only due to negligence that the true soul could be doomed eternally. The Strong Poison of Aqua Blue could decay souls and corrode bones. Not only was the true soul incapable of struggling free, but it was also firmly dragged into Wen Leyang’s body by this portion of the strong poison. At this very moment, the true soul had suddenly discovered that in a body without life vitality, there was no chance for the true soul to spontaneously explode.

 For the first time in its life, the first time in millenniums and megaannums, the true soul had finally tasted death. It thought that it did not even care about heaven and earth, and even saw through death even more, but this was when it realized that it had always been someone else’s life and death.

 Supposedly, when the Strong Poison of Life and Death was released, it would surge by itself to wrap around for a kill. As the true soul was already distracted, it could not care about anything else. Despite Wen Leyang losing control over his body, without the true soul’s intervention, the Poison of Life and Death would then completely return to his control. Wen Leyang laughed wildly yet soundlessly and mustered all his strength to slowly disperse the Poison of Life and Death from the countless pores on his entire body. He was about to dissipate his cultivation power!

 

The Strong Poison of Aqua Blue and the Poison of Life and Death were mutually incompatible, but Wen Leyang was still afraid that after the two gushes of strong poison fought once more, the true soul would be able to seize the opportunity and escape. The situation was now clear, that the true soul could not struggle free from the Strong Poison of Aqua Blue. It was already on the losing end, while the Strong Poison of Aqua Blue was killing the true soul. It was also rampaging and charging about in his body, destroying his meridians, bones and internal organs.

 Wen Leyang understood the situation of the Strong Poison of Aqua Blue and the true soul, yet he could not comprehend his situation. He was under the assumption that even if the true soul was refined by the grand master’s strong poison, he would not be able to budge at all for the rest of his life as he could now, and would turn into a living dead. He never thought that he could ever regain control of his body.

 That was why he clenched his teeth with excitement when he was dissipating his cultivation power…

 

Wen Leyang’s meridians, bones, flesh, and blood were all condensed from the Poison of Life and Death. When he was dissipating his cultivation power, his body became so weak, weaker than that of an infant.

 

Zhui Zi’s body swayed once as she retracted her supernatural power. She widened her eyes in surprise as she looked towards the body that lay on the ground unmoved now. The strong poison, interweaved with black and white, continuously leaked out from her skin. It was as clear as water but did not flow. Instead, it condensed drop by drop, before gradually forming into a water cocoon layer that wrapped around Wen Leyang’s body.

 While Hanba Fifth Brother uttered a muffled ‘hmph’, “Something is happening to the true soul in Wen Leyang’s body!”

 The Poison of Life and Death had completely degenerated. Within Wen Leyang’s body, there was the Strong Poison of Aqua Blue entangled with the true soul, destroying everything aggressively. Wen Leyang expressed a forceful smile that none could see, as he was toying with the thought in his heart. He was considered poisoned to death by his grand master grandfather, was he not? He was still sub-consciously pondering if this was considered his retribution, as there were a few moments in his life where he had secretly fallen in love with Grand Master Chang Li, back when he was new to the society…

 Just as the Poison of Life and Death gradually dissipated, Wen Leyang was still lost in his thoughts when a layer of ghastly scales appeared in his body abruptly. It silently wrapped around his vital organs, such as his heart, lungs, spleen, kidneys, and brain. Wen Leyang was stunned for a moment before he understood that Ning Jiao’s armor was not only capable of protecting him externally but also internally.

 After the Poison of Life and Death’s defense was shattered, the Ning Jiao’s armor appeared.

 Ning Jiao’s armor achieved vast enhancement along with Wen Leyang’s Art of Poison; it was strong enough to withstand a blow of a top master cultivator at full force. Despite being under the influence of the Strong Poison of Aqua Blue, it appeared a little fragile and weak, but at the very least, it helped Wen Leyang hold on for a little while longer.

 

With the intense pain that was ripping her heart apart, Zhui Zi urged her life vitality and forced the Poison of Life and Death out of her body. Her eyes did not so much as blink once, as she looked at Wen Leyang who was wrapped in the Poison of Life and Death. Chang Li and Hanba did not utter a word; their faces were morbidly pale.

 Red Pot had already regained control over its body now. It was bashfully swallowing the treasured weapons that covered the ground, weapon by weapon. The entire Wen family village was pin-drop silent. What was once bursting with cheerful laughter in the day, now seemed desolate.

 Ever since the heaven-raising giant sword, Molten Metal Fire Bell was knocked by the nine heads of Xiang Liu’s true soul, it was still trembling soundlessly. You’ve Got Me too, was curled up next to the giant sword, coiling its body in agony.

 The true soul rushed over to the Nine Peaks Mountain as there were a total of three important matters for it to attend to. The first was naturally to seize Wen Leyang’s body, the second was to attempt to convince Red Pot or the golden monkey, and the third task was to destroy this Molten Metal Fire Bell!

 The Molten Metal Fire Bell was capable of executing evil souls. The true soul would never allow such a divine weapon to exist between heaven and earth. Of course, the true soul was not a good person, but he still had nine brothers, and he was their eldest brother.

 The true soul was intentionally pinned down by the giant sword earlier, under the surge of the Molten Metal Fire Bell’s true fire. It used its soul power to forcefully shatter the vein system that circulated the giant sword’s life vitality. From that moment onwards, Molten Metal Fire Bell was deemed a profound cultivator possessed by the devil. Its vigorous life vitality transformed into countless tyrannical beasts that rampaged and charged everywhere in its body. Finally, it can withstand everything to a maximum extent now!

 

A loud noise capable of shaking the heavens exploded from a place not too far away from the few demon immortals. As the piercing noise persisted, Molten Metal Fire Bell exploded into pieces with a loud ‘bang’! You’ve Got Me half-hummed with sorrow, as its body turned limp and stopped moving.

 No one had the heart to look at You’ve Got Me. Everybody’s gaze was fixated on Wen Leyang.

 Wen Leyang had been numb all along, with Ning Jiao’s armor continuously being destroyed by the Strong Poison of Aqua Blue. His consciousness too gradually grew dim and he was trapped in an extreme spot as if being suffocated…

 Finally, with the sound of the last bitter curse, Xiang Liu’s true soul was completely swallowed by the Strong Poison of Aqua Blue. While Wen Leyang too, could not take it anymore, he only wanted to go into slumber at this point onwards. Just as the true soul was completely refined by the grand master’s strong poison, a sensation that made him regain clarity in his spiritual intelligence suddenly leaped out without a sign – it was painful!

 With the extreme silence, the moment seemed frozen in time. When the true soul was screaming in agony and fell, no one knew how much time had passed. When Hanba suddenly widened his eyes, his face was filled with astonishment as he growled softly, “The water element evil soul is not moving anymore!” Almost at the same time, Wen Leyang, who was wrapped in layers of grey poison tide, suddenly started moving!

 It was first his brows that furrowed a little. A few seconds later, the little finger of his right hand jerked a few times, before all his five fingers moved in unison. With a silent yet distressing rhythm, his fingers set his palm in motion, his palm set his wrist in motion, his wrist set his forearm in motion; his arm and his shoulder followed suit, until his entire body seemed to be shivering, convulsing or wriggling as he started jumping about.

 

Chang Li’s voice sounded weary yet peculiar, “It is the Faulty Punch!”

 The Poison of Life and Death that was wrapped around Wen Leyang’s body rapidly disappeared quietly. Under the guidance of the Faulty Punch, layers upon layers were absorbed back into Wen Leyang’s body. The moment the Poison of Life and Death entered his body, he immediately regained his prior vigor. It surged and roared as it wrapped around the Strong Poison of Aqua Blue. It then took control of the previously damaged internal organs that were guarded by the Ning Jiao’s armor. It circulated in streaks and strands to heal Wen Leyang’s already-ruined body.

 The few demon immortals stood gazing at one another. Zhui Zi’s fingertip was spitting and swallowing the icy flame; she did not know if she should seize the opportunity to take Wen Leyang’s life. No one could tell for sure if the person who was going to awaken would be Wen Leyang or Xiang Liu’s true soul.

 Even Wen Leyang himself could not tell if he was dead or alive, as after the Poison of Life and Death returned to his body, he had completely lost his consciousness.

 Chang Li inhaled, “Theoretically speaking, the true soul should not be able to learn the Faulty Punch so quickly right?”

 Zhui Zi’s eyes gleamed, and the icy flame on her fingertip was extinguished.

 On the other hand, Hanba shook his head, “When he was in the Mourning Cauldron, Wen Leyang used the Faulty Punch to refine the Yin’s poison completely by instinct. There is no way we would be able to predict this matter.”

 Zhui Zi suddenly showed anxiousness, intensifying the icy flame on her fingertip.

 Chang Li shot her an evil stare, “Your flame is swaying too much. It is driving me to death!”

 Darling Little Five suddenly exclaimed, “Wen Leyang’s mouth is moving!”

 The Poison of Life and Death had already returned to his body completely. Wen Leyang was lying flat on the ground, with his eyes tightly shut as he fell into a deep slumber. He was still murmuring as if wanting to alert the rest about an important matter.

 Darling followed the movement of Wen Leyang’s lips. She muttered softly, “Magic… fight… protect… lives…”

 Wen Leyang’s mouth was repeating these few words the entire time. Little Five’s brows were tightly furrowed, as she turned around and looked towards Chang Li and Zhui Zi, “Magic fight, protect the? Magic fight, with whom, and protect the lives of whom?”

 Zhui Zi and Chang Li frowned as they repeatedly muttered the four words. Their faces were ghastly pale to its greatest extent, yet their similarly charming faces were filled with puzzlement. After a long while, Hanba Fifth Brother was suddenly enlightened, “Nonsense to magic fight protect them, this young lad was saying… he was saying… A magical night with perfect wives I guess?”