Massive amounts of poison flowed through Elder Ren’s body with his blood. Even as a cultivator in the Golden Core stage, he couldn't withstand such potent toxins. If this continued, he would meet his end here. However, he was already powerless to resist. The Sect Master was likely trapped by this person using a cunning scheme, but with the Myriad Poison Robe, he should be fine. As for this brat, he was certainly doomed.
As his body gradually lost the ability to move, Elder Ren gave up resisting. He now understood what Xiao Man meant by "her territory." From beginning to end, this person had been plotting against them! To possess such foresight at such a young age was truly terrifying. Sect Master, you must not let this person go, or he will surely become a major threat to us in the future.
Zang Xu moved rapidly through Yangming Valley. His expression was strange when he noticed that the plants and trees in Yangming Valley were moving.
"If this truly is the eye of the formation, these things should have become spirits after tens of thousands of years," Zang Xu reached out, grabbed a stalk of Scarlet Blood Grass, and pulled it out. The roots of the Scarlet Blood Grass bled red, as if wounded. However, when the sap dripped onto the ground, it immediately hissed, indicating its potent toxicity.
"The Four Great Sects truly have great skill, setting the formation's eye in such a place. Ordinary people, let alone breaking the formation, might not even be able to enter," Zang Xu sneered. It was a pity these people underestimated them. The demon race had been in contact with poison since childhood, treating poisonous creatures as if they were family. Although they couldn't compare to the Qin family of the past, how many families like the Qin family could exist in this world?
Zang Xu strode through the flora and fauna, heading directly towards the central formation eye. However, after walking a distance, Zang Xu's expression became solemn. Dragon Spirit Bamboo, a top-grade healing elixir, had the effect of extending life. However, the Bamboo Joint Snakes that accompanied the Dragon Spirit Bamboo were their nemesis.
"Truly despicable. To use four Nascent Soul stage great cultivators as the foundation is one thing, but to use Dragon Spirit Bamboo as the formation eye, cutting off the demon race's possibility of rescue, is worthy of the Four Great Sects. They are truly as base as can be," Zang Xu's face was full of malice. Although he knew the rescue would not be easy, he never imagined it would be this difficult.
"Come out, brat." Zang Xu turned around. "This venerable one knows you are not dead."
Xiao Man remained still. Zang Xu's cultivation was too high. If she revealed her whereabouts, she would surely die. However, judging by Zang Xu's demeanor, he seemed hesitant to enter the Dragon Spirit Bamboo area. Was there something inside that he feared?
"Brat, do you think the longer you stay inside, the more disadvantageous it will be for this venerable one?" Zang Xu's divine sense swept across his field of vision, but he found no trace of Xiao Man. Yet, he knew Xiao Man was nearby. They say old age brings wisdom, but this brat was truly cunning. If he hadn't successfully advanced to the Nascent Soul stage, he would have died at this brat's hands.
Zang Xu felt a sense of admiration for his talent. A cultivator in the early Foundation Establishment stage could trap and kill a Golden Core expert, showing great skill. Given time, as this brat’s cultivation increased, even cultivators of the same rank might not be his match.
At the same time, Zang Xu’s killing intent intensified. Such a person, if he could not be made to serve him, must be eliminated. He had repeatedly extended an olive branch, but Xiao Man had refused, so he naturally understood that Xiao Man would not defect to him or be useful to him. Hence, his desire to kill Xiao Man grew stronger.
"Xiao Qin, this venerable one is a man who appreciates talent. As long as you are willing to defect to this venerable one, you will enjoy inexhaustible glory and wealth. Spiritual herbs and martial arts techniques, you can choose freely, what do you say?" Zang Xu offered a temptation. He didn't believe Xiao Man wouldn't be moved. In his opinion, what were cultivators striving for? Nothing more than fame, fortune, and increased cultivation, to become superior beings.
However, Zang Xu waited for a long time but heard no reply. Instead, he heard a rustling sound from behind him. Turning around, Zang Xu felt his scalp tingle, and he involuntarily retreated a few steps. The Bamboo Joint Snakes guarding the Dragon Spirit Bamboo had crawled out, their numbers so dense that just looking at them sent chills down one's spine.
Zang Xu wanted to save them, but he wanted to live more. His purpose in saving them was to gain more benefits for himself. But if he lost his life, all that would be in vain.
Zang Xu retreated rapidly, but halfway through, he found his escape route blocked by Bamboo Joint Snakes that had appeared at some unknown time.
Xiao Man, hidden in the dark, watched Zang Xu being forced to retreat step by step by the Bamboo Joint Snakes. A thought flashed through her mind: were Bamboo Joint Snakes the nemesis of the demon race?
"Zhu Qing, do you know about the demon race?"
Zhu Qing stood on Xiao Man’s shoulder and shook its head in confusion. Although it had lived here for many years, it was not clear about the history of the Bamboo Joint Snakes. Moreover, few people could break into the center of Yangming Valley. In all its years of life, it had only seen Xiao Man.
"Does Zang Xu fear something other than the Bamboo Joint Snakes?" Xiao Man was somewhat confused. If Zang Xu didn't fear the Bamboo Joint Snakes, why was he being forced to retreat step by step, unwilling to approach them? As soon as he discovered a Bamboo Joint Snake entering his safe zone, he would kill it without hesitation, as if preventing something from getting close to him.
"What do you think he fears?"
"Father, he fears that there are Praying Mantises hidden among the Bamboo Joint Snakes," Ze Fang’s voice sounded in Xiao Man's ear. "Bamboo Joint Snakes and Praying Mantises are symbiotic."
After entering Yangming Valley, Xiao Man had put Ze Fang into the Tongtian Pagoda to prevent him from being harmed by the poisonous creatures of Yangming Valley. Furthermore, the air in Yangming Valley was toxic, and without special training, one could easily be poisoned.
"Praying Mantises?"
"Yes, Praying Mantises," Ze Fang replied. "I read about Bamboo Joint Snakes and Praying Mantises in ancient texts. Bamboo Joint Snakes and Praying Mantises are born alongside Dragon Spirit Bamboo. Bamboo Joint Snakes are highly toxic, and Praying Mantises are even more venomous. These two poisonous creatures gather together, yet they guard the Dragon Spirit Bamboo, which heals and saves lives." Su Dan Novel Network
"As the saying goes, where poisonous creatures gather, there must also be an antidote. Is the Dragon Spirit Bamboo the antidote to the poison of the Bamboo Joint Snakes and Praying Mantises?"
"Not exactly," Ze Fang continued. "If bitten by a Bamboo Joint Snake or a Praying Mantis, there is no cure. Hence, they are the most poisonous in the world. Even the demon race cannot resist such potent poison. Therefore, Zang Xu is likely worried about being attacked by the Bamboo Joint Snakes and Praying Mantises working together."
"In that case, I have a chance of winning." A glint flashed in Xiao Man's eyes. As long as she made good use of the poisonous creatures in Yangming Valley, she would have a thirty percent chance of success.
"Father, you must not act rashly," Ze Fang was anxious. "Zang Xu is currently a Nascent Soul stage expert, far superior to you in rank, and he is of the demon race with many tricks. Although Bamboo Joint Snakes and Praying Mantises are his nemesis, it doesn't mean he has no way to deal with them. Let's continue to stall for time and wait for reinforcements."