Shan Yun shook her head. While there were many poisonous creatures in the Primordial Tribe, there weren't as many as here. The variety here was immense, with many she had never seen before. Finding edible poisonous creatures among so many would be quite difficult.
"There's one thing we can eat," Xi Wen said abruptly.
"What is it?"
"Poisonous snakes," Xi Wen said unhurriedly. "Haven't you forgotten? We ate grilled poisonous snake meat from the sect leader during the day."
"Can any poisonous animal be eaten alive?" Xiang Jian asked curiously.
"Vice Sect Leader, some poisonous animals are toxic all over, even their blood, and cannot be eaten," Shan Yun explained. "Poisonous snakes are considered relatively special among poisonous creatures. Their venom is secreted by venom sacs behind their fangs. As long as the head is removed, they can be eaten. It's getting dark, and it will be even more dangerous in here after dark. We must return to the Sect Leader as soon as possible. Let's catch poisonous snakes today."
Shan Yun and the others caught several poisonous snakes and returned, only to find Xiao Man stewing soup. The aroma wafted from a distance, making their mouths water and their throats moisten.
"Sect Leader, what are you cooking? It smells so good!" Xiang Jian eagerly went over. When he saw what was boiling in the pot, his expression was priceless. The pot was filled with colorful, unappetizing-looking concoctions. Though it smelled delicious, he hesitated to eat it!
"Hundred Poisons Soup," Xiao Man stirred the soup, the smile on her face falling on the poisonous snakes in everyone's hands. "Perfect, with the poisonous snakes you have, this Hundred Poisons Soup will be complete."
Xiang Jian suddenly felt a sense of dread. Was this pot of Hundred Poisons Soup meant for them to drink?
Xiao Man took the poisonous snakes from Xiang Jian, skillfully decapitated and skinned them, cut them up, and tossed them into the pot. The already fragrant soup became even more rich and flavorful, whetting their appetites.
"Just a little longer, and it will be ready to eat," Xiao Man casually plucked a blade of grass and dripped its juice into the pot. Shan Yun clearly saw that it was a Seven-Star Poison Grass, extremely toxic. A drop applied to a weapon could kill on contact!
Xiao Man scooped out a bowl. "Alright, it's ready to eat. Who's first?"
This time, even Shan Yun dared not move. Setting aside other concerns, the juice from the Seven-Star Poison Grass alone could kill them all!
A moment later, Xi Wen stepped forward, took the bowl from Xiao Man, and sat down to drink the meticulously brewed Hundred Poisons Soup. Seeing this, Xiang Jian steeled his heart. He had already pledged his loyalty to Xiao Man, and if she wanted him dead, he couldn't escape anyway. No matter how poisonous this pot of Hundred Poisons Soup was, he had to drink it!
Xiang Jian picked up a bowl and sat next to Xi Wen. "Is it good?"
"It doesn't look like much, but the taste is quite good," Xi Wen whispered. "Does the Sect Leader not know how to cook?"
Xiang Jian took a sip and savored the taste carefully. If one ignored the ingredients and the dark color, it was indeed a delicious dish.
The others, though resistant, could only grit their teeth and eat. They didn't even taste the flavor with the first bite, but by the second, it seemed not bad. The more they ate, the better it tasted, and they even willingly had a second bowl.
After Poison Lady woke up, she also had a bowl and moved to Xiao Man's side. "Sect Leader, why don't you take me as your concubine? Just teach me your skill in controlling poisonous creatures."
"What ambition! To learn this skill, you want to be a concubine? If we ever go out, don't say you know me. I'd be too embarrassed," Xiao Man scoffed.
Poison Lady burst into laughter. "Alright, alright, I won't be your concubine. You teach me to control poisonous creatures, is that okay?"
"No sincerity at all."
"Sincerity?" Poison Lady's eyes lit up. She put down her bowl and immediately began to loosen her robes, looking as if she were about to undress. "Your subordinate will serve the Sect Leader immediately!"
Xiao Man's pupils constricted. A small snake instantly darted onto Poison Lady, biting her hand. Poison Lady felt her whole body go numb, and she collapsed on the ground, unable to move. Her eyes glared at Xiao Man, tears welling up. Sect Leader, I was just joking! Do you have to send snakes to bite me again and again?
"If you dare do this again, I'll throw you into the snake pit."
The next morning, Poison Lady woke up with an aching body. She stretched her stiff neck. "The Sect Leader is truly ruthless, showing no mercy to fair ladies."
Shan Yun covered her mouth and chuckled. The Sect Leader was a woman herself, how could she show mercy to fair ladies? No, the Sect Leader could show mercy, but only if Poison Lady didn't try to seduce her.
"What's the mission today?"
Shan Yun's expression was unreadable. For a moment, she didn't know how to answer, as all the tasks given by Xiao Man seemed like suicide missions in their eyes.
"You've gone mute, speak up."
"Today's mission is to bring back a bamboo-jointed snake that guards the Dragon Spirit Bamboo."
Poison Lady resignedly nodded and got up to leave. Shan Yun followed. "Fairy, aren't you waiting for them?"
"Why should I wait for them? I'm not their nanny," Poison Lady said irritably. "They can't always rely on us. They should grow up a bit."
Shan Yun hesitated for a moment before following Poison Lady. The bamboo-jointed snake specialized in guarding the Dragon Spirit Bamboo. To approach the bamboo, one first had to subdue the snake. Bamboo-jointed snakes were not small in size but were swift and venomous all over, making them difficult to handle.
"The bamboo-jointed snake is poisonous all over, how can we catch it?"
"The Sect Leader only said to bring back a bamboo-jointed snake, not how to bring it back," Poison Lady, who held a strong grudge, thought she had to get back at Xiao Man for biting her twice with snakes.
Shan Yun was a little confused. "Are there other ways to catch it?"
Poison Lady gave Shan Yun a playful smile and quickly headed in the direction of the Dragon Spirit Bamboo.
Xiang Jian and the others realized that Poison Lady had gone ahead and dared not fall behind. They all went to find the bamboo-jointed snake. Xiao Man had analyzed the basic situation of the bamboo-jointed snake for them beforehand: it was venomous all over and not edible, and it was extremely fast. It was said that bamboo-jointed snakes over ten years old could grow up to three meters long and could strangle an adult to death.
Xiang Jian prepared a pair of thick gloves for catching the bamboo-jointed snake. Qi Hong and Zhou Yan found a cage, while Xi Wen found a burlap sack. As the group prepared to go catch the bamboo-jointed snake, they sensed movement ahead before they even reached their destination.
"Did Poison Lady and the others catch the bamboo-jointed snake?"
"Judging by the commotion, it doesn't sound like it," Zhou Yan frowned. "It sounds more like they've stumbled into a snake's nest."
Xi Wen grabbed Zhou Yan and quickly pulled him to hide. Xiang Jian yanked Qi Hong and they concealed themselves. In a moment, they saw Poison Lady fleeing rapidly, a cloud of dust rising behind her as if some behemoth was in pursuit.