With a flick of his hand, Xiao Yan pushed the Po Zong Pill toward Wu Ya. "Elder Wu Ya, you contributed greatly earlier. In addition to the promised Po Zong Pill, the Poison Sect will reward you with another Po Zong Pill to help you break through to the Dou Zong level as soon as possible."
Having witnessed the terrifying power of a Dou Zong expert today, Wu Ya was even more eager to reach that level.
He hadn't expected that his earlier efforts would yield such a generous reward. Wu Ya bowed deeply, his voice filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Protector Yan!"
The other Dou Huang experts who had joined the Poison Sect alongside Wu Ya all looked at him with envy.
The Po Zong Pill could increase a peak Dou Huang expert's chance of breaking through to the Dou Zong level by ten percent. Even if the breakthrough failed, it would stabilize their strength at the pre-breakthrough level.
Wu Ya's talent wasn't bad. With two Po Zong Pills, his breakthrough to the Dou Zong level was now almost guaranteed.
Xiao Yan smiled. "As long as you all work diligently for the Poison Sect, the sect will never treat anyone unfairly."
For now, Xiao Yan couldn't determine whether Wu Ya was loyal or not. However, in the face of absolute strength, all schemes and tricks were futile.
The worst-case scenario would be wasting some materials to refine two more loyal Dou Zong puppets.
Given Wu Ya's talent, with the help of the Po Zong Pill, his chances of breaking through to the Dou Zong level were high.
If Wu Ya was still secretly colluding with the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect, the second Po Zong Pill would inevitably fall into Scorpion Mountain's hands.
Scorpion Mountain's Dou Qi was even more formidable than Wu Ya's. With the sixth-tier Po Zong Pill, it was only a matter of time before he became a Dou Zong expert.
Two Dou Zong-level corpses would be extremely rare treasures, even in the chaotic Black-Corner Region.
In the Black-Corner Region, apart from the two Dou Zong experts in the Jia Nan Academy, there were only a handful of major forces with a Dou Zong expert in their ranks.
Xiao Yan's generosity made the red-robed elder and the others smile even more broadly.
However, deep down, they all knew that with their talents, they would only reach the Dou Huang level in their lifetimes.
The Dou Zong level... was simply too far out of reach.
Still, having the Poison Sect as a powerful backer was far better than guarding their small territories.
The red-robed elder and the others were unaware of the existence of the Dou Huang Star-Rising Pill. If they knew about its terrifying effect of allowing a five-star Dou Huang to gain three stars of strength with 100% certainty, they would undoubtedly work even harder to earn a chance to break through to the Dou Zong level.
Of course, someone like the red-robed elder, who was only a one-star Dou Huang, would need to work even harder than the others to earn the opportunity to take the Dou Huang Star-Rising Pill.
Three days later.
Xiao Yan refined another Po Zong Pill and handed it to Wu Ya. He then assigned the resource collection quotas for the next quarter to each faction before dismissing everyone.
The Poison Sect's recruitment of numerous factions was not only for its own development but also to gather resources.
By using a sixth-tier Po Zong Pill as an incentive, Xiao Yan aimed to motivate the lower-level members to work harder to collect medicinal herbs and magic cores.
By having Poison Sect members use their strength to gather materials and then exchange those materials for breakthrough pills, they could venture into more dangerous areas to obtain even rarer resources, creating a virtuous cycle.
Just as the Huangji Pill had led to the creation of the Dou Huang Star-Rising Pill, Xiao Yan had also innovated with other level-specific pills.
For the Dou Practitioner, Dou Master, Great Dou Master, Dou Spirit, and Dou Wang levels, Xiao Yan had created pills that could boost strength without side effects.
After leaving Tian Du City, the red-robed elder and the others didn't part ways immediately. Instead, they accepted Wu Ya's invitation to visit the Wu Tian Sect.
With two Po Zong Pills, Wu Ya was almost a Dou Zong expert. Everyone was eager to establish a good relationship with him early.
In the same hall as half a year ago, the atmosphere was completely different from the anxiety they had felt back then. Today, everyone was delighted to have joined the Poison Sect.
After several rounds of drinks, Wu Ya seemed slightly drunk, his flushed cheeks making the black centipede tattoo on his face appear even more menacing.
Putting down his wine bowl, Wu Ya scanned the room. "Everyone seems to be in high spirits after receiving their pills, huh?"
"Elder Wu, are you drunk? How could you be unhappy after receiving two Po Zong Pills?" the red-robed elder asked with a laugh.
His talent was the lowest among the group, but with the precious Huangji Pill, he might be able to catch up to someone and shed his status as the weakest.
Wu Ya chuckled and said thoughtfully, "Thinking back to half a year ago, that Protector Yan of the Poison Sect easily defeated the five of us. Our lives were in his hands."
"He's so powerful. If we make any mistakes in the future, given his rapid progress, we might not even be able to withstand a single move from him."
People in the Chu Yun Empire cultivated poison-based Dou Qi, which filled their bodies with various toxins, causing severe deviations in their personalities.
Hearing Wu Ya's words, the excitement they had felt over receiving the pills faded like a receding tide, leaving their limbs cold.
The memory of the towering flame giant was still fresh in their minds.
Outside, they were formidable Dou Huang experts, but in front of Protector Yan, they were as weak as ants.
Seeing that everyone was moved, Wu Ya slowly said, "Now that we've all received our pills, our strength will skyrocket after taking them. Why don't we find an opportunity to..."
Hearing Wu Ya's cold tone, the alcohol-induced haze in their minds cleared completely. This banquet didn't seem as simple as they had thought!
"With just the few of us?" The red-robed elder shook his head with a laugh. "That probably won't work. Scorpion Biyan broke through to the Dou Zong level earlier than Elder Wu, and even he doesn't seem confident about taking down the Poison Maiden."
"Besides, why would we want to kill the Poison Sect's leaders? Just because we're afraid of some hypothetical future mistake?" The red-robed elder didn't take it seriously.
The others also looked at Wu Ya in confusion. Wu Ya had received the greatest benefits from this arrangement, yet he still wanted to betray the Poison Sect?
Although people in the Chu Yun Empire weren't known for their loyalty or integrity, Wu Ya's backstabbing behavior was still quite rare.
Wu Ya smiled and said, "Reaching the Dou Wang and Dou Huang levels at around twenty years old, and frequently defeating stronger opponents—that's not something talent alone can achieve."
Everyone present had survived in the Chu Yun Empire for a long time, and none of them were simple-minded.
"You're talking about cultivation techniques and Dou Techniques?" The red-robed elder's eyes widened as he looked at Wu Ya. He had suffered greatly from those techniques.
"Exactly, Sect Leader Yan! It's the cultivation techniques and Dou Techniques!" Wu Ya slammed the table and laughed.
Thinking about the many miraculous feats of Xiao Yan and Little Doctor Xian, everyone's hearts trembled, and their palms grew hot.
Previously, they had been too stunned to think clearly. But now, upon reflection, it was clear that while their talents were indeed impressive, their cultivation techniques and Dou Techniques must have played a significant role.
They must have stumbled upon some incredible opportunity in some ancient cave or deep mountain...
Wu Ya slowly said, "Having cultivated to our current levels, you should all understand the benefits of high-level cultivation techniques. As for Dou Techniques... just one of the techniques Protector Yan has mastered would likely benefit us for a lifetime."
"Those are indeed good things, but obtaining them won't be easy," the red-robed elder said, feeling somewhat disheartened as he thought about Xiao Yan's seemingly endless array of techniques.
At that moment, an elderly voice came from outside the hall. "With just one Dou Zong expert, it won't be easy."
"Scorpion Biyan! Scorpion Mountain!"
Seeing the two men enter, the red-robed elder and the others immediately stood up, their vast Dou Qi surging out. Their robes billowed, and the air in the hall grew turbulent.
"Scorpion Biyan is not an enemy," Wu Ya said as he stood up.
Seeing how familiar the three seemed, the red-robed elder and the others were shocked. Wu Ya had been colluding with the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect all along!
When had this happened? Everyone was puzzled, especially since Wu Ya had fought fiercely against the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect's leader just a few days ago.
You truly couldn't judge a book by its cover!
Poor Protector Yan, thinking Wu Ya was loyal...
Scorpion Mountain looked at the confused crowd and explained, "The attempt to seize the Poison Sect's pills was just a test."
"If the Poison Sect's strength was mediocre, the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect would have killed the Poison Sect leader that day, taken over the sect, and made it work for us. If the Poison Sect was somewhat strong, it was a good opportunity to test their capabilities."
Under his gray robe, Scorpion Mountain clenched his fist. That Protector Yan of the Poison Sect was truly terrifying. If not for Scorpion Biyan's help, he might not have been able to neutralize that peculiar burning poison.
"Sect Leader, it's my fault for not gathering enough information, which led to you falling into Protector Yan's trap," Wu Ya said, kneeling on one knee and holding up a jade bottle.
Wu Ya presented it like a treasure. "This is the extra Po Zong Pill the Poison Sect rewarded me with. With your talent, Sect Leader, you will undoubtedly break through to the Dou Zong level with this pill."
The red-robed elder and the others were stunned. What had the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect offered Wu Ya that was more tempting than two Po Zong Pills? He was acting like a loyal dog.
"The Po Zong Pill!" Even Scorpion Mountain, who was usually composed, couldn't help but tremble slightly as he took the jade bottle. This pill could help him break through the bottleneck he had been stuck at for years.
Scorpion Biyan laughed heartily. "Excellent!"
"With this Po Zong Pill, we'll have three Dou Zong experts when we take action. Those two youngsters from the Poison Sect are as good as dead!"
The red-robed elder forced a smile. "At this point, I doubt we have the option to refuse."
Scorpion Biyan said kindly, "Don't worry. Once this is done, the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect won't treat you unfairly. We'll study and cultivate those advanced cultivation techniques and Dou Techniques together. However, before that, to ensure everyone is united, we'll need to take some necessary measures."
As he spoke, Scorpion Biyan extended his withered hand. From under his sleeve, four brightly colored scorpions slowly crawled out.
"Seven-Colored Death Scorpions!" The red-robed elder gasped.
"Correct. You recognize them?" Scorpion Biyan gave an approving look to the red-robed elder, who had the lowest strength among the group. "These Seven-Colored Death Scorpions aren't the kind of poison that kills instantly, but they are quite difficult to cultivate."
The others looked at the red-robed elder. What made these scorpions so fearsome?
The red-robed elder continued, "Seven-Colored Death Scorpions need to be fed seven different types of poisonous insects and toxins daily. The process consumes countless medicinal herbs and takes at least three years to mature. Once mature, if a scorpion stings someone, it injects all its venom at once."
"The venom doesn't kill immediately. It accumulates in the body for about a year, slowly merging with the victim's Dou Qi before finally erupting, leaving no trace of the victim."
"Because of the variety of poisonous insects and toxins used to feed them, only the breeder knows how to neutralize this strange poison."
Scorpion Biyan said, "Since you know how fearsome my little friends are, please proceed."
Facing a Dou Zong expert and two peak Dou Huang experts, the red-robed elder gritted his teeth and reached out to take the Seven-Colored Death Scorpion.
The others sighed and also allowed the scorpions to sting them, feeling utterly helpless.
First, the Poison Sect had crushed them like dough, and now the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect had casually poisoned them.
Although they were formidable Dou Huang experts, in front of true powerhouses, they were treated like servants, to be ordered around at will!
The reason for all this was simple: strength!
Watching the four small scorpions fall to the ground with a plop, Scorpion Biyan smiled. "Now, we're all one family."
After being stung by the Seven-Colored Death Scorpions, the four Dou Huang experts felt as if a cold wind had swept through their bodies, chilling them to the bone. They had never experienced such a strange poison before.
Scorpion Biyan explained his plan to everyone and had Wu Ya arrange for them to start taking their pills and cultivating from that day onward.
Some time later, Wu Ya sat cross-legged in his cultivation chamber, holding the jade bottle containing the Po Zong Pill, a sinister smile on his face.
The Poison Sect's treatment was indeed good, but how could a man live under the heavens and be content to remain subordinate forever?!
If he helped the Poison Sect destroy the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect, he would indeed earn more rewards, but at best, he would only reach the initial Dou Zong level.
Only by letting the Poison Sect and the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect fight to the death could he take advantage of the chaos.
"Cultivation techniques, Dou Techniques, the Chu Yun Empire—they will all be mine, mine, mine!!!"
As everyone went into seclusion, the Chu Yun Empire fell into a period of calm, with no earth-shattering events for half a year.
In a stone forest on the mountain where Xiao Yan and Little Doctor Xian lived, various poisonous plants grew, emitting a faint Fishy smell that lingered in the air, forming a thin layer of miasma.
This highly toxic miasma was something even Dou Wang experts dared not inhale casually.
Among the strange rocks, poisonous insects and snakes occasionally darted by. These creatures, which were considered rare treasures in the outside world, were common here.
With the resources of the entire Chu Yun Empire and parts of the Jia Ma Empire at his disposal, these strange things were nothing special to Xiao Yan.
At the center of the stone forest was a small pool paved with black stones. Around the pool stood four snake-head statues, their mouths wide open and their tongues flicking out. A continuous stream of black liquid flowed from their mouths, dripping into the pool.
The pool was filled with pitch-black water, so dark that it was impossible to see the bottom, even with soul power.
Above the pool, a faint mist lingered, carrying a slight Fishy smell, clearly also a highly toxic substance.
The pool contained a mixture of over a hundred types of poisonous plants, insects, and poison-attribute magic cores, making it the perfect cultivation spot for Xiao Yan and Little Doctor Xian.
With delicate hands, Little Doctor Xian gently undid the buttons of her dress, revealing a slender, ivory-white figure clad in an exquisite Bellyband. Even with Xiao Yan's keen eyesight, he could only make out a vague outline in the Poisonous fog.
Little Doctor Xian's delicate feet lightly stirred the toxic water, resembling a mermaid about to dive into the sea.
(End of Chapter)
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