Volume One, Chapter 11: In the Heart of the Poisonous Fog, a Sudden Flash of Violet Light
Yun Qianbai arrived at the city gate, where the guards conducted their usual inspection. He handed over the mercenary guild’s mission order. After verifying its authenticity, the guards waved him through.
The heavy city gate creaked open slowly, releasing a harsh, grating sound, as if awakening a slumbering giant that reluctantly opened its eyes.
Once outside the city, Yun Qianbai did not rush but strolled leisurely along the official road.
He knew that within a three-kilometer radius outside the city, surveillance was tightly set up. Everyone leaving the city was secretly watched to prevent collusion with the wild beasts outside or any other acts that might jeopardize the city.
“Damn these bastards, guarding me like I’m a thief,” Yun Qianbai muttered under his breath, feeling somewhat irritated. Though he possessed his system, he dared not reveal it at such a critical moment. If discovered by ill-intentioned people, it would spell trouble.
After about an hour’s walk, he gauged that he had passed the surveillance zone and plunged into the dense forest by the roadside.
The air was thick with miasma, and venomous insects lurked everywhere. Ordinary people who entered would succumb to poisoning within half an hour.
But for Yun Qianbai, this was a treasure trove for cultivation.
“System, maximize the Toxic Soul Technique!” he silently commanded.
Immediately, a powerful suction erupted from within him. The surrounding poisonous air seemed summoned, surging wildly into every pore of his body.
“Ding! Toxin value +10!”
“Ding! Toxin value +12!”
“Ding! Toxin value +15!”
The system’s alert sounded relentlessly in his mind, intoxicating Yun Qianbai.
He distinctly felt his strength, agility, constitution, and spiritual power soaring rapidly—a sensation more exhilarating than anything else.
As the toxin value steadily rose, his body underwent astonishing changes.
His skin grew even fairer, yet with a flush of healthy vitality. His muscles became more defined and powerful, and his eyes deepened with an almost all-seeing sharpness.
“Is this... what evolution feels like? Incredible!” Yun Qianbai clenched his fists, reveling in the surging power within, unable to hold back a triumphant roar.
“Hidden Sect, just wait. When I’m strong enough, I’ll uproot you completely!” A fierce glint flashed in his eyes. He had not forgotten that his sister was still in their hands.
As he ventured farther from Qingstone City, the poisonous gas thickened, the once thin mist now seeming alive, aggressively invading his body.
“Ugh… this poison is intense!” Yun Qianbai gasped, feeling as if countless tiny needles pricked him all over, a mixture of itching and pain that was unbearably tormenting.
His current poison resistance was only 10%, yet the surrounding poison concentration was nearly 16%, almost solidifying into substance. The disparity was like a toddler challenging a sprint champion—purely self-destructive.
“System, your feedback mechanism is ridiculous! I only have 10% resistance, and you want me to absorb poison at 16% concentration? You’re trying to kill me young!” he raged silently.
“Ding! Host, please rest assured. The system has automatically adjusted the feedback mechanism to ensure your safety. The current toxin acquisition rate has been maximized. Please enjoy the thrill of evolution!”
“Enjoy my ass! I’m in pain and pleasure at the same time!” Yun Qianbai rolled his eyes, cursing aloud but still secretly delighted.
After all, such a rocket-like speed of advancement was a rare experience.
He ceased moving deeper into the forest, sitting cross-legged to fully activate the Toxic Soul Technique, greedily absorbing the poisonous air.
“Ding! Toxin value +500!”
“Ding! Toxin value +600!”
“Ding! Toxin value +700!”
The system’s alert sounded like a symphony in his mind, each number representing a surge in his power.
He could clearly feel his poison resistance gradually improving, and his cultivation realm rocketing upward.
“Blood Condensation Realm, sixth layer!”
“Blood Condensation Realm, seventh layer!”
“Blood Condensation Realm, eighth layer!”
In merely half an hour, Yun Qianbai shattered three layers in one go, leaping from the fifth to the eighth layer of the Blood Condensation Realm! The speed was astonishing.
“Ha! This feels amazing!” he exclaimed, clenching his fists and laughing towards the sky, reveling in the overwhelming power within.
Suddenly, an unexpected change occurred! The poisonous insects and mutated plants around him went berserk, swarming toward him en masse.
The thick swarms buzzed like a tide, sending chills down his spine, while the previously silent mutated plants brandished their thorny branches, lashing out.
“What the hell? Did I poke a hornet’s nest?” Yun Qianbai was startled but immediately understood their intent.
By ravenously absorbing the poison, he had cut off their “food source.” Without nutrients, these creatures naturally wanted to settle the score with the culprit.
“Think you can drain me dry? Dream on!” Yun Qianbai snorted coldly. Though the attackers were fierce, he felt no fear.
Their levels were too low and lacked true intelligence. To a master at the eighth layer of the Blood Condensation Realm, they were nothing but a disorganized rabble.
With the wind at his feet, his figure darted like a ghost through the insect swarm, each strike killing a cluster of poisonous bugs.
He easily dodged the mutated plants’ attacks.
In no time, insect corpses littered the ground, green ichor splattered everywhere, and the air reeked of a nauseating stench.
“Ding! Toxin value +5!”
“Ding! Toxin value +8!”
“Ding! Toxin value +6!”
The system’s alerts sounded again. Though each insect contributed little toxin value, their sheer numbers made it a substantial gain.
“Ha! These are like free experience points!” Yun Qianbai fought with increasing zeal, realizing these insects, though weak, were plentiful and provided toxin value upon death—a perfect natural training target.
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