A week later,
Xiao Hua didn't remain in Obsidian Rock Town. Instead, he chose to stay in a quieter, more distant town, far from the chaos of that turbulent place. Pausing his cultivation, he sat quietly in his room, reflecting on the information he'd pried from the innkeeper.
After a brief encounter, where he'd 'gently' persuaded the innkeeper to speak, the revelations he received left him dumbfounded. The pieces of the puzzle began to fit together, and he finally understood the reason why so many powerful factions in the Black-Corner Region had converged in the Obsidian Rock Town.
His eyes narrowed into slits as he muttered under his breath, "So, someone actually managed to uncover the remains of two mighty Dou Zongs… and even claimed their Storage Rings."
Lady Azure appeared beside him in a graceful blur, her figure ethereal. She floated down to the chair across from him, her gaze piercing and profound.
"It's indeed startling news," she said, her voice carrying a seductive calmness, "but this may work to our advantage. Let those fools deal with the ancient seal… while we focus on finding the medicinal garden hidden within the ruins."
"Medicinal Garden?!" Xiao Hua exclaimed, leaping from his bed in shock. Despite his astonishment, his voice remained soft, barely above a whisper, ensuring no one overheard. "There's a medicinal garden hidden within that ancient ruin?!"
"Indeed," Lady Azure replied with a graceful nod. She shifted her gaze towards the distant ruin, her eyes narrowing with thought. "At first, I believed it was merely a trick of the senses, but now I'm certain. Whether it's a medicinal garden or a medicinal warehouse, I sensed a vast variety of precious herbs and ingredients—far too many to ignore. Such places could only be one of two things: a Medicinal Garden or a Medicinal Warehouse."
Her eyes met Xiao Hua's, and a slight smile tugged at her delicate lips. "Either way, it's a treasure trove for an alchemist like you. A place that calls to your very soul."
Xiao Hua's excitement was palpable, but he kept his composure. "Then, has Sister Azure uncovered the identity of the creature sealed within the ancient ruin?" he asked, his tone calm but wary.
Though the allure of the medicinal trove was tempting, his experience had taught him never to underestimate the dangers of an ancient ruin, especially one left behind by a Dou Sheng.
Lady Azure shook her head at first, her gaze still locked onto him. "Initially, I hadn't," she admitted. "But after your investigation, I've pieced together enough to conclude what lies sealed within that ruin."
Through Xiao Hua's inquiries in this city, they had discovered the surrounding forest was known as Black Rose Forest, and the abandoned city near the ruin was called Black Mist City.
Black Mist City was once renowned throughout the region for its formidable poison masters, celebrated for their vast array of deadly concoctions. Among them was a poison capable of weakening even a Dou Zong, lowering their strength by an entire realm, or inflicting excruciating agony on anyone in Dou Huang and below.
But the city's prosperity ended in a single, fateful night.
Without warning, an overwhelming surge of lethal poison erupted from the depths of the Black Rose Forest, followed by the emergence of a strange, dark purple mist that seeped into the air. The once-thriving city was soon engulfed by the poisonous black mist, turning what had been a bustling hub into a silent graveyard overnight.
No one could breach the perimeter of the black mist. Even the mighty Dou Zong who attempted to venture in were met with certain death. For an entire decade, the deadly mist clung to the city, refusing to dissipate. Even now, long after it has cleared, few dare to approach its ruins, and the city remains a tattered shadow of its former self.
Thus, the city came to be known as Black Mist City. Occasionally, a few brave souls would venture into the forsaken ruins. Those fortunate enough to return spoke of a haunting sight—the remains of the city's inhabitants, reduced to nothing but skeletons. Yet, strangely, their bones had not decayed. Instead, they remained pristine, as white as jade, showing no signs of deterioration. Upon closer inspection, each of these skeletons bore a pulsating black rose mark at the nape of the neck.
Even more terrifying, anyone who dared to touch these jade-white bones was instantly poisoned. Their skin would blacken, slowly melting away from their flesh, until death claimed them in unbearable agony. When the poison had consumed the body, what remained was a skeletal figure—just like those in the city—marked by the same eerie black rose at the nape.
Lady Azure crossed her arms, causing her graceful robes to tighten even further around her slim, delicate waist, accentuating her elegant figure. As she lightly rubbed her chin in thought, she said, "Based on the nature of the poison and the mark of the black rose, there is only one magical beast capable of such a feat."
Xiao Hua held his breath, feeling a surge of nervousness, but kept his composure. Lady Azure continued, her tone grave, "It's a Rank 9 Magical Beast— the Black Plague Whale."
"Black Plague Whale?" Xiao Hua's eyes narrowed as he spoke in a calm yet cautious voice. "I've never heard of such a beast before."
Though his heart raced at the revelation that the creature was Rank 9, a being equivalent to a Dou Sheng, he couldn't shake the unfamiliarity. How could a magical beast of such stature remain unknown to him?
Lady Azure gave a solemn nod. "It's no surprise," she said softly. "After all, it's already went extinct near the end of the ancient era."
Xiao Hua listened with utmost focus, his expression solemn. The magical beasts of the ancient era were said to possess unfathomable strength, so much so that those of the current age paled in comparison, their power nothing but mere shadows of the past.
If Lady Azure, with her vast knowledge and experience, was so disturbed by this revelation, then the Black Plague Whale must have held a fearsome reputation in the ancient era.
"Black Plague Whale is a species of magical beast that possesses an incredibly dense, adaptive poison," Lady Azure explained calmly.
"Adaptive?" Xiao Hua tilted his head in confusion. Sensing his bewilderment, Lady Azure offered further clarification.
"In essence, the poison of the Black Plague Whale evolves depending on its opponent. If it battles a fire-affinity Dou Qi practitioner, its poison transforms into a deadly fire poison, growing more lethal with exposure to heat. If it faces an ice-affinity practitioner, the poison shifts into a chilling poison, growing stronger by absorbing ice-element Dou Qi."
"Once the poison claims its victim, it swiftly devours the body, leaving behind a skeleton. All the poisonous energy gathers at the nape, forming a sinister black rose mark. It is this very energy that preserves the skeleton, making it as white as jade. Should any living being touch the skeleton, the poison reactivates, devouring the one who dares make contact."
Xiao Hua's eyes flickered with slight amazement, though he wasn't overly shocked. In a universe where medicinal pills could gain spirituality, intelligence, and even human form, the idea of adaptive poison wasn't beyond belief.
"So even that's possible, huh?" he muttered.
Lady Azure's lips curled into a faint smile as she continued. "The poisons would fears someone with the Woeful Poison Body. To those with such a unique constitution, this poison would be nothing more than a source of nourishment—a delicacy that strengthens them."
She tilted her head slightly, a subtle gesture that made her look almost playful. The mention of the Woeful Poison Body sent a ripple through Xiao Hua's heart, but he quickly calmed himself.
"How about me? Would I have any chance of surviving if I ventured into the Black Rose Forest?" Xiao Hua asked, his tone steady as he pointed to himself. Though he knew the risk of death in the ancient ruin was overwhelming, he didn't flinch, remaining calm and composed.
"Besides the Woeful Poison Body, it would also fear Heavenly Flames. But you, Xiao Hua, possess three divine beings far superior to any Heavenly Flame, even in their current fragmented forms. The Primordial Heavenly Flames, the origin of all Heavenly Flames; the nine Beasts of Heaven, the Heavenly Lightnings; and the winter of all life, the Celestial Ancient Frost."
Lady Azure placed her hand delicately against her cheek, her lips curling into a slight, confident smile. There was an unmistakable aura of authority, nobility, and arrogance radiating from her—an air that seemed to look down on even the heavens themselves. "Naturally, the poison of the Black Plague Whale is nothing more than trash in comparison. With just a flicker of flame in your palm, it wouldn't dare approach."
Xiao Hua nodded, feeling a surge of reassurance. "If that's the case, then let's depart immediately, Sister Azure. I believe I've rested enough."
With no need to fear the poisonous black mist any longer, Xiao Hua's resolve was set. The forest was no longer a problem for him—he could now venture further without hesitation.
----|
Six days later, deep within the Black Rose Forest.
A small, black-clad figure sat motionless atop a stone, a faint green glow emanating from his body. The forest around him was shrouded in an ominous, black mist, yet none of it dared to approach him, as if afraid of his presence.
"Child, the secret realm will soon open. Prepare yourself," a voice echoed within his mind.
At the sound, the figure stirred. Slowly, he opened his eyes, revealing a pair of striking heterochromatic irises—crimson in his right eye, cyan in his left. Rising from his seat, he reached up and pulled back the hood that had shadowed his face, unveiling long, jet-black hair tied into a sleek ponytail that cascaded down his back.
"Sister Azure, will the mist clear when the realm opens?" Xiao Hua asked softly. He knew that when ancient ruins surfaced, they often brought forth great upheaval, tearing apart anything in their path. Most of the time, these ruins were sealed by layers of ancient energy, each imbued with terrifying power capable of vast destruction.
Lady Azure's voice remained calm, her tone unwavering. "The mist will disperse, but only for a short while. You've already seen the location where the ruins will emerge—it lies at the very heart of the black basin, where the poisonous liquid continuously gives rise to this foul mist."
Indeed, when Xiao Hua had ventured to observe the ancient ruin from afar, standing atop the branches of the tallest trees, he had seen no sign of the ruin itself. Instead, his gaze fell upon a vast basin, spanning ten kilometers, filled to the brim with a dark, sinister liquid, forming a black swamp.
That black swamp emitted a dense, noxious mist that enveloped the entirety of the Black Rose Forest. According to Lady Azure, the liquid was the poison of the Black Plague Whale, known as the Black Rose—a terrifying and ancient creature, or at least, so she claimed.
"Won't the strong commotion from the spatial seal breaking blow the black swamp away?" Xiao Hua asked, concern creeping into his voice.
Once again, Lady Azure shook her head slightly. "While it appears to be out in the open, the black swamp is actually sealed within the spatial barrier of the ancient ruin, not outside of it. However, due to the overwhelming density of its poisonous energy, the seal has become distorted, allowing some of the poison to seep into the outside world."
Xiao Hua's brows furrowed as his expression darkened, a hint of nervousness flashing in his eyes. "Then, the poisonous mist that's covering the forest is..."
"Merely a residue," Lady Azure finished, her tone composed yet carrying a sense of weight.
Xiao Hua's heart sank. The poisonous mist, potent enough to kill a Dou Zong, was nothing more than a residue—merely a fraction of the true danger. If the spatial seal were to fully crack open, wouldn't the poisonous mist emitted from the black swamp be unleashed in full force?
Lady Azure sensed Xiao Hua's growing anxiety and sought to reassure him. "There is no need to worry. Once the spatial seal are broken, there is a formation array on that would immediately refine the black poisonous swamp. However, not all of it will be refined, and the remaining black poisonous swamp will emits a poisonous energy and form the black mist that lingers in this forest for some time."
She continued, her tone cautious. "That mist, even in its weakened form, would still pose a threat to an elite Dou Zong if they're not vigilant. You must ensure that the Primordial Green Lotus Core Flame continually envelops your body when the seals break, so no trace of poison can invade your system."
Xiao Hua nodded solemnly as she concluded her explanation with a stern warning. He muttered under his breath, "As long as I remain in this forest, I have no intention of letting down my guard. Without the flame's protection, I'd be courting death, Sister Azure..."
He understood the danger all too well. What unnerved him the most about the Black Rose Forest wasn't just the poison—it was the eerie absence of any magical beasts. He had expected to encounter hordes of poisonous creatures in such a treacherous place. Yet, not a single one could be found. The mere presence of the Black Plague Whale, even in its weakened state, was enough to drive all other beasts away.
"Even after more than a millennium, with its power diminished, the Black Plague Whale reigns as the sole overlord of this forest... merely through its presence," Xiao Hua mused quietly, a chill running down his spine as he grasped the enormity of what lay ahead.
"Here it comes, child!" Lady Azure's voice echoed, snapping Xiao Hua out of his thoughts.
He inhaled deeply, channeling the Primordial Green Lotus Core Flame through his veins. In an instant, the flame surged within him, erupting from countless pores across his body like a protective shield. His form now cloaked in the green-hued flame, he swiftly moved behind a massive boulder, bracing himself for the violent eruption of spatial energy that was about to occur.
Bang!
The air quivered as a sharp cracking sound echoed through the forest, followed by a surge of chaotic spatial energy that roared outward like a furious storm. The force was so intense that even an elite Dou Zong would easily face their demise here. The violent spatial ripple tore through the poisonous black mist, sweeping it away completely before dissipating as quickly as it had come.
Xiao Hua, having positioned himself far enough from the epicenter, managed to stabilize himself with little difficulty. He exhaled, calming his turbulent energy before turning his gaze upward. Lady Azure materialized beside him, her ethereal form gazing toward the sky.
There, a brilliant white light began to coalesce, slowly forming into a towering pillar of radiance. Xiao Hua's eyes narrowed, knowing full well what would happen next. Once the pillar fully took shape, it would rise into the heavens, parting the clouds and illuminating the sky like a beacon.
"Once the light rises, it will undoubtedly attract the attention of other experts and powerful factions," Xiao Hua muttered to himself, his heart sinking. The battle for the ancient ruin was about to begin, and the competition would be fierce.
"Why bother with them?" Lady Azure remarked, shaking her head. Her gaze fell upon the bubbling black swamp below, which was slowly oozing out of the ancient ruin. "The black mist is already beginning to reform. We must enter before it fully manifests. Once the thickest layer of poisonous mist appears, gaining entry to the ancient ruin will become far more difficult."
Xiao Hua nodded in understanding. Without wasting another moment, his body flickered and transformed into a blurred shadow as he darted deeper into the forest, racing toward the pillar of light.
As he neared the ancient ruin, the suffocating black mist, which had swallowed all light and plunged the surroundings into impenetrable darkness, had vanished. In its place, a massive structure finally revealed itself before his eyes.
A grand hall stood towering in the center of the ruin. Though not immense—its height reaching merely a hundred feet—it radiated an overwhelming presence. Compared to the Dou Technique Hall Xiao Hua had seen back at the Inner Academy, this hall dwarfed everything in its majesty. There was an undeniable weight to its ancient grandeur, and standing before it, Xiao Hua couldn't help but feel small and insignificant.
The hall was a pristine white, a stark contrast to the ominous black forest around it. From a distance, it seemed like a faint glimmer of light at the end of a tunnel of endless darkness. The contrast was jarring, and yet, the ethereal beauty of the hall stirred something deep within him. This was the entrance to the ancient ruin they had sought—and within it lay both unfathomable danger and unimaginable opportunity.
As Xiao Hua stood before the grand white hall, Lady Azure materialized beside him. From the space between her brows, a surge of majestic Spiritual Strength erupted, spreading outward at an astonishing speed. In an instant, her Spiritual Strength enveloped the entire ancient ruin, probing every inch within the ancient ruin.
Watching in awe, Xiao Hua couldn't help but marvel at her power. If it were him, enveloping the vast ruin with his own Spiritual Strength would be impossible. Even if he somehow managed, understanding every detail—detecting hidden formation arrays, secret chambers, or even the final resting places of ancient Dou Sheng elites—would be far beyond his abilities. Worse, if he recklessly spread his Spiritual Strength, he might inadvertently trigger one of the ruin's ancient traps, suffering severe backlash that could cripple him.
After a short moment, Lady Azure's eyes snapped open. She formed several hand seals in rapid succession, causing the entire ruin to tremble slightly. A black spatial tunnel gradually appeared before them, as if torn open by her will. Xiao Hua's eyes widened in disbelief. To forcefully create a spatial passage within an ancient ruin was something he had never thought possible, yet Lady Azure had done so with ease.
Lady Azure examined the tunnel for a brief moment before turning to Xiao Hua, her expression solemn. "Let's enter. Once we're inside, the tunnel will close immediately. The others will have no choice but to wait for the ruin to naturally open its doors to them."
Her tone left no room for hesitation, and Xiao Hua, sensing the gravity of the situation, simply nodded without a word. Together, they stepped into the spatial tunnel, which immediately sealed itself behind them. Inside, they found themselves in a spatial passageway, drifting toward an unknown destination. Xiao Hua couldn't help but wonder where they would end up, hoping it wouldn't be in a perilous area.
As if reading his thoughts, Lady Azure's voice broke the silence with a reassuring smile. "We are headed toward the Medicinal Garden and Medicinal Warehouse. More accurately, it could be called a Medicinal Forest, given the scale of the place. The tunnel connects directly to a large hall that leads to this forest."
She then turned serious, her voice calm but firm. "I'll explain more about what I've discovered later. For now, focus on reaching the forest, where countless rare and precious medicinal ingredients await."
Xiao Hua merely nodded in response, fully aware that now was not the time for idle conversation. Only once they had reached the safety of the ancient forest would they have the chance to truly understand the secrets hidden within this ruin. Until then, his only focus was to keep moving forward, with Lady Azure as his guide.
After a brief journey through the spatial tunnel, Xiao Hua and Lady Azure emerged into an incomparably vast hall, even larger than the one outside. Xiao Hua couldn't help but be awed by its immensity. His gaze swept around the chamber, noting the numerous pathways and deep corridors extending in all directions, each leading to unknown destinations within the ancient ruin.
"This way," Lady Azure said, her voice calm but decisive. Without hesitation, she stepped toward the second pathway on the left side of the hall.
Xiao Hua followed silently, trusting her without question. Along the way, he noticed several rooms on either side of the corridor, but seeing that Lady Azure paid them no mind, he forced himself to ignore them as well. He could only imagine what might lie within, but there was no time for distractions now.
After walking for some time, Lady Azure gradually slowed and then came to a halt. Xiao Hua, sensing that they had reached their destination, quickly focused his attention ahead. Before them stood a massive raised platform made from a special, gleaming material. It constantly radiated pure, untainted energy, which gathered and swirled at its apex in a mesmerizing display.
Without a word, Lady Azure resumed her steps, ascending the stairs that led to the top of the platform. Xiao Hua followed, his heart pounding with a mix of anticipation and curiosity.
Once at the top of the platform, Xiao Hua's gaze fell upon a large formation array embedded into the floor. The array emitted an ancient and mysterious aura, its faint glow showing signs of life despite the countless years that had passed. Xiao Hua speculated that the array's continued functionality was due to the platform's material, which constantly absorbed the surrounding energy, fueling the ancient formation.
"It's a Transfer Array," Lady Azure explained calmly. "Once I activate it, we will be transported to the ancient forest I mentioned."
Xiao Hua nodded, stepping toward the center of the array alongside her. As they positioned themselves within its core, Lady Azure spoke again, her voice reassuring. "Don't worry. I've surveyed the entire ancient ruin. There are no dangers near the Transfer Array in the forest."
Xiao Hua acknowledged her words with a nod, and the tension in his body began to ease. He had already circulated his Dou Qi in preparation for any unforeseen threats, but Lady Azure's confidence allowed him to relax slightly.
Without further delay, Lady Azure formed several seals with her hands, causing the formation array beneath their feet to hum softly before the glow intensified. The light grew brighter and brighter, until it was nearly blinding. Xiao Hua narrowed his eyes, squinting against the intensity, and eventually raised his hand to shield his face as the brightness became overwhelming.
Moments later, the light receded just as abruptly as it had appeared, and the rich scent of medicinal herbs filled the air. Waves of pure, fragrant energy washed over him, bracing his mind and instantly clearing his senses. A flash of surprise crossed Xiao Hua's eyes, and he lowered his hand.
Before him lay the ancient forest—lush, vibrant, and filled with an otherworldly vitality. He could see dense patches of rare and precious medicinal ingredients scattered across the landscape. It was a scene that surpassed even his wildest expectations, and for a moment, Xiao Hua stood in awe, taking in the beauty and richness of the place that had been hidden for countless ages.
What greeted Xiao Hua's eyes was exactly as Lady Azure had described—not a stone chamber or a mere garden, but an expansive, ancient forest entirely composed of rare and precious medicinal ingredients. The sheer vastness of the medicinal forest left him momentarily speechless. The air itself was thick with the fragrance of herbs, carrying an aura of vitality and age.
"Is this entire realm…" Xiao Hua muttered in disbelief, his gaze sweeping across the endless forest, "...dedicated to medicinal ingredients?"
Lady Azure smiled softly, her expression serene as she surveyed the lush forest. "That's right, child. This entire realm exists solely to cultivate and nurture these precious ingredients. It was once the treasury of an ancient Dou Sheng, a place of unimaginable value for alchemists and cultivators alike."