Chu Yun Empire, Poison Sect Forbidden Grounds
"So that's the full story of my cooperation with Xie Biyan."
Still visibly shaken as he looked at the flames surrounding him, Protector Tie cautiously asked,"That should be enough, right? I've told you everything I know. Can you let me go now?"
Lin Yuan glanced at the Little Fairy Doctor.
She gave a slight nod.
Only then did Lin Yuan turn his gaze toward Protector Tie, whose soul was trembling, and say calmly.
"Thank you for providing the information. If I have any other questions, I'll ask you another time."
"You're still planning to imprison me?"
Protector Tie's expression changed dramatically as he roared in fury.
"Heh."
"You actually expect me to release you?"
Lin Yuan smiled indifferently.
Without giving Protector Tie any chance to react, he waved his hand, sealing him back inside the black box.
The Little Fairy Doctor looked at the black box and sighed softly.
"I never imagined that Xie Biyan could have come this far with the support of the Hall of Souls."
"It seems the numerous massacres that occurred throughout the Chu Yun Empire over the years were all carried out by the Myriad Scorpion Sect in exchange for souls to trade with Protector Tie."
"The Hall of Souls..."
"Just one Protector is a Dou Ancestor."
"Just one Protector can easily manipulate an entire empire."
"What kind of terrifying force are they?"
Lin Yuan smiled faintly, seriousness flashing through his eyes.
"Heh..."
"The Hall of Souls and the force backing it can be summed up in one sentence."
"Dou Saints occasionally appear, Dou Venerates are everywhere, and Dou Ancestors are no more valuable than dogs."
That was precisely why Lin Yuan dared to target a Hall of Souls Protector.
Dou Ancestor-level Protectors were as common as grass within the Hall of Souls.
Unless there were exceptional circumstances, why would the Hall's upper echelons care whether one lived or died, much less seek revenge for them?
If anything, it was more likely that after a Protector died, the higher-ups would simply curse him as a "useless piece of trash."
Hearing what sounded like an outrageous joke, the Little Fairy Doctor shot him an exasperated glare.
She knew nothing about Dou Saints.
However, becoming a Dou Venerate was already enough to make one's name known across the continent.
How could they possibly be "everywhere"?
As for Dou Ancestors. She knew better than anyone how difficult it was to reach that realm.
The vast Chu Yun Empire itself only had a handful of them.
How could they possibly be "no more valuable than dogs"?
Lin Yuan said nothing further.
He merely smiled faintly before storing the black box containing Protector Tie inside his storage ring.
After thinking for a moment, his expression became serious.
"Now we finally know Xie Biyan's true strength."
"A Four-Star Dou Ancestor."
"He won't be difficult to deal with."
"However..."
"Strategically, we may underestimate our enemy."
"But tactically, we must take him seriously."
After a brief pause, he continued thoughtfully,
"To prepare for whatever trump cards he might possess, I suggest we make preparations as though we were facing a Five-Star or even a Six-Star Dou Ancestor."
Lin Yuan clearly remembered that in the original timeline, Xie Biyan indeed possessed an extremely powerful trump card, the Blood Demon Scorpion Emperor.
Using the Blood Soul Art, he had refined a Blood Demon Scorpion Emperor, allowing him to unleash strength comparable to the peak of a Five-Star Dou Ancestor.
The Little Fairy Doctor nodded in agreement.
Victory in battle was never determined solely by cultivation level.
No one understood that better than she did.
Powerful trump cards were often the greatest variables in combat.
She herself was living proof.
Although she was currently only at the peak of a Two-Star Dou Ancestor, if she completely unleashed the Woeful Poison Body while wielding the Nether Poison Flame, she was confident she could contend against a Four-Star Dou Ancestor.
After pondering for a moment, she looked at Lin Yuan.
"What do you have in mind?"
Lin Yuan considered the matter before replying,
"First, we should cut off some of Xie Biyan's wings."
"At the very least, we need to eliminate the threat posed by the Myriad Scorpion Sect's sect-protecting formation, the Poison Cloud Formation."
"We can set a trap and lure out a few of the Myriad Scorpion Sect's Dou Emperors."
"I'll personally capture them."
"That way, we'll weaken their fighting strength, while also allowing me to use those Dou Emperors to advance some of my research."
"You're referring to your research on the Demon Poison Spot?"
the Little Fairy Doctor asked, staring intently at him.
"Exactly."
Lin Yuan nodded.
"To be honest, even if Xie Biyan has hidden cards, once you and I join forces, wiping out the Myriad Scorpion Sect won't be difficult."
"But Dou Emperor-level poison cultivators are quite rare."
"Killing them outright on the battlefield would be a tremendous waste."
"It's far better to capture them alive and use them to perfect the Demon Poison Spot."
"Even Xie Biyan himself..."
"I'd like to capture him alive if possible."
"After all a Dou Ancestor-level poison cultivator is a precious resource for the Crowdfunded Cultivation System I've envisioned."
In Lin Yuan's eyes, the experts of the Anti-Poison Sect Alliance were not enemies.
They were merely external reservoirs for storing Dou Qi.
His goal this time was not to eliminate them but to reclaim them.
The Little Fairy Doctor immediately understood his intentions and smiled.
"Leave that to me."
"I'll make the necessary arrangements and inform you once everything is ready."
Then she changed the subject.
"Lin Yuan..."
"Since you intend to make use of the Chu Yun Empire for your cultivation..."
"Why don't you take up an official position within the Poison Sect?"
"Hm?"
Lin Yuan blinked in surprise.
Smiling gently, the Little Fairy Doctor explained,
"With an appropriate position, it will be much easier for you to mobilize the Poison Sect's resources."
"You won't have to come through me for every little matter."
"That makes sense."
Lin Yuan's eyes brightened.
After a brief moment of consideration, he readily agreed.
"An official identity would indeed save me a great deal of trouble."
"Then I'll leave it to you to arrange a suitable position."
"From now on, I'll be your subordinate."
"So..."
"Should I call you Little Fairy Doctor Or Lady Heaven Poison?"
Hearing this, the Little Fairy Doctor shot him a mock glare before speaking seriously,
"The position of Vice Sect Master of the Poison Sect has remained vacant until now."
"You shall take it."
"Oh?"
"You're making me Vice Sect Master right away?"
"Won't your subordinates have objections?"
Lin Yuan asked teasingly.
The Little Fairy Doctor waved her hand dismissively.
"I founded the Poison Sect myself."
"No one else has the right to question my decisions."
"Besides..."
Her gaze settled upon Lin Yuan's face.
"Your strength is more than enough to silence all objections."
"Haha."
"That's certainly true."
Lin Yuan smiled confidently before surveying the surroundings with satisfaction.
"This place is peaceful. It's perfect for pill refinement."
"I'll refine some calming medicinal pills for you first."
"They should help relieve the occasional episodes of mental instability you experience."
"Thank you."
"Hehe."
"Serving the Sect Master is my duty."
"You..."
A short while later...
Azure flames rose within the Poison Sect's forbidden grounds.
A refreshing medicinal fragrance gradually spread through the air.
Several Days Later
A shocking piece of news swept across the entire Chu Yun Empire like a violent storm.
An unknown Seven-Star Dou Emperor known as Medicine Lord had personally been appointed by the Heaven Poison Lady as the Vice Sect Master of the Poison Sect.
The moment the news spread, the entire empire erupted in an uproar.
Public opinion exploded.
This mysterious new Vice Sect Master, Medicine Lord, seemed to have risen to fame overnight, instantly becoming the center of attention throughout the Chu Yun Empire.
As for Medicine Lord's true identity, countless rumors began circulating.
Some claimed he was the Heaven Poison Lady's junior fellow disciple.
Others insisted he was her closest friend.
Still others, speaking with remarkable confidence, claimed he was the Heaven Poison Lady's favored male companion.
Within the Poison Sect itself, however, everyone knew the truth.
Medicine Lord was actually Lin Yuan.
He had deliberately defeated several challengers by only a slight margin, firmly establishing his authority as Vice Sect Master.
Afterward, he volunteered to undertake the mission of subduing the final neutral faction
the Chu Yun Imperial Family.
Night
Afterward, the shadowy figure took something out from within his robes. Under the faint moonlight, it became clear that the tiny black silhouette was a black centipede with several thin wings. Owing to the color of its body, it was almost impossible to notice in the darkness.
He carefully rolled a secret letter into a small tube and fed it to the centipede. After watching it swallow the message, he flicked his sleeve and released the tiny messenger.
"Go. Deliver this information to the Sect Master and Elder Xie as quickly as possible!"
The black centipede responded as if it understood, silently slicing through the night sky as it flew toward Myriad Scorpion Mountain.
Watching it disappear into the darkness, the shadowy figure curled his lips into a satisfied smile and was just about to turn back toward the Poison Sect when a clear, cheerful laugh suddenly rang out in the night.
"Sect Master, my plan worked, didn't it? See? The traitor delivered himself right to our doorstep."
As the voice fell, space rippled slightly, and Lin Yuan and the Little Fairy Doctor appeared out of thin air not far from the shadow.
Lin Yuan flicked a finger. A thread-like strand of Dou Qi shot out with pinpoint precision, wrapping around the black centipede that had just begun flying away and drawing it back into his palm.
The centipede struggled frantically after being restrained, but the moment a trace of purple light flashed through Lin Yuan's eyes, it immediately became completely docile.
The Little Fairy Doctor gazed coldly at the shadow and said indifferently,
"So it was you, Elder Wu Ya the traitor."
At the same time, Lin Yuan calmly unfolded the secret letter Wu Ya had sent and quickly read through its contents.
"So that's how it is..."
Wu Ya's expression changed dramatically before realization dawned upon him.
"I was wondering why the operation against the Chu Yun Imperial Family had been arranged so hastily. The real purpose was to lure me out."
Lin Yuan merely smiled faintly.
"It was only a convenient side objective."
The instant his voice fell, his figure vanished from where he stood amid a faint rumble.
Before Wu Ya could even react, a slender hand wrapped in fierce force had already appeared behind him and gripped his neck.
Feeling the razor-sharp Dou Qi pressing against his throat, beads of cold sweat immediately formed across Wu Ya's forehead.
His life and death now depended upon a single thought from the man behind him.
"At this point, Elder Wu Ya..." Lin Yuan said casually, "your choice is simple. Live or die?"
"I want to live!"
Sensing the sliver of hope hidden within Lin Yuan's words, Wu Ya hurriedly begged for mercy.
"Sect Master! Vice Ancestor Master! Spare my life! I've shed blood for the Poison Sect! I've rendered countless services to the Poison Sect!"
"Sect Master?"
Lin Yuan turned toward the Little Fairy Doctor, waiting for her decision.
She stared coldly at Wu Ya before asking,
"Wu Ya, I have never treated you poorly. Within the Poison Sect, you've always held considerable authority. Why betray me?"
Feeling the killing intent in her eyes, Wu Ya smiled bitterly.
"Sect Master.. I never had a choice."
"I've always belonged to the Myriad Scorpion Gate."
"My infiltration into the Poison Sect was ordered from the very beginning. I was sent here to learn your true capabilities."
The Little Fairy Doctor's eyes immediately turned icy.
"As expected..."
"It wasn't only me who had designs on the Myriad Scorpion Gate. They've been plotting against the Poison Sect all along."
She exchanged a glance with Lin Yuan.
He nodded.
"Heavenly Flame Tribulation: Ancient Dragon Soul Suppression Seal!"
A streak of cyan light entered Wu Ya's body.
In an instant, his cultivation was sealed down to the Dou King level.
Lin Yuan spoke indifferently,
"Wu Ya, I've temporarily sealed your strength."
"If you perform well from now on, I'll remove the seal, and you'll still have the opportunity to remain among the Poison Sect's upper ranks."
"But if you try anything clever you'll discover that even death is an unimaginable luxury."
"Y-Yes! Of course!"
With both his strength and spirit crushed by the seal, Wu Ya no longer dared harbor any rebellious thoughts.
He nodded frantically in agreement.
Lin Yuan gave a slight nod before speaking meaningfully,
"Tell us everything you know about the Myriad Scorpion Gate."
"And let me remind you..."
"You're not the only Myriad Scorpion Gate member we've captured, nor are you our only source of intelligence."
"If the information from all of you doesn't match..."
"Heh..."
He deliberately left the sentence unfinished, merely fixing Wu Ya with an emotionless stare.
Wu Ya felt a chill run through his heart.
"Sect Master... Vice Ancestor Master... I've wanted to abandon darkness and return to the light for a long time. From now on—"
Before he could finish declaring his loyalty, Lin Yuan tossed the black centipede back to him.
"Empty promises are meaningless."
"Tell us everything you know about the Myriad Scorpion Gate."
"That includes every member of the Poison Sect who secretly belongs to the Anti-Poison Sect Alliance."
Facing the two people whose eyes were filled with icy calmness, Wu Ya dared not hesitate in the slightest.
"The people planted within the Poison Sect are..."
After a lengthy interrogation, they extracted a considerable amount of intelligence from Wu Ya.
Lin Yuan then instructed him to send carefully crafted false information back to the Myriad Scorpion Gate, deliberately luring them into dispatching forces to ambush him two days later.
After everything was finished, the Little Fairy Doctor administered a potent poison that would keep Wu Ya unconscious for quite some time before sealing him away.
"Well?" Lin Yuan asked.
"Should we continue hunting for more traitors?"
The Little Fairy Doctor pondered briefly before shaking her head.
"No."
"The Poison Sect expanded far too quickly. It was formed by merging countless different factions rather than cultivating its own loyal core."
"I anticipated something like this happening."
"It's only worse than I expected."
"But it doesn't matter."
"As long as we eliminate the Myriad Scorpion Gate, the remaining fence-sitters and hidden infiltrators won't amount to much."
"Very perceptive."
Lin Yuan looked at her with approval.
"Our strength already surpasses theirs."
"As long as we destroy the heart of their resistance the Myriad Scorpion Gate, the remaining factions will surrender the moment our proclamation arrives. Those hidden infiltrators will naturally integrate themselves into the Poison Sect's new order."
"And besides..."
A cold glint flashed through the Little Fairy Doctor's eyes.
"This is better."
"When the time comes to use them or sacrifice them. I won't have to hesitate in the slightest."
Lin Yuan raised an eyebrow.
"Listening to you it sounds like you aren't particularly attached to the Poison Sect."
The Little Fairy Doctor gently brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and answered calmly,
"I originally founded the Poison Sect for two reasons. To gather cultivation resources..."
"And to search for a cure to my Woeful Poison Body."
"Now..."
"The Poison Sect has already fulfilled both of those purposes."
"I no longer have much need for it."
"Since it's still useful to you. I'll give it to you."
As she spoke, her violet-gray eyes met Lin Yuan's with calm sincerity.
"From this day onward..."
"The Poison Sect is yours to command.
Lin Yuan considered her words for a moment before accepting her goodwill without refusal.
He truly did have many future uses for the Poison Sect.
"Heh..."
Lin Yuan suddenly sighed with emotion as he looked up at the vast sky.
"It seems..."
"Once you possess enough strength, the entire world becomes much simpler."
"Even an enormous empire has become nothing more than a gift casually passed between us."
Only two years ago, the Little Fairy Doctor had merely been an obscure healer from Qingshan Town.
Now she stood as the supreme ruler of an entire empire.
Only three years ago, Lin Yuan had been nothing more than a humble Dou Grandmaster.
Now he had become someone capable of effortlessly controlling or destroying, an entire nation.
These few short years somehow felt incredibly brief.
Yet also unimaginably long.
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