Chapter 231

Chapter 231: Master of a Hundred Poisons

This was an odd young man clad in a black robe with a red flower adorning his head. Hands clasped behind his back, he radiated arrogance as he sneered at Fang Lie, "Drop the treasure and scram!"

The youth’s domineering aura made Fang Lie suspect he faced a supreme expert. But upon closer inspection, Fang Lie froze—the man’s skin glowed faintly with a golden sheen, yet his chest lacked the telltale haze of purple energy. He was merely a Golden Pool realm cultivator!

Having traversed the Wanxing Sea these past days, Fang Lie had battled Nascent Soul experts, slaughtered Purple Palace masters, and felled countless Golden Pool cultivators. Such victories had bred overconfidence; Golden Pool opponents now seemed beneath his notice.

Fang Lie curled his lip dismissively. "Thought you’d be someone impressive. Turns out you’re just gutter trash. Run along, boy. Consider yourself lucky I’m feeling merciful today."

"What?!" The Red-flower Youth gaped before erupting in furious laughter. "You dare? A Qi Sea brat insults a Golden Pool cultivator? Do you even know who I am?"

"Oh?" Fang Lie grinned. "Let me guess—are you the East Kunlun Sword God’s father?"

The youth’s face darkened. He’d intended to boast of his illustrious name and powerful backers, but Fang Lie’s mocking words struck like a slap. The East Kunlun Sword God reigned as heaven’s undisputed supreme expert. Claiming such paternal ties? Unthinkable!

Though proud, the youth revered the Sword God too deeply for such blasphemy. "You mad fool!" he spluttered. "How dare you jest about East Kunlun’s sovereign?"

Fang Lie chuckled. "If you fear mocking them, why swagger before me?"

Bitter hatred for East Kunlun—and the Sword God himself—burned in Fang Lie’s heart. They’d murdered his father. He’d curse them openly without hesitation.

The Red-flower Youth realized he faced an unhinged lunatic who feared neither heaven nor earth. "Enough!" he roared. "Die, you insolent worm!"

His hidden hands thrust forward. From billowing sleeves poured a nightmarish swarm—golden centipedes darting through air, venomous yellow bees, scuttling black spiders, azure scorpions, and grotesque insects beyond naming. The living storm blotted sunlight as it engulfed Fang Lie.

Though initially dismissive, Fang Lie recoiled. He’d never faced such vile sorcery. The seething mass made his skin crawl. Snapping into action, he summoned the Demon-Subduing Golden Bowl’s protective glow.

His undying nature meant little if insects devoured him alive—a prospect too horrifying to contemplate. As golden light encased him, Fang Lie retaliated. A blazing Soulfire Lance materialized—a fiery spear stretching one zhang—that screamed toward his foe.

Enhanced by Fang Lie’s growing power, this attack rivaled a Fourth-tier Magical Item’s full might. Surely enough to crush any Golden Pool cultivator. Eliminate the master, and the swarm would disperse.

Yet reality defied expectations. Though the lance incinerated countless insects mid-flight, its momentum slowed, power dwindling. By the time it reached its target, the weakened strike met empty air—the youth had vanished. The spent projectile harmlessly soared onward.

"Not bad," came the youth’s mocking voice through buzzing wings. "A Fourth-tier defensive artifact and potent divine skill? You’re no commoner. But such trifles don’t permit mocking East Kunlun. Prepare to feed my children!"

Fang Lie stood entombed in writhing darkness, visibility reduced to ten zhang through the chitinous curtain. Yet defiance burned bright.

"Pathetic vermin!" he scoffed. "You think these bugs can breach my Golden Bowl? I’m untouchable!"

However, just as Fang Lie finished speaking, he suddenly noticed with horror that the Buddhist light from the Demon-Subduing Golden Bowl was being drained by the insects outside.

Though each insect only absorbed a thread-like amount, the sheer numbers of thousands feeding on the light caused the golden glow to diminish rapidly. At this rate, the sacred bowl would become scrap metal within fifteen minutes!

The Red-flower Youth observed this development and sneered, "Still talking tough? You think some Fourth-tier Magical Item can stop my poison Gu insects? How naïve! Let me enlighten you – even fifth-rank treasures can’t withstand them. Crushing you is child’s play!"

Fang Lie finally steadied himself, realizing this wasn’t some ordinary Golden Pool cultivator but an Inner Elite Disciple from a major sect.

Testing the waters, he asked, "Your insect control shows skill. Who are you?"

"Now you ask?" The youth snorted. "Fine, for a dying man’s curiosity – I’m Master of a Hundred Poisons, Inner Gate Disciple of the Ten-Thousand Gu Sect!"

Fang Lie’s brow furrowed. The Ten-Thousand Gu Sect ranked among the ten great Demonic Path sects, inheritors of the ancient Left Dao traditions for millennia.

Their disciples wielded sky-darkening swarms of poison Gu insects, making their combat strength unmatched among peers. Even Inner Gate Disciples could challenge opponents several ranks higher.

This overwhelming power came from their endlessly breeding insects – given enough spirit stones, they could simply drown enemies in numbers.

Fang Lie never expected such an opponent in this remote area. Suspicion crept in – was this an ambush?

"Why are you here?" he demanded.

"Hunting a demon beast reported in these parts," the Master shrugged. "Found no beast, but stumbled upon a Thousand-Year Water Lotus instead. Though killing you seems profitable too."

In truth, Immortal Suan Mei had manipulated events to lure the Master here, hoping the insects would eliminate Fang Lie. The cunning immortal had used multiple intermediaries to avoid suspicion.

As predicted, the Master detected the lotus’ scent upon arrival. When Fang Lie dispelled the illusion guarding it, conflict became inevitable.

Though suspecting Immortal Suan Mei’s involvement, Fang Lie lacked proof. Turning to his opponent, he growled, "Your bugs can’t hold me!"

He summoned the Devouring Heaven Chaos Halberd, cleaving through hundreds of insects. But against millions swarming for miles, such efforts proved futile.

Creating temporary breathing room, Fang Lie beat his golden wings to escape – only to be dragged earthward by sudden weight. Hundreds of yellow scorpions glowed around him, anchoring him through earth element Dao magic.

Trapped beneath a failing golden shield amidst endless insects, despair gripped Fang Lie as doom approached.

"Where’s your bravado now?" the Master taunted. "Where are your jokes about Sword God? Cat got your tongue?"

"Fight me properly, coward!" Fang Lie roared.

"Very well!" The Master’s figure materialized thirty zhang away.

Seizing the chance, Fang Lie unleashed Minor Formless Chaos Divine Lightning without hesitation, thinking this would end it.

The figure dissolved like mist. "Pathetic!" came the disembodied mockery. "Did you think I’d fall for that? But your Fangtian Huaji intrigues me – such divine skill! It’ll make fine spoils of war. My thanks!"