Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

”Indeed!”

Seeing Ye Ku’s actions, Yun Xiao picked up the mystical ice blocks scattered on the ground, nodding silently to himself. From the outcome of this event, he realized that the Mist Spirit would indicate whomever had dealt the killing blow.

Although it seemed like Yun Xiao was the one who froze the Mist Spirit into an ice sculpture, it was Ye Ku who delivered the final blow. Thus, Ye Ku instantly sensed something and walked toward the large tree.

Whoosh... whoosh...

As Ye Ku approached the unremarkable-looking tree, a magical scene unfolded. A gentle breeze blew past, causing leaves to flutter down from the tree, turning into a flurry of yellowed leaves before they even touched the ground.

”Could it be...”

Witnessing this magical change, Yun Xiao’s eyes narrowed, as he suddenly recalled encountering a rare deadly poison in his previous life. He thought to himself that this substance was truly extraordinary, even appearing here on Treasure Gathering Mountain.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

As time passed, another astonishing event occurred. After the falling leaves turned yellow, the previously vibrant tree trunk began to wither. Eventually, as if chopped by an axe, fragmented wood pieces fell, appearing both mysterious and bizarre.

”Could this be ’Withered Wood Death Sprout’?”

It must be noted that the Sky Poison Institute’s top genius was no less knowledgeable than Si Mo and even surpassed him in some ways.

When he saw the green hue subtly revealed from the broken pieces of wood, the name of a certain highly toxic substance immediately surfaced in his mind.

Withered Wood Death Sprout, the name itself implies a powerful toxicity, as Ye Ku knew, not even the Lianyun Mountain Sky Poison Institute possessed such a unique poison.

It’s said that the Withered Wood Death Sprout thrives among mountain woods. Initially, these plants and trees grow exceptionally lush, sometimes even faster than ordinary flora.

However, all of this is the Withered Wood Death Sprout storing nutrients for itself. When the plants grow to a certain extent, it devours their life force, rendering them lifeless in an instant — truly terrifying.

The Withered Wood Death Sprout doesn’t only affect plants. If unaware individuals accidentally touch plants catalyzed by it, their blood and essence would be instantly consumed, turning them into desiccated human remains.

Despite its terrifying toxicity, why did a smile appear on Ye Ku’s face? It was because, although the Withered Wood Death Sprout was fatal to ordinary humans or Vein Demons, it was a perfect supreme treasure for him.

Ye Ku had suffered from a strange illness since childhood, with his musculoskeletal system withering. His mentor, Qingmu Wu, managed to control the illness, resulting in a body immune to poisons.

In a way, the Withered Wood Death Sprout resembles Ye Ku’s past experiences. He believed that something considered pigeon bone poison to others was actually a great tonic for him. If he could refine it, it would enhance his Poison Meridian Path significantly.

With these thoughts racing through his mind, Ye Ku directly reached out and plucked the green Withered Wood Death Sprout. Witnessing this, even Yun Xiao felt curious yet remained silent.

Yun Xiao knew Ye Ku wasn’t a fool. As the Sky Poison Institute’s top genius, he must have recognized the nature of the Withered Wood Death Sprout. Given his willingness to touch it, he must have had some assurance.

In the next moment, Yun Xiao, along with Si Mo, Mo Qing, and Liu Hanyi, clearly saw Ye Ku’s right hand holding the sprout, the skin seemingly drying up, leaving it looking like bones wrapped in skin.

The potency of the Withered Wood Death Sprout was evident. Si Mo also recognized the substance’s nature at this moment, worry flashing across his face. Could his senior brother really withstand the Death Sprout’s withering poison?

”Stop for me!”

In the midst of the group’s contemplation, a low command issued from Ye Ku’s mouth. A unique energy erupted from his body, enveloping his entire right hand.

As the power surged, the once terrifying withering power of the wood ceased upon reaching Ye Ku’s right wrist.

Consequently, Ye Ku’s right hand appeared rather dreadful, with a perfectly intact arm and five skeletal-like fingers hanging weakly. The movements demonstrated the strength of the Withered Wood Death Sprout.

But as time passed, Si Mo and the others saw that starting from Ye Ku’s wrist, flesh and blood slowly grew, filling the space between his skin and bones, gradually becoming plump.

”Tsk tsk, the Sky Poison Institute’s so-called Son of Thousand Poisons truly possesses some formidable techniques!”

Even Yun Xiao couldn’t help but sigh after witnessing this scene. The bodies in this world come in all sorts of peculiar forms, such as Mo Qing’s Pure Yang Immortal Body and Liu Hanyi’s Immortal Poison Body. It seems that Ye Ku is also a special physique formed due to some unique reasons.

The deadly poison of the Dead Wood Dead Bud, Yun Xiao had witnessed it personally. Although the one in Ye Ku’s hand was merely a half-step Heavenly Rank, far inferior to the Holy Rank Dead Wood Dead Bud he had seen in his previous life, it was impressive enough that a cultivator at the peak of the Seeking Origin Realm could withstand the deadly poison.

After about 15 minutes, Ye Ku’s right hand gradually became full again. Hurriedly, he stored the Dead Wood Dead Bud into his Waist Storage, his profuse sweating and pale complexion indicating that the process of neutralizing the deadly poison was anything but easy.

”Phew...”

Seeing Ye Ku exhale deeply, he thought to himself how lucky he was. If the Dead Wood Dead Bud had truly reached the Heavenly Rank, even he might have met a disastrous end.

So, to obtain treasures, one must pay the corresponding price. For some high-rank treasures, even sacrificing your life may not guarantee true possession. This is the iron rule of the continent.

”Heh, since every half-step Ninth Rank Fog Spirit will guide you to a Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure, that’s quite interesting!”

Yun Xiao, observing Ye Ku’s state, had already shifted his gaze to the last battlefield. There, the top genius of the Heavenly Hospital, Bai Wushuang, was being cornered by a half-step Ninth Rank Fog Spirit and gasping for breath.

”Senior Brother Wushuang, let me lend you a hand!”

Formulating certain ideas in his heart, Yun Xiao called out and, without waiting for Bai Wushuang to react, directly joined the final battle.

”This guy...”

With Yun Xiao’s loud shout, an odd smile appeared on the faces of Liu Hanyi and Mo Qing, and Ye Ku, catching his breath, also glanced towards the battlefield.

These people all knew the enmity between Yun Xiao and Bai Wushuang. The fact that they didn’t fight upon seeing each other was already quite restrained. Yun Xiao’s words about ”lending you a hand” sounded insincere.

Just obtaining the Dead Wood Dead Bud, Ye Ku was more inclined to believe Yun Xiao intervened out of coveting the object guided by the last half-step Ninth Rank Fog Spirit.

In Ye Ku’s view, since Yun Xiao and Bai Wushuang were adversaries, once the half-step Ninth Rank Fog Spirit was slain, Yun Xiao would not let the discovered item go. At that point, the two might very well have a fight on their hands.

”Get lost! Bai Wushuang doesn’t need your help, you little bastard!”

Even Bai Wushuang, being directly involved, immediately saw through Yun Xiao’s intent. Despite being at a disadvantage, he didn’t want the treasure belonging to him to fall into Yun Xiao’s hands, hence he cursed aloud.

”Senior Brother Wushuang, don’t be polite with me. You don’t seem to be a match for this beast. How about I help you take care of it?”

Yet Yun Xiao wasn’t about to retreat due to Bai Wushuang’s words. Hearing his insinuations, Bai Wushuang nearly spat out a mouthful of blood, feeling belittled like he was beneath a beast.

Already at a disadvantage, Bai Wushuang was in no position to stop the determined Yun Xiao from joining. Meanwhile, the half-step Ninth Rank Fog Spirit was relentless, focusing all its attacks on him.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

Following the same pattern as before, with Yun Xiao’s involvement, Bai Wushuang endured most of the attacks from the half-step Ninth Rank Fog Spirit. After several rounds, Yun Xiao unleashed an Ice Cold Power, instantly freezing the Fog Spirit into an ice sculpture.

Whoosh!

Witnessing the scene, Bai Wushuang quickly reacted. Upon launching an attack, he intended to smash the ice sculpture into pieces, just as Ye Ku did earlier, so that only he knew the guidance it provided.

Little did Bai Wushuang know that while his reaction was quick, Yun Xiao’s actions were quicker. Having learned from Ye Ku’s earlier experience, Yun Xiao knew the intricacies involved.

Yun Xiao had a good impression of Ye Ku, thus he didn’t harbor jealousy when Ye Ku obtained a half-step Heavenly Rank treasure. However, he despised Bai Wushuang greatly, wondering how a precious treasure could fall into the hands of such a person.

So, while Bai Wushuang launched his attack, Yun Xiao had already swiftly snatched the ice sculpture into his embrace. Emanating from the ice sculpture was a subtle aura that only Yun Xiao could sense, bringing a delighted smile to his face.

”Yun Xiao, if you don’t want to die, hand over that Strange Spirit to me!”