CHAPTER 289: CHAPTER 289: CRYSTAL COFFIN (2)_1

And to think, they would use these extravagant goods instead of something simpler—a pigheaded move, indeed. The Spiritual Energy within the space was abundant, warm as spring, but the area surrounding the three of them emanated a faint chill. Shangguan You could clearly see the thick layer of ice formed on the third level, with a faint mist rising from it. This place was actually an ice cellar.

Zhuge Ao was sitting cross-legged on a transparent layer of ice, eyes tightly shut, using the Spiritual Energy of Zhuge Yang and Shen Po to try to force the poison from his body. All three men had their eyes firmly closed, slowly and steadily guiding the poison out of Zhuge Ao’s system.

Shangguan You’s mouth twitched viciously. Her poison was specifically prepared for that pervert Ye Sanshao. Given that he was such a pervert, the poison she had concocted was equally perverse. To think that they could force it out without rendering him a sleeping man is utterly ludicrous.

Moreover, she wouldn’t allow them to expel her poison. If they did, it would mean her poison was too childish.

Shangguan You propped her chin with both hands, continuously scattering a powder that slowly drifted into the air. She watched with a self-satisfied look as the three men struggled. As they attempted to detoxify, she continued to administer more poison. The more they tried to neutralize it, the more toxic it became, and the more entangled the effects grew. A mix of different poisons would kill them even faster.

PFFT. The tension of channeling their energy was evident on the faces of the three men as a thin mist formed on their skin, and the surrounding water vapor constantly evaporated. Zhuge Ao, in the midst of receiving healing, suddenly spat out several mouthfuls of blood with a series of PFFT sounds.

"Since you’ve come, why bother hiding?" Zhuge Yang’s voice carried an intense murderous intent, sweeping through the room like a whirlwind. Wherever his voice reached, gusts of wind followed.

Shangguan You propped her chin on her hands. Shout all you want. No matter how you scream or rage, I simply won’t show myself. If you can, find me.

"Master, there’s a Formation set up outside, and this place is remote—no one will come, and no one can find it," said Shen Po, supporting Zhuge Ao. He watched the ice shatter into pieces due to Zhuge Yang’s Spiritual Energy, his brow furrowing.

"Useless! No one will come? Are you sure about that?" Zhuge Yang’s face was full of dissatisfaction. If there’s no one around, what is this colorless and odorless poison in the air? Why else would Zhuge Ao be spitting up blood at such a critical moment?

"Not only is this place shrouded in black fog, but it also has thorny barriers and a Formation. Unless it’s a high-level expert, no one could come here without being noticed. Even if Shen Cheng came, it would cause a big commotion; I would have known the moment he leapt in. If it really is a person, then this individual must be highly skilled," Shen Po said, his brows also knitting. He surveyed the room. Aside from the shards of ice scattered on the ground, there was nothing else—not even the sound of breathing.

"It must be that black-robed old man!" Zhuge Ao shouted, spitting out another mouthful of blood. "He has the Earth Spirit Bead, but *she* must be hiding in the earth! Besides *her*, no one could move so silently and unseen—*she’s* definitely here!"

As his words fell, Zhuge Yang and Shen Po exchanged glances before concentrating all their energy on the ground.

If it really was that strange black-robed old man, who possessed the Earth Spirit Bead, a Water Spirit Pearl, and the Fire Spirit Pearl, then even with Zhuge Yang’s formidable skills, he would be unable to deal with him. Their only option was to catch the old man off guard.

"Since you’ve arrived, why not show yourself? What kind of skill is it to poison someone stealthily?" Zhuge Yang channeled all his Spiritual Power to his hands, remaining on full alert.

Shen Po added, "That’s right, Senior. You are a person of great stature. We believe that since you’ve come, there’s no need for concealment. With your abilities, even if all of us joined forces, we would still be no match for you. Since you’re here, why hide in the shadows?"

"Black-robed old man, you stole my Fire Spirit Pearl! We no longer have any Spiritual Pearls in our possession, and yet, we didn’t come to you—you found us instead! Do you think the people of the Zhuge Family are so easily bullied?" Zhuge Ao angrily wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, shouting into the room.

Apart from the cries of the three men, the room was silent, so quiet that even the sound of the wind could be heard. Inside her separate space, Shangguan You was munching on Spirit Fruit and occasionally sipping Spring Water. I just won’t come out. What are you going to do about it? Curse and shout all you like. It’s not me you’re scolding anyway.

"Senior, I know the whereabouts of the Metal and Wood Spirit Pearls. Please, show yourself," Shen Po said in a heavy voice, his gaze fixed on any movement in the room. The three men took positions at three different points, their backs pressed firmly together. The feeling of knowing an enemy was close by, knowing they were in danger, yet not knowing where the opponent was, was profoundly unsettling.

Zhuge Yang was the first to lose his patience. No one from the Zhuge Family had ever been intimidated. Whether within the family or throughout the entire cultivation world, he was a figure of renown. Yet today, to be bullied at one’s own doorstep, not knowing who the enemy was or where they were—the helplessness was unbearable.

Zhuge Yang roared, "Old man, come out, or don’t blame me for being impolite!"

With an angry roar, Zhuge Yang released a powerful burst of Spiritual Energy toward the ground. BANG! He blasted a hole through the floor, connecting their level to the one below and shaking the entire room.

Shangguan You, in her space, secretly stuck out her tongue. Such power! Good thing I didn’t go out. If that palm had struck me, I’d be severely injured. And him saying he won’t be impolite? As if he’s ever been polite to me!

"What’s this?" Zhuge Yang’s brow furrowed deeply as he looked at the Crystal Coffin revealed in the blasted floor. His body flashed down through the opening, landing steadily in front of the Crystal Coffin.

"Master, this is the Crystal Coffin," Zhuge Ao said, leaping down as well. Since the ’old man’ wouldn’t come out, they would try to lure *her* out. They refused to believe there wasn’t a way to make the ’old man’ walk into their trap.

Zhuge Yang asked, "How did it end up here?"

Zhuge Ao replied, "Master, it’s a long story. This Crystal Coffin is no less precious than the Five Spirit Pearls. Not only can the Crystal Coffin preserve one’s youthful appearance, but it can also gather the essence of heaven and earth, aiding cultivation. It is especially beneficial for nurturing the Five Spirit Pearls."