CHAPTER 281: CHAPTER 280: INVESTIGATING BLOOD POISON

According to Nezha, as a warrior, shouldn’t you at least have an AoE skill for clearing enemies and a big move?

Yang Jian flipped through the Yuxu Immortal Technique. It certainly contained many Divine Skills, but most weren’t compatible with his martial path. Either they required an excessively long cultivation time or consumed too many resources.

His cultivation of the Eight-Nine Profound Skills had already severely compressed his available time for training. Learning something else would inevitably delay his progress, so he decided to consult Nezha.

Nezha was particularly interested in matters like this. His cultivation level was that of a Golden Immortal, yet his abilities surpassed those of ordinary Taiyi Golden Immortals. Coupled with his vast and chaotic knowledge, he used the River Map and Luo Book to deduce techniques that could be used in the Primordial world.

Such as "Primordial Energy Bomb," "Meteor Fist," "Ten Thousand Thunder Heaven Summoning," and "Tathagata Divine Palm" ...

The names didn’t really matter. As long as they sounded cool and packed a punch, they were good enough.

These Divine Skills posed some challenges for Golden Immortals who had condensed their Dao Fruit, as in that realm, the focus was no longer a simple battle of ’energy.’ It was more about understanding the Great Dao.

But for those below the Golden Immortal level, these skills were highly effective.

In their combat, apart from Magical Treasures and Martial Power, most of their fights revolved around energy exchanges.

Yang Jian picked two techniques he liked, and now he was preparing to use "Heaven and Earth Longevity."

Yang Yian raised his Three-pointed Two-edged Blade. His originally green mana turned into a raging crimson due to excessive operation. Huang Long noticed his junior nephew about to unleash a big move and quickly backed away.

After a brief buildup, the crimson mana representing ’Heaven’ and ’Earth’ collided and rubbed against each other at high speed, emitting a terrifying wave of energy.

Yang Jian struggled to maintain the balance of this chaotic energy. Slowly, he swung the blade and released the energy.

The terrifying energy lost Yang Jian’s control and became even more ferocious. When it came into contact with the first living creature, the fragile equilibrium was finally shattered. The eruption engulfed everything; instantly, all members of the Sea Clan were annihilated, leaving not even a drop of seawater.

The massive sea waves surged back. Huang Long, observing the explosion’s epicenter in the distance, quickly caught Yang Jian.

His mind was full of questions. Was this even one of the Yuxu Immortal Techniques? Why did it feel completely alien compared to what he had learned?

At this moment, he really wanted to ask Yang Jian, "Which ’page’ did you find this Divine Skill on?"

After observing for a moment and confirming that the Blood Poison hadn’t spread, Huang Long felt relieved. Seemingly sensing Master Huang Long’s curiosity, Yang Jian proactively explained, "This is a Divine Skill created by our Junior Master. I never expected its power to be this immense."

Huang Long responded with an "Oh." He was merely curious and didn’t necessarily intend to learn it.

"Hurry up and recover your cultivation, junior nephew. I’ll be needing your help later."

...

The Blood Poison spread in the sea, and it wasn’t just affecting the Sea Clan. It also impacted the Jie Sect forces dwelling in the East Sea.

During the Sealing God Tribulation, the Jie Sect suffered heavy losses, handing over many Immortals to Buddhism. Currently, about three thousand members remained, gathering in the East Sea—a rowdy bunch, to say the least.

Whether feasting on seafood, searching for spiritual materials, or occasionally slaughtering dragons, these activities were simply routine for them.

Some lower-cultivation Immortals infected by the Blood Poison had already turned bloodshot-eyed and gone berserk.

As time passed, more Immortals were affected by the poison. Although the Jie Sect had proficient medicine-refining techniques, their extended research was still unable to resolve this Blood Poison.

Left without options, they eventually sought help from the Inner Sect.

At the time, Duobao was still recovering from injuries, Gui Ling was now listed in the rankings, and Wudang Saint Mother, being the Guardian, was unable to act lightly. The Sect Leader’s senior disciple was still Jin Ling Saint Mother.

Jin Ling examined the berserk Immortals for some time but couldn’t discern a solution. Fighting was her forte, but biological research? That was asking too much.

What about seeking help from her master?

Tongtian Sect Master had been in a foul mood since his last visit to Zixiao Palace. Although asking him would surely solve the problem, would a group of insignificant beings matter more to him than his own emotions?

She personally left the island to capture a completely crazed Immortal for observation.

As she listened to the Immortal’s nonsensical ramblings, such as "Ancestor, I’ve found purple qi! Hahaha!" and "Fake, all fake!" she realized there wasn’t any viable solution and simply punched him to death.

Under her delicate fist, the Immortal directly exploded into a mist of blood. She frowned as she observed the golden light on her fist stained with blood. She carefully perceived the energy.

It was strange—inside were chaotic Dao Qis of slaughter, madness, reincarnation, blood, illusion, and many other aspects tangled together.

Could this be an Ancestor of Nether River conspiracy?

As she pondered, a solution began to crystallize in her mind: when you can’t solve a problem, solve the person who created the problem!

She arranged affairs on Golden Turtle Island, instructed Jie Sect Immortals to avoid deep-sea areas, temporarily stay on the island, and informed Wudang Saint Mother before equipping herself with her Magical Treasures to set out.

Currently, the only Jie Sect member capable of assisting her was Yunxiao. While their relationship had always been tenuous, at this juncture? Big question mark.

Don’t ask why. When asked, opposites repel!

The Blood Sea’s Nether River was fragmented, and his cultivation level had plummeted—this was no secret in the Primordial world. Tongtian Sect Master once casually recounted it as though telling a joke.

Jin Ling Saint Mother, confident that she was no weaker than the Ancestor of Nether River at an equal level of cultivation, at least not significantly disadvantaged, prepared to act. Especially since the Qingping Sword was in her possession.

As long as she didn’t end up trapped in the Blood Sea, there would be no problem!

She left Golden Turtle Island and dove into the sea, searching for the Blood Poison’s source.

...

While Jin Ling and Huang Long’s forces were investigating the Blood Poison’s origin, Nezha was still cultivating in Ziwei Palace.

That day, an old acquaintance he hadn’t seen in ages arrived: Yun Zhongzi.

Nezha looked at Yun Zhongzi and felt something seemed different about him, but he couldn’t pinpoint exactly what.

After inviting him into the main hall, he remarked:

"Brother Yun Zhongzi, you are truly a rare guest. How has your recovery been?"

Yun Zhongzi smiled and shook his head, saying, "I’ve been rigorously cultivating day and night, but I’ve only managed to return to the Profound Immortal level. Meanwhile, you, Junior Brother, have surpassed me and attained the Golden Immortal Dao Fruit."

"Brother, you flatter me. You know I’ve been diligent all along."

Yun Zhongzi stayed silent. For Immortals, ’diligence’ meant little. Anyone who had reached this level had been diligent.

The two chatted for a long time, reminiscing about the past and exchanging ideas for new artifact-refining techniques. It felt almost like no time had passed.

After several rounds of wine, Yun Zhongzi suddenly straightened his expression and said, "Junior Brother, may I ask for a private discussion within the map?"

Nezha, knowing this meant serious matters, activated the Mountain and River Map to envelop them. The surroundings transformed into a sea of clouds.

"Brother, is there something you need my help with?"

Yun Zhongzi didn’t reply directly. Instead, he asked, "Junior Brother, do you know my origins?"

"I have some guesses. It’s rumored to have ties with Hong Yun Ancestor?"

Yun Zhongzi nodded.

"Back when Hong Yun Ancestor was besieged by Kunpeng and Nether River, his Divine Soul was shattered. Part was devoured by Kunpeng, part was obliterated by Yuan Tu and Avici, and part escaped."

"The escaped portion split into two: one larger, which later adhered to white clouds and transformed into me, and one smaller, which Zhen Yuanzi has been nurturing in hopes of a revival."

Nezha gave Yun Zhongzi a puzzled look, wondering whether he was Yun Zhongzi or a reincarnation of Hong Yun.

Yun Zhongzi noticed Nezha’s confusion and clarified.

"I am Yun Zhongzi—always have been and always will be."