66: Chapter 66 The Dead Forest and the Miasma

[The moment you stepped into the secret realm, a wave of putrid air hit you straight in the face.]

["This is the Withered Forest Miasma Prison?"]

[You stepped on the soil, which was as soft as rotting cotton, and looked around.]

[This was your first time entering a secret realm, and it felt completely different from the outside world. High above in the sky, the light was completely blocked by thick grayish-green poisonous miasma, and the dense forest was dead silent, as if you had stepped into a lifeless dead zone.]

[Most importantly, within such a relatively independent space, the concentration of spiritual Qi was extremely sparse, rivaling even the cities of mortals.]

[This truly is a very pure killing field!]

["Miss Lin, what should we do next?"]

[Cao Qing, who had sworn to protect you safely just a moment ago, now had a wandering gaze and actually showed a hint of helplessness.]

[Just as you were about to speak, a crisp shattering sound like a broken mirror suddenly came from above the sky, followed by countless streams of light falling from the heavens, landing precisely in the hands of every cultivator within the secret realm.]

["This is the contending spirit seal for this martial tournament. The top three holders of these marks in the end can go to the City Lord's Mansion treasury to select a reward. In addition, no one is allowed to settle scores after this competition. I hope you will not keep this seat waiting for too long."]

["Hehe, that's right, everyone can make your moves with peace of mind~"]

[After the two voices fell, the entire secret realm was in a weird state. Cultivators who originally wanted to cooperate temporarily saw vigilance in each other's eyes.]

[The City Lord's Mansion treasury...]

[Although it wasn't the collection of a Nascent Soul cultivator, how bad could the treasury of an earth-grade prefecture city be? To Qi Condensation cultivators like them, if they had enough luck, it would be no less than a heaven-defying fortune that alters their destiny!]

[Good, good, good! It seems this is another suggestion from the old witch. After all, that City Lord doesn't seem to care about this at all.]

[Although you didn't know what her purpose was, for you, this was a great blessing.]

[Clutching the fingernail-sized jade piece in your hand, your heart burned with passion.]

[This was not only a chance concerning the City Lord's Mansion treasury, but also a decree to kill by imperial order. With a Nascent Soul True Monarch speaking, who would dare to settle accounts afterward?]

[You had originally planned to avoid the limelight and wait quietly for the right moment, but now... you seemed to see hill-like storage bags waving at you.]

[Your consciousness swept over the foundation establishment pill inside the system space. That was sent by Feng Qianyue's people three days ago, with superb quality, which should have come from the hands of a high-tier alchemist.]

[By now, you looked down a bit on the foundation establishment pill rewarded by the martial tournament. After all, Bai Shouzhuo had mentioned that the rewarded foundation establishment pill was of mediocre quality.]

[Your net worth of tens of thousands of spiritual stones currently seemed very wealthy, but once you stepped into the Foundation Establishment Stage, you would immediately find yourself strapped for cash.]

[Then why not take this opportunity to make a huge haul right now?]

[After making up your mind, you no longer hesitated. You glanced at the dazed big oaf standing aside, pondering whether to just finish him off directly.]

[But thinking of the huge light curtain above the plaza, you chose to drop the idea. At least for now, your identity was still Madam Bai, and inexplicably executing the son of Bai Shouzhuo's friend would make things difficult to explain once you went outside.]

[Moreover, the other party was also at the peak of Qi Condensation, and his strength was not weak. At least he was an extra target to attract firepower.]

["Follow up."]

[Thinking of this, you strode toward the center of the secret realm.]

["Ah? Oh..."]

[Cao Qing was awed by the fierce aura suddenly erupting from you and instinctively took a step back, but looking at your slender back, his steps uncontrollably followed.]

[...]

[At the edge of the Withered Forest Miasma Prison, inside a sunken basin enveloped by poisonous fog.]

["Boom——!"]

[A heaven-shaking loud noise tore through the thick poisonous miasma within, and instantly flames soared into the sky.]

[As if receiving some order, the next moment, countless streams of light and magical artifacts rose above the basin, attacking and intersecting with one another. It was extremely lively for a time.]

[You and Cao Qing stood at the edge of a precipice, overlooking the battlefield below from a high position.]

[Of course, it wasn't just the two of you. Such a huge commotion naturally attracted the prying eyes of quite a few people.]

["It really is youtan miasma dew?"]

[A rather troubled soft sigh came from nearby.]

[Hearing this, your gaze flickered slightly, and you followed the person's line of sight to look toward the center of the basin.]

[An exotic flower as pitch-black as ink stood quietly in the center, and a small pool of emerald-green liquid gathered at the center of the flower, emitting a faint spiritual light.]

["Greetings, fellow Daoist."]

[The corners of your eyes curved slightly, your eyes carrying a bright smile, and you bowed slightly to the cultivator who had spoken.]

[Hearing the voice, that person turned his head with an impatient expression, but when his gaze landed on you, a gentle smile instantly hung on his face, and his posture was as humble as a spring breeze blowing across the face.]

["Fairy, is there anything you need my help with?"]

[You blinked, a look of hope appearing on your face.]

["I wonder what the youtan miasma dew mentioned by fellow Daoist earlier is?"]

["Ahem~"]

[He ignored Cao Qing's unkind gaze, gave a pretentious soft cough, and slightly shook his sleeves.]

["Fairy has asked the right person. I happen to know the function of this item."]

[Before his voice had even faded, that person's figure had already swept across the air like willow catkins, abruptly landing about three steps to your side.]

[A flash of surprise crossed the depths of your eyes; this person's movement technique was not weak.]

[You slightly averted your gaze, avoiding the other party's direct line of sight as if shy, before speaking in a soft voice.]

["Then... can Daoist brother tell me?"]

["Of course."]

[The corners of his lips held a smile, his tone was warm and gentle, and after standing still, he did not make any discourteous gestures.]

["youtan miasma dew is condensed from the corrosion of poisonous miasma and youtan flowers for at least a hundred years. It can quickly recover injuries, and if consumed enough, one can even become immune to all poisons."]

[Hearing this, you felt somewhat surprised.]

[The effect of this spiritual item was indeed not bad, but it wasn't strictly indispensable either. It wouldn't be worth so many people risking their lives for it, right?]

["Fairy doesn't know."]

[That person seemed to see the doubt in your eyes and smiled mysteriously.]

["youtan miasma dew is not an exclusive product of this secret realm. Any place with poisonous miasma and youtan flowers has a probability of producing it. But youtan miasma dew has a characteristic, which is that it can allow the person who consumes it to be temporarily and completely immune to the poisonous miasma of the place where it was born."]

["What do you mean by temporary?"]

["Seven days."]

["How much needs to be consumed?"]

[Looking at the small pool of youtan miasma dew in the center of the flower, you fell silent.]

[Quite a few figures nearby had already started stirring restlessly. The battlefield below had reached a white-hot stage; although quite a few cultivators still remained, one side was about to not hold on much longer.]

[This item must absolutely not be obtained by these people!]

[As your thoughts spun, the killing intent in your heart suddenly surged.]

["This fellow Daoist, I don't know your esteemed name yet?"]

[You slowly turned your body sideways, your eyes filled with a gentle smile, while the spiritual power within your body was continuously converging toward your palms.]

[The man did not answer, but instead quietly moved back two steps, widening the distance between you and him.]

["Fairy, please don't blame me. I have a relatively keen perception of killing intent."]

[Noticing the fleeting astonishment in your eyes, he smiled and spoke.]

["That is indeed interesting."]

[You dissipated the spiritual power gathered in your hands, no longer putting on a false act, and looked him over with a calm expression for a moment.]

["My name is Lin Qianqian. I wonder if fellow Daoist is interested in cooperating?"]

["Of course... extremely glad to."]

[The corners of the man's mouth curved upwards, he raised his hand to tidy his sleeves, and naturally bowed to you with cupped fists.]

["I am Han Xuan."]