84: Chapter 84 Re-entering the Thousand Poisonous Forest

Inside the cultivation room, Ning Yuan sat cross-legged on a stone bed, silently stabilizing his cultivation. From the Aura permeating his surroundings, one could clearly feel that Ning Yuan's cultivation had already broken through to the Late Stage of the Golden Core.

After engaging in Dual Cultivation with Mu Qingyao and absorbing a large amount of excess Supreme Yang Power, his cultivation Breakthrough happened naturally.

Furthermore, whether it was due to the nine yang soul returning ganoderma or the Dual Cultivation, his previously damaged Divine Sense had also fully recovered, and it even felt slightly more powerful than before.

Though he didn't know the exact reason, it was a good thing regardless; otherwise, he wouldn't have known how long it would take to recover.

This matter could be considered complete. Not only had Mu Qingyao returned to the world of the living, but his own cultivation had also achieved a Breakthrough—a truly double blessing.

“Sigh, Jiaojiao, what exactly happened to you?”

However, as soon as Ning Yuan thought of Du Jiaojiao, he couldn't help but sigh. Even the joy of his recent cultivation Breakthrough was significantly dampened.

Just half a month ago, Du Jiaojiao received a message from her clan, asking her to return to the Thousand Miasma Poison Forest. Because Ning Yuan hadn't woken up yet at that time, she simply informed Nangong Xi and returned alone.

But until today, there has been no news from Du Jiaojiao, and she hasn't replied to any messages. Given the danger of the Thousand Miasma Poison Forest, Nangong Xi and the others didn't dare to enter, so the matter has been delayed until now.

Previously, he was delayed by Mu Qingyao's situation, but now that it was resolved, Ning Yuan planned to make a trip to the Thousand Miasma Poison Forest to see what was going on.

“You all may come in!”

Of course, he wasn't going in unprepared. Nangong Xi happened to have arrived, so he could ask her if the items he requested were ready.

After a moment, the three women entered the cultivation room together and sat down to one side. They all had an idea of what Ning Yuan wanted to discuss, so the atmosphere was somewhat solemn.

“Hmm? Tao Yao didn't come?” Ning Yuan scanned the room and frowned instantly. He recalled having mentioned it to her before.

“Haven't I arrived? What's the rush!” A charming voice rang out, followed by a graceful figure walking in with a swaying gait.

Tao Yao's expression was not very pleasant at the moment. Her face was dark, as if someone owed her money, and she didn't give Ning Yuan a single kind look upon seeing him.

“You already know the situation. I wonder what your thoughts are?”

Seeing her like this, Ning Yuan didn't intend to argue. Once Tao Yao was seated, Ning Yuan asked in a heavy voice.

“My thought is not to go. Whoever wants to go can go, but I'm certainly not!” Tao Yao glanced sideways at Ning Yuan and spoke with total indifference, then began to leisurely fiddle with her fingernails.

She would never agree to risk her life in the Thousand Miasma Poison Forest for someone she had absolutely no relationship with.

Hearing this, Nangong Xi and the other girls looked at each other. They were well aware of Tao Yao's background, so her attitude was not surprising.

The fact that she could come here and sit with everyone was already a sign of her broad-mindedness; anyone else might not have shown up at all.

“Tao Yao, you have to go whether you want to or not! I called you here to notify you, not to negotiate with you!”

Ning Yuan glared and shouted sternly. He wouldn't indulge this woman. She had only submitted before because he was in a weakened state, but now that he had recovered, he immediately became firm.

“Ning Yuan, don't think that just because I swallowed a poison pill, I have to be at your beck and call. Do you even know what kind of place the Thousand Miasma Poison Forest is? It's a place where even Soul Transformation experts never return. If you're still rushing to go there, is it really worth it for one woman?”

Tao Yao slammed the table and stood up, speaking sharply through gritted teeth. A cold light flickered in her eyes, and she was just short of pointing at Ning Yuan's nose and cursing him.

Tao Yao had long been dissatisfied with being coerced by Ning Yuan, but she was under his control and couldn't be too excessive. Now that he wanted her to go to such a dangerous place, she was unwilling to comply.

Tao Yao's sudden outburst startled everyone present. Even Ning Yuan hadn't expected her to have such a strong reaction. It seemed that to get her to go to the Thousand Miasma Poison Forest with him, he would have to try a different approach.

“Tao Yao, how about this? As long as you are willing to make this trip with me, I can give you a Magic Treasure that is compatible with you. What do you think?”

Since she wouldn't compromise, he would change his method. He didn't believe she wouldn't give in; Ning Yuan was very confident in the Magic Treasure he was offering.

“Hmph, you think a mere Magic Treasure can buy me? When I was a Pavilion Master, what kind of Magic Treasure had I not seen!” Tao Yao snorted coldly, her pretty face showing contempt. She didn't believe Ning Yuan could produce anything that would interest her.

“Then you'd better look closely!” Ning Yuan said with full confidence. With a flick of his hand, the entirely fiery-red phoenix zither appeared before him, and he handed it toward Tao Yao.

“The seventh-grade magic treasure, phoenix zither. Will you come with me now?”

At this moment, Tao Yao's attention was entirely focused on the phoenix zither. How could she have the heart to listen to Ning Yuan? The moment the phoenix zither appeared, Tao Yao felt a wonderful sensation, as if they were connected by blood.

The other three women also widened their eyes, their beautiful gazes fixed on the phoenix zither with glowing intensity. This was the first time they had ever seen a Magic Treasure of such a high grade.

Just looking at it, one could feel a terrifying Aura. It was hard to imagine what kind of world-destroying power would erupt if it were actually unleashed.

Just as Tao Yao was about to step forward for a closer look, Ning Yuan flicked his hand again, and the phoenix zither instantly vanished.

“You...”

Tao Yao felt such hatred in her heart. Her beautiful eyes glared at Ning Yuan with fire. She had just sensed something unusual, only to be abruptly cut off.

“Now, what do you say?” The corners of Ning Yuan's mouth curled up into a successful, cunning smile. He had long known about the compatibility between the phoenix zither and Tao Yao; otherwise, he wouldn't have brought it out.

“I... I promise!” Tao Yao said through gritted teeth. Under the temptation of the phoenix zither, she truly couldn't utter a word of refusal, so she had to agree.

“That's good!” Ning Yuan nodded with satisfaction, a smile flashing in his eyes. He knew Tao Yao wouldn't be able to resist the temptation. He then looked at Nangong Xi nearby and asked:

“The things I asked you to prepare, how many have you gathered?”

Hearing this, Nangong Xi pulled out a storage ring and handed it to Ning Yuan, saying, “I had the Poison Refining Old Ancestor buy these. Currently, there is war all around the Southern Province, and various resources are in short supply, so the quantity...”

“I'll take a look first. If it's not enough, we'll talk later,” Ning Yuan said dismissively, reaching out to take the storage ring.

“Ding! host has obtained Nascent Soul Puppet *1. After the hundredfold reward, obtained void refining puppet *1!”

“Ding! host has obtained the secret technique ‘Aura Concealment Art’. After the hundredfold reward, obtained the secret technique ‘Taking the False for the Real’!”

“Ding! host has obtained...”

“Ding! host...”

“...”

Very good!

All the Talismans and Puppets from the Earth Abyss had been used up. Naturally, he had to restock before heading to the Thousand Miasma Poison Forest; otherwise, relying solely on Tao Yao wouldn't be entirely secure.

Ning Yuan took out a storage ring and handed it to Nangong Xi, instructing, “Inside are some Magic Treasures, Medicinal Pills, and other miscellaneous things. Take them and divide them among yourselves!”

“This...” Nangong Xi took the handed-over storage ring, her eyes full of worry. She had a premonition when Ning Yuan asked her to collect those items earlier, which was why she had been so distracted.

“Don't worry, Tao Yao is here! When the time comes, she'll be the one at the front!”

Ning Yuan waved his hand and spoke nonchalantly. He then glanced at Tang Qian and Mu Qingyao, giving them a reassuring smile to put their minds at ease.

“Let's go!”

After speaking to Tao Yao, Ning Yuan strode outside. Tao Yao gave him a fierce glare—she had heard what he just said—but under the temptation of the phoenix zither, she still followed him with a heart full of resentment.