39: Undercurrent in the Palace

The purplish-gold thunder pool roared silently in the depths of the Bottle Grotto's ruins, with dense electric snakes leaping across the surface of the solidified, substantive thunderous liquid, emitting a low hum.

Within the pool, Mo Yuan sat cross-legged, dark-gold and purple Thunder Spiritual Power surging through his body like a river, his Qi Refining Middle Stage aura as solid as a mountain.

The Dark Moon Rabbit's ethereal blue figure flickered at the edge of the pool, its [Phantom] interwoven with the lightning, the destructive sharpness of its claw blades becoming even more restrained and lethal under the tempering of the thunder.

The Ant King, like a lava sculpture, was immersed in the most violent area of the thunder pool, its bronze carapace growing deeper and heavier in destruction and Rebirth.

Power was recovering, growing.

However, Wang Linger's clear, pleasant, yet unquestionable invitation, like ice water, pierced through the roar of the thunder pool, clearly imprinted in Mo Yuan's Sea of Consciousness.

Qingyang Wang Family… invited by her father’s command…

Mo Yuan slowly opened his eyes, and in the depths of his dark-gold pupils, there was not the slightest ripple of flattered emotion, only a cold scrutiny and vigilance.

There was no free lunch in this world, especially when he had just experienced the Seven Mysteries Sect's bloody purge, his identity exposed, and was heavily injured.

Was the Wang Family's action an enlistment? Covetousness? Or… a deeper trap?

"Master…" The Dark Moon Rabbit's clear voice sounded in the Soul link, with a hint of inquiry.

Its ethereal blue eyes penetrated the Grotto barrier, locking onto the luxurious carriage and the solemn guards at the entrance of the river bend.

The Ant King's lava-like compound eyes also conveyed a vigilant thought.

The Stone-skinned Turtle in the shallow waters of the river bend, with emerald runes faintly swirling on its dark-black carapace, transmitted an absolute will to protect, while also feeding back detailed information about the outside convoy.

"Observe the changes," Mo Yuan's icy thought issued the command.

He needed time to recover, and even more, a safe stronghold to recuperate and gather strength for revenge.

The Wang Family might be a stepping stone, but it was more likely a new Dragon's Den and Tiger's Lair.

Before he could ascertain their true intentions and background, showing weakness… was also a weapon.

With a thought.

Buzz!

Space ripples spread.

Mo Yuan's figure instantly vanished from the thunder pool, appearing by the Qingyang River, in the shallow water area guarded by the Stone-skinned Turtle.

He was still in his tattered gray robe, his face pale (deliberately retaining a hint of weakness), his aura, though stable at Qi Refining Middle Stage, appeared restrained and slightly unstable, as if he had just experienced a fierce battle, and his Foundation was not yet fully solidified.

He stood in the cold river water, drops dripping down his hair, his gaze calm with a hint of appropriate fatigue and scrutiny, looking towards the luxurious carriage on the official road.

The curtain was completely lifted by that fair, jade-like hand.

A woman sat inside.

She was about seventeen or eighteen years old, wearing a fitted ice-blue palace gown, with silver wave patterns embroidered on the hem, which, as the light shifted, seemed to have real water ripples undulating.

Her dark hair was styled into an exquisite flying immortal bun, adorned with a few warm deep-sea pearls.

Her skin was as fair as snow, her features as beautiful as a painting, especially her eyes, as clear as a mountain spring, yet as deep as an boundless ocean, carrying an innate coolness and nobility.

It was none other than the Qingyang Wang Family's cherished Young Miss, the Prodigy with the rare water-attribute mutated Spiritual Root — Wang Linger.

Her gaze fell on Mo Yuan, and in the depths of her clear eyes, a hint of hard-to-detect scrutiny and… a very faint surprise quickly flashed.

She could clearly sense the other party's Qi Refining Middle Stage cultivation, and the restrained yet extremely pure and overbearing Thunder Spiritual Power fluctuations.

This seemed to have a subtle discrepancy with the image of the "Evil Demon" described in the intelligence, who had stirred up trouble in the Seven Mysteries Sect with bizarre and ruthless methods.

Especially the deliberate weakness and fatigue emanating from the other party, under her keen perception, instead revealed an intentional coldness.

"Daoist Mo Yuan?" Wang Linger's voice was still clear and cold, like pearls clashing, but with less of the previous condescension, and more of an equal inquiry, "My name is Wang Linger. My father heard that Fellow Daoist came from afar from the Seven Mysteries Sect, and also possesses a rare Thunder Spiritual Root, so he specifically ordered Ling'er to invite you to the manor for a discussion. Our Wang Family has always respected talents, and also has a heart to heal the world; perhaps we can help Fellow Daoist recover from your injuries and discuss the Great Dao together."

Her words were polite, her posture lowered, she highlighted the Thunder Spiritual Root, and offered the bait of healing and discussing the Dao.

The Wang Family… indeed came prepared! Their intelligence was quite accurate!

Mo Yuan sneered inwardly, but his face remained impassive, even coughing appropriately, his voice slightly hoarse: "The Wang Family… is renowned far and wide. I, Mo, am merely a Loose Cultivator, having suffered a mishap, and am in such a sorry state. What virtue or ability do I possess to trouble Young Miss Wang to personally greet me?"

He deliberately emphasized "suffered a mishap" and "sorry state," both to show weakness and to probe the other party's attitude and the depth of their intelligence.

"Fellow Daoist is too modest," Wang Linger's lips curved into a faint arc, like a ripple on an icy lake, "The matter of the Seven Mysteries Sect caused quite a stir. But Qingyang City has its own rules. My father cherishes talent, and even more respects those who can survive in adversity. Fellow Daoist's pure Thunder Divine Ability alone is worthy of our Wang Family treating you with courtesy. Please board the carriage; the manor has already prepared a light feast of wine and Spirit Tea, awaiting Fellow Daoist."

She did not delve into the details of the "mishap," but indicated knowledge of the "stir," and shifted the focus to the value of Mo Yuan's Thunder Divine Ability.

At the same time, she directly invited him to board the carriage, her posture seemingly lowered, but in fact carrying an undeniable implication.

Although the dozen or so green-robed guards did not speak, their auras were connected, subtly forming a encirclement, blocking all possible escape routes for Mo Yuan.

Mo Yuan's gaze swept over the guards, all of whom were Qi Refining Middle Stage cultivators, well-trained.

He then looked at Wang Linger's seemingly clear, yet unfathomably deep eyes.

To force his way through? In his current state, with the Stone-skinned Turtle and the Ant King, it wasn't entirely hopeless, but it would inevitably thoroughly offend the Wang Family, expose more of his trump cards, and be more trouble than it was worth.

"In that case… I, Mo, will respectfully obey," Mo Yuan nodded slightly, his voice still hoarse, with a hint of "helpless" submission.

He stepped forward, slowly wading ashore.

As he moved, he seemed to strain his "injuries," his body swaying slightly.

"Fellow Daoist, be careful," Wang Linger's voice came at the opportune moment, with a hint of appropriate concern in its coolness.

Just as Mo Yuan was about to step onto the riverbank!

An unexpected change suddenly occurred!

"Ugh… Pfft!"

Next to the carriage, a green-robed guard leader, who had been standing as straight as a pine, suddenly swayed violently without warning!

His face instantly turned from rosy to a strange bluish-black!

He clutched his chest fiercely, a muffled groan escaping his throat, and a large mouthful of viscous, dark-green foamy foul blood spurted out!

His body, as if its bones had been removed, softly collapsed to the ground!

"Commander Wang!" The surrounding guards immediately turned pale with fright, rushing forward to support him, their faces filled with incredible terror!

The dark-green foul blood emitted a pungent, sweet, and foul odor, clearly indicating severe poisoning!

Wang Linger's clear eyes instantly narrowed!

Her jade finger shot out like lightning, pointing through the air at the fallen Commander Wang!

A condensed light-blue water ripple instantly shot out, entering Commander Wang's body to investigate.

Immediately, her delicate brows furrowed slightly, and a hint of solemnity and… a barely perceptible coldness flashed in her eyes.

"It's the 'Bone-Corroding Soul-Entangling Miasma'! The poison has already entered his heart Meridians! What a potent poison!" Wang Linger's voice carried a hint of solemnity, "This poison requires pure water Thunder Spiritual Power combined with 'Clear Heart Jade Dew' to suppress, but the Jade Dew is complicated to refine, and the only bottle left in the manor… was taken by Third Uncle three days ago to treat Old Ancestor's old ailment."

Bone-Corroding Soul-Entangling Miasma! Clear Heart Jade Dew! Third Uncle took it!

A massive amount of information!

Mo Yuan's steps halted at the riverbank, his cold gaze sweeping over the fallen guard, then turning to Wang Linger.

The timing of this poisoning… was too coincidental! Just as he was about to accept the invitation and board the carriage!

Was it a test? A show of force? Or… an internal power struggle within the Wang Family taking advantage of the situation?

Wang Linger's gaze also turned to Mo Yuan, and in the depths of her clear eyes, the scrutiny and probing became even more apparent, even carrying a hint of… a faint expectation?

She looked at Mo Yuan's pale, tired face, at his tattered gray robe, and slowly spoke, her voice still clear and cold, but seemingly carrying some invisible pressure:

"Fellow Daoist Mo possesses a Thunder Spiritual Root, and your Thunder Divine Ability is of the utmost rigidity and yang, a bane to all evil. I wonder… if Fellow Daoist has a way to temporarily suppress this poison? To save Commander Wang's life?"

She did not directly demand, but rather pointed out the characteristic of Thunder Divine Ability suppressing evil, throwing the problem to Mo Yuan.

This was both a test of his abilities and, likely, a test of his sincerity to cooperate!

The atmosphere in the river bend instantly became subtle and tense.

All the guards' gazes focused on Mo Yuan, filled with suspicion, expectation, and a hint of hidden hostility.

The Stone-skinned Turtle slightly adjusted its body in the shallow water, its dark-black carapace facing the guards' direction, emerald runes silently swirling.

Mo Yuan looked at Commander Wang on the ground, whose aura was rapidly decaying, face bluish-black, and body beginning to twitch unconsciously, then looked at Wang Linger's seemingly clear, yet unfathomably deep eyes.

He sneered even more inwardly. What a Wang Family! What a Wang Linger! One trap after another!

"My cultivation is shallow, and my Thunder Divine Ability is crude; I fear I cannot bear such a heavy responsibility," Mo Yuan said hoarsely, with a clear intention to "decline," while his body swayed slightly, as if even weaker.

"Fellow Daoist need not be so modest," Wang Linger's voice carried an undeniable persistence, "Thunder Divine Ability suppresses evil; it is a truth of heaven and earth. Commander Wang's life hangs in the balance; I hope Fellow Daoist will give it a try. Regardless of success or failure, our Wang Family will surely offer a generous reward!"

She emphasized the words "generous reward" slightly, both as an enticement and an invisible pressure.

No room to decline!

A cold light flashed in Mo Yuan's eyes and quickly vanished.

He slowly raised his dark-purple Thunder Hell Demon Hand, spreading his five fingers, his palm facing the dying Commander Wang on the ground.

His movements were slow, carrying a heavy sense of powerlessness.

"In that case… I, Mo, will do my best," his voice was hoarse, but the dark-gold and purple Thunder Spiritual Root core in his Dantian instantly pulsed to its extreme!

Vast and pure Thunder Spiritual Power surged out, but instead of being directly released, it was all injected into the Demon Hand!

What he wanted was not just suppression! But also… engulfment!

Sizzle sizzle sizzle… crackle…

Sizzle sizzle sizzle… crackle…

Dark purple arcs of destruction leaped and condensed in Mo Yuan's palm, transforming into a constantly twisting, purplish-black ball of thunder exuding an aura of extreme yang and rigidity!

On the surface of the thunderball, dense arcs of electricity moved as if alive, and a powerful aura of purification and destruction permeated the air!

The surrounding guards subconsciously took a step back, their eyes filled with awe.

Wang Linger's clear eyes also brightened slightly, fixed intently on the thunderball.

"Go!" Mo Yuan growled, slowly pushing the thunderball from his palm, letting it hover above Commander Wang's chest!

Buzz—!!!

The thunderball suddenly vibrated! Countless tiny purplish-black arcs of electricity, like living tentacles, instantly pierced Commander Wang's bluish-black skin and entered his body!

"Ugh ah ah ah—!!!" Commander Wang, in a coma, suddenly let out an extremely shrill scream!

His body convulsed and twisted violently, as if thrown into boiling oil!

Beneath his skin, countless dark green poisonous gases, like startled venomous snakes, frantically scurried and struggled, attempting to resist the purification of the lightning!

Sizzle sizzle sizzle... Pfft!

The purplish-black arcs of destruction and the dark green poisonous miasma fiercely clashed and annihilated each other within Commander Wang's body!

Emitting a grating, corrosive sound!

Dark green poisonous pustules constantly bulged on Commander Wang's skin, only to be forcibly punctured and scorched by the arcs of electricity!

The scene was extremely terrifying!

Mo Yuan's face instantly became even more "pale," "fine beads of sweat" seeped from his temples, and his body trembled slightly, as if enduring immense consumption.

He secretly activated the magic bottle, and an invisible devouring force quietly invaded Commander Wang's body along the Thunder Spiritual Power tentacles!

Devour! Refine!

That pure Bone-Corroding Soul-Entangling Miasma was fatal to others, but to the magic bottle, which could devour and refine the Origin of all things, it was an excellent tonic!

Especially the essence of plant toxins contained within it, which was precisely the nourishment needed for the Emerald Demonic Liquid!

In everyone's eyes, Mo Yuan was exerting his full strength to forcibly remove the poison with his domineering thunderous methods.

In reality, he was using the opportunity to devour! To strengthen the magic bottle!

At the same time, he returned the remaining, relatively gentle plant vitality, mixed with a trace of pure Thunder Spiritual Power, back into Commander Wang's body, repairing his Meridians that had been corroded by the severe poison!

Time passed bit by bit.

Commander Wang's shrill screams gradually weakened, and the intensity of his body's convulsions also decreased.

The terrifying bluish-black color on his skin rapidly receded like a tide; although he was still pale and weak, his breathing gradually stabilized.

Most notably, the constantly bulging dark green poisonous pustules on his chest completely disappeared, leaving only scorch marks from the arcs of electricity.

Mo Yuan "suddenly" withdrew his hand, and the thunderball in his palm instantly dissipated.

His body swayed violently, staggering back a step as if exhausted, and was steadily supported by the carapace of the Stone-skinned Turtle (which had shrunk in size) that had silently appeared behind him.

"Pfft..." Mo Yuan "barely" stood firm, then "coughed" out a small mouthful of "fresh blood," his face "ashen," his aura "listless," and he said weakly to Wang Linger, "Mo... has done his best... The poison has been suppressed, but the heart Meridian is damaged... He needs... quiet recuperation..."

Wang Linger's clear eyes gazed deeply at Mo Yuan, then she carefully checked Commander Wang's condition.

The domineering Bone-Corroding Soul-Entangling Miasma within his body had indeed been mostly removed, and the remaining traces of poison were no longer a threat; moreover, a pure vitality was slowly repairing his heart Meridian.

This effect... far exceeded her expectations!

Especially the speed and dominance of the detoxification, which was definitely not something ordinary thunderous methods could achieve!

Her gaze towards Mo Yuan had completely changed.

The previous scrutiny and probing turned into deep solemnity and a hint of... undisguised fervor!

This person's thunderous methods were certainly not ordinary! Their value... immense!

"Fellow Daoist Mo's Divine Ability is astonishing! Ling'er, on behalf of the Wang Family, thanks Fellow Daoist for saving a life!" Wang Linger stood up and bowed solemnly to Mo Yuan, her posture extremely humble, and her tone much more sincere, "Fellow Daoist has suffered immense depletion; please quickly return to our estate with me! The estate's Spirit Pills, wondrous medicines, quiet rooms, and spiritual springs are all at Fellow Daoist's disposal! We must ensure Fellow Daoist recovers completely!"

This invitation had less of a testing quality and more genuine importance and an intention to recruit.

Mo Yuan leaned "weakly" against the cold carapace of the Stone-skinned Turtle, a chill in his heart as he saw the fervor in Wang Linger's eyes.

The first step was successful.

Demonstrate value, gain initial "importance" and a safe base.

"Then... I shall trouble Young Miss Wang." He "with difficulty" cupped his hands.

"Please!" Wang Linger personally lifted the carriage curtain.

Mo Yuan, "supported" by the Stone-skinned Turtle, stepped onto the luxurious carriage with "faltering" steps.

The Ant King's massive figure, under Mo Yuan's mental command, silently sank into the riverbed mud, lying in wait.

The Dark Moon Rabbit's ethereal blue figure had already merged into the shadowy corner of the carriage, like the most loyal dark guard.

The carriage curtain fell, cutting off the outside view.

Inside the carriage, the space was spacious and elegantly arranged, with calming incense burning.

Wang Linger sat opposite Mo Yuan, personally pouring a cup of emerald spiritual tea brimming with Spiritual Qi and handing it over.

"Fellow Daoist, please have some; this tea has the effect of calming the mind and replenishing Qi," Wang Linger said gently.

Mo Yuan "thanked" her and took a shallow sip.

The warm Spiritual Qi flowing into his body indeed had a nourishing effect, but his vigilance remained undiminished.

This seemingly gentle Wang Family had turbulent undercurrents within.

The perfectly timed onset of the poison, the removed Pure Heart Jade Dew... all hinted at the danger beneath the calm surface.

The carriage traveled smoothly on the main road, heading towards Qingyang City.

Silence fell in the carriage for a time.

Wang Linger appeared to be resting with her eyes closed, but her fingertips unconsciously tapped lightly on her ice-blue skirt, as if pondering something.

Mo Yuan, meanwhile, "wearily" closed his eyes, his consciousness sinking into the Bottle Grotto.

Within the time-accelerated core, the thunder pool still roared.

His consciousness swept over the thunder pool, then landed on the edge of the core area—there, in a hidden corner of the vine platform, a small group of surviving Venomous Stinger Worker Bees, fewer than a hundred, floated quietly.

A plan quickly formed in his cold consciousness.

Wang Manor... cellar...

Poisons... collection... refinement...

demonic liquid... workshop...

He needed to recover his strength as quickly as possible, and even more, he needed a hidden base capable of mass-producing deadly poisons!

And the Wang Family's vast network of influence and resource channels were the best cover!

Especially... that Wang Family Third Master, who seemed to have "special needs" for poisons?

"Young Miss Wang," Mo Yuan "weakly" opened his eyes, looking at Wang Linger opposite him, his voice still hoarse, "Mo... has an impertinent request."

"Fellow Daoist, please speak freely," Wang Linger opened her eyes, her clear gaze fixed on him.

"The thunderous methods Mo Cultivates require... extremely yin and evil poisons... as a catalyst to harmonize the excessive yang malevolence in his body," Mo Yuan said "with difficulty," a trace of "unspeakable" embarrassment appearing on his face at just the right moment, "Just now... to detoxify Commander Wang... the consumption was immense... the yang malevolence in my body is imbalanced... I fear I will need... a large amount of substances containing yin and evil poisonous Qi... to harmonize it... otherwise... there might be a risk of backlash..."

He threw out a half-truth, half-lie reason.

Thunderous methods are extremely yang, requiring poisons to harmonize them? This claim was unheard of and extremely strange.

But combined with his domineering detoxification performance just now, and his current "weak" state, it added a few points of credibility.

Wang Linger's clear eyes flickered slightly, and the tapping of her fingertips paused for a moment.

A large amount of substances containing yin and evil poisonous Qi? This request... was indeed sinister!

But... it also seemed to confirm the uniqueness and power of his thunderous methods.

The Wang Family controlled Qingyang City and its surrounding resources; collecting poisons was not difficult, but...

Her mind instantly flashed to the face of her Third Uncle, who managed part of the Family's resource allocation, and especially had a "special Hobbies" for various poisons.

And that bottle of Pure Heart Jade Dew that was "conveniently" taken away...

A subtle chill, hard to detect, flashed deep in her eyes.

Perhaps... this was an opportunity? Not only to satisfy the needs of this thunderous genius, deepen cooperation and control, but also... to take the opportunity to investigate certain matters?

"Extremely yin and evil substances..." Wang Linger pondered for a moment, then slowly spoke, her voice still cool, "My Wang Family's medicine vault does contain some exotic poisons. Several dangerous poisonous swamps outside the city also produce such Materials. However... these poisons are extremely dangerous, and both collection and refinement require extreme caution. If Fellow Daoist has needs, Ling'er can arrange personnel to assist, and... provide Fellow Daoist with an absolutely secluded, safe... cellar workshop, for Fellow Daoist to harmonize and Cultivate. How about it?"

Not only did she agree, but she also proactively offered a "workshop"! The location was directly specified as a cellar!

Her attitude was so "considerate" it was almost unbelievable!

Mo Yuan's sneer grew colder in his heart.

Indeed! There was a ghost within the Wang Family!

This Wang Linger, too, probably wanted to use him as a blade to probe the depths of certain people!

"That... would be excellent."

Mo Yuan "gratefully" cupped his hands, forcing out a "relieved" and weary smile on his face, "Thank you, Young Miss Wang, for your trouble."

"Fellow Daoist is too polite."

Wang Linger's lips curved slightly, revealing a faint but meaningful smile, "To be able to help Fellow Daoist recover is also the good fortune of the Wang Family."

Silence fell in the carriage again, with only the rumbling sound of the wheels on the main road.

Mo Yuan "wearily" closed his eyes, his consciousness, however, connected with the quiet Venomous Stinger Worker Bees in the Bottle Grotto.

Cold intent issued silent commands:

"Bee swarm... prepare... venom... collection..."

"Target... the entire Qingyang City... all poisons!"

"The Wang Family... cellar... will be our... new nest!"

A new storm was about to quietly brew in this prosperous Qingyang City, beneath the deep courtyards of the Wang Family.

The establishment of the poison workshop would be Mo Yuan's first step in rooting himself in the Wang Family, accumulating strength for revenge, and stirring up the winds and clouds of Qingyang!