Chapter 177: Chapter 177: Poisonous Stiff Causes Chaos (Part 1) (Please subscribe!)
In mid-air, a figure plummeted, dangerously close to falling from a height of three zhang (approximately 10 meters).
Something astonishing happened. Shi Xiaole seemed to make no move, yet his body abruptly swerved. Mid-air, he twirled several times, as if an invisible rope in the void was pulling him. Only afterwards did he lightly fall to the ground.
After half a month’s time, Shi Xiaole had finally cultivated the Bird Crossing Skill to the perfected level of the Transformation Phase.
At this moment, he could skillfully manipulate countermotions, enabling his body to change direction freely in mid-air and perform many incredible actions.
Shi Xiaole tested it out: if he moved straight forward, he could cover a distance of ten zhang in one breath, reaching a height of about six zhang.
These were formidable figures.
After all, even many cultivators at the seventh or eighth level of Qi Absorption might not have such extraordinary flying skills.
Of course, the duration of countermotion depends on one’s breath. The more profound one’s internal power, the longer one can hold their breath. With his current level of cultivation, Shi Xiaole could only use it consecutively four times.
"From now on, even when I encounter a cultivator at the eighth level of Qi Absorption, I won’t have to be afraid."
Whilst Shi Xiaole was still significantly inferior to a master at the eighth level of Qi Absorption, once he used the Bird Crossing Skill, his opponent would likely be left watching helplessly, unable to pursue. If this had been half a month ago, even without using the Thunder Bomb, Shi Xiaole could have easily faced the combined attack of Qin Wuye and the other three undaunted.
Now that he had achieved success in martial arts, Shi Xiaole planned to rest for a while and take a leisurely stroll around Peach Forest Town to appreciate the beautiful scenery.
Unfortunately, fate had other plans. In the middle of the night two days later, there was an urgent knock at the door.
"Young Hero Shi, I’m sorry for the intrusion, please forgive me."
Outside the door, Jin Dahai, the Vice-Sect Master of Peach Forest Sect, who was currently serving as Sect Master, greeted him with a fist and palm salute. His tone was humble, his face a strange expression.
As Shi Xiaole looked at him, he asked, puzzled, "What brings you here?"
The other party was intimidated by him and wouldn’t dare to come to his door unless it was a matter of considerable importance.
"Young Hero Shi," Jin Dahai began, "Major trouble has broken out in White Water City. A Poisonous Stiff has broken out from the array, causing the tragic deaths of thousands of martial arts masters."
Poisonous Stiff?!
Shi Xiaole couldn’t help but feel a tremor in his heart.
Six hundred years ago, under the Sun Demon Palace’s Demon Lord, there were two Vice Palace Masters.
One of them was known as ’God-like Poisonous Sword,’ who had dominated Qingxue State for decades and had no equal. He had killed countless martial artists, his reputation so notorious that even the Demon Lord seemed somewhat inferior.
The main reason ’God-like Poisonous Sword’ was able to kill so many people was due to his cultivation of the Ten Thousand Poisons Scripture.
Not many people knew about the origins of the Ten Thousand Poisons Scripture. However, it was known that once cultivated to completion, the toxicity in one’s internal power could cover a radius of several hundred meters. Any poultry, livestock, or humans that came into contact with it could instantly die.
If perfected, even one’s hair and pores would carry a potent poison that could kill a group of people with a single breath. It was terrifyingly powerful.
When the ’God-like Poisonous Sword’ roamed the world six hundred years ago, he was so deranged that he used live humans to experiment with various uses of the Ten Thousand Poisons Scripture, eventually incorporating this into a method of creating Poisonous Stiffs.
This method used living humans as specimens, using the poison gas to eradicate their consciousness while enhancing their bodies, making them immune to swords and spears. If ordinary people came into contact with the poison on the Poisonous Stiff’s body, they would be destined to die.
Six hundred years ago, the name ’Poisonous Stiff’ sent chills down the spines of both the underworld and the upright. After the Martial Emperor defeated the Master of the Ghost Chariot, the Devil Path was defeated, and the Sun Demon Palace was severely damaged. Poisonous Stiffs gradually disappeared from the world.
Shi Xiaole found it hard to believe that a Poisonous Stiff had appeared in White Water City. Could it be related to the Devil Path organization this time?
Noticing Shi Xiaole’s confusion, Jin Dahai explained, "A few days ago, White Water City was attacked by the Devil Path organization. The Sect Master of the Righteous Qi Gang, Li Gang, and the heads of several other sects claimed to have received a tip about the Devil Path’s stronghold. However, after breaking through the Array System, they ended up releasing almost ten thousand Poisonous Stiffs!"
"Currently, White Water City is in complete chaos. Not only have a great number of martial arts masters died tragically, but even innocent civilians have also been affected. What’s worse is that the corpses’ toxicity is contagious, so the only choice is to cremate the bodies on the spot."
By the end of his report, Jin Dahai’s face had turned pale, his lips trembling.
This deeply affected Shi Xiaole.
There was a big difference between hearing about something and actually experiencing it. He could almost imagine the scene of wailing and sobbing in White Water City.
The main reason Jin Dahai came rushing here was probably due to another concern.
Peach Forest Town wasn’t far from White Water City, just a two to three-day journey. If a Poisonous Stiff happened to find its way to Peach Forest Town, it would be a disaster!
"Young Hero Shi, Peach Forest Town is no longer safe. I have only just received this news. Let’s leave together."
As the new Sect Master of the Peach Forest Sect, Jin Dahai couldn’t remain calm. After all, it was a Poisonous Stiff! So as soon as he received the news, he purposely sought out Shi Xiaole.
In doing so, he had performed a favor for Shi Xiaole. Secondly, with the world outside in turmoil, having Shi Xiaole around might help him escape trouble.
Worst case scenario, he wouldn’t die alone.
Shi Xiaole glanced at Jin Dahai, immediately understanding his intentions. However, he hesitated.
Although he had only been in Peach Forest Town for a short time, he had grown fond of the peaceful and tranquil place with its simple and kind-hearted inhabitants. When various martial arts practitioners came to challenge him, many townsfolk even came to warn him, advising him to leave quickly.
Moreover, the estate of Shi Xuanzhong and his wife was situated in this very town. This place bore records of their life in Peach Forest Town. Should he really stand by and watch it become polluted by the Devil Path?
After a moment’s hesitation, Shi Xiaole made his decision.
He couldn’t leave, at least not yet. If he found that he truly couldn’t resist, then he would leave later.
"Sect Master Jin, you go on ahead," Shi Xiaole said indifferently.
Jin Dahai was stunned, discerning Shi Xiaole’s refusal. He said, "Young Hero Shi, you probably don’t fully understand the power of a Poisonous Stiff. With your talent and strength, you have a bright future. Why risk your life for the people here?"
"I have made up my mind."
Shi Xiaole shook his head.
Jin Dahai looked deeply at Shi Xiaole, knowing that he could not be forcibly persuaded, he instead adopted an admiring expression and said, "Young Hero Shi truly possesses benevolent and heroic qualities, far surpassing ordinary mortals like myself. In that case, I apologize for disturbing you."
He withdrew respectfully, fading into the night.
With his back to Shi Xiaole, Jin Dahai revealed a smug, scornful smile on his face.
Presuming to stay here and resist the Poisonous Stiff? It’s clearly beyond his capacity. Hmph, just because he has a tiny bit of skill, he wants to step into others’ shoes, thinking he’s some sort of high-ranking hero?
A fool who is oblivious to his own situation, it makes no difference to me. I’ll just wait elsewhere for the bad news about him.
Shi Xiaole was oblivious to Jin Dahai’s thoughts but even if he knew, he wouldn’t care. He only did what he believed to be right.
In the ensuing days, Shi Xiaole was spreading the news on one hand, and preparing the townsfolk for the impending threat, while on the other, keeping an eye on the situation around Peach Forest Town.
The situation was alarmingly dire.
Post White Water City, several other towns had reported sightings of the Poisonous Stiff. Many innocent people had lost their lives, their poisoned bodies dispersing toxins into the wind, resulting in a great deal of casualties.
The neighboring villages, however, had suffered even higher casualties.
Upon the news reaching the public, not only were the martial artists alarmed, even the imperial authorities were revolted and began dispatching reinforcements.
Cock-crow Town, one of the major towns near White Water City.
"Come quickly! The Poisonous Stiff is here!"
A man shouted, having spotted a shadow around the corner of the street.
Upon closer observation, it was a man entirely covered in black. His facial features were indistinguishable with dead gray eyes. His barely visible skeletal form, metallic-like skin, and protruding tusks gave an overwhelming impression of unadulterated evil.
The Poisonous Stiff, although unconscious, could still discern noises. Having heard the man’s shout, it dashed over like a rocket, reaching out to grab the man.
A stench of blood, carrying a dizzying toxic fume, momentarily paralyzed the man where he stood.
In the nick of time, a blade flew from afar. The blade skimmed past the body of the Poisonous Stiff, drawing a shower of sparks and pushing it backwards by three feet.
However, the young man who made the move was taken aback.
His strike was enough to kill a seasoned Qi Absorption seventh stage master, yet it didn’t even scratch the Poisonous Stiff’s skin?
"Song Wuji, your knife technique is inadequate!"
Amid peals of laughter, another person jumped down from the roof with a broad, heavy sword in his hand. He aimed straight for the Poisonous Stiff. A powerful blade light flew out from his heavy sword, impressively cleaving down on the Poisonous Stiff’s head.
With a thud.
The Poisonous Stiff ended up on the ground, rolling over and thumped several yards away, smashing the stone slabs on the road to pieces. To everyone’s surprise, he quickly got up again.
"What?"
The young man wielding the heavy sword was startled.
"Ha ha ha. Li Wufeng, looks like your sword technique is not up to the mark either."
Song Wuji ridiculed, taking the lead in charging forward. Li Wufeng snorted, not to be outdone, he pursued the Poisonous Stiff in a headlong rush.
They’d merely flexed their might previously, the real contest had just begun.
Boom, boom.
The black Poisonous Stiff, which struck fear into the hearts of many martial artists, appeared distraught under their assault, barely being able to fight back. And his toxic power failed to break through their protective internal energy.
"’Life Snatcher’ Song Wuji, ranked 69th in the young hero list. ’Zhongyue Sword’ Li Wufeng, ranked 73rd. They are indeed formidable," The man who had almost been victimized, couldn’t help being in awe.
Others, hearing the battle noises, rushed over one after another, but none could get a chance to intervene.
The black Poisonous Stiff’s body, hardened from years-long toxin incubation, faced Song’s and Li’s fierce attacks. Particularly because both were competing, each matching the other’s slash with a stab. In just a few moves, they managed to penetrate the Poisonous Stiff’s skin.
Swish!.
The power of the sword and knife simultaneously entered the Poisonous Stiff’s body, destroying his lifeforce.
"That’s impressive!"
"Even a formidable Qi Absorption seventh-rank expert would have difficulty killing the black Poisonous Stiff."
"Both being young hero ranks, I heard that ’Iron Claw Soul Chaser’ Tao Baichuan has already killed a whopping fifteen black Poisonous Stiffs. Now that young heroes Song and Li have arrived, our forces to exterminate Poisonous Stiffs have added more strength."
Everyone was amazed, looking at the extraordinary duo, feeling inferior, but their morale had bolstered substantially.
"Everyone, stop dawdling! Someone has seen many black Poisonous Stiffs, and even the red ones, heading towards Peach Forest Town. We must stop them in time."
Someone in the distance shouted.
"What are we waiting for then? Let’s go!"
Hearing this, everyone immediately turned around and sprinted away.
"Peach Forest Town? Hmph, well as long as Li Wufeng is here, the Poisonous Stiffs won’t dare cause trouble. Song Wuji, I will prove this time that I am stronger."
After casting a glance at Song Wuji, Li Wufeng dashed towards Peach Forest Town.
"Stronger than me? We’ll see about that."
Song Wuji curled his lip.
