Chapter 425: Fire Poison
Senior Sister Dai's Cave Abode.
The three of them burst inside, and Senior Sister Dai immediately activated a barrier that could conceal their presence. They only breathed a sigh of relief when they heard the pursuers fading into the distance.
However, as soon as that tension was released, Zhao Dong and Qing Yu both felt darkness envelop their vision before they collapsed to the ground...
「Outside」
Because Zhao Dong and Qing Yu had escaped the dungeon, the entire Blood Sect plunged into chaos! Countless disciples, wielding sharp blades, frantically searched every corner of the sect's grounds.
「The Council of Elders」
SMASH!
Ouyang Hong furiously slammed a vase onto the floor, roaring, "Search! Even if you have to dig three feet deep, you will find that boy for me!"
"The Mountain Protection Array is still active; there's no way that boy could have escaped!"
"If you can't find him, you can all go and die!"
Ouyang Hong's roars thundered like lightning, sending the assembled disciples scrambling out in a panic.
Beside him, an old man who had been supporting Ouyang Hong spoke with confusion, "Elder Ouyang, that boy is merely at the eighth layer of the Great Grandmaster realm. There's no need for such alarm, is there?"
"Even if he has escaped, it won't be difficult to recapture him. Why raise such a fuss?"
The old man truly didn't understand Ouyang Hong's behavior. In his view, creating such a commotion just to find one person was entirely inappropriate.
Ouyang Hong gave a bitter smile and sighed. "Merely at the eighth layer of the Great Grandmaster realm? You all have seriously underestimated him..."
"When I met him last, he couldn't even withstand a single move from me. If I had wanted to, crushing him would have been as simple as squashing an ant! It's precisely because of this that I chose to let him go that day!"
"But now, in less than a month, this boy has managed to rescue someone from right under my nose and has thrown my Blood Sect into turmoil!"
"Do you think I dare let someone with such potential go free? If I really let him escape, the next time we meet, I fear it will be me on my knees, begging for mercy!"
Ouyang Hong was so agitated, he had even dropped his usual lofty self-reference of 'this old man' for a simple 'I'.
Everyone present was completely stunned! They had never imagined that Zhao Dong could be so terrifying!
At that moment, only one thought united them all.
This boy must not be allowed to live!
And so, after a brief discussion, the elders agreed that the current search was insufficient.
「A quarter of an hour later」
An elder waved his hand, issuing a mobilization order to the entire sect. All disciples were ordered to search every corner of the sect grounds. Even the filth in the latrines was to be dredged up and sniffed to see if anything was amiss!
From that point on, the Blood Sect descended into utter madness!
「Senior Sister Dai's Cave Abode」
Zhao Dong and Qing Yu lay collapsed on the floor. Senior Sister Dai immediately rushed to support Qing Yu, her face taut with tension as she checked her pulse.
"It's the heart-invading poison of the Earth Fire!"
"Junior Sister, consider yourself lucky this time." Senior Sister Dai hurried to a cabinet and took out a bottle of azure-colored pills. "I happen to have some pills that can neutralize fire poison. Take one quickly!"
So saying, she fed a pill to Qing Yu. The elixir's power surged forth, and a sharp pain instantly wracked Qing Yu's body. Under the excruciating agony, Qing Yu's consciousness, which was already on the brink of collapse, finally gave way. Her eyes rolled back, and she fainted.
Seeing this, Senior Sister Dai was not overly concerned. Eliminating the fire poison is excruciatingly painful. Fainting is actually a good thing.
She then picked up Qing Yu, laid her on the bed, and turned her gaze to Zhao Dong, who was writhing in agony on the floor.
She sneered, "You are the one who brought this upon my Junior Sister. I already made an exception and saved you once. I will absolutely not save you a second time! I have provided you with shelter; whether you live or die is now up to your own fortune!"
Like Qing Yu, Zhao Dong's heart was also being assaulted by the fire poison!
Hearing her words, Zhao Dong did not plead for help. He managed a bitter smile. "It's alright. As long as you have saved Qing Yu, I am grateful."
With that, he struggled into a seated, cross-legged position and began to use his Spiritual Energy to force out the fire poison. But how could it be so easy? The fire poison burned through him, and despite his iron will, he gritted his teeth, his face contorting in a grimace of pain.
Seeing this, the icy coldness in Senior Sister Dai's eyes thawed ever so slightly. This boy does have some loyalty and integrity. But you still deserve to die for what you did to my Junior Sister!
At that moment, the fire poison grew even more intense. Zhao Dong knew that relying on the depleted Spiritual Energy within his body was no longer enough to eradicate it! With no time to think, he grabbed a handful of Healing Pills and, without regard for their specific effects, shoved them all into his mouth!
The violent medicinal power erupted instantly! But all medicine carries some poison. The pills were not the correct remedy, and their violent power, released into his already battered body, dealt another devastating blow!
SNAP! SNAP! SNAP!
A series of sounds, like snapping lute strings, echoed from within Zhao Dong's body.
SPLURT!
Black blood sprayed from his mouth as he pitched forward and collapsed, completely unconscious! The rampaging medicinal energy had violently ruptured three of his meridians! With his meridians broken, the medicinal power, the fire poison, and his residual Spiritual Energy became like headless flies, wreaking havoc inside him. The resulting backlash instantly knocked him out.
Seeing this, Senior Sister Dai's face remained impassive. She stood up, preparing to drag Zhao Dong's body out and dump it somewhere.
But just then, Qing Yu's eyes fluttered open.
Upon seeing Zhao Dong lying in a pool of his own black blood, she scrambled off the bed! The sudden movement made her weak body give way, and she collapsed to the floor. Crying out, she began to crawl toward him. "Senior... what happened to you, Senior..."
Senior Sister Dai turned to look at Qing Yu. A flicker of pity crossed her eyes, but her tone remained curt. "The fire poison has invaded his heart, and his meridians are ruptured. He's finished!"
"No!" Qing Yu let out a pained cry. "Senior Sister, you must have a way to save him! Please, I'm begging you, save him, please..."
"If Senior dies, I no longer wish to live!"
Overcome with emotion, Qing Yu felt a surge of hot blood rush to her throat, and she fainted once more.
Senior Sister Dai's expression became exceedingly grim. Her brows furrowed tightly, her icy face overcome with a sinister expression. Her beautiful eyes locked onto Zhao Dong, her killing intent now completely undisguised!
You damn man! How dare you make my Junior Sister care so much for you! You deserve to die! You deserve to die!!!
Senior Sister Dai roared in her heart, but in the end, she still took out a pill and walked over to Zhao Dong. She cared too much for her Junior Sister; she couldn't bear to see her come to any harm. With her Junior Sister threatening suicide, she had no choice but to save Zhao Dong.
She administered the pill.
A few minutes later, Zhao Dong slowly opened his eyes. Although his meridians were still ruptured, the fire poison within his body had vanished completely.
Looking at the murderously furious Senior Sister Dai beside him, Zhao Dong knew that she had been the one to save him. He gave a wry smile and bowed his head. "Thank you, Senior Sister Dai, for saving my life. This kindness is a debt I, Zhao Dong, will never forget!"
"Hmph!" Senior Sister Dai snorted coldly, saying nothing.
Just then...
BANG! BANG! BANG!
A series of urgent, heavy knocks sounded at the cave abode's entrance.
"Is anyone inside? Come out now!"