Chapter 101 - 100: Heart-Devouring Poison
As his Cultivation Realm advanced, Xia Wuyang’s understanding of the Martial Dao also reached a whole new level.
As his Qi and Blood Entered the Marrow, the Martial Dao was also sinking into his very bones.
At the same time, his comprehension of various Cultivation Techniques, Combat Techniques, and Secret Techniques skyrocketed. Naturally, these techniques improved significantly as well, some even breaking through to new levels.
Most of these Cultivation Techniques, Combat Techniques, and Secret Techniques had become like second nature to him.
Every move he made now contained the true principles of the Martial Dao. Even a casual strike could unleash astonishing power.
He had refined both the combat and training methods of the Dragon Tiger Fist to a new level. It now integrated cultivation, offense, defense, and support, truly living up to its name as one of the world’s top Body Refining Techniques.
Even across the entire Fallen Dragon Land, few Body Refining Techniques could compare to the Dragon Tiger Fist.
The Cyan Bamboo Sword Technique had broken through to Perfection. This swordsmanship, originally from Princess Huanzhu, now shone with a new brilliance after his refinements.
The flash of the sword swayed like bamboo shadows, each strike imbued with the concept of Eternal Life.
The Escape Concealment Sword Technique had not only reached Perfection but was also successfully improved. The blade moved without a shadow, its killing intent concealed, and it could be perfectly coordinated with the Stealth Technique, making it impossible to defend against.
The most pleasant surprise was the breakthrough of his Enchanting Heart Technique, which had impressively reached the Great Success Realm. Already formidable, the technique was now even more powerful.
He could now affect the minds of multiple people at once, creating Illusion Realms that were increasingly lifelike. It could probably fool not just a First Grade Grandmaster, but even a Super Grade Celestial Human.
After all, this was a Low Level Spiritual Technique, not something in the category of Mortal Techniques.
The Enchanting Heart Needle, Enchanting Heart Sword Technique, and Enchanting Heart Step were still at the Minor Achievement Realm, but they were very close to Great Success.
One could only imagine the destructive force these Combat Techniques and Secret Techniques could unleash when combined with a Basic Power of over 70,000 kilograms and a Top Level Mortal Artifact like the Dragon Roar Sword.
For his Body Technique, he had Dragon and Wind, a base speed of over a hundred kilometers per hour, and the Cyan Cloud Boots, which was enough to let him move freely through an army of thousands.
His defensive power had soared as well. Even if he stood still and let an ordinary Second Grade Grandmaster attack him, he likely wouldn’t be harmed in the slightest.
His comprehensive strength had roughly tripled. A First Grade Grandmaster was no longer a problem for him, and he could even contend with a Super Grade Celestial Human.
Among all the Princes and Princesses, Xia Wuyang should now be ranked firmly in first place, with no one left who could challenge him.
If not for the threat from Emperor Xia, he could reveal his true strength right now and secure his position as Crown Prince.
But now was not the time. He still had a few months, and he wondered if he could raise his Cultivation Realm to a level comparable to the Extraordinary.
With a faint smile and a heart full of anticipation, Xia Wuyang began to consolidate and adapt to his explosively increased Cultivation Realm.
It wouldn’t be long now. Soon, he would be able to take back everything he had lost, and even more.
But the tree wishes for calm, yet the wind will not subside. Xia Wuyang, who had just broken through, only wanted to peacefully consolidate his Cultivation Realm. For now, he had no desire to go on a killing spree.
Unfortunately, there was always someone asking for trouble, disturbing his peace and, in turn, their own.
Two days after his breakthrough, while Xia Wuyang was in his Sleeping Palace engaged in his routine debauchery, he saw several birds fly over from a distance to deliver a message.
"Bad news! Second Class Attendant Pan is in trouble!"
"Someone ambushed her with a poisoned needle while she was out! Someone tricked her into going out."
"The Imperial Physician says it’s Heart-devouring Poison! There’s no antidote."
...
Xia Wuyang’s expression changed drastically. He quickly feigned exhaustion and returned to his Practice Room to "rest."
In reality, he had already put on a Disguise, cast the Dragon Storage Skill and Stealth Technique, and arrived silently at the Sleeping Palace of the Crown Prince Consort, Yun Liyue.
The atmosphere inside the palace was heavy. The Palace Maids all wore grim expressions. An Imperial Physician had arrived and was administering acupuncture, while Yun Liyue watched over them from the side, her delicate face etched with worry.
Xia Wuyang’s heart tightened. From the surrounding chatter, he learned that Pan Mo had been lured away from Yun Liyue’s residence by her own maid, Xiaohe.
The maid had claimed that someone was plotting to harm Xia Wuyang, tricking the worried Pan Mo into leaving. But as soon as she left Yun Liyue’s residence, she was ambushed with a poisoned needle. Xiaohe then disappeared. This was clearly a deliberate setup.
Pan Mo lay quietly on the bed, her classically beautiful face as pale as paper. Her lips had taken on an unnatural bluish-purple hue, a sight that made Xia Wuyang’s heart ache.
Even in her coma, her brows were tightly furrowed, a clear sign of the immense pain she was enduring.
Hidden in the shadows, Xia Wuyang activated his Mental Force Field and began to carefully examine Pan Mo’s condition. What he found made his heart pound.
Pan Mo’s heart meridians were entangled by a strange poison. The toxin acted like a living creature, flaring up periodically to gnaw at her meridians, causing excruciating pain without completely destroying them.
’It really is the Heart-devouring Poison, the incurable Heart-devouring Poison!’
This bizarre poison had no cure. The victim would slowly die in day after day of agony, lasting anywhere from one to three years, until their heart meridians finally shattered.
The poisoner was exceptionally cruel. They clearly didn’t want Pan Mo to die a quick death, but to suffer until the very end.
"Don’t tell the Crown Prince... His health is poor, and he doesn’t have much time left. Don’t let him worry..."
Just then, Pan Mo, who had been unconscious, suddenly opened her eyes. She stared at Yun Liyue and spoke in a grief-stricken voice.
Yun Liyue shuddered and nodded repeatedly. "Don’t worry, little sister Mo’Er. I won’t tell the Crown Prince."
"That’s good..." Pan Mo forced a faint smile before falling unconscious again.
Xia Wuyang’s fists clenched, his nails digging deep into his palms.
’This foolish woman... even at a time like this, she’s still thinking of me.’
He couldn’t help but remember all those years ago, also here in the Eastern Palace, how Pan Mo had always given of herself in silence.
When he was sick, she cared for him tirelessly. When he was humiliated, she shed silent tears. Even when she was pressured by the Fourth Prince, Xia Wulei, she would rather have died than implicate him.
Many memories, long buried by the years, resurfaced, still evoking a deep sense of nostalgia.
That year, when the jasmine bloomed, Pan Mo danced among the flowers and looked at him with a radiant smile. "Your Highness, are the jasmine flowers prettier, or am I?"
When he studied late into the night, Pan Mo would quietly accompany him, grinding his ink and lighting incense. "Your Highness, please take care of your health. Don’t stay up too late."
And when he had been reduced to a cripple and nearly wanted to kill himself, Pan Mo had stayed by his side all night, her face streaked with tears. "If Your Highness no longer wishes to live, I am willing to go with you..."
These memories, piece by piece, became sharp blades stabbing at his heart.
Xia Wuyang was filled with an ultimate hatred. If he found the culprit, he would never let them die an easy death. He would make them wish they were dead, a hundred times more miserable than Pan Mo.