Wuwuwuwu!
The gale of the Red Lotus Mountain Range was as sharp as blades, piercing one's skin painfully. The monotonous redness of the scenery made one's eyes ache, and it was exceptionally tiring.
From time to time, a worm the size of a fingertip would crawl past one's eyes. It was humid and reeked of nausea.
"This is the Dampness Worm unique to the Red Lotus Mountain Range. It feeds on medicinal herbs and is the natural enemy of medicinal herbs. However, what's bizarre is that the corpses are extremely nourishing for medicinal herbs. The medicinal herbs grown from them are filled with spiritual energy, and they are extremely eye-catching. Many medicinal herbs that are unable to be grown can be grown easily with the help of these corpses, and they even grow well. This is also the reason why the Red Lotus City is the largest medicinal herb trading center in the thirteen surrounding kingdoms! "
In the depths of the lotus-shaped mountain range, two figures were walking forward. Looking at the worms crawling all over the ground, one of them explained.
"It's no wonder. I've been wondering why the Red Lotus City would become a gathering place for medicinal herbs in such a remote place. So that's the reason."
The other figure nodded. Taking a few steps forward, he glanced at the mist blocking the sunlight and asked, "This is the poison miasma you spoke of?"
The two of them were Zhang Xuan and the Great Herb King, who had left the Red Lotus City to head to the Poison Temple.
As it was too dangerous to head to the Poison Temple, Zhang Xuan didn't bring Mo Yu along and asked her to return to Tianwu Royal City alone.
The Great Herb King hesitated for a moment before deciding to bring Zhang Xuan along.
Since he had already agreed to the other party's request, he couldn't reject it.
The duo had already traveled for five days.
"Indeed! There's a huge volcano beneath the Red Lotus Mountain Range, and due to the scorching heat on the surface, not a single blade of grass grows there. Under the steaming heat, the poison miasma floated several dozen meters above the ground, and its thickness reached several hundred meters. It's possible to fly from the sky on an aerial savage beast, but it's difficult to get down from it. Once one passes through this layer of poison miasma, one will be injured. Even a Zongshi realm aerial savage beast wouldn't be able to survive for more than a moment before dying from bleeding from its seven apertures! "
The Great Herb King explained.
"Thus, one can only travel on foot and not on aerial savage beasts! It is also because of this that the Poison Temple was able to stand tall in Red Lotus Mountain for so many years without being destroyed by those so-called righteous warriors. "
The Poison Temple concocted poisons and sold them. It was sinister, terrifying, and impossible to guard against. It had always offended many people. The powerful headquarters behind it was only one of the reasons why it had remained standing for thousands of years. More importantly, it was because of the poisonous miasma and its location.
Even if they were to find him, they wouldn't be able to pose any threat to them since they couldn't ride on aerial savage beasts.
"Indeed." Zhang Xuan nodded.
It was no wonder that so many people couldn't find the Poison Temple. Some had never even heard of it before. With the miasma acting as a cover, even if someone knew about it, they wouldn't be able to enter.
Not only were these objects floating in the air, a portion of them were even connected to the ground. If not for the Great Herb King knowing the route and avoiding them in advance, the duo would have already been poisoned.
Without anyone leading the way, it would be nigh impossible to find them.
Previously, he had heard that those who tried to search for the Poison Temple on their own would not be able to find it. Now, it seemed that this was indeed the case.
It was fortunate that Mo Yu had led the way to the Great Herb King.
Otherwise, even if his Heaven's Path zhenqi could expel some of the poison, it would be troublesome if he were to be afflicted with too much of it.
"How far are we from the Poison Temple?"
Gazing ahead, Zhang Xuan saw that the mountain range was still as vast as ever, and there was not even a single building in sight.
They had already walked for five days, but they still hadn't reached their destination. Wasn't this Poison Temple a little too far?
"We'll be there soon. It's just in front!" The Great Herb King pointed ahead.
"In front?" Zhang Xuan was perplexed.
There was nothing in front of them other than barren rocks. How could there be a Poison Temple?
"Follow me!"
Chuckling, the Great Herb King walked forward. After circling around a massive boulder and a small hill, a valley appeared before them.
Lowering his head to take a look at the valley, Zhang Xuan was astonished.
A massive city stood in the midst of the valley.
The city was built according to the terrain, and the buildings were ancient. They bore some resemblance to Red Lotus City, and with a single look, it was clear that they had existed for many years.
"So, this is the Poison Temple?"
Compared to the Beast Hall from before, this Poison Hall didn't pale in comparison at all. Faint green buildings rose and fell one after another amidst the crimson mountain range, forming a beautiful painting.
"It's said that when the Poison Temple was built, they specially invited a formation master to set up a concealment formation using the mountain range as the formation flag. If one can't find the path, it would be impossible for one to see it even if one stands right in front of it."
The Great Herb King said.
Zhang Xuan nodded his head.
That was indeed the case.
Previously, when he stood at the entrance, all he saw was a mountain range. However, after circling around a few boulders and a small hill, the massive city was right before his eyes. He didn't believe that there wasn't a concealment formation here.
"Physician Bai, the Poison Temple is right in front of us. Are we going to walk in just like that?"
The Great Herb King asked once more.
Recalling the other party's thoughts, he couldn't help but shudder in fear.
Honestly speaking, no one had seen the envoy of the Poison Temple before. However … if he were to be found to be an envoy of the Poison Temple, he wouldn't even know how he died.
"Un. My current identity is that of a physician, so there might be someone who has seen him before … I have to change my identity!"
Zhang Xuan's current appearance was still that of Bai Chan. There were quite a few poison masters roaming the Poison Temple, so there was a chance that they might have seen him before. Thus, it was better for him to be careful.
With a jolt of his mind, Zhang Xuan executed the Camouflage Art. Keke! His entire appearance and height changed. Looking at him once more, he appeared to be a middle-aged man in his forties.
Changing into a grayish-green robe that he had prepared beforehand, Zhang Xuan seemed to have transformed into a completely different person. He looked completely different from the previous Bai Chan and even himself. Putting aside the Great Herb King, even if Zhao Ya and the others were here, they wouldn't be able to guess that the person before them was their teacher.
It wasn't easy to disguise as someone whom one had seen before, but it was easy to disguise as someone whom one had never seen before.
"This is … the Camouflage Art?"
The Great Herb King's body trembled.
Even he didn't expect Zhang Xuan to make such a move.
It was no wonder why this Physician Bai dared to impersonate the envoy. It turned out that he had such a trump card.
Just that … if you were to disguise yourself and no one would be able to recognize you, what should I do?
I am the Great Herb King of Red Lotus City. Even if I can run away, I can't hide from you.
If I were to be discovered bringing a fake envoy here, even if I were to escape, I would definitely be caught and chopped into pieces on the spot.
Initially, he thought that the both of them were on the same side. Only now did he realize that the other party didn't even reveal his true appearance. Even if he were to investigate, he wouldn't be able to find anything ….
No matter what, he was the one who was digging his own grave.
Understanding all of this, the Great Herb King's face twisted in agony.
"Don't worry. When we arrive at the Poison Temple later on, you can declare that I was the one who found you and claimed to be the envoy. You brought me here without confirming my identity. This way, I won't have anything to do with you. As for the Contract Gu on you, you can say that I was the one who removed it so that you could lead the way. "
Seeing through the other party's thoughts, Zhang Xuan said.
"This …."
The Great Herb King's face reddened.
He didn't expect the other party to have already thought of a way out for him. It was laughable that he was measuring the heart of a gentleman with his own pettiness!
He had to admit that this suggestion was indeed the best excuse.
He wasn't a member of the Poison Temple, so it was normal for him to be unable to recognize the envoy. If they were to fail to recognize the envoy as well, they wouldn't be able to pin the blame on him in the future.
Besides, even though the Contract Gu between the Great Herb King and the Hall Master was a secret, there were still people in the Poison Temple who knew about it. Now that the Hall Master was dead and he was still alive, without an explanation, everyone would be suspicious.
With a single sentence, he would be able to resolve the Great Herb King's problem and prevent others from harming him. This was killing three birds with one stone.
However ….
"If I were to say that, they would definitely be suspicious of you …." The Great Herb King hesitated for a moment before asking, "May I know how much Physician Bai knows about poison masters?"
If that was the case, he would be safe. However, Physician Bai would be placed in a more dangerous situation.
The members of the Poison Temple would definitely think of ways to test him. It was fine if he had a deep understanding of poison masters, but the slightest mistake would expose him.
"I only heard of this occupation half a month ago. I have never heard of it before!" Zhang Xuan said.
"You only heard of it … half a month ago?"
The Great Herb King's eyelids twitched and he nearly spurted a mouthful of blood.
Brother, are you kidding with me?
You only heard of it half a month ago, yet you dare to impersonate an envoy without even knowing what a poison master is ….
"That's right!"
"To impersonate an envoy, you don't even have an emblem or an identity token from the headquarters. In order to gain the other party's trust, you have to display your poison skills. You don't know anything at all …."
Seeing how the other party agreed without the slightest fear, the Great Herb King felt a mouthful of blood welling up in his chest, threatening to spurt out at any moment.
If you had an identity token from the headquarters or a high-ranked poison master emblem, others would believe you if you impersonated an envoy!
Even if you didn't have those, you would still be able to convince others with your poison skills ….
Half a month ago, you don't know anything at all, yet you dare to impersonate an envoy. Are you daring or do you not know the dangers involved?
This isn't child's play. If the other party were to realize that you are an imposter, they would really kill you!
"Don't worry, we just have to act according to the circumstances!"
Knowing what the other party was worried about, Zhang Xuan waved his hands. "Alright, since we are already here, there's no point thinking too much. Let's go!"
Even though he didn't know much about poison masters, with the help of the Library of Heaven's Path, he could even impersonate a master teacher. Thus, it shouldn't be a problem for him to impersonate a formidable poison master.
"…."
Seeing the other party's nonchalant expression, the Great Herb King felt dejected. The little bit of confidence he had just regained dissipated once more.
He really didn't know where this fellow's confidence came from.
However, since things had already come to this, there was nothing he could do. He could only take one step at a time.
Walking down the valley, it didn't take long for them to arrive at the city.
"Who dares to barge into the Poison Temple?"
Before they could enter the city, they heard a loud bellow. A few black-robed middle-aged men darted out with cold gazes reminiscent of eagles.
"Poison Master Zhou, Poison Master Liu, it's me!"
Stepping forward, the Great Herb King hurriedly said.
"Oh? You are the Great Herb King? What are you doing here instead of staying in Red Lotus City? "The middle-aged man named Poison Master Zhou narrowed his eyes.
"Given the current situation, it's already too late for others to hide. Yet, you chose to barge in. Are you tired of living?" Poison Master Liu harrumphed.
The Poison Temple was in chaos, and everyone was in danger. Barging in at this moment was no different from courting death.
These two were acquainted with the Great Herb King, and they had received many valuable gifts from him. Naturally, they would speak up for him.
"I'm here to look for the three Vice Hall Masters …."
Knowing that the other party had good intentions, the Great Herb King was just about to explain his intentions when a poison master walked up to Zhang Xuan.
"Who is this person? Doesn't he know that bringing someone in without permission is a crime punishable by death? "
Looking at Zhang Xuan, intense killing intent could be seen in the poison master's eyes. "Outsider, you can only blame yourself for being unlucky. However, it's your honor to be killed by my newly developed poison!"
"Wait a moment, this is …."
Seeing that the other party was about to make a move, the Great Herb King's face warped. Just as he was about to say that the other party was the envoy, the 'Physician Bai' raised his leg and kicked him.
Peng!
Before the poison master who was about to kill him could react, he was sent flying. His body crashed heavily into the wall, and blood spurted from his mouth. His neck tilted and he fainted.
"What?"
"Audacious!"
Not expecting that this fellow who barged into the Poison Temple would dare to make a move on them, Poison Master Zhou, Poison Master Liu, and the others were taken aback. After which, they exploded and surrounded the duo with killing intent.
"It's over …."
Without an emblem to represent his identity, the Great Herb King thought that it would be best for him to keep a low profile and win the trust of the others. After which, he would think of another solution.
Yet, this fellow actually dared to beat him up as soon as he arrived ….
Brother, do you really think that we can't die quickly enough?
Upon seeing this sight, the Great Herb King's body swayed, and he couldn't hold back his tears any longer.
The heck, the other party has god-like teammates.
What I am doing …. Isn't this a death trap?
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