Shocking the Nine Heavens With My Sword
Chapter 189 - 182: Poisoning the Black Serpent (3/5)

Chapter 189: Chapter 182: Poisoning the Black Serpent (3/5)

"Elders, dragging this on isn’t a solution!" the Lu Family’s Old Ancestor said, his eyes fixed on the Black Serpent; facing such a formidable Demon Beast, he naturally dared not allow his attention to waver.

Hiss!

The Black Serpent flicked its tongue; it couldn’t understand human language, but starting from the Spirit Gathering Realm, Demon Beasts began to possess rudimentary intelligence, and as they advanced in realms, their intelligence would increase progressively. There were legends of fox spirits transforming into human form to bewitch all beings. This was actually fox-shaped Demon Beasts releasing an aura that clouded Divine Sense, causing people to mistake them for beautiful women.

However, this also showed to what extent a Demon Beast’s intelligence could evolve!

In terms of individual strength, humans were actually at a disadvantage compared to Demon Beasts. What gave humans an edge was their intelligence, hence the saying that humans are the smartest of all creatures. Should Demon Beasts possess intelligence, it would be nothing short of a disaster for humanity!

Fortunately, the higher the realm, the more important Spiritual Power becomes, and the proportion of physical strength diminishes even further, otherwise, what could humans use to combat Demon Beasts with ever-increasing intelligence as they elevated their realms?

The Black Serpent could instinctively sense the malice from these four humans. It angrily flicked its tongue, issuing a strong warning for them to leave its territory. Had it not known that these four were incredibly powerful, it would have long since attacked them with a flurry, devouring them clean.

The flesh and blood of Martial Artists had a strong attraction for Demon Beasts; the higher the realm, the more "fragrant" the flesh.

"Release your ultimate moves and breakthrough!" the Zhao Family’s Old Ancestor said in a deep voice.

"Understood!"

The other three nodded in unison. If possible, they would prefer to kill this Black Serpent. A Heaven-Opening Realm Demon Beast’s body was a treasure trove—the meat was an excellent tonic, and within the Demon Core lay the secrets of nature! Demon Beasts didn’t cultivate using techniques, relying on instinct to refine nature’s spiritual energy, which made for slow progress. Yet because of this, Demon Beasts were closer to nature than humans, and their Demon Cores contained the mysteries of heaven and earth, which greatly aided Martial Artists in breaking through their realms.

If they could obtain this Black Serpent’s Demon Core, they all had hopes of breaking through to the Mountains and Rivers Realm after refinement!

Regrettably, firstly, they were more eager to obtain the inheritance of the Spirit Sea Realm, and secondly, the Black Serpent’s realm was no weaker than theirs. Coupled with the Demon Beast’s powerful physique and physical strength, the four of them simply couldn’t kill it!

Perhaps, if they risked it all, they might have a chance to kill the Black Serpent, but that would mean one or two of them would die in the process!

Who would be willing to make such a sacrifice for the sake of others?

Hence, they naturally discarded the thought of killing the Black Serpent, intent only on breaking past to search for the inheritance of the Spirit Sea Realm—that was the most important task at hand.

"World Tainting Evil!"

"Extreme Annihilation Palm!"

"Heaven Severing Sword!"

"Flower Falling Galaxy!"

All four Heaven-Opening Realm Experts roared out loud, unleashing their ultimate moves at the Black Serpent.

Facing such a terrifying attack, even a Demon Beast with its formidable physique wouldn’t dare receive it head-on. The Black Serpent moved swiftly, dodging the assaults. Despite its thick and long body, it was incredibly agile, avoiding each of the four Heaven-Opening Realm Experts’ attacks.

Survival was ingrained in the blood of Demon Beasts; only when they could ensure their own survival would they consider becoming stronger, expanding their territories, competing for mates. Otherwise, everything else was meaningless.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! The Zhao Family’s Old Ancestor and the others only needed this momentary gap. They instantly leaped up and rushed into the passage, disappearing without a trace.

The Black Serpent hissed in fury, but it didn’t pursue.

This was its territory, but not the area above. Since the enemy had left, it wouldn’t stubbornly chase after them. After all, the strength of these four humans was something it held in considerable awe, and Demon Beasts inherently had a keen sense of danger towards powerful foes.

Zhou Heng watched from afar. If he wanted to ascend to the third layer, it would be much easier than for the Zhao Family’s Old Ancestor and the others. If he fully deployed the Swift Cloud Radiant Step, perhaps the Black Serpent wouldn’t even be able to react!

But what if he could kill the Black Serpent?

The Life Essence Qi of a Heaven-Opening Realm Demon Beast, coupled with the fact that this Black Serpent had consumed so many Spirit Grasses, would ensure its blood was filled with the effects of those herbs—its snake blood would definitely compare to the most exquisite Spiritual Medicine!

Martial Artists consuming so much Spirit Grass might very well die from overindulgence, but not Demon Beasts. Lacking knowledge of pharmacology, they instinctively select and mix to utilize the Spirit Grasses to their full effect.

In a way, Demon Beasts themselves are a Pill Furnace!

However, figuring out how to kill it was a huge problem!

Zhou Heng’s Battle Power far surpassed the peak of the Land Cleaving Realm, that was true, but he still couldn’t bridge the gap to the Open Heaven Realm; even if the Black Serpent lay still, it was uncertain how many blows it would take with the sharpness of the Black Sword to kill it!

And would the Black Serpent just lie there and let itself be killed?

Zhou Heng immediately racked his brains, contemplating in his mind.

Directly confronting an Open Heaven Realm opponent was utterly hopeless; even Zhou Heng, with all his confidence, wouldn’t entertain such an idea.

To bring down an opponent far more powerful than oneself wasn’t impossible; for instance, drugging them!

But the resistance of a Heaven-Opening Realm Demon Beast was incredibly formidable. To drug such a being, naturally, he would need Open Heaven Realm level drugs. Where could he get that?

Hmm?

Zhou Heng’s gaze swept across; this place was nothing but a large medicinal garden, replete with all kinds of Spirit Grass. While there was no need to worry about materials, having them wasn’t enough. To utilize them to their full potential, a potion formula to combine these ingredients was essential!

He had always preferred to solve problems with brute force. Where would he even know such a formula?

Zhou Heng entered the Nine Mystic Trial Tower to ask Xiao Huoshui and the Orchid Concubine if they knew of such a formula.

"I know! I know!" As soon as Zhou Heng mentioned it, the Orchid Concubine immediately called out with excitement. She was usually almost invisible, as if her sole purpose was to share Zhou Heng’s bed. As a woman who had always been involved in the palace’s competition for favor, she knew it was dangerously precarious!

She must elevate her position in Zhou Heng’s heart. Otherwise, if he grew tired of her and kicked her out, to whom could she even complain?

Yet, she failed to realize that with Zhou Heng’s intense possessiveness, it was impossible for him to let go of a woman he had touched, even if he despised her!

Zhou Heng was pleased and looked over at her, still only seeing a woman with a charming appearance, just as loathsome as ever, and said, "Speak!"

"The Royal Family has a secret Alchemy Group dedicated to researching harmful medicines. I often checked on their progress for Nangong Hong, so I know many formulas!"

"One of them is called ’Sky Soothing Powder,’ which can render an Open Heaven Realm Expert utterly powerless, unable to move for a whole day!"

"I suspect that Nangong Changkong prepared this as a contingency plan for himself, fearing the combined assault from the three Old Ancestors of the Xiao Family!"

As she spoke fervently, Zhou Heng couldn’t help interrupting, "Focus on the main point. No one asked you about the origin of the Sky Soothing Powder!"

The Orchid Concubine inwardly cursed him as a thuggish tyrant but dared not show any sign of disrespect, replying, "Yes! Yes! Yes! Since it was the Royal Alchemists who came up with it, and they have not found the materials to confirm it, it’s just a guess based on their experience. So I can’t guarantee it will succeed!"

That was not surprising. To render an Open Heaven Realm Expert immobilized, the required medicine would naturally be extremely precious; otherwise, high-realm martial artists wouldn’t be devalued so much!

It was already challenging for Cold Blue Country, where the highest level was the Old Ancestors in the Open Heaven Realm, to acquire Open Heaven Realm Spiritual Medicine, let alone for Nangong Changkong to personally search for research materials for his subordinates?

Thus, this formula had remained but a fantasy, unproven and untested.

The Orchid Concubine was understandably anxious after speaking, fearing the sudden wrath of this brutal tyrant, but she had to explain. If the formula really failed, wouldn’t Zhou Heng lash out at her afterward?

Zhou Heng, however, wasn’t as unreasonable as she imagined; it was, after all, a logical issue. He asked, "Do you remember the formula?"

If the Orchid Concubine shook her head, then Zhou Heng would indeed have to give that woman’s rear a good thrashing! Not knowing the formula would render all her previous words as mere nonsense!

"I do! I do!" the Orchid Concubine nodded incessantly, "I remember it very clearly!"

Zhou Heng took another look at her; this woman must have remembered the formula intending to target Concubine Yin and the Rain Concubine. Unfortunately, she too was unable to gather all the materials.

The Orchid Concubine felt increasingly uneasy under his gaze and quickly lowered her head.

After Zhou Heng had noted the formula, he immediately left the Nine Mystic Trial Tower and began searching the land abundant with medicinal herbs.

True to a Spiritual Sea Realm Expert’s garden, every single medicinal component listed in the formula was present, and while some were not yet mature, it didn’t matter. He could simply use more of them to compensate for quality with quantity.

This wasn’t Alchemy; there was no need to fear an explosion due to an incorrect ratio. All he needed was to crush them into a juice and mix them together!

In just half a day, Zhou Heng had gathered all the medicinal components. He took a large bowl and with his right hand ground the materials, instantly yielding juice, faster than any tool could have. Soon, a bowl of dark greenish-black medicinal juice was squeezed out.

But how could he get that Black Serpent to drink it?

Not to mention that an Open Heaven Realm Demon Beast already possessed Spiritual Wisdom, but even without such wisdom, how could a wild beast willingly drink something with such a strong, unusual scent and a strange color?

If the Black Serpent truly drank it willingly, it would not die of poison but of stupidity!

It seemed he needed to take a risk.

Zhou Heng revealed a smirk. How could the path of a Martial Artist be smooth and unchallenging? Adventure was always the main theme that accompanied martial artists.

He sprang up and charged directly towards the Black Serpent.

The Black Serpent, being of the Open Heaven Realm, had incredibly keen Divine Sense. It instantly detected Zhou Heng’s intrusion and furiously hissed, raising its coiled body into a seven-zhang-high neck and biting fiercely towards Zhou Heng.

It clearly sensed that Zhou Heng’s presence was much weaker than its own, so it had no reservations. With its mouth wide open, it aimed to swallow this foolish human whole!

In a flash, Zhou Heng, offering no resistance, threw himself right into the serpent’s maw.

With its mouth snapping shut, the Black Serpent could hardly understand why this strange creature foolishly offered itself up to die. It didn’t care, though, and was about to lie down and continue its slumber, only to startlingly realize there was nothing in its mouth to swallow!

Snakes do not need to chew; they swallow their food whole, and their stomach acid does the rest. But disappearing so quickly, after just being eaten?

Although the Black Serpent had awakened some intelligence, it was by no means exceptionally bright. Its eyes, large as copper bells, displayed a bemused look; had it possessed hands, surely it would’ve furiously scratched its head in confusion. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for it and leave a monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)