Chapter 9: "Detoxification"

The toxin was so corrosive it could even eat away at the air, turning into a fog that shrouded the Green Serpent’s true form, rendering him untouchable and impossible to approach. At that moment, he resembled a hedgehog. Most martial artists in this era fought through close combat—hand-to-hand, relying on physical contact to injure their opponents.

Dugu Farewell was no exception.

But not only was the Green Serpent’s true body off-limits, even the space around him was enveloped in a drifting cloud of deadly poison. Anyone attempting to approach or touch him would be courting death.

How could one fight this?

Without even lifting a finger, the Green Serpent held the upper hand—a formidable and unusual foe.

Dugu Farewell’s brows knitted tightly as he watched the Green Serpent, cautious and motionless, racking his brain for a way to break through.

But the Green Serpent gave him no time. With a snap of his leg, he pounced, stirring up a foul wind. The poisonous mist seemed almost alive, swirling with him. Within his toxic fog, the Green Serpent was at home, his aura growing ever more vibrant, his momentum surging.

Dugu Farewell dodged, his figure flickering from place to place.

It was both frustrating and helpless. The venom was so potent, he dared not risk his life without absolute certainty.

The Green Serpent pounced again, his speed increasing.

Again, Dugu Farewell evaded.

On the circular platform, the two figures began to chase and circle each other, running around the stage.

“Don’t you dare give up,” the Green Serpent murmured, his voice low and brimming with a twisted, bloodthirsty excitement. His personality was already warped beyond repair. “I want you to edge ever closer to death, to savor the taste of helplessness, loneliness, and despair…”

“This can’t go on—I have to try something.” Despite the poison wafting with the Green Serpent, a faint trace lingered in the air. Just by inhaling, Dugu Farewell felt dizzy.

“Farewell Blade—gather the will, summon the force, unleash the blade’s radiance!” His hand formed the shape of a blade, slashing from a distance. Power left his palm, condensing into a sharp blade light that cut through the air. This was one of his previous life’s ultimate techniques, second only to his Nether Meditation. Using energy and strength as carriers, driven by intent and spirit, its momentum was invincible.

But as the blade light struck, it was enveloped and corroded by the toxic mist, dissolving before it could even touch the Green Serpent’s body. Even the blade’s intent met the same fate. Only the momentum of Farewell managed to push a bit further, but ultimately collapsed in defeat.

To no avail.

“Such potent venom.” Dugu Farewell launched another attack as he ran, his mind centered, his spirit focused, unleashing a solitary strike. “Blade force—Farewell!”

The blade—king among weapons. Whether hacking or cleaving, it was unmatched in ferocity, the most suitable tool for battle and killing. Thus, its true essence was to press forward boldly, sharp and peerless, able to cleave gold and jade—invincible with its wielder. Dugu Farewell’s blade momentum had already touched upon certain rules of heaven and earth, beginning to glimpse the path of the Dao. A single Farewell Blade, and the target’s body was sundered.

A living person is a union of body and consciousness. Lose either, and life ends. Dugu Farewell’s goal was to defeat the Green Serpent’s will, separate his consciousness from his body, and kill him invisibly.

Like the overwhelming force of heaven and earth—unstoppable.

This was a contest of wills.

Bang!

The Green Serpent stomped hard, halting his pursuit. A muffled grunt escaped his mouth and nose. In his mind, it was as if a long, murderous blade appeared suddenly overhead, ready to strike him down.

“Ha!” The Green Serpent snarled, his consciousness resisting, transforming into a fog to wrap around the threat.

The long blade was corroded.

The Green Serpent’s poison was not only in his body—it was fused into his mind as well. Drawing from the legendary ancient Poison Demon’s secret art—the Internal Hidden Sutra—he could turn every aspect of himself into poison!

But the strangeness did not end there.

The poison within the Green Serpent’s consciousness began to follow the momentum of Dugu Farewell’s blade, extending toward him, attempting to annihilate his mind and turn him into a walking corpse.

“Not good!” Alarmed, Dugu Farewell hastily severed the blade’s force. Though his reaction was swift, a trace still reached him, rapidly spreading, devouring and corroding any foreign consciousness.

His head grew heavy, his feet light.

His consciousness began to blur.

Suddenly, a bolt of lightning flashed through his sea of awareness.

A sealed memory stirred.

A chapter from the past emerged…

In his previous life, Dugu Farewell had very few friends—only one: the Demonic Doctor Without Injury. This doctor’s study of poisons was unconventional, peering into mysteries with unique methods, utterly different from the mainstream.

Once, Dugu Farewell challenged the leader of a great sect. Though he nearly killed his opponent, he was gravely wounded himself, and afflicted by an incurable, mysterious poison—Fragrant Blood Dissolution. This poison, once contracted, would seep into the blood, gradually dissolving everything. Throughout this process, the victim’s body would emit a fresh, intoxicating fragrance.

No matter which master of medicine examined it, none could determine its composition. Blood analysis revealed only ordinary blood. In truth, a person afflicted with Fragrant Blood Dissolution was indistinguishable from a healthy person, except for the scent.

Dugu Farewell was fortunate—he had a friend, a demonic doctor.

At the time, even the doctor had no antidote, but explained a principle: poison, too, is a form of energy, though unlike vital energy, it is harmful. Because it is solitary and domineering, intolerant of other entities, it always repels everything else. This repulsion is the process of toxicity. Only when the poison believes all foreign elements have been eliminated does it cease.

The doctor’s purpose was not to encourage deception or disguise, but to help him understand that poison is merely another form of matter and energy. With the right method, it could be absorbed and used. Those who refine the Dao of poison have simply found a solution.

Later, while lingering on the edge of life and death, Dugu Farewell pondered deeply, interrogated many martial artists who cultivated poison, and eventually discovered a solution—the Poison Transformation Formula, which enabled him to neutralize and absorb Fragrant Blood Dissolution.

…

“Poison, too, is a form of matter and energy. With the right method, it can be absorbed… Poison Transformation Formula… How could I forget such vital knowledge…” Dugu Farewell was instantly overjoyed. He rapidly searched his mind for the secret, then devoted half his consciousness to actively engage… that strand of poison.

Yes—a single strand.

That invisible thread of venom had already grown stronger.

“All things have their own spirit, some weak, some strong. Poison is clearly among the stronger. Though solitary and domineering, it still falls within the bounds of instinct. If one subdues or extinguishes its spirit, poison loses its aggressive, repulsive power…”

Dugu Farewell’s task was to sense the poison’s spirit, to see if it could be tamed.

Instantly, he perceived emotions—cold, mad, fierce, destructive, relentless…all sorts of negative impulses filled every corner of the poison.

He sighed, deciding to extinguish it.

With experience and familiarity, Dugu Farewell’s mind transformed into countless grindstones, trapping and crushing that strand of poison. His overwhelming will, like a lion pouncing on a rabbit, captured the poison’s spirit and utterly erased it. Soon, the poison’s spirit was gone, restored to a pure vessel of consciousness.

“Devour.” Such pure consciousness was a tremendous tonic. Dugu Farewell’s mind expanded rapidly and soared.

He felt clear-headed and invigorated.

The reason poison could corrode and repel other matter and energy was its extraordinary purity.

“Ha!” After fruitless pursuit, the Green Serpent’s mind felt as though bitten, erupting into frenzy.

All the boils on his body burst, black blood-poison streaming forth in countless strands, spreading to every corner of the platform at his command. His aim was to seal off the entire platform, forcing Dugu Farewell to confront him directly.

The Green Serpent was confident—the Internal Hidden Sutra’s poison arts were irresistible. More potent than the Seven-Step Serpent, his toxin was formidable, yet still mere food in his mouth. The poison he cultivated was even more tyrannical. Even a tiny touch could be fatal. Initially, he had planned to toy with his opponent for a while longer, since such opportunities were rare. But now, his patience had worn thin.

“Die!” The Green Serpent’s eye sockets flashed brilliantly. The corners of his mouth curled upward, preparing to savor the thrill of killing his opponent.

“Come, Nether Meditation.” Dugu Farewell spread his hand wide, gathering the black blood-poison into a long serpent, feeding it into his palm.

“Poison Transformation Formula.” His vast consciousness struck with force, erasing the poison’s spirit and transforming it into streams of pure energy and awareness, nourishing his body and mind.

It was as if he had taken a potent elixir—his complexion grew ever more ruddy, his bones crackled, muscles swelled, skin tightened, and waves of power surged, refining him again and again.

“Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful!” Unable to restrain himself, Dugu Farewell threw his head back and roared to the heavens, venting the excess energy within. Thanks to the energy provided by the blood-poison, his Tenfold Body Refinement Technique reached its second stage, achieving true perfection.

Once he broke this barrier, once he opened the final spring of power, he would have a chance to advance into the ranks of generals.

“Uh—” The Green Serpent was dumbstruck.

Plop, plop—

Everyone’s eyes fell to the floor. It was a scene unseen in centuries—the poisoner was stupefied, while the poisoned one shouted in delight.

What kind of world was this?

With a groan, the chief steward rolled his eyes and fainted. The psychological blow was too much.

“To absorb so much and show no signs of poisoning—how bizarre…what could be the reason…It seems that even without seeking the Emperor’s help, I have found the one who can save Weakness… Dugu… Farewell…”

The Shadowless Hand stroked his chin, lost in thought.

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