Chapter 228 - 227: The Combat Power Ceiling Among Cultivators

The moment the venomous bees touched the fireballs, they were instantly incinerated. With the obstacle gone, the men charged forward.

But they failed to notice the charred bees releasing a pale cyan smoke. Without realizing it, they inhaled the fumes, feeling no effects at first.

However, before they could even get close to Wen Yan, the men who had inhaled the smoke froze on the spot. Not only did their Spiritual Power completely dissipate, but their very flesh began to rot away at an astonishing speed.

Looks of terror were frozen on their faces as agonizing screams rang out. They wanted to react, but it was already too late. In a mere moment, nothing remained on the spot but ghastly white skeletons.

The onlookers simultaneously drew in a sharp breath, horrified by this gruesome way to die.

’Holy shit, what a fucking awful way to die!’

Seizing the moment before more pursuers arrived, Wen Yan retrieved a Thousand Miles Transmission Talisman from his storage bag and slapped it onto his body. He then adjusted Chu Liangyu so she was pressed closer against his back and whispered a reminder, "I’m about to activate the Teleportation Talisman. Be ready."

Chu Liangyu hummed softly in acknowledgment and relaxed against his shoulder.

’I didn’t expect the Wen Yan of this world to be so capable. I’m actually getting to experience what it feels like to be protected by him. All in all, it’s a rather novel feeling.’

Her warm breath tickled the side of his ear. Wen Yan shifted his neck instinctively, but in doing so, his cheek unexpectedly pressed against hers.

Wen Yan froze for an instant. The moment he registered the contact, he instinctively pulled away, his cheeks flushing an uncontrollable red.

But there was no time to dwell on it. Wen Yan poured most of his Spiritual Power into the talisman, which erupted in a blinding white light that enveloped them both.

Two seconds later, they had vanished from the spot.

Seeing this, the Female Cultivator in charge at Lan Yue Pavilion frowned, hesitating on whether to send more people in pursuit. Just then, a familiar voice sounded in her ear, "Send two from Divinity Transformation to bring them back."

"Yes, Pavilion Master." The Female Cultivator nodded and immediately dispatched two Divinity Transformation Cultivators to give chase.

The Female Cultivator found it odd. ’Is there something special about that woman?’ she wondered. ’To think the Pavilion Master would dispatch Cultivators with Divinity Transformation Cultivation just to capture her.’

Meanwhile, following Chu Liangyu’s directions, Wen Yan arrived in a desert in the northern part of the Cultivation World. Sandstorms raged, and not another Cultivator was in sight for miles around.

’The talisman’s range was a full thousand li. The pursuers from Lan Yue Pavilion shouldn’t be able to catch up now,’ he thought.

Wen Yan wiped the sweat from his brow and gently set Chu Liangyu down.

"Don’t worry. I can counteract the drug you were given, but it will take some time."

With that, Wen Yan waved his hand, quickly setting up a simple Array. He then took out his personal Pill Furnace from his storage bag, laid out the necessary medicinal herbs, and began the Alchemy process on the spot.

As it turned out, refining an antidote elixir was not only time-consuming but also incredibly complex.

Lan Yue Pavilion was filled with High Tier Cultivators. If he had brazenly started the process there, he would have been discovered instantly, and possibly even thrown out.

But if he didn’t concoct the antidote soon, the drug in Chu Liangyu’s system would take full effect. That was why he had been so desperate to get her out of there.

"Well, well, the two little Cultivators are quite the runners. You certainly led us on quite a chase."

Although Wen Yan had set up a presence-concealing Array before beginning his Alchemy, its strength was limited by his own power, and the two Divinity Transformation Cultivators quickly found them.

"Stop the Alchemy."

Chu Liangyu warned, her expression sinking.

She tentatively tried to negotiate with the Heavenly Dao, but it told her to solve such a minor issue on her own.

’With her former strength, this would have been no problem. But now, she was nothing more than a genuine Little Golden Core, and the drug in her system was very real.’

"Tsk. As expected of someone from a Pill Medicine Family. To be able to calmly perform Alchemy under these circumstances is truly remarkable."

"So go on, kid, keep at it. Out of respect for your Wen Family, we won’t lay a hand on you."

The two exchanged a glance, bypassed Wen Yan, and hauled Chu Liangyu to her feet, turning to leave.

Cold sweat beaded on Wen Yan’s forehead. He wanted to stop them, but the Alchemy was already underway.

’He knew full well he couldn’t defeat two Divinity Transformation Cultivators. So, he decided to finish refining the elixir first. He could always make another trip to Lan Yue Pavilion later.’

’But he was worried... What if the drug took effect on Chu Liangyu before he could get there?’

’Wouldn’t her honor be...?’

"Let her go."

Just then, a voice as cold as ice and snow echoed in their ears.

Simultaneously, a longsword shot toward the two Divinity Transformation Cultivators.

The sword split in two, each half radiating a fierce aura that made one’s heart tremble just by being near it.

The two men instinctively threw up a Spiritual Power Shield to block, but the sword’s assault was too ferocious. In an instant, the Spiritual Power Shield was shattered to pieces.

Fortunately, both men possessed a Protective Dharma Treasure. After blocking the strike, they immediately released their hold on Chu Liangyu and retreated a great distance.

Li Jingxuan’s figure materialized in the wake of the swords. His black robes whipped about in the swirling sand as the Taichu Sword returned to his hand.

Tall and imposing, he stood with his longsword in hand. Facing two Cultivators whose cultivation was not far from his own, Li Jingxuan’s expression remained utterly impassive.

He moved impassively to stand before Chu Liangyu and swung his longsword. In the next instant, tens of thousands of phantom swords materialized on either side of him. These phantoms then coalesced into two distinct groups.

Gradually, the circles formed by the swords turned pitch-black. At the same time, Li Jingxuan stopped swinging his sword.

Holding the longsword before his chest, Li Jingxuan’s lips moved slightly. The next moment, a volley of air-rending sounds erupted from within the circles.

Though it takes long to describe, this entire sequence of actions took no more than three seconds.

The two men faced him as if he were a formidable enemy. Though prepared, they still struggled to cope with the assault.

Even among Cultivators of the same cultivation level, there can be vast differences in strength. Sword Cultivators, in particular, were considered the pinnacle of combat prowess.

The three were locked in a fierce battle. Seeing that the man with the longsword was clearly on their side, Wen Yan assumed he was a High Tier Cultivator drawn by his earlier promise. Reassured, he went back to concentrating on the elixir.

With everyone’s attention diverted, no one noticed anything unusual about Chu Liangyu.

Chu Liangyu was still reeling from the shock of Li Jingxuan’s actual arrival when she suddenly felt her body temperature begin to climb.

Her face fell. She immediately realized the drug was starting to take effect.

But in a situation like this, there was no one who could help her.

The drugs of the Cultivation World were surprisingly potent. The moment Chu Liangyu noticed the change, her consciousness began to blur.

Her body’s reaction told her it wouldn’t be long before she lost consciousness and was completely at the mercy of the drug’s effects.