Chapter 586 - 593: A Joint Act

Murderous intent filled Mu Zixu’s eyes as he watched Song Wanning absorb the poison spreading through the air.

Once this poison dispersed, it was colorless and odorless. Even an Alchemy Grandmaster might not be able to detect it.

The poison was exceptionally potent. It could rapidly spread to every corner of the body, then erupt all at once and cause a sudden, violent death.

He had spent hundreds of years developing this poisonous elixir; it was impossible for it to fail.

Now, all he had to do was wait for Song Wanning to die from the poison.

As for Wu Qingfeng, who had been sent flying, Mu Zixu didn’t even spare him a glance.

’Dying for me is an honor for Wu Qingfeng.’

"PTHOO—"

Wu Qingfeng spat out a large mouthful of blood and glanced over at Mu Zixu.

Seeing how callous he was, Wu Qingfeng’s heart turned completely to ice.

’Thank goodness I made the right choice. Otherwise, I would have died at Mu Zixu’s hands too.’

’From start to finish, I was just a sacrificial pawn.’

’Everything Mu Zixu said was a lie!’

Murderous intent boiled in Wu Qingfeng’s heart. His eyes became bloodshot as he charged at Song Wanning once more.

They had planned this all along. The performance had to be convincing, otherwise, they would never be able to pull off their fake deaths and escape.

Seeing this, Song Wanning naturally swung her sword at Wu Qingfeng again, her expression a mask of cold indifference.

The very next second, however, she suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood. It was as if all her strength had been drained away, and she collapsed with a THUD.

A flash of joy crossed Wu Qingfeng’s face, but in the next instant, he too fell to the ground, sprawling limply and unable to rise.

Both of them began to vomit blood continuously, their auras diminishing at an alarming rate.

"What is happening?"

Song Wanning’s eyes widened as she coughed up more blood, her gaze fixed on Mu Zixu.

"You—what did you do—COUGH, COUGH, COUGH—"

Her face was a mask of utter shock and disbelief.

Her life force was draining away at a frightening pace. In a matter of moments, Song Wanning was like a wilting flower, about to perish.

Wu Qingfeng’s condition was even more severe; he looked to be on the verge of death.

"Hahaha—"

Mu Zixu burst out laughing, feeling an immense sense of satisfaction.

"You’re just a minor Pill Master. Did you really think you could evade my schemes?"

"Tsk, tsk. Don’t you fancy yourself an Alchemy Grandmaster? What, you couldn’t even detect a simple poison?"

To Mu Zixu, Song Wanning was utterly laughable—a fool with no foresight.

’Just because she knows a little Alchemy, she thinks she’s invincible. She’s nothing but an arrogant, brainless idiot.’

"I told you long ago, you’ll come to a bad end for crossing me!"

"Do you understand now?"

"You and Daoqing are nothing but losers I’ve defeated. Don’t even think about getting ahead in this lifetime! Hahaha—"

The frustration that had plagued Mu Zixu for days vanished in an instant.

’One day, Daoqing will die by my hand as well!’

’All these wretched people deserve to die!’

"Old Ancestor..."

Wu Qingfeng reached a hand toward him, his expression a mixture of shock and desperate pleading.

His plea for help looked utterly desperate and genuine.

But Mu Zixu only gave him a cold glance. "Seeing as you’ve eliminated a major thorn in my side, I’ll grant you the mercy of an intact corpse."

"You—"

Hearing this, Wu Qingfeng’s eyes flew wide. Veins bulged across his body as he spat out another large mouthful of blood.

"PTHOO—"

Song Wanning also coughed up more blood, her whole body trembling with rage.

"Mu Zixu, you—you’ll die a miserable death!"

"I—I won’t let you go... even as a ghost..."

"PTHOO—"

With another spurt of fresh blood, Song Wanning’s body convulsed. Her eyes were wide in a deathly stare as, little by little, her aura faded completely.

Her Nascent Soul didn’t emerge. Mu Zixu, wanting to eradicate her completely, had specifically designed this poison to invade the Sea of Consciousness and kill the Nascent Soul as well.

A poison that could spread to every corner of the body was no laughing matter.

Just then, two figures suddenly appeared—Luo Hantian and Liu Xingzhi.

"Song Wanning!!!"

With a great shout, the two rushed over anxiously, slashing their swords toward Mu Zixu’s projection and Wu Qingfeng.

Mu Zixu snorted coldly. He cast one last look at the dead Song Wanning, and in the blink of an eye, the connection was severed.

With the incense link extinguished, Mu Zixu could no longer check on the situation in the Lower World.

But he was absolutely certain that Song Wanning was dead.

Wu Qingfeng, too, had no path left but death.

After all, his poisonous elixir had been verified countless times!

"Hahaha—"

Mu Zixu couldn’t help but roar with laughter, feeling utterly delighted.

The smile on his lips was exceptionally cruel, his eyes dark and sinister.

"Anyone who opposes me will meet a dead end!"

’No one can stand in the way of my apotheosis!’

Mu Zixu brushed down his robes, straightened his attire, and then strode out the door in high spirits.

He made a special trip to Daoqing’s mountain peak, exchanged a few barbs with him, and then left in a cheerful mood.

His behavior seemed completely baffling.

Daoqing was left speechless. "What’s gotten into Mu Zixu? I have no idea what he was trying to show off about!"

’That Mu Zixu is as detestable as ever.’

"Heh..."

Mu Zixu glanced back from a distance, unable to hide the smirk on his face.

Seeing Daoqing so completely in the dark brought him even more satisfaction.

’The fact that Song Wanning had Daoqing’s Immortal Furnace meant she was his chosen successor.’

’Now his successor is dead while Daoqing remains completely in the dark. What a delightful feeling.’

After gloating for a while longer, Mu Zixu finally returned to his own domain.

’Now, I must continue to refine my Alchemy.’

’After all, Daoqing is my greatest enemy.’

...

"Junior Sister Song?"

Liu Xingzhi lifted Song Wanning and quickly placed an Elixir Pill in her mouth.

She hadn’t been poisoned; she had taken a pill that induced a state of fake death. This was the antidote.

Luo Hantian quickly did the same for Wu Qingfeng. Seeing the auras of the two gradually stabilize, they finally breathed a sigh of relief.

They had appeared specifically to sever the connection with Mu Zixu on the spot. If it had dragged on any longer, their ruse would have been too easily exposed.

Thankfully, everything had gone perfectly.

From this day forward, Mu Zixu should no longer target Song Wanning.

After all, one can’t guard against a thief for a thousand days.

"COUGH, COUGH, COUGH—"

Song Wanning suddenly began to cough. Her previously lifeless face quickly regained its color, and her aura began to climb.

Within a few short minutes, she was completely back to normal.

She opened her eyes, and upon seeing the worried expressions on Liu Xingzhi and Luo Hantian’s faces, she broke into a smile.

"Did it work?"

She sat up and quickly got to her feet.

"Yes, it should have worked!"

Luo Hantian nodded. "It’s just... watching you fake your death was pretty terrifying!"

Seeing Song Wanning lying there without a trace of life, their hearts had skipped a beat, even though they were mentally prepared for it.

Thankfully, it was all an act.

Sensing their concern, Song Wanning raised a smile. "I’m perfectly fine, aren’t I?"

She then looked over at Wu Qingfeng.

Wu Qingfeng slowly stirred and awoke. His shoulder had been wounded by Song Wanning, and he looked extremely weak.