“ nǐ men zhè xiē tiān zhī jiāo zi ， yòu zhī dào xiē shén me ？” nà duàn sān què yī xià zi bào nù le qǐ lái ， è hěn hěn de dīng zhe liǎng gè shào nián ， jiù xiàng yī tóu shòu shāng de yě shòu 。
“你们这些天之骄子，又知道些什么？”那段三却一下子暴怒了起来，恶狠狠的盯着两个少年，就像一头受伤的野兽。
"Who are you, these pampered princes of heaven? What do you know?" Tan San suddenly exploded with rage, glaring fiercely at the two young men as if he were a wounded beast.
“ nǐ men yí gè shì jí mó dòng shǎo zhǔ ， yí gè shì líng yào shān shǎo zhǎng mén ， tiān zī yuǎn chāo tóng bèi ， yòu yǒu dà shù dǐ xià kě yǐ chéng liáng ， jīng shí fǎ bǎo cóng bù huò quē ， nǎ lǐ zhī dào wǒ men zhè xiē pǔ tōng xiū shì de kǔ chǔ 。”
“你们一个是极魔洞少主，一个是灵药山少掌门，天资远超同辈，又有大树底下可以乘凉，晶石法宝从不或缺，哪里知道我们这些普通修士的苦处。”
"You are both the young master of the Extreme Demon Cave and the junior sect leader of Spirit Medicine Mountain. Your talents far exceed those of your peers, and you have the advantage of having powerful patrons to rely on. You know nothing of our ordinary cultivators' hardships."
hěn hěn de chuǎn le jǐ kǒu cū qì yǐ hòu ， nà duàn sān cái hǎo bù róng yì píng jìng xià lái ， fǎng fú zài xiàng liǎng rén shù shuō ， yòu fǎng fú shì zài zì yán zì yǔ 。
狠狠的喘了几口粗气以后，那段三才好不容易平静下来，仿佛在像两人述说，又仿佛是在自言自语。
After taking several deep breaths, Tan San finally calmed down, as if he was narrating to them but also talking to himself.
“ yuán běn ， wǒ zhǐ shì bì yún shān de yī míng dī jiē dì zǐ ， suī rán yīn wèi jī yuán qiǎo hé ， bài rù le míng mén dà pài ， wú nài běn shēn de líng gēn què shì tài chà ， jiù suàn nǔ lì shù shí zài ， yě bù guò xiū liàn dào líng dòng qī de dǐng fēng ， jīn shēng xiǎng yào zhù jī chéng gōng ， nà shì jué wú kě néng 。”
“原本，我只是碧云山的一名低阶弟子，虽然因为机缘巧合，拜入了名门大派，无奈本身的灵根却是太差，就算努力数十载，也不过修炼到灵动期的顶峰，今生想要筑基成功，那是绝无可能。”
"Originally, I was just a low-ranking disciple at Green Cloud Mountain. Although I managed to join one of the great sects due to good fortune, my spirit root is too poor. Even after decades of effort, I could only reach the peak of the Flexible Spirit Period. It's impossible for me to establish a foundation in this lifetime."
“ cóng rù mén qǐ ， wǒ xiū liàn de sù dù jiù bǐ bié rén màn ， shī zhǎng qiáo bù qǐ ， tóng mén qīng shì ……”
“从入门起，我修炼的速度就比别人慢，师长瞧不起，同门轻视……”
"From the beginning, my cultivation speed was slower than others. My mentors looked down on me, and fellow disciples belittled me..."
lín xuān yǎn zhōng yǒu yì guāng shǎn dòng ， biǎo miàn shàng suī shén sè rú cháng ， kě xīn lǐ ， fǎng fú yòu huí dào le zài piāo yún gǔ nà jiān kǔ xiū xíng de suì
林轩眼中有异光闪动，表面上虽神色如常，可心里，仿佛又回到了在飘云谷那艰苦修行的岁
Lin Xuan's eyes flashed with an unusual light. Though his expression remained calm, he seemed to be reliving his harsh years of training at Drifting Cloud Valley.
jū rán yǒu rén rèn wéi zì jǐ shì tiān zi jiāo zi ， lín xuān xīn zhōng kǔ xiào bù yǐ ， jì xù tīng duì fāng jiǎng xià qù 。
居然有人认为自己是天子骄子，林轩心中苦笑不已，继续听对方讲下去。
Some people actually think I'm a prince of heaven, Lin Xuan thought with a bitter laugh as he continued listening to Tan San.
“ bù guò bǐ rén zī zhì suī rán chà xiē ， xīn zhì què jiān rèn wú bǐ ， yī cì qiǎo hé ， bèi běn mén de tài shàng zhǎng lǎo kàn zhòng le ， wèn wǒ yuàn bù yuàn yì qù zhí xíng yī xiàng tè shū rèn wù ……”
“不过鄙人资质虽然差些，心智却坚韧无比，一次巧合，被本门的太上长老看重了，问我愿不愿意去执行一项特殊任务……”
"However, although my talents are lacking, my mind is incredibly resilient. A chance encounter led the Supreme Elder of our sect to take an interest in me and ask if I would be willing to undertake a special mission..."
“ xiǎng bì jiù shì dào tiān mù shān wò dǐ le 。” tián xiǎo jiàn lěng xiào zhe shuō 。
“想必就是到天目山卧底了。”田小剑冷笑着说。
"Surely you're referring to infiltrating Mount Tianmu," said Tiao Xiaojian coldly.
“ bù cuò ！” duàn sān huí guò tóu ， yǎn zhōng shè chū fēng kuáng ér yāo yì de guāng máng ：“ lùn xiū wèi ， lìng shī mó gōng gài shì ， huò xǔ shì zhè yōu zhōu xiū zhēn jiè de dì yī rén ， dàn jiǎng dào xīn jī ， bì pài de tài shàng zhǎng lǎo kě shì yǒu rú zhū gě zài shì 。”
“不错！”段三回过头，眼中射出疯狂而妖异的光芒：“论修为，令师魔功盖世，或许是这幽州修真界的第一人，但讲到心机，敝派的太上长老可是有如诸葛再世。”
"Exactly!" Tan San turned his head, his eyes glowing with madness: "In terms of cultivation, your master's Demon Power is unparalleled, perhaps the top cultivator in all of Youzhou. But when it comes to cunning, our Supreme Elder is like Zhuge Liang reborn."
“ zhū gě zài shì ？” lín xuān xīn zhōng yī dòng ， nà shì shàng gǔ shí qī ， yī wèi shén tōng guǎng dà de xiū shì ， chuán shuō shàn cháng móu lüè yǔ zhèn fǎ 。 hòu lái gèng shì dào fǎ dà chéng ， fēi shēng dào le xiān jiè 。
“诸葛再世？”林轩心中一动，那是上古时期，一位神通广大的修士，传说擅长谋略与阵法。后来更是道法大成，飞升到了仙界。
"Zhuge Liang reborn?" Lin Xuan's mind stirred. That was a powerful cultivator from ancient times, renowned for his strategic prowess and knowledge of array formations. He even attained great Daoist accomplishments and ascended to the Immortal Realm.
“ wǒ bì yún shān zǎo zài shù shí nián qián ， jiù zài tú móu tiān mù pài ， tài shàng zhǎng lǎo pài wǒ zuò wò dǐ ， cǐ xiàng rèn wù suī rán jiān jù ， dàn huí bào yě tóng yàng kě guān ， zhèng shì yǒu le tā lǎo rén jiā cì yǔ de dān yào ， wǒ cái néng chōng pò píng jǐng ， jìn rù zhù jī zhī jìng 。”
“我碧云山早在数十年前，就在图谋天目派，太上长老派我做卧底，此项任务虽然艰巨，但回报也同样可观，正是有了他老人家赐予的丹药，我才能冲破瓶颈，进入筑基之境。”
"Our Green Cloud Mountain has long plotted against Mount Tianmu. The Supreme Elder sent me as an infiltrator; although this mission is arduous, it promises significant rewards. Thanks to the medicinal pills bestowed by him, I was able to break through my bottleneck and enter the Foundation Establishment realm."
“ zhào zhǎng lǎo hái céng jīng shuō guò ， rú guǒ wǒ néng gòu lì xià gèng dà de gōng láo 。 zhǐ yào lìng tā mǎn yì 。 wèi shǐ bù néng shī zhǎn nì tiān de shén tōng ， tì wǒ yì jīng xǐ suǐ 。 bìng shōu wǒ wèi tú ， nà shí hòu bǐ rén níng chéng jīn dān 。 jiù zhǐ rì kě dài le 。” shuō dào zhè lǐ ， duàn sān xǐ xíng yú sè ， jiù chà yào shǒu wǔ zú dǎo le 。
“赵长老还曾经说过，如果我能够立下更大的功劳。只要令他满意。未始不能施展逆天的神通，替我易经洗髓。并收我为徒，那时候鄙人凝成金丹。就指日可待了。”说到这里，段三喜形于色，就差要手舞足蹈了。
"Senior Elder Zhao once said that if I could achieve greater feats, he might use divine techniques to cleanse my spirit and take me as his disciple. Then, with a golden core in my body, it would be just a matter of time," Tan San's face lit up at this point, almost dancing with joy.
“ hēng ， lì xià dà gōng ， kàn lái gé xià shì xiǎng yào zhuó luò zài wǒ men liǎng rén shēn shàng le 。” tián xiǎo jiàn lěng lěng dì shuō 。
“哼，立下大功，看来阁下是想要着落在我们两人身上了。”田小剑冷冷地说。
"Hmph, wanting to rely on us? It seems you're pinning your hopes on us two." Tiao Xiaojian said coldly.
“ shǎo dòng zhǔ míng bái jiù hǎo 。 yuán běn zài xià yě zhèng tóu téng ， yīn wèi tài shàng zhǎng lǎo suǒ shuō de dà gōng shì yào jiāng tiān mù shān shōu rù náng zhōng 。 duàn mǒu suī rán zài zhè lǐ zuò le wò dǐ èr shí yú nián ， dàn dào dǐ zhǐ shì yī zhù jī qī de xiū shì ér yǐ ， xiǎng yào hàn dòng tiān mù shān shù qiān nián de gēn jī ， bù guò shì zì bù liàng lì ， nǎ zhī dào shàng tiān duì wǒ bù báo ， què jiāng shǎo dòng zhǔ sòng dào wǒ yǎn qián lái le 。”
“少洞主明白就好。原本在下也正头疼，因为太上长老所说的大功是要将天目山收入囊中。段某虽然在这里做了卧底二十余年，但到底只是一筑基期的修士而已，想要撼动天目山数千年的根基，不过是自不量力，哪知道上天对我不薄，却将少洞主送到我眼前来了。”
"Junior Sect Leader, I understand. Originally, I was also troubled because the Supreme Elder required me to capture Mount Tianmu. Although I've been here for over twenty years as an infiltrator, I'm only a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Attempting to shake the foundation of Mount Tianmu after thousands of years is sheer folly. But fortune smiled on me when Junior Sect Leader appeared before me."
“ nǐ xiǎng rú hé ？” tián xiǎo jiàn bó rán biàn sè 。
“你想如何？”田小剑勃然变色。
"How do you propose we proceed?" Tiao Xiaojian's expression darkened.
“ hē hē ， zhè hái bù jiǎn dān ma ， shā le gé xià ， rán hòu zài jià huò gěi tiān mù pài ， nǐ zuò wèi jí è mó zūn wéi yī de ài tú 。 tóng shí yě shì tā zài shì sú jiān de hòu rén 。 xiǎng bì lìng shī wú lùn rú hé yě huì nǐ bào chóu ba ！”
“呵呵，这还不简单吗，杀了阁下，然后再嫁祸给天目派，你做为极恶魔尊唯一的爱徒。同时也是他在世俗间的后人。想必令师无论如何也会你报仇吧！”
"Haha, isn't this simple? Kill you and frame it on Mount Tianmu. As your master's only disciple in the mortal world, he will surely avenge you!"
“ dào shí hòu mó dào quán lì lái gōng ， tiān mù shān jiù suàn yǒu yún hǎi liè guāng zhèn yě jué duì dǐ dǎng bú zhù 。 jì rán yǔ mó dào jiāo wù ， nà me tóu xiàng wǒ zhèng dào jiù shì tā men wéi yī de xuǎn zé ， lì xià rú cǐ bù shì qí gōng ， tài shàng zhǎng lǎo zì rán huì duì xiàn tā de nuò yán le 。” duàn sān xù shù dào zhè lǐ ， yòu xiàng lìng yī biān zhuǎn guò tóu qù ：“ jiù zhǐ kě xī wěi qū lín shǎo zhǎng mén le ， nǐ kě yǐ shuō shì chéng mén shī huǒ yāng jí chí yú ， bù guò méi yǒu guān xì ， shā le nǐ gèng jiā wěn tuǒ yī xiē ， líng yào shān de shí lì tóng yàng bù kě qīng rǔ ， xiǎng bì tā men yě yí dìng huì wèi nǐ bào chóu de 。”
“到时候魔道全力来攻，天目山就算有云海裂光阵也绝对抵挡不住。既然与魔道交恶，那么投向我正道就是他们唯一的选择，立下如此不世奇功，太上长老自然会兑现他的诺言了。”段三叙述到这里，又像另一边转过头去：“就只可惜委屈林少掌门了，你可以说是城门失火殃及池鱼，不过没有关系，杀了你更加稳妥一些，灵药山的实力同样不可轻辱，想必他们也一定会为你报仇的。”
"When the Daoist sects launch their full might against us, even the Cloud Sea裂光阵 of Mount Tianmu won't be able to withstand them. Since we're enemies with the Daoists, joining our righteous path is their only choice. With such an unprecedented achievement, the Supreme Elder will surely honor his promise," Tan San turned away as he spoke.
“ zuì hòu yí gè wèn tí ， nǐ shì hé shí xià dì dú ， wèi shén me wǒ men yì diǎn gǎn jué yě méi yǒu ？” tián xiǎo jiàn biǎo qíng bīng lěng de shuō 。
“最后一个问题，你是何时下地毒，为什么我们一点感觉也没有？”田小剑表情冰冷的说。
"Unfortunately, this means you, Senior Sect Leader Lin, are in for a tough time. You can blame it on the city gate burning and catching fish downstream, but killing you would be more secure. Spirit Medicine Mountain's strength is formidable; they'll certainly seek revenge."
“ hēng ， shǎo dòng zhǔ nán dào wàng le ， nǐ men suǒ chuán dì zhè shēn yī fú kě shì yóu wǒ tí gōng ， zuó rì nǐ lái zhǎo wǒ yào de shí hòu wǒ jiù mǒ le jù dú ， zhǐ bù guò zhè zhǒng qī jué zhū guǒ zhī dú yě shì yào pèng dào zhè zhǒng qí lín fěn cǎi fā zuò 。”
“哼，少洞主难道忘了，你们所传地这身衣服可是由我提供，昨日你来找我要的时候我就抹了剧毒，只不过这种七绝朱果之毒也是要碰到这种麒麟粉彩发作。”
"And my last question: when did you poison us, and why didn't we feel anything?" Tiao Xiaojian said with a cold expression.
duàn sān tān kāi shǒu ， shuāng zhǎng jiān bù mǎn le cǎi sè dì fěn mò ， suí jí tā liǎn shàng de yīn hán zhī sè yī shǎn ér guò ：“ hǎo le ， yán jǐn yú cǐ ， liǎng wèi yě kě yǐ zuò gè míng bái guǐ le ， ràng duàn mǒu sòng nǐ men shàng lù 。”
段三摊开手，双掌间布满了彩色地粉末，随即他脸上的阴寒之色一闪而过：“好了，言尽于此，两位也可以做个明白鬼了，让段某送你们上路。”
"Hmph, Junior Sect Leader, do you forget that the clothes you're wearing were provided by me? I applied剧毒 to them yesterday. This seven绝朱果poison only activates upon contact with麒麟粉."
shuō wán tā shǒu yì diǎn ， nà jù fǔ fēi le huí lái ， zhèng yào hěn hěn pī cì ér xià ， chū rén yì liào de shì qíng fā shēng le 。 tián xiǎo jiàn hé lín xuān jū rán zhàn le qǐ lái ， liǎng rén liǎn shàng de hēi qì xùn sù tuì qù ， fū sè hóng rùn ， nǎ yǒu yì diǎn zhòng dú de yàng zi 。
说完他手一点，那巨斧飞了回来，正要狠狠劈刺而下，出人意料的事情发生了。田小剑和林轩居然站了起来，两人脸上的黑气迅速退去，肤色红润，哪有一点中毒的样子。
Tan San spread his hands, revealing colorful powder between them. His face quickly turned grim: "Well, that's enough talk. You two can now be clear about your fate. Let Tan San send you on your way."
“ nǐ ， nǐ men ……” duàn sān mù dèng kǒu dāi ， zhǎng dà dì zuǐ zú kě yǐ róng nà xià yí gè jī dàn ， kǒng jù zhī sè háo bù yǎn shì de liú lù le chū lái ：“ zěn me kě néng ， nǐ men liǎ bú shì zhòng dú le ma ……”
“你，你们……”段三目瞪口呆，长大地嘴足可以容纳下一个鸡蛋，恐惧之色毫不掩饰的流露了出来：“怎么可能，你们俩不是中毒了吗……”
He waved his hand, and the huge axe flew back to him, ready to strike down. However, an unexpected event occurred. Tiao Xiaojian and Lin Xuan stood up, their blackened faces quickly clearing as they turned a healthy red.
“ bù hǎo yì sī ， ràng gé xià shī wàng le ， qī jué zhū guǒ què shí nǎi tiān xià qí dú ， kě xī jiā shī céng cì yǔ tián mǒu yī jiàn bǎo wù ， kě yǐ qū chú bǎi dú 。”
“不好意思，让阁下失望了，七绝朱果确实乃天下奇毒，可惜家师曾赐予田某一件宝物，可以祛除百毒。”
"You, you... " Tan San's eyes widened in shock, his mouth large enough to hold an egg. Fear was clearly visible on his face: "How is that possible? You two were poisoned..."
tián xiǎo jiàn dì liǎn shàng mǎn shì lěng xiào zhī sè ， zhǐ jiàn tā zuǐ yī zhāng ， yī kē lóng yǎn dà xiǎo de zhū zi bèi pēn le chū lái ， sàn fà zhe méng méng de guāng cǎi 。
田小剑地脸上满是冷笑之色，只见他嘴一张，一颗龙眼大小的珠子被喷了出来，散发着蒙蒙的光彩。
"Sorry to disappoint you, but the seven绝朱果is indeed a rare poison. Fortunately, my master once gave me a treasure that can remove all poisons."
yǔ zhī xiāng fǎn ， duàn sān de biǎo qíng zé biàn dé jí dù nán kàn ， ér tián xiǎo jiàn zé yòng yǎn jiǎo de yú guāng piǎo le lín xuān yī yǎn ， móu dǐ shēn chū ， lüè lüè lù chū le yī sī yà yì zhī sè 。
与之相反，段三的表情则变得极度难看，而田小剑则用眼角的余光瞟了林轩一眼，眸底伸出，略略露出了一丝讶异之色。
Tiao Xiaojian's face contorted in a cold smile as he opened his mouth and spat out a dragon-eye-sized bead, glowing faintly.
zì jǐ yǒu jīng hǎi shén zhū ， kě yǐ bù jù bǎi dú ， kě tā wèi shén me yě méi shì ne ？
自己有鲸海神珠，可以不惧百毒，可他为什么也没事呢？
Tan San's expression turned extremely ugly, while Tiao Xiaojian glanced at Lin Xuan with a hint of surprise in his eyes.
lín xuān mù wú biǎo qíng de dīng zhe duàn sān ， shén wán qì zú ， kě xīn lǐ ， què àn zì qìng xìng bù yǐ ， shuō shí huà ， duì yú zhè wěi suǒ de xiǎo rén ， zì jǐ dào zhēn méi yǒu qǐ shén me fáng fàn zhī xīn ， zhǐ shì duì tián xiǎo jiàn yì zhí bǎo chí zhe jiè yì ， gù ér tā gěi zì jǐ de yī fú ， cái duō zhǎng le jǐ fēn xīn yǎn 。
林轩目无表情的盯着段三，神完气足，可心里，却暗自庆幸不已，说实话，对于这猥琐的小人，自己倒真没有起什么防范之心，只是对田小剑一直保持着戒意，故而他给自己的衣服，才多长了几分心眼。
"Why didn't you suffer any effects when I have the Whale Sea Divine Pearl to protect me from all poisons?
fǒu zé hòu guǒ hái zhēn shì bù kān shè xiǎng a ！
否则后果还真是不堪设想啊！
Lin Xuan stared blankly at Tan San, seemingly unaffected, but he was secretly relieved. He had not really expected such a sordid little man to be a threat and only kept an eye on Tiao Xiaojian, so his clothes required more caution.
chī yī qiàn ， zhǎng yī zhì ， zhè yě suàn shì duì zì jǐ de yí gè tí xǐng ， qiān wàn bù néng xiǎo kàn rèn hé rén ， xiū zhēn zhī lù bù mǎn le jīng jí ， lín xuān kě bù xī wàng dà fēng dà làng dōu chuǎng guò qù ， mǒu yī tiān què fān chuán zài yīn gōu lǐ 。
吃一堑，长一智，这也算是对自己的一个提醒，千万不能小看任何人，修真之路布满了荆棘，林轩可不希望大风大浪都闯过去，某一天却翻船在阴沟里。
Otherwise, the consequences could have been disastrous!
cǐ shí tián xiǎo jiàn de liǎn shàng bù mǎn le sēn hán dì shā qì ， tā yě bù xiǎng fèi huà yǔ duì fāng làng fèi shí jiān ， shǒu yī tái ， nà diào luò zài dì shàng dì fēi jiàn lì kè yòu líng xìng shí zú de fēi le qǐ lái ， huà wèi yī dào lì máng ， zhí qǔ duì fāng dì jǐng xiàng 。
此时田小剑的脸上布满了森寒地杀气，他也不想废话与对方浪费时间，手一抬，那掉落在地上地飞剑立刻又灵性十足的飞了起来，化为一道厉芒，直取对方地颈项。
A lesson learned, Lin Xuan thought. He must never underestimate anyone; the path of cultivation is filled with thorns. He did not want to face such storms but end up capsizing in a ditch one day.
duàn sān liǎn sè yī bái ， shuāng fāng gōng lì xiāng chà tài yuǎn ， dàn tā zì rán yě bù yuàn yì zuò yǐ dài bì ， shēn shēn hū xī ， chōng nà jù fǔ tǔ chū yī kǒu hóng sè de jīng qì 。
段三脸色一白，双方功力相差太远，但他自然也不愿意坐以待毙，深深呼吸，冲那巨斧吐出一口红色的精气。
Tiao Xiaojian's face was now covered in icy killing intent as he no longer wanted to waste time. He raised his hand, and the flying sword that had fallen to the ground suddenly regained its vitality, transforming into a sharp blade aimed at Tan San's neck.
liǎng jiàn jí pǐn líng qì zhuàng zài yì qǐ ！
两件极品灵器撞在一起！
Tan San's face paled; the difference in their cultivation levels was too great. But he did not want to wait for death either. Taking a deep breath, he expelled a red essence from his mouth towards the giant axe.
rán hòu tā cóng huái lǐ tāo chū yī zhāng huáng sè de fú ， kǒu zhōng niàn niàn yǒu cí ， wǎng shēn shàng yī pāi ， dì biǎo jìng rán yǒu rú shuǐ bō yī yàng de huàng dòng qǐ lái 。
然后他从怀里掏出一张黄色的符，口中念念有词，往身上一拍，地表竟然有如水波一样的晃动起来。
Two top-grade灵器 collided!
“ tǔ dùn fú ， xiǎng yào táo zǒu ma ？”
“土遁符，想要逃走吗？”
Then, he pulled out a yellow talisman from his chest and muttered something as he slapped it on himself. The ground seemed to ripple like water waves.
lěng xiào shēng zhōng ， tián xiǎo jiàn xiù páo yī fú ， dà piàn de guǐ wù cóng yī xiù zhōng fēi lüè ér chū ， yī shǎn jí shì de jiāng duàn sān bāo guǒ 。
冷笑声中，田小剑袖袍一拂，大片的鬼雾从衣袖中飞掠而出，一闪即逝的将段三包裹。
"Earth遁 Talisman, do you want to escape?"
guǐ wù zhōng ， chuán lái qī lì yǐ jí de cǎn jiào ， dàn hěn kuài ， nà shēng yīn jiù yuè lái yuè xiǎo ……
鬼雾中，传来凄厉以极的惨叫，但很快，那声音就越来越小……
With a cold laugh, Tiao Xiaojian flicked his sleeve, sending a large cloud of ghostly mists flying out. These quickly enveloped Tan San.
From within the mist came an extremely piercing scream, but it soon faded...
"Who are you, these pampered princes of heaven? What do you know?" Tan San suddenly exploded with rage, glaring fiercely at the two young men as if he were a wounded beast.
"You are both the young master of the Extreme Demon Cave and the junior sect leader of Spirit Medicine Mountain. Your talents far exceed those of your peers, and you have the advantage of having powerful patrons to rely on. You know nothing of our ordinary cultivators' hardships."
After taking several deep breaths, Tan San finally calmed down, as if he was narrating to them but also talking to himself.
"Originally, I was just a low-ranking disciple at Green Cloud Mountain. Although I managed to join one of the great sects due to good fortune, my spirit root is too poor. Even after decades of effort, I could only reach the peak of the Flexible Spirit Period. It's impossible for me to establish a foundation in this lifetime."
"From the beginning, my cultivation speed was slower than others. My mentors looked down on me, and fellow disciples belittled me..."
Lin Xuan's eyes flashed with an unusual light. Though his expression remained calm, he seemed to be reliving his harsh years of training at Drifting Cloud Valley.
Some people actually think I'm a prince of heaven, Lin Xuan thought with a bitter laugh as he continued listening to Tan San.
"However, although my talents are lacking, my mind is incredibly resilient. A chance encounter led the Supreme Elder of our sect to take an interest in me and ask if I would be willing to undertake a special mission..."
"Surely you're referring to infiltrating Mount Tianmu," said Tiao Xiaojian coldly.
"Exactly!" Tan San turned his head, his eyes glowing with madness: "In terms of cultivation, your master's Demon Power is unparalleled, perhaps the top cultivator in all of Youzhou. But when it comes to cunning, our Supreme Elder is like Zhuge Liang reborn."
"Zhuge Liang reborn?" Lin Xuan's mind stirred. That was a powerful cultivator from ancient times, renowned for his strategic prowess and knowledge of array formations. He even attained great Daoist accomplishments and ascended to the Immortal Realm.
"Our Green Cloud Mountain has long plotted against Mount Tianmu. The Supreme Elder sent me as an infiltrator; although this mission is arduous, it promises significant rewards. Thanks to the medicinal pills bestowed by him, I was able to break through my bottleneck and enter the Foundation Establishment realm."
"Senior Elder Zhao once said that if I could achieve greater feats, he might use divine techniques to cleanse my spirit and take me as his disciple. Then, with a golden core in my body, it would be just a matter of time," Tan San's face lit up at this point, almost dancing with joy.
"Hmph, wanting to rely on us? It seems you're pinning your hopes on us two." Tiao Xiaojian said coldly.
"Junior Sect Leader, I understand. Originally, I was also troubled because the Supreme Elder required me to capture Mount Tianmu. Although I've been here for over twenty years as an infiltrator, I'm only a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Attempting to shake the foundation of Mount Tianmu after thousands of years is sheer folly. But fortune smiled on me when Junior Sect Leader appeared before me."
"How do you propose we proceed?" Tiao Xiaojian's expression darkened.
"Haha, isn't this simple? Kill you and frame it on Mount Tianmu. As your master's only disciple in the mortal world, he will surely avenge you!"
"When the Daoist sects launch their full might against us, even the Cloud Sea裂光阵 of Mount Tianmu won't be able to withstand them. Since we're enemies with the Daoists, joining our righteous path is their only choice. With such an unprecedented achievement, the Supreme Elder will surely honor his promise," Tan San turned away as he spoke.
"Unfortunately, this means you, Senior Sect Leader Lin, are in for a tough time. You can blame it on the city gate burning and catching fish downstream, but killing you would be more secure. Spirit Medicine Mountain's strength is formidable; they'll certainly seek revenge."
"And my last question: when did you poison us, and why didn't we feel anything?" Tiao Xiaojian said with a cold expression.
"Hmph, Junior Sect Leader, do you forget that the clothes you're wearing were provided by me? I applied剧毒 to them yesterday. This seven绝朱果poison only activates upon contact with麒麟粉."
Tan San spread his hands, revealing colorful powder between them. His face quickly turned grim: "Well, that's enough talk. You two can now be clear about your fate. Let Tan San send you on your way."
He waved his hand, and the huge axe flew back to him, ready to strike down. However, an unexpected event occurred. Tiao Xiaojian and Lin Xuan stood up, their blackened faces quickly clearing as they turned a healthy red.
"You, you... " Tan San's eyes widened in shock, his mouth large enough to hold an egg. Fear was clearly visible on his face: "How is that possible? You two were poisoned..."
"Sorry to disappoint you, but the seven绝朱果is indeed a rare poison. Fortunately, my master once gave me a treasure that can remove all poisons."
Tiao Xiaojian's face contorted in a cold smile as he opened his mouth and spat out a dragon-eye-sized bead, glowing faintly.
Tan San's expression turned extremely ugly, while Tiao Xiaojian glanced at Lin Xuan with a hint of surprise in his eyes.
"Why didn't you suffer any effects when I have the Whale Sea Divine Pearl to protect me from all poisons?
Lin Xuan stared blankly at Tan San, seemingly unaffected, but he was secretly relieved. He had not really expected such a sordid little man to be a threat and only kept an eye on Tiao Xiaojian, so his clothes required more caution.
Otherwise, the consequences could have been disastrous!
A lesson learned, Lin Xuan thought. He must never underestimate anyone; the path of cultivation is filled with thorns. He did not want to face such storms but end up capsizing in a ditch one day.
Tiao Xiaojian's face was now covered in icy killing intent as he no longer wanted to waste time. He raised his hand, and the flying sword that had fallen to the ground suddenly regained its vitality, transforming into a sharp blade aimed at Tan San's neck.
Tan San's face paled; the difference in their cultivation levels was too great. But he did not want to wait for death either. Taking a deep breath, he expelled a red essence from his mouth towards the giant axe.
Two top-grade灵器 collided!
Then, he pulled out a yellow talisman from his chest and muttered something as he slapped it on himself. The ground seemed to ripple like water waves.
"Earth遁 Talisman, do you want to escape?"
With a cold laugh, Tiao Xiaojian flicked his sleeve, sending a large cloud of ghostly mists flying out. These quickly enveloped Tan San.
From within the mist came an extremely piercing scream, but it soon faded...