Why Not Give It a Try
Chen Huaian sneered.
Xiao Yifeng had confidently chosen his first pill, believing in his alchemy skills.
Too bad.
He had picked the poisoned one.
But even if he hadn’t—
Chen Huaian could have paid 6 yuan to swap it for a toxic one.
“No need for that now,” he thought, watching Xiao Yifeng swallow.
A Bitter Pill to Swallow
Xiao Yifeng gulped it down.
For a brief moment, nothing happened.
Then—
His chest seized.
His face turned purple.
His breath came in ragged gasps.
The fire poison exploded within him.
He dropped to his knees, sweating profusely.
The meridians in his body twisted, burning as if set aflame.
“No… impossible!”
He sat cross-legged, desperately circulating spiritual energy to suppress the poison.
The Sect Watches in Shock
Wu Duantian glanced at Taoist Qingxuan.
The elder’s face had gone black.
His hands trembled under his sleeves.
He was furious.
[You have two more chances.]
The voice from the void was calm.
Everyone understood immediately.
Xiao Yifeng had failed.
Doubt Creeps In
Xiao Yifeng suppressed the poison and forced himself upright.
“Senior… is there truly a normal pill among these ten?”
The air froze.
The voice from the void turned cold.
[What? Are you accusing me of deception?]
A terrifying pressure descended.
Wind howled.
The stone steps around Xiao Yifeng shattered into dust.
[For those words alone, I could kill you.]
“Junior knows his mistake! Please calm down, senior!” Xiao Yifeng bowed deeply, trembling.
He looked at his master for help.
Taoist Qingxuan kept his eyes shut, indifferent.
He would not interfere.
Wu Duantian simply smiled at Li Qingran—
He had already chosen his side.
Second Try, Second Failure
Xiao Yifeng’s face twisted in despair.
He grabbed another pill and swallowed it.
His body convulsed.
The fire poison surged again.
The torment was worse this time.
[You have one chance left.]
He had never imagined the fire poison could be so painful.
Was this what Li Qingran had suffered?
For three months after being expelled from Chixiao Peak?
He finally understood.
But it was too late.
The Final Choice
His hands shook violently.
There was no point analyzing anymore.
He closed his eyes and picked one at random.
“Tsk, this kid got lucky.”
Chen Huaian sighed and paid 6 yuan.
Instantly, the pill swapped.
Xiao Yifeng, unaware, swallowed his last hope.
Pain erupted.
His body convulsed violently.
The previous two doses of fire poison combined with the third.
A black mist of blood sprayed from his mouth.
The air reeked of medicine and decay.
He collapsed.
Twitching.
Then—
Motionless.
A Deadly Offer
[Master Qingxuan, your disciple isn’t as talented as he thought.]
The voice dripped with mockery.
A pause.
Then—
[Seven pills remain. Will you feed him, or shall I?]
Chen Huaian felt no sympathy.
Li Qingran had suffered for three months.
Xiao Yifeng had endured mere moments.
What was his pain compared to hers?
Taoist Qingxuan Loses Control
Wu Duantian sensed disaster.
He stepped forward quickly.
“Sir, Xiao Yifeng has suffered enough! Please spare him!”
[Did I ask you to speak? Sit down.]
Wu Duantian froze.
Taoist Qingxuan’s patience snapped.
He stood, his sword pointed at Li Qingran.
“Enough!”
“I know all ten pills are poisoned!”
“My disciple never gave Li Qingran poison—this is just revenge!”
Li Qingran’s Unshakable Truth
Despite the immense pressure, Li Qingran stepped forward.
Her face was pale, but her eyes were resolute.
“I received no other pills after the competition.”
“The only one I took was from Xiao Yifeng.”
“It poisoned me.”
Taoist Qingxuan gritted his teeth.
“Lies!”
Li Qingran raised three fingers to the sky.
“If I lie, may the heavens strike me down with divine lightning.”
The air changed.
Clouds darkened above Qingyun Sect.
Lightning flashed ominously.
Then—
It vanished.
The heavens had accepted her words.
Taoist Qingxuan’s sword trembled.
He said nothing.
The Final Test
A single Da Huan Dan floated toward Taoist Qingxuan.
The voice whispered from the void.
[Is it poisoned?]
[Why not give it a try?]
Taoist Qingxuan’s eyes flickered with hesitation.
“How do I know—”
The brocade box snapped open.
The pill shot into his mouth.
[Eat it.]
The void sneered.
