Journey to the End of the Night Chapter 1490: 931: Blood of the Poison Immortal (Part 2)

A long exhalation escaped him, the playful grin vanishing, replaced by a look of genuine ease.

“There have been whispers that the wife of the Taixuan Sect Master, who primarily cultivates the Heavenly Silkworm Three Pure Ones Technique, possesses a Dao heart as clear as water, unsullied and impervious to worldly temptations. I was initially concerned that this mere seductive poison might prove ineffective against the might of the Heavenly Silkworm Three Pure Ones Technique. I worried endlessly over it, but now, it appears the heavens have taken pity on my humble existence, and it has actually worked? Furthermore, observing her current state…”

Bai Yuanduo’s gaze held a peculiar glint, accompanied by an unfathomable smile. “It seems the effects have exceeded this junior’s expectations. Madam, have you not recently succumbed to loneliness and secretly perused illustrations of youthful men, leading to such a potent reaction?”

Though Bai Yuandong harbored no ill intent with his words, they struck with unforeseen force.

Li Bansheng had not only glanced at adult illustrations but had, not long ago, while recuperating and cultivating in her own icy pool, witnessed a remarkably vivid real-life confrontation. They had practically fought directly above her head. Yet, it was precisely these agonizing, shameful recollections that had imprinted themselves indelibly upon her Daoqing-like life!

She and Su Guanhai had encountered each other in middle age, which, in human terms, meant they had married and had children after the war. Although they still appeared youthful externally, Su Guanhai’s demeanor had always been one of profound tranquility and serenity, entirely devoid of any youthful exuberance.

That day, within the frigid pool, Baili An’s striking, lean physique had indeed delivered a profound shock to both her senses and her spirit.

Li Bansheng’s hand, gripping the table, suddenly showed bulging veins, and her eyes seemed on the verge of spewing flames. Nevertheless, she maintained her composure, rationally refraining from engaging in a verbal joust with these two individuals. With one hand, she pressed against her Dantian and Qi Sea, bit down hard on the tip of her tongue, and spat out a crystalline Blood Pearl, which ascended towards her brow before vanishing. Instantly, the blood transformed into the Ice Heart Spell, manifesting as a pale blue lotus flower mark upon her forehead.

“Oh? It truly is the Taixuan Sect’s counter-demonic mental technique, the Ice Heart Spell?”

Surprise flickered in Bai Yuanduo’s eyes, accompanied by a faint smile. “Madam Su has indeed been unsparing with herself; I recall hearing that the Taixuan Sect’s Ice Heart Spell is not a cultivation technique for the faint of heart. Should one forcefully push this technique to its limits, a lotus flower mark with three petals will appear on the brow. The more petals present, the greater the intensity of the mental method’s activation. Once the petals of the mark completely fade, having endured the tribulations of a Heart Demon, the Ice Heart Spell will reach its full potency, inflicting immense agony and bodily harm. It is akin to an ice blade slicing through the heart, a cold dagger piercing the marrow! The pain is so profound it can drive one to frenzied self-harm!”

Li Bansheng’s breathing gradually steadied, her focus shifting away from Bai Yuanduo’s mocking words as she tightly bit her lip. Stumbling, she used her body to force open the chamber door and fled outside in a state of disarray.

The fox demon, Ting Yan, observing Bai Yuanduo, who remained seated, inquired with surprise, “The prized catch is escaping, will you not pursue it, Bai?”

Bai Yuanduo chuckled. “Why the haste? If she could truly escape, she would not have been driven to employ the Ice Heart Spell. While that Ice Heart Spell is effective, it is far from omnipotent. Madam Su’s cultivation, all things considered, has yet to surpass a millennium, whereas that Poison Immortal is a genuine Golden Immortal. When the three-petaled lotus mark on her forehead fully reddens, that will be the moment she is utterly consumed by turmoil and beyond control. At that point, slowly dissecting Madam Su and savoring her would be quite delightful, wouldn’t it? If you were to pursue her now, she might resort to desperate measures in a corner! Not to mention, she is a cultivator of the Integration Realm. If pushed too far, she might choose to go out in a blaze of destruction, and the lives of everyone in this city would not be enough to accompany her demise.”

…

…

High above the ornate pavilions and towers, the heavens stretched into infinity, filled with the resonant sounds of silk and bamboo instruments. Upon their initial arrival, these melodies had felt discordant and unpleasant. Now, they resonated as soul-stirring, life-ending dirges, each note striking heavily against her heart.

Li Bansheng felt as though her soul had already detached from her body, soaring high into the nocturnal expanse. She could clearly perceive the luminous moon weaving through wisps of cloud and faint stardust swirling within the night vapors, yet she found herself incapable of truly commanding her physical form. The chilling mark upon her brow pulsed with heat beneath her erratic steps, and even without a mirror, Li Bansheng knew her Ice Heart Spell was gradually unraveling.

Navigating through the throngs, Li Bansheng encountered numerous courtesans, their distant and near curses filling the air, with some attempting to detain her, demanding explanations or restitution.

Her heart, restless and agitated, could no longer suppress the hostility welling within. The Spirit Sword materialized!

"Begone!"

Despite her efforts to restrain her power, the swing of the sword tip still carried the unmistakable sensation of slicing through flesh.

Warm liquid splattered across her face, causing her to gasp, her chest heaving while her heart felt as if consumed by flames.

A cacophony of ghostly wails and wolf-like cries erupted around her.

"Murder! Murder!"

It remained unclear which unfortunate soul bore the brunt of that sword strike. A man's voice, filled with heart-wrenching agony, could be heard, though it seemed his life was not in immediate peril.

Instinctively, Li Bansheng cast a frigid, dagger-like glare towards the source of the outcry, silencing the man instantly.

An overwhelming vexation consumed her, leaving no room for solace.

Uncertain of her path forward or where to seek refuge, her sole aspiration was to escape this pleasure-filled brothel.

Yet, a warmth surged within her abdomen, a scalding sensation accompanied by a false sense of fullness and a dull ache that hinted at burgeoning desire.

As if guided by an unseen force, Li Bansheng veered away from the main entrance on the ground floor, instead propelling herself towards the secluded chambers deep within the North Tower.

Ting Yan's typically composed and smiling countenance suddenly stiffened, an uncharacteristic disarray clouding her features. "Why is she heading towards the North Tower?"

Bai Yuanduo inquired, puzzled, "What is it?"

Ting Yan urgently explained, "I had assumed she was eager to depart Anle Workshop. But knowing she is venturing into a den of vipers, why would she go deeper?"

"That particular chamber… the resident is a Nine-tailed Great Demon!"

Upon hearing the mention of a Nine-tailed Great Demon, Bai Yuanduo's expression shifted dramatically, and he abruptly rose to his feet!

"Are you implying that the female guest who visited Anle Workshop mere days ago is, in fact, a Nine-tailed Great Demon?!"

Ting Yan felt compelled to recount the perilous encounters she and Shu Ci had with Baili An that fateful night.

At that time, Bai Yuanduo had been gravely injured and unconscious, completely unaware of the dire predicament Ting Yan had faced.

His face gradually drained of color. "If you were aware of the Great Demon's presence within this establishment, why did you not flee sooner?"

"From the moment she entered Anle Workshop, she was aware of my proximity. Had she desired my demise, escape would have been impossible. However, after these intervening days, we remain unharmed, suggesting her focus was never upon us."

Bai Yuanduo sank back into his seat, utterly stunned. The potency of the Poison Immortal's blood, their only recourse, was depleted, leaving them utterly incapable of contending with a Nine-tailed Great Demon.

The Nine-tailed Demon Fox—a creature of terrifying renown from the ancient past.

They had possessed the fortitude to face a cultivator at the Integration Realm but lacked the courage to provoke such a formidable Nine-tailed Great Demon.

He whispered softly, "Li Bansheng already possesses far too many of our secrets. She absolutely cannot be permitted to remain!"

With the disintegration of her facade as an Integration Realm cultivator, Ting Yan's expression was etched with profound disappointment, yet she felt utterly powerless. She sighed, stating,

"This matter is beyond our concern. I have personally witnessed the terrifying might of that Nine-tailed Great Demon; a mere glance was enough to inflict grievous harm upon me. She considers that young man her exclusive possession. With Li Bansheng entering, already carrying the seductive poison, do you truly believe that Great Demon, given her ferocious nature, would tolerate her presence?"

Bai Yuanduo, seething with resentment, could only clench his teeth. "What a tragic waste of my Poison Immortal's blood."

Under these circumstances, would not all the efforts of this night be rendered utterly futile?

...

...

Li Bansheng felt as though she were treading on air, stumbling over the elevated threshold as she entered the chamber.

She collapsed inelegantly onto the plush carpet, her ornate hairpiece dislodging and sliding free, allowing a cascade of raven hair to spill over her shoulders like a silken waterfall.

The North Tower stood at a considerable distance from the main hall; the earlier clamor seemed to recede entirely upon reaching this area, creating an atmosphere of profound quietude.

The room was plunged into darkness, yet by the faint moonlight filtering through the window, Li Bansheng discerned the silhouette of a pale young man reclining on the bed.

The youth rested against a plush cushion, appearing gaunt and fragile, his eyes peacefully closed, his lips utterly devoid of color, exuding an aura of complete lifelessness.

Nevertheless, bathed in the moonlight, his features retained an undeniable refinement, his bone structure possessing a delicate grace.

In that moment, Li Bansheng seemed utterly enchanted. A crimson mark materialized upon her brow, her body swaying precariously as if controlled by puppet strings as she approached.

Reaching the bedside, her fingers brushed against his cool cheek, a light, tentative touch, her eyes blazing like embers!

"What do you intend to do with my flesh?"

At that precise instant, a serene, almost ethereal voice emanated from behind Li Bansheng.