The Divine Urban Physician Chapter 3735 - 3725: Truth-Telling Wine (Part 1)
Previously on The Divine Urban Physician...
A half-day’s journey brought them to a halt, their gazes fixed on the spectacle before them, etched with astonishment!
At the furthest reaches of this barren expanse, a breathtaking sea of clouds and mist unfolded!
As far as the eye could grasp, this ethereal mist seemed to meld seamlessly with the heavens!
And within this swirling vapor, a bridge constructed entirely from a remarkable black jade spanned the void!
Positioned at the bridge’s entrance sat a middle-aged man, clad in black, his complexion ashen. Before him lay a table laden with a feast of wine and delicacies, which he consumed with solitary indulgence.
Upon observing the man, both Ye Chen and Xu Shenglong experienced a sudden constriction of their pupils!
The man made no effort to conceal his cultivation aura; a formidable presence radiated from him, unmistakably marking him as an cultivator at the late stage of the Heavenly Repairing Realm!
Exchanging a swift glance, Ye Chen and Xu Shenglong initiated their movement, their forms descending gracefully before the seated man.
The man lifted his head, casting a brief appraisal upon Ye Chen and Xu Shenglong before a cold smile touched his lips. “It seems,” he remarked, “some sought to butcher pigs, only to find their own lives extinguished.”
With that, he resumed his meal, his gaze not returning upwards.
Xu Shenglong’s eyes fell upon the abundant spread of food and the wine, as clear as polished jade, and he found himself unable to suppress a gulp.
The aroma emanating from these provisions was utterly intoxicating!
Even having dined at the most esteemed establishments within the Moon Soul Domain, Xu Shenglong knew they couldn’t compare to even a minuscule fraction of this man’s repast!
Ye Chen, meanwhile, his attention fixed on the man, made his way directly towards the Black Jade Bridge!
The man, mid-bite, suddenly flashed a fierce glint in his eyes and let out a sharp command: “Halt!”
Ye Chen paused, turning his gaze back to the man.
The man glanced at Ye Chen, then gestured with his hand, placing two additional sets of utensils on the table. “You wish to cross the bridge?” he inquired.
“Indeed,” Ye Chen replied with an air of placidity.
“To traverse this bridge,” the middle-aged man stated, “you must first join me in finishing this meal and wine!”
Xu Shenglong stood dumbfounded; he had anticipated a trial for entry into the Dark Domain, but who could have imagined it would involve a shared meal and drinks?
Ye Chen’s eyes narrowed slightly as he posed a question: “And what if I decline?”
A smile played on the man’s lips. “Then you must kill me.”
A flicker of thought crossed Ye Chen’s eyes, and alongside Xu Shenglong, he took a seat.
The middle-aged man poured them each a cup of wine. “This,” he announced, “is called Truth-Telling Wine. Once consumed, uttering a falsehood becomes an impossibility. Please, partake.”
A noticeable shift in expression crossed both Ye Chen and Xu Shenglong’s faces, and in the following instant, they downed their respective cups in a single, decisive gulp!
“Invigorating!” the man exclaimed with a smile.
However, in the very next moment, his eyes ignited with a sudden brilliance as he directed his question to the pair: “Are you spies sent to investigate the Dark Domain?”
As one, they responded: “No.”
The man offered a smile, choosing not to press the matter further. “Eat,” he instructed.
It was at this juncture that Ye Chen suddenly inquired, “Is there poison within this food?”
The man let out a hearty laugh. “Poison? You make a baseless accusation. That is merely the potent residual effect of the Truth-Telling Wine. I advise you against channeling your spiritual energy; doing so will only intensify the after-effects.”
Having spoken, his gaze intensified, turning frigid. “Very well, have you given it sufficient thought? It is time to answer my inquiry.”
Ye Chen’s voice remained measured. “Because I possess a fifty percent likelihood of defeating you. Is that reason enough?”
Instantly, the atmosphere upon the bridge plummeted to temperatures below absolute zero. The middle-aged man’s countenance darkened, and a sneer curled his lip. “The effects of the Truth-Telling Wine wore off remarkably quickly? Youngster, you possess considerable acting talent; I will concede that much. However, you have chosen the wrong adversary!”
With a thunderous roar, the sky-piercing aura within him erupted, his eyes blazing with intense killing intent, and he bellowed:
“Do you truly believe that with the Annihilation Spirit Stone, I cannot discern your true cultivation, thereby allowing you to deceive me?”
Heh, it seems this ploy won't work on everyone! It truly surprises me that a mere Heavenly God Realm brat would still dare to boast a fifty percent chance of killing me, especially after partaking in the Truth-Telling Wine!
Ye Chen, entirely unfazed by the taunts, offered a wry smile: "Believe it or not, we're crossing this threshold now. If you intend to halt our progress, then make your move. However..."
Ye Chen's demeanor shifted instantly, becoming chillingly cold, as an overwhelming wave of killing intent surged, vast and boundless like a sea of blood from the Asura realm. His eyes, sharp and frigid, fixed intently upon the middle-aged man as he declared, "Should you choose to attack, it will be a battle to the death! Unless you utterly annihilate me, even if only a sliver of me remains, I swear I will tear you limb from limb! I will ravage your bones and grind your very marrow into dust!"
"Furthermore, you have three breaths to produce the antidote for the wine!"
Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man's gaze darted, his imposing aura faltering, leaving him in a tense standoff with Ye Chen!
One breath...
Two breaths...
As the third breath concluded, Ye Chen unleashed a furious roar toward the heavens, grasping his black Dragonslayer Sword. Ferocious demonic energy erupted skyward, a destructive aura coursing forth, transforming him into a veritable Demon God of Destruction, fully prepared to engage the middle-aged man in a fight to the bitter end!
At that critical juncture, the middle-aged man's eyes flashed, and with a swift movement of his wrist, a peculiar light streaked toward Ye Chen!
Observing this unfolding scene, Xu Shenglong's face was etched with a profound sense of regret and helplessness!
He was filled with resentment, lamenting his current impotence!
Was 'Brother Ye' truly willing to risk his life against such a terrifying entity for his sake?
Yet, Ye Chen met the incoming peculiar light with an air of serene composure, gathering his essence and effortlessly plucking the light from the air.
Xu Shenglong stared in astonishment, only then realizing the strange light was, in fact, a small jade bottle.
In that moment, Xu Shenglong was utterly dumbfounded, gazing at the middle-aged man with disbelief. This individual, whose cultivation realm was far superior to theirs, had actually surrendered the antidote to 'Brother Ye'?
He could not help but stammer in sheer incredulity: "He... he just handed over the antidote so readily?"
"Readily?"
The middle-aged man, hearing this, let out a sinister chuckle: "Heh, you Heavenly God Realm whelp, I’d be most interested to know why the potency of the Truth-Telling Wine appears to have absolutely no effect on you?"