The Supreme Martial King Shocking All Realms Chapter 3226 - 3221: Encountering Miasma_1
Previously on The Supreme Martial King Shocking All Realms...
Yang Chen finally understood the situation.
From the outset, King Daoguang and Madame Autumn Plum accepted the mission to the Nine Dragons Branch. But because they didn't have enough companions, the task stayed on pause, and they hadn't set out at all.
He found himself compelled to ask, "Should we hold out for additional fellow Daoists, how many others would we require? About how much time might that delay take?"
"We require at least two additional members, though the duration remains uncertain. Madame Autumn Plum and Brother Daoguang have lingered here for roughly two years already," Broken River responded.
In a soft tone, Madame Autumn Plum remarked, "I'm fine with enduring another two years of waiting. Brother Daoguang and I still have our chess match unfinished, after all, so a little more delay won't hurt. This assignment carries certain risks, and gathering sufficient numbers helps us brace for any surprises."
Broken River glanced toward Yang Chen and shook his head in resignation, "What are your thoughts on this, Brother Yang Chen..."
Yang Chen grasped the implication right away—to linger for yet another two years? Such leisure and endurance escaped him entirely.
In contrast to those timeless behemoths who endured for millions of years, he paled considerably.
After pondering briefly, Yang Chen declared, "Then let's skip waiting for more recruits. I, Yang Mou, am confident that my abilities can just about fill in for those two absent spots. If you're both agreeable, we'd do better to proceed without wasting these two years."
His words prompted Madame Autumn Plum and King Daoguang to share a skeptical look, doubting Yang Chen's claim. It appeared he was rushing ahead recklessly, driven mainly by his reluctance to bide another two years.
Yet with matters progressed this far, they chose not to call him out, turning instead toward Broken River.
A touch of hesitation crossed Broken River's face. Without Yang Chen's life-bound divine artifact present, assessing his true battle prowess proved impossible.
Still, Yang Chen's famed status stood undeniable before them, so Broken River decided to give it a shot: "I, Brother Gu, hold no reservations."
Madame Autumn Plum and King Daoguang consented with some reluctance, "With Brother Gu voicing no concerns, we two see no issue either."
Noting the doubtful stares from the group, Yang Chen managed only a bitter smile. Their lack of faith in him shone plain.
It didn't faze him much; he'd never anticipated their trust regardless. Finishing this mission outweighed all else.
The quartet assembled, readied themselves briefly, and departed as one from Heavenly Melody Mountain.
At Broken River's call, they mounted up and headed directly for the Nine Dragons Branch.
The journey unfolded without any barriers or interruptions.
Days flowed by, and after a full month, the four hovered high over a realm. This marked the boundary between Heavenly Melody Mountain and the Nine Dragons Branch.
As they neared descent into the realm, Yang Chen abruptly halted, a grave expression flickering across his otherwise steady features.
Moments later, Broken River, poised to enter the realm, raised a hand: "Madame Autumn Plum, Brother Daoguang, hold back for now."
His words sparked bewilderment in Madame Autumn Plum and King Daoguang, who pivoted to face him, unsure of his intent.
"What are you getting at, Brother Gu..." The pair queried in mutual confusion.
Gazing downward, Broken River spoke gravely, "All three of you, take a close feel of the Heaven and Earth Spirit Qi permeating the Nine Dragons World."
Initially, Madame Autumn Plum and King Daoguang dismissed it as minor, yet Broken River's urging led them to probe below, where they slowly detected an oddity.
Yang Chen had sensed the irregularity sooner, prompting his pause. Though unclear on the precise flaw in the Heaven and Earth Spirit Qi, he noted Broken River's apparent insight.
Fixing his eyes on the Heaven and Earth Spirit Qi, Broken River murmured, "This Heaven and Earth Spirit Qi carries a heavy fog. Even a soul scan feels subtly obstructed. Might our fortune be this dire, stumbling into the Nine Dragons World's peculiar miasma?"
"Miasma?" Yang Chen queried instinctively, "If it's just regular miasma, it shouldn't impact our cultivation, right?"
"You may not be aware, Brother Yang Chen, but the Nine Dragons World's miasma sets itself apart from elsewhere. Its Heaven and Earth Spirit Qi differs vastly from external realms, allowing spiritual plants and treasures here to flourish far quicker than in other places. That said, this potent spirit qi brings drawbacks. At rare, extended intervals, a miasma catastrophe erupts," Broken River clarified.
Yang Chen pressed, "What makes this miasma catastrophe so distinctive?"
"Its chief peril strikes the heaven and earth spiritual treasures. The realm's heavenly materials and earthly treasures demand careful safeguarding against the calamity. Beyond that, experts at our Sky-separating Realm level suffer too. Exposure to this miasma weakens our power, with each inhale sapping our vitality," Broken River stated.
Madame Autumn Plum let out a sigh, "Our fortune proves utterly rotten, running into this miasma."
"Does no counter exist for this miasma?" Yang Chen inquired.
"One does, in fact. Heavenly Melody Mountain offers a remedy known as the 'Poison Concealing Pill.' Consuming it shields against the miasma's poisons. That being said, I never foresaw our misfortune reaching this point to face it. Whatever shall we do?" Broken River remarked.
Madame Autumn Plum furrowed her brow, "Didn't Brother Daoguang study the Poison Concealing Pill recently?"
"I attempted it, yet my alchemy expertise remains fixed at the God-Level Alchemy Master level, with no further advances. Refining this pill has eluded me entirely," King Daoguang lamented.
Broken River had no choice but to suggest, "Achieving Brother Daoguang's dual mastery in alchemy and cultivation at such heights already strains limits. It looks like I'll have to return alone for the Poison Concealing Pill. The three of you stay put here for some months; I'll return promptly."
Just then, Yang Chen interjected, "Hold on, Brother Gu."
Perplexed, Broken River asked, "What prompts that, Brother Yang Chen..."
Yang Chen assured him, "Ease your concerns, Brother Gu. Regarding the Poison Concealing Pill, I may possess a way forward."
Surprise gripped the trio as they eyed Yang Chen, baffled by what skill he might wield to tackle this problem.
Yang Chen turned his attention to the distant King Daoguang and noted, "Earlier, Brother Daoguang spoke of researching the Poison Concealing Pill, so the pill formula must remain in his possession, correct?"
"Naturally, though a mere pill formula hardly resolves our current bind," King Daoguang replied.
With calm indifference, Yang Chen responded, "No need for Brother Daoguang to fret over it yet. Might you share the pill formula with me, so I can attempt handling the matter?"