Chapter 124: Releasing Poison at the Slightest Disagreement (Please Subscribe)

The poison surged through his veins instantly, and a wave of numbness spread from his arm. He tried to swing his limb, but found he was already powerless to move it.

Although his arm was paralyzed, his legs and the other side of his body remained functional. Alarmed, he hurriedly shifted his feet, attempting to retreat before deciding on his next move.

However, the calculating Chunyu Ji had anticipated exactly this. As he stepped back, she quickly swiveled to embrace his waist, parted her cherry-red lips, and exhaled a puff of greenish smoke directly into his face.

Bai Mu had not expected such a variety of tricks from this enchantress. Caught off guard, the smoke hit him head-on. As he inhaled the faint scent of orchids, a heavy drowsiness washed over him, and his eyes began to close against his will.

The fragrance of orchids lingered in his nostrils. Bai Mu felt his entire body go numb; even the spot where the green snake had bitten him no longer throbbed with pain. He felt as if he were adrift in a sea of flowers, bathed in gentle sunlight, with clear springs flowing and mountain breezes carrying the scent of orchids across his face. A beautiful woman in green attire danced and sang gracefully amidst the blossoms. Her elegant movements and ethereal voice left Bai Mu completely intoxicated in this tender trap.

Thump.

Bai Mu’s sturdy frame inevitably collapsed onto the black soil. Beside him, the campfire continued to burn brightly, casting a glow that made his handsome features look all the more heroic.

"A mere whelp, and you dared to challenge me!"

Chunyu Ji sprang up from the ground with a haughty air, brushed the dirt from her clothes, and leaned over to inspect Bai Mu.

Nearby, Gui Ge had been left dumbfounded by the sudden turn of events. He never imagined that a battle so clearly one-sided could be flipped in an instant.

"How is he?" Gui Ge asked, leaning heavily on his blade as if it were a crutch.

"Rest easy, he won't die anytime soon."

Chunyu Ji turned around, smiling coquettishly at Gui Ge. "The lad’s cultivation is indeed profound. If I hadn't resorted to a few little tricks, I fear I would never have been able to take him down!"

"Heh."

Gui Ge grinned insincerely, though he felt deeply dissatisfied with her methods. There was a code among thieves, and considering that Bai Mu had just agreed to spare them, Chunyu Ji’s act of retaliating with treachery was a violation of moral principles.

However, bound by the fact that they were on the same side, he found it difficult to voice his disdain, lest their alliance fall apart.

"What?"

"Feeling sorry for your new friend?" Chunyu Ji asked with a look of disdain.

"No."

Gui Ge lied through his teeth, then pressed, "You didn't do anything permanent to him, did you?"

"Relax."

Chunyu Ji shot him an impatient glance, looking smug. "I only gave him a taste of my Bewitching Gu; he will wake up in three days."

"That’s good."

Gui Ge let out a long sigh of relief, the heavy stone in his heart finally dropping.

"Enough chatter. Since the Fuxi Tooth is not in this village, there is no need for us to stay here pointlessly. Let’s capture Bai Mu and return to report to the Evil King!"

As she spoke, Chunyu Ji pulled a white silk ribbon from her waist, bound the unconscious Bai Mu securely, and signaled to Gui Ge. She lifted Bai Mu in her arms and leaped into the woods.

"Caw... Caw-caw."

Just as she was about to vanish into the forest, several sharp, shrill bird cries pierced the air, sending a ripple of unease through her heart.

Her movement faltered, and Gui Ge, running alongside her, drew his nine-ringed broadsword, prepared to face an enemy.

While they hesitated, a giant, single-legged bird wreathed in flames erupted from the southern end of the woods. The creature moved with incredible speed; in the blink of an eye, it had flapped its wings and descended before Chunyu Ji. Without a word, it extended its single talon and clawed toward her beautiful face.

"Damn it!"

Chunyu Ji cursed in terror, lunging into the forest with the unconscious Bai Mu in her arms and vanishing from sight.

Seeing the ferocity of the bird, Gui Ge knew it was not to be trifled with. Fearing to engage, he hurriedly followed Chunyu Ji into the woods. However, having already been wounded by the Azure Dragon sword energy, his speed and cultivation were compromised. Before he could reach the safety of the trees, the single-legged fire bird overtook him.

A massive force slammed into his back, throwing his body against an ancient tree. The impact made his bones feel as though they were shattering. As he fell to the ground, a sweetness rose in his throat, and blood gushed from his mouth.

Having dispatched Gui Ge with effortless grace, the fire bird did not linger, immediately flapping its wings to pursue Chunyu Ji.

Chunyu Ji was naturally cunning. The moment she saw the bird, she recognized it as the legendary beast of the desolate wilderness—the Bi Fang.

Though she did not know why this fierce creature was attacking her without provocation—or why it seemed intent on ruining her beauty—her instinctual craftiness told her not to tangle with it. She knew all too well that the greatest bane for the sorcerers of the Southern Wilderness was a spirit like the Bi Fang, which possessed innate karmic fire capable of mercilessly purging all evil.

After using an avatar technique to dodge a lethal strike, Chunyu Ji emerged from the depths of the forest with Bai Mu. Seeing no signs of pursuit, she fled in terror toward Mount Xuandan, not even sparing a thought for the fate of her companion, Gui Ge.

"Caw..."

A deafening, shrill cry echoed from the forest behind her. Startled, Chunyu Ji glanced back to see the Bi Fang, wreathed in flames, in hot pursuit. Its speed was more than ten times faster than her avatar technique.

Furthermore, the injuries she had sustained while fighting Bai Mu, coupled with the weight of his body in her arms, hindered her escape. After running another hundred meters, she could already feel the searing heat radiating from the Bi Fang.

Knowing that further resistance would only lead to being incinerated by the bird’s innate karmic fire, she realized she needed a foolproof plan.

At that thought, Chunyu Ji’s eyes fell upon the unconscious Bai Mu in her arms.