"He... he went in?" Watching Shen Haoran’s disappearing figure, everyone outside the Palace was stunned, too shocked to speak for a moment.

They had felt that black toxic mist before. Even a Spirit Aspect Powerhouse couldn’t last more than three breaths inside it. They would have to retreat after that, or risk being corroded by the Nether Poison. And once that Nether Poison made contact, it would seep deep into your bones, impossible to ever get rid of!

The four Alchemists looked as if they had seen a ghost. They had used up dozens of Fifth Grade Elixirs, and even one Sixth Grade Elixir, yet relying on the resulting condensed Pill Qi, they still couldn’t take more than two steps into the black mist. But Shen Haoran had just gone in completely unprotected—and he was running! How was that possible?!

Everyone exchanged glances. Yang Zhenlan swallowed hard and said to Yang Yu, who was standing beside him, "You really found one hell of a helper!"

Yang Yu nodded, but he still gazed worriedly into the depths of the black mist, praying in his heart that Shen Haoran could truly suppress the Nether Poison in Yang Zhentian’s body.

Meanwhile, Shen Haoran was walking through the black toxic substance. Any Nether Poison that tried to approach him was completely absorbed by a number of strange black vortices on his body, posing no threat to him whatsoever.

However, Shen Haoran’s brow remained tightly furrowed. The surrounding black mist had become almost tangible. ’And this is just the Nether Poison that has overflowed,’ he thought. ’I can’t even imagine how terrifying the poison inside Yang Zhentian’s body must be. If it isn’t suppressed soon, Yang Zhentian might really die before his time!’

At this thought, Shen Haoran quickened his pace and threw open the doors of the Palace. Instantly, a black toxic substance billowed out, and the black vortices on his body barely had time to form a defense!

The sudden storm of black mist startled Shen Haoran. Fortunately, Changmao stabilized the defense just in time, otherwise Shen Haoran would have been in big trouble!

"Holy shit, Changmao, you almost got me killed, you know that?" Shen Haoran roared as he wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

"Sorry, sorry! I didn’t expect the Nether Poison inside to be so dense!" Changmao apologized hurriedly, knowing he had almost made a grave mistake.

But Shen Haoran paid him no mind, his gaze already fixed on an old man in the center of the room.

The old man sat cross-legged on a rush cushion, his eyes shut tight. His graying hair was strewn carelessly behind his head, and his face was as pale as paper. Moreover, his entire body was just skin and bones, with no flesh to speak of. At a glance, one might have mistaken him for a skeleton!

A faint, fluorescent light flickered around the old man, enveloping him. Behind him, two servant girls were huddled together, trembling and at a loss.

’There are still people alive in here?’ Shen Haoran was shocked. The Nether Poison was so dense that if he didn’t have Changmao, the King of Fierce Beasts, he too would only be able to stand outside the Palace, daunted by the sight. And yet, behind that old man, two servant girls had actually managed to survive.

Shen Haoran frowned, wanting to step forward to get a closer look. However, as he took the first step, the old man’s tightly shut eyes snapped open. A sharp light flashed within his eyes, which shone like brilliant giant stars, piercing straight through to Shen Haoran’s very soul!

In that moment, Shen Haoran felt as if he were adrift in an endless sea of stars, watching giant planets hurtle toward him. A sense of powerlessness grew in his heart. Beneath that gaze, Shen Haoran felt just how small he was!

HISS... Suddenly, Shen Haoran bit the tip of his tongue, jolting himself out of the sensation. He stared in disbelief at the old man who already had one foot in the grave, his expression filled with solemnity. ’That single glance almost made me lose myself. This old man’s power is truly terrifying!’

"Young man, how did you end up here?" Seeing Shen Haoran come to his senses, the old man reverted to his sickly appearance and asked, his voice weak.

"You must be Old Village Chief Yang, Yang Zhentian. I came at the invitation of your son, Yang Yu, to help you resolve the Nether Poison in your body!" Shen Haoran replied, cupping his fist in respect.

"Oh? The one Yu’er invited?" The old man scrutinized Shen Haoran for a moment, and the sharp glint reappeared in his eyes.

"Impressive. To have such courage at such a young age... to be able to walk freely in this mist of Nether Poison as a Tier Nine Spirit Pupil... you’re not so simple, young man!" Yang Zhentian’s repeated praise clearly showed his admiration for Shen Haoran.

"Sigh... it’s a pity. I have been afflicted with this Nether Poison for many years. Now, my illness is terminal, beyond any cure. You needn’t trouble yourself!" A look of desolation flashed through Yang Zhentian’s eyes.

"You don’t look like you’re terminally ill, old sir. Besides, judging by the severity of this Nether Poison outbreak, you should be unconscious, not sitting here talking with this junior. Isn’t that right?" Shen Haoran said lightly.

Seeing Shen Haoran’s nonchalant expression, Yang Zhentian’s face slowly grew solemn. He furrowed his brow, seemingly in the middle of making a decision.

"Young man, can I ask a favor of you?" After a long pause, Yang Zhentian seemed to have made up his mind. He looked at Shen Haoran, his tone extremely heavy.

Yang Zhentian’s sudden shift stunned Shen Haoran. Before he could speak, Yang Zhentian started talking, as if to himself.

"Three years ago, I was injured in a Secret Realm and fled back here, but all of my trusted followers were left behind. For the past three years, I have been healing and have paid little mind to the affairs of the stronghold. With my confidants gone, Grand Elder Chao Fei has been plotting to usurp my position, wanting to take Black Wind Stronghold for himself!

"Chao Fei is sinister and treacherous by nature. If he becomes the Village Chief of Black Wind Stronghold, there will never be another day of peace. I absolutely will not allow that to happen, nor do I wish to see the Black Wind Stronghold, built through the hardships of the Yang Family’s ancestors, destroyed at Chao Fei’s hands! That is why three days ago, I tried to forcibly complete the Refinement of this piece of Thousand Illusion Spirit Marrow, but I failed. The Nether Poison in my body erupted completely. If this Thousand Illusion Spirit Marrow wasn’t protecting my heart’s meridian, I would have died long ago!" Yang Zhentian said.

"What is it you want me to do, old sir?" Shen Haoran frowned.

"Take Yu’er away from here. I can still hold on for two more days. Within these two days, take Yu’er and leave!" Yang Zhentian said in a low, heavy voice.

"If you agree to this, this Secret Realm Map is yours!" After saying this, Yang Zhentian pulled a piece of parchment from his robes and threw it to Shen Haoran.

Catching the parchment, Shen Haoran gave Yang Zhentian a surprised look and asked, "I’ve only met Yang Yu by chance. Why do you trust me so much?"

"The eyes. A person’s eyes are the windows to the soul. They don’t betray a person. I see responsibility in your eyes. I’m sure you will agree!" Yang Zhentian let out a light chuckle.

Hearing this, Shen Haoran also laughed softly, then walked to Yang Zhentian’s side. He placed both hands on his shoulders and said quietly, "Old sir, you have a good son, and Brother Yang has a good father. However, I don’t need to take him away, and Black Wind Stronghold will not fall into Chao Fei’s hands. Because I will take care of the Nether Poison in your body!"

With that, a powerful suction force suddenly erupted from Shen Haoran’s hands. The Nether Poison in Yang Zhentian’s body, as if drawn by some unseen force, surged toward Shen Haoran’s palms!