Chapter 139: Chapter 139: Bizarre Stirring

SWOOSH!

Before Shen Haoran could catch his breath, the Nether Poison Poison Pill slammed forward again. Seeing this, Shen Haoran could only swallow the metallic, sweet blood rising in his throat and pour all his remaining Spiritual Power into the Black Flame Giant Net!

BOOM!

Infused with Shen Haoran’s Spiritual Power, the Black Flame Giant Net erupted in size. Violent black flames instantly soared, once again blocking the Poison Pill’s impact!

’Changmao, what’s going on? Why didn’t you devour it?’ Shen Haoran roared in his mind.

’I... I don’t know either!’ Changmao was completely dumbfounded. His devouring talent was an incredibly heaven-defying ability. At its full potential, he could devour even the heavens and the earth. ’How can I not even swallow this tiny Poison Pill?’

"A Taotie’s Devouring Power is directly tied to its own strength. Changmao must have overestimated himself. The Nether Poison Source condensed into this Poison Pill is too pure; it has already exceeded the current limits of Changmao’s Devouring Power!" Elder Yan’s voice rang out.

"Damn it, you screwed me! Changmao, didn’t you say you could handle it?" Shen Haoran’s face darkened. Changmao had really landed him in deep trouble this time. If this Poison Pill, this Nether Poison Source, broke through the Black Flame Giant Net, it would be no laughing matter!

If a Poison Pill compressed to this degree were to explode, the blast would likely affect everything within several miles of Black Wind Stronghold. At that point, this entire region would become a barren wasteland, devoid of all life!

’And given the state of my Spiritual Power, I probably can’t withstand many more impacts from the Poison Pill!’

"I’m sorry, I didn’t know it would turn out like this!" Changmao said, sounding a little guilty.

Shen Haoran gritted his teeth. After blocking the Poison Pill’s impact once more, he said breathlessly, "This isn’t the time for self-blame. Think of a solution, quick! I can’t hold on for much longer!" Just as his voice fell, the Poison Pill slammed forward again. The Black Flame Giant Net trembled and barely held, but Shen Haoran’s face grew even paler.

"There’s no other way now. We can only use Changmao’s Devouring Power to temporarily seal this Poison Pill. Then, before it breaks through, we have to transfer it into your body!" Elder Yan said quickly.

"Transfer it into my body!" Shen Haoran exclaimed in shock.

"Yes. With two great generals like Fire Spirit Black Obsidian and Changmao inside you, you don’t have to fear this Nether Poison Source exploding. Afterward, you just need to help Changmao grow stronger quickly so he can devour it!" Elder Yan explained.

BOOM...

With another muffled bang, the Black Flame Giant Net was on the verge of collapse!

"Alright, this is the only way!" Shen Haoran said, gritting his teeth. ’This is still better than letting the Poison Pill explode, I guess!’

At this moment, Yang Zhentian also noticed the increasingly illusory Black Flame Giant Net and asked anxiously, "Nephew Shen, is something wrong?"

Hearing this, Shen Haoran took a deep breath and said in a grave voice, "Old Master, it’s nothing. No matter what happens next, do not resist under any circumstances. Otherwise, we—and even the entire Black Wind Stronghold—will be finished!"

From Shen Haoran’s tone, Yang Zhentian understood the gravity of the situation. He immediately closed his eyes and lowered all his defenses, completely entrusting his body to Shen Haoran.

Shen Haoran focused his entire Heart Spirit on the Poison Pill. He said to Changmao, his voice trembling slightly, "Changmao, it’s all up to you now!"

Changmao knew his own arrogance had led to this situation, so he nodded fiercely. ’This time, I won’t let Shen Haoran down!’

"Alright, get ready... Go!" Shen Haoran gave a low shout. The Black Flame Giant Net instantly dissipated, and the Poison Pill turned into a streak of black light, shooting outward!

Seeing this, Changmao opened his mouth wide. A terrifying suction force erupted, swallowing the black Poison Pill whole! The next moment, his form flickered and shot into Shen Haoran’s body.

The moment Changmao returned to Shen Haoran’s body, the Poison Pill broke through his Devouring Power and began to run rampant inside Shen Haoran!

Shen Haoran quickly steadied his Heart Spirit. The Fire Spirit Black Obsidian in his body automatically moved to protect him, transforming into a Flame Giant Dragon that swallowed the Poison Pill! Inside Yang Zhentian’s body, Shen Haoran had to carefully control the Fire Spirit Black Obsidian’s temperature, but there was no need for that in his own body. He let the Fire Spirit Black Obsidian unleash its full power and instantly suppressed the Poison Pill!

Meanwhile, the moment the Poison Pill left his body, Yang Zhentian clearly felt his body lighten. A vitality he hadn’t felt in years spread through him once more, and his complexion became much ruddier. For a moment, he was overcome with excitement!

"Nephew Shen, this old man has no way to repay this debt!" Yang Zhentian said gratefully.

Shen Haoran looked at the Poison Pill in his Dantian, surrounded by the Fire Spirit Black Obsidian and seemingly on the verge of exploding at any moment. He gave a bitter smile in his heart. ’Yeah, I’ve really put myself on the line for this!’

Despite his thoughts, Shen Haoran still replied politely, "It was my duty. However, the Nether Poison in your body, Old Master, hasn’t been completely cleansed. I’ll have to trouble you to gather a few medicinal ingredients. Over the next few days, I will help you completely clear out the Nether Poison so you’ll have no future worries!"

"Haha, excellent!" Yang Zhentian took the list of ingredients Shen Haoran handed him and laughed heartily. The Nether Poison that had tormented him for three years was finally cleansed, and his mood improved immensely!

After a few more words of idle chat, Shen Haoran returned to his room. He stared at the Poison Pill inside his body, speechless for a moment. ’I really don’t know if this is a good thing or a bad thing!’

Meanwhile, Yang Zhentian was extremely fast. Within just two days, he had gathered all the ingredients Shen Haoran needed. Shen Haoran then took them, had Elder Yan refine them into an Elixir, and gave it to Yang Zhentian.

Taking the Elixir from Shen Haoran’s hand, Yang Zhentian’s face bloomed into a wide grin. He then said, "Nephew Shen, this old man doesn’t know how to thank you. How about this: I’ll have Yu’er take you to our Black Wind Stronghold’s warehouse. You can pick any one item you like and take it with you. What do you say!"

"This..." Hearing this, Shen Haoran was startled. The Black Wind Stronghold’s strength was no weaker than that of some Major Sects; its warehouse was surely filled with countless treasures. For Yang Zhentian to let him pick anything he wanted... this gift was a bit too generous!

"What, do you think this old man’s life isn’t worth more than some medicinal ingredients and Spiritual Artifacts?" Seeing that Shen Haoran was about to refuse, Yang Zhentian deliberately put on a stern expression.

"That’s not it at all. In that case, this junior will respectfully accept!" Shen Haoran clasped his fist and smiled slightly.

"Haha, go on then!" Yang Zhentian waved his hand grandly, then took the Elixir and went into seclusion to cultivate.

Shen Haoran and Yang Yu wound their way through a series of twists and turns before arriving at a stone wall. Yang Yu pressed a Token in his hand against the wall, and a hidden cave entrance appeared before them.

"I rarely get to come in here myself. Today, it’s all thanks to you, Brother Shen!" Yang Yu said with emotion.

Afterward, the two walked into the warehouse. The room was filled with a dazzling array of treasures and ingredients placed casually on shelves. All sorts of Heavenly and Earthly Treasures, both known and unknown, were as numerous as the hairs on an ox. The sight made Shen Haoran’s head spin!

"This truly is a treasure vault worthy of a Major Sect!" Shen Haoran exclaimed in admiration.

Just as he was about to browse, he suddenly felt a stir from within his Storage Ring. Puzzled, Shen Haoran extended his Spiritual Thought inside and discovered that a broken Token was emitting a faint red glow. This was the very Token he had acquired at the trading floor of the Celestial Martial Auction House. It had the same markings as the Golden Token in his Sea of Consciousness! The fact that it was reacting now surely meant there was something related to it here!

At this thought, a fiery light ignited in Shen Haoran’s eyes...