I am about to die of old age, and I have awakened the character of longevity.

Chapter 99: Heavy Mountain Knife, kill Hong Lie!

Tang Qingyun's words brought the emotions of everyone in the audience to a climax.

Boom!

The spectators around all turned their eyes to Hong Lie and Xie An in the crowd. Some were calling out Hong Lie's name, while others were calling out Xie An's name.

Perhaps because they were too excited, the spectators became extremely excited and their faces and ears turned red from shouting.

Xie An's ears were numb from the noise.

The villagers... are so enthusiastic!

While this is understandable, ancient sports weren't common, but arena duels were undoubtedly more thrilling than competitive sports. Such a scene, especially the finals, naturally stirred the passion and hormones of every spectator. It was perfectly normal for them to loudly cheer on their supporters.

Xie An had read Spartacus in his previous life, and from the noble ladies' obsession with the Spartan warriors... one can get a glimpse of the whole picture.

Xie An saw Lin Yun, Zhou Xing, Wang Xiang, Liang Zhi, and Zhang Lin opening their mouths wide and changing their lip shapes towards him, but he could not hear what they were saying.

The audience roared so loudly.

However, Xie An still managed to discern some key words from the mouth shapes of several people: "Fight him, beat him down, be careful, if you can't do it, just admit defeat..."

Helplessly, Xie An had to nod to Lin Yun and the others to show that he understood.

Then, in everyone's expectant and worried eyes, Xie An slowly walked out of the crowd and stepped onto the two-meter-high stage step by step in full view of everyone.

Before this, Xie An had already been on the ring five times.

But the cheers he received during those five times on stage combined were not as loud as this time.

Xie An forced himself to remain calm and not be affected by the shouts of the crowd. He thought about the following matters in his mind:
First of all, Hong Lie's strength was not as good as Chen Qing's, and Chen Qing's strength... was not as good as his own. Xie An was certain of this, and there was no possibility of accidents.

The only hidden danger is Hong Lie poisoning him.

But the question is... when did Chen Qing get poisoned?

You know, Chen Qing had the upper hand the entire time, suppressing Hong Lie and not getting scratched by Hong Lie's knife. This also ruled out the possibility that Hong Lie had smeared venom on the blade.

Xie An had lived in this world for more than thirty years and was well aware of the common way people used poison in this world. It was nothing more than smearing venom on the blade of a knife and then simply cutting the other person's skin to take their life.

The methods of obtaining venom are also relatively simple, such as snake venom, poisonous spiders, poisonous lizards, poisonous scorpions, poisonous insects, etc.

If you want to get a higher level of poison, it's more difficult to obtain. It requires a professional pharmacist or poison master to prepare it. Ordinary people don't have access to it.

But Hong Lie is a warrior at the second level of the elite flesh realm, and has Fang Baiyu's support, so the possibility of him obtaining other poisons cannot be ruled out.

Lin Yun didn't see how Chen Qing was poisoned, nor did Liang Zhi, Zhang Lin, and the others... Even Chen Qing himself didn't know when he was poisoned...

This undoubtedly made Xie An feel more depressed.

However, Xie An did not panic. Instead, he calmed down and replayed the battle between Hong Lie and Chen Qing in his mind. Scene after scene, detail after detail, flashed through Xie An's mind.

Then, Xie An noticed a detail: Hong Lie always chose to fight with Chen Qing, and even when he was about to be defeated, he did not forget to fight with Chen Qing with a big knife... Moreover, Xie An, who had extraordinary five senses, felt the direction of the wind.

Hong Lie's position had always been upstream of the breeze. Although he had changed direction several times due to clashes, Hong Lie always returned to that direction as quickly as possible.

After reviewing the entire incident, Xie An had a rough idea: it was probably some kind of dust, or a volatile venom, that formed a poisonous gas. Then, it drifted downwind into Chen Qing's nose and mouth. When the gas or dust Chen Qing inhaled reached a certain concentration, it exploded.

Although Xie An was not 100% sure, he was 70% to 80% sure. He immediately felt that Hong Lie was truly vicious, and the way he poisoned was so unpredictable that it was impossible to guard against him.

No wonder Chen Qing, who had achieved minor success in the Essence of Flesh Realm, fell into the trap.

It seems that Fang Baiyu has become completely shameless in order to get the fat piece of meat in the Xueling black market.

But this is in line with Fang Baiyu's usual style.

call.

After figuring out how the other party poisoned him, Xie An breathed a sigh of relief.

The poisoning method of using dust and poisonous gas seems unsolvable. After all, people need to breathe, especially in such a high-intensity duel, where breathing speeds up. The time it takes for the poison to take effect is greatly shortened.

But...it's not a problem for Xie An.

Because Xie An had mastered the fetal breathing technique long ago, he could achieve internal breathing circulation and did not need external breathing for several hours.

Fang Baiyu...Hong Lie...

For the sake of the Blood Ridge black market, you really don't treat people as human beings...

At this moment, Xie An stepped over the last step and stepped onto the stage amid countless cheers. Looking straight ahead, he saw Hong Lie on the opposite side of the stage, smiling at Xie An.

That smile was sinister, as if he had Xie An in his grasp.

"Xie An, even Chen Qing was defeated, and you, an old man... still dare to stand on the stage. You are very courageous."

Xie An's face was cold and he did not answer.

There's no need to waste words.

Since Tang Qingyun hadn't struck the bronze bell yet, which meant it hadn't started yet, everyone was eagerly waiting, and the atmosphere became a bit suffocating for a while.

on the rostrum.

Tang Qingfeng was whispering with Tang Qingyun about something, and perhaps that was why they delayed striking the bronze chime.

On the other side sat Wang Ziwen and Fang Baiyu. Fang Baiyu was beaming with joy, while Wang Ziwen looked worried.

"Congratulations, Master Fang. Hong Lie has this skill. He's a sure thing to take first place."

"Of course. If I didn't have this trump card, I wouldn't have reached this agreement with Tang Qingyun."

"The antidote?"

Facing Wang Ziwen's question, Fang Baiyu glanced at Hong Lie and Xie An standing on the stage, thinking that even if he gave the antidote to Chen Qing now, it wouldn't affect the overall situation. He casually took out the antidote and handed it to Wang Ziwen, indicating that Wang Ziwen should give it to Chen Qing.

Before, Fang Baiyu would never have given the antidote. He was worried that someone would get hold of it and use its ingredients to create a new one. This would have ruined his and Hong Lie's plan. But now that Xie An and Hong Lie had both taken the stage, the outcome was set.

Thinking of this, Fang Baiyu showed a very comfortable smile on his face.

Fang Baiyu hadn't actually wanted to pull this trick. After all, Chen Qing was Chen Qinglang's son. He didn't want to offend the sect leader. But after witnessing Chen Qing's extraordinary performance on stage yesterday, Fang Baiyu knew Hong Lie had no chance of winning.

Therefore, in order to hold on to the core asset of the Blood Ridge Black Market, Fang Baiyu became extremely cruel and blinded his reason with greed and desire, so he took out the poison in his bottom box.

He was also hoping for a lucky break: while this action had offended Sect Leader Chen Qinglang, he hadn't broken the rules of the exam, and Chen Qinglang couldn't openly do anything to him. Secondly, the Tiger and Wolf Sect wasn't just led by Chen Qinglang; there was also Meng Hu. As long as he had a firm grip on the Blood Ridge black market, he would have time and opportunity to slowly make up for his mistakes.

At least that's what he thought.

He has been the head of the hall for more than ten years and is too afraid of losing everything he has gained.

When people are controlled by such emotions, they will do foolish things and finally pin their hopes on the slightest bit of luck.

Fang Baiyu is no exception.

Wang Ziwen took the antidote and found Tang Qingyun as soon as possible. After hearing this, Tang Qingyun glanced at Fang Baiyu who was sitting not far away, and then announced that the test would be temporarily suspended. Then he hurriedly took Wang Ziwen out of the crowd and entered the pharmacy inside Baiyu Hall to detoxify Chen Qing.

At this moment, Chen Qing was pressed on the bed by the owner of the pharmacy, and he kept giving him water to clean his intestines and stomach and dilute the toxins, but it was of little use.

"Ah ah ah."

Chen Qing's hands and feet were shaking, he was screaming and shouting like crazy, and he looked like he was in excruciating pain.

What shocked Wang Ziwen was that next to the shopkeeper stood a middle-aged man wearing a purple-gold crown. His aura was as powerful as a mountain, making it difficult to look directly at him. It was Chen Qinglang.

hiss.

Wang Ziwen was so frightened that she trembled all over. She quickly knelt on the ground, holding the antidote in her hands, and said in a trembling voice: "I am Wang Ziwen, your subordinate. I have brought the antidote to atone for my sins."

Chen Qinglang stood with his hands behind his back, his back to Wang Ziwen, and said nothing.

But this silence put too much pressure on Wang Ziwen, almost suffocating him. After swallowing his saliva, he kowtowed to the ground. "Wang Ziwen, you swear to heaven that you had no knowledge of Master Fang's poisoning of Hong Lie. If I knew, I would have stopped it in advance. If I couldn't stop it, I would have told Elder Tang immediately. If I tell you even a word of falsehood, I, Wang Ziwen, will be struck by lightning and my descendants will be cut off."

At this moment, Wang Ziwen burst out with an unprecedented desire to survive.

He was indeed unaware of this matter.

Otherwise, he would not have taken no action.

The last time at the Chen residence, Wang Ziwen had witnessed Fang Baiyu's methods and felt a bit scared. He felt Fang Baiyu was completely crazy. Today, he felt that Fang Baiyu was truly crazy. He was simply courting death.

Even if Hong Lie comes out on top, what can he do?

But those in power are often confused. Ultimately, their rationality is obscured by desire and greed.

Wang Ziwen suddenly realized that if she continued to follow this hall master... she would probably end up in a miserable state.

Chen Qinglang came in person.

"What are you daydreaming about? Give me the antidote quickly." Tang Qingyun snatched the antidote from Wang Ziwen's hand and handed it to the shopkeeper. The shopkeeper hurriedly checked it, and after roughly distinguishing the taste, color and smell, he judged that it might be the antidote, and looked at Chen Qinglang with an inquiring look.

After getting Chen Qinglang's approval, the shopkeeper gave the antidote to Chen Qing.

After a while, Chen Qing's symptoms improved and he slowly fell asleep.

call.

Wang Ziwen breathed a sigh of relief and knelt on the ground, not daring to get up.

Chen Qinglang then asked, "Did Fang Baiyu offer the antidote?" Wang Ziwen thought for a moment and then said something heartbreaking, "Hall Master Fang was worried that the antidote would be deciphered if given out too soon, so he kept it. It was only after I reminded him that he saw Xie An and Hong Lie on stage that he gave me the antidote. Every word I say is true, and heaven can bear witness to it."

Chen Qinglang said coldly, "In a competition arena, there are no restrictions on methods. Fang Baiyu was just following the rules and has done nothing wrong. You can leave now."

"Yes."

Only then did Wang Ziwen stand up and leave tremblingly.

When I got to the door, I found that the lining was soaked and I felt like I was being pricked in the back.

He was no longer a rookie, and he knew clearly that Chen Qinglang's words were just polite talk. The calmer Chen Qinglang was, the more murderous he was. He was afraid Fang Baiyu... was about to collapse...

After Wang Ziwen left, Chen Qinglang said to the owner of the pharmacy, "Please fetch a bucket of water so that I can clean Chen Qing's body."

"Yes."

The shopkeeper was also a sensible man. He knew that Chen Qinglang wanted to send him away on purpose, fearing that he had something to say to Tang Qingyun in private. So even if he had drawn water, he could not come in immediately, but needed to observe nearby for a while.

As a subordinate, I still have this awareness.

Eh.

Tang Qingyun sighed slightly: "Brother Chen, this is my fault. I didn't take good care of Xiaoqing."

Chen Qinglang said, "Brother Tang, what are you talking about? Xiaoqing is young, arrogant, and ignorant. He doesn't know the dangers of the martial arts world. How can you be blamed? I should also thank you for promoting him to deacon and giving him this opportunity. It's a pity...he didn't seize it."

Tang Qingyun glanced at Chen Qing, who was sleeping on the bed, and then said, "Actually... Xiaoqing has been working very hard, and he really wants to achieve some results and gain your recognition. It's not his fault. The poison used by Hong Lie is spread by smell, and it is colorless and odorless. Once inhaled, when it reaches a certain concentration, the poison will cause people to collapse. It's hard to guard against, and even experienced martial arts masters find it difficult to avoid it."

Chen Qinglang said, "Since there are no outsiders here, I'll have a private conversation with Brother Tang. Although the examination is open to all means, I can be indifferent to the other incense masters, but the position of the Blood Ridge Incense Master is crucial, and I need to be blessed with an official position in the future. Naturally, I can't fall into the hands of rats, otherwise how can I make the Blood Ridge black market a commercial center?"

Tang Qingyun asked, "What does Brother Chen mean?"

Chen Qinglang said, "Since Xiaoqing has lost the chance to take first place, then... the first place must not fall into Hong Lie's hands. It must be... Xie An."

"You must find a way to remind Xie An to quickly eliminate his opponent while he's holding his breath. Not only must he win, but he must win beautifully. Let all the villagers see that the incense master of the Tiger and Wolf Sect disdains dirty tricks, but rather... fights with honor and dignity."

"Brother Chen, don't worry. Xie An has already developed a sense of Qi and has long mastered the art of internal breathing. These toxins can't hurt him."

hiss.

Chen Qinglang suddenly gasped and turned back to look at Tang Qingyun, "Has he developed a sense of Qi?"

"Yes."

Chen Qinglang breathed a sigh of relief, "No wonder... No wonder!"

No wonder Old Master Tang would go to Hulang Gate in person. It turns out that the person he was talking about was Xie An.

Cultivate a sense of Qi.

What a heaven-defying existence is this?
At that time, Chen Qinglang and Meng Hu, two martial artists who had cultivated internal strength, followed Old Master Tang to practice health-preserving exercises for more than 20 years. Although they had cultivated internal breathing, they were unable to cultivate the sense of qi.

Unexpectedly, Xie An did it.

"Hahaha, great." Chen Qinglang, having recovered from his shock, couldn't help but burst into laughter. "My Tiger and Wolf Sect has produced such a talent. We really don't have to worry about Hong Lie's tricks anymore. I'm really looking forward to it."

……

Arena.

Xie An and Hong Lie were still standing on both sides of the arena, staring at each other, quietly waiting for the sound of the bronze bell.

Hong Lie was not in a hurry, but rather happier. He had a playful smile on his face and was full of confidence. He looked at Xie An as if he was looking at a dead person.

Xie An knew what he was thinking.

Hong Lie simply felt that he was standing upstream of the wind, and that the poison gas was being blown to Xie An by the breeze. He concluded that Xie An had been poisoned, and as time passed, the poisoning would become more severe. The longer he delayed, the greater his chances of success.

What Hong Lie didn't know was that Xie An had already sealed his mouth, nose and all the skin pores on his body, and switched to internal breathing circulation.

The poison gas had no effect on Xie An.

At this moment, Xie An noticed that Tang Qingyun returned to the armchair on the eaves, and secretly made a gesture of wiping his neck towards Xie An.

Xie An nodded in understanding.

next moment--

when!
The sound of a bronze chime as loud as a bell rang out, announcing the start of the final test.

More than a thousand spectators outside the ring also burst into unprecedentedly loud shouts. The voices were deafening and the sound was like a tsunami, resounding throughout the world.

Tang Qingyun, who was sitting at the podium, had an expectant look on his face.

Fang Baiyu picked up the teacup, drank tea quietly, and looked forward to Hong Lie winning the final victory with a smile.

In the teahouse on the second floor across the street, two people sat by the window drinking tea and looking at the two people on the ring through the half-open window.

"Old Master, you've been hiding this from me for so long. You didn't even tell me that Xie Anxiu was so angry."

"You didn't even ask."

Chen Qinglang's face suddenly turned red, and he thought to himself...didn't I ask?
"here we go."

Following the old man's words, Chen Qinglang withdrew his thoughts and looked towards the arena.

In the arena.

Clang!

Hong Lie suddenly drew his sword from its sheath, leaped forward and ran like a tiger rushing down the mountain to Xie An. He raised his hand and chopped down with his sword, "You old man, you dare to compete with me for the first place? Die!"

Xie An remained unmoved. He raised his sheathed sword and moved forward to block it. He used his immense strength to block Hong Lie's powerful blow, and even shocked Hong Lie back a few steps.

What a great power!
"Brute force alone won't cut it."

After all, Hong Lie was a master of the second level of the Flesh Realm. After a moment of daze, he recovered and chopped down again with his sword.

Xie An sheathed his sword and thrust backward with all his might, sending Hong Lie flying another six or seven meters. Hong Lie took several steps back before steadying himself. He was startled, but remembering that the other party had been poisoned, he regained his confidence and said, "Why don't you draw your sword? Are you going to the grave with it?"

"as you wish!"

After trying twice, Xie An had already figured out Hong Lie's Fuyang sword technique. Without hesitation, he drew his sword. With a loud "clang", the shining long sword was already unsheathed.

The knife moves with him, stabbing forward.

Although Hong Lie blocked the stab with the blade of his knife, he clearly felt the opponent's power erupting like a collapsing river, which made his arms numb and forced him to retreat continuously.

The strength and swordsmanship are not on the same level.

how come……

Xie An continued his offensive and moved forward to strike horizontally.

In a hurry, Hong Lie suddenly raised his knife to resist, but suddenly there was a loud "clang" sound, and the huge force swept over and hit Hong Lie's whole body. His bones were so numb that he lost consciousness. His body flew more than ten meters along the ground, and he vomited blood.

How could it be so strong? !
Even Chen Qing, who has achieved minor success in the Essence of Flesh Realm, is far from possessing such divine power.

However, Xie An's offensive continued to erupt like mercury pouring out. He leaped up, raised his broadsword high, and suddenly slashed vertically from top to bottom.

Cut vertically and split the mountains and rivers with force.

"Clang!"

Hong Lie raised his long sword high with both hands to resist, but he felt that Xie An's sword was as big as a mountain and was pressing down on him, forcing him to kneel on the ground, and the wooden board under his knees was shattered.

Suddenly, with a "crack," Hong Lie's saber was snapped in two. Xie An's icy blade had already pressed against his shoulder, wedged against his scapula, tearing the flesh apart.

An unprecedented panic swept over my body.

Is this still a human being?

How could Hong Lie dare to resist at all?
He shouted directly: "I give up, I give up!!"

At this moment, Xie An's knife stopped and did not move forward.

It seemed as if the sword's power had dissipated.

Hong Lie was as if he had been pardoned. After a moment of stunned silence, he came to his senses and suddenly said grimly, "Didn't you realize you were poisoned..."

Click.

Xie An pressed the knife in his hand down again.

Suddenly, thunder roared from the ground. An unprecedentedly powerful blade force erupted from the blade's edge, shattering the void. The blade's light swept across the arena, slicing a massive crack a foot and a half long, collapsing half of the arena.

Hong Lie's body had been cut in two, flying to the sides and sliding over ten meters before coming to a stop. He was deader than dead.

When he was dying, Hong Lie finally understood... What Xie An meant by "as you wish" was not to draw his sword... but to let him go to the grave.

Outside the arena, someone suddenly shouted in shock:

"This is... the supreme martial art of the Tiger and Wolf Sect... the Heavy Mountain Blade!"

(End of this chapter)