Druid Fairy

Chapter 192 Fight

That was an extremely brutal alchemical duel!

Each of them refined a poison pill and had the other take it.

Whoever can cure the other's poison first will be the winner.

If the problem cannot be solved, the result will be death and the annihilation of one's spiritual essence.

This was a duel where lives and dignity were at stake.

"If I win, you must publicly admit that the Great Yu alchemy is nothing but garbage! Then you must cripple your cultivation and never refine pills again!"

"If you win..." A glint of madness flashed in Sikong Jin's eyes, "my life will be yours!"

Looking into his eyes, which were filled with condescension, Li Mengze finally dropped his gentle smile.

His eyes became as cold and sharp as Li Mengjin's beside him.

"it is good."

He said one word, "I agree."

The word "good" was uttered like a thunderclap from a clear sky, and the entire street fell silent instantly.

The crowd, which had been noisy and bustling just moments before, now seemed to be frozen in place. Their eyes were wide open, their mouths agape, staring blankly at the gentle and refined young alchemist who had uttered the harshest words.

Did you agree?

He actually agreed to the "Death Battle"?!

"Brother Li, have you gone mad! Have you been driven mad by that pretty boy?!"

Han Youwei was so frightened that he couldn't help but scream.

He was sweating profusely, his chubby face scrunched up like a bitter gourd. "That's a deadly poison! People could die! What will I do if you die? What will happen to my newly sworn brother? Who will I cling to after that?!"

This fat guy has a peculiar way of thinking; when he gets nervous, he blurts out what's on his mind.

Li Mengze patted his hand reassuringly, but his gaze remained fixed on Sikong Jin's face, which was contorted with ecstasy, and a cold smile appeared on his lips.

"Hahaha! Good! Li Mengze, you've got guts!"

Sikong Jin burst into loud laughter, a sharp and piercing laugh filled with the triumphant satisfaction of victory. "Three days from now, at noon, right here! I want to see just how tough your bones really are, you Da Yu Dan Kui!"

Having said that, he flicked his white sleeve, and amidst the amused gazes of the assembled Daqian envoys, turned and boarded his carriage, riding away triumphantly. His arrogant figure seemed to have already proclaimed his victory.

"It's over... It's completely over..." Han Youwei watched the departing convoy, then slumped to the ground, his face filled with utter despair.

After a brief silence, the crowd erupted completely!

"My God! Shitan Toru! I can't believe I'm actually seeing Shitan Toru in my lifetime!"

"Is this Alchemist Li truly confident, or has he been pushed to the limit? That Sikong Jin is a genius that Medicine King Valley has only seen once in a hundred years. His skill in poison pill making is unparalleled. There must be at least eighty or a hundred alchemists who have died at his hands!"

"This is going to be interesting! Quick, quick, go to Wanbaolou and place your bets! I'm betting on Master Li to win! He's the top alchemist in our Great Yu!"

"Are you crazy? This is clearly suicide! I'm betting on Sikong Jin! It's a 1 to 3 odds bet, I'd bet on anything!"

In an instant, the entire capital was in an uproar because of this sudden, earth-shattering gamble.

"Let's go." Li Mengze ignored the surrounding chatter. He pulled up Han Youwei, who was still drawing circles on the ground cursing Sikong Jin, glanced at Li Mengjin beside him who was silent but whose eyes said everything, and said calmly, "Let's go home."

…………

Tingtao Xiaozhu (Listening to the Waves Cottage)

After Li Yuanhu and Li Mengyue finished listening to Han Youwei's embellished and animated description of everything that had happened on Zhuque Street that day, the atmosphere in the main hall instantly plummeted to freezing point.

"Bastard!"

Li Yuanhu slammed his fist on the table. His face, already pale from his injuries, flushed an unnatural red with rage. "This is outrageous! These bastards from Daqian are simply going too far! Mengze, you shouldn't have agreed to his request! Let me go! I'll go to the military camp right now, gather a bunch of die-hard brothers, and tonight we'll sneak into their embassy and chop that dog surnamed Si into eight pieces!"

Having experienced the Blood Pool massacre, he already harbored deep hatred for these so-called "upper-class people" who treated human life like dirt.

"Brother Yuanhu, don't get agitated, your injuries haven't healed yet." Li Mengyue quickly pulled him back, her small face full of worry. "Big brother, that Dead Pill Fighter, is it really... really safe?"

Although she didn't understand alchemy, she knew that anything involving the word "death" was no trivial matter.

"rest assured."

Li Mengze's voice was as gentle as ever. He looked at his younger siblings in turn, and finally his gaze settled on Li Mengjin. "Some things have to be done by someone. Since the other party has delivered themselves to your doorstep, if you don't fight back, wouldn't it make our dynasty seem like it has no one to fight back?"

“But…” Han Youwei was still worried. “That guy comes from Medicine King Valley, and his poison skills are incredibly wicked! What if… what if he concocts some kind of rare poison that we’ve never even heard of?”

"Unheard of?"

Upon hearing this, Li Mengze chuckled softly, a smile that carried an innate confidence and composure.

"Everything in this world is interconnected and interdependent. Poison is medicine, and medicine is poison. In his eyes, poison is a deadly weapon. But in my opinion..."

He paused, and in his mind, the countless pieces of knowledge from the Druidic heritage of another world—the "Hundred Herbs Spirit Realm"—that his father, Li Pingcan, had passed down to him flowed like a galaxy.

"All the myriad poisons are nothing more than medicinal herbs with eccentric temperaments. As long as you understand their nature and follow their principles, they will become as obedient as a naughty child meeting a strict teacher."

These words, though spoken in a mysterious and enigmatic way, inexplicably calmed the hearts of those present who were on edge.

Their eldest brother seemed to be far more confident, powerful, and unfathomable than they had imagined.

"Second brother," Li Mengze looked at Li Mengjin, "I will be in seclusion for the next three days to refine pills, so I'm leaving the family affairs to you."

Li Mengjin didn't speak, but nodded heavily, his hand gently resting on the hilt of his sword.

The meaning is clear.

With him there, no one can step into this door.

"What about me? What about me?" Han Youwei quickly raised his hand. "Is there anything I can help with?"

Li Mengze glanced at him and smiled, "I do have some. I need a few medicinal herbs that are quite rare. Go and find them for me."

He picked up his pen, wrote down a prescription, and handed it over.

Han Youwei took a look and saw that it was written with things like "millennial stalactites", "the stinger of the earth fire scorpion", and "the ghost face flower of the Yin Wind Cave". Each of these items was very valuable and extremely hard to find.

"Don't worry! I've got it covered!" Han Youwei patted his chest, instantly finding his value. Grabbing the prescription, he rushed out in a flurry. His father, Han Wanshan, might not have much else, but he had plenty of money!
If money can solve the problem, then it's not a problem!
Li Mengyue, meanwhile, tugged at Li Mengze's sleeve and whispered, "Brother, the Empress Dowager just sent word that the royal treasury is open to you, and you can take any of the rare and precious treasures inside."

This is the attitude of the royal family.

This deadly battle is no longer just a matter between Li Mengze and Sikong Jin; it has escalated into a battle for face between the two dynasties of Dayu and Daqian!

Li Mengze can only win, he cannot lose!
…………

Inside the residence of the Daqian delegation.

The Third Prince, Qian Tianyi, was leisurely sipping fragrant tea, listening to his subordinates' reports, his face always bearing that confident smile.

"Oh? So Li Mengze really agreed?"

"Your Highness, it is absolutely true. This matter has now spread throughout the capital, and all the major gambling dens have opened betting odds. However... eight or nine out of ten people are betting on Li Mengze to lose."

"As expected."

Qian Tianyi put down his teacup, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes. "Sikong Jin's poison pill is a closely guarded secret of Medicine King Valley, refined with 'Nine Netherworld Fire,' specifically designed to harm a cultivator's soul. It is invisible and insidious, extremely vicious. Even I, if I were to be caught off guard, would be severely injured. That Li Mengze is nothing but a fame-seeking opportunist; how could he possibly cure it?"

Upon hearing this, Tuoba Xiong said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, although that kid is an alchemist, the swordsman beside him is a tough nut to crack! I can feel that kid's sword is very dangerous! I want to fight him!"

"No rush." ​​Qian Tianyi waved his hand. "Tuoba, your opponent is in the martial arts competition later. For now, let Sikong Jin win the first round for us and thoroughly humiliate the Great Yu's arrogance. I want to show the Great Yu emperor how utterly vulnerable their proud younger generation is in front of the pride of my Great Qian!"

He stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the brightly lit palace with ambition.

"Pass down the order: let Sikong Jin do as he pleases, without holding back. If anything goes wrong, I will take full responsibility!"

…………

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

For the next three days, the entire capital was immersed in an atmosphere of excitement and tension.

In the center of Zhuque Avenue, a temporary alchemy platform made of huge stones had already been built. It was surrounded by Imperial Guards, but the outer perimeter was already packed with people, completely blocking the entire avenue.

Countless ordinary people, cultivators, and scions of noble families all wanted to witness this once-in-a-century life-or-death gamble.

The private rooms on the top floors of various restaurants had long been booked by various forces. Sha Qianli of the Jinsha Ancient Kingdom, the master and apprentice of the Baiyue tribe, and other forces of all sizes that came after hearing the news all occupied the best viewing spots.

At noon, the sun was blazing.

"when--"

With a long, resonant chime, and under the watchful eyes of the crowd, two figures slowly ascended the alchemy arena from either side.

To the west is Sikong Jin.

He was still dressed in white, his expression aloof. In his hands he held a jet-black medicine cauldron, within which a wisp of eerie white flame flickered like a ghost, radiating a chilling aura. His gaze was as if he were looking at a dead man, filled with disdain and pity.

To the east is Li Mengze.

He changed into a simple blue alchemist's robe, his face expressionless, his hands empty, a stark contrast to the other's flamboyant demeanor.

"Li Mengze, it's not too late for you to regret it now," Sikong Jin sneered. "Kneel down, kowtow three times, and admit that the Great Yu alchemy is trash, and I might spare your dog's life."

Li Mengze looked at him, shook his head, and sighed.

"You can't talk about ice with a summer insect, and you can't talk about the sea with a frog in a well. Your world is full of competitiveness, so how can you understand the true Dao of alchemy?"

He said no more, but sat down cross-legged and slowly closed his eyes.

"Stubborn fool! Since you insist on courting death, then I will grant your wish!"

Sikong Jin roared angrily, refusing to waste any more words. He placed the pitch-black medicine cauldron in front of him, formed hand seals, and chanted incantations.

"Nine Netherworld Fire rises, ten thousand souls serve as the catalyst, condense!"

The wisp of pale white flame instantly surged, engulfing the entire cauldron. An extremely cold aura permeated the air, and the surrounding temperature seemed to plummet by dozens of degrees. Faintly, one could hear the mournful wails of countless wronged souls within the flames, sending chills down one's spine.

"Heavens! It's the Netherworld Fire! A legendary fire said to be taken from the depths of the underworld, which is said to specifically harm the soul! It's so vicious!" A knowledgeable alchemist in the audience exclaimed in surprise.

In contrast, Li Mengze remained with his eyes closed, unhurried and unhurried.

He stretched out his right hand and gently beckoned to the void.

"Come on fire."

There were no earth-shattering phenomena, nor any terrifying pressure.

A warm, golden flame, as radiant as sunlight, appeared out of thin air in his palm and burned quietly.

This flame is the "True Fire of the Sun" that he condensed and gathered from the power of communicating with heaven and earth and nature!
It is the exact opposite of that insidious Netherworld Fire!
When Sikong Jin saw the golden flame, he was first taken aback, then let out a sneer: "A flashy but useless flame!"

He ignored Li Mengze and devoted himself entirely to alchemy. Every single ingredient he produced was highly poisonous: scorpion tails, poisonous vines, corpse oil… each one sending chills down one's spine.

Li Mengze, on the other hand, slowly took out a bunch of... seemingly ordinary herbs from his storage bag.

Licorice root, dried tangerine peel, honeysuckle... and even a few large red dates.

"What...what is this? Is Master Li preparing a bowl of cooling and detoxifying herbal tea?"

The audience was stunned.

This is a real death match!

Are you serious about bringing these things out?

Even Qian Tianyi, the third prince of the Great Qian Dynasty, couldn't help but frown. He felt that Li Mengze was just making a fuss and trying to attract attention.

There is only one place: the top of the observatory.

The young Taoist boy Qingxu was holding a water mirror, watching the live stream with great interest. When he saw the herbs that Li Mengze had taken out, a strange smile appeared on his face.

"Interesting... Returning to simplicity, using yang to transform yin, using life force to overcome death... Just who is this kid's father? This method doesn't seem like something the Great Yu Dynasty would use."

On the alchemy platform, Sikong Jin's refining process was nearing its end. The wailing and howling sounds emanating from the cauldron grew increasingly mournful as a jet-black pill, exuding an ominous aura, slowly took shape.

Li Mengze, meanwhile, continued to slowly and deliberately place the "herbal tea" herbs one by one into the golden flame.

(End of this chapter)