Druid Fairy

Chapter 220 Poison Seed
Within the capital, the subtle and pervasive blessings, like a spring rain sweeping across the country, not only irrigated the fields but also nourished the hearts of the people.

In the streets and alleys, in teahouses and taverns, people no longer talk about the lofty immortal masters, but about the heavy ears of wheat in their own fields.

The people's hearts and minds were united on the new emperor and the Li family like never before.

The Marquis of Huai'en's Residence.

The former officials, who harbored resentment, were now ashen-faced, their earlier indignation completely gone.

Their carefully prepared public opinion became laughable in the face of this miraculous auspicious omen.

Who would believe that a court that can send down auspicious omens from the heavens could be a tyrannical regime that acts perversely?
"The talk of ghosts and gods, the talk of ghosts and gods..."

Marquis Huaien slumped in his chair, utterly dejected, muttering to himself.

He believed in power and strategy, but had never seen such godlike methods before.
Chan Jiu's expression turned serious.

Looking out the window, the peaceful aura that illuminated all things made him, a practitioner of dark arts, feel a deep unease from the depths of his soul.

"This isn't luck; this is direct control!"

He stood up abruptly and said coldly to the distraught Marquis Huai'en, "My lord, it seems our plan needs a slight adjustment."

Having said that, he ignored these "allies" who had lost their usefulness, and with a flicker of his figure, he transformed into an almost imperceptible shadow, disappearing from the window and merging into the intricate and dark corners of the capital.

…………

Honglu Temple, the temporary headquarters of the three major sects.

In the courtyard of Wanjian Pavilion, Ye Gufeng stood under an old tree that had sprouted tender green buds again because of "blessings," remaining silent for a long time.

“Senior brother,” a disciple stepped forward, “what kind of supernatural power is this? I have never heard of any technique that can bring blessings to an entire country. How similar it is to the legendary ancient methods?”

Ye Gufeng slowly shook his head, the sharp sword intent in his eyes now replaced by a sense of awe.

"The person behind the Li family has completely integrated his own path with the fate of the entire Great Yu Dynasty."

Upon hearing this, both disciples behind him gasped in shock.

How can one transform their own way into the foundation of a nation?

What an incredible realm this is!
"Sect Master Yan Dong... this time he has probably kicked a hornet's nest."

Ye Gufeng gave a wry smile. "It seems we need to reconsider our plans for this trip. Tomorrow, I will personally go to Tingtao Xiaozhu to deliver the Pavilion Master's personal letter. It would be unwise to make an enemy of such a being."

Inside the courtyard of Hundred Beasts Manor, Xiong Ba's furious roar had long since ceased.

He stared blankly at the two-winged tiger he had raised.

This beast, which was usually extremely ferocious, was now lying docilely on the ground, contentedly absorbing the vibrant energy in the air, even its fur became shinier.

"Oh shit……"

He cursed under his breath, and for the first time, a look of apprehension appeared on his rugged face. "Just what kind of monsters are these Li families?!"

In the courtyard of Tingxuelou, Meiying leaned against the balustrade, playing with a crystal-clear ice crystal in her hand.

"My lord, the intelligence is incorrect."

A subordinate dressed in black appeared silently, kneeling on one knee. "The power of the Li family has transcended the realm of 'technique' and reached the level of 'the Way.' Our previous infiltration plan is probably..."

"No, the plan remains unchanged."

Phantom interrupted him, her voice still languid, but a hint of excitement flickered in her captivating eyes.

"The more powerful and perfect something is, the more alluring the secrets behind it become. I must investigate. I need to know the source of this 'blessing.' Is it a person? A magical artifact? Or a natural paradise?"

She licked her red lips and chuckled softly, "This Eastern Region is getting more and more interesting."

…………

The Qianqing Palace, during the Great Qian Dynasty.

Inside the cold palace, Emperor Qianwu listened quietly to the report coming from the black mirror in front of him.

The face reflected in the mirror was Chan Jiu's.

Upon hearing the words "blessing the entire nation," even this brilliant and shrewd emperor, whose face was usually impassive, finally showed a hint of emotion.

“A miracle?” he asked slowly, his voice low and hoarse.

"Your Majesty, I prefer to call it divine authority."

For the first time, Chan Jiu's voice carried a hint of emotion. "He is turning the entire Great Yu Dynasty into his own 'dojo.' On this land, he is an omnipotent god. Any conspiracy or trickery against mortals will become meaningless under his power."

Emperor Qianwu remained silent.

He slowly closed his eyes, his fingers unconsciously tapping the armrests of the dragon throne.

After a long while, he opened his eyes again, and the anger in them had completely subsided, replaced by an unprecedented calmness and greed.

"very good."

He looked at the Xuan Guang Mirror and issued a chilling command.

"Chan Jiu, activate the 'Dragon Withering Project'."

Chan Jiu, inside the Xuan Guang Mirror, shuddered violently, a hint of horror flashing in his eyes, but he still kowtowed without hesitation and accepted the order: "Your subordinate... obeys the decree!"

The light faded, and the Mystic Mirror returned to its calm state.

Emperor Qianwu turned around and walked to a huge map of the territory, his gaze fixed on the location of the Dayu Dynasty, as if he wanted to devour this land whole.

…………

The auspicious aura enveloped the capital for three days before gradually fading away, merging into the mountains, rivers, and vegetation, becoming the deepest essence of this land.

The jubilation of the people gradually subsided, but the heartfelt support and peace gave the entire dynasty an unprecedented sense of cohesion.

On the morning of the fourth day, a respectfully worded visiting card was delivered to Tingtao Xiaozhu.

Ye Gufeng, the chief disciple of Wanjian Pavilion, formally requests an audience.

Li Mengze personally greeted him at the door, without putting on any airs. He also held a certain degree of goodwill towards this pure sword cultivator.

Inside the study, the aroma of tea wafted gently.

With Li Mengjin by his side, the two most outstanding young swordsmen of the era sat facing each other again, but the atmosphere was not as tense as at a state banquet.

"Brother Li's swordsmanship is the best I have ever seen in my life."

Ye Gufeng got straight to the point, his expression sincere, "I am completely convinced of the exchange at the state banquet, and I have benefited greatly from it."

"Brother Ye, you're too kind." Li Mengjin spoke succinctly, never refusing recognition from a strong person. "I've come here for two reasons. First, to apologize for my abruptness at the state banquet. Second, on the orders of the Pavilion Master, I've brought a small gift to congratulate the new Emperor of Great Yu on his ascension to the throne. This can also be considered as my Ten Thousand Swords Pavilion forging a good relationship with the Li family."

After saying that, he took out an antique wooden box from his pocket and gently pushed it in front of Li Mengze.

Li Mengze did not open it, but simply smiled and said, "I appreciate the noble sentiments of the Myriad Swords Pavilion. However, I wonder what the Myriad Swords Pavilion's opinion is on the matter of Sect Master Yan Dong spreading the news of the Dao Fruit throughout the Eastern Region?"

He put the question directly to the point.

Upon hearing this, Ye Gufeng gave a frank, bitter smile: "To be honest with Dean Li, the Pavilion Master has no desire for the Dao Fruit. He has spent his life seeking the sword, and external things are nothing but fleeting clouds to him. What he is truly interested in is the sword of the Second Young Master Li, and the vast Dao aura behind the Li family that can bestow the 'power of mountains and rivers'."

He gave Li Mengjin a deep look. "The Pavilion Master said that this level of skill is close to the legendary 'Sword Immortal' realm. My Ten Thousand Swords Pavilion is willing to befriend such beings, not to be their enemy."

These words were spoken from the heart and with utmost sincerity.

Li Mengze and Li Mengjin exchanged a glance, understanding each other perfectly.

The Ten Thousand Swords Pavilion is making its stance clear and taking the initiative to show goodwill.

"We understand the Lord's intentions."

Li Mengze nodded slightly. "Please convey to the Pavilion Master that my Li family has no ambition for domination. We only wish for the well-being of our family and the peace and prosperity of the nation. If someone treats me with respect, I will treat them with even greater respect."

This conversation set the tone for the future relationship between the two parties.

Ye Gufeng took his leave, and the weight that had been hanging over his heart finally lifted.

Almost at the same time, Xiong Ba of the Hundred Beasts Manor did not choose to visit, but instead led two elders directly to the Zhanxian Guard camp on the outskirts of the capital.

"I am Xiong Ba, the young master of Hundred Beasts Manor! I have heard that the Great Yu Immortal Slaying Guards are elite warriors who have fought countless battles, so I have come here to learn a thing or two from them!"

He rode atop a two-winged tiger, his voice booming like a bell, and the undisguised pressure of a Foundation Establishment cultivator swept over the military camp.

Inside the camp, Li Yuanhu was supervising the soldiers' drills when he heard this. His brows furrowed, and a flash of anger appeared in his eyes.

"They really think we're pushovers!" he said in a gruff voice.

“Brother Yuanhu, there’s no need to get angry.” A calm voice came from behind him.

Li Mengjin had appeared on the command platform at some point. He had just rushed back from Tingtao Xiaozhu.

"My elder brother said that since they want to see it, let them see as much as they want."

A cold smile curled at the corner of Li Mengjin's lips. "Pass on my order: activate the 'Ten Thousand Trees in Full Bloom' battle formation!"

"Yes!"

At Li Yuanhu's command, the three thousand Immortal Slayer Guards sprang into action instantly!

Instead of rushing out of the military camp, they quickly took their positions in a mysterious orientation on the drill ground.

"Roar!"

Three thousand people roared in unison, their blood boiling!

The ground beneath their feet lit up with emerald green runes, which quickly connected to form a massive array covering the entire training ground.

A powerful life force surged up from the dragon vein node beneath the military camp and poured into the battle formation!
Before Xiong Ba and the others' horrified eyes, the figures of the three thousand soldiers slowly dissipated, replaced by a war tree that was a hundred feet tall, woven from countless vines and branches, and full of power!
This ancient war tree, rooted in the earth and reaching towards the sky, exuded a powerful, indestructible aura that caused even the winged tiger beneath Xiong Ba to let out a fearful howl, prostrate itself on the ground, and tremble.

"What the hell is this?!" Xiong Ba's face turned deathly pale instantly.

His proud cultivation level seemed as insignificant as an ant before this ancient war tree, which appeared to be one with the entire earth.

The ancient tree of war did not launch an attack, but slowly "opened" a pair of "eyes" formed by the convergence of emerald green light, and quietly watched him.

There was no murderous intent in those eyes, only an indifferent condescension from a higher level of life.

Xiong Ba was covered in cold sweat, feeling an unprecedented fear gripping his heart.

He had no doubt that, if the other party so desired, even the thinnest vine could easily grind him into dust.

"let's go!"

He was no longer as arrogant as before. He turned his mount around and, with two equally pale-faced elders, fled the place in a sorry state.

On this day, the Ten Thousand Swords Pavilion made overtures, and the Hundred Beasts Manor was defeated.

Only Tingxuelou remained completely silent, as if it had fallen into complete stillness.

…………

As night fell, Chan Jiu's figure appeared like a ghost in the secret warehouse of the largest grain merchant in the capital, "Fengnian Rice Shop".

The rice shop owner, a fat, shrewd-looking middle-aged businessman, was kneeling respectfully before him, his body trembling violently with fear.

"Boss Wang, has everything been taken care of?" Chan Jiu's voice was devoid of any emotion.

"It's...it's done," Boss Wang said in a trembling voice. "I have followed your instructions and mixed that stuff into the batch of old rice supplied to the poor in the south of the city. The granary will be opened and the grain will be distributed first thing tomorrow morning."

“Very good.” Chan Jiu nodded.

He slowly walked to a huge granary, reached out and grabbed a handful of rice from inside.

The surface of the rice grains was covered with a layer of grayish-black spots that were almost invisible to the naked eye, resembling mold.

A faint yet deadly aura, filled with resentment, emanated from it.

This was Emperor Qianwu's plan!
This poison is no ordinary poison. It is a vicious curse specifically targeting the source of life, made by using the secret methods of the Great Qian Dynasty. It is made by collecting the resentment of the dragon that was suppressed in the place where the Nine Netherworld Wraith Dragon was suppressed, and then combining it with hundreds of extremely yin and evil withered spiritual herbs.

It doesn't kill immediately, but rather, like a seed, it lies dormant within the body, silently sprouting and taking root, slowly and irreversibly devouring the host's vitality and lifespan, transforming it into more resentment and death energy.

Even more frightening is that this toxin can be spread secondary through water, food, and even air.

Once it erupts, a city with a million inhabitants will be transformed into a lifeless, resentful ghost town in less than half a month!
Emperor Qianwu's intentions were extremely malicious!
He wants to use the lives of these millions of people to pollute Li Pingcan's "Taoist temple"!
"Sir, I... I have done as you promised..." Boss Wang mustered his courage and raised his head.

"Pfft."

Chan Jiu didn't even glance at him; a wisp of dark light flicked from her fingertip and instantly pierced through his brow.

Mr. Wang's expression froze, his eyes filled with disbelief, and then he slumped down, life extinguished.

"Only the dead can keep secrets forever."

Chan Jiu said coldly, and his figure turned into shadow again, disappearing into the secret vault.

He wasn't worried about things being exposed.

When the toxins erupt, the entire capital will be plunged into panic, and no one will bother to trace the origin of this batch of stale rice.

(End of this chapter)