Gateway of Immortality

Chapter 170: The Hidden Serpent

Amidst the violent surge of water-elemental power, an exceptionally fine venomous needle floated along the waves. The needle, faintly green, was so tiny that it was barely noticeable within the vast, roiling currents of spiritual power.

The ferocious water-elemental energy seemed intent on annihilating everything. The Essence-Devouring Spike exploded right in front of Hermit Baiyun, its terrifying power threatening his very life. In utter panic, he recalled the Sky-Trapping Pouch from its engagement with the malevolent corpse.

Just then, the malevolent corpse swung a claw, striking the Sky-Trapping Pouch.

Screech!

Under the combined assault of the Essence-Devouring Spike and the malevolent corpse, the Sky-Trapping Pouch trembled violently, splitting open as its spiritual radiance dissipated—the top-grade artifact was utterly destroyed.

Though the Sky-Trapping Pouch had absorbed much of the blast, the remaining water-elemental power was still potent, allowing Hermit Baiyun no chance to evade as it swallowed him whole.

Hermit Baiyun grunted, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, revealing the severity of his injuries. He hastily summoned several defensive artifacts around himself and retreated in desperation.

However, he failed to notice that at the moment of the Sky-Trapping Pouch’s destruction, the venomous needle slipped through his protective spiritual barrier and deeply embedded itself in his abdomen.

Hermit Baiyun felt a slight prick of pain in his abdomen, and before he could inspect it, a paralyzing sensation swiftly spread through his body. The intense venom erupted within him!

This needle was a deadly addition Qin Sang had suggested to Shopkeeper Wu, infused with ninety percent of the venom from a serpent demon’s two fangs.

Adding the venomous needle to the Essence-Devouring Spike wasn’t just a simple enhancement—it required altering the entire artifact refinement process.

Initially, Shopkeeper Wu doubted its success, but with Qin Sang’s assurance that he would not be held liable for the destroyed materials, and spurred by the insights he gained from observing the Chi Dragon Sword, Shopkeeper Wu took on the challenge. After days of dedicated effort, he succeeded, to the delight of both of them.@@@@

The Essence-Devouring Spike’s explosion was already formidable; the addition of a nearly invisible venomous needle made it even deadlier. Sure enough, Hermit Baiyun fell for the trap.

When Qin Sang saw that he succeeded with the venomous needle, he smiled subtly, quietly stowing away the Profound Yin Thunderbolt.

The Profound Yin Thunderbolt had been prepared in case Hermit Baiyun didn’t take the bait, but it was no longer needed.

The snake demon had reached the Demonic Spirit Realm, and its venom was no trifling matter. For a Foundation Building cultivator, surviving the venom’s effects was unlikely—and even if it didn’t kill them instantly, it would cause severe complications.

After enduring so many attacks from Qin Sang and others, the malevolent corpse’s Xuanhuang Armor had cracked in several places. Nevertheless, it fought with undiminished ferocity, soon overpowering the ghostly beasts.

The ghostly beasts, at a disadvantage, struggled to harm the malevolent corpse, unable to hold it off for much longer.

Standing outside the array, Qin Sang directed the Five-Elemental Breaking Sword to strike several more times, though with limited success. Strangely, he refrained from using the ebony sword throughout the fight.

Then, Qin Sang glanced back at the stone path behind him, its depths shrouded in shadow. Faint, rumbling sounds echoed from within, suggesting that the Earth Malevolent Qi was far from spent.

They had been delayed, first by the malevolent corpse and then by Hermit Baiyun’s betrayal and his ambush on Wu Yuesheng, wasting significant time. The Earth Malevolent Qi would likely catch up soon.

A flicker of anxiety and restlessness crossed Qin Sang's face. Turning back to gaze at the malevolent corpse, he fell into silent contemplation. After a moment's thought, he retrieved the Lightning-Struck Spiritual Wood from his Mustard Seed Pouch and sat cross-legged.

The Lightning-Struck Spiritual Wood contained the power of heavenly thunderbolts, a natural bane to sinister entities. Combined with the Guishui Yin Thunder Spell, its potency would increase manifold.

Holding the Lightning-Struck Spiritual Wood, Qin Sang aimed it at the malevolent corpse, chanting under his breath as if focused on preparing a spell.

Shortly, the incantation completed, and the lightning power within the wood was drawn forth. A mass of pure, radiant thunder took form in front of Qin Sang, rumbling ominously, its roar merging with the malevolent corpse’s own cries.

The grand hall became a scene of pure chaos—white bones, ancient corpses behind iron doors, malicious spirits, the malevolent corpse, demonic banners, ghost arrays, and three fresh bodies all created an infernal landscape. The blood pooling beneath Wu Yuesheng’s body even seemed to glimmer with an eerie hue.

Crackle!

With a thunderous burst, a lightning bolt as thick as an arm struck the malevolent corpse, flooding the dark hall with a blinding brilliance that turned it as bright as day.

In the instant the lightning struck, a small spiritual sword quietly emerged from the pool of blood under Wu Yuesheng’s corpse—it was his life-bound spiritual sword!

The spiritual sword aimed at Qin Sang's unprotected back, lying motionless until it suddenly sprang forth and vanished in a flash.

The sword qi was earth-shattering!