Su Yuan closed his eyes, focusing his mind into the Qingming Realm.
Without Su Yuan needing to remind them, upon noticing Ruan Ruan entering a breakthrough state, Mo Fei and Ashley became even more cautious in their actions.
"It seems it’s indeed fine now."
After observing for a while, Su Yuan discovered that Ruan Ruan was having no issues after swallowing the Star Core, and he was relieved.
It would only take Ruan Ruan two to three days to fully devour the Glazed Master’s Star Core, and whether or not she succeeds in breaking through, the outcome would soon be clear.
After sending a mental message through Spirit connection to Mo Fei to look after Ruan Ruan, Su Yuan withdrew his consciousness and opened his eyes.
Looking up, Jing Chenghui and Teng Jinghua were already approaching with their group.
Su Yuan’s eyes flickered. Initially, he didn’t plan to reveal his strength at this moment, but given the circumstances, it was an opportune time to speed things up.
Currently, using Xu Hengjiang’s poisoning as an opportunity, Qingming has drawn closer in relations with the Storm Alliance.
Once Antonios truly cures Xu Hengjiang, even if Xu Hengjiang doesn’t acknowledge the favor, at least on the surface, he would do nothing against us.
The Jianghu people are fickle; some are greedy and ungrateful, while others remember kindness and repay favors.
The Storm Alliance being such a large faction, if Xu Hengjiang were to be ungrateful, many under him would notice.
While contemplating, Jing Chenghui and the others had arrived in front.
"Master Su!" Jing Chenghui led with a bow.
Su Yuan nodded slightly, "Branch Leader Jing, Branch Leader Teng, there’s no need for such formalities."
Looking at the silver-haired young man before him, Jing Chenghui gulped secretly.
Though he agreed, this person had just slain a Chongyang Realm Demon Plant!
Jing Chenghui quickly reviewed their interactions over the past month, feeling secretly relieved that he hadn’t done anything to offend this person.
Teng Jinghua was also intently watching Su Yuan. Though Demon Plants are less versatile and skillful compared to Star Beasts of the same level, they are still Chongyang Level Demon Plants,
Yet this person’s swordsmanship was incredibly fierce, cutting through everything effortlessly with a single strike on such a strong Demon Plant!
Su Yuan smiled slightly, then looked towards the two Radiant Moon Levels with grayish-black faces being supported from behind Jing Chenghui.
Jing Chenghui’s expression tensed, nodding quickly, "And it’s quite serious. We intended to ask if Master Su has any Detoxification Pills available for emergency use, as returning would take at least two days..."
With a flash in his hand, Su Yuan immediately took out an Alchemy Box and tossed it over.
Upon catching it, Jing Chenghui saw it contained five Detoxification Pills.
"Thank you, Master Su!"
Jing Chenghui rejoiced, immediately administering the Detoxification Pills to the two behind him.
Now that the Jing Yilian has been found and the root issue of the Poison Mist resolved, it’s time to head back.
Coincidentally, encountering Plant Star Beasts just turning into Demon Beasts surprised Su Yuan.
Additionally, on an island full of Poison Plants, having a non-toxic type Demon Plant like the Glazed Tree was quite strange.
Unable to comprehend the key among this without further clues, Su Yuan decided to let it rest temporarily.
Before leaving, Su Yuan surveyed this large island.
The island is sizable and not far from the Western Desert coast.
At present, with the island’s numerous Poison Plants, including the Ancient Thorn Tree and Big Leaf Black Tree, having been cleared out, the Poison Mist surrounding the island has considerably thinned.
Moreover, the Star Power on the island is fairly abundant.
"It’s quite a nice place, and would be even more convenient if a Transmission Array could be set up..."
Su Yuan contemplated silently, temporarily setting aside the thought.
"Branch Leader Jing, is there anything else you need?"
Jing Chenghui laughed, "The Jing Yilian has been procured, the Demon Plant resolved thanks to Master Su; now it’s just important to quickly return to attend to the Alliance Leader."
Upon hearing this, something seemed to cross Su Yuan’s mind, his expression subtly changing...
Storm Alliance Main Base.
In Xu Hengjiang’s room, Antonios was carefully examining Xu Hengjiang’s condition.
"Mr. An, how... is it?" Xu Hengjiang, covered in sweat, asked weakly.
Antonios pondered, "The poisoning is too severe, and the toxins are recurring faster than anticipated."
Upon hearing this, Yuan Shan immediately frowned, "Is it really that serious? Isn’t the Alliance Leader at the Burning Sun Level? How could he be brought down by such toxins?"
"It absolutely is." Antonios turned to Yuan Shan, speaking with solemnity, "Branch Master Yuan, do not underestimate ’poison’. There are countless methods of killing, and poison is one of the most effective for the weak to conquer the strong. This is something people of Jianghu should be very aware of, isn’t that right?"
Indeed, poison is something with strong lethality and corrosive power.
As long as one can successfully administer poison, even a Bronze Level can have a chance to kill a Gold Level.
Moreover, the toxins incapacitating Xu Hengjiang originated from a Radiant Moon Level Demon Plant.
Antonios continued to explain: "As I mentioned earlier, after Alliance Leader Xu was poisoned, he used too much Star Power, and this toxin happens to spread quickly using Star Power as a medium, which is why it became so severe."
Hearing Antonios’s words, Yuan Shan had nothing to say; it indeed was that serious.
Xu Hengjiang gasped, "Mr. An, I’m feeling weak all over again, almost like before... Could you treat me once more like you did before..."
Antonios shook his head, "It’s not that I don’t want to help you, but the marrow cleansing and bone scraping have certain side effects that will impair your body’s resistance.
If we do it again in a short period, without the toxin, your body will have all sorts of problems."
"Is that so..." Xu Hengjiang slightly furrowed his brows, indeed feeling that his muscles and bones seemed to have become more fragile and sensitive.
Antonios smiled, "But you don’t need to worry too much. As long as my boss and Branch Leader Jing can get back the Jing Yilian, I’m confident I can heal you."
"Alright..." Xu Hengjiang nodded, "With you saying so, I can be at ease!"
At this moment, a young Hall Master at the Shining Star Level walked in briskly from outside.
Yuan Shan frowned and scolded, "Hu Bo, don’t shout like that if you have something to report, the Alliance Leader is not well!"
"S-sorry." Hu Bo replied sheepishly, yet his eyes were filled with unavoidable delight, "Alliance Leader, Branch Master Yuan, news just came in that Branch Leader Jing and the others have found the Jing Yilian, and there are three or four plants!"
"Really?!" Xu Hengjiang stood up directly in surprise, his figure unsteady as he staggered, but thankfully Antonios was quick-eyed and grabbed him.
"Indeed, it was Master Su who went along that found the Jing Yilian, and Captain Tie Shi is already on his way back with the team, expected to arrive in two days!"
The Tie Shi Captain that Hu Bo mentioned was the Full Moon Level black-haired man who was saved by Su Yuan.
"Great!" Xu Hengjiang excitedly slapped his thigh, "Many thanks to Master Su!"
With Antonios’s assurance earlier and now the discovery of Jing Yilian, the worry in Xu Hengjiang’s heart eased considerably.
Even though he maintained a carefree appearance, Xu Hengjiang was quite anxious inside.
As a gang leader who had achieved the status of Burning Sun after overcoming numerous challenges, dying from poison would indeed be too humiliating...
Antonios also chuckled lightly, not too surprised.
Since his boss went, as long as there was Jing Yilian on that island, it would surely be retrieved.
Remembering the boss’s instructions, Antonios discreetly glanced at Yuan Shan beside him.
At this moment, Yuan Shan also showed a smile, yet there was subtly incongruous meaning in his eyes...
Xu Hengjiang asked, "Hu Bo, you said Tie Shi is bringing back the Jing Yilian, but Cheng Hui and Jinghua have not returned?"
Hu Bo immediately replied, "Not yet, Alliance Leader, it’s said that there’s a suspected Chongyang Realm Demon Plant on the island, and Branch Leader Jing and the others are still assessing the situation."
"What, a Chongyang Realm Demon Plant!" Xu Hengjiang was shocked and immediately cursed, "Why aren’t those guys coming back here quickly, what are they doing there, courting death?"
Even though Xu Hengjiang was quite weak at the moment, the sudden burst of Burning Sun aura still frightened Hu Bo, making his face pale.
Hu Bo’s heart skipped a beat, glanced at Antonios beside him, and said, "Also... it’s Master Su of Qingming who stood up to block that Demon Plant; he seems to be a Burning Sun Expert!"
Xu Hengjiang’s eyes narrowed; he had sensed earlier that Su Yuan was not simple, but he hadn’t expected him to be a Burning Sun Expert!
A Burning Sun Expert suddenly appearing in such a remote coastal area, and with such extraordinary subordinates...
After pondering for a moment, Xu Hengjiang shook his head, suppressing his thoughts temporarily, and asked, "Do we have any casualties?"
"Sect Leader Liu and seven others perished, mostly killed by that Chongyang Realm Demon Plant!"
Xu Hengjiang’s heart sank; his earlier joy quickly dampened.
Seven Full Moons, this was a significant loss!
After a while, Xu Hengjiang sighed, waved his hand, and said, "Alright, you may go. Notify me immediately if there is any news."
"Yes, Alliance Leader!"
Hu Bo responded, then retreated.
Xu Hengjiang was filled with mixed emotions, contemplating the issue of the seven Full Moon members.
Meanwhile, Yuan Shan’s eyes flickered, seemingly deep in thought, leaving the room suddenly quiet.
Seeing this, Antonios didn’t stay long either; he cupped his hands and said, "I’ll be in the room, call me whenever you need, Alliance Leader Xu."
Xu Hengjiang replied politely, "Sure, thank you, Mr. An."
Antonios left, and after some conversation, Yuan Shan also retreated...
After returning to his room, Yuan Shan paced back and forth, contemplating something.
"Since Tie Shi and the others have found Jing Yilian, and will be back in two or three days, if I don’t act now, it will be too late..."
Yuan Shan stopped, turned his hand, and took out a small white bottle, his face showing a bit of hesitation.
But it wasn’t long before a determined look flashed across Yuan Shan’s face, as if he had made up his mind.
"As cultivators, if we don’t fight for ourselves, we’re doomed! At this age, if I don’t give it a shot, there really won’t be another chance!"
Yuan Shan immediately took out a specially made talisman, crushed it, and after a moment of contemplation, stepped out the door...