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Chapter 220: Chapter 220: The Great Luo Cloud Mist

"Yes, Grand Marshal, you could have used something else instead. There are only two or three Purple Void Dragons in the entire Great Yu," General Iron Blood lamented.

"I don't think it's a pity at all. As long as it succeeds, even if they eat all the Purple Void Dragons, it will be worth it," Yi Yan said.

"Yes, following the Grand Marshal's instructions, I hid that energy cluster in the right front claw of the Purple Void Dragon, and sure enough, Hui Guang Arhat ate that claw. How did you know he would eat it?" General Iron Blood immediately asked.

"Do you remember Hui Guang Arhat's most powerful move?" Yi Yan asked.

"Legend has it that his ultimate move is a claw technique, though he rarely uses it in public. But whenever he uses it in critical situations, it turns the tide," Iron Blood thought for a moment and said.

"Indeed, although he uses it rarely, the claw technique is likely his most proud skill. Mastering such a technique requires countless insights and practices, which would make him particularly fond of claws. Earlier, I subtly guided him, and he naturally chose the dragon claw," Yi Yan smiled.

"But what if he hadn't eaten the dragon claw?" Iron Blood asked.

"I already told you, there's my guidance," Yi Yan said confidently.

"Yes, regardless of his preferences, as long as the Grand Marshal guides him, he will eat the claw. But what exactly is that energy cluster you gave me, which Hui Guang Arhat ate?" Iron Blood asked.

"Poison," Yi Yan said in a deep voice.

"Poison? What kind of poison?" Iron Blood asked, looking shocked.

"The Great Luo Cloud Mist," Yi Yan replied.

"The Great Luo Cloud Mist? The first deadly poison of the Great Luo? Isn't it true that only the emperor, princesses, and princes of the Great Luo Heavenly Empire are qualified to possess the Great Luo Cloud Mist?" Iron Blood looked incredulous.

"Yes. Among us ten, only Princess Qian You could have it. Moreover, she and her people were alone in the hall for the time it takes for two incense sticks to burn, enough time to apply the poison," Yi Yan smiled.

"Grand Marshal, you're framing Princess Qian You?" Iron Blood asked.

"Yes!" Yi Yan affirmed.

"But Grand Marshal, isn't it true that only the emperor, princesses, and princes of the Great Luo Heavenly Empire can have the Great Luo Cloud Mist?" Iron Blood asked again.

Looking at Iron Blood, Yi Yan gave a bitter smile, "The late emperor once suffered from this poison. Originally, he could have refined it out of his body, but with great foresight, he chose to expel it perfectly at the cost of severe personal injury. Later, he handed it over to me, hoping that this time, it would justify his efforts."

"Yes, Grand Marshal. However, the Great Luo Cloud Mist is said to be extraordinarily bizarre. It is known by name, but its form is unknown. I had never seen it before either. What if Hui Guang Arhat doesn't recognize it?" Iron Blood worried.

"Hui Guang Arhat might not recognize it, but the Great Majestic Heavenly Dragon Bodhisattva surely will. The 'truth' will naturally come to light," Yi Yan said with a smile.

"Grand Marshal intends to borrow the hand of the Great Majestic Heavenly Dragon Bodhisattva to eliminate Princess Qian You?" Iron Blood said excitedly.

"It would be best if the Great Majestic Heavenly Dragon Bodhisattva kills Princess Qian You, setting the stage for a major event. This would sow enmity between the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss and the Great Luo Heavenly Empire. If the Great Majestic Heavenly Dragon Bodhisattva doesn't act, but Hui Guang, having followed him for many years, would need his help to detoxify. In detoxifying, the Great Majestic Heavenly Dragon Bodhisattva will deplete his energy. During his subsequent confrontation with His Majesty, he will be at a disadvantage, and His Majesty will surely win. In a battle between great masters, such battles are earth-shattering, and if His Majesty accidentally kills the Great Majestic Heavenly Dragon Bodhisattva, Hui Guang will return to the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss and mention the Great Luo Cloud Mist. While no one will blame the fight itself, any underhanded tactics like poisoning beforehand would be unacceptable," Yi Yan smiled.

"The Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss and the Great Luo Heavenly Empire will have their enmity firmly planted," General Iron Blood said, his mouth agape with incredulity.

"Mmm," Yi Yan nodded.

"If things go as the Grand Marshal says, regardless of whether Princess Qian You survives or not, enmity between the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss and the Great Luo Heavenly Empire will be inevitable," Iron Blood said with admiration.

"That's right, but there's still one crucial element that must not go wrong," Yi Yan said, shaking his head.

"What element?" Iron Blood asked.

"His Majesty must be willing to go through with it," Yi Yan said, shaking his head again.

"Grand Marshal, are you worried that His Majesty might go soft and spare the Great Majestic Heavenly Dragon Bodhisattva? I don't think so. For the sake of Great Yu, His Majesty shouldn't hesitate," Iron Blood said, shaking his head.

"Let's hope so," Yi Yan replied, shaking his head once more.

"But today, that Zhong Shan was quite interesting. I never imagined there would be someone like him in this world," Iron Blood said, suddenly wearing an odd expression.

Mentioning Zhong Shan, Yi Yan smiled slightly, "What was so interesting about him?"

"Zhong Shan was completely unabashed while eating the dragon. That would have been fine, but when it came to the essence of the Purple Void Dragon, the dragon pearl, he openly claimed it in front of everyone, saying he wanted to eat it. Not only that, we all have our dignity and didn't say anything when he made the claim. But he didn't even eat it then. At the end, he actually packed it up and took it away! Grand Marshal, how can there be such a person? He goes to someone else's banquet, picks out the best, and then packs it up to take home? How thick-skinned can one be?" Iron Blood said with an odd expression.

"Thick-skinned? I don't think so," Yi Yan shook his head.

"Huh?" Iron Blood looked puzzled.

"He's at the Golden Core stage. Dragon meat helps him break through, especially that dragon pearl. If he hadn't claimed it, we would have eaten it. He has no deep ties with us and will have little future contact. He is just a minor character trying to strengthen himself. Why wouldn't he claim it? Thick-skinned? It's you who aren't thick-skinned enough. Any true schemer has skin as thick as a city wall," Yi Yan said, shaking his head.

"Huh? But..." Iron Blood was taken aback.

"Mr. Shuijing's talent is not inferior to Zhong Shan's, but Shuijing is too refined in comparison," Yi Yan mused.

"Grand Marshal, are you saying that Zhong Shan outdid Mr. Shuijing by being shameless?" Iron Blood asked in surprise.

At the Xiyuan Palace.

Princess Qian You led her group back to the plaza.

"Princess, I would like to borrow Ah Da for a moment," Zhong Shan immediately said.

"Oh?" Princess Qian You looked puzzled.

"I consumed a lot of dragon meat just now, and I can feel a surge of energy within me. I also brought back a dragon pearl. In the coming days, I want to give my all to break through and will need Ah Da to guard me to prevent any disturbances," Zhong Shan said.

"Ugh, country bumpkin, you've embarrassed us all," Gu Lin sneered from the side.

Zhong Shan remained indifferent to the scornful looks of others. As long as he stayed true to himself, that was enough. Reaching the Nascent Soul stage from the fourth level of the Golden Core would allow him to return to the Great Li Heavenly Empire and bring Ling'er back.

Mr. Shuijing looked at Zhong Shan with a hint of admiration. Indeed, making such an unreasonable request at a grand banquet required boldness and thick skin, something he himself still lacked.

Princess Qian You smiled at Zhong Shan and said, "Very well. Ah Da, assist Mr. Zhong Shan in making a full breakthrough."

"Yes," Ah Da immediately complied.

To the East of Sky City

In the depths of a secluded mountain, there lies an ancient temple called Qingling Monastery. Qingling Monastery is home to many monks, all of whom chant Buddhist scriptures continuously. The sound of their chanting echoes through the valley and can be heard from a great distance.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"

As the monks chanted their scriptures, a loud, discordant scream suddenly pierced the air from within one of the buildings in the valley. The monks, however, did not stop and continued chanting, soon drowning out the discordant sound.

Inside the building from which the scream had emanated, the interior was filled with an unusual brilliance. A dark red glow, resembling a lotus flower, enveloped the hall but did not shine beyond it.

Within the lotus-like glow stood two figures. One was the Hui Guang Arhat, who had recently attended the banquet at the Grand Marshal's residence. Hui Guang Arhat's face was pale, and it was he who had let out the painful scream. A puddle of black blood lay in front of him, and a trace of blood lingered at the corner of his mouth, indicating he had just spat out a mouthful of poisonous blood.

Behind him stood another figure with one palm pressed against Hui Guang Arhat's back. This person wore a luxurious monk's robe, had a fair and benevolent face, and appeared very refined. He wore a lotus-patterned monk's hat and had a staff standing beside him, with a base of purple gold and a top of colored glaze. Behind his head, a halo glowed faintly, a symbol of a Bodhisattva.

This was the Great Majestic Heavenly Dragon Bodhisattva.

The Great Majestic Heavenly Dragon Bodhisattva slowly withdrew his palm and placed his hands together in a gesture of reverence, his expression calm and serene. Hui Guang Arhat, eyes closed, was adjusting his breath and his complexion gradually improved.

After half an incense stick's time, Hui Guang Arhat finally recovered. He then turned around and knelt before the Great Majestic Heavenly Dragon Bodhisattva.

"Thank you, Bodhisattva, for saving my life," Hui Guang Arhat said respectfully.

The Great Majestic Heavenly Dragon Bodhisattva opened his eyes slightly and looked at Hui Guang Arhat. "The Buddha is compassionate. Hui Guang, you have followed me for many years, and I could not stand idly by while your life was at risk."

"Bodhisattva, I have caused you harm," Hui Guang Arhat said, full of shame.

"Hui Guang, the fault is not yours," the Great Majestic Heavenly Dragon Bodhisattva said, shaking his head.

"No, Bodhisattva, you have a great battle ahead. If it weren't for saving me, you wouldn't have weakened your vital energy. It is my fault for attending the banquet and falling into Yi Yan's trap. He poisoned me to weaken you and ensure Na Lan Piaoxue's victory," Hui Guang Arhat said, deeply remorseful.

"Na Lan Piaoxue would not do such a thing. This poison is extremely rare in the world, but I have encountered it before," the Great Majestic Heavenly Dragon Bodhisattva said, reflecting.

"Bodhisattva?" Hui Guang Arhat looked at the Great Majestic Heavenly Dragon Bodhisattva in surprise.

"This poison is called the Great Luo Cloud Smoke," the Great Majestic Heavenly Dragon Bodhisattva explained.