Chapter 1332: Alone behind Enemy Lines
When everyone heard this, they all shook their heads, feeling pity for Xiao Chen. The Azure Dragon King managed to uphold his pride, but he would lose the Five Poison Sect, a faction that could be of great help to him.
In the end, Xiao Chen was still somewhat too rash. Sometimes, no matter how proud or principled one was, one still needed to adapt to reality. When one should lower their head, they should do so; when one should apologize, they should do so.
Even if the other party was unreasonable, one had to give way. Otherwise, the losses would be too great to bear.
How could one be like Xiao Chen, sticking to his principles to the end, not lowering his head or bending his back?
Xiao Chen said indifferently, "I'd advise you to take your words back. Otherwise, even your father will not be able to protect you. Look carefully at the bottom of the invitation letter. See who signed off on it!"
Tang Xun was stunned. He said in confusion, "Could it be that it is not my father?"
Tang Xun took the invitation letter from the black-clad man's hand. Then, he opened it and looked carefully. However, after a while, his expression changed drastically, his eyes wide with incredulity.
The marked change in Tang Xun's expression piqued the black-robed man's curiosity. He turned his head and looked. When he saw the signature, his expression changed as well.
Tang Xu walked over sullenly to Xiao Chen before the onlookers' baffled gazes. Then, he returned the invitation letter and lowered his head. "Sorry. This young master was rude earlier. Would the Azure Dragon King please come three days later? If I offended you, I hope that the Azure Dragon King will forgive me."
Xiao Chen took the invitation letter and said indifferently, "Don't worry. I will definitely come three
days later. You may go now."
How hateful!
Tang Xun gritted his teeth, but he could not do anything—only because the person who sent the invitation letter could dismiss his father from his post at any time.
Such a scene stunned all who witnessed it. Everyone had seen Tang Xun acting arrogantly just now, taunting Xiao Chen continuously. How come he suddenly submitted and lowered his head, apologizing to Xiao Chen?
"Interesting. Azure Dragon King, I look forward to your arrival three days later. I, Gong Taihua, have heard of your name long ago."
After Tang Xun turned around, the black-robed man walked over to Xiao Chen and spoke provocatively.
After the small commotion was over, the crowd slowly dispersed. Xiao Chen put away the invitation letter and revealed a faint smile as he watched Tang Xun leave.
That was right. Xiao Chen was indeed here to ask for help. However, he was also here to give the Five Poison Sect a chance. Being humiliated really served Tang Xun right since Tang Xun had not figured out the situation.
After this commotion, Xiao Chen gave up on thoughts of strolling around and returned to the inn.
---
Far away, two people saw everything from a pavilion.
One of them wore the blue uniform of the Five Poison Sect. He looked very old, and wrinkles furrowed his forehead. His eyes revealed a certain lethargy, but his aura was as heavy as a mountain, surging like a vast gushing river.
If Xiao Chen were here, he would be able to tell that this blue-clad old man was a Fifth Heaven Greater Heavenly Martial Emperor. However, this person neared the end of his lifespan. He did not seem to have much lifeforce left with his sharpness dulling.
A special emblem of the Five Poison Sect was embroidered on the chest of the uniform, the mark of a Five Poison Sect's Supreme Elder.
On the other side was a person wearing golden clothes. His hair was completely white, and his eyes radiated health and vigor. He looked like he was from the Deity Race. Xiao Chen was no stranger to this person. Back when Elder Qin underwent his tribulation, this person fought against Lan Chaofeng.
This was a Seventh Heaven Sovereign Martial Emperor. His strength was incredible; not even the Western Sea Dragon King Ao Lang was a match for him.
"Lord Qin Xiu, he is the Azure Dragon King?"
The white-haired Deity Race cultivator nodded and said, "That's right. He is the target of your assassination. Remember, you have only one chance to attack. Furthermore, you need to do it within Poison Cloud City. Otherwise, if Xiao Chen leaves Poison Cloud City, your mission will be considered a failure."
"What about the thing that your lordship promised me?"
Qin Xiu said casually, "My Deity Race's Deity Statues are divided into nine ranks, from high to low. For outsiders, we normally cast a Rank 9 Deity Statue, which does not absorb a lot of power of faith. If you accept this mission, we can cast a Rank 7 Deity Statue for you."
"That…" Joy flashed in the blue-clad old man's eyes, but he was still somewhat uncertain.
Qin Xiu said coldly, "You still doubt the Deity Race's strength? By using the power of faith to raise one's cultivation, one would not become as strong as a Martial Emperor who advanced using regular methods; however, the increase in lifespan is genuine. If you are not willing, then never mind. Let's see whether the Five Poison Sect has any methods to allow you to extend your lifespan."
When the blue-clad old man heard this, his expression turned anxious as he said, "Milord, please don't be angry. It is not that this old man does not believe. It is just that one needs to be sure."
"Then, good. Remember, you can do it at any time, but you need to do it in Poison Cloud City. It would be best if you can kill him. However, even if you can't kill him, you need to at least injure him severely enough for him to need at least half a year to recuperate. Otherwise, your mission will be considered a failure."
After saying that, Qin Xiu disappeared in a flash, directly leaving this place.
The blue-clad old man looked at the inn where Xiao Chen was staying. A heavy murderous intent flashed in his eyes. "Azure Dragon King, sorry for the offense. If not for this old man's lifespan reaching its end, I would not make a move on a junior like you."
"Whoosh!"
This old man pushed off the ground and silently arrived outside the inn. Just as he raised his leg and was about to enter, he suddenly pulled it back.
Then, the old man turned around and left quickly.
Up on a roof, the blue-clad man frowned slightly and said, "This Azure Dragon King is really cautious. His perception is spread throughout the entire inn at all times. If someone of my strength enters, he will immediately discover it, and he will put up his guard.
The old man was not afraid of Xiao Chen discovering him. Even if Xiao Chen discovered him, he was confident of killing the other party.
This confidence came from being a Fifth Heaven Martial Emperor. What he feared was that once Xiao Chen put up his guard, he would leave Poison Cloud City in advance. If that was the case, then he would have wasted his effort.
I'll wait!
The instant you leave the inn, I'll attack suddenly and kill you in one blow.
The murderous intent in his eyes disappeared after a flash. After the blue-clad old man sat cross-legged on the roof, he glanced deeply at the doors of the inn before closing his eyes.
After one day passed peacefully, the blue-clad old man opened his eyes once more before helplessly closing them again.
Two days had passed, but Xiao Chen still did not come out. In total, the blue-clad old man opened and closed his eyes three times.
On the third day, the blue-clad old man's eyes did not close at all. He stared continuously at the doors of the inn. Many people entered and left, but he did not see a certain white figure.
"This fellow is really patient. After coming to Poison Cloud City, he actually did not intend to come out and walk around," the blue-clad old man said with some resentment.
There was still half a day. If Xiao Chen still did not come out, he would have gone to the banquet already.
That was the last situation that the blue-clad old man wanted to see. The banquet was in the headquarters of the Five Poison Sect. That place was heavily guarded with experts of three of the Holy Lands.
Even if the blue-clad old man succeeded in his assassination, it would be difficult for him to retreat unscathed.
If the blue-clad man carried out the hit at the banquet, then he needed to kill Xiao Chen. To have a chance of escaping alive, he needed to ensure that the Five Poison Sect could not form an alliance with the Azure Dragon King.
"Hey!"
The blue-clad old man's eyes lit up as he suddenly stood up. Xiao Chen had walked out of the inn's door.
However, before the joy on the old man's face faded away, he saw a warship descend from the sky. That was the warship of the Five Poison Sect. It was Tang Xun's father sending people to fetch Xiao Chen.
The blue-clad old man sighed sullenly, "No matter what, I have to take this risk. I have only ten years left to live and need to obtain the help of the Deity Race!"
A patch of thick seven-colored clouds covered the entire island in the sky of Poison Cloud City. It looked very vibrant and exotic, remaining there all year round.
It looked very attractive, but Xiao Chen, who was on the warship, knew that this was a poison cloud that even ordinary Martial Emperors would not be willing to touch.
"Azure Dragon King, is this your first time in Poison Cloud City?" asked a pretty girl dressed in green at the side.
Xiao Chen took a look at this girl who had come to fetch him and nodded gently.
"What do you think? This poison cloud can be considered the Five Poison Sect's foundation. Only after tens of thousands of years did it reach its current scale."
Xiao Chen replied honestly, "It is rather shocking. It can be considered an eye-opener."
"Is that so? In that case, you are in for even more shocks."
As the two chatted casually, the warship projected an ancient ring of light. Then, it broke through the poison cloud, and the scene before their eyes suddenly changed.
Xiao Chen looked up. There were actually countless pavilions and buildings on top of this vast poison cloud. There were mountains, rivers, buildings, flowers, plants, and trees. Such a sight was completely unimaginable.
The headquarters of this Five Poison Sect was actually built on this poison cloud.
Many Five Poison Sect disciples could even be seen breathing in the poison gas in the poison clouds and circulating the poison gas as they cultivated.
To these Five Poison Sect disciples, the poison cloud that ordinary people would not dare touch was a treasure. Furthermore, it was an indispensable treasure.
"Azure Dragon King, this way, please. The Sect Master and the few honored guests are already waiting at the Soft Cloud Pavilion."
Xiao Chen followed the girl, soaring into the air. As they flew, they went past many palaces and pavilions.
After fifteen minutes, the girl stopped at a crystal path floating in the air. Xiao Chen landed as well and followed the girl as they continued walking.
Guards stood on both sides of the pathway, separated from each other by one hundred meters. The defense was very tight.
At the end of the floating pathway was a pair of large azure doors. Not just anyone could enter these doors.
The girl gently pushed them open and performed an inviting gesture. Xiao Chen did not hesitate and stepped in with great strides.
The banquet was already prepared behind the large doors. Xiao Chen saw a dignified middle-aged man seated at the host's seat.
This man was Tang Feng, Tang Xun's father, the current Sect Master of the Five Poison Sect and an Eighth Heaven Sovereign Martial Emperor—a person in a high position. The atmosphere that he gave off made others subconsciously feel like they were inferior.
At the seats of honor were two other familiar people. One was the Heavenly Province Academy's Holy Son, and the other was the Yinyang Paradise's Holy Daughter, Tong Susu.
These two each had a strong Greater Heavenly Martial Emperor with a heavy aura standing behind them.
When Tong Susu saw Xiao Chen arrive, her charming eyes wandered over him in a boundlessly flirtatious manner.
The Heavenly Province Academy's Holy Son showed a somewhat unsightly expression when he saw Xiao Chen. He had been defeated in one move at the Four Seas Hero Gathering. This memory was still fresh in his head, so hard to forget.
Tang Xun was there as well. When he saw Xiao Chen, his expression became even more unsightly than the Heavenly Province Academy's Holy Son's, directly turning dark.
The Greater Heavenly Martial Emperors behind Tang Xun and Tang Feng, who was on the host's seat, sized up Xiao Chen at the same time.
"Little Brother Xiao Chen, have a seat!"
After sizing up Xiao Chen, Tang Feng nodded in his heart. Then, he extended his hand and gestured Xiao Chen to a seat.
The two people behind Tong Susu and the Heavenly Province Academy's Holy Son exchanged looks. Their expressions changed as they secretly communicated with each other.
The Azure Dragon King is really bold to actually dare to attend this banquet alone.
Haha! If he was not bold, he probably would not have his current accomplishments. Old Hong, what do you think of him?
There is no rush. This is the Five Poison Sect's scene. There is no need for us to rush.
Right!