"Senior Brother Mingchi, what's wrong with Senior Brother Tianrui?"
After a period of casual conversation, as the Azure Sect's green-robed disciples began setting up tents within the barrier with several white-robed disciples, Li Xuan suddenly noticed Jian Tianrui sitting in contemplation to the side. He then looked towards Yue Mingchi and the others and asked.
Wang Jingming, Shi Hongyi, and Xi Chuyun, among others, also turned their gaze to Jian Tianrui's face, a hint of doubt surfacing.
Clearly, the fact that Jian Tianrui, a Holy Son, was injured genuinely surprised them.
"Junior Brother Tianrui has been poisoned by the Thousand Year Toad venom from Holy Sect's Gongsun Li. Even I can only suppress the venom from spreading. Once we leave this Yinglong Cave Heaven, we can find Uncle-Master Yuanbai to detoxify him."
"Fortunately, although Junior Brother Tianrui was poisoned by that Gongsun Li, he also severely injured two Holy Sons of the Holy Sect. For our Azure Sect, this has somewhat eased the pressure," Yue Mingchi replied immediately.
"Thousand Year Toad? Is this creature's venom so potent that it can render an expert at the peak of the Dao Integration realm helpless?" Li Xuan inwardly felt a jolt of surprise upon hearing this. While Jian Tianrui's strength was the weakest among the ten Holy Sons, he was still a genuine peak Dao Integration realm cultivator.
Furthermore, any individual who became a Holy Son would learn a life-saving divine technique, augmenting their strength like a tiger with wings. Seeing a Holy Son injured for the first time truly astonished Li Xuan.
However, from Yue Mingchi's words, it was evident that Jian Tianrui, by himself, could fight three opponents and heavily wound two, proving he was no ordinary individual.
Li Xuan mused that if not for Gongsun Li's method of poisoning, Jian Tianrui might not have been his match. Li Xuan's assessment of the Holy Sons' strength was once again revised. xxs壹贰
Of course, this was not to say that the Holy Sons of the Holy Sect were weak. At the very least, being able to poison Jian Tianrui indicated they were not ordinary individuals.
"Senior Brother Mingchi, have you clashed with the Holy Sons of the Holy Sect?" Li Xuan pondered for a moment before looking at Yue Mingchi and the others to ask.
Yue Mingchi nodded upon hearing this. "The leader of the Holy Sect's contingent, Wu Pengfei, engaged us in a battle before we entered this deep area. However, at that time, with the Holy Sons of the Ghost Prison Sect and the Ten Thousand Flowers Palace also present, neither side exerted their full strength."
"Apart from Junior Brother Tianrui being poisoned, we did not suffer any injuries. However, our confrontation with the Holy Sect is inevitable once the Level Eight ruins appear. At that time, we may need your assistance."
"I have noted it," Li Xuan replied, nodding solemnly.
Given the animosity between the Holy Sect and the Azure Sect, if the Azure Sect's Holy Sons were defeated, the opportunities within this Yinglong Cave Heaven would likely be lost. Even they, the disciples, would be implicated.
Moreover, during his earlier casual conversation with Yue Mingchi and the others, Li Xuan had sensed a probing divine sense lingering on him, indicating he had likely been discovered.
"Junior Brother Li Xuan, there's no need to worry. Although Wu Pengfei is the top-ranked individual on the Holy Son rankings, Senior Brother Mingchi is not to be trifled with. Senior Brother Mingchi lost by a single move five years ago, and I believe he has found a solution in these past five years."
"As for the remaining Holy Sons of the Holy Sect, we will handle intercepting them ourselves." Zhou Wenlun also looked at Li Xuan, Wang Jingming, and the others and said.
Li Xuan and the others nodded slightly. According to the intelligence previously gathered, the Holy Sect had twelve Holy Sons, two more than the Azure Sect.
And now, with Jian Tianrui having severely injured two, the Holy Sect had only ten Holy Sons capable of fighting. However, with Jian Tianrui poisoned by the Thousand Year Toad, it was unlikely he could participate.
In a one-on-one situation, the Azure Sect would likely be at a considerable disadvantage.
After all, the role of a single Holy Son could be crucial in such circumstances.
"As for that extra person from the Holy Sect... that might be a problem." Zhou Wenlun finished speaking, his brow furrowed as he looked at Yue Mingchi.
"Senior Disciple Brother will naturally face Wu Pengfei in battle. Apart from Wu Pengfei, it is unlikely anyone else in the Holy Sect can match Senior Disciple Brother. As for the next few individuals, they have also clashed with us before. Their strength is roughly similar."
"When matched up one by one, Gongsun Li, who is ranked tenth, has no one to face him. However, in a full-scale battle, our Azure Sect's Holy Sons will likely not be able to handle two opponents each," Fu Yaojin agreed and analyzed.
"Although this person's strength is only at the peak of the ordinary Dao Integration realm, his poison arts are unpredictable and elusive. Even a slight contact could lead to endless repercussions. If this individual were to launch a sneak attack during our battle, it is unlikely anyone in our Azure Sect could avoid being distracted."
"In that case, it would be a chain reaction, and our Azure Sect would likely be defeated entirely," Yue Mingchi nodded with a grim expression.
Seeing the expressions on Yue Mingchi and the others' faces, Li Xuan's thoughts stirred, and he immediately asked, "May I ask if Gongsun Li requires time to deploy his poison arts?"
Yue Mingchi pondered for a moment. "Ordinary poisons are useless against us. However, some forbidden poison arts naturally require time. Gongsun Li's divine technique obtained from the Holy Sect is related to poison arts, which is why he is ranked tenth among the Holy Sons."
"If that's the case, could Senior Brother Li Xuan deal with Gongsun Li! Senior Brother Li Xuan is a sword cultivator, immune to myriad arts, so Gongsun Li's poison arts would likely be in vain," Wang Jingming exclaimed excitedly upon hearing Yue Mingchi's words.
"Junior Brother Li Xuan, do you have confidence?" Fu Yaojin looked at Li Xuan and asked.
"If Junior Brother Li Xuan can withstand Gongsun Li's poison arts and merely hold him back, it would allow us to fight at full strength," Zhou Wenlun said, his expression shifting.
Yue Mingchi nodded slightly and then looked at Li Xuan. "Junior Brother Li Xuan, I dare not guarantee that you can withstand it. If you fail, you know the consequences. Therefore, what are your thoughts?"
Everyone present then looked towards Li Xuan. After all, Li Xuan was the one directly involved. It could be said that Li Xuan was risking his life for this gamble. Moreover, although Li Xuan was a sword cultivator, his current strength was only at the advanced stage of the Dao Seeking realm, clearly weaker than Gongsun Li.
Li Xuan pondered for a moment and then nodded. "Although I do not have absolute certainty, if I am merely to hold back Gongsun Li, I believe I have a few chances of success. Therefore, leave Gongsun Li to me."
Yue Mingchi and the others' faces lit up with joy. "Junior Brother Li Xuan, we are indebted to you for your hard work. Remember, just hold back Gongsun Li at that time. As soon as we are free, we will come to your aid immediately!"
After discussing their opponents, Yue Mingchi and the others seemed to be in much better spirits. Even Jian Tianrui, who was afflicted by Gongsun Li's Thousand Year Toad venom, cast a grateful glance at Li Xuan.
If Li Xuan had not chosen to step forward, the Azure Sect might have been forced to abandon the Level Eight ruins when they opened. In that scenario, the Holy Sect, being the strongest force, would undoubtedly claim the spoils.
For a moment, everyone looked at Li Xuan with even greater admiration.