Aspiring to the Immortal Path
chapter-498

The moment Tang Jie opened the bottle, he felt an ill foreboding, like some great danger was imminent.

This sense of danger came entirely from Tang Jie's instinct, and he fiercely threw the bottle away.

The bottle exploded with a bang, large amounts of black liquid flying out from it.

Caught off guard, Tang Jie could only thrust his palm forward while flying backward.

Most of the splattering black liquid was pushed aside by Tang Jie's palm thrust, but some of it still managed to land on Tang Jie's body, arm, and leg. The moment it made contact, there was a hissing sound as it melted away his clothes and began to eat away at his flesh. Even Tang Jie's body constitution wasn't able to resist it.

He yelled and swung down his saber! Swish! Swish! Swish! He cut off all the parts of his body touched by the black liquid.

But as he cut off the flesh, Tang Jie still felt something burrowing into his body.

Paling, he cut the golden blade across his arm, opening it up and revealing the bone.

Tang Jie saw a black mark engraved onto the bone, like a birthmark. This mark gradually faded away.

"Spirit-Boiling Powder…" Tang Jie squeezed out from between his clenched teeth.

He realized what he had been struck by.

Spirit-Boiling Powder was a corrosive poison that excelled at penetration. Upon contact, it would seep into the body, and it was said that it could even seep into the depths of the soul. Once poisoned by it, there was no escaping it. Even if one sliced one's body into several hundred pieces and possessed someone else's body, the poison would follow.

It was said that the poison had been created in an attempt to develop a poison that could even kill the soul.

But when the poison was complete, it was discovered that while the poison could seep into the soul, it was extremely weak, so it was abandoned.

Later on, someone began to research it again and found a method of tracking this poison, so it ultimately went from a lethal poison to a divine tracking medicine.

Tang Jie had heard about it before as a secret medicine that the Hawk Hall used against only the most troublesome and crafty of opponents. If their adversary were struck by this poison, they could be tracked down to the ends of the world. Even the Nine Executions Immortal Formation might not be able to conceal his tracks.

Moreover, the tracking wasn't as slow as the secret art employed by the second brother of the 12 Hawks. The location of the person poisoned by the Spirit-Boiling Powder would be directly displayed. In other words, starting from now, his enemies could put all their power into chasing him down, no longer needing to worry about tracing his path.

"Damn it!" Tang Jie cursed.

It wasn't like he hadn't expected his enemy to play some trick with the pill, but Old Fourth Liu had repeatedly checked the pill at the time, opening the bottle and confirming that it was the real deal. Tang Jie had seen all of this, so why had this perfectly fine medicine turned into a trap?

A thought suddenly occurred to him.

Maidservants had circled around Old Fourth Liu while he was taking out all those spirit jades.

"It was them!" Tang Jie shouted in realization. Those maidservants must have used that moment when they were flirting with Old Fourth Liu.

Old Fourth Liu hadn't been some clueless person, and those women hadn't been able to harry him for long. Really, it had only been a few moments. But that small period of contact was enough for those maidservants to perform the switch, replacing the real pill with the fake medicine. Only someone of great ability could have done this.

Godhead Palace was a massive faction, and it had people with all kinds of capabilities under it. Some people were obscure and unknown but possessed their own expertise. Such skills normally weren't of much use, but at key moments, they became extremely useful.

Tang Jie had meticulously calculated everything, but he had ultimately lost to someone else's expertise. Thus, while it was all well and good to lay out plans, good ideas required great ability to manifest.

And in a battle between wits and skill, skill won!

If Godhead Palace didn't want Tang Jie alive, he would already be a dead man.

Tang Jie wasn't afraid of losing once. But why hadn't Xi Canhen told him about this?

If he had known about the Spirit-Boiling Powder beforehand or about those nameless maidservants who had secretly performed the switch, he would have never let the poison touch him.

Did Xi Canhen not know, or was he trying to harm him?

Personally, he felt like the chances that Xi Canhen had sold him out were low, or else he could have laid out an ambush when Tang Jie had gone to meet Xi Shangyue.

But there was a chance that Godhead Palace preferred the basically invincible tracking technique of Spirit-Boiling Powder to an ambush.

Regardless, he had to confirm Xi Canhen's trustworthiness—a task which he prioritized over how to escape. With this thought in mind, Tang Jie flew toward the city.

This was an extremely bold way of doing things. In truth, this was the only chance he had to confirm Xi Canhen's allegiance. If he missed it, it might never come again.

"Big Brother, what are you saying?" everyone gasped in surprise.

Nan Ningjiang was unperturbed. "Before this battle, I secretly ordered Hall Master Li to send his best thief to switch out the Five Energies Sovereign Essence Pill once it was sold. The real Five Energies Sovereign Essence Pill was taken back long ago, and what's inside the bottle that was stolen is… Spirit-Boiling Powder."

After Old Fourth Liu won the pill, Nan Ningjiang had the two elders go and catch Tang Jie while he ordered Hall Master Li to "execute the plan", and this plan was to switch out the medicine.

Everyone gasped when Spirit-Boiling Powder was brought up.

Xi Canhen was even more alarmed. "'Spirit-Boiling Powder'? You put Spirit-Boiling Powder in the place of the Five Energies Sovereign Essence Pill? Then why didn't you tell us?"

He was inwardly frantic, as he knew well what it meant for Tang Jie to be struck by Spirit-Boiling Powder. If Tang Jie were captured, he would find it difficult to not blame himself. Moreover, Tang Jie was highly likely to suspect him and start to distrust him after this. After all, he had told Tang Jie everything except this most important fact. And it was precisely because he hadn't mentioned such a thing that Tang Jie had dropped his guard.

"Yes, if we knew that there was Spirit-Boiling Powder, why did we have to waste so much time chasing him?" another Hawk said.

Nan Ningjiang grunted, "That's exactly why I didn't tell you. If I told you, would you guys put everything into the battle? When you deal with Tang Jie, you have to put on the most authentic act possible. Moreover, Spirit-Boiling Powder is extremely valuable. If I could capture him now, why should I wait until next time? Thus, if possible, I would have hoped to not use it. By using it, it means that we've lost to him again at least one more time!"

Everyone was silenced by this argument.

It had to be said that they truly had suffered a wretched defeat against Tang Jie in this operation.

If not for Nan Ningjiang's back-up plan, the 12 Hawks might have lost so badly that they might never recover.

In truth, there was something else that Nan Ningjiang had left unsaid. He was taking precautions against a possible spy among them.

He wasn't particularly targeting Xi Canhen. It was just that the six major sects had infiltrated each other enough that a spy was commonplace. Even among the 12 Hawks, one couldn't be certain that there was no one from another sect among them.

That Xu Hanling was even a True Person, but wasn't he still an agent for both Beast Refining and Godhead?

This was exactly why Nan Ningjiang had told none of them.

In the earlier campaign, Tang Jie had already shown a rather thorough understanding of the 12 Hawks. It was understandable if he had learned it from Gu Changqing, but very suspicious if he had not.

With the Spirit-Boiling Powder added into the mix, if there was a spy, Tang Jie would undoubtedly suspect them.

The spy's best plan would be to immediately explain themselves to Tang Jie.

Thinking this, he calmly looked around.

Ninebind City was still covered in smoke, the sorrowful cries carried along by the wind.

But this group of Godhead Palace experts stood in the dust and smoke, none of them moving, all of them occupied with their thoughts.

They were weeping, laughing, raging, hating, their mood shifting around depending on what they were thinking. There was anger over their defeat, sorrow over the death of the fourth brother, and celebration over the Spirit-Boiling Powder.

But someone remained completely unmoved, as if they had turned to stone.

Yet while they said nothing, their body moved.

Nan Ningjiang raised an eyebrow, "Little Twelve, where are you going?"

Xi Canhen was always hidden, as if he didn't want anyone to see him. But as he walked away, Nan Ningjiang sensed what he was doing without even turning his head.

Xi Canhen stopped and replied, "I'm going to relieve myself."

"Oh? Is it urgent?" Nan Ningjiang asked with a smile.

"It's not too urgent."

"Then wait a little longer," Nan Ningjiang said. He took out an incense burner, which had a stick of incense already burning within it.

Nan Ningjiang sniffed it, and then he waved his hand. The map reappeared, and as he focused his eyes, purple dust appeared on the map.

Looking at the dust, Nan Ningjiang sighed. "What an excellent reaction, avoiding so much of it. The Spirit-Boiling Powder has yet to fully disperse, and the remaining medicinal power is still affecting the result, so we can't determine yet if Tang Jie has been poisoned. Let's wait. Once the lingering medicinal power has fully dispersed, the result will come out. So long as he has been poisoned, it doesn't matter where he runs… Hopefully, he can run straight to the Martial Lord's secret treasury and save us a lot of trouble."

Nan Ningjiang paused and added, "Until then, everyone will wait here for my orders and is not allowed to leave."

Xi Canhen raised an eyebrow.

He knew what this meant.

After some thought, he came over and said, "Big Brother, True Person He is still here."

While it seemed like he had good intentions, he was actually reminding He Yueyang of his status.

Sure enough, He Yueyang furrowed his brow in displeasure.

He was a Heart Demon True Person, his cultivation level above Nan Ningjiang's.

In the cultivation world, one's cultivation level was everything!

Even though Nan Ningjiang had been given an important mission thanks to his meticulous attitude, that didn't mean that he could casually order around He Yueyang. Just now, Nan Ningjiang had said that no one was allowed to leave, forgetting that he had to request this of He Yueyang, which ended up upsetting He Yueyang.

He Yueyang snorted and said, "This old man will return to the pavilion to rest. Call me if you need something."

Celestial Flower Pavilion was right behind them, so in doing this, he was also giving Nan Ningjiang some face. However, while he wasn't going far, he was ultimately still leaving.

Nan Ningjiang froze.

With someone leading the way, other people imitated him.

True Person Liang wasn't part of the 12 Hawks, so he simply smiled at Nan Ningjiang before following True Person He to the pavilion.

The others looked at each other, and then the fifth Hawk said to Nan Ningjiang, "Fourth Brother's body still hasn't been collected."

Nan Ningjiang nodded.

The fifth Hawk went into the pavilion.

Smoke was still rising in the distance, fires raging. The women of the 12 Hawks said, "The people in the city require treatment. As subordinates of Godhead Palace, we can't stand around and do nothing."

Nan Ningjiang nodded again.

With this, more than half of the group had dispersed.

Only then did Xi Canhen say, "Big Brother, I…"

"Go on, then," Nan Ningjiang replied.

Xi Canhen went over to a nearby shattered wall.

Once he was behind the wall, Xi Canhen bit his finger, and beads of blood seeped out.

He began to draw in the air, those beads of blood vanishing into the air. All this drawing seemed to be rather taxing to him.

Finally, Xi Canhen finished writing and drew back his hand, exhaling in relief.

Sensing something, he suddenly raised his head and saw Nan Ningjiang standing nearby.

His expression darkened.

Retreating Frost Abode.

This was Xi Shangyue's residence.

At this time, Xi Shangyue was inside, embroidering a shoe. Suddenly, she sensed something and raised her head, red light appearing in her eyes.

Red words began to appear in front of her.

"Big Brother!" Xi Shangyue shivered.

This was the contact method the two had agreed to use in only the most dire of circumstances. The appearance of these words scared Xi Shangyue out of her wits.

"Oh no!" Xi Shangyue hastily stood up and began to tidy up the things on her table. She then changed into a set of plain clothes and pushed open the door to leave.

But as she opened the door, another figure rushed in, seizing her and pushing her back into the room.

"Big Brother Tang!" Xi Shangyue shouted.

The one who had grabbed her was none other than Tang Jie, wearing a scowl on his face as he held her collar and sternly said, "Why didn't you tell me the 12 Hawks had Spirit-Boiling Powder? Talk!"

Xi Shangyue shouted, "Big Brother didn't know, either! The eldest of the 12 Hawks hid it from everyone!"

"Then how do you know now?"

"I just received a secret message from my brother."

"Let me see it!"

"I can't. It was sent through Blood Sigil Transmission, which only kin can use."

"Then how do I know that you're telling the truth?"

"This was a secret art recorded in the Demon Refining Art, one of the three manuals my brother received. I can write it out for you."

"That still needs to be verified, and I don't have much time. Why were you in a rush to leave after receiving the message?"

"This isn't the place to talk. If you expose my position, you'll burden my big brother. In order to draw you in, I used my real name!"

Tang Jie stopped.

He stared at Xi Shangyue and said, "Give me a reason to trust you."

Xi Shangyue stared back, not backing down. "I was the one who told you of this place. If we sold you out, this place would be packed with ambushers!"

Tang Jie smiled and let go. "Good argument."

In truth, the moment he seized Xi Shangyue, he knew that the Xi siblings probably didn't mean him harm. But to be absolutely sure, he had still put on an intimidating air. He hadn't expected this girl to have some of her brother's spirit, remaining calm enough to convince him despite the perilous situation. Tang Jie was very satisfied.

Sure enough, spending so long as a fugitive had strengthened her mind.

Seeing that Tang Jie had let go, Xi Shangyue said, "You have to leave this place at once. If the 12 Hawks come checking, they'll definitely suspect me."

"Don't worry. I understand the properties of Spirit-Boiling Powder somewhat. The Spirit-Boiling Powder that didn't get me is still working, spreading its power throughout the city, so the pursuit hasn't started yet."

"That's good," Xi Shangyue exhaled in relief. She looked at Tang Jie and said, "How much got on you?"

"Not a lot, but probably enough for them to chase me down."

Xi Shangyue's brows furrowed in concern. "Spirit-Boiling Powder is a famous lingering poison that clings to one like one's shadow. Big Brother Tang, now that it's gotten onto you…"

There was deep concern in her eyes.

"Don't worry. I have my ways. They haven't won just yet," Tang Jie indifferently said. "But there are some things that need to be swiftly addressed."

"Big Brother Tang, just say the word. The two of us will do everything we can to help you."

"Good. Firstly, find me everything you can about Spirit-Boiling Powder, in as much detail as you can. Secondly, find me everything you can about the eldest of the 12 Hawks, also in as much detail as you can provide. The third thing is this."

Tang Jie passed over a small book.

"This is…" Xi Shangyue curiously took it.

"Heart Consonance, a secret art of my Basking Moon Sect. Once you cultivate it, you can use it to communicate with me. It should be much better than that Blood Sigil Transmission."

"Wonderful," Xi Shangyue said. Once she took the book, Tang Jie turned to leave.

"Big Brother Tang!" Xi Shangyue shouted.

Tang Jie turned back and asked, "What is it?"

Xi Shangyue blinked her bright and large eyes.

"Stay safe."

Tang Jie nodded. "I will."

He charged out of the room and shot off into the sky.

Starting from now, he would be running for his life, and he would find it very hard to have another moment of leisure.

Outside Celestial Flower Pavilion.

Xi Canhen looked at Nan Ningjiang and said, "Peeking at others relieving themselves isn't a good habit."

Nan Ningjiang lowered his head and looked at him. "These are extraordinary times, and no one is allowed to be alone. I ask for Little Twelve's forgiveness. That said, your body is entirely concealed, so I can't even see anything."

"Why?" Xi Canhen asked.

"Tang Jie knew too much about us in this operation. Just Gu Changqing isn't enough for Tang Jie to know all this. I suspect that someone leaked information to him."

"Big Brother, are you suspecting me? Because I'm a Sagehearter?"

"It has nothing to do with background. I suspect everyone."

"But you're here right now."

"When I'm watching the others, I won't be giving you some special notice. Right, didn't you say that you had to relieve yourself? You've been standing there for a while and still haven't done anything." Nan Ningjiang smiled and pointed at the empty space in front of him. "While I can't see you, I should at least be able to see some liquid."

Xi Canhen coldly replied, "Big Brother truly has unique hobbies. Since you like it so much, you can watch."

He opened his pants and began to piss.

Once he was done, Xi Canhen went back.

Nan Ningjiang didn't move, his head still lowered.

He gazed at that distant water stain for a while before finally saying, "This little… It doesn't seem like he needed to piss that badly."