The Nine Cauldrons

Book 8 Chapter 57 A Hopeless Situation

The silent sacrifices were like the rains of Spring that had unknowingly permeated through his heart. The cups of hot tea, the caring words, the warm clothes and all the trivial things that seemed ordinary but able to warm the hearts of men had unknowingly kindled a special feeling for Li Jun in Teng Qingshan’s heart. Yet he was simply never aware of this feeling.

He did sense this particular affection, but…because he shared this mutual love with the wife in his previous life, he assumed that this affection he sensed was towards the wife in his previous life.

At this moment, he finally realized the significance of this girl who was willing to leave her hometown and sail the seas with him.

“Little Jun, you will be fine. You will be all right.” A teardrop rolled down his cheek and fell on Li Jun’s face.

“I must save her! I must!” Teng Qingshan’s mind was in a state of confusion. Suddenly, he shuddered and said, “The Dreamy White Fruit! The Dreamy White Fruit that can restore the flesh!”

The Dreamy Cloud White Fruit was one of the three greatest treasures in Duanmu Continent.

It could even save a dying man. Moreover, Teng Qingshan could still sense Li Jun’s vitality.

However…

Teng Qingshan had prepared the Dreamy Cloud White Fruit for his father to eat and stand again. Since Teng Qingshan had seen how Mu Yunji’s arms grew back, he knew that…the three remaining pieces of the Dreamy Cloud White Fruit were only enough for the full growth of his father’s legs. If he fed them to Li Jun…

His father’s legs would never be able to grow back completely.

How could Teng Qingshan choose?

“Brother Teng, can I check and see what poison afflicted Lady Jun?” The Great Elder Mu Wang offered as he walked over.

Teng Qingshan cast a glance at him and nodded.

Mu Wang placed his finger on Li Jun’s wrist. He sensed and observed for a moment and suddenly turned to face towards the Steel Sword Martial Saint Helian Haoyan. Simultaneously, he roared, “This poison is ‘Century of Sleep.’ The special poison of the Tianfeng Clan ‘Century of Sleep!’”

“Century of Sleep?” Teng Qingshan stared at the Steel Sword Martial Saint Helian Haoyan.

“Antidote!”

Teng Qingshan demanded loudly as he immediately darted towards Helian Haoyan.

“If you don’t want Lady Jun to die, you better stop.” Helian Haoyan said strictly.

However, Teng Qingshan didn’t even bother with Helian Haoyan’s threat.

“Hmph!” Helian Haoyan’s massive steel sword transformed into a sharp beam of silver light, piercing towards Teng Qingshan. In a rage of fury, Teng Qingshan roared deeply and grabbed the flat side of the huge sword with his clawlike right hand. As he exerted force… Bam! The right hand that was even tougher than godly weapons broke Helian Haoyan’s weapon into two!

Whew!

With a flip of his hand, he clutched Helian Haoyan’s throat!

“He just lost like that.”

Even after seeing what had happened, the Martial Saintess and Mu Wang still felt stunned. In the same moment during which Teng Qingshan faced Helian Haoyan, he destroyed his opponent’s weapon and captured his opponent.

Teng Qingshan’s strength and speed had overpowered Helian Haoyan’s. Thus, it wasn’t difficult for Teng Qingshan to capture Helian Haoyan immediately.

“Where is the antidote?” Teng Qingshan clutched Helian Haoyan’s throat and said in a deep tone.

Despite being choked, Helian Haoyan didn’t show any nervousness. Instead, he smiled and said, “Teng Qingshan, Mu Wang was right. This poison is indeed the Century of Sleep, which was specially made by the Tianfeng Clan. No other clans in this continent know the formula of this poison…However, I do not have the antidote of ‘Century of Sleep.’”

“You are wishing for death!” Teng Qingshan roared. His eyes turned cold and he glanced towards Mu Wang and asked, “Brother Mu, what is the effect of this Century of Sleep? How can it be cured?”

Mu Wang answered, “Century of Sleep is a colorless and odorless poison. If one inhaled too much, even if he were an Innate Expert, they would still lose consciousness.

“Lose consciousness? For how long?” Teng Qingshan asked.

“The name of this poison is ‘Century of Sleep.’ It is true that if the person who lost consciousness received great care, he or she would be able to stay unconscious for one hundred years.. However, the body will gradually age and the person will eventually die of old age while in a coma!” Mu Wang answered.

Teng Qingshan understood.

Someone afflicted with the Century of Sleep would be in a vegetative state.

“Helian Haoyan.” Teng Qingshan clutched Helian Haoyan’s throat and said in a deep tone, “I know the Tianfeng Clan wants the Blazing Flame Red Lotus. To fight against each other for the Blazing Flame Red Lotus is one thing, but to use such a despicable method as poison, you will be mocked and ridiculed by everyone! You, Helian Haoyan, are the future leader of the Tianfeng Clan.”

“I think your life is much more important than the antidote.”

“Give me the antidote and I will let you go. Otherwise…you will never see the rising sun today.” Teng Qingshan’s voice sounded very deep, and a suppressed rage could be sensed through his tone.

The Steel Sword Martial Saint stared at Teng Qingshan with a smile.

When the Steel Sword Martial Saint saw the few drops of tears that Teng Qingshan shed in front of Li Jun, he felt even more confident.

“Teng Qingshan, I already said that I possessed no antidote! I do not have the antidote right now…The antidote is hidden in the base of the Tianfeng Clan. If you really want to save Lady Li Jun, you just have to do something really easy. Just give me the Blazing Flame Red Lotus. I avow in the name of my clan that I will give you the antidote.” The Steel Sword Martial Saint grinned and said, “As for my life? You can kill me. If I die, this Lady Li Jun will die as well and you will die as well, even those boys in mid-air will lose their lives!”

Teng Qingshan narrowed his eyes as he stared at the Steel Sword Martial Saint coldly.

The Steel Sword Martial Saint was still smiling.

“Sister Jun.” Fu Yuping, who was on the Whole Gale Eagle’s back in mid-air, cried out as she sobbed.

“Sister Jun.” Tears welled up in Yang Dong’s eyes as well. Teng Shou remained silent, but he stared at the Steel Sword Martial Saint with eyes that flashed with a vicious and beastly glint.

“Little Grat, go. Leave first.” Teng Qingshan looked up and shouted. Simultaneously, he waved his hand and instructed, “Ah Shou, take care of them.”

The Whole Gale was as intelligent as a human being.

“Screech~~”

As it cried out, it carried Teng Shou, Yang Dong, Fu Yuping away from the Ox-Head Mountains, flying rapidly towards the Godly Axe Mountain.

Seeing that they had left, Teng Qingshan heaved a sigh of relief.

“The Blazing Flame Red Lotus for the antidote. If you want to save her, then give me the Blazing Flame Red Lotus.” The Steel Sword Martial Saint said with a smile.

“Helian Haotian, you have truly acted shamelessly for the Blazing Flame Red Lotus.” Mu Wang, who was at the side, laughed angrily and anxiously as he said, “The Nine Leaves Red Lotus…is extremely precious. You actually want to exchange the Nine Leaves Red Lotus with the antidote. The antidote in the Tianfeng Clan is not even as precious as a lotus seed. You have certainly thrown away your reputation.”

The Steel Sword Martial Saint cast a glance at Mu Wang and turned to look at Teng Qingshan. He then said, “Teng Qingshan, I didn’t force you. You can kill me now if you want.”

Teng Qingshan was livid.

He too knew that…threats are not very effective towards matter Golden Dan Innate Experts with resolution and determination. However, if he really did kill the Steel Sword Martial Saint Helian Haoyan, the situation would become even worse.

“Helian Haoyan.” Teng Qingshan roared furiously, “You are the number one Martial Saint of the Northern Frosty Region and probably the one in the Tianfeng Clan with the highest potential to attain Emptiness Realm and become the Martial Immortal. You might be the next Tianfeng Martial Saint in the future!”

A sense of hope flashed past the Steel Sword Martial Saint’s eyes. The new Tianfeng Martial Immortal? Of course he wanted to achieve that. That was his dream!

He instantly repressed the emotions revealed just now.

Teng Qingshan naturally noticed as he continued speaking, “However, to obtain the Blazing Flame Red Lotus, you actually had no fear of death. Haha…Great! The Tianfeng Clan is going to pursue and kill me for the Blazing Flame Red Lotus. Even if I don’t kill you, the Tianfeng Clan will kill me anyway. So why don’t I kill you first? This way, even if die, at least I gained something!”

The Steel Sword Martial Saint’s pupils contracted.

“One sentence—”

Teng Qingshan said, “The antidote or your life, choose please! You only have three seconds to think about this. If there’s no result, I will definitely kill you.

“I really don’t have the antidote.” The Steel Sword Martial Saint said hastily, “It’s in the base of the clan.”

“One!” Teng Qingshan said indifferently.

It’s only at the base of the clan? Teng Qingshan didn’t believe his words. The Steel Sword Martial Saint wasn’t someone that would force himself into a dead end.

“Teng Qingshan, I really don’t have it! You are forcing us to die together.” The Steel Sword Martial Saint said anxiously.

“Two!” Teng Qingshan sneered and replied, “Don’t worry. The Tianfeng Clan doesn’t have the power to kill me now…Your Tianfeng Martial Immortal has not reach the completion of the Emptiness Realm. Since he doesn’t know how to fly, how can he catch me?”

“You…”

The Steel Sword Martial Saint shuddered. In reality, he was really afraid that Teng Qingshan might kill him.

He still wanted to be the new Tianfeng Martial Immortal.

Dying because of an antidote was really not worth it.

“Three!” Teng Qingshan shouted coldly. Hearing this, the Steel Sword Martial Saint quivered.

“If you are truly a tough man, then die.” Teng Qingshan said indifferently. Simultaneously, his right hand began to clench down.

“Wait!”

The Steel Sword Martial Saint hastily yelled. He then flicked a glance at Teng Qingshan and said with a bitter smile, “You have won!”

Teng Qingshan heaved a sigh of relief. If he really killed the Steel Sword Martial Saint, then he would have bought ruin upon himself.

“Where is the antidote?” Teng Qingshan inquired.

The Steel Sword Martial Saint hesitated slightly.

“Quick take it out.” Teng Qingshan yelled as the grip of his right hand tightened.

“I will give it to you.” The Steel Sword Martial Saint sighed and took out a seemingly ordinary piece of silver. “This silver is fake. The surface is covered with a silver foil and the antidote is hidden within.”

Teng Qingshan then heaved a sigh of relief as he took the antidote.

“Brother Teng, how did you know that he has the antidote with him?” Mu Wang said in surprise.

Teng Qingshan answered indifferently, “Helian Haoyan will not let himself die because of an antidote. Therefore, he will definitely bring the antidote to take precaution!”

Teng Qingshan turned and walked towards Li Jun. Simultaneously, he peeled the silver and notice a dark green pill within the cavity. He wasn’t worried about the authenticity of the antidote….Unless Helian Haoyan really wanted to die. Yet, Teng Qingshan didn’t notice that…the eerie smile that crept up Steel Sword Martial Saint Helian Haoyan’s face at this moment.

Whoosh!

Helian Haoyan retreated rapidly.

“Eh?” Teng Qingshan turned and his facial expression changed as he shouted, “Helian Haoyan, you are courting death!”

At the same time, he went after Helian Haoyan. Because of Helian Haoyan’s escape, he suspected that the antidote was poisonous.

“Haha, the antidote is not poisonous. However….Lady Jun will not need it anymore.” Helian Haoyan guffawed and shouted, “I was stalling for time, yet you didn’t even notice. Haha…”

In the midst of the laughter, the countenance of Mu Wang and the Martial Saintess Jiang Yan changed drastically.

Teng Qingshan’s face paled as he looked up and saw—

An enormous pure white great condor enveloped by a strange silverish grey glow appeared above. On the back of the great condor was a cold-looking, silver-haired man dressed in black cloak. He looked down and his frigid eyes made Teng Qingshan, Mu Wang, and Jiang Yan feel as if they had fallen through ice.

Just one glance was enough to make Teng Qingshan feel a terrifying pressure.

“Tianfeng Martial Immortal!” Teng Qingshan knew that he had been tricked by the Steel Sword Martial Saint!