Chapter 218: Countermeasures

Ah!

A sudden, miserable scream erupted across the open ground, and then the many headquarters Phase Crafters present watched in sheer horror as the branch Phase Crafters began to bleed black blood from their seven orifices, one after another, and collapsed backward.

Their bodies hit the ground with a dull thud, like heavy hammers, making everyone's vision swim and sending a chill straight to their scalps.

The situation descended into chaos in an instant.

People cried out in panic, rushing to support the fallen Phase Crafters, shouting loudly in an attempt to wake them.

"Do not panic! Check their vitals!"

At this moment, a sharp voice rang out. Jiang Qing'e walked over quickly, her expression icy, and the calmness in her voice helped steady the panicked crowd.

Jiang Qing'e brought Cai Wei and Yan Lingqing to Li Luo's side and said, "It seems this is Pei Hao's follow-up move. He laced the gift package he sent with poison."

Cai Wei's beautiful, oval-shaped face was also covered in frost at this moment, and she gritted her teeth, saying, "What a vicious method from this Pei Hao!"

"He determined from the very beginning that the Young Mansion Master would accept these branch Phase Crafters, so he poisoned them. I fear his goal is to have these branch Phase Crafters die of poison right here at the Xiyang House headquarters."

Yan Lingqing's eyes were cold as she added, "I fear Pei Hao's other tactics have already been set in motion. Perhaps at this very moment, news that the Luolan Mansion poisoned the Xiyang House branch Phase Crafters is already spreading throughout Daxia City. He intends to destroy Xiyang House's reputation within the Daxia City Phase Crafter circle."

"He might even spread rumors that these branch Phase Crafters were poisoned because they used the secret method source water provided by Li Luo, and that this source water is defective."

"Rational people might not believe such rumors, but the reason rumors are terrifying is that once they spread to a certain extent, truth and falsehood no longer matter."

"This stain will remain on Xiyang House forever. From now on, I fear no other Phase Crafters will be willing to join Xiyang House."

"He wants to... completely destroy Xiyang House."

There was no expression on Li Luo's face; the gentle smile he usually wore had vanished completely. However, those who knew him well understood that in this state, Li Luo had truly been moved to kill.

"What do you intend to do?" Jiang Qing'e asked calmly, her eyes fixed on Li Luo.

Li Luo took a deep breath, suppressing the murderous intent in his heart, and said, "Actually, I had guessed that he might poison these branch Phase Crafters, so I had arranged for healers to check their bodies over the past few days, but the result was always that they were normal."

"Clearly, the poison Pei Hao used is not ordinary. That sound wave from earlier must have been the trigger for the poison to take effect. This Pei Hao has been watching us every moment."

"But it is useless to talk about that now. Sister Lingqing's earlier guess was spot on; Pei Hao's goal is to destroy Xiyang House."

His gaze met Jiang Qing'e's. Xiyang House was an important source of income for the Luolan Mansion. If Xiyang House were destroyed, the Luolan Mansion's financial situation would be severely crippled, which would then have a ripple effect, directly causing instability within the Luolan Mansion.

Could it be that Pei Hao made such a ruthless move because his backers were urging him to launch further attacks against the Luolan Mansion?

And what would the final goal be?

It goes without saying.

It is to destroy the "Strange Array" protecting the Luolan Mansion headquarters.

"We cannot let these Phase Crafters die of poison at the headquarters," Jiang Qing'e said slowly.

If Phase Crafters really died here, then they would truly be left with no choice but to let others smear them with filth.

Li Luo nodded. He looked into the distance, where a few figures were rushing over, and said, "These are the healers I invited in advance. They were originally for emergencies, but looking at it now, it's a good thing I did."

Jiang Qing'e nodded in approval. Preparing healers in advance—even if it was uncertain whether they could cure the poison—was still better than scrambling to find healers everywhere now.

A group of healers arrived in a hurry, and when they saw the Phase Crafters on the ground bleeding black blood from their seven orifices, their expressions changed drastically.

"Please, everyone, try to detoxify them immediately. If you cannot, then analyze the necessary antidotes as quickly as possible, and I will procure them immediately," Li Luo said with a grave expression, having no time for pleasantries upon seeing them.

"I ask that you all give it your best effort. Once this matter is over, the Luolan Mansion will reward you handsomely."

The healers agreed one after another and began to examine and attempt to treat the poisoned victims.

However, after half an incense stick of time, the healers came to report with troubled expressions: "Young Mansion Master, the poison these people are suffering from is quite rare and extremely potent. Our efforts have only delayed the time it takes for the poison to consume their hearts, but neutralizing it will be quite difficult."

Li Luo was not surprised by this. If the poison Pei Hao used were so easily neutralized, it wouldn't have been worth him going to such great lengths.

"Have you analyzed what antidote materials can be used?" Li Luo asked. To help the young Emperor, he had also crammed some knowledge about healers.

The healers conferred for a moment, then took out a piece of paper, scribbled some things down, and said, "We do need some antidote materials. If the Young Mansion Master can procure them quickly, it will surely be of great help in neutralizing the poison."

Li Luo took the paper and nodded.

He summoned Elder Zheng Ping and said, "Procure these materials listed here immediately."

Elder Zheng Ping's expression was grave as he quickly accepted the order and left.

Beside him, Jiang Qing'e's eyes flickered as she said, "If these materials can be effective, given Pei Hao's methods, he may well have made preparations for this."

Li Luo narrowed his eyes and said, "You mean he will buy up these important antidote materials first?"

Jiang Qing'e nodded slightly and said, "After all, Pei Hao is not alone. There is a black hand supporting him from behind, so he should have the financial resources to do so."

"At a time like this, as long as he can delay things for a while, once the poison consumes their hearts, these branch Phase Crafters will surely die. At that point, his goal will have been achieved."

Li Luo let out a deep breath. This Pei Hao was truly worthy of being a key general of the Luolan Mansion; this attack was truly chillingly ruthless.

"If there is still any place in Daxia City where these special antidote materials can be procured, I fear there is only one..." Jiang Qing'e looked at Li Luo.

Li Luo nodded at this moment as well. He certainly knew where Jiang Qing'e was referring to. In Daxia City, the place with the most abundant resources was naturally none other than the Long Baoxing.

"However, things might not go smoothly over there, so..." She smiled softly at Li Luo.

"You might have to trouble yourself to make a personal trip to the Long Baoxing."

"After all, you still have some connections there."

Li Luo smiled helplessly. He certainly knew the connection Jiang Qing'e was referring to was Lu Qinger, but the situation was urgent, and there was no time to say anything else, so he nodded immediately.

"I will set off now." He was decisive and turned to leave.

As Li Luo turned to leave, a burly figure followed closely behind him with several others.

"Pavilion Master Lei Zhang will escort you. You don't need to worry about the Xiyang House headquarters; I will oversee it personally," Jiang Qing'e's voice came.

Li Luo paused, said nothing more, just nodded, and quickly headed off with Lei Zhang and the others.