Chapter 400

The golden poisonous insect finally found an opening, flying out from the wound on Wen Ya's left wrist; before it could escape to safety, it was already solidified by the icy Xuan Yin cold air. The orchid‑colored light in Wen Ya's eyes shot like a cold arrow, locking onto the golden insect, and she struck it with a sudden palm, smashing it to pieces.

Translation: The golden poisonous insect finally found a breach, flying out from the wound on Wen Ya's left wrist; before it could escape to safety, it was already solidified by the icy Profound Yin chill. A orchid‑colored light gleamed in Wen Ya's eyes like a cold arrow, locking onto the golden insect; she suddenly struck with a palm, smashing the golden poisonous insect to pieces.

orchid‑colored light gleamed like a cold arrow

Her internal energy rose to its peak, her body becoming increasingly translucent; dozens of golden specks of light flickered in the region of her heart, each about the size of a grain of rice—these were the eggs left by the golden poisonous insect before it could flee her meridians.

Translation: Her internal energy peaked, her body becoming increasingly translucent; dozens of golden specks of light flickered in the region of her heart, each about the size of a grain of rice—these were the eggs the golden poisonous insect had left inside her meridians before fleeing.

dozens of golden specks of light flickered in the region of her heart

Wen Ya's pretty face showed an expression of extreme terror.

Translation: Wen Ya's pretty face showed an expression of extreme terror.

Hu Xiaotian spread his palms, palms facing upward, his hair standing on end strand by strand; his tightly shut eyes snapped open, now blood‑red, the muscles on his face twitching incessantly, his once handsome visage twisted and deformed, his skin flushed crimson, his teeth grinding, his chest rhythmically bulging outward, feeling as if he were a ball on the verge of explosion.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian spread his palms, palms facing up, his hair standing on end strand by strand; his tightly shut eyes snapped open, already blood‑red, the muscles on his face twitching incessantly, his formerly handsome visage twisted and deformed, his skin flushed crimson, his teeth grinding, his chest rhythmically swelling outward, feeling like a ball on the verge of explosion.

Hu Xiaotian was scorching to the extreme, while Wen Ya was freezing to the extreme.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian was hot to the extreme, while Wen Ya was cold to the extreme.

Lin Wan slowly combed her long hair before a bronze mirror, gazing at her own reflection, feeling dim and sorrowful; she seemed to see a familiar face in the mirror, the corners of her mouth lifting in an incredulous smile, then she turned sharply—and there stood Ji Feihua in her shadow.

Translation: Lin Wan slowly combed her long hair before a bronze mirror, gazing at her reflection, she felt despondent; it seemed she saw a familiar face in the mirror, the corners of her mouth lifting in an incredulous smile, she whirled around—and indeed saw Ji Feihua standing in her shadow.

Crystal‑clear tears shimmered in Lin Wan's eyes; her voice trembled with emotion as she said, "I thought you would never come to see me again."

Translation: Crystal‑clear tears glimmered in Lin Wan's eyes; moved, her voice trembled as she said, "I thought you would never come to see me again."

Ji Feihua's expression was as cold as ice, and she spoke indifferently: "Why interfere in the affairs of the Mingyue Palace?"

Translation: Ji Feihua's expression was icy as frost, her voice indifferent: "Why interfere in the affairs of the Bright Moon Palace?"

The smile on Lin Wan's face faded at his words: "I thought you had come especially to see me."

Translation: The smile on Lin Wan's face faded at those words: "I thought you had come especially to see me."

"I've told you many times not to provoke Hu Xiaotian—can't you hear me?"

Translation: "How many times have I told you not to provoke Hu Xiaotian? Can't you hear my words?"

Lin Wan lifted her pretty face, walked slowly toward Ji Feihua, and with a glimmer of lost tears in her beautiful eyes she said, "You actually came for a little eunuch, and you actually scold me over a eunuch?"

Translation: Lin Wan lifted her pretty face, walked slowly toward Ji Feihua, her beautiful eyes shimmering with lost tears: "You actually came for a little eunuch, and you actually scold me over a eunuch?"

Ji Feihua suddenly shot out her hand and seized Lin Wan's throat; a murderous intent flickered across her bewitching, charming pretty face as she said, "Wench, listen to me—if you dare ruin my plans, don't blame me for forgetting our past affection."

Translation: Ji Feihua suddenly shot out a hand, seizing Lin Wan's throat in one grip; her bewitching, alluring face flickered with killing intent: "Wench, listen well—if you dare ruin my plans, don't blame me for forgetting our past affection."

Lin Wan was choked until she could barely breathe; just as she was about to suffocate, Ji Feihua released her, shoved her to the ground, and Lin Wan fell prone, clutching her throat and coughing dryly. It took a while for her to recover, and while the physical pain was bad, the emotional anguish was even worse—Ji Feihua's cold ruthlessness made her tears pour down like rain.

Translation: Lin Wan was choked until she could barely breathe; just as she was about to suffocate, Ji Feihua released her, shoved her to the ground, Lin Wan fell prone, clutching her throat, coughing dryly, only after a long while did she catch her breath—compared to the physical pain, the inner anguish and torment were even more excruciating; Ji Feihua's coldness and ruthlessness made her tears pour down like rain.

Ji Feihua said, "However you brought that palace maid here, you will take her back the same way; from now on you are forbidden to set foot in the Mingyue Palace, and you must not interfere in Hu Xiaotian's affairs."

Translation: Ji Feihua said: "However you brought that palace maid here, you shall send her back the same way; from now on you are forbidden to set foot in the Bright Moon Palace, and you are also forbidden to meddle in Hu Xiaotian's affairs."

Lin Wan bit her lip hard, feeling as if her heart were being cut by a knife; she resentfully nodded and said, "In your heart, my status is actually lower than that of a eunuch."

Translation: Lin Wan bit her lip hard, feeling her heart cut like a knife; she angrily nodded and said, "In your heart, my status is actually lower than that of a eunuch."

Ji Feihua said nothing, gazing at Lin Wan's anguished expression; her eyes finally softened a little, and she whispered, "I just don't want you to get too involved."

Translation: Ji Feihua said nothing, gazing at Lin Wan's grief‑stricken expression; her eyes finally showed a hint of softening, and she whispered, "I merely don't want you to become overly entangled in this."

Lin Wan, tears in her eyes, said, "You clearly know I would die for you, yet why are you so cold and heartless toward me? Do you realize how worried I've been since I learned you sacrificed your inner strength to save that lowly person? You vanished last night, and I stayed awake all night praying for you. Now that you have returned safely, my heart finally settles—no one in this world treats you better than I do."

Translation: Lin Wan, tears streaming, said: "You clearly know I would die for you, yet you treat me so coldly and ruthlessly. Do you realize how worried I have been since I learned you spared no internal energy to save that wretch? You vanished last night, I stayed awake all night praying for you. Now that you have returned safely, my heart finally settles—no one in this world treats you better than I do."

Ji Feihua replied calmly, "The miscellaneous household has taken it to heart."

Translation: Ji Feihua replied indifferently, "The Zajia have taken it to heart."

Hearing those two words 'miscellaneous household,' Lin Wan's heart felt as if it had been viciously stabbed; she gritted her teeth and said, "I have never asked you for anything—just treat me a little better, even if you show me the faintest smile, and I will be content."

Translation: Upon hearing those two words "Zajia," Lin Wan's heart felt as if stabbed fiercely again; she gritted her teeth and said, "I have never asked you for anything; you need only treat me a little better—even a faint smile would make me content."

Ji Feihua said, "I didn't come here to hear you say these things; keeping you away from the Mingyue Palace is for your own good—Wen Ya is anything but simple."

Translation: Ji Feihua said, "I came this time not to hear you say these things; keeping you away from the Bright Moon Palace is for your own good—Wen Ya is anything but simple."

Lin Wan said, "You clearly know her injury might be a trap, so why would you still expend your inner energy to save her?"

Translation: Lin Wan said, "You clearly know her injury might be a trap, yet you still spare no internal energy to save her."

Ji Feihua asked, "What exactly is the connection between Hong Beimo and Sumiti?"

Translation: Ji Feihua asked, "What exactly is the relationship between Hong Beimo and Xu Mi Tian?"

Lin Wan replied, "I don't know; the only thing I'm aware of is that Jielong betrayed Sumiti and followed Hong Beimo."

Translation: Lin Wan replied, "I don't know; the only thing I'm certain of is that Jie Long betrayed Xu Mi Tian and followed Hong Beimo."

Ji Feihua narrowed her eyes and said, "Sumiti? I've heard that in Miao territory there once existed a brief but glorious kingdom."

Translation: Ji Feihua narrowed her eyes: "Xu Mi Tian? I've heard that in the Miao borderlands there once existed a short‑lived but glorious kingdom."

Lin Wan said, "The Lan Yue Kingdom—they followed a matrilineal system, honored women, excelled in using poisons, and the present Five Immortals Sect is merely a remnant of that fallen kingdom."

Translation: Lin Wan said, "Lan Yue Kingdom—they venerate matriliney, honor women as supreme, excel in using poisons; the present Wuxian Sect is merely a remnant of that fallen kingdom."

Ji Feihua asked, "Have you ever heard of the Myriad Poison Spirit Body?"

Translation: Ji Feihua asked, "Have you ever heard of the Myriad Poison Spiritual Body?"

Lin Wan nodded, fear flashing in her eyes, and said, "I've heard that the selection of the Lan Yue Kingdom's monarch resembles the process of refining poisonous insects—survival of the fittest. It is said the king mastered a method to select a suitable body, temper it with various poisons and medicines, then transfer his consciousness into that body, thereby keeping the flesh immortal and achieving eternal life."

Translation: Lin Wan nodded, fear flashing in her eyes: "I've heard that the selection of the Lan Yue Kingdom's monarch is like the process of refining poisonous insects—survival of the fittest. It is said the king can master a method, select a suitable body, temper it with various poisons and drugs, then transfer his consciousness into that body, thereby keeping the flesh immortal and achieving eternal life."

Ji Feihua said, "Strictly speaking, it is the physical body that dies, but one's power and consciousness can continue through a new body, somewhat akin to the Western Regions' doctrine of reincarnatory spiritual penetration."

Translation: Ji Feihua said, "Strictly speaking, it is the flesh that dies, but the power and consciousness can continue through a new body, somewhat akin to the reincarnation spiritual penetration of the Western Regions teachings."

Lin Wan, unaware why Ji Feihua brought this up, whispered, "It is said the last queen of the Lan Yue Kingdom achieved the Myriad Poison Spirit Body, but when she attempted to transfer her consciousness into the spirit body she was attacked, her effort fell short, and thereafter the world lost the method to cultivate the Myriad Poison Spirit Body."

Translation: Lin Wan, unaware why Ji Feihua brought this up, said softly, "It is said the last queen of Lan Yue Kingdom cultivated the Myriad Poison Spiritual Body, but when she attempted to transfer her consciousness into that spiritual body she was attacked, her effort fell short, and thereafter the method of cultivating the Myriad Poison Spiritual Body was lost from this world."

Ji Feihua said, "I don't know whether Sumiti possesses such an ability."

Translation: Ji Feihua said, "I don't know whether Xu Mi Tian possesses such ability."

"Impossible—no one in this world will ever succeed in cultivating it again."

Translation: "Impossible—no one in this world will ever succeed in cultivating it again."

Wen Ya's body was enveloped in a layer of white frost, yet her heartbeat grew ever more violent as she tried to shake loose the golden insect eggs clinging to the inner wall of her heart; the eggs remained firmly attached no matter how hard she struggled, and her beautiful eyes filled with dread.

Translation: Wen Ya's body became coated with a layer of white frost, her heartbeat growing ever more violent as she tried to shake loose the golden insect eggs clinging to the inner wall of her heart—but the eggs remained firmly attached, no matter how hard she struggled there was no slack at all, and her beautiful eyes filled with dread.

At that moment Hu Xiaotian rose to his feet amid roars, gazing at Wen Ya's exquisite body; his breathing grew ever more ragged, his blood‑red tiger eyes seeming to blaze. If this continued, even if he avoided being burned by inner fire, his meridians would rupture and kill him—his channels writhed like earthworms, rising and falling in an eerie, terrifying pattern. Wen Ya forced seven Scarlet Yang Burning Yin pills into his mouth; this medicine specifically counters the Xuan cold Yin evil aura. Ji Feihua had Hu Xiaotian slip these into Wen Ya's diet because she suspected Wen Ya possessed ultimate Xuan Yin inner force, and the earlier injury from the Ice Soul Asura Palm might have been a feint; only by this bitter‑ploy could she deceive everyone and conceal Wen Ya's true Xuan Yin ability.

Translation: At that moment Hu Xiaotian rose to his feet amid a roar, gazing at Wen Ya's exquisite body, his breathing grew ever more ragged, his blood‑red tiger eyes seeming to blaze outright. If this continued, even if he would not be burned by internal fire, his meridians would rupture and kill him; the channels throughout his body writhed like earthworms, rising and falling, appearing extraordinarily eerie and terrifying. Wen Ya forced seven Scorching Yang Eliminating Yin Pills into his mouth, this medicine specifically counters the Profound Cold Yin Malevolent Qi. Ji Feihua had Hu Xiaotian slip these into Wen Ya's diet because she suspected Wen Ya herself possessed extreme Profound Yin internal energy; the earlier injury from the Ice Soul Asura Palm was likely a feint, and only by using this bitter‑plum stratagem could she deceive everyone's eyes and conceal the fact that Wen Ya wielded Profound Yin power.

Although the name 'Scarlet Yang Burning Yin Pill' sounds domineering, it is actually a slow‑acting poison; taking one a day shows no abnormality, but the seven pills have different formulas, their effects accumulating in the body until the final dose triggers them completely. Ji Feihua acted meticulously, lacking certainty whether Wen Ya truly possessed Xuan Yin power, so she used this method to subtly control Wen Ya—even if Wen Ya had immense Xuan Yin ability, once the Scarlet Yang Burning Yin gall merged into her blood, it could shatter her Xuan Yin arts.

Translation: Although the name Scorching Yang Eliminating Yin Pill sounds domineering, it is in fact a chronic poison/drug; taking one a day shows no abnormality, the seven pills have different formulas—first the medicinal properties accumulate in the body, only after the last pill is consumed does the potency fully erupt. Ji Feihua acts meticulously; lacking certainty whether Wen Ya possesses Profound Yin power, she employs this method to unknowingly bring Wen Ya under control—even if Wen Ya wielded immense Profound Yin ability, once the Scorching Yang Eliminating Yin Gallbladder merges with her blood, it can also shatter her Profound Yin skill.

However, Ji Feihua's plan had one oversight: she did not expect Wen Ya to suddenly attack Hu Xiaotian. Hu Xiaotian never even got a chance to administer the drug before Wen Ya forced him to swallow the Scarlet Yang Burning Yin pills. Moreover, Hu Xiaotian took all seven at once and was then bitten by a poisonous scorpion whose venom is intensely yang, causing him to feel as if his body were engulfed in blazing fire. He tried to quell the raging internal fire with Li Yuncong's taught 'Formless Divine Skill,' but to no avail.

Translation: Yet Ji Feihua's plan was leak‑tight in a hundred ways but missed one: she never expected Wen Ya would suddenly strike at Hu Xiaotian; Hu Xiaotian didn't even have a chance to administer the drug before Wen Ya forced him to swallow seven Scorching Yang Eliminating Yin Pills. Moreover, Hu Xiaotian took all seven at once, then was bitten by a poisonous scorpion whose venom is intensely yang, giving him the sensation of being engulfed in blazing fire; he tried to use the Formless Divine Skill taught by Li Yuncong to quell the raging internal fire, but to no avail.

At this moment Hu Xiaotian's only thought was to find a cold place to cool down.

Translation: At this moment Hu Xiaotian's sole thought was to find a cold place to cool down.

The Xuan Yin cold aura emanating from Wen Ya's whole body acted like a magnet, drawing Hu Xiaotian toward her step by step.

Translation: The Profound Yin chill emanating from Wen Ya's whole body acted like a magnet, drawing Hu Xiaotian toward her step by step.

Wen Ya continued striving to expel the insect eggs from her body; her heartbeat had reached the limit she could endure, the eggs had sunk deep into her heart muscle, almost becoming one with it, and she seemed to glimpse her tragic fate—the blood‑shadow golden toad. She did not know where Hu Xiaotian had obtained such a supreme poisonous insect; although she could use yin to counter yang to drive out the mature worms, facing eggs already embedded in her heart left her powerless. To prevent the eggs from reviving and hatching, the only remaining option was to freeze her heart entirely—but that would also suspend her life, amounting to seeking death herself.

Translation: Wen Ya continued striving to expel the insect eggs from her body, her heartbeat having reached the limit she could endure; the eggs had sunk deep into her heart muscle, as if fused with it, Wen Ya seemed to behold her tragic fate—the Blood Shadow Golden Beetle. She did not know where Hu Xiaotian had obtained such a supreme poisonous insect; although she could use yin to repel yang to drive out the mature worm, faced with eggs already embedded in her heart she was powerless. To prevent the eggs from reviving and hatching, the only remaining option was to freeze her heart solid—but that would also suspend her life, leaving her in a state tantamount to seeking death herself.

Wen Ya's phoenix eyes widened in despair as she lamented, "Is it truly my destiny as Sumiti to meet my end here?"

Translation: Wen Ya's phoenix eyes widened as she despaired aloud: "Could it be that I, Xu Mi Tian, am destined to meet my end here?"

If Hu Xiaotian heard Wen Ya's words, he would likely be so shocked he might swallow his own tongue; the Wen Ya before him was not Le Yao but the Sumiti famed as the world's foremost poison master. Even if he were sober hearing that, he would not believe it, especially now with his mind muddled.

Translation: If Hu Xiaotian were to hear Wen Ya's words, he would likely be so shocked he'd swallow his own tongue; the Wen Ya before him was not Le Yao but the Xu Mi Tian famed as the world's foremost poison master. Even if Hu Xiaotian were lucid hearing that, he would not believe it—much less now, with his mind muddled,

As Wen Ya lay in utter despair, she suddenly felt someone tightly embrace her from behind, the person's body like a blazing flame, scorching hot—who else could it be but Hu Xiaotian? Her eyebrows knit in fury as she recalled that her miserable state was entirely his doing; burning with anger, she wrenched free from his hold and slammed her right palm hard into his chest.

Translation: As Wen Ya lay in utter despair, she suddenly felt herself tightly embraced from behind, the other's body like a blazing furnace, scorching hot—who else could it be but Hu Xiaotian? Her brows knit in fury as she recalled that her present misery was entirely his doing; blazing with anger, she wrenched free of his hold and slammed her right palm hard into his chest.

Although Wen Ya exerted all her strength, after this great tribulation her internal power had been depleted by half as she struggled to expel the blood‑shadow golden toad; this palm strike carried less than a third of her peak force, yet it still sent Hu Xiaotian's body flying backward with a single blow.

Translation: Though Wen Ya exerted all her strength, after enduring this great tribulation her internal energy had been depleted by more than half in order to drive out the Blood Shadow Golden Beetle; this strike carried less than a third of her peak power, yet it still sent Hu Xiaotian's body flying backward with a single palm.

Hu Xiaotian's back struck the screen, smashing it to pieces; the screen was not inherently that fragile, but when Wen Ya used her internal force to drive out the blood‑shadow golden toad, the Xuan Yin cold air from her body lowered the ambient temperature below freezing, affecting the surrounding objects' texture and making them brittle enough to shatter on impact.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian's back struck the screen, smashing it to pieces; in fact the screen was not originally that fragile, but when Wen Ya used internal force to expel the Blood Shadow Golden Beetle, the Profound Yin chill within her lowered the ambient temperature below freezing, affecting the texture of surrounding objects and rendering them brittle.

Hu Xiaotian felt no pain from Wen Ya's palm; instead, a chill seeped into his body, cooling his about‑to‑burst chest and giving him a refreshing, exhilarating sensation.

Translation: Hu Xiaotian felt no pain from Wen Ya's palm; instead a chill seeped into his body, the chest that was about to swell and burst felt cool and refreshing, a wave of relief.

Last day of the Double Period, update settings are as follows: this chapter is a guaranteed update; every 200 Monthly Tickets yields one chapter update, no upper limit! Settlement is unified at 10 p. m. I believe you all still have many saved tickets; past this village, there will be no such shop. Zhangyu has persisted without letup during the Double Period, although the results are not ideal, but Zhangyu has never given up. At the critical moment, hoping for support, anticipating a surprise! Brothers and sisters, let's seize this last opportunity and charge upward! (To be continued~^~)