323: Chapter 323 Puppet Pill

Looking at the description of the Heavenly Dao Trait [Blade God], Qin Changsheng’s eyes were filled with joy.

Every characteristic of this Heavenly Dao Trait [Blade God] could be called Heaven-Defying, especially the cultivation amplification, comprehension amplification, and synchronous Sharing, which gave his combat power a qualitative leap.

Moreover, the Pressure could make Qin Changsheng no longer fear any Cultivator who used Saber Techniques.

Qin Changsheng subconsciously raised his hand and, following the opening stance of the "Mountain Splitting Blade," slowly delivered a slash.

In an instant, a majestic saber momentum condensed, sweeping forward like Mount Tai pressing down; the gravel on the small courtyard floor was compressed by the saber momentum, sinking slightly;

At the same time, a strand of condensed golden Blade Qi burst from the long saber, carrying a sharp edge, shooting straight towards a tree trunk a hundred feet away. With a "chi la" sound, the trunk was instantly severed, the cut smooth and flat.

Qin Changsheng put away the long saber and looked in the direction of the Flowing Fire Sect.

Now that Wang Cheng’s mission had failed and Liu Xinbing was dead, Wang Cheng’s return to the Flowing Fire Sect would inevitably lead to punishment and suspicion, and there was even the possibility of his demise.

However, Qin Changsheng still let Wang Cheng return to the Flowing Fire Sect.

Because Wang Cheng was merely Qin Changsheng’s Incarnation.

Even if he were killed by Shen Guhong, Qin Changsheng would only need a single Spirit Stone to resurrect Wang Cheng.

If he wasn't killed by Shen Guhong, Wang Cheng could still remain an undercover agent within the Yao Race.

...

Flowing Fire Sect.

Inside the Liuhuo Hall, Shen Guhong sat on a Black Iron chair, his expression so gloomy it looked like it could drip water.

His gaze was like a blade, staring fixedly at Wang Cheng kneeling below.

Wang Cheng knelt on the ground, not daring to look up at Shen Guhong at all.

Shen Guhong’s gaze fell on Wang Cheng like a physical weight, carrying a bone-chilling coldness and scrutiny. After a long while, he slowly spoke: "You say Liu Xinbing is dead? And the mission I entrusted to you has also failed?"

As his voice fell, the Pressure around Shen Guhong suddenly surged, and a majestic Peak Golden Core aura swept out, pressing down until Wang Cheng’s whole body trembled slightly, as if it were about to crush his frame.

Without any hesitation, Wang Cheng hurriedly nodded heavily: "Reporting to Revered Master, it is your Disciple's incompetence! Junior Brother Liu... he was killed by Hu Nan inside the Altar of the Tianyuan Secret Realm, and those boxes were also snatched away by other Cultivators!"

He deliberately pushed all the blame onto Hu Nan, downplaying the major issues while focusing on the minor ones, which explained both the cause of Liu Xinbing’s death and the reason for the mission’s failure.

After Shen Guhong finished listening, the gloom on his face did not alleviate at all; instead, it grew even thicker. He stared fixedly at Wang Cheng, his gaze sharp as if trying to see through his mind. The sinister aura around him intensified, and the air in the hall seemed to freeze.

Surprisingly, Shen Guhong scrutinized Wang Cheng for a long time but ultimately did not ask another question, nor did he mention any punishment.

He slowly raised his hand, condensing a strand of mana, and a pitch-black Medicinal Pill appeared out of thin air in his palm. A faint black mist lingered on the pill's surface, emitting a strange medicinal fragrance; it was clearly no ordinary Medicinal Pill.

Shen Guhong looked at the Medicinal Pill in his palm, his tone flat and devoid of emotion: "Stand up and eat this Medicinal Pill."

Through his Divine Sense, Qin Changsheng instantly sensed the strangeness of this Medicinal Pill.

The Medicinal Pill contained a faint power of Restriction and the aura of the Yao Race. It was clearly a Medicinal Pill Shen Guhong used to control subordinates and test their loyalty. If swallowed, a Restriction would likely be planted by Shen Guhong, and every move thereafter would be under his control.

But Qin Changsheng did not hesitate. He controlled Wang Cheng to slowly stand up, took the Medicinal Pill with both hands, and without any hesitation, put it directly into his mouth and swallowed it.

The reason Qin Changsheng was so decisive was that Wang Cheng was his External Incarnation.

Even if he died, he could be summoned again with just one Spirit Stone.

Furthermore, after every death, all negative status effects would disappear.

No matter how powerful Shen Guhong’s Medicinal Pill was, it could not surpass a Heavenly Dao Trait.

The Medicinal Pill melted as soon as it entered his mouth, and a cool medicinal power instantly surged into Wang Cheng’s Meridians.

Seeing Wang Cheng swallow the Medicinal Pill without hesitation, the gloom on Shen Guhong’s face finally dissipated, and a meaningful smile slowly curled at the corners of his mouth.

His tone also softened considerably: "Very well, you have worked hard on this journey. The Secret Realm is fraught with danger, and the mission's failure is not entirely your fault. Go down and rest well, recuperate your energy; there are even more important matters for you to do later."

Wang Cheng bowed deeply to Shen Guhong: "Thank you, Revered Master. Your Disciple takes his leave."

After speaking, he turned and hurriedly retreated out of the hall, keeping his head lowered the entire time without pausing until he stepped out of the Liuhuo Hall and away from Shen Guhong’s sight.

Watching the departing Wang Cheng, the smile on Shen Guhong’s face had long since faded, replaced by a bottomless sinister look.

Just then, Shen Bing walked out from not far away: "Father, that Wang Cheng clearly has a problem. Why didn't you just kill him?"

Shen Bing was meticulous; when Shen Guhong was questioning Wang Cheng earlier, she had already noticed something was off with him.

She really couldn't understand; Shen Guhong was always suspicious and ruthless, so why would he tolerate a problematic subordinate remaining alive?

Hearing this, Shen Guhong slowly turned his head to look at Shen Bing, a cold and smug smile suddenly appearing on his face: "Whether there is a problem or not is no longer important."

"Why?" Shen Bing was even more puzzled.

Shen Guhong said with a smile: "That Medicinal Pill is called the puppet pill. It was refined by our Yao Race using many rare Materials. It seems ordinary, but it actually hides a sinister secret."

"puppet pill?" Shen Bing repeated the words softly, the confusion in her eyes deepening.

Shen Guhong continued: "Once swallowed, the medicinal power of this Medicinal Pill will quietly seep into the Meridians and erode the Divine Sense. In the Early Stage, there won't be any abnormalities, and it can even slightly increase a Cultivator's cultivation."

"But in just a few years, the medicinal power will completely erupt, eroding all of their sanity and erasing all their memories and independent consciousness, turning them into a Puppet who only knows how to obey orders and is bloodthirsty by nature."

"Regardless of whether he has a problem today or what schemes he hides in his heart, he will only become the sharpest blade in this seat's hand. Whoever I tell him to kill, he will kill; whatever I tell him to do, he will do, with no power to resist whatsoever." Shen Guhong’s voice was low and cold, every word dripping with the arrogance and ruthlessness of one who controlled everything, as if Wang Cheng’s fate had long been firmly grasped in his hand.

After hearing these words, Shen Bing’s pupils suddenly constricted, and the confusion on her face instantly vanished, replaced by a trace of shock and realization.

She finally understood Shen Guhong’s intention.

Shen Guhong hadn't failed to notice Wang Cheng’s strangeness, nor was he soft-hearted; he had already laid out an even more ruthless scheme.

Rather than killing Wang Cheng directly, it was better to control him with the puppet pill. This could test Wang Cheng’s true purpose and provide an obedient Puppet. In the future, whether dealing with the Human Race or executing other secret missions, he would be useful.

This kind of calculation was far more sinister and clever than a direct kill.

It eliminated the potential hidden danger Wang Cheng posed while turning him to his own use, truly killing two birds with one stone.

Shen Bing was inwardly alarmed, her awe of Shen Guhong’s ruthlessness and strategy growing, while she also felt secretly fortunate that she was Shen Guhong’s daughter.