Chapter 7: Elder's Obstruction and Perils on All Sides
Having returned safely from the ruins and made great contributions, Lin Yu's reputation within the Qingxuan Sect was now at its zenith.This, however, only made the Great Elder Zhou Yuan grow increasingly wary of him. Zhou Yuan knew full well that if Lin Yu's growth was not curbed as soon as possible, once his wings were fully grown, his own plan to seize power would face immense obstacles.
Therefore, Zhou Yuan decided to use his status as an elder to make things difficult for Lin Yu. One day, under the pretext of busy sect affairs, Zhou Yuan summoned Lin Yu before him.
"Lin Yu, you are now somewhat famous within the sect, and your strength is extraordinary. There is an important task that the sect now entrusts to you; you must not shirk it under any circumstances," Zhou Yuan said with a stern expression.
Though Lin Yu inwardly suspected Zhou Yuan's motives, as a disciple, it was not appropriate to refuse outright. He cupped his fists and said, "The Great Elder may speak his mind; this disciple will certainly do his utmost."
Zhou Yuan nodded with satisfaction and continued, "Ten thousand miles away from the Qingxuan Sect, there is a mysterious place called the Myriad Poison Abyss. Recently, rumors have spread that a Millennium Poison Spirit Flower has appeared within the Myriad Poison Abyss, and this flower is extremely important for the sect's alchemy. I order you to go and pluck it, and you must bring it back within one month."
Hearing this, Lin Yu's heart sank. The Myriad Poison Abyss was a notoriously dangerous place, infested with venomous creatures and shrouded in toxic miasma; the slightest carelessness would cost him his life. Moreover, to make a round trip to the Myriad Poison Abyss and pluck the Millennium Poison Spirit Flower within a month was an immensely difficult task. Yet he understood that this was a deliberate difficulty set up by Zhou Yuan. If he refused, he would surely be caught in Zhou Yuan's trap.
"Rest assured, Great Elder, this disciple will not fail the mission," Lin Yu gritted his teeth and accepted.
Upon returning to his immortal cave, Lin Yu began making intense preparations. First, he collected various elixirs to ward off poisons and toxic miasma, and spent a large amount of Spirit Crystals to purchase some defensive magical treasures. At the same time, he practiced the Chaos Spirit Flame Formula day and night, hoping to boost his strength somewhat before departure.
On the day of his departure, after bidding farewell to a few friends who had come to see him off, Lin Yu flew on his sword toward the Myriad Poison Abyss. After several days of flying, he finally arrived in the vicinity of the Myriad Poison Abyss.
Even before getting close to the Myriad Poison Abyss, a pungent odor could be smelled. The air was filled with thick toxic miasma, and visible poisonous mist rolled and surged. Lin Yu swallowed a Poison-Clearing Pill, circulated his Spiritual Power, and cautiously stepped into the Myriad Poison Abyss.
Not long after entering the Myriad Poison Abyss, a swarm of palm-sized poison bees attacked him. These poison bees radiated a faint green glow all over, looking extremely venomous at a glance. Daring not to be careless, Lin Yu immediately unleashed the Shattered Star Sword Art, and amidst flashing sword shadows, the poison bees fell to the ground one after another.
However, before he could even catch his breath, the ground suddenly split open, and a venomous python covered in spikes lunged out, opening its bloody maw to bite him. Lin Yu flashed aside to dodge the python's attack while simultaneously condensing the Chaos Spirit Flame and shooting it toward the python. Struck by the Chaos Spirit Flame, the python writhed frantically in pain, spraying venom everywhere.
Lin Yu dodged the venom while continuing to attack the python. After a bitter battle, he finally slew the python. By this time, however, he had consumed a considerable amount of Spiritual Power, and some venom had splashed onto his body. Although blocked by his defensive magical treasure, a sharp pain still emanated from his arm.
Daring not to linger, Lin Yu penetrated deeper into the Myriad Poison Abyss. As he went further in, the strength of the venomous creatures grew greater, and the toxic miasma became increasingly intense. The efficacy of his Poison-Clearing Pill gradually weakened, and his consumption of Spiritual Power grew ever larger.
Just as he was feeling somewhat despairing, he suddenly discovered a place emitting a soft glow ahead. A thought stirred in Lin Yu's heart, and he hurried toward the light. Upon getting closer, he discovered it was actually a spiritual spring, around which grew some spiritual herbs capable of purifying toxins.
Overjoyed, Lin Yu quickly consumed the spiritual herbs and restored his Spiritual Power in the spiritual spring. After a period of recuperation, he once again embarked on the journey to find the Millennium Poison Spirit Flower.
Meanwhile, back in the Qingxuan Sect, the Great Elder Zhou Yuan was discussing matters with his confidant. "With Lin Yu going to the Myriad Poison Abyss this time, it is a one-way trip. Even if he manages to survive and return, in a month's time, it is utterly impossible for him to have plucked the Millennium Poison Spirit Flower. When that time comes, I will use the pretext of mission failure to severely punish him and suppress his reputation within the sect," Zhou Yuan said with a triumphant smile on his face.
The confidant hastily chimed in, "The Great Elder is brilliant! That brat Lin Yu does not know the immensity of heaven and earth, daring to pit himself against the Great Elder. This time, he has truly fallen." Yet what they did not know was that Lin Yu was tenaciously forging ahead toward his goal within the Myriad Poison Abyss, and a fierce contest against time and danger was intensely unfolding.