Chapter 11: The Rebirth of the Poison Sect

At last, every debt Su Wen owed to Mansheng had been repaid. Now, it was time to collect.

Su Wen’s legs bent slightly, his arms thrust forward, his gaze sharp and fierce—he was like a tiger descending from the mountain. Such a cutting momentum was entirely at odds with the gentle, elegant nature of the Zuiyun Shen style. This was, of course, not Zuiyun Shen, but Su Wen’s true trump card: The Slaughter. Once this technique was unleashed, there was no room for reversal. When the Slaughter appeared, life and death would be decided.

"Boom!" An astonishing, virulent energy erupted, swirling around Mansheng to form a suit of armor of incomparable hardness. This armor had followed Mansheng through countless battles and had never known defeat. In Mansheng’s eyes, there was no longer a flicker of emotion, only absolute indifference.

A light breeze stirred the countless fallen leaves on the ground, blurring the vision of the surrounding Poison Sect disciples. "Gulp." Someone swallowed hard. The murderous tension at this moment was sharp as a blade; to rush in blindly would mean certain destruction.

"Meow!"

A spirit cat of the Poison Sect chose that moment to chime in—its cry served as the whistle for the battle to begin.

"Bang!"

Mansheng was always the first to strike. Her power-packed fist landed squarely on Su Wen’s face. Su Wen took the hit, his body vaulting into the air, followed immediately by a fierce, sweeping leg strike.

Mansheng knew well that this kick was named "Death’s Toll," and its power was legendary. Yet, instead of retreating, she advanced, palms turned toward the sky to block the devastating blow. The moment the kick was about to land, her hands shifted from palms to claws, seizing Su Wen’s legs and hurling him away with brute force.

The disciples of the Poison Sect gasped. Was Mansheng’s raw physical strength truly this formidable?

Su Wen was sent into a freefall, but he felt no fear. Performing three somersaults in mid-air, he landed steadily and reacted instantly. His hand, shaped into a blade, slashed viciously toward Mansheng’s neck. It was a lethal strike; to be hit would mean death or grievous injury.

"Clang!"

The sound was like metal striking metal. The potent, toxic energy shielded Mansheng’s neck, parrying the strike. Simultaneously, Mansheng slammed both palms into Su Wen’s abdomen. Knowing he had an old injury there, she sought to cripple him. She followed up with a mid-air kick, sending him flying. The sequence was executed in one smooth motion, giving Su Wen no chance to breathe.

Unable to defend in time, Su Wen’s towering frame crashed into a distant hill, shattering it instantly. Yet, this barrage of attacks proved futile against him. He leaped up, his left fist launching forward with power far exceeding that of his previous kick.

"Bang!"

Mansheng took the hit. Even with her toxic armor, she could not withstand the sheer force of Su Wen’s punch. At the same time, her toxic energy condensed into a whip, lashing out fiercely at Su Wen’s body.

"Crack!"

Su Wen felt as if his body and soul were being torn apart upon receiving the whip’s strike. What had this woman experienced during her years of slumber? She had mastered her toxic constitution to such a degree that it seemed she could neutralize any technique he used.

"What? Weren't you very arrogant just now? Where did all that momentum go? You used to be very impressive. Is this all you have? You disappoint me. If this is how you intend to collect your debt, forget about the debt—you might end up dead by my hand!"

Su Wen wiped a trace of blood from the corner of his mouth. His muscles and bones began to emit a dense, rhythmic cracking sound. Having possessed a unique constitution since childhood, he could adjust his physical state to match the intensity of his opponent. Now, he radiated astonishing power and pressure.

"Whoosh!"

Su Wen charged at Mansheng again, his speed so great that he left a faint afterimage in his wake.

"Shattering Fist!"

In the next second, Su Wen appeared behind Mansheng. His speed left her unable to react. The Shattering Fist was designed to break the toxic armor and crush her spirit. Like a tiger or lion, Su Wen unleashed a flurry of punches, using overwhelming force to shatter Mansheng’s defenses. Her beautiful face mirrored a broken mirror, twisted in pain, as a spray of blood fell with the wind, adding a layer of tragic beauty.

Would she admit defeat like this? No! She would never concede. Struggling to open her eyes, Mansheng steadied herself with immense willpower and charged at Su Wen like a meteor!

It was the first time Su Wen had seen Mansheng display such ferocity, and he felt a flash of surprise. But it vanished in an instant. As the Sect Master of the Poison Sect, with countless disciples watching, and remembering how Feng Ming had fought to the very end to protect the sect, he knew he had things he had to defend. He could not lose! Su Wen let out a roar and unleashed his strongest technique against the oncoming Mansheng.

"Boom!"

Su Wen had underestimated Mansheng’s resolve to destroy the Poison Sect. He was knocked flying by her in an instant, a scene eerily similar to the one before. Mansheng’s fists were like a torrential downpour, striking the man again and again. If one were to name this chaotic style, "rage" would be the most appropriate.

"Today, you will die by my hand. I have waited for this day for a long time. No one can stop me from destroying the Poison Sect. No one!"

The speed and ruthlessness of the battle exceeded the imagination of the Poison Sect disciples. Su Wen and Mansheng moved so quickly, switching tactics so rapidly, that no one could keep up. The onlookers could only stare in stunned silence, unable to speak.

"Boom!"

Just then, a surge of powerful energy erupted from within Su Wen, repelling Mansheng’s frenzied assault. Crimson battle intent swirled around him; he looked like a demon god. "I have protective internal energy as well!" With those words, he leaped into the air and dove down!

This battle was truly one of destiny. On one side, toxic power; on the other, crimson battle intent. Which would prove stronger? After today, there would be an answer.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!" The dull, heaven-piercing sounds echoed repeatedly.

Mansheng’s fists were wrapped in intense toxic power. With this strike, she poured all her strength into it, determined to decide the outcome! Her long legs also carried tyrannical force. Seeing the man diving toward her, she charged upward, unleashing iron-fisted strikes and sweeping kicks of immense power.

"Bang!"

The shockwave from their collision leveled all the surrounding mountains and buildings. What was once a range of undulating hills had become an endless, flat plain.

Had it not been for the Poison Sect’s powerful defensive barrier, the disciples watching would have all perished. Even those who survived were left trembling, some collapsing to the ground, unable to find the strength to stand.

The battle in the sky continued, never stopping for a single second.

"Whoosh."

Mansheng was hurled to the ground by Su Wen. The heavy pressure made it impossible for her to counter, but would she lose just like that? No. Black toxic energy swirled behind her, neutralizing most of the force. A strange smile appeared on her lips as she landed on the back of the black dragon of poison that had been circling in the sky. If her own strength could not defeat him, she would borrow outside help.

"Whoosh."

The black dragon spat a cloud of poison at Su Wen, and its massive tail swept forward. The momentum was terrifying, carrying at least a thousand pounds of force. Su Wen would surely die!

Mansheng liked to condense eighty percent of her toxic power into the black dragon, keeping the remaining twenty percent for herself. If she couldn't win, she would let the dragon replace her. As it was now, the dragon was an extension of herself. With the dragon, there was no obstacle she couldn't overcome. Mansheng was frantic and triumphant; this time, she was certain to win.

The massive tail, wreathed in terrifying toxic mist, grew larger and larger in Su Wen’s eyes. The disciples below were innocent; he could not let the mist harm them. Fortunately, the area had been flattened. He would lead the dragon away! Su Wen utilized his supreme movement technique, becoming a mere black dot.

"Want to run? Today, you won't escape!"

Mansheng knew what the man was thinking, but it didn't matter. Once she killed Su Wen, the Poison Sect would be finished. The lives of these disciples would then be at her mercy.

Su Wen leaped and soared, his movement fast, but the black dragon remained only ten meters behind. It wasn't that it couldn't catch him; Mansheng simply didn't want to. His life was now entirely in her hands—why rush? She wanted to see what other tricks he had up his sleeve.

The faster he ran, the more miserable his final screams would be!

Su Wen looked around; it was about time. He came to a sudden halt and spun around. This time, he charged toward the dragon. Wrapped in crimson battle intent, he looked like a fireball. The dense, powerful intent condensed in his hands into a sharp, divine blade. If there was a dragon, he would slay it!

"Swoosh!"

A red flash tore through the air. The black dragon let out a mournful cry before being cleaved in two. Crimson dragon blood dripped from the blade. The sword was incredibly sharp. Su Wen gripped it with both hands and charged at Mansheng for the final time. The strike was infused with the power of "The Slaughter," a move that seemed to burn Su Wen’s own life force. His once-black hair began to turn white. Time seemed to stop in that instant!

"Su Wen, I will kill you!"

The death of the black dragon drove Mansheng into a total frenzy. A sword of toxic energy condensed in her hand. She charged at the man she had loved for so many years. It was time to end everything. This strike contained all of Mansheng’s anger and her past love.

Both their gazes were cold to the extreme. The flat plain became their final battlefield. In Mansheng’s eyes, Su Wen returned to his former appearance, so handsome and extraordinary.

In Su Wen’s eyes, Mansheng remained as beautiful and moving as ever, impossible to forget. That face represented the love he once held.

"Boom!"

The Sword of Battle Intent and the Sword of Toxic Energy had been twin blades long ago. Those who possessed them would eventually fall in love, only to fight and die by each other's hands. Through the years, there had never been an exception.

The astonishing sword aura formed a massive ball of light, engulfing them both. The formidable pressure carved a deep crater into the plain. The ball of light spun rapidly; no one knew what was happening inside. Only one person would walk out of this alive.

"Crack!"

"Bang!"

The ball of light shattered! Two figures flew out—Su Wen and Mansheng. Both were in a sorry state.

Su Wen wiped blood from the corner of his mouth. A sword scar marked his face, and his white hair danced. Though he looked ragged, his momentum was stronger than ever. His body began to spin at high speed, and the Sword of Battle Intent formed a terrifying storm of energy. It swept toward Mansheng with destructive power. Simultaneously, Su Wen appeared behind her. "Die!" He swung his final strike!

Mansheng’s beautiful face was a mess of tears and dust; her expression was unreadable. Facing the pincer attack, she showed no fear. She turned and hugged the stunned Su Wen. Su Wen had clearly not expected her to choose such a tragic way to die together. Mansheng’s arms were like iron clamps, locking him in place. Her face held a hint of madness, a hint of relief, and a hint of final, tender love.

"Since this sword storm cannot be avoided, let us die together. Now, you will finally never leave me. We can be together forever, and no one will ever separate us again!" The embrace was still the same as it once was—warm and intoxicating.

The sword storm was drawing closer, yet Su Wen could not break free. "Let go! You mad woman!" No matter how he struggled, Mansheng would not let go. It wasn't that Su Wen feared death; he simply didn't want to die with this lunatic. "Release me!" Su Wen’s strongest punch finally landed on Mansheng. In that brief moment, the fierce sword storm engulfed them both.

Alas, such a tragic scene was never truly witnessed.

"Boom!"

The sky-high flames were enough to explain the intensity of the battle. The owners of the two swords were destined for a tragic end; to this day, no one had ever broken that rule.

"This battle, though won, is a pity for that woman, Mansheng. She is the only person I have ever seen who could so skillfully master a toxic constitution. It is a tragedy that such a person chose self-destruction because of love."

"Bang!"

Su Wen eventually charged out of the sword storm, holding Mansheng. But she had no strength left. One couldn't tell if the liquid on the man’s face was blood or tears. "At this final moment, I knew you couldn't let me go. I knew that at the very end, you would lay everything down. It seems I was right."

"Your heart always held me. I know that now, and I am happy. I really want to be with you, but I know it is no longer possible."

"Of course it isn't possible. Mansheng, it seems you have truly forgotten. From the very beginning, you were the most important pawn in my hand. A pawn has no right to speak of freedom."

Mu Cheng finally found his way to them. "Tsk tsk tsk. Look at what you've become. When you were by my side, I never treated you poorly. It’s only been a short time—how did you end up like this? Forget it, I don't care much for such things anymore. Kill this man, and the Poison Sect will be destroyed. After that, I can help you resolve the toxic constitution that has plagued you for years. A win-win situation—why were you so unwilling?"

"Mu Cheng, you finally came. But from today on, I will never believe you again. I know the answer I wanted most: all these years, Su Wen loved me. That is enough. In this life, I have no more regrets."

"Hahaha, absurd! Utterly absurd! You have made so many mistakes for this man. Why must you continue to be wrong? I have come today to put an end to this!"

Who was Mu Cheng? Even he couldn't clearly define himself. But whatever he wanted to do, he would do. He enjoyed the feeling of holding the power of life and death over others.

"You must be Su Wen, right? Hmph, you seem quite ordinary. How could you make Mansheng love you so deeply, even after she developed a heart demon? A person like you doesn't deserve to live!"

"Bang!"

A powerful palm struck Su Wen. Mu Cheng hadn't moved, nor did he need to. Even if a hundred Su Wens came at him, he wouldn't care. To die by his hand was the highest honor.

"Pfft!"

Su Wen had shielded Mansheng with his body, but he suffered wounds that reached his soul. His face was flushed red, almost twisted. He let out a roar, clenched his fist, and gave Mu Cheng a desperate punch. Even under such injury, his reaction time was remarkable. But having done so, he exhausted his last ounce of strength and collapsed.

"Pfft!"

Mu Cheng took the punch squarely; half his face swelled up. It was likely the first time he had been injured in years. He blamed his own carelessness; he hadn't expected a cornered beast to unleash such power. He made a mental note. "Very good. You are the first to hurt me, but you will be the last! If you have the guts to do this, you must bear the consequences!"

Mu Cheng was handsome, but his eyes revealed absolute ruthlessness. Powerful energy condensed in his hands. One strike, and Su Wen would be finished. With him dead, Mansheng would have no more attachments.

"Boom!"

In that split second, Mansheng found a hidden reserve of strength. She dragged the wounded Su Wen three steps away. Those three steps saved his life. But it was the last thing she could do. Even without her injuries, she was no match for Mu Cheng.

Mu Cheng’s power no longer required techniques; he was the definition of strength. "Truly worthy of being Mansheng—you understand me so well. It seems this man is very important to you. Very well. Since you are so determined, I will give you a chance. If you can take three of my strikes and survive, I will spare all of your lives. Don't you love the Poison Sect? I will spare it, too. In my eyes, everything is just a game, and I am the master of it!"

Mu Cheng’s cultivation had reached the Martial Dao Realm, a level far beyond the Martial Technique Realm. In the Martial Dao Realm, every gesture was a technique; it was a pursuit of the Dao that transcended mere forms.

"How about it? If you survive three strikes, you can be with your beloved forever. Isn't that what you've always wanted? An undying love is the most important thing to you, isn't it?"

Was there any other choice? No. Though severely wounded, Mansheng still had the strength to fight. It was a strange feeling. Before Mu Cheng appeared, she wanted to kill Su Wen herself. But now that he was here, it was still her, only this time, she was protecting him. It felt strange, but that was who she was.

The silence and the surrounding wreckage blended perfectly. If one looked closely, the scene was strangely harmonious.

Mansheng’s face held a touch of tranquility. Despite the bloodstains, her beauty was undiminished; in her current state, she possessed a special, unique allure.

She walked to the wounded Su Wen and crouched down, wiping the dirt from his face with her slender fingers. Su Wen had always loved cleanliness. "Su Wen, don't be afraid. Everything will be over soon." She used a rope from Su Wen’s hand to tie her hair into a ponytail; that rope was him, always with her.

When Mansheng turned back, her eyes were sharp. She assumed a fighting stance, toxic energy swirling around her hands. This was her final battle!

"Whoosh!"

Her movement was swift, bringing with it a powerful punch! Mu Cheng didn't care in the slightest. He didn't move; his hand, shaped like a blade, slashed forward. Though it was only a hand-blade, it was stronger than any divine weapon!

"Pfft!" The hand-blade hit empty air. Mansheng had disappeared. In truth, she hadn't vanished—what they saw was merely an afterimage. She had already charged behind Mu Cheng. A toxic sword condensed in her hand, seeking to strike him down! This strike cost Mansheng all her strength; her complexion turned a sickly pale.

Mu Cheng simply turned, his left hand blocking the powerful sword, his right hand throwing a punch. "Pfft!" The blow landed on Mansheng’s abdomen. She vomited blood and groaned, her face turning ghastly pale. The force sent her flying into the air, and Mu Cheng ended the fight with a brutal kick!

"Boom!"

Mansheng’s broken body crashed into the ground. She truly had no strength left. Even if she wanted to stand, she couldn't. Mu Cheng’s three strikes had been simple moves, the kind any beginner could use, but only he could imbue them with such power.

"Stand up. Our agreement isn't finished yet. Don't you love Su Wen? Then show me how far you would go for this man. Can you die for him?"

Mu Cheng’s silhouette was bathed in sunlight; Mansheng couldn't see his expression. "What? Is that it? It seems the love you speak of is nothing more than this."

Was there truly no one left to stop this man? It seemed so. The Martial Dao Realm and the Martial Technique Realm were worlds apart. Since Mu Cheng had arrived, he wouldn't allow anyone to defy him!

Mansheng felt satisfied. To die with her beloved was the greatest happiness she could imagine. There was no fear on her face, only a faint smile.

"What are you smiling at? Do you think I am laughable?" Why did she show no fear? Everyone should fear him. Why was she the only one who didn't?

All the Poison Sect disciples had seen the heaven-shaking column of fire and the dense murderous intent that followed. Had Lord Su Wen and Lady Mansheng fallen? There should be one person left who could stop this—Lord Zhuang Yunzhen—but he was unconscious. What were they to do?

Countless disciples prayed sincerely. "Heaven above, if the Poison Sect can survive this calamity, we will turn over a new leaf. We will no longer do evil and will strive to promote our sect. Please have mercy and save our lives!"

Zhuang Yunzhen was asleep, but his consciousness was awake. He could clearly see the sadness in everyone’s eyes. What had happened? His foster father—how was he?

"Zhuang Yunzhen, do you really not know what is happening? Do you know your foster father is on the verge of death? This is due to your incompetence. Since you said you would protect the Poison Sect, why did you fail?"

"Because you lack power. Because you are weak, you need others to protect you. But how long can others protect you? Do you really not want to do something more for the Poison Sect and your foster father?"

The unfamiliar voice was beautiful but filled with an overwhelming pressure. "Who are you? Can you help me?" At this moment, Zhuang Yunzhen could only rely on this voice.

"I am Heaven. I have come to help you awaken the power of Heaven. You didn't think the Heaven Volume of the Lingyun Records only contained the power of Profound Steel, did you? Before, your foundation was insufficient, so you couldn't understand. Now, your foundation and destiny have arrived. It is time for you to awaken the power that truly belongs to you!"

Suddenly, a strange yet familiar power surged through his body. His meridians and bones seemed to be reforged. The power of Heaven embraced everything and could heal everything—it was the supreme power of this world, mastered only by Zhuang Yunzhen. To awaken it, one had to move Heaven itself, a task that had stumped many.

"You can awaken this power because you have the Poison Sect disciples to thank. Their sincerity moved me. They may have made mistakes, but since they have the heart to change, we should give them a chance. Wake up now, and finish what you must!"

Zhuang Yunzhen slowly woke. He felt the powerful energy within him. He was bathed in sunlight, a sight that shocked everyone. "Young Master, you’re finally awake! Truly, Heaven does not deceive us!"

"Say no more. Thank you all, I will be back shortly!"

In an instant, Zhuang Yunzhen vanished. His movement exceeded everything he had ever learned. At this moment, he could use all the power of the heavens.

"Hahaha! Su Wen, Mansheng, no one can help you now! Today, you will die, and I will destroy the Poison Sect!"

Just as the devastating palm strike was about to kill them, the flowing wind seemed to stop. A man walked from the distance—a young man. His figure became clearer. It was Zhuang Yunzhen, approaching slowly with immense, profound power.

When the young man appeared, Mu Cheng’s technique lost its effect. In an instant, Zhuang Yunzhen shielded the two elders. Mansheng had many questions. What had happened to this boy? She could no longer fathom his power.

"Boy, whoever you are, I advise you not to meddle, or you will be my enemy!" Mu Cheng’s threat held no weight for Zhuang Yunzhen.

"Looking for death!"

Mu Cheng launched a palm strike from the air. It was powerful, the culmination of his understanding of the Martial Dao. Until now, no one had ever withstood this move. "Arrogant boy, now I will let you know what true power is!"

"Bang!"

The devastating strike was easily neutralized by an invisible wall of force surrounding Zhuang Yunzhen. He turned. The boy’s eyes held an ancient, absolute pressure. Under this pressure, the so-called Martial Dao Realm was a joke!

Zhuang Yunzhen didn't even move. Relying solely on this immense presence, he sent Mu Cheng flying. Mu Cheng was left without a chance to counter. Zhuang Yunzhen rotated his palm, and a cage formed of air trapped Mu Cheng. Air was the foundation of Heaven’s power, and the strongest element within it!

The cage distorted everything. Zhuang Yunzhen was the Dao; he was Heaven. His steps were slow, but each carried immense power. "I heard you were arrogant and strong. But how can you be my match now? You cannot defeat me. Your life is in my hands. This feeling is quite good."

"Good boy, I underestimated you. I didn't expect you to have such formidable cultivation. But don't be too smug. If I die, your end will be miserable. What? You don't believe me?"

"Perhaps. But your life is in my hands. If I want you to die, you won't live. I feel I can do anything I want to do now!"

Zhuang Yunzhen placed his hand on the ground. A surge of solar energy flooded the earth, restoring the mountains and plants destroyed in the battle. Sunlight was the source of life, and it was also the nemesis of all poison! "Mu Cheng, you never mastered the true Martial Dao Realm. Once achieved, it brings a backlash—only by passing through that can one truly master it. The reason you were so strong was because of the Sun Pendant you carry. It isn't yours, and it is time for it to return to its rightful owner!"

"Give it back! That’s mine!"

But Mu Cheng knew he could no longer shake his opponent. He could only watch as the Sun Pendant vanished into the heavens. Once the treasure left him, all his power evaporated, and he collapsed, unable to withstand the loss of such strength.

"The power of Heaven? Is this the power of Heaven? Feng Ming, I knew you would eventually master this. This battle has been hard on you. If you hadn't arrived in time, we don't know what would have happened!"

"Foster father, everything is in the past now. You and Senior Mansheng have been through so much; you should understand each other’s hearts by now. I hope you will stop fighting. Fighting only hurts your bond!"

In this world, only the bond of affection is irreplaceable; once broken, it can never be restored.

Mansheng had returned to her former self. Her toxic constitution was gone, and she was finally an ordinary person—the very thing she had craved for years. After all this time, she finally had it. Was she happy? Yes. Was she wistful? Perhaps.

"Su Wen, now that I am an ordinary person, are you still willing to love me?"

"Love you? Of course. All these years, I finally have the courage to apologize. I felt everything that happened just now. You are such a fool; I am not worth it!"

"You are worth it. If I say you are, then you are. In my heart, no one can compare to you. It was like that before, and it remains so now."

The couple, who had been at odds for so many years, finally laid their past to rest. They decided to start over, and this time, they would be firm and never retreat, for they were each other’s one and only.

The disciples of the Poison Sect were jubilant. They rushed toward the three of them. Everything was fine—everyone had survived. The Poison Sect was still the Poison Sect, yet it was no longer the same, for they had moved Heaven, and they would embark on a new rise, bidding farewell to their past.

Could they do it? As long as there were people, it could be done. As long as there was an unyielding will, anything was possible.