<h4>Chapter 1317: Chapter 1314: Hidden Motives</h4>


    "Indeed, the ind ahead is Poison Mist Ind." A middle-aged cultivator disyed a cautious look.


    Another cultivator spoke up, "Poison Mist Ind is the most dangerous ind in the vicinity of Bi Quan Ling Ind, even second-level loose immortals are unwilling to approach it."


    Xu Wendong quietly observed the sea in front of him and also noticed the peculiar nature of Poison Mist Ind.


    The sea here was no longer a gentle blue but instead took on a deep ck, as if swallowing all light, leaving only endless darkness and cold.


    On the sea surface, the wind howled fiercely, and giant waves surged, each one higher than thest, as if countless giant beasts were roaring beneath the sea, trying to break free and drag all life into the abyss.


    The waves were like sharp des, sometimes leaping high as if to tear the sky apart and then crashing down hard, stirring up clouds of mist that seemed to engulf the entire world in this violent sea.


    The sea around Poison Mist Ind was shrouded in ayer of eerie ck fog, which not only contained deadly poison but also brimmed with mysterious power.


    Any living creature that approached would feel an inexplicable oppression and fear, as if an invisible force was tearing at their soul, irresistibly drawing them into this endless darkness and cold.


    "The merchant ships of the three great families were attacked by the Blood Skeleton Pirate Ship at this location," Zhao Yunfeng’s eyes glinted with a piercing cold light. "Our mission is to circle Poison Mist Ind; if the Blood Skeleton Pirate Ship is still here, they’ll surely ambush us!"


    "In that case, we can capture them all in one fell swoop."


    "I hope the Blood Skeleton Pirate Ship has already left this area." An old man shared his view.


    "Indeed," a middle-aged man with purple hair added, "While our mission is to hunt down the Blood Skeleton Pirate Ship, if they have left the area, our task will be much easier."


    It’s not that they’re afraid of the Blood Skeleton Pirate Gang,


    but after all, this is Poison Mist Ind!


    Unless absolutely necessary, they would never choose to engage in conflict here.


    "What’s on this Poison Mist Ind?" Xu Wendong asked curiously, although a cultivator’s soul force can cover a wide area.


    However,


    there’s a mysterious force on Poison Mist Ind that can iste soul force.


    An old man said, "The sea around Poison Mist Ind is already perilous enough; who would dare to venture onto the ind? It’s no different from digging one’s own grave."


    "We’re about to enter the mist range, let’s all take the Poison-Avoiding Pills!" Zhao Yunfeng’s voice rang, then he took out the elixir that Xu Wendong had previously refined and consumed it.


    Xu Wendong also called over a sailor, gave him the Poison-Avoiding Pills he had refined, and instructed him to distribute them to the crew on the ship.


    Although the merchant ship has a formation,


    it can’t iste the air, nor can it keep out the poison mist.


    "Are you sure you don’t want the Poison-Avoiding Pill I refined?" Xu Wendong looked at the old man who had previously refused.


    Liu Jiushan stroked his beard proudly and said, "No need, Young Master Xu. I have my prepared elixir." Saying this, he took out a Pill, swallowed it.


    Xu Wendong secretly pouted and said nothing more.


    Soon,


    the merchant ship entered the poison mist.


    At the moment of entering the mist, Xu Wendong clearly felt an invisible force sever the connection to nature’s spiritual energy.


    Though the spiritual energy in the Chaotic Star Sea is exceedingly impetuous, and cultivators cannotpletely absorb and refine it, with luck, one could still absorb a small amount for personal use.


    But now,


    they felt as if they had entered a different dimension space.


    Moreover,


    the ck poison mist was like pervasive mercury, prating their bodies through the pores, causing a stinging sensation akin to being pricked by needles.


    However,


    Xu Wendong did not experience this feeling.


    After all, he possessed the Ancient Sacred Body, his physical body was extremely formidable, and the mere poison mist couldn’t prate his body at all.


    And so,


    everyone began their tiresome and monotonous wait.


    Some wanted to draw out the Blood Skeleton Pirate Gang, kill them, and return for the reward.


    Others did not wish to engage the Blood Skeleton Pirate Gang, seeing it as a risky endeavor and were reluctant to take the risk.


    Time passed like Spinning Stars.


    In the blink of an eye, night had fallen.


    The sea had calmed, the wind had ceased howling.


    The world was silent.


    Everyone on the merchant ship felt irritable and confused due to the enshrouding poison mist, losing their sense of direction.


    They couldn’t see the starry night sky as they should have.


    The silent world, along with imprable darkness, left no heart entirely tranquil here.


    If that were all, it might have been bearable.


    The issue was...


    They also had to endure the physical pain from the toxic mist.


    This was a considerable test and torment for their bodies and minds.


    Suddenly,


    without warning,


    that old man named Liu Jiushan spewed a mouthful of ck blood, hisplexion turning haggard.


    "Daoist Liu, what happened to you?" Zhao Yunfeng looked towards Liu Jiushan with concern, seeing his pale face and disordered aura.


    At this scene,


    everyone else held their breath, knowing Liu Jiushan was a honored contributor of the Xiao Family, possessing second-level loose immortal strength, not to be underestimated.


    And now, he had inexplicably vomited blood; how could the others remain calm?


    Liu Jiushan sat weakly on the deck, his expression serious, "I feel as if I’ve been poisoned; a force is rampaging within my body... *cough*..."


    He spat out another mouthful of ck blood, his aura even more chaotic than before.


    "Poisoned?" A middle-aged man furrowed his brow, "How could that be? You have the power of a second-level loose immortal, while we are only first-level loose immortals. Howe we are fine, yet you are poisoned?"


    Many nodded, thinking Liu Jiushan didn’t seem poisoned.


    Because even these cultivators at the scattered immortal level and the ship’s crew at the Mahayana stage showed no signs of poisoning.


    If he imed to be poisoned, it was clearly hard to believe.


    However,


    the oppressive atmosphere enveloped everyone’s hearts, for this sea area was already strange enough. Now, with a second-level loose immortal suddenly spewing blood, who could remain calm?


    At this moment,


    Xu Cangxue’s gentle voice suddenly rang out, "Could it be possible, Daoist Liu is truly poisoned."


    A middle-aged man shook his head, "Daoist Liu also took the Poison-Avoiding Pill; how could he be poisoned?"


    Xu Cangxue smiled slightly, "Daoist Liu did take a Poison-Avoiding Pill, but it was different from ours! We took Young Master Xu’s refined Poison-Avoiding Pill."


    As soon as this was said, everyone’s eyes brightened.


    Indeed!


    Everyone had taken the elixir refined by Xu Wendong, except Liu Jiushan, who took his own.


    And now,


    that there was this situation could only indicate one thing.


    The elixir refined by Xu Wendong did indeed have detoxifying effects, resisting the poison of Poison Mist Ind.


    And Liu Jiushan’s pillcked this effect!


    Furious, Liu Jiushan red at Xu Wendong, "Xu, I’ve been poisoned, yet you won’t give me a Poison-Avoiding Pill?"