"I don’t know."
Tian Yixin and Gui Xuanqing shook their heads simultaneously, they really didn’t know.
Shen Yunshen wasn’t too concerned either.
He is quite confident in Zhao Ya, knowing that this rising talent is sometimes even calmer and steadier than himself.
Since Zhao said he would arrange something, there must be a reason.
Thinking of this, Shen Yunshen bent down and began searching Qiao Le, quickly finding a pitch-black package.
"What’s this?" Shen Yunshen asked.
Qiao Le snorted coldly, closing his eyes without saying a word.
"Hehe, not going to tell me, huh? Actually, even if you don’t say, I can guess. Isn’t this what you used to ambush my disciples before with insect poison?"
Qiao Le’s whole body shook slightly, unable to help opening his eyes to look at Shen Yunshen and the crowd from Azure Dragon Temple present.
To be honest, he had been somewhat doubtful before.
Clearly, when Bao Shan gave them this black package, he was adamant that if they encountered people from Azure Dragon Temple and couldn’t win, they could use this package.
The insect poison contained inside would surely give those people a big "surprise."
But just now, Qiao Le almost crushed this package, yet including Shen Yunshen, the people from Azure Dragon Temple seemed as if nothing had happened, without any abnormality.
If it was Shen Yunshen himself, there was some reason for it, as his strength was too great, immune to the insect poison was not surprising.
But there were so many disciples present, what was up with them?
And now, Shen Yunshen revealed the purpose of the package with one sentence, naturally shocking Qiao Le.
"See, I guessed right!" Shen Yunshen laughed heartily, picking up a tree branch from beside him and then opening the package.
Inside was a lump of white powder, with a finger-thick white insect within the powder.
Although it looked harmless, after yesterday’s incident, everyone understood its ferocity and oddity, keeping far away.
Shen Yunshen acted nonchalantly, taking out a packet of medicine powder from his chest and then poured it on the insect.
The insect immediately became agitated as if highly stimulated.
Then Shen Yunshen asked, "Tell me, where are your other accomplices and who gave you this insect?"
Qiao Le sneered, "Kill me then, I won’t talk."
Shen Yunshen chuckled coldly, "Don’t rush, you will certainly die, but not now. Do you know why?"
"Because I will use you as bait to lure your accomplices to their deaths."
Qiao Le laughed as if hearing a grand joke.
"Shen Yunshen, for a master so renowned over the years, do you not know that assassins feel no sentiment? Using me as bait, do you believe that even if I die horribly in front of them, they wouldn’t be moved? You’d better abandon this hope."
"There’s truth in your words, but you overlooked one point."
As Shen Yunshen spoke, he couldn’t help but recall what Zhao Ya said before setting off, feeling contemplative.
It turned out Zhao was right.
Zhao Ya mentioned that the people from Separation Tower would certainly act in groups and when found, don’t rush to kill; search them, you’ll surely find the beast they’re carrying.
Then pour the medicine powder Zhao gave onto the beast, afterwards stand guard waiting for the others to come.
At that time, Shen Yunshen had the same doubts as Qiao Le.
To which Zhao Ya simply laughed and said.
"Expecting sentiment from these assassins is unrealistic, but if there’s a gain, they will rush faster than anyone else."
Because, in their view, Azure Dragon Temple must be helpless against the insect poison.
So when they sense the beast is still alive, they would definitely assume there’s no danger here, thus rushing forward to seize battle merits.
Of course, Shen Yunshen would never explain such things to Qiao Le.
Qiao Le was not foolish, and quickly understood the intricacies, becoming bewildered and infuriated.
"Despicable, you boast being orthodox disciples of the South Azure Dragon, is this how you act?"
"Hehe." Shen Yunshen didn’t defend himself, instead smiling more gleefully.
Because the more agitated Qiao Le became, the more it proved the rightness of Shen Yunshen’s approach.
"Go ahead, curse a little more, you haven’t got many chances left."
Meanwhile, Zhao Ya, though unable to hear Shen Yunshen and others’ conversation, had witnessed the recent battle entirely.
Seeing that Shen Yunshen swiftly and decisively subdued the formidable opponent, Zhao Ya couldn’t help but estimate the power disparity between himself and Shen Yunshen.
Now Zhao Ya, having separately unlocked the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian and the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian, had his power risen considerably.
Plus, the valuable experience gained from the Cliff Dragon Painting and the successful unlocking of the Large and Small Intestines.
Zhao Ya roughly estimated that his combat capabilities had increased by at least two levels.
Though he hadn’t fought Shen Yunshen, observing his techniques against opponents, he reckoned himself to be on par with him.
Even if not victorious, defeat seemed unlikely.
If this were to spread, many might not believe it.
Because Shen Yunshen has been renowned for years, even vying with the genius who caused Azure Dragon Temple’s split two decades ago.
Moreover, with these years of accumulation, his strength is second only to the Grand Elder and Guo Luming in Southern Azure Dragon Temple.
While Zhao Ya has been at Meridian Opening for less than a year, the pace of his strength’s growth could no longer be described as fast.
It’s practically like riding a rocket.
Crucially, this is only with two meridians opened; if all the body’s meridians were opened, what scene would that depict?
As Zhao Ya pondered, suddenly birds startled in the distance, clearly someone was coming.
It was unclear if it was other teams from Azure Dragon Temple, or the group Zhao Ya had been secretly waiting for.
Zhao Ya silently activated True Power, focusing his gaze.
Though separated by a great distance, Zhao Ya’s Eye Power allowed him to vaguely see the figures wavering in the forest.
Definitely more than five people.
Zhao Ya smiled quietly, readying himself discreetly.
Meanwhile, Bao Shan led his cousin Lai Cai and others swiftly through the forest.
From time to time, Bao Shan would pause to observe, ensuring no one was tailing and there were no ambushes around.
Finally reaching near the troubled spot, Bao Shan paused again, signaling everyone to hide, while he climbed a tree to scan afar.
Despite being too far away to see clearly, Bao Shan was sure that Qiao Le and others were ahead in the forest.
Because the beast he gave them was still lively.
This clearly showed they had succeeded.
Once confirmed, Bao Shan was finally relieved, gesturing with his hand.
"Go."
The first to rush ahead was Lai Cai.
He was already impatient.
In his view, Azure Dragon Temple’s people were evidently at a disadvantage, otherwise why would they suddenly signal for reinforcements?
If he didn’t hurry, the good things would be scavenged by Qiao Le and others.
After all, disciples of such a great sect like Azure Dragon Temple surely carried many good things.
Imagining this, Lai Cai quickened his pace, darting into the forest.
Upon entry, Lai Cai felt a tickle on his forehead but ignored it, thinking he hit a spiderweb.
As he went deeper, others followed suit.
Soon everyone was in the forest, and only after confirming no issues did Bao Shan proceed inward.
Yet halfway through, he suddenly stopped, his face changing expression.
Because at this moment, the insect in his sleeve was frantically warning him.
Uh-oh, it’s an ambush!
Just as this thought passed his mind, he saw Lai Cai and others who had entered the forest earlier all started screaming miserably, scratching desperately.
But with their scratching, the skin on their forehead, face, and limbs appeared cooked, peeling off continuously.
Such a grisly scene chilled even Bao Shan’s neck, but he did not flee.
Because he knew, since the opponent exerted such effort to set up a hidden poison barrier, they were ready for him.
Escaping was already impossible now.
He could only steady his heart, loudly asking, "May I ask which toxic master is aiding Azure Dragon Temple?"