Madam, please ascend.

Chapter 48: Horse

The forbidden area in the back mountain is quite vast. If one could control the magic weapon to travel quickly, it would not be too difficult. But now that his cultivation has been sealed, all his shortcomings are exposed.

The purple air in the sky seems to be not far away, but it actually takes quite a while to travel.

Poor Yun Yi was already exhausted, and he had to walk with difficulty while carrying a large piece of iron on his back.

While he was on his way, he got bored and counted the purple auras in the sky, finding a total of forty-nine. This showed that the second level was much more difficult than the first. If each purple light represented only one person advancing, then there would only be forty-nine people in the third level.

After about half an hour, a purple aura suddenly disappeared, which meant that someone had taken the lead and reached the third level.

Thinking of the limited number of places, Yun Yi could only speed up his pace and get to the purple air closest to him as soon as possible.

Time passed by bit by bit, and as Yun Yi climbed over another hill, he finally arrived at the open space where the purple energy was. Unexpectedly, he was the first Fuyao Sect disciple to arrive here.

Little did they know that Piaomiaozi secretly threw Yun Yi to the edge of the forbidden area in the back mountain, but this place was quite remote. Most disciples chose to rush to the purple air closest to them, but would not run to such a remote place.

This can also be considered a blessing and a curse.

Yun Yi looked not far away, where there was a huge monster. It looked like a horse, with a snow-white body, a black tail, a horn on its head, and extremely sharp teeth and claws.

And judging from its aura, the monster was at least at the peak of the Qi Refining Realm, only slightly weaker than Mu Fanzhi, who it had "dealt with" a few days ago.

The object emitting the sky-high purple aura is a bronze key, which is placed under the monster. If you get it, you should be able to proceed to the third level.

The problem is that Yun Yi is just an ordinary person with no cultivation. How can he possibly snatch things from a monster at the peak of Qi Refining?
He didn't dare to approach rashly for a moment and could only look at the monster from a distance. From its characteristics, he could identify it as a guinea fowl, which usually feeds on tigers and leopards, and its brutal nature was evident.

Yun Yi couldn't help but feel a little distressed. Even if he recovered his cultivation to the middle stage of the Qi Refining Realm, he probably wouldn't dare to rashly provoke the horse.

This was because the monster was extremely vengeful. Once, a cultivator provoked the beast and was chased and killed by it for hundreds of miles.

It's really troublesome.

Yun Yi even considered trying his luck elsewhere, to see if the other purple aura locations would be easier. He had no doubt that if every purple aura was guarded by a Qi Refining Realm demon beast, then the horse would definitely be the most difficult one.

But when he thought about how much time he would have to waste on the journey and that he would have to compete with other disciples for the bronze key, Yun Yi decided to stay here and give it a try.

As the saying goes, where there are poisonous snakes, there is an antidote within seven steps. This statement may not be correct, but what it really means is the principle that all things are mutually reinforcing and mutually beneficial.

Although the 駄马 is ferocious, there must be something in the world that can restrain it.

Since he couldn't use his cultivation to subdue the horse, he had to find other ways. Yun Yi looked around and quickly came up with a brilliant plan.

That is... the specialty of the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect, using poison!

As one of the Three Wonders of the Fuyao Sect, Dan Pavilion's disciples are almost all involved in alchemy. While alchemy and poison refining are only a few characters apart, often when alchemy goes awry, some byproducts containing highly toxic substances are produced.

Yun Yi had been practicing alchemy with Su Qing these days and had gained a lot of insights. Some herbs have different medicinal properties and have no effect when used separately, but once mixed together, they can become extremely toxic.

The Sumeru Ring cannot be used now, so Yun Yi can only use local materials to find medicine that can poison the horse.

Unexpectedly, just as he was about to take action, he smelled a very familiar fragrance.

Su Qing also saw Yun Yi and took the initiative to step forward and greet him, "What a coincidence."

"It's a coincidence indeed."

It was such a huge forbidden area in the back mountain, but the two of them could actually meet here. It must be said that it was really fate.

Su Qing looked towards the purple aura and the demon beast guarding the bronze key, and chuckled, "It's actually a leopard horse. You're really lucky. It's probably the most difficult demon beast to deal with in the Qi Refining Realm." Yun Yi smiled bitterly and said, "If you knew I was teleported to a cliff and could fall into it if I wasn't careful, would you think I was luckier?"

Su Qing was surprised and said, "What? The first level is still like this?! Are you... not injured?"

"Don't worry, I'm naturally thick-skinned."

Even though Su Qing was kindhearted and had never been involved in the intrigues within the sect, she sensed something was amiss. She asked, "Is someone targeting you?"

"Maybe, but I have no evidence, and no one would believe me if I told them that."

"The Chenghuang Trial has always been fair. For someone like you, the first level is quite difficult, but the second level will be easier. It definitely shouldn't be at the level of a horse."

"As expected of someone who participated in the last Chenghuang Trial, you are truly knowledgeable and experienced."

Su Qing said lightly, "Stop talking nonsense. Have you figured out how to deal with the horse?"

Yun Yi didn't hide it, "Use poison. I remember that the horse is a greedy person. He doesn't care about meat or vegetables. He wants to try everything he comes across."

"Well, that's a good idea. Let's go find the right herbs."

Yun Yi asked in surprise: "We?"

"Didn't I tell you long ago that I'm not interested in winning or losing the trial? I just want to take this opportunity to pick more herbs." She showed off the flower basket in her hand. "Look, I've already found several rare treasures that are hard to come by outside."

Her sweet smile makes people feel like spring breeze.

Yun Yi said helplessly: "Su Qing, you... are really a wonderful person."

"Are you complimenting me by saying this?"

"Of course, even though your cultivation has been suppressed to that of a mortal, I believe that with just your Scarlet Snake, you can defeat all the monsters in the second level."

Su Qing smiled and said, "That's true. Even if it's a horse at the peak of Qi Refining, as long as Chi Lian bites it lightly, the problem will be solved."

Yun Yi joked, "In that case, we don't need to look for poison. Why don't you just use Chi Lian to help me get through this? When we get out, I'll get you something good that's no less delicious than the Dragon Fruit."

"Junior brother, don't try to be sneaky. This time I won't help you like I did with alchemy. It all depends on your own ability!"

"Senior sister is really cruel."

"Hmph, Yun Yi, I advise you to hurry up. Maybe other disciples will come here later and take the bronze key first."

After being urged by Su Qing, Yun Yi put aside his playful thoughts and began to concentrate on finding usable herbs. Su Qing kept her promise and did not help, but instead searched for more rare herbs.

As for staying with Yun Yi, it was just a coincidence.

The two of them spent some time together, and Su Qing had a good impression of this junior fellow who had just joined the sect. He knew when to advance and when to retreat, and was a gentleman. Unlike some of his fellow disciples who looked at him with strange and unpleasant eyes.

The most important thing is that he actually gave away such a rare treasure as the Dragon Fruit as soon as he asked. This shows that he has an open mind. Such a person is most suitable as a close friend.

It’s just a pity that the level of cultivation is a little low.

This was said by Taoist Xuancheng, implying that Yun Yi was not worthy of Su Qing. Thinking of the inquiring look in his master's eyes, asking why he had been so close to a Qi Refining Realm disciple recently.

Su Qing couldn't help blushing.

(End of this chapter)