Lao Tzu is Ji Gong

Seeing this, Li Longcheng also made a move to defend himself. During the fight, Han Hu took the opportunity to whisper in Li Longcheng's ear, "It's me! Han Hu! We two sneaked into the city specifically to seek your help. In a moment, pretend to tie us up and take us back to the city lord's mansion, and I'll explain everything to you in detail."

Upon hearing this, Li Longcheng didn't have time to think. He struck out and knocked the two men to the ground with a single palm strike. He then ordered the guards, "These two thugs dare to disturb the peace in broad daylight. You men, take them back to the city lord's mansion and lock them in the cell. They are not to enter or leave without my order."

"Yes!" And so, the two entered the city lord's mansion smoothly, everything proceeding according to Han Hu's plan.

Once inside the prison, Li Longcheng dismissed the city lord's men and transferred his own personal guards to protect Han Hu and Wen Long.

"Didn't I tell you to hurry up? How did you escape the city guards and get into the city?" Li Longcheng asked in surprise.

“Longcheng, we will never forget your life-saving grace, but we must find out who killed Uncle Huanglong. You don’t need to persuade us anymore. Do you know anything about this?” Han Hu asked tentatively.

"You can rest assured about my identity. Uncle Huanglong saved my life back then. He did me a favor, so naturally I would save you. Although I am his confidant, he never mentioned this matter to me, so I am very sorry that I was unable to rescue Uncle Huanglong." As he said this, Li Longcheng revealed a trace of sorrow in his eyes.

After composing himself, he continued, "All I know is that there are even more powerful figures above him who are planning something earth-shattering, but as for what it is, I am powerless to do anything about it."

Han Hu narrowed his eyes after hearing this, thinking to himself: A shocking plan? How many people are involved in this? And who is pulling the strings behind the scenes? I must find out!

"Longcheng, I want you to do something for me, something that could be fatal to the Lord of Linghai City!" Han Hu seemed to have gained a bit of anger from Li Longcheng's description of Huanglong's situation, and now he was focusing all of it on the Lord of Linghai City.

Meanwhile, the city lord was still sitting leisurely in his room, completely unaware of everything that was happening outside.

After explaining everything to Li Longcheng, Han Hu handed him a bag of white powder.

After obtaining the packet of powder, Li Longcheng carefully put it away. After looking around to make sure no one was watching, he left the cell and instructed his personal guards to protect them.

Back in his room, Li Longcheng got up, took the city lord's order to the kitchen, instructed the maids to boil a pot of water, then dismissed them and personally brewed tea, adding the packet of powder as well.

After tidying everything up, he straightened his clothes, composed himself, and then slowly walked towards the city lord's room with the tea in his hand.

Even though Li Longcheng was the city lord's confidant, he felt no affection for him whatsoever. He knew in his heart that the city lord had nurtured him for many years only to use him to help him achieve his plans and gain greater benefits. Therefore, he felt no qualms or pity at this moment. He knew that the city lord had no regrets in dying, and by sending him off on his final journey, he could at least repay the kindness of his upbringing.

As for the city lord, he was now completely oblivious to the world around him, utterly unaware of what was happening outside. He was convinced that Han Hu and Wen Long were hiding in those small towns, and that his personal guards would surely capture them and bring them back. He thought that by handing them over to his superiors, he might even get a promotion. Little did he know that his death was imminent, and he was still living in a dream.

Li Longcheng knocked softly on the door: "Lord, are you in your room?"

The city lord, who was leisurely dozing in his chair and daydreaming, slowly replied when he heard someone knocking on the door: "Come in, Longcheng, what brings you here?"

Li Longcheng also walked slowly, stepped forward to place the tea on the city lord's table, and then withdrew. His movements were fluid and natural, without the slightest hint of anything unusual.

"Lord, it's nothing urgent. I just heard from my men that our guards have pinpointed the exact location of those two men and are on their way to capture them."

Upon hearing this, the city lord burst into laughter. Just as he had expected, he instinctively picked up the teacup on the table and gulped it down. "Good, good! Pass on my order: whoever captures those two will be rewarded with a thousand taels of gold!"

Li Longcheng paid no attention to what he said. After seeing him drink the tea without any worries, a sinister glint appeared in his eyes. Of course, the city lord was too pleased with himself to notice.

Li Longcheng thought to himself: Soul-dispersing powder, colorless and odorless, takes effect after half a day, causing people's vital energy to dissipate and their soul to be scattered without their knowledge! Even if the city lord is highly skilled in martial arts, once a person is complacent, he will not notice these details. It is currently noon, and half a day later, when he is sound asleep at night, that will be the time when he truly dreams!

After the city lord waved for Li Longcheng to leave, the day proceeded as usual, and nothing happened.

As midnight approached, just as Han Hu had planned, someone reported that the city lord had suddenly died in his room, his breath gone. The city lord's mansion was in chaos, and imperial physicians from all over Linghai City were summoned to treat the city lord. But how could a dead person come back to life?

Taking advantage of the chaos, Li Longcheng sneaked into the prison and released Han Hu and Wen Long. The three of them escaped by scaling the wall when no one was paying attention, and Linghai City was destroyed!

Chapter 1266 Wenlong's Life in Danger!

The three looked at the chaotic Linghai City, each with their own thoughts.

Han Hu looked at Wen Long beside him. He seemed to be acting more and more strangely. He had sensed from the time they were in the cell that Wen Long was suppressing some kind of power within him. Sometimes he would become irritable and lose his mind, and other times he would be joking and laughing.

He asked with concern, "Wenlong, you don't look well lately. Is something wrong? In that case, we can rest in Qinglong Town for a few days before setting off again. If it's for Uncle Huanglong's sake that you get hurt again, I'd rather we hadn't gotten involved in this matter at all than let you be unharmed!"

Looking into Han Hu's determined eyes, Wen Long couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion.

He responded, "Having such a brother is the greatest blessing in my life, and I will never forget my gratitude! I will do whatever you say. Let's go to town to rest and sort out our itinerary for the rest of the trip."

As Wenlong finished speaking, a look of pain flashed in his eyes, but the two men didn't notice for a fleeting moment. He knew that he was increasingly losing control of his reason these past two days, and he was truly afraid of what if... what if he had a complete breakdown! For now, it would be best to rest in town for a couple of days and not let Han Hu discover his pain, otherwise, it would definitely delay their journey because of him.

The three of them then headed towards Qinglong Town. At this time, the men that the city lord had assigned to various towns heard that the city lord had died suddenly, and the whole of Linghai City was in chaos. How could they still have the mind to continue the pursuit? They all rushed back to restore order.

Suddenly! Wenlong sensed that the power within his body was running rampant again, this time even surging through all his meridians! He felt as if his body was being burned by raging fire, as if countless insects were gnawing at his mind! He tried to forcefully circulate his qi to suppress this evil power, but found that he was powerless to do so.

His face was pale, his eyes were bloodshot, his brow was black, and his whole body began to convulse in pain. He wished he were dead, because he was in excruciating pain! Finally, he could no longer hold on and collapsed, fainting.

Han Hu, who was standing nearby, was shocked to see this and rushed over to help him up, checking his breathing: "Wenlong! Wenlong! What's wrong with you! Wake up!"

Li Longcheng examined Wen Long's body with his inner energy. A dangerous glint flashed in his eyes as he said to Han Hu, "If I'm not mistaken, he must have taken the Burning Heart Pill before. This kind of pill gradually erodes a person's mind, causing them to lose their reason. Once it fully takes effect, if the antidote isn't found within three days, the heart will be devoured by hundreds of insects and turned into a dried corpse!"

Upon hearing this, Han Hu froze, his eyes vacant and lifeless. His mind had been eroded, turning him into a dried-up corpse! He had thought… Wen Long had simply become more irritable lately, but he never imagined that Wen Long had been enduring such pain and hiding it from him all along. He had completely disregarded Wen Long's feelings because of Huang Long's matter!

Regardless of Wenlong's reasons for taking the Burning Heart Pill, he could no longer care. How could a brother stand by and watch him die! He had to find the antidote to save him! He knew there was someone who would have a way!

After dusting himself off and getting up, he hurriedly instructed Li Longcheng: "Longcheng, take him to Qinglong Town and settle him in. I will definitely bring back the antidote in three days! You must stay by his side and take good care of him these next few days. We will definitely repay you properly in the future!"

Li Longcheng quickly declined, saying modestly, "What are you saying! We're brothers who've been through thick and thin together, there's no need for thanks. Go and come back quickly, leave this to me!"

Han Hu nodded upon hearing this, and without even breaking a sweat, he ran to the town to find a horse. He couldn't afford to waste a moment! And the direction he was heading was none other than the direction of Tianwu Academy!

Finally, after half a day of travel, and with several horses exhausted, Han Hu arrived at Tianwu Academy before nightfall.

After Han Hu dismounted and inquired about the residences of Wen Chong and Li Xiuchen, two disciples of the academy, he took to the air without saying a word.

It was already late, and Li Xiuchen was about to take off his clothes and rest when a knock on the door startled him. Who could be looking for him so late? And the knocking was so urgent, he thought it best to be careful.

He asked softly, "Who is it? What do you want with me so late at night?"

"I, Han Hu, have something urgent I need your help with."

Although his relationship with Han Hu was based on mutual benefit, he had no reason to put himself in a deadly situation. So he went forward, opened the door, closed the windows and doors, and let Han Hu in to discuss the matter.

"Li Xiuchen, were you aware that Wenlong and I were secretly investigating Huang Long's murder?" "I knew."

“But we’ve run into a problem. Wenlong has taken the Burning Heart Pill without us knowing, and now the poison is taking effect. He’s in critical condition! If there’s no antidote within three days, he’ll completely lose his mind and turn into a dried-up corpse! So I’d like to ask you to find the antidote and save Wenlong’s life. I know you’ll definitely have a way.”

"Although the Wen family has no intention of harming me, we've always only had a mutually beneficial relationship. Besides, the reason I came to Tianwu Academy was because the Wen family's patron sent me to handle his family affairs. Heh... Let me tell you something else. Someone gave me a letter to open after I get to the academy. The letter actually tells me that Wen Chong is also a pawn of the Wen family."

You say the Wen family doesn't even spare their own relatives, and I don't know what their purpose is in placing me by their side. Now they want me to waste my time rescuing Wen Long; I'm afraid I cannot comply."

Han Hu didn't leave. He smiled and said, "I knew you would refuse me, so let's make a trade."

Upon hearing this, Li Xiuchen narrowed his eyes and said indifferently, "What exchange?"

"You're familiar with Weiwei, aren't you? Although you have no feelings for her, you can't forget the life-saving grace you owe her. To tell you the truth, she was poisoned by the Wen family long ago when you did her a favor. This poison is currently just growing inside her body, and it will truly take effect on her 18th birthday this year. If you don't want to see her explode and die, how about we each get what we need? I'll help you get the antidote to save her. What do you say?"

Li Xiuchen felt a chill run down his spine upon hearing this. The Wen family! How did they know everything that had happened to them? And how did they manage to plant a curse on Weiwei so quietly? But he didn't have time to think about all that, and said coldly, "Fine, I agree."

Time is running out for Wenlong; not a moment can be wasted, and we must set off immediately.

So Li Xiuchen left a letter for Wen Chong late at night: You should stay at Tianwu Academy for a few days. I have some things to take care of. Wait for me to come back. -- Li Xiuchen

The two then fell silent, one heading towards the Wen family's residence while the other hurried into the mountains.

Li Xiuchen told Wen Chong that he had something to attend to and asked Wen Chong to wait for him at Tianwu Academy. That same day, Li Xiuchen quietly left Tianwu Academy to find a way to save Wen Long. On the way, Li Xiuchen asked the Holy Buddha, "Holy Buddha, do you know what the antidote for the Burning Heart Pill is?"

"Burning Heart Pill? That's easy to solve. You just need to go to the extreme cold and find the Ice Soul Grass." The Holy Buddha said lazily.

"..." Li Xiuchen didn't speak, but he felt extremely helpless. The poisons that others couldn't cure were actually insignificant to the Holy Buddha. Thinking of this, Li Xiuchen suddenly asked, "Do you know what kind of poison Weiwei has been afflicted with?" Li Xiuchen asked with a hint of hope.

"I didn't sense any signs of Gu poison on her. Perhaps the person who cast the Gu hasn't awakened it yet, so I can't detect it," the Holy Buddha explained. Li Xiuchen lowered his head in disappointment, then raised it again and hurried towards the extremely cold place the Holy Buddha had mentioned.

When Wen Chong woke up the next day, he found the note Li Xiuchen had left for him, but he couldn't find Li Xiuchen anymore. He had no choice but to resign himself to waiting for Li Xiuchen's return at Tianwu Academy. Wen Chong stayed at the academy for two days, but with nothing to do, he was extremely bored.

Feeling utterly bored, Tian Chong decided to go for a stroll. As he wandered aimlessly, his eyes suddenly lit up, as if he'd discovered something interesting. He quickly walked towards a beautiful figure in front of him and then reached out to pat her on the shoulder.

"Hey, little beauty, we meet again," Wen Chong said with a sly grin. The woman was none other than Weiwei, whom he had met with Li Xiuchen before.

Weiwei angrily slapped Wen Chong's hand away from her shoulder, saying, "We're not close." Then she walked away.

"Hey, little beauty, wait for me." Wen Chong then caught up with her and walked side by side with her.

"Hey, little beauty, I heard your sister call you Weiwei the other day. You're called Weiwei, right? Your name is so pretty. Oh, by the way, my name is Wen Chong. You met me the other day, the one with Li Xiu." Wen Chong continued to follow Weiwei, whispering these random things in her ear, but Weiwei never turned her head to look at him.

"Hey, Weiwei, what are you going out to buy today? Want us to go take a look together?" Wen Chong didn't feel awkward talking to someone who wasn't being answered, and continued.

"Enough! Aren't you annoying? I don't know you. Don't follow me anymore, or I'll get rough with you!" Weiwei finally couldn't hold back anymore and said angrily. Her beautiful eyes widened with anger, but it didn't ruin her beauty; instead, it added a unique kind of beauty to her. Wen Chong was stunned for a moment. Weiwei then quickly left.

By the time Wen Chong realized what was happening, Weiwei was no longer in sight. He didn't continue chasing after her, but instead returned to his residence.

After returning to his lodgings, Wen Chong ate something and lay down on the bed. The image of Weiwei when she was angry kept replaying in his mind. The more he thought about it, the more beautiful Weiwei seemed. As he thought about it, Wen Chong fell asleep. In his dream, Weiwei was very gentle with him, which made him smile happily in his dream.

After Weiwei left, she noticed that Wen Chong hadn't followed, which calmed her down a bit, but she still disliked him. Suddenly, she remembered that Li Xiuchen was usually with Wen Chong, but today only Wen Chong was there, and Li Xiuchen was nowhere to be seen. She became worried that something might have happened to Li Xiuchen, but she didn't want to go back to look for him. At this point, Weiwei lost her desire to shop; realizing there was nothing she absolutely needed to buy, she turned and went back to the academy.

Back at the academy, Weiwei was worried about Li Xiuchen and couldn't concentrate on her cultivation. So the next morning, she went to that street again to see if she could run into Wen Chong and ask him where Li Xiuchen had gone.

Coincidentally, Wen Chong, still haunted by his dream the night before, found himself back on this street, hoping to run into Weiwei. Seeing Wen Chong, Weiwei remembered his attitude towards her the day before and initially wanted to turn and leave immediately. However, thinking of Li Xiuchen's safety, she hesitated, gritted her teeth, and walked towards Wen Chong. At that moment, Wen Chong also saw Weiwei, excitedly greeted her, and followed her.

"Hey, Weiwei, my little beauty!" After walking up to Weiwei, Wenchong said again, "Look, aren't we telepathically connected? I was just thinking about you, and here you are."

Weiwei frowned slightly, a hint of displeasure in her eyes, but didn't reject Wen Chong's approach. She let him speak to her. Seeing Weiwei's growing impatience, Wen Chong fell silent. After a while, hesitantly asked, "Weiwei, do you dislike me?"

"Huh? What did you say?" Weiwei was preoccupied with how to ask about Li Xiuchen's whereabouts and didn't hear what Wen Chong was saying.

"Hey, Weiwei, do you hate me?" Wen Chong asked again, his tone serious, a tone Weiwei had never heard before. Seeing that Weiwei didn't answer him for a while, Wen Chong continued in a low voice, "I really am not likable, unlike Brother Li Xiu, who is good-looking and strong."

"No, I don't dislike you," Weiwei said. "By the way, you mentioned Li Xiu. Aren't you two always together? Why have you been alone these past two days?" Weiwei seized the opportunity to ask.

“Oh, him? I don’t know where he went. He only left me a note saying he had something to do and told me to stay at Tianwu Academy and wait for him to come back,” Wen Chong said.

Weiwei nodded, said only, "I have something to do, so I'll head back to the academy first," and left.

Chapter 1267 The Extremely Cold Land

Hearing the Holy Buddha's words, Li Xiuchen appeared unconvinced. However, he knew he couldn't compare to the Holy Buddha. After all, the Holy Buddha was a Buddha, while he was merely a mortal. The Ice Soul Grass was a rare treasure, obtained only once in a hundred years; how could he possibly acquire it so easily?

But to save Weiwei, he would do everything in his power, no matter how difficult. He couldn't let Weiwei be implicated in his affairs and lose her life because of it. The Wen family! They are truly cunning and ruthless! I, Li Xiuchen, will remember this!

Li Xiuchen traveled a long and arduous journey to this extremely cold land. The environment here was harsh, with howling winds and scarce spiritual energy. As soon as he stepped into the territory, Li Xiuchen felt difficulty breathing, let alone circulating his spiritual energy to cast spells.

However, at this moment, he had to rely on his own spiritual power to provide warmth to his body. Because it was incredibly cold here! So cold that if someone who didn't know martial arts stepped inside, their entire body would freeze and they would die. Therefore, this extremely cold place was desolate for hundreds of miles around, barren and devoid of any vegetation, evoking a sense of desolation.