From the beginning of Swordsman, he created a legend in the martial arts world.

As time passed, thanks to the successive treatments by the doctors of Black Stone Village, and with the help of the residual internal energy in Meng Fei's body, more than half a month later, the internal injuries to his lungs and viscera caused by the backlash of the Jade Blood Sword and the series of fierce battles had basically healed.

Only the residual toxins in the body are deeply rooted and difficult to eradicate completely in a short time. If you want to completely remove them and leave no hidden dangers, you need at least a month of careful conditioning, and use several extremely rare detoxifying ingredients to make it effective.

Meng Fei expressed his understanding and great gratitude, saying that being able to recover to his current state was already a great stroke of luck.

At the same time, he was also thinking about how to deal with the remaining poison in his body after it was removed, and how to repay the "kindness" of Black Stone Village - even though this "kindness" may not be as simple and pure as it seems on the surface.

As Meng Fei's injuries showed signs of improvement, an increasingly tense yet excited atmosphere permeated the entire Black Stone Village.

An official announcement from the Five Poisons Sect headquarters has been issued, stating that the final selection and competition for the position of Holy Maiden will be held at the "Ten Thousand Poisons Assembly" on the night of the full moon, with less than a month to go.

During this time, Sha Xiong and Sha Luo discussed the matter in a secret room several times. Meng Fei's recovery speed exceeded their expectations, which made them even more delighted and strengthened their determination to control this "sharp sword".

In their view, the poison of "Tethering" is like the best insurance policy. Once the time is right, this sharp sword will be used to pierce every enemy who stands in their way in the struggle for the Holy Maiden.

Seven days before the full moon, a series of heavy footsteps, unlike any other, came from outside the bamboo house where Meng Fei lived.

Upon hearing the sound, Meng Fei pushed open the door and saw Sha Xiong standing at the front, surrounded by seven or eight people, his demeanor quite different from usual.

Among them were four or five wiry Miao warriors with sharp, hawk-like eyes; two elderly men in colorful robes; and a mysterious figure completely hidden in a large cloak.

The most eye-catching figure was a young girl standing slightly behind Sha Xiong.

She appeared to be about fifteen or sixteen years old, dressed in a Miao ethnic costume with black and red as the main colors and embroidered with intricate silver insect and snake patterns. She had a beautiful face, but her eyes held an arrogance and coldness that did not match her age. Her gaze toward Meng Fei was seven parts scrutiny and three parts undisguised contempt.

"Chief Sand, why are you here so early today? And with so many friends?"

Meng Fei's gaze swept over the crowd, alarm bells ringing in his mind. None of these people were the healers who had treated him; instead, they all exuded a deep, imposing aura, cold eyes, and a subtle sense of malevolent pressure.

Sha Xiong still wore a warm smile, but his eyes held less of the usual "sincerity" and more of an unfathomable depth.

"Young Master Meng, how are you feeling today? Is there anything wrong with your body?"

These words, though seemingly concerned, sounded more like a test to Meng Fei.

In the past few days, Meng Fei did notice something unusual. Although the doctors continued to treat him on time, the rate at which the residual toxins in his body were being cleared had slowed down significantly.

What troubled him even more was that whenever he tried to circulate the Quanzhen Heart Sutra in an attempt to speed up his recovery, a sharp, stabbing pain would faintly emanate from his meridians.

He initially thought it was the residual poison in his body causing the problem, but now, combined with Sha Xiong's unusual visit, an ominous premonition quietly arose. Judging from the other party's words, it seemed that he had anticipated his condition.

He then suppressed his doubts, maintaining a calm expression, and cupped his hands, saying, "Thank you for your concern, Chief. I have recovered considerably these past few days and believe I will be fully recovered soon."

"I will forever remember your kindness in providing medical assistance, and I will repay you in the future. Furthermore, I am from outside the mountains and it is inconvenient for me to linger. I was just about to take my leave of the village chief..."

"Hey, Young Master Meng, you flatter me. As long as you recover, there's no need to say anything more."

Before he could finish speaking, Sha Xiong raised his hand to interrupt him, then abruptly changed the subject: "By the way, young hero Meng, are you aware that in seven days it will be the night of the full moon, which is also the 'Ten Thousand Poisons Assembly' where our Five Poisons Sect selects its new Holy Maiden!"

"This is the grandest event in Miao territory once every ten years. At that time, elites from all villages will gather, showcasing extraordinary skills and techniques, creating a lively and extraordinary atmosphere."

"Since Young Hero Meng has arrived in Miao territory and it just so happens to be the right time for this event, why not join us on our way to the main altar to witness the ceremony? It would be a good opportunity to broaden your horizons, wouldn't it?"

Upon hearing this, Meng Fei's heart skipped a beat. He knew all too well how dangerous the "Ten Thousand Gu Assembly" and the battle against the Holy Maiden were.

He frowned slightly, carefully choosing his words to politely decline, saying, "I appreciate the chieftain's kindness. However, I am an outsider and know nothing about your sect's rules. If I were to inadvertently offend someone, it would only jeopardize the chieftain's important affairs."

"Besides... I still have residual poison in my body and my strength has not recovered, so I am truly unable to share the burden for the chieftain. It would be better if I wait until I am fully recovered before troubling you again, at which time I will certainly..."

"Young Master Meng is overthinking it!"

Upon hearing this, Sha Xiong's smile vanished instantly, and his tone became firm and undeniably authoritative.

"A healer will accompany you on the journey, ensuring your treatment is not delayed. We have come here today specifically to invite you to join us, young hero. Please do not refuse!"

As he spoke, he turned to the side and made a "please" gesture, while the warriors behind him subtly took half a step forward, forming an encirclement.

Seeing that the other party had come prepared, Meng Fei knew that things would not end well today.

Just as he was secretly concentrating, preparing to strike first even if it meant a relapse of his injuries, should the other party use force!

The internal energy, which had been flowing smoothly, suddenly accelerated and felt as if it had collided with countless invisible sharp blades, causing a tearing pain to instantly emanate from the meridians.

Meng Fei felt that his internal energy was not only unable to circulate smoothly, but also suddenly dissipated under the stimulation of the intense pain, which backfired on his blood and qi, causing his vision to go black and almost making him lose his footing.

"Hahahaha!"

Upon seeing this, Sha Xiong burst into laughter, his previous feigned enthusiasm completely vanished, replaced by undisguised smugness and coldness.

"Young Master Meng, do you feel as if a thousand needles are piercing your veins when you try to circulate your internal energy, causing unbearable pain? Not only can you not raise your internal energy, but it also becomes scattered and backfires?"

Meng Fei abruptly raised his head, staring intently at Sha Xiong, his eyes flashing with cold light: "What...what did you do to me?!"

"What did you do?"

Sha Xiong leisurely stroked his beard and said slowly, "It's just that I'm grateful for the young hero's kindness in saving my son, and seeing that the poison in your body is stubborn, I'm afraid that if the wound isn't completely healed, it will relapse in the future. Therefore... I added an extra herb called 'Qianji' to the medicine I carefully prepared for you, to help you strengthen your body and replenish your vital energy."

His eyes were playful, like a cat toying with a mouse: "Oh, I forgot to tell you about the characteristics of this 'Connecting Mechanism.' This was specially crafted by me for the masters of the Central Plains martial arts world. Its nature is most peculiar, mutually reinforcing and restraining the internal energy of the Central Plains."

"The deeper your internal energy, the more frequently you circulate it, the more tightly it integrates with your internal energy, like vines entwining a tree, inseparable. If you force yourself to circulate it, you're only asking for trouble. The pain that penetrates to the bone is the least of your worries; over time, your meridians will be damaged, and your power will greatly diminish. Unless..."

"Unless what?"

"Meng?" he asked hoarsely, enduring the sharp pain throbbing in his meridians.

"Unless you cripple your martial arts and dissipate all your internal energy, there is no cure for this medicine."

Sha Xiong stared coldly at Meng Fei, his eyes filled with smug satisfaction.