17. Spring Breeze at Eighteen Degrees

Seeing that Yuan Xiao was getting serious, Xie Wuji summoned all his strength and swung his fist in retaliation. The two exchanged blows, their fight fierce and thrilling, with sparks flying as the sword and arm guard clashed again and again.

During the battle, Xie Wuji suddenly felt the Grip of the Undying become more fluid and natural to use. Though his cultivation was at a disadvantage, the profound techniques within the Grip of the Undying allowed him to gradually gain the upper hand. Yuan Xiao was astonished; he had intended to create an accident, to make it look as though he had inadvertently killed Xie Wuji, but unexpectedly, Xie Wuji’s moves grew sharper and more aggressive.

At first, Xie Wuji only defended, but soon he launched into a desperate offense, catching Yuan Xiao off guard. Gritting his teeth, Yuan Xiao shook himself and unleashed his beast spirit’s power—the Lion’s Roar!

The beast spirit Yuan Xiao had absorbed was a formidable demon lion, granting him a unique ability: he could channel spiritual energy into his throat and unleash a roar that could knock out those with weaker cultivation instantly.

He hadn’t planned to use this power so freely, but now, if he didn’t, he feared he would be defeated. As the roar echoed, several disciples with lower cultivation were immediately stunned, and Xie Wuji was momentarily dazed. Yuan Xiao seized the opportunity, kicking Xie Wuji in the chest so hard that he felt his ribs nearly snap.

Brandishing his sword, Yuan Xiao shouted angrily, “Die!”

He swung the blade toward Xie Wuji’s throat. Sensing imminent danger, Xie Wuji performed a nimble kip-up and without hesitation punched at Yuan Xiao’s throat.

Just as both seemed about to suffer mutual destruction, a golden dragon suddenly appeared between them. With a tremor, immense spiritual energy exploded from his body, blasting the two apart. “Enough! If you had unleashed those moves, you would both have perished!”

Propelled backwards, Yuan Xiao glared resentfully at Xie Wuji, his pride wounded. At that moment, the golden dragon turned his gaze to Xie Wuji. “Master Xie, there seems to be a flaw in this arm guard. Would you mind removing it so I can take a closer look?”

“Certainly,” Xie Wuji replied, unfastening the guard without hesitation.

The golden dragon took the arm guard, puzzled. The snake venom emanating from it was unmistakable; perhaps the venomous blood hadn’t been used in sufficient quantity? With that thought, he put it on himself. The instant he did, a fierce itch erupted in his hand. He let out a wretched cry, drawing everyone’s attention.

Even the stunned disciples were roused by the sound, only to see the golden dragon frantically tugging at the arm guard. His hands, now swollen from the poison, were stuck fast to the guard.

Panicked, the golden dragon flailed, trying to shake it loose.

Qian Duoduo, a master of flattery, immediately chimed in, “Look, the sect master is demonstrating a new technique! Everyone, join in and learn—this is a rare opportunity!”

At his words, the ambitious disciples crowded the forge courtyard, waving their arms alongside the golden dragon.

The golden dragon had no time to care about appearances. If the snake venom spread any deeper, his hands would be ruined. He flailed all the harder, and the disciples mimicked his movements with even greater fervor. The scene was grand; to Xie Wuji, it resembled nothing so much as modern square dancing, though the golden dragon’s dance truly defied ordinary logic.

Despite the madness of the steps, there was something inexplicably impressive about them.

“Um, if Sect Master Huang likes this arm guard so much, I’ll just gift it to you…” Xie Wuji said, sweating with embarrassment.

The golden dragon was furious—he had no desire for the arm guard, but now couldn’t remove it. With so many disciples watching, if he admitted he was trapped by the guard, he’d be utterly humiliated. How could he continue as the sect leader after this?

Enduring the pain of the venom, he replied, “Since it’s a gift from Master Xie, I accept it gratefully. But I will prepare a spiritual artifact of similar quality as a return gift.”

“Haha, thank you. But, Sect Master Huang… why do you have little green blisters on your elbow?” Xie Wuji teased.

The golden dragon scowled, “The mountain’s damp lately, I’m a bit allergic. Nothing serious… I won’t disturb you further. Please explore the sect at your leisure; I’ll take my leave…”

“Wait!” Xie Wuji called, chasing after him.

The golden dragon nearly cursed aloud. If he delayed any longer, the poison would destroy his hands. Trembling with rage, he said, “Is there something else, Master Xie?”

“I just wanted to ask, what sort of spiritual artifact will you gift me?” Xie Wuji asked, rubbing his hands together with a smile.

Impatient, the golden dragon gritted his teeth. “In the Treasury Hall, you may choose whatever you wish. Yuan Xiao, escort Master Xie there. Whatever he desires, let him have it!”

“Yes!” Yuan Xiao, though unwilling, obeyed the master’s command.

Xie Wuji immediately followed Yuan Xiao to the Treasury Hall. Meanwhile, the golden dragon retreated to his chamber, drenched in sweat, and called out to his steward, “Old Yu, hurry over!”

“Sect Master, what—oh my heavens, what happened to your hands?” The steward stared, terrified, at the dense blisters covering the golden dragon’s arms.

The golden dragon cursed, “Are you blind? They’re blisters! Help me remove this arm guard!”

He now hated Xie Wuji intensely. If Xie Wuji was immune to the snake venom, perhaps he practiced some poisonous martial art; only those who cultivated poison skills would be unaffected.

The steward shook his head. “Madam’s been unwell lately, and you’ve been shutting yourself in the study. Though self-indulgence may relieve stress, everything needs moderation… Look how you’ve abused yourself, you’ve rubbed your hands raw…”

“Do you want to die?” The golden dragon’s eyes were bloodshot. He was poisoned, yet the steward insinuated he’d harmed himself through ‘self-indulgence’? Furious, he refrained from lashing out, needing the steward’s help.

As the steward worked to remove the guard, the golden dragon recounted what had happened. Old Yu listened, his brows dancing with excitement. “Sect Master, you should have consulted me about this skill in harming others! Hehehe!”

Old Yu’s smile was indecent.

“Do you have a way to properly take revenge on Xie Wuji without killing him?” the golden dragon asked, squinting. He knew his steward had few virtues, but was adept at scheming.

Old Yu produced a pink porcelain bottle, grinning slyly. “This medicine is called Spring Breeze Eighteen Degrees! Whether man or beast, one whiff induces unbearable heat throughout the body. If swallowed, it burns with fierce fire for three days and nights; if the fire is not timely relieved, the victim’s body may explode!”

The golden dragon, hands wrapped in bandages, coldly asked, “Old Yu, confess honestly—rumor has it there’s a flower-thieving thief in Qingpi County famed for his swift movement. Is that you…”

Old Yu blushed. “Well, everyone needs a hobby, right?”

“You use this medicine?” the golden dragon pressed closer.

Old Yu’s eyebrows arched. “Yes, I bought it for a hefty price from the world’s greatest flower thief, Ximen Qiu-Huan. I’ve never failed with this medicine. Whether virtuous maidens or debutantes, just a whiff of Spring Breeze Eighteen Degrees and… hehehe…”

His smile was so wide his eyes disappeared.

“Is it really that miraculous?” the golden dragon doubted.

Old Yu chuckled, “Would you like to try it? There are actually two bottles—one pill, one powder. I usually use the pill; just let the noble ladies inhale its scent. But if the pill is combined with the powder… hehehe…”

His grin grew ever more indecent.