Chapter 146: Calmly Neutralizing the Poison

"Ice-Sealing Technique!"

A sudden chill erupted, and ring-shaped glaciers, sharp as swords, rose from the ground to encase the purple dragon-worm. With a resounding boom, the structure shattered, and fine snow particles drifted through the air as the toxic mist gradually dissipated.

A pleasant, melodious male voice spoke:

"Bai Shengye, from the Apothecary Immortal Clan. It is a pleasure to meet you."

As he spoke, he casually pulled a slender, inconspicuous syringe from his shoulder and tossed it aside, a confident smile tugging at the corner of his lips. It was the antidote he had just injected to neutralize the dragon-worm's toxins.

"Apothecary... Immortal Clan? I have heard of you. Let us see if your antidote is stronger, or my poison!"

With that, the poison master’s back split open, and a pair of wings unfurled from a cocoon, revealing themselves to be those of a bewitchingly beautiful butterfly. Its waist had fused completely with his spine.

"As I suspected, a Bewitching Phoenix Butterfly," Bai Shengye thought to himself.

The moment Yixin had shattered the cocoon, Bai Shengye had glimpsed the eye-shaped circular patterns within the mist. Recognizing the creature, he had instantly determined the final ingredient needed for his antidote.

The toxin of this butterfly was notoriously lethal, capable of killing in three seconds. It was a species far rarer than the dragon-worm. The circular "eyes" on its wings served to mesmerize prey, and the butterfly's flight capabilities significantly expanded the poison master's range, making it the ultimate choice for an insect-based poison user.

However, legend had it that fusing with such a creature required enduring unimaginable agony. Many immensely talented poison masters had perished during the fusion process, unable to withstand the torment.

"I had not intended to use this ultimate trump card during the match, but since you possess the ability to detoxify, I shall not hold back!" the poison master declared.

He tore off his black mask, flapped his wings, and his abdomen swelled like an inflating balloon. He exhaled plumes of green toxic mist. Simultaneously, the four fluorescent green eye-spots on his fluttering wings began to induce dizziness and confusion in his opponent, potentially plunging them into hallucinations or forcing them to involuntarily draw closer to the butterfly.

Bai Shengye steadied his mind. Between his slender fingers, he held two vials—one to dispel confusion, the other to counter the butterfly’s toxin. He injected both into his arm. A moment later, he blinked, and the hypnotic effect of the butterfly wings no longer held any power over him.

Only then did he raise his Profound Ice Staff, transforming it into its second form: the Ice Blade Sword. Several glaciers surged forward, slashing toward the poison master.

The butterfly’s toxin hung in the air like dust, refusing to dissipate—this was the true strength of the Bewitching Phoenix Butterfly. As time passed, the toxin accumulated, and as the poison master shifted his position, the entire arena became saturated with the poison.

Facing the assault, the poison master took to the air, flying at a low altitude while continuously flapping his wings and exhaling toxic mist from his bulging cheeks.

Though Bai Shengye had consumed several full bottles of medicine before the match—reaching the limit of what his body could absorb—he did not want to exhaust his mana against this poison master. He hoped to conserve his strength to face the even more formidable opponent waiting in the wings: Wu Zhen of the Wu Clan.

Moreover, having already found a way to suppress the poison master, Bai Shengye refrained from unleashing his "Abyssal Hell." He simply brandished his Ice Blade Sword, using sudden, rising glaciers to disrupt the poison master’s attacks while searching for an opening.

Down below, the short, stoic captain named Wu Zhen stood quietly. His deep, dark green eyes featured golden vertical pupils, like those of a serpent; his expression remained completely unperturbed.

His teammates behind him, however, were anxious. To them, forcing the poison master to use his final trump card was proof that their opponent was incredibly powerful.

Seeing that the spreading toxins were ineffective against Bai Shengye, the poison master realized the antidote had worked. He turned and flew high into the sky, dodging glaciers while holding his breath, his abdomen swelling larger and larger.

In the blink of an eye, his midsection had expanded to five or six times its original size. His flight altitude dropped due to the weight, as he prepared to unleash all the concentrated toxin stored in his body in one final, overwhelming blast to render his opponent's antidote useless.

Bai Shengye knew the moment had arrived. A flash of killing intent crossed his eyes as he threw a needle with lightning speed.

"Poison Mist Cannon!"

The poison master dove toward Bai Shengye, the concentrated toxins in his abdomen reaching their limit, ready to erupt. He never noticed the needle that had struck him.

At this critical juncture, Bai Shengye did not dodge. Instead, he stood casually with his hands in his pockets. The spectators gasped in astonishment.

"What is happening? Is he not going to dodge?"

Just then, the poison master coughed. He looked down at his swollen abdomen, his face turning pale with excruciating pain. A syringe was lodged there, though he hadn't noticed when it struck.

Suddenly, the poison master’s body began to deflate like a leaking balloon. White mist hissed out from his mouth and ears, much like a whistling tea kettle. Every ounce of toxin in his belly had been neutralized.

Moments later, the weakened poison master drifted to the ground, collapsing as he clutched his shriveled stomach, his wings folding away.

"This... this is impossible. You neutralized my poison? When did you prepare this antidote?!"

"That is none of your concern," Bai Shengye said with a flippant smile. He had, of course, been prepared before he even stepped onto the stage.

For an ordinary person, finding the materials to craft such an antidote would take years of traveling across mountains and rivers. But as a professional apothecary, he carried the essential components with him, allowing him to concoct it with ease.

"Fine, I concede."

The members of the Holy City team below the stage cheered and jumped for joy upon hearing the concession.

"Great! Another win!"

The host immediately announced: "In the second match, Bai Shengye of the Holy City Magic Academy is victorious!"

"They still have one person left, and we have two," Yixin remarked.

Although the opposing team had lost two consecutive matches, they were not yet eliminated; if the third participant could win against the remaining two members of the Holy City team, it would result in a draw.

Finally, the main force of the poison-user team, the poison master of the Wu Clan—Wu Zhen—stepped onto the stage.

He walked up the steps slowly, dressed in a black high-collared garment, a crystal ball hovering near his left shoulder. His footsteps were steady yet silent, and he exuded a powerful, terrifying aura. With his hands in his pockets, his expression remained unreadable.

He brushed past the staggering poison master, who looked at him with a gaze filled with guilt, but Wu Zhen did not even glance at him.

In fact, he seemed to hold no one in the arena in his regard. As soon as he stepped onto the platform, he closed his eyes.