Seeing this, Luo Jinsong heaved a sigh of relief in his heart. His eyes were cold as he glanced at Xu Qing and was about to retreat.
Xu Qing didn't stop him. He lifted his gaze from the heaven and earth gourd and looked at Luo Jinsong, speaking with a calm tone.
"You can't neutralize my poison."
Luo Jinsong's expression changed. Just as he was about to take out more antidotes again, his body instinctively trembled. After that, his entire body turned greenish-black again.
A huge panic surged within him, his breath became rapid, and his entire cultivation started running as he attempted to suppress the poison. He turned to look at the Seventh Prince and Princess Anhai, seemingly seeking assistance.
However, before he could finish speaking, black blood flowed out of his seven orifices. His tongue and ears were the first to fall down and turn into black water. A whimpering wail rang out from his throat, but his body continued to rot rapidly.
Flesh fell off piece by piece. In just three to five breaths of time, Luo Jinsong's entire body melted into black water.
Before he disappeared, he took one last look at Princess Anhai. His remaining eyeballs revealed a pleading look, but he got no response.
This scene finally caused the expressions of the surrounding people to change drastically.
Previously, they didn't think much of Xu Qing's method of plundering nascent souls. It wasn't that there weren't any similar methods. Even if it was poison, it was the same.
When Xu Qing changed into a spiritual form, it caused some of them to be surprised.
However, they didn't have any change in expression. It was the same even when Xu Qing cut off Luo Jinsong's head.
They knew that Luo Jinsong wouldn't die.
However, it was different now.
Luo Jinsong had clearly neutralized it but the poison still existed and it erupted incomparably ferociously. Hence, many gazes landed on Xu Qing.
This was especially so for Meng Yunbai. The way he looked at Xu Qing was filled with confusion and wariness.
Beside him, Fairy Liuling from the Creator's Manor had an unprecedented solemn expression on her face. She looked at the black water and suddenly spoke.
"Divine Curse Poison!"
As soon as she spoke, everyone's hearts trembled.
There was a strange glint in the Seventh Prince's eyes. For the first time, Princess Anhai looked straight at Xu Qing.
Xu Qing's expression was calm as he walked step by step to the place where Luo Jinsong had turned into black water. He didn't mind the rotting blood and took out the heaven and earth gourd from the blood. After putting it away, he bowed to the Seventh Prince and Princess Anhai.
"I killed this person because he insulted the heroic soul of our human race. The old Palace Master served the human race and Fenghai his entire life. His sacrifice was deeply mourned by the Emperor, and he has agreed to honor him in the ancestral temple, where he will forever be revered."
"But this person, while being a descendant of a Heavenly Marquis, has insulted our hero and attempted to attract chaos to Fenghai County. His intentions are suspicious, and he is likely related to the remnants of the Illuminate!"
Xu Qing's tone didn't fluctuate much, and his expression didn't change at all. After he finished speaking, he lifted his head and took a few steps back before turning to walk toward Kong Xianglong.
As for Zhang Qifan, who was beside Kong Xianglong, Xu Qing didn't bother with him at all.
He didn't explicitly reveal the details of today's events, but through his actions, he conveyed the message that he and Kong Xianglong were not mere tools in the hands of others. Regardless of any conflicts between them, it was their own affair.
'It has nothing to do with us.'
At the same time, it also told everyone that they had to pay a price for touching Fenghai County's reverse scale.
The corners of the Seventh Prince's mouth curled into a smile, and Princess Anhai's gaze drooped slightly.
The hearts of everyone in the surroundings also turned solemn. Their understanding of Xu Qing became clearer.
"This person is not to be trifled with."
This was their consensus. As for Luo Jinsong's death, they didn't pay attention to it. The troubles of others had nothing to do with them.
Just as everyone's gazes followed Xu Qing to the door, Xu Qing suddenly stopped in his tracks and turned to look at the Seventh Prince. After some thought, he spoke.
"Seventh Highness, can you return the three provinces in Fenghai County?"
As soon as Xu Qing said this, the Seventh Prince fell silent. A hint of an elusive smile appeared on Princess Anhai's face. She picked up the wine glass and took a small sip.
A long time later, the Seventh Prince smiled and spoke gently.
"There are still some rebels in the three provinces. After all of them are cleaned up, Fenghai County can take over."
This wasn't his original thought.
However, Xu Qing's question made it impossible for him to reject him directly. After all, Xu Qing defined Luo Jinsong's actions as instigation and this was what he hoped for.
As such, he chose to take a step back when it came to the ownership of the three provinces. Although he didn't give a deadline, he expressed his attitude.
Xu Qing cupped his fists and turned to leave with Kong Xianglong. From the moment they attacked until now, he and Kong Xianglong didn't look at Zhang Qifan at all.
As for Zhang Qifan, his expression was calm and it was impossible to tell what he was thinking. At this moment, he actually returned to his seat and continued to drink.
The entire banquet was soon filled with laughter again, as though nothing had happened. Only the black blood on the ground would occasionally be swept by someone's gaze, turning into fluctuations in the depths of their hearts.
It was very late at night when the banquet ended after Princess Anhai got up to rest.
In the empty hall, only the Seventh Prince was left sitting there. His expression was calm as he drank alone and laughed to himself.
"Imperial Sister, I built the stage for you. So, it turns out you wanted to perform this trick for me."
"However, as intelligent as you are, why are you so clumsy this time?"
The Seventh Prince narrowed his eyes and his hand that was holding the wine glass paused as he fell into deep thought. Very soon, his expression darkened and a cold glint erupted in his eyes.
"Checks and balances!"
Time slowly passed and seven days passed.
The Holy Wave Race's return ceremony was held.
During this period, Xu Qing and Kong Xianglong didn't head out of the Fenghai army's camp.
He was studying the heaven and earth gourd he had obtained from Luo Jinsong. Specifically, the flames inside.
