Ch. 96 - Soul-Devouring Curse

Soul trauma was far more severe and fatal than physical injuries.

However, the souls of the strong were powerful enough to suppress injuries and allow for gradual recovery, which could be accelerated by taking medicinal elixirs or pills.

Moreover, Hong Lie was a King Rank expert. Who could possibly wound him to this extent?

"What can Qingxue do to help the governor?" Shen Congwu asked.

"Doctor Li suspects the governor may have been poisoned by some kind of soul toxin, which is why he hasn't fully recovered. He wants to try the Taotie's devouring power to see if it can clear the poison."

The Taotie could digest everything; toxins were useless against it.

At this time, even Doctor Li could only think of this method.

Shen Congwu immediately became anxious.

"Come on, I'll take you to Qingxue. The governor is the pillar of our Nanchuan Province. He absolutely cannot fall!"

Once Hong Lie fell, the cults hidden in Nanchuan Province would start to riot.

The consequences would be unimaginable.

The door to the Spirit Gathering Room opened after Ling Qingxue had successfully broken through to the Second Rank peak. Her vital energy was stable, and her spiritual power, under the influence of spiritual medicine and repeated overexertion, had also advanced to the Second Rank late-stage.

Now, she was several times stronger than before. She could fight anyone below the Third Rank mid-stage, provided the opponent wasn't a genius like Xuan Tianwen.

Geniuses could fight beyond their level, and if Ling Qingxue could, so could her opponent.

Seeing Shen Congwu and Lin Zhennan rushing over, Ling Qingxue asked, "Principal, Director Lin, is there something you need?"

Lin Zhennan nodded gravely. "Yes, we need you to come with us. I'll explain everything to you in detail on the way."

"Okay, wait a few minutes, I'll call my magical beast over."

Not long after, Wu Liang flew over.

On the way to the provincial governor's mansion, Lin Zhennan briefly described the situation.

But after listening, Ling Qingxue fell into deep thought.

Because in her previous life, this event had never occurred. The Beast King Cult had acted then too, but their target had been different.

Perhaps because of her and Wu Liang, the trajectory of this life had already begun to shift.

If that were the case, future changes would only become more and more significant.

Soon, the group arrived at Hong Lie's room.

Hong Lie was unconscious at the time, his complexion showing no obvious abnormalities, but faint black currents swirled around him, carrying a chilling aura.

A middle-aged man was also sitting in the room; this was Doctor Li.

"Doctor Li, how is the governor's injury?" Lin Zhennan asked as soon as he entered.

Doctor Li shook his head slightly. "Soul injuries are the most difficult to treat. I have never seen this kind of soul toxin before, so I cannot treat it."

Lin Zhennan's expression grew even more grim.

Then, Doctor Li looked at Wu Liang on Ling Qingxue's shoulder, a deep interest appearing in his eyes.

"The only option now is to test whether the devouring power of the Taotie can consume the toxin. If we delay any longer, the governor's lucid moments will become shorter and shorter, until he falls into a complete coma and his soul dissipates, ending with his death."

"Then, Qingxue, quickly have your magical beast try! The governor can't be harmed," Lin Zhennan said with a worried expression.

Ling Qingxue shook her head.

"It's useless. The Taotie can't do that."

Lin Zhennan's expression changed drastically. "How could that be? Can't the Taotie devour this kind of soul poison? But I read in ancient texts that the Taotie can devour everything, and no poison can affect it."

"You're right, but my Taotie is currently too low-level. It can't devour the poison without harming the Governor's soul."

What Ling Qingxue didn't say was that she recognized this poison, or rather, it wasn't a poison at all, but a curse!

The Soul-Devouring Curse!!

This ability belonged to the Soul-Devouring Beast, a type of magical beast with special spiritual attributes, and one of the top-tier demonic beasts below the divine beasts.

Understanding this, Ling Qingxue could guess who had attacked Hong Lie.

The leader of the Beast King Cult—Yang Wuqi!

This person had fused with the bloodline of the Soul-Devouring Beast and was a King Rank mid-stage expert, but very few people knew this.

Hong Lie had most likely fought with him or been ambushed by him.

Ling Qingxue had thought of this on the way here, but she currently had no way to resolve the Soul-Devouring Curse.

Lin Zhennan instantly seemed drained of all strength, his expression dejected.

"What should we do? We don't even know what this soul poison is, let alone who can cure it."

Ling Qingxue pondered for a moment. "With the governor's strength, he can probably hold out for a month. We still have some time. I seem to have seen something similar in an ancient book, but I need to confirm some things first."

Hearing this, Doctor Li showed surprise.

"You've seen a similar soul toxin? While I, Li Yuan, may not be a scholar of unparalleled learning, I've certainly read extensively. How come I haven't seen it before?"

Ling Qingxue glanced at him. "This isn't the time to discuss this. Doctor Li, you should focus on the Governor."

Doctor Li's eyes darkened briefly before he offered an apologetic look.

"It's natural to be curious when encountering new things. I'll ask you again some other time, Miss Ling. I'll go check my medical books again."

Soon after, Doctor Li left the room.

"Director Lin, when might the governor wake up?" Ling Qingxue asked.

"Well, that's hard to say. For the past two days, he's been awake for half a day and then unconscious for half a day. Based on this pattern, he should wake up within an hour."

Ling Qingxue waited in the room.

About an hour later, Hong Lie slowly began to wake up, but his mood wasn't very high.

In this state, his combat power was only about 60% of its peak, and he was still at risk of falling unconscious at any moment. Fighting would only intensify the Soul-Devouring Curse's erosion of his soul.

"Director Lin, could you please have someone prepare some spiritual herbs with the attribute of light? I suddenly remembered reading in ancient texts that such treasures can temporarily suppress this soul poison."

Lin Zhennan nodded immediately. "Yes, yes, I'll go prepare them right away."

After he left, Ling Qingxue closed the door and set up a spirit formation to block spying attempts.

Seeing Ling Qingxue's strange actions, Hong Lie looked puzzled.

"Qingxue, do you know something?"

Ling Qingxue sat down by his bedside, her expression serious.

"Governor, when the Beast King Cult attacked you before, did you fight with their leader, or were you ambushed by him?"

Hong Lie thought for a moment, but gave a negative answer.

"That day, I fought a great battle with the Grand Elder of the Beast King Cult. That old fellow wasn't as strong as me. Although I didn't kill him, I severely injured him. To be honest, the injury came on very strangely. Even I, with my King Rank strength, didn't notice it."

"When did you first realize it?" Ling Qingxue asked again.

"About five days ago. At first, I just felt unwell, but by the time I realized there was something wrong with my soul, I was already experiencing symptoms of losing my consciousness."

Hong Lie looked at Ling Qingxue with a worried expression.

"Qingxue, tell me everything you know. Let me see if I can remember anything."

Ling Qingxue nodded slightly and began to explain.

"What you've been afflicted with is a curse, and it was the leader of the Beast King Cult, Yang Wuqi, who did it!"

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Notes

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Ch. 96 - Soul-Devouring Curse

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