Chapter 77: The Meaning of Reaching the Three Evils (1)

Meanwhile, in the underground stone chamber, Hou Gong was experiencing an unexpected situation.

‘Strange. My senses are fading…’

The cause was the Toxichornet.

The Toxichornet was vastly different from the Hexagonal Net and the Devilish Herb.

Its appearance was not particularly unusual, resembling a stag beetle. At first glance, it was almost indistinguishable from a real stag beetle. Only upon closer inspection could one notice its thick and hard shell.

The odor was as expected.

The Hexagonal Net required enduring a foul smell not only from its outer skin but also from the green blood it produced when ingested. The Devilish Herb, when chewed, brought a sensation as if all the sewers in the world were rushing into one's mouth. In contrast, the Toxichornet emitted a pungent, decaying smell that was so overwhelming it could cause dizziness.

However, the unexpected situation began with the Toxichornet's inner core.

After tearing open the Toxichornet's body, he found the inner core, which resembled a shiny black pearl. Strangely, it had no odor at all. Up to this point, he thought it was possible.

The problem arose next.

The moment he swallowed the inner core, all the odors vanished. Despite the torn and split outer skin of the Toxichornet, which should have continued to emit a smell, the odor disappeared completely.

Hou Gong immediately realized there was a problem with his senses.

To confirm, he hastily brought his sleeve to his nose to smell it but could not detect the characteristic smell of the fabric.

Did the Toxichornet's inner core absorb the smell?

No.

This was a loss of his sense of smell.

He then checked his sense of taste.

He bit his lip to draw blood and tasted it with his tongue. He could not feel the sharp taste of the blood; only a vague, sticky sensation lingered on his tongue.

The loss of taste, following the loss of smell.

He had lost two of the five senses. Even if his inner strength increased, losing two senses was a significant blow. It was problematic not only as a martial artist but also in terms of experiencing the joys and sorrows of life.

In spring, flowers would have no fragrance, and the phrase "delicious food" would no longer apply.

The loss was too great to pay as the price for increased inner strength.

Was this a side effect of the Three Evils?

Such thoughts briefly crossed his mind, but he quickly dismissed them.

He knew.

A brilliant morning can only be seen after passing through darkness.

Without darkness, one cannot appreciate the brilliance of light. The inspiration from the sun that illuminates the world is only meaningful when there is night.

To move forward, one must pause, and a moment of stagnation is merely a preparation for a leap. The greatness of light is revealed in the pitch-black darkness, and the principles of martial arts are also governed by the laws of nature.

This was a temporary quagmire for further progress.

Hou Gong immediately sat down and focused his mind on the Toxichornet's inner core.

As part of the inner core melted, a writhing energy was felt. It changed like a wave, and it gradually became hotter.

In an instant, it felt as if he had swallowed a ball of fire, so intense was the burning sensation. It was as if boiling lava was inside his body, struggling to flow somewhere.

But it could not find a direction and remained in place.

It seemed to be waiting for something, writhing in its spot.

Hou Gong knew what the inner core's energy desired. He used his qi to draw the energy from the Hexagonal Net and Devilish Herb, which he had scattered throughout his body, and enveloped the inner core with it.

The combination of the Three Evils.

Bang!

An explosion sounded from within.

From that point, the lava mass went berserk.

A massive and rapid wave began to surge through his meridians.

In an instant, it completed a full cycle, sweeping through the eight extraordinary meridians and penetrating the twelve regular meridians. The energy was like a storm.

From the outside, Hou Gong appeared to be sitting quietly, but inside, a fire was sweeping through him.

Outside, it was now dark.

But time had stopped for Hou Gong. He had forgotten time and space, completely absorbed in the process.

***

At that moment,

"Was it a sleep-inducing poison?"

"Yes. The sleep was overwhelming."

"It must have been Manmianhuan."

"Manmianhuan?"

In a side building, Tian Gongdan was roasting beef for dinner, saying, "After all, beef is the best," when Longhuaqing arrived. The conversation turned to the attack by the Wuji Assassins, and the topic of the sleep-inducing poison came up.

Upon hearing Jin Jiezi's description, Longhuaqing immediately recognized the nature of the sleep-inducing poison.

"Yes, Manmianhuan is one of the most pernicious sleep-inducing poisons. Even those who have achieved resistance to all poisons cannot avoid falling asleep. The assassins are quite skilled. Making the antidote is several times more difficult than making Manmianhuan."

"Aha! That's why my poison didn't work."

Miaobingbing nodded, understanding.

Longhuaqing quickly pretended not to hear.

Then, Yinyanggai asked, puzzled.

"But how could you determine it was Manmianhuan without seeing it? There are many sleep-inducing poisons."

Everyone had similar thoughts, and their gazes turned to Longhuaqing. He smiled.

"Since the Great Disciple did not fall asleep, it must have been Manmianhuan. The Devilish Herb is the only antidote, and it requires a very small amount, so multiple combinations are necessary. However, I heard that the Great Disciple absorbed the Devilish Herb entirely. Therefore, Manmianhuan would not have worked. What's more impressive is that the Great Disciple feigned sleep, which is even more remarkable."

The Wushan Twin Heroes smiled cruelly.

Startled, Longhuaqing shuddered.

"Kukukuk, indeed, the Tianhua Library is well-deserved."

"Kukuk, Brother, you were well-prepared. No wonder you're the leader of Tian Gongdan. Kukukuk."

Although the Wushan Twin Heroes seemed ready to launch an attack, they were actually proud as if it were their own achievement. Longhuaqing cursed them inwardly.

Soon, the Three Heroes of Anti-Demon Alliance grumbled.

"No! Brother, good things should be shared. You're being selfish."

"Right! You only roasted meat for us when we went to the Tianhua Library. That's not nice."

"Ah, I never saw you like that, Brother. This is a heartache."

Then Xiaotiankai and Yinyanggai made jokes.

Longhuaqing's curiosity was piqued by their reactions.

'Could Tian Gongdan really do it?'

Tian Gongdan was not to be underestimated. So, he subtly dangled a bait.

"None of you seem to know how difficult it is to ingest the Devilish Herb."

"What's the big deal! If it's good for the body, even rotten water can be gulped down!"

Miaobingbing immediately scolded.

"Of course, if it helps, I can chew sand with a smile."

"What's sand? I can even eat cow dung."

"Me too! I can eat anything my clean brother can!"

Everyone took the bait, and Longhuaqing couldn't help but smile.

Not only was he grateful to the leader of Tian Gongdan, but also to the entire group. Thanks to them, the Medicine King Sect had regained its vitality. He could afford to give them a Devilish Herb.

If it succeeded, it would be great, and if it failed, he could laugh it off.

"Since you all say so, I can't just sit here. In fact, we have extra Devilish Herbs. Would you like to try them?"

"……?"

"……??"

"……?"

Everyone's eyes widened.

They already knew they would receive the Yushen Pill from the Medicine King Sect.

The Yushen Pill was one of the forbidden medicines of the Medicine King Sect.

Receiving it, breaking the taboo of not allowing it to leak outside, was already surprising. Offering a Devilish Herb was even more shocking.

There are no warnings in the martial world. The Wuji Assassins were