Chapter 1862: Chapter 1862: Shunhuo City, Lei Family

"Hiss."

After moving away, Xiao Yi took a sharp breath.

In the grand scheme, this battle in the demon-infested forest was the first fight with his current body.

It was in this battle that he discovered the immense power of his body after cultivating the Ten Thousand Poison Treasure Book, as well as its weaknesses.

This so-called strength was the perfect integration and explosive synergy of martial arts prowess and physical strength.

Moreover, the intact poison paths within the Poison Realm provided a significant boost.

As for the so-called weakness...

It lay in this body, seemingly powerful, yet constantly overwhelmed by intense pain.

Yes, pain!

Xiao Yi wasn’t sure if this was a side effect of cultivating the Ten Thousand Poison Treasure Book or the original pain of his damaged body.

Even though he had cultivated the Ten Thousand Poison Treasure Book, there was essentially no big change in his body.

It was identical to when he emerged from the Poisonous Land.

Covered in toxic sores and bloody blisters, with rotting flesh everywhere.

Cracked skin, severely damaged internal organs, a collapsing Small World, limbs and bones almost decaying.

None of these had changed.

Only the Ten Thousand Poison Treasure Book had allowed him to use the poison within his body, giving him strength.

However, the astonishing physical pain had not diminished in the slightest.

This meant he was constantly enduring horrific pain.

Underneath the wide black robe, the seepage of blood mixed with poison was almost torturous beyond human endurance.

Originally, Xiao Yi thought he had already become accustomed to this pain.

Yet, during the battle just now, truly fighting, when flesh touched demon beasts, the pain suddenly intensified.

Simply put, this body, even if motionless, was entangled in poison, overwhelmed by a fiery heat; beneath those countless toxic sores and bloody blisters were excruciating stabbing pains.

With just a slight touch, the pain intensified instantly.

During combat, amidst intense collisions, this kind of pain caused even Xiao Yi to take a sharp breath.

Xiao Yi gritted his teeth.

Pain, he could disregard.

As long as this body was strong enough.

He didn’t know how long he would have to endure this pain and maintain this body.

But, he was undaunted.

...

Having left the demon-infested forest, Xiao Yi returned to a nearby city.

He went to the Three Halls to report the completion of his task.

In the following days, he frantically accepted and completed tasks.

Gradually, his movements shifted from traveling the Eastern Range to moving away.

He had previously roamed the Eastern Range with his true identity or as Yi Xiao.

Yet, the Central Region remained vast.

Thirteen thousand territories were indeed an enormous number.

Ten days later.

Xiao Yi went to the nearest Black Demon Branch Hall to report his task completion, temporarily halting his frantic pace.

The purpose of continually accepting and completing tasks was simply to upgrade his Black Mage rank.

Otherwise, as a level-one Black Mage, such a low-level status, the tasks he could take were too limited.

Now, he had exchanged for a Deacon status within the Black Demon Hall.

With sufficient strength, completing tasks frantically for ten consecutive days, all at the highest level and greatest danger.

Naturally, it was not difficult for him to advance these ranks.

Now, he could accept tasks without restriction.

Even the main hall’s top-ranked tasks were available to him.

From now on, his half-year training journey truly began.

Xiao Yi pondered.

Suddenly, a shout echoed from the task platform inside the hall, interrupting Xiao Yi’s contemplation.

"Top-ranked task, only one day left, is there anyone willing to take it?"

"Oh?" One by one, the Black Mages inside the hall looked at the task platform with interest.

However, after a short while, nearly all the Black Mages withdrew their gazes, showing little interest.

Only a few of them turned and left.

Slightly intrigued, Xiao Yi walked to the task platform and asked, "What task is it?"

Currently, under the Ghost Mask, Xiao Yi’s entire aura was concealed.

He appeared to be just a strange person in a black robe, and hence, didn’t attract much attention.

The staff, accustomed and unfazed, responded in a deep voice, "It’s a top-ranked task issued by the Lei Family, the leading power in Shunhuo City."

"What category?" Xiao Yi asked.

"It’s a rescue mission," the staff replied.

"Three days ago, the Lei Family Patriarch’s granddaughter was abducted outside."

"The perpetrator is an evil cultivator, rumoured to be extremely formidable."

"The Lei Family Patriarch has only three days to bring ample cultivation items to Shunhuo Forest for the exchange."

The staff emphasized, "This task is highly perilous."

"Therefore, the Lei Family has set a very high reward for this rescue mission, and our branch hall has multiplied the task points several times."

"Consider carefully if you want to take it."

Xiao Yi frowned slightly, pondering for a moment.

Seeing Xiao Yi hesitate, the staff shook his head and sighed.

"Upon hearing it’s an evil cultivator, scarcely any martial artists from various branch halls dare to accept."

"Only some of the large Demon Hunting Teams or Wind Envoy Teams, or a few Asura Warriors from other halls dare to accept."

"In our Black Demon Branch Hall, only a handful dare to take it."

"If you don’t take it, it’s quite understandable..."

Xiao Yi indifferently interrupted, "I’ll take it."

"Oh?" The staff was startled and said, "Then hurry to the Lei Family, today is the last day, don’t wait until the main team has departed, leaving you to go headlong on a suicide mission."

With that, the staff quickly recorded the task for Xiao Yi.

Xiao Yi retrieved the token and turned to leave.

Behind him, sneers echoed, "The reward is high, but if you lose your life, what’s the point?"

Xiao Yi’s tone was aloof, "I heard that within the Black Demon Hall, there are many unruly characters."

"Why does what I see today seem full of cowards?"

"Old man, what did you say?" One by one, the Black Mages’ expressions turned cold.

Then, more laughter ensued, "Old man, you don’t seem like one of those young, naive hotheads."

"The terror of evil cultivators, you should be aware."

Old man?

Hearing this, Xiao Yi’s face twitched.

But he did not pay further attention, directly exiting the branch hall, heading for the Lei Family.

Shunhuo City, as a territory itself, was not considered powerful within the entire Eastern Range.

It was far weaker than territories like the Fire Teeth Territory.

Shunhuo City was merely one of the weaker major cities.

Presumably, the strongest person in the city was only at the mid to late stages of the Saint Emperor Realm.

It’s likely that the evil cultivator causing chaos here should not be overly powerful.

Xiao Yi was already feeling confident.

However, upon arriving at the Lei Family, he discovered that the Lei Family Patriarch and others had already departed half an hour earlier.

A martial artist from the Lei Family frowned and said, "Senior, you came late."

"Now, being alone, you shouldn’t go to die..."

Xiao Yi didn’t respond, directly controlling the air to fly away.

In the sky, a black ghost light swiftly disappeared into the distance.

...

Second update.