Hearing this, Ouyang Shuang fell silent for a moment before nodding. "I have indeed become somewhat wary of Xu Ke."

A solemn expression flashed across her face.

"Even a lion uses its full strength when hunting a rabbit," Huang Sheng said as he walked back from the window and sat down opposite her. "Besides, we've already fallen for his feigned death once. That's not something a mere rabbit could pull off."

"Good."

Ouyang Shuang said, "In that case, I will assume he has the capability to kill Song Zhong."

"Then, if his attack can break through the defense of a Henglian Martial Artist at the Innate Great Perfection, his attack power must be terrifying."

Ouyang Shuang calculated further. "But he's only at the Innate Middle Stage. His True Qi couldn't possibly sustain such a fierce attack. Therefore, he must possess a heaven-defying cultivation technique. That must be one of the reasons he dares to challenge me to a life-and-death duel."

"That's likely the case," Huang Sheng nodded.

To break through a Henglian Martial Artist's defense...

There were two ways. The first was for the opponent's True Qi to be so profound—in both quantity and quality—that it completely overwhelmed the Henglian Martial Artist. This was how Wang Wu had broken through Song Zhong's defense. The second was to rely on a heaven-defying cultivation technique, using a sudden burst of explosive power to forcibly shatter the opponent's defenses.

Of course, there was a third method: striking a vital point.

But hitting a vital point was far more difficult than the other two methods. It wasn't just about finding the opponent's weak spot; it also required seizing the perfect moment in battle. Capitalizing on such a fleeting opportunity demanded extremely seasoned judgment, and that kind of judgment could only be honed through countless battles against experts.

Since Xu Ke spent all his time in Tianhai, Ouyang Shuang didn't believe he could have possibly fought anyone of note. Therefore, she found it more plausible that he possessed a heaven-defying cultivation technique.

After speculating on a few possibilities, Ouyang Shuang clenched her teeth. "In that case, I'll ask Elder Yee for a piece of Inner Armor with exceptional defense. It should be able to neutralize his burst of True Qi, allowing me to avoid a fatal blow."

"The drawback of a heaven-defying cultivation technique is its immense consumption. As long as I can withstand that one strike from Xu Ke, it's impossible for me to lose," she declared, though she felt the pinch as she spoke. A piece of Inner Armor with exceptional defense would come at a significant price.

As if noticing her distress, Huang Sheng smiled slightly. "Don't worry, Elder Shuang. Leave the matter of getting the Inner Armor from Elder Yee to me."

"Really?" Ouyang Shuang was taken aback. "Elder Yee won't charge you less just because you have a good relationship with him."

"To me, your life is far more important than a piece of Inner Armor," Huang Sheng said earnestly.

Upon hearing this, gratitude filled Ouyang Shuang's eyes. "Thank you, Sheng."

She was sincerely grateful. She could tell that Huang Sheng held nothing but respect for her and had repeatedly gone out of his way to consider her needs. He had offered his own money and effort, and even gathered intelligence to ensure she wouldn't be caught off guard. When Xu Ke challenged her to a life-and-death duel, Huang Sheng hadn't presumed to accept on her behalf but had consulted her first...

Ouyang Shuang let out a long sigh.

This was the demeanor befitting a future Helmsman of the Huang Family. As for Huang Qi, he was hopeless, like trying to prop up a collapsing wall. She believed that under Huang Sheng's leadership, the Huang Family was bound to reach new heights.

Huang Sheng simply smiled, saying nothing more.

If he could use this opportunity to kill Xu Ke, tarnish Wong Qifu's reputation, and win Ouyang Shuang over completely, it would be an immense windfall for him. The cost of the Inner Armor was merely an investment.

Shortly after, Ouyang Shuang stood up. "In that case, I won't just work on my defense. I will also be taking out my Guanyin Poison Needle."

Hidden weapons were her secret technique, so insidious that even Wang Wu could fall prey to them. Laced with poison, Xu Ke would have no way to defend against it.

"He has no chance of survival," Ouyang Shuang said, a ruthless glint in her eyes.

She would condition her body and spirit, recovering her Innate True Qi to its peak. Paired with the most vicious hidden weapon and a formidable Inner Armor...

Xu Ke, let's see how many lives you have to spare!

「That afternoon.」

Xu Ke had no idea that Huang Sheng and Ouyang Shuang had already analyzed him several times over. He was currently in a drugstore on the main street, carefully picking out herbs. With the three hundred thousand Li Jun had sent over, he could afford to splurge a little, opting for high-quality versions of the medicinal ingredients he needed. After making his purchases, he had spent a hundred thousand on a large quantity of potent herbs and a small amount of poisons. Of course, the poisons weren't sold as such; he would need to go back and concoct them himself to create a highly toxic substance.

Pained by the expense, he walked back to the urban village. This expenditure was a bit much for him to bear, making his impoverished life even more difficult.

「Inside the room.」

Xu Ke had specially bought a large bathtub and placed it in an open area. The tub was filled with a steaming, reddish liquid that emitted a strong medicinal odor. He had purchased enough for a three-day course of medicinal baths, meaning he would finish right on the fourth day.

"This cost me a hundred thousand. You'd better not disappoint me," Xu Ke murmured as he stripped off his clothes.

Then, he submerged himself in the fiery-red liquid. The water was extremely hot, which fully activated the medicine's potency. He sat down, the liquid rising to his waist.

The scorching temperature didn't burn him in the slightest. However, as the medicinal liquid began to seep into his skin, his entire body suddenly felt as if it were being pricked by countless needles, and his face flushed crimson...

Pain!

Excruciating pain!

He gritted his teeth, his mind swarming with a barrage of curses unfit for children.

Damn it, I soaked in this stuff for a year before! And now, just because of that Oath of the Medical Path, I can't even endure this pain anymore! Starting from scratch!

His mind was in turmoil, the pain piercing him to the core. He couldn't stop cursing.

His skin began to break open at a visible rate. Tiny threads of blood seeped from his pores, vanishing instantly as they merged with the medicinal liquid. No one could tell if the liquid's more vivid red hue was from the herbs dissolving more thoroughly, or from his own blood.

Xu Ke's hands clutched his knees tightly. His head trembled uncontrollably, but the rest of his body was completely rigid from the pain. Even his breath changed, coming out in ragged, guttural gasps.

The initial agony was just the first wave.

After five minutes, the pain doubled.

"AH!"

Xu Ke finally couldn't help but scream.

He hadn't cried out when Song Zhong crippled him. He hadn't cried out when his thigh was brutally crushed. He hadn't cried out when the blade pierced his heart and stole his life.

But now, he couldn't bear it.

The medicinal liquid felt like countless tiny needles, driven by the current to pierce deep into his body. It was as if someone were shoving fine needles under his fingernails—drilling in, then ripping out, over and over again.

No one could withstand such torment.

But he had to!

Because he had to win! He could not lose this life-and-death struggle. He swore to return all of his pain and humiliation to the Huang Family and the Ye Family. All of it, he would pay back double!

It was just a medicinal bath. This wasn't his first time; it was just a paper tiger he had no reason to fear. He had already died once... What was there left to fear?!

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