Looking at the burnt corpse of the dead [Draconic Skink] Azure Myst Sect Disciple, Aiden asked after a few moments.
"[Reptilian] Why haven't I seen anyone from the Corpse Poison Sect previously? Aren't they a big and fearful power like the others? Why didn't they show up last time?"
"[Reptilian] The Corpse Poison Sect only entered Ugburg City a few days ago. I reckon it should be for the Ancient Burial Ground ruins as well."
Tai Liu looked at Aiden and said.
"[Reptilian] Although they only have slightly over a hundred people for this event, all Corpse Corpse Poison Sect cultivators are filled with various lethal poisons and they specialize in killing opponents above their own levels. Even big sects such as Crystal Palace and Malefic Demons Clan don't want to provoke them needlessly."
In reality, Tai Liu's statement was a subtle reminder for Aiden to not offend Corpse Poison Sect lest he attract trouble and get himself killed.
Aiden smiled but did not say anything.
Upon seeing that Aiden did not seem to have taken anything in, Tai Liu did not give up and instead continued.
"[Reptilian] Actually, the Corpse Poison Sect was the one who suffered an immense loss this time round. Not only did they lose a strong disciple of the sect, your friend is also completely fine. I am sure that they must be feeling cautious after that failure. In the coming period, as long as we strengthen our defenses, Corpse Poison Sect will not dare to attack us rashly again."
After a slight pause, Tai Liu added.
"[Reptilian] Furthermore, even if you go and kill a few Corpse Poison Sect disciples and return safely, so what?"
"[Reptilian] It's only for a moment of pleasure. Instead, you will inevitably form a deep grudge with them that cannot be resolved anymore. Then after, you will have to live a life fearing that they might take revenge at any moment. It's just not worth it Aiden."
"[Reptilian] Hmm… Yes, you are right."
Aiden nodded after pondering for a moment.
"[Reptilian] You are completely right."
Tai Liu finally heaved a sigh of relief after Aiden replied. She relaxed and revealed a bright smile.
However in the next moment, a mysterious glint flashed across Aiden's eyes as he asked.
"[Reptilian] What are the most lethal poisons of the Corpse Poison Sect?"
"[Reptilian] Corpse Poison Sect's most dangerous toxins are commonly referred to as the Seven Lethals, they are the most powerful hidden weapons and poisons of the Corpse Poison Sect. For Martial Apprentices and even early stage Martial Warriors of the Corpse Poison Sect, they can only make use of two of the Seven Lethals, the Soul Tearing Spike and the Violet Haze Flower Poison."
"[Reptilian] The Violet Haze Flower Poison is a purplish-green powder and anyone who touches it will most likely di—"
Glancing at Madam Dara at the side, Tai Liu suddenly stopped speaking.
Yes, how could he forget already! There was someone in front of them that managed to survive against the Violet Haze Flower Poison!
Tai Liu knew that Madam Dara must have some sort of a secret on her body. However, she was smart and chose not to ask about it.
"[Reptilian] Soul Tearing Spike?"
Aiden asked reminiscently,. Suddenly he heard a faint sound coming from deeper down her soul. Interestingly it was Rygintarth, his ebony blade's spirit that asked him the question, that he repeated with a slightly confused expression and a frown.
"[Reptilian] Is it a light bluish colored small spike that is as thin as a needle?"
"[Reptilian] That's right!"
Tai Liu nodded confirming his words, and making Aiden be surprised even more. Yet, he could not ask his weapon spirit this time, but kept the matter shelved for now as he continued to listen to the young master-slash-mistress continuing her recount.
"[Reptilian] The terrifying part of the Soul Tearing Spike is not the poison coated on the needle, but the spike itself."
"[Reptilian] The spike itself? What do you mean by that?" Aiden furrowed his brows slightly.
? Tai Liu explained immediately. "[Reptilian] The Soul Tearing Spike is thin as a you have said, like a small almost transparent needle. After entering one's body, it would enter the bloodstream and flow along until it ruptures the target's heart! It's useless even if one purges away the poison on the needle, the Heart Seeking Spike will still find its target and kill it. Once shot, it's impossible to escape from it it will tear away your life, and sniff out your soul. Hence the rather grotesque name."
Aiden nodded with a grave expression as he listened to her. It was really an incredibly vicious weapon prime for assassins and those that want to remain in the shadows, obscured by darkness hidden away in plain sight.
Such a small barely noticeable object that was so vile, so lethal, so dangerous!
In that short while, Madam Dara had fallen asleep. With a flushed face and steadied breathing, she was looking much better.
"[Reptilian] Young Master Tai Liu, please help me take care of my friend Dara for the time being. I will go out for a walk. I need to… process things."
"[Reptilian] Alright."
Tai Liu nodded and did not think much about it, merely reminding Aiden to not wander far and be careful.
It was noon when Aiden left the Azure Myst Sect's grounds.
Standing at a street corner at the city's southern section, Aiden raised his head and looked at the busy streets expressionlessly. His eyes revealed a glint of coldness in them.
"[Reptilian] Corpse Poison Sect."
Aiden spat out the three words.
He walked towards the west along the long streets of Ugburg City.
…
The west of the city was originally guarded by two mostly roughly equally sized factions. They were considered at roughly the same size and power forming this equilibrium and somewhat harmonious state in this section of the city.
However, a few days ago, the Corpse Poison Sect entered Ugburg City and forcefully took over a part of the city's western territory.
Originally, this place had some surviving foliage and even had a bit of greenery to it, with green moss growing around, giving a bit more color and life to the usually dead looking urban landscape. However, within a few short days after the Corpse Poison Sect settled down, the plants had all withered away and died.
The entire place turned sinister and desolate and even smaller insects and ants disappeared, as if there were no signs of life apart from those of the Corpse Poison Sect's presence.
This noon, a gray robed cultivator arrived before their sinister looking abode. He looked ragged and inconspicuous, walking with calm, steady strides.
"[Reptilian] Hmm? That guy seems a little familiar…"
"[Reptilian] I think he's the one from the bloody battle on the long street… You know that guy with the large black sword!"
"[Reptilian] Oh yeah, that's right! It is him!"
"[Reptilian] What could he be doing at the Corpse Poison Sect's territory?"
Far away, some citizens have noticed Aiden's ragged figure. After all, he was the only person in the territory of Corpse Poison Sect and he was strikingly obvious with his large gray robes and deep hood that did not match the attire of Corpse Poison Sect.
Before long, in front of everyone's watchful eyes, Aiden arrived before the residence of Corpse Poison Sect.
Two Corpse Poison Sect disciples whose faces looked pale and yellowish stood on each side of the door. They stared at the stranger who was approaching with obvious disdain in their eyes.
To them, Aiden looked extremely weak and did not seem like a threat. Also he was not wearing any identifying badge around his waist. In other words, this was not somebody from any of the powerful factions.
"[Reptilian] Hmpf! What do you want?"
The Corpse Poison Sect disciple on the left asked with a raised brow.
Smiling gently, Aiden pointed to the residence and asked instead ignoring the question. "[Reptilian] This is the Corpse Poison Sect, right?"
"[Reptilian] So what if it is?" The other disciple sneered.
Without replying once again, Aiden asked with the same calm smile.
"[Reptilian] Is Master Dorah Kai here?"
"[Reptilian]Insolent!"
"[Reptilian] How dare you speak his name!"
The Corpse Poison Sect disciples were enraged immediately and shouted.
The disciple on the left hollered coldly, "[Reptilian] The name of Master Kai isn't something the likes of you filth can just casually call for!"
The other disciple added with a dark, sinister gaze, "[Reptilian] Filthy commoner, you had better give me a reason not to kill you right now! Otherwise, I'll let you meet your maker in a moment!"
"Hmm? My… maker?"
Aiden smiled at the threat. "[Reptilian] Why wait a moment? I'll send you guys to meet him right away!"
Taking a step forward, Aiden suddenly extended his fist and swung it in reverse.
With a thud, his arm blurred and shot forward with ferocious power and smashed heavily against the head of the man on the right!
The person's head burst apart and his brain juices splattered! He died on the spot without uttering a single word!
The disciple on the left was flabbergasted at this sudden turn of events. He had not expected that this weak-looking man would to try and kill them in Corpse Poison Sect's territory.
"[Reptilian] Y-You… "
He had just stuttered out a single word when Aiden had already closed in. Without saying anything, Aiden pushed his fist down on the person's head and exerted shocking strength once again.
*Poof!*
The person's head was shoved down, inside his own chest with his neck snapped. He was dead before his body even collapsed onto the ground.
Indifferent even after killing two people and retaining his smile, Aiden entered Corpse Poison Sect's residence with a calm expression.