C20 Domineering!

Chapter Twenty: A Display of Dominance

"Bite open your wrist and feed him your blood. It might just save his life. Hurry!"

The urgency in Qin Sihuang's voice snapped Lin Xi out of his emotional frenzy.

That's when he realized he had also consumed the Green Ape Bone and Flesh Soup.

Reed had been poisoned by merely a small sip.

Yet Lin Xi had not only gulped down a large spoonful but had also devoured a hefty chunk of bone and flesh, and he was perfectly fine.

He recalled the moment he ingested the soup, how it had instantly transformed into vital energy, accompanied by a peculiar mass of black gas.

That black gas must have been the poison from the soup, transmuted.

And then there was the wondrous half-arched gateway.

More precisely, it was the first eave that activated, capable of strengthening one's physique and generating power, not to mention the Green Dew.

The purple light on the eave had the incredible ability to purify the toxin into clean energy and infuse it into the Green Dew.

At this point, Lin Xi couldn't be bothered with the miraculous portal in his mind.

He wept with joy, overwhelmed by emotion.

If he was now immune to all poisons, that was one thing, but more importantly, there was a significant chance that his blood was an extraordinary antidote.

With this in mind, Lin Xi wasted no time. He bit into his wrist, and a gush of fresh blood sprayed out, which he pressed against Reed's lips.

"Reed, come back to me. Don't frighten me, wake up..."

Reed's body began to clear of the dark aura as the blood entered his system.

It was working!

And the effect was nothing short of miraculous.

The process seemed slow only because everyone was holding their breath, each second stretching on as if it were days, all of them desperate to witness a miracle unfold.

Within mere moments, the black aura enveloping Reed had nearly vanished.

Soon, it was anticipated, the deadly poison in Reed's body would be completely eradicated.

What did this imply?

It meant that Lin Xi's blood was an immediate, divine antidote.

Lin Xi himself was like a living, breathing source of top-tier detoxifying elixirs.

His turnaround was not just a stroke of luck; it was clear he had experienced a fortune that defied the heavens.

This particular skill is likely unparalleled throughout the Azure Expanse, perhaps even across the entire Azure Continent.

Imagine any family or power keeping such a human-shaped elixir in their home; not only could it cure their own poisoned members, but think of the fortune they could make by selling just a bowl of its blood.

The patriarchs of the three great families, along with leaders of other substantial forces, had their minds racing with dark and greedy thoughts, yet the hall remained eerily silent.

"Ugh—"

Reed's body convulsed violently in Qin Sihuang's embrace, as he vomited a black stream of air. His eyes, which had rolled back, now shone with a luster even deeper than before his poisoning.

Realizing he was in Qin Sihuang's arms, Reed panicked, quickly scrambling to his feet and pressing close to Lin Xi, scanning the surroundings with a hint of anxiety.

"Xi, I think I've been poisoned..."

Lin Xi clutched Reed's hand, his eyes brimming with tears of laughter.

"Poison? With my blood, Xi, not even the mightiest deities could claim your life, haha..."

It was then that Reed noticed the wound on Lin Xi's wrist, still bleeding.

Overwhelmed with emotion, tears streamed down his face as he clung to Lin Xi's hand, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Xi... I... I... Waaah..."

Lin Xi comforted him, patting his back gently.

"It's just a bit of blood, I've got plenty to spare. And hey... Brother Qin, if you ever get poisoned, just let me know. If nothing else, I've got blood to spare, hehe..."

In that moment, Lin Xi shed his usual nonchalant, irreverent demeanor.

He stood there, a young man of pure heart, untainted by the world.

Such a disreputable facade and mannerisms were not meant for his brother's eyes.

Qin Sihuang let out a hearty laugh, pointing at Lin Xi:

"Could you maybe wish me well for once? What's so fun about being poisoned?"

Lin Xi, a bit sheepish, scratched his head:

"Of course, I hope you never get poisoned, Brother Qin. May you live a long and healthy life, hehe..."

Qin Sihuang gestured dismissively and strolled back to his desk.

"Drop by the Wolf Mercenary Group's camp when you have some free time. Big Brother's got some fine wine..."

"Definitely. I won't head back until I'm completely plastered, hehe..."

Lin Xi leaned over to check on Reed, sensing something had changed about him.

"Reed, are you still feeling any discomfort?"

Reed hemmed and hawed before whispering,

"Xi, I... I've noticed a significant increase in my strength. It seems I've broken through to the third level of Warrior..."

What?

Not only was Lin Xi taken aback, but so were the other powerhouses who overheard Reed's revelation, their excitement reaching fever pitch.

Reed was known to possess the strength of a second-level Warrior.

But after being poisoned and consuming Lin Xi's blood, he had astonishingly ascended to the third level of Warrior.

This was beyond miraculous.

Reed thought he had spoken softly enough to avoid being overheard.

But he was unaware of the exceptional hearing of a Half Step Martial Master and a Realm of Essence Martial Master.

It was as if he had spoken directly into their ears, and they had heard every word.

Lin Xi immediately felt the weight of prying eyes. Glancing around, he spotted numerous eager and covetous gazes lurking in the shadows.

Lin Xi was aware that his recent breakthroughs had made him a target of envy among the major families, with countless individuals eager to kill him or steal his serendipitous gains.

Yet, witnessing the potential of his blood to not only detoxify but also elevate a low-level Warrior, Lin Xi realized that aside from a select few who sought his demise, most factions aimed to capture and confine him. They intended to exploit his unique abilities to produce antidotes and use him as a living elixir for their young prodigies.

In that moment, Lin Xi inwardly scoffed at the looming threats. Despite the sense of imminent danger, he was undaunted.

He was aware of the immense potential of the half-formed portal within his mind.

If he could just capitalize on every opportunity for advancement and exceed all expectations, he knew that no amount of conspiracy or persecution could stand against the might of his true power.

In a flash, Lin Xi was spotted trembling at the table.

At that moment, Lin Xi needed to release his anger and ensure everyone understood the dire consequences of crossing him.

Boom!

Lin Xi leapt up like petals scattering in the wind, forming a pattern of four petals.

He was aware that before his advancement to the power of the sixth python, his initial technique, "Fallen Leaves Flying Flower Steps," had reached the level of five petals.

After advancing to the sixth python, he felt he could effortlessly execute the six-petal variation.

The Six Petals Flower had surpassed even the strongest Grand Elder of the Lin family in this technique.

This meant that once he performed the Six Petals Flower, not even a second-level Martial Master of the Lin family could easily capture him.

This revelation was a delightful surprise for Lin Xi and bolstered his confidence against any peril.

At this moment, however, he deliberately used only the Four Petals Flower, wanting everyone to believe his Lightness Technique had not progressed.

It seemed more plausible; otherwise, it would be suspicious if he suddenly exhibited the Six Petals Flower right after consuming the Green Ape Bone and Flesh Soup.

Did they think no one else had ever tasted the flesh of a Level Three Demonic Beast?

Nonetheless, the Four Petals Flower bloomed unexpectedly above Lin Xi's head.

Boom!

Without employing the Flying Flower Blade Technique, he stomped down hard, shattering Lin Xi's neck bone and rendering him disabled for life.

Lin Xi had previously suffered humiliation and beatings at the hands of Lin Erpo and Reed.

It was understandable if Lin Xi chose to overlook the current Lin Xi.

To him, Lin Xi was nothing more than an insignificant ant, not worth his concern.

But Reed still had to work in the restaurant!

If he didn't instill fear in these cooks and waiters, wouldn't Reed continue to be tormented once he left?

Lin Xi, now lying on the ground convulsing, couldn't even muster a wail.

Yet, Lin Xi felt no remorse. Actions have consequences, after all!

It wouldn't be right if evil deeds went unpunished forever.

However, Lin Xi's crippling had terrified the restaurant's cooks and waiters.

Lin Xi wasn't the cruelest among those who had mistreated Lin Xi and Reed, but now that he was incapacitated, they feared they might be next on Lin Xi's list.

Lin Xi executed the Fallen Leaves Flying Flower Steps once more, charging into the kitchen as if he were a whirlwind of petals. He scoured the area for Lin Erpan but found no trace of him. Frustrated, Lin Xi emerged from the kitchen with a scowl on his face.

He barked at the assembly of cooks and servers, "Where's Lin Erpan?"

If Uncle Lin couldn't deduce that Lin Erpan was behind the poisoning, he didn't deserve his position as the manager. Lin Xi was well aware that Lin Erpan had fled the moment the soup was brought to the table.

"Lin... Lin Xi, Lin Erpan said he had to relieve himself and asked me to take over the cooking. I... I don't know what happened..." The third cook was shaking, not daring to withhold any information, terrified of being implicated in the poisoning.

With a cold laugh, Lin Xi looked up at the grand hall's ceiling and sneered, "He spat in my food this morning, and I let it slide. But to poison me? He must really have a grudge..."

Approaching his own table, Lin Xi gazed at the soup pot before him. Without hesitation, he began fishing out the Green Ape Bone Meat and stuffing it into his mouth. The hall fell into an eerie silence as everyone watched Lin Xi with incredulous eyes. The discordant sounds of his chewing and swallowing made everyone's faces contort in disgust. After all, he was consuming a pot of poisoned meat and broth!

As Lin Xi had predicted, the seventh drop of Green Dew had formed, but it was far from complete. Undeterred, he devoured the entire pot of meat and bones.

Lin Xi extended his hand, revealing his wrist. With a swift motion, he placed his palm across it like a blade. The wound he had previously inflicted was now fully healed, leaving not even the faintest scar.

"Can anyone tell me where Lin Erpan is now?" he demanded. Silence met his question.

Raising his voice, Lin Xi announced, "Anyone with information on Lin Erpan's whereabouts will receive a small vial of my blood. Whether you use it for detoxification or to advance your protégé, the choice is yours!"

The offer landed like a stone in a still pond, sending ripples of excitement throughout the room. Every family head was visibly stirred by the prospect. Possessing a small vial of Lin Xi's blood was tantamount to having an extra life—who wouldn't covet such a gift for their own kin's advancement?

Considering the Weeping Mountains, teeming with venomous creatures and ferocious beasts, one must be ready to face the possibility of a deadly bite or lethal poisoning upon entering their depths.

"Lin Xi, I'm not sure of Lin Erpo's whereabouts, but I can look into it..."

All the families and individuals eager to acquire Lin Xi's blood swiftly departed from the tavern, vanishing in the blink of an eye.

Shortly after, someone burst in, using their Light-body Technique, gasping for air.

"Lin... Lin Xi, Lin Erpo has been found dead in a small grove outside the village."

Lin Xi remained composed.

He had anticipated this news and promptly filled the tiny jade bottle handed to him with his own blood.

He surveyed the crowd once more.

"Who can tell me where Lin Erpo went to purchase demon beast meat? Whom did he encounter?"

In that moment, Lin Xi shed any trace of his former indolence.

His speech was measured, his presence commanding, exuding an air of quiet authority.

Lu Xiaoyun watched Lin Xi, her heart pounding uncontrollably.

"My goodness! Can this really be the same man once deemed a failure?"