Dustin pointed at the lines on the stele: “Resembles an elixir of immortality, yet is a supreme evil,” and “Those who consume it will have their souls destroyed or become dragon puppets.” His voice was low and grave.
“It seems the so-called ‘Immortal Elixir’ we’ve been searching for is likely this very Dragonblood Bodhi. It isn’t a true elixir of ascension at all, but a vile creation born from the corrupted power of the Demonic Dragon, fused with the spiritual veins of this land.”
This revelation struck Margaret like a bolt of lightning. Her face went pale in an instant.
All her hardships, all the guards who had fallen for her quest—only for the prize to be a cursed object that could destroy the soul or turn one into a monster?
“How could this be…” she staggered, nearly losing her balance.
Was her father’s only hope truly shattered here?
At that moment, one of the remaining guards, gazing at the garden full of plants glowing with enticing light, couldn’t help but swallow hard.
Not far from him was a plant bearing plump, ruby-red fruit that shimmered enticingly, releasing a fragrance so rich it seemed to pulse with spiritual energy.
He thought—perhaps even if these weren’t elixirs of immortality, they must still strengthen the body or increase cultivation, right? If he could gather some for Her Highness to save His Majesty…
He instinctively reached out toward the red fruit.
“Don’t touch it!” Dustin’s shout cracked like thunder.
But it was too late.
The instant the guard’s fingers brushed the fruit, a violent tremor ran through the plant. The red fruit split open, spewing out a dense, blood-red mist that engulfed him completely!
At the same time, the ground at the plant’s base bulged upward—blood-colored tendrils shot out like lightning, wrapping tightly around the guard’s arms and legs.
“Ah—!” the guard screamed in agony. His skin shriveled and greyed at a horrifying speed, as if his life force was being sucked out in an instant.
The crimson tendrils pulsed like leeches, greedily devouring his vitality.
“Save him!” A’Long’s eyes went red as he drew his blade to rush forward.
“Stay back! Don’t go near that mist!” Dustin’s sharp voice stopped him cold.
He raised two fingers like a sword and unleashed a cutting blast of sword qi, severing the tendrils in one precise strike.
Shhhh!
The vines split apart, spraying dark red sap that reeked of blood.
But the guard had already fallen lifeless to the ground, his eyes wide open in terror and pain. His body looked like it had been desiccated for years—skin clinging to bone.
It had all happened in a heartbeat. Everyone stood frozen in shock.
The plant, having drained its victim, seemed to grow even more vibrant. The severed vines writhed briefly before sinking back into the soil, and the split fruit slowly closed again—
as if nothing had happened.
The garden remained quiet.
The herbs still fragrant.
Yet beneath that serene beauty lurked pure, lethal malice.
“These herbs… they can absorb human life force!” Qingzhu’s trembling voice broke the silence as she shrank behind Margaret.
Dustin’s expression was grave as he studied the now-“peaceful” plant, then swept his gaze across the rest of the garden.
“The dragon’s blood has tainted this land. Every living thing here—plants, beasts, all of it—has mutated. They’ve become aggressive, predatory. They sustain their twisted vitality by devouring the life of others.”
He looked around the deceptively serene garden, his tone icy.
“This isn’t a paradise of immortals. It’s a cursed garden of slaughter. Every seemingly precious herb here could be hiding a deadly trap.”
Margaret looked from the shriveled corpse to the lush garden around her.
Her heart turned cold.
The truth of the “Immortal Elixir” was cruel beyond belief—and now even this garden was riddled with peril.
She had still held onto a faint hope—that perhaps some harmless medicine could be found to heal her father. But now, even that hope seemed faint and distant.
“Dragonblood Bodhi… the Jade Pool’s water can cleanse corruption…”
Margaret murmured the words carved on the stele, her eyes flickering with a fragile spark of hope.
“Dustin, the stele said that the waters of the Jade Pool can purify the filth of dragon blood. Does that mean the true Immortal Elixir might still exist? Perhaps it can only be refined through a special process—or maybe the water itself holds the power to heal and extend life?”
Dustin thought for a moment, then nodded slightly.
“It’s possible. The Demonic Dragon’s power is corrupt, but balance always exists—if such an ultimate evil was born, then its opposite, a supreme sanctity, may also be found. The Jade Pool remains the key.”
His gaze turned toward the deeper end of the garden, where mist swirled and the faint sound of flowing water could be heard.
“It seems we must find the Jade Pool—and discern carefully what is true hope, and what is poison wrapped in sweetness.”
His voice carried a note of warning.
“From here on, we must tread with utmost caution.”
Everyone looked at the guard’s shriveled corpse, a chill creeping through their hearts.
Penglai Island was testing them not only with monsters and deadly traps, but also with temptation and deceit.
To find true life amidst this place of death, they would need more than strength—
they would need wisdom, and hearts unshaken by illusion.
The group set out once more, steering clear of the alluring yet deadly herbs, heading cautiously toward the sound of water echoing from deep within the mist.
Hope was not entirely lost—
but the path to it was lined with thorns, danger, and deceit. - Marinien
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