My Whole Class Isekai'd to a Xianxia? Good Thing I Can Do Mind-reading - Chapter 309

Chapter 309: Poison
After completing the defensive array, Feng Fan sat cross-legged at its core. Given his current cultivation realm, there wasn’t much else for him to do beyond maintaining and controlling the formation he had personally crafted.

Besides, considering Red Pole’s overall strength was inferior to that of the Obsidian Court, it was only natural for the latter to take the offensive. Red Pole’s strategy had been to fortify their defenses and lay traps, anticipating a direct assault rather than initiating one themselves.

‘I wonder if it will really be that simple…’ Feng Fan thought, his brows slightly furrowed as he looked at the people around him getting ready for battle.

He didn’t believe for a second that this battle could be won just by hunkering down and waiting to counterattack. If it were truly that easy, then Lu Bao wouldn’t have suggested surrendering without a fight.

Feng Fan shook his head and pushed the thoughts aside. Right now, there was only one thing he could focus on. He closed his eyes and resumed his cultivation. If he could break through to the Dao Seeking realm, their chances of victory would increase significantly.

—

Inside a military tent atop a dune.

“Hou Zemin, let’s stop wasting time and crush these barbarians already. It’s time they learned what happens to those who underestimate the Obsidian Court,” said a thin man with sharp, narrow eyes. It was Xiao Zendong, the same man who had taunted Dong Tian before the portal had opened.

Hou Zemin cast him a sideways glance, filled with disdain. “Your arrogance will be your downfall. Even a lion uses all its strength when hunting a rabbit,” he said calmly, folding his hands behind his back as he turned toward the direction of Red Pole’s camp. “Send out scouts. I want a full report on their movements before we make a move.”

Xiao Zendong clicked his tongue but didn’t go against Hou Zemin’s orders. Hou Zemin was the superior in charge of this battle, and going against a superior’s orders would only get him hanged.

Shortly after Xiao Zendong stormed out, a woman stepped into the tent. A faint smile played on her lips as she approached Hou Zemin with slow steps.

“What do you want, Pan Meilin?” he asked, his voice cold and devoid of emotion.

Pan Meilin chuckled softly. “Can’t I visit my esteemed commander? I was just curious. Xiao Zendong looked rather frustrated. What did you say to him?”

“Xiao Zendong is a temperamental youth. His cultivation advanced too quickly, and his mindset failed to keep pace. He lets arrogance and anger cloud his judgment.”

“Ah, you can’t blame him too much, can you?” she replied, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes. “After all, being challenged by a newly recognized civilization implies they see us as the weakest among the Intergalactic Council. That alone is enough to make anyone’s blood boil.”

Hou Zemin didn’t respond. He simply waved a hand, dismissing her. Pan Meilin bowed slightly, cupped her hands in respect, and left without another word.

—

Back at Red Pole’s camp, numerous tents and makeshift structures had been erected, a clear sign that they hadn’t wasted the past ten years. All necessary materials had been stored in space rings and brought along, so the lack of natural resources within the pocket dimension posed no issue.

As for food and water, they were hardly a concern. With their level of cultivation, basic human needs weren’t a concern. As long as spiritual qi remained abundant in the environment, they wouldn’t suffer from hunger or thirst.

“Ma’am,” a cultivator said as he stepped into the tent where several key figures were gathered—Fan Ying, Dong Tian, Fan Yin, Long Liu, and Dong Yun among them. “Several scouts were attacked and have been sent to the infirmary. Most made it back alive, but… they’ve been poisoned. The toxins used are too potent, and even the alchemists are struggling to neutralize them.”

Fan Ying’s expression darkened. Every cultivator had been issued general antidote pills before entering the pocket dimension, but those had proven ineffective. Even direct treatment from skilled alchemists had shown little success. If they couldn’t solve the poison issue quickly, the Obsidian Court would slowly whittle away their strength.

“Feng Fan brought an alchemist with him,” Long Liu said. “His name is Tan Wei. Where is he now?”

The cultivator looked momentarily caught off guard. It was clear he hadn’t been informed. “I’m sorry, Ma’am. I haven’t heard of him.”

“I see. You’re dismissed,” Long Liu said, waving her hand. The cultivator bowed respectfully and left the tent.

Long Liu turned to Fan Ying. “I’ll go take a look at the injured myself.”

Fan Ying gave a nod. “Good. I’ll speak with the remaining scouts, those who haven’t been attacked yet. We’ll tell them to avoid direct engagements until we’ve found a solution to the poison.”

—

“Brat, I’m warning you. Leave now!” a bulky man barked, stepping in front of Tan Wei and blocking the entrance to a large tent filled with injured cultivators.

Inside, the air was thick with the stench of blood and sweat. Dozens of cultivators lay groaning on makeshift beds, their bodies covered in cuts—some shallow, others deep. Around each wound, the skin had turned black and necrotic, a clear sign of how the poison had entered and begun to consume them from inside.

Most of them were still alive only because of their cultivation. But even that wasn’t enough to hold back the poison for long. Spiritual qi alone couldn’t purge it, and even the alchemists’ antidotes only served to slow the inevitable.

The toxin was spreading, centimeter by centimeter, eating away at them.

Two had already succumbed, those unfortunate enough to have been wounded near vital areas like the heart or head. For them, the poison hadn’t needed to spread far.

Tan Wei met the man’s gaze with calm confidence. “I can save the people inside. All I need is a moment to examine them. Are you prepared to bear the consequences of stopping me?”