Different Minds 02

After leaving Night Owl, Yi Feng was settled into the most luxurious guest room on the island.

Once back in his room, he tightly shut the door behind him.

He had even instructed the guards beforehand that no one was to disturb him under any circumstances.

Only after confirming the door was securely locked did Yi Feng sit cross-legged on the bed, waiting for the poison to take his life.

His caution stemmed from the fear that someone might intervene mid-poisoning and save him.

"I just want to leave this world quietly," Yi Feng thought to himself.

But as he waited, the night passed without incident.

By the time dawn broke, Yi Feng was left with dark circles under his eyes and a face twisted in frustration.

"Wasn't it supposed to be instant death upon contact with that woman?" he grumbled.

After a whole night of waiting, not a single symptom had appeared.

Fortunately, it wasn’t long before the master poisoners of the Sky Poison Island came to visit.

It turned out that today was the day they were scheduled to test the poison.

"Oh, so soon?" Yi Feng couldn’t hide his excitement.

"Please forgive the haste, Young Master Yi," one of the poisoners said apologetically. "This concerns the fate of humanity. With the demonic invasion imminent, we cannot afford to delay. That said, if either of you needs more time to prepare or wishes to stay longer, we can reschedule. Just give us a date, and we’ll make the necessary arrangements."

"No!"

Yi Feng, brimming with eagerness, immediately raised a hand to cut him off. "This is about humanity’s survival—every second counts. I insist on testing the poison today."

"And I mean right now, without delay!"

His words left the poisoners staring at him in awe.

Truly, this was a man worthy of Night Owl’s trust—someone Night Owl had staked his own life on vouching for.

Such selflessness commanded respect.

As one, they bowed deeply to Yi Feng.

"Young Master, your righteousness knows no bounds. We are humbled."

Beside him, Fu Nanshan looked at his future disciple with equal astonishment.

"This kid’s sense of duty is absurdly high!" he muttered.

"If I hadn’t been with him all this time, I’d almost think he was rushing to his death."

"Compared to him, I feel downright ashamed of my own lack of resolve."

"Fine. Even if I don’t have his level of conviction, I’ll at least pretend I do. No way I’m letting this kid outshine me!"

With that, he quickly added, "Yes, today’s the day. No delays!"

"Thank you, noble warriors."

The poisoners bowed to Fu Nanshan as well.

Soon after, under their guidance, the two arrived at the entrance to a sealed space.

"Heroes, the test is simple. You need only step inside this space. Shortly after, we will release the poison mist."

"Our goal is to deploy such mist along the human-demon border when the invasion comes, ensuring any demon that touches it perishes instantly."

Here, the elder overseeing the trial hesitated, his expression troubled.

"Speak freely, Master," Yi Feng urged.

"Due to the unique nature of our concoction, any attempt to resist the poison—be it through luck, cultivation, or defense—will only accelerate its effects."

"Therefore, once you cross this threshold, you must be prepared to sacrifice your lives."

"And after you enter, to ensure the authenticity of the test, we will employ every poison in our arsenal without restraint."

The elder’s voice was grave as he studied the two men.

"So, to put it bluntly, you won’t stop until we’re dead?" Yi Feng asked.

"Well… yes," the elder admitted awkwardly. "If the poison fails to kill you, it means our research has been a failure."

"Which is why we must remind you once more—if you wish to back out now, you may do so without judgment."

"The Sky Poison Island will bear no ill will—"

Before he could finish, Yi Feng strode straight through the spatial gate.

"This…"

The elder watched Yi Feng’s resolute figure disappear into the space, humbled by his own earlier underestimation of the young man.

"That kid…"

"His dedication is beyond measure."

Fu Nanshan, fearing for Yi Feng’s safety, hurried in after him.

"Such admirable warriors," one of the poisoners murmured.

"Indeed. Not a moment’s hesitation—what spirit!"

As the group outside the gate marveled, they suddenly realized Night Owl had appeared silently behind them.

The shock was palpable.

Night Owl had always cared only for results, never the process.

He had never once visited the trial site—yet here he was today, watching intently.

"My lord, why have you come?" they asked, bowing hastily.

"Hmm."

"Just observing."

Night Owl cleared his throat, hands clasped behind his back, his face unreadable. "Carry on."

"Yes, my lord."

Nodding, the poisoners rushed to prepare the poison mist.

Night Owl hesitated several times, wanting to speak but holding back. Gazing at the sealed door, he knew standing there would yield no results, so he finally left.

But after just a few steps, he paused again and instructed, "Inform me the moment there's any outcome."

"Yes, inform me the moment there's any outcome."

Assured that his instructions were clear, Night Owl clasped his hands behind his back and departed.

Meanwhile, Yi Feng and Fu Nanshan found themselves within a confined space.

The space wasn't large, spanning no more than a few dozen yards in any direction.

Yet within those few dozen yards, the ground was littered with bones.

These weren't the remains of test subjects—those who volunteered for poison trials were given proper burials by the Heavenly Poison Island. The bones scattered here belonged to captured demons and monsters.

The demon corpses varied wildly in form, each more grotesque than the last.

Without exception, the toxins had turned all the bones pitch black, some appearing as if coated in a layer of dark lacquer.

The two men settled down casually, taking seats among the remains.

"This time, it should work out as I hoped," Yi Feng thought with eager anticipation.

"I wonder if this kid can withstand the poison," Fu Nanshan mused, stroking his chin.

"If he can endure it, all's well. But if he can't... how should I intervene?"

"If I save him midway, given his temperament, he'd probably blame me for ruining Heavenly Poison Island's experiment."

"So, the best approach is to wait until the poison proves effective against this Unity Realm youngster before saving him."

"That way, the island's experiment remains intact, and the boy's life is spared."

"He'll surely be overflowing with gratitude, kneeling immediately to beg me as his master."

Fu Nanshan nodded to himself, thoroughly pleased with his arrangement, and couldn't help but smile broadly at Yi Feng.

Noticing Fu Nanshan's gaze, Yi Feng returned the smile.

Had Yi Feng known the malicious thoughts brewing in Fu Nanshan's mind, he might have considered digging up the man's ancestral graves.

As their thoughts diverged, the space around them began to blur.

A dense mist started spreading, gradually enveloping the entire area...