I was locked in a standoff with Xia Xiaotian when Xiang Kai unexpectedly pulled out three silver needles and pierced Bu Youming’s acupoints. The latter swayed twice, almost falling to the ground.

By the time Xiang Kai helped him up, the bloodshot in Bu Youming’s eyes had rapidly receded.

Xiang Kai cupped his fist at me and said, "Sorry, someone placed a Gu poison here, affecting Lao Bu's emotions."

Hei Yexiao grabbed a handful of dirt from the ground, then held Bu Youming's wrist, examining it closely for a moment. "The Gu poison entered his body while he was grabbing the dirt. I'll help you detoxify it first. Think carefully, what exactly was Bu Ting's intention in leaving behind the Nine Snakes Entwined formation?"

Hei Yexiao drew his dagger and cut open Bu Youming's index finger, inserted the tip of the blade into the wound on his fingertip, and slowly moved it upwards a few times. A Gu worm, resembling a cotton thread, was then picked out from Bu Youming's hand.

Bu Youming, however, didn't seem to feel any pain at all. "Look closely at this Nine Snakes Entwined."

"The nine earthen mounds here seem to surround us, but in reality, none of the snakes have heads."

"The direction of these nine snakes is all converging towards the front of the grave."

"In other words, the illusory image of the snake's head in front of the grave could be the head of any snake."

"The direction of the snake's body is different, so the position of the eyes will also be different."

"If I can't tell which snake it is, I might accidentally gouge out one of the venomous snake's eyes."

"At that time, the nine snakes will be enraged, and the area within two hundred meters of our feet will be covered in venom."

"I really can't tell which stone I should take down!"

Xiang Kai circled the grave a few times before shaking his head and saying, "Why doesn't this seem like Di Xiansheng's (Earth Master) handiwork? Master Ye, you're an expert in Feng Shui, what do you think?"

Ye Yang shook his head slightly. "The Nine Snakes Entwined must rely on the great power of Feng Shui. Bu Ting has drawn the Feng Shui power from other places to here."

"Unless I can see the terrain within a few hundred miles, I can't determine the direction of the earth's veins."

Bu Youming took a deep breath and said, "We can only gamble! I'm the one who implicated you all."

"Wait!" I raised my hand and pointed to a small stone. "If we're gambling, I suggest you take this one."

Bu Youming frowned. "The one you chose is the one I least want to choose. Can you tell me why?"

I said, "I don't understand Feng Shui, but I understand snake nature."

"Snake nature?" Bu Youming couldn't help but furrow his brow.

Xiang Kai said, "Lao Bu, it's a gamble anyway. What difference does it make how we gamble?"

"No!" Bu Youming shook his head. "I can't risk everyone's lives as a joke. I think we should take the one on the left."

Bu Youming was known as "Teng She" (Soaring Serpent), and his personality had some of the characteristics of a venomous snake.

Bu Youming was ruthless and delivered a fatal blow with one strike. However, he never acted without certainty.

In this life-or-death gamble, he would naturally choose the option with the highest probability.

As Bu Youming spoke, he prepared to reach out and take the stone.

I tore a button off my clothes and flicked it towards the stone on the ground.

I used a gentle force, so although the button flew quickly, the sound of the wind it created was minimal.

Just as the button was about to hit the stone, Bu Youming suddenly flipped his palm outwards, and with a hidden force in his hand, he shattered the button in mid-air.

Bu Youming also stood up. "Hall Master Li, please don't play these kinds of jokes."

I only had a few encounters with Bu Youming. We couldn't be considered friends. It was reasonable that we didn't understand each other and didn't see eye to eye.

This antagonism between us, seemingly without reason, was actually understandable.

Bu Youming and I were not very old when we started out, and we both had impressive achievements.

At least, we were both outstanding among our peers.

If our opinions didn't differ, we would be at peace.

When we both believed our own judgment was correct, we would naturally be at odds.

Before we truly convinced each other, neither of us would yield.

But how easy was it to convince the other party?

Perhaps we would have to argue a thousand times to get a result.

We didn't have that time, otherwise, I wouldn't have suddenly reached out to touch that stone.

I looked directly into Bu Youming's eyes and said, "I didn't mean it as a joke. Touching that stone will trigger a real crisis."

Xia Xiaotian, who always helped Bu Youming, didn't know what to say now? He could only look to Xiang Kai for help.

Now, the only person who could resolve the conflict between me and Bu Youming was Xiang Kai.

"You two, don't get angry yet." Xiang Kai quickly stepped forward and said, "Lao Bu, tell us first, why did you choose that stone? No nonsense, we don't have time."

Bu Youming said, "According to Di Xiansheng's consistent style, you should be able to see it."

Xiang Kai looked at me and said, "Hall Master Li's idea is: you judged that we should remove that stone through snake nature?"

Seeing me nod, Xiang Kai said, "I support Hall Master Li."

"Lao Bu, I'm making this decision, life and death have nothing to do with anyone else. Do it!"

Bu Youming looked at Xiang Kai inexplicably, and the latter said again, "Lao Bu, trust me this once, I'm gambling with my life. Trust me!"