Here’s the complete and accurate translation of your post into UK English, with every single Chinese text fully translated, and “—” replaced by commas as per standard practice:
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“Rest assured, I’ve no connection to whoever poisoned you, if I did, I wouldn’t tell you,” Lin Xiao shook his head slightly, then explained, “Black Seal Poison is a sixth-grade pill, such a high-grade pill is hard to counter, but I do have a method.”
Hearing this, Ling Hu’s aura calmed, the thick killing intent in his eyes faded, replaced by excitement, “You, you can undo Black Seal Poison?”
“Yes, but it requires a rare main ingredient, the Poison-Devouring Flower, plus some auxiliary ingredients: Nine Immortal Heart, True Mortal Fruit, and third-tier Nether Wolf Blood, find these, and I can help you lift the poison,” Lin Xiao said plainly, meeting Ling Hu’s eager gaze.
Black Seal Poison was potent and high-grade, but with the right formula, it could be easily neutralised.
“You can refine the Black-Devouring Pill?” Ling Hu’s expression shifted sharply, asking urgently.
“You know the Black-Devouring Pill can counter Black Seal Poison?” Lin Xiao paused, surprised that Ling Hu knew the antidote’s formula—it struck him as odd.
The Black-Devouring Pill was an obscure recipe, known to very few spirit controllers, even the Heaven-Devouring Spirit Emperor had stumbled upon it by chance during his travels.
“I know, I’ve been carrying the ingredients for it, just never found a spirit controller who could refine it, Senior Brother, if you can make me a Black-Devouring Pill, anything I, Wang Hu, can do, any condition—I’ll agree to,” Ling Hu’s entire body trembled, the poison had tormented him for so long, seeing someone capable of crafting the cure filled him with overwhelming excitement.
Lin Xiao had listed the full formula, leaving Ling Hu with no doubt of his ability.
With the recipe and a spirit controller, if Lin Xiao was willing, it could be refined today.
“Brother Ling Hu, you’re too serious, it’s just a small effort, tonight, find a quiet spot, and I’ll refine a Black-Devouring Pill for you, though the success rate is only ninety percent,” Lin Xiao said calmly.
“Ninety percent!”
Ling Hu’s eyes grew even more fervent, he’d sought many spirit controllers for this pill, none could even name its ingredients.
Even those willing to try with his recipe offered no more than a twenty percent success rate, and due to the rarity of the materials, he hadn’t risked it.
Seeing Lin Xiao casually claim ninety percent dispelled all his doubts—most spirit controllers wouldn’t boast such confidence unless certain.
“You can trust me with the Black-Devouring Pill!” Lin Xiao nodded faintly, befriending a genius with the Heavenly Flame Saint Tiger Physique could benefit him greatly in the future.
“Great kindness needs no words, if Senior Brother ever needs me, just say it!” Ling Hu clasped his fists solemnly, his gratitude visibly heartfelt.
“No need for ‘Senior Brother,’ call me Lin Xiao, this is Hu Yue,” Lin Xiao said, reassured by Ling Hu’s trust, making introductions before shifting topics, “By the way, we’ve just joined Shengyuan Academy, Brother Ling Hu, could you tell us about the factions here?”
“New disciples?” Ling Hu paused, showing no disdain, then answered, “I’ve only been here six months, but I know the factions well.”
“The strongest force in Shengyuan Academy is naturally the Martial Alliance, founded by the inner courtyard, gathering all sorts of prodigies, next is the Moon Sect, created by Moon King Yue Xingchen, then the Blade-Sword Alliance and the Mysterious Sect.”
“There are other factions too, they set up branches in the outer courtyard to attract talent, but few outer disciples make it in.”
“Beyond these, there are outer courtyard factions—some backed by inner courtyard groups to recruit promising talents, others purely founded by outer disciples.”
“Pure outer courtyard factions are relatively easier to join.”
Noticing Lin Xiao’s thoughtful look, Ling Hu cautioned, “Shengyuan Academy is full of geniuses, its rules harsh, new disciples struggle to cultivate here, that’s why I chose Dragon-Tiger Sect, only to be played by them.”
Anger flashed in his eyes, he paused, then looked at Lin Xiao, “But with Brother Lin Xiao being a spirit controller, joining a better faction shouldn’t be an issue.”
Lin Xiao nodded noncommittally, glancing at the faintly visible halls up the mountain, “Dragon-Tiger Sect’s quarters are up there, right? How does it rank among outer courtyard factions? What’s the strongest member’s cultivation?”
“Dragon-Tiger Sect ranks fortieth in the outer courtyard, its strongest is Wang Long, an Eighth Heaven Martial Realm expert, followed by Ba Hu at Seventh Heaven, and one at Sixth Heaven, about a dozen members total,” Ling Hu answered honestly, then raised a brow at Lin Xiao, “Why do you ask, Brother Lin Xiao?”
“Nothing much, just looking for a place to stay, Ling Hu—got the guts to head up with us?” Lin Xiao said lightly.
“A place to stay!” Ling Hu started, having seen Dragon-Tiger Sect’s behaviour, Lin Xiao knew they wouldn’t share rooms.
His intent was clear—he was going to stir trouble with Dragon-Tiger Sect.
Ling Hu considered dissuading him—Wang Long and Ba Hu were formidable—but seeing Lin Xiao’s calm confidence despite knowing their levels, he held back, trusting the spirit controller who could refine the Black-Devouring Pill had the assurance to back it up.
“I’ll go with you!” Ling Hu nodded.
“Take the healing pill first,” Lin Xiao reminded.
Ling Hu nodded, swallowing it.
After Ling Hu rested for a quarter-hour, Lin Xiao led the trio up the mountain.
At the peak, a compound spanning dozens of zhang came into view, less grand than the central outer courtyard palaces but still imposing and refined, with enough connected rooms for over a dozen.
Before it stood a wooden gate, a plaque above reading “Dragon-Tiger Sect” in bold characters.
As they reached the gate, over a dozen figures appeared before Lin Xiao.
Some were familiar—the ones who’d mocked Ling Hu earlier, now sparring with martial techniques.
Seeing Lin Xiao’s group approach, their movements slowed to a stop, cold gazes turning towards them.
