Chapter 994: Methods for Testing Poison Masters

"If it's inconvenient, it's fine not to look..."

Seeing his troubled expression, Elder Xu shook his head.

"It's not that it's inconvenient, but the inheritance cannot be easily disclosed... How about this: I can explain in detail the basic knowledge below the second star. Perhaps through this, Elder Xu can guess the origin of this manual!"

Seeing that the other had only asked casually and wasn't pressing for answers, Zhang Xuan breathed a sigh of relief.

He didn't have the manual at all, and his knowledge of poison only reached around the second star. The reason he had seemed so formidable was because of the Heavenly Dao true energy, which rendered him immune to all poisons.

Thus, when it came to explaining poisons, he was completely a layman. But when it came to explaining basic knowledge below the second star, he could guarantee that no one could surpass him.

"Excellent!"

Elder Xu's eyes lit up.

Many inheritances were indeed inconvenient to disclose; otherwise, the way of the master would not be so revered.

He could understand the other's reluctance to speak. As for knowledge below the second star, it was basic, and sharing some of it would do no harm.

"According to that book, poison is a type of medicine. In essence, it is meant to harmonize the yin and yang and the five elements of the body. When the five elements are in harmony, one becomes immune to all poisons..."

Retrieving the second-star Heavenly Dao Poison Art from his mind, Zhang Xuan explained.

"This, this..."

At first, he thought the basic knowledge below the second star was nothing special, but after listening for a while, Elder Xu's expression changed. He trembled with excitement and breathed rapidly.

The other's knowledge reconstructed the human body based on yin-yang and the five elements. It was precisely for this reason that one could consume deadly poison without harm.

He had heard of poisoning people to death, but had he ever heard of poisoning Heaven to death?

The basic knowledge the other casually explained pointed directly to the deepest mysteries of poison masters. As long as one diligently cultivated, becoming what was called a congenital poison body was a certainty.

Although he could no longer change his own cultivation method, it was foreseeable that once this knowledge leaked, it would cause great upheaval, and if mishandled, could even topple the entire Poison Hall.

"Poison... can save people, can cure diseases, can be used as a tonic. As long as one's intention is pure and it is applied properly, it can also become a great aid..."

Zhang Xuan's voice continued.

The more he listened, the more entranced he became. Elder Xu's fists unconsciously clenched.

The reason poison masters are feared is that their methods are insidious and impossible to guard against—one never knows when they might be poisoned. If, as the other had explained, these skills could be applied to righteous paths, perhaps this profession could see the light of day again, walking openly in the Hall of Masters like other professions, under its protection, rather than being shunned like rats in the gutter, avoided by all like snakes and scorpions.

Thinking this, Elder Xu looked at Sun Qiang not far away as if he were a vast treasure.

"Alright, that's as much as I've understood..."

Having casually explained the knowledge below the second star, Zhang Xuan had just stopped when he saw Elder Xu's burning gaze. He couldn't help but look down at the clothes on his chest—apparently... nothing was exposed!

Nothing exposed... so why are you so excited!

Could attending a lecture change your orientation?

Even a master doesn't have that function!

"Ahem..."

Seeing his reaction, Elder Xu realized he had lost his composure. Choking on his saliva, he said gravely, "Poison Master Sun, this secret manual of yours is too shocking. You'd better not tell anyone else, or I'm afraid... you'll be in great danger!"

What poison master wouldn't want to be immune to all poisons? What poison master wouldn't want to concoct even more potent toxins?

If others found out that this fellow possessed such a formidable manual, 'an innocent man may harbor a jewel but incur guilt,' he would likely face all sorts of plots and extreme danger.

Zhang Xuan nodded.

Poison masters, unlike masters, do not emphasize status or observe rules. If others truly learned that he mastered such a powerful technique, sneak attacks and poisoning would be the least of it; they might even openly seize it by force.

However, his goal was merely to read more books and cure Wei Ruyan. If the Poison Hall people were sensible and didn't cause trouble, getting along wouldn't be a problem.

If they were ungrateful, he could just poison them all and rid the world of a scourge.

"Also, you should disguise your immunity to poisons and not show it to others easily!"

After a moment's hesitation, Elder Xu added, "Otherwise, it will certainly arouse others' covetousness!"

"Mm!" Zhang Xuan responded.

True. He wasn't born with a poison body, yet he was immune to all poisons—anyone would be suspicious. It seemed he would need to keep a low profile when he went to the Poison Hall.

But that suited his personality; he was inherently a low-key person who didn't like to show off.

"I don't know much about the poison master assessment. How is it conducted? And once I pass, can I freely read all the books in the Poison Hall?"

After chatting a bit more, Zhang Xuan asked.

The main purpose of this trip was to find books to read. As long as I could read, everything else was negotiable.

"Assessing a poison master is quite complex. It's not simply about being able to concoct a poison of the corresponding grade, but rather... administering poison!"

Elder Xu said.

"Administering poison?" Zhang Xuan was puzzled.

"Yes. For example, if you're taking the assessment for a six-star poison master, being able to concoct a sixth-grade poison alone doesn't count. The main thing is to be able to administer poison to someone of the same level, or even a higher level, without being detected! That's what truly makes a poison master."

Elder Xu explained.

"Do you mean there's a competition in administering poison?"

"Exactly. If you're assessing for a six-star poison master, you have to challenge a six-star poison master. Both sides use their skills to administer poison. If your poison doesn't harm the opponent at all, sorry, you fail. If you manage to poison them, you pass..." Elder Xu said.

"Poison... that's not easy to control. What if someone gets poisoned to death...?"

Zhang Xuan found it strange.

Poison is something uncontrollable. If you use too much, it's easy to kill; if you use too little, nothing might happen. Competing like this... isn't it too dangerous?

"If you get poisoned to death, it only means your skills are lacking. You can't blame anyone else!"

Shaking his head, Elder Xu sighed: "The poison master assessment is just that brutal!"

He hadn't expected that each poison master assessment would involve a life-or-death situation. Zhang Xuan shook his head helplessly and continued, "May I ask Elder Xu to introduce the situation of our Hongyuan Empire's Poison Hall?"

He knew nothing about this Poison Hall. If he could learn some information in advance, he might be able to prepare and not be caught off guard.

"That's simple!"

Elder Xu smiled: "The Hongyuan Poison Hall branch is actually a seventh-grade branch. Not only does it have six-star poison masters, but the Hall Master also possesses seventh-star strength. That is to say, if you can defeat the Hall Master and poison him, you can directly take the assessment for a seven-star poison master!"

"Besides the Hall Master, the entire Poison Hall has three seventh-star vice hall masters, and the rest are twenty-two six-star peak elders, including Elder Xue and me..."

"As for poison masters below six stars, there are tens of thousands."

"Tens of thousands?" Zhang Xuan was stunned.

He had thought that the number of these poison users wouldn't be large, but it turned out to be comparable to a master teacher academy.

Fortunately, they all stayed in one place and didn't come out; otherwise, not just Jingyuan City, but the entire Hongyuan Empire would be in chaos.

"Apart from the poison masters, there are three main halls. First, the Scripture Library. It contains all the secret manuals of the Poison Hall over the past ten thousand years, an astonishing number. To become a poison master and keep improving, you have to keep learning from it."

"Second, the Poison Testing Hall. Concocting poisons requires countless medicinal herbs. If you used real ones all the time, even if you had a mountain of herbs, it wouldn't be enough. There are special formations here that can accurately simulate the properties of each herb. Testing poisons here reduces the waste of materials!"

"The last one is the Competition Hall. Poison masters, like cultivators, also have conflicts. To resolve them, you come here. Once a life-or-death duel is initiated, you can use poisons to fight. Although it's called a competition, in fact... it's also the place where the most poison masters die!"

Elder Xu shook his head.

"Besides the three halls, there are two forbidden areas. First, the Hall Master's Mausoleum. It's where the remains of past hall masters are kept. Only the hall master can enter; anyone else who enters breaks the rules and will be poisoned to death. Second, the Medicine Field. All the medicinal herbs needed are planted here. To use them, you need to apply in advance and cannot enter at will; otherwise, you will also be killed!"

"There's nothing else. With your strength and your immunity to all poisons, you don't need to worry..."

"Mm."

Zhang Xuan nodded.

Seven-star poison masters, three halls, two forbidden areas...

He just wanted to read books. Apart from the Scripture Library, he probably wouldn't go anywhere else.

"Alright, the Poison Hall isn't as scary as you might imagine. As long as you're a poison master, everyone is quite friendly... Besides, you saved my life!"

Elder Xu smiled.

The Poison Hall and poison masters might be terrifying in the eyes of others, but in reality, they all got along quite happily.

Although friends might occasionally poison each other for fun, they usually prepared the antidote in advance, so it was harmless.

He asked a few more questions about the Poison Hall. Since Elder Xu had confirmed his identity as a poison master, there was nothing to hide, and he answered everything truthfully.

After half a day, Zhang Xuan had learned a great deal about this Poison Hall of the Hongyuan Empire.

Although it was said to be within the Hongyuan Empire, this place was actually the largest and most powerful Poison Hall within the Qingyuan Empire. That was why it had a seven-star poison master in charge.

The entire Poison Hall not only had poison masters and poisons but also many poisonous insects, poisonous plants, and even the drinking water was highly likely to be poisonous... For anyone else, Elder Xu would have given many warnings, but for this young man who was immune to all poisons and ate sixth-grade peak poisons like snacks, warnings didn't matter.

After all, he couldn't be poisoned to death anyway.

"Alright, the Poison Hall is here..."

After flying for two full days, Elder Xu suddenly stood up and pointed ahead. Zhang Xuan looked and saw a vast ocean with a huge sun shining, making his eyes feel dizzy.

Then the flying beast turned, and the view suddenly opened up. A massive island appeared before them.

This island was shrouded by a concealment formation. If no one had led them, it would have been impossible to find.