Chapter 996: Sneaking In (Part 1)

The Poison Hall always judged people by their skill with poison, and everyone usually sparred using poison. This guy, at the slightest disagreement, kicked someone flying... that was a bit too violent.

"Sun Poison Master, you... are too reckless!"

After the shock, remembering something, Li Yuan's face turned ugly: "They are all Senior Brother Duan Ren's subordinates. Injuring them will displease him..."

"Yes, Senior Brother Duan has always been protective of his people, and he has a violent temper. Those who offend him are in big trouble..."

Another young man also looked grim.

If this Sun Poison Master had just endured it, at most let the other poison him, the matter would have passed. But now, beating someone like this, Senior Brother Duan would surely be furious... When he comes to cause trouble, who can withstand him?

"Senior Brother Duan?" Seeing them so frightened, Zhang Xuan looked over.

"Senior Brother Duan Ren is the personal disciple of Vice Hall Master Ming Zhen. He has already reached the late stage of Saint Domain First Layer and is a six-star poison master... Among the second generation of cultivators in the Poison Hall, he is the strongest, so we respectfully call him Senior Brother. This Liu Xu is his most loyal subordinate..."

Li Yuan quickly explained.

The Hall Master and the elders of the Poison Hall belonged to the first generation, while the disciples and students behind them were of the same generation.

This Duan Ren, far ahead among the second generation, had already reached a level they could only look up to.

"Late Saint Domain First Layer, six-star poison master? Would he really cause trouble for me over a subordinate?"

Seeing them so scared, Zhang Xuan smiled and shook his head.

Even if the other party was unreasonable, they should still consider the face of the elder!

He was Elder Xu's lifesaver, considered a friend of the first-generation elders. No matter how arrogant the other party was, as a junior, would he really trouble him over a subordinate?

"Sun Poison Master, you don't know. Last time, Senior Brother Wu Haiyuan disciplined this Liu Xu for not knowing the rules, and Senior Brother Duan, in a rage, poisoned him mute. He still can't speak..."

With a face that looked about to cry, Li Yuan hurriedly said: "You should know, Senior Brother Wu Haiyuan was also a six-star poison master, and his cultivation had reached Saint Domain First Layer..."

"Is that so?" Zhang Xuan found it strange and looked over doubtfully: "For a subordinate, he offended a poison master of the same level... really?"

No wonder he didn't believe it.

He had carefully observed this Liu Xu; he only had the strength of the Void Step realm, the eighth level of Mortal Transformation, and was probably at most a five-star poison master. There were plenty of such people in the Poison Hall. For someone like that, to offend a six-star poison master of the same level, this Senior Brother Duan's protectiveness was too unbelievable!

"This..."

Seeing he didn't understand, Li Yuan hesitated, then gritted his teeth: "You just arrived, so you might not know... This Liu Xu is not only Senior Brother Duan's subordinate, but also his... catamite!"

"Catamite?" Zhang Xuan was puzzled: "Is Senior Brother Duan... a woman?"

A catamite meant a kept man. Could it be that this Duan Ren was a woman?

On the Master Teacher Continent, men were respected and women were inferior, but women were still addressed as 'Senior Brother', just like Hu Yaoyao was called 'Senior'.

However, Liu Xu was so ugly; if he was favored, how bad must the taste be!

"He is... male!"

Li Yuan's face was awkward: "Because he has consumed too many poisons, his orientation has become problematic..."

"Cough, cough..."

Zhang Xuan shuddered with disgust and choked on his saliva.

A man liking another man, and even offending a poison master of the same level for him... the thought made his hair stand on end.

No wonder.

Poison masters spent their days with deadly toxins, sometimes even testing new poisons on themselves... Not to mention changing orientation, it was entirely possible to fall in love with spirit beasts, holy beasts, or even trees, stones, or plants.

You see, many poisons cause hallucinations. This Liu Xu, in his eyes, was ugly, but perhaps in the eyes of Senior Brother Duan after taking poisons, he looked decent.

"Yes, this situation is not uncommon here. You've beaten Senior Brother Duan's catamite to the brink of death. Once he learns of it, he will surely be furious. If he comes to cause trouble... it's bad!"

Li Yuan was full of worry.

In the Poison Hall, everyone knew how terrifying Senior Brother Duan was. That was why no one dared to offend him. But this guy, before he even finished speaking, had beaten Liu Xu like this. The matter had already reached an irreparable point.

Although Elder Xu held a very high status, he was also only a six-star poison master, not much higher than Senior Brother Duan. Most importantly, it was said that if the latter advanced further, he could become an elder, eliminating the status gap.

"If he wants to cause trouble, let him come."

Stretching lazily, Zhang Xuan didn't care at all.

What Senior Brother Duan? He didn't care at all.

If the other party really wanted trouble, he wouldn't mind releasing Ziye Wang and turning the place upside down.

Since he had found the Poison Hall and the books were nearby, there was no need to be a good person when facing a group of people who thought about poisoning others all day.

"But..."

Seeing him so unconcerned, Li Yuan and the others exchanged bitter smiles. Just as they didn't know how to respond, a gloomy-faced young man strode over.

"Senior Brother Duan..."

Seeing this person, their faces changed simultaneously.

Speak of the devil!

Their residence wasn't too big, and this Sun Poison Master had sent Liu Xu flying with a punch. Many had seen it, and news spread quickly. It seemed Senior Brother Duan Ren not only knew but had already arrived!

This was the end... They couldn't even escape.

Whoosh!

In a few steps, he arrived. Senior Brother Duan Ren leaped up, took Liu Xu down from the tree branch, fed him some medicine, and his gaze turned icy cold.

"Senior Brother Duan, I wanted to compete with him in poison use, but he ambushed me... You must do justice for me!"

Awakening, Liu Xu pointed at Zhang Xuan not far away, gnashing his teeth.

"Don't worry."

His eyes narrowed, Duan Ren stood up and coldly looked at Zhang Xuan, the killing intent in his eyes like a tide: "I will make him pay."

"Senior Brother Duan, this Sun Poison Master is Elder Xu's lifesaver..."

Seeing him angry, Li Yuan gritted his teeth and stepped forward to explain.

If Elder Xu entrusted them with someone and that person was poisoned to death upon arrival, they would bear great responsibility.

"Scram!"

Raising his brows, Duan Ren shouted.

Staggering back!

Struck by a wave of energy, Li Yuan's face turned pale. He retreated seven or eight steps and spat out a mouthful of blood.

He only had the strength of the Void Step realm, far too weak compared to this Saint Domain expert. He couldn't withstand it.

"I don't care who you are to Elder Xu. You hurt my man, so you must pay the price."

Coming closer, Duan Ren stared at Zhang Xuan, his face devoid of emotion: "I'll give you two choices now. First, kneel and apologize to Liu Xu, and let him decide your fate! Second, I'll personally make you wish you were dead, unable to live or die..."

Everyone knew Liu Xu was his catamite, yet this guy dared to make a move. It was clearly a sign of disrespect. If he didn't teach him a lesson, how could he establish his authority?

"What if I choose neither?"

Zhang Xuan shook his head.

No wonder Elder Xu said the Poison Hall was turbulent and told him to be careful. Now it seemed it was true.

There were too many fools who didn't know their place...

He had originally wanted to keep a low profile, but the other party's demeanor was just asking for a beating... not beating him would be a disservice to himself!

"Neither? You're asking for death..."

With a cold shout, Duan Ren's body flickered and appeared before Zhang Xuan, his five fingers spread as he grabbed at him.

From his fingertips, true qi shot out, and a special powder dispersed, as if one sniff or skin contact would cause poisoning and utter ruin.

This was a deadly poison he had painstakingly concocted; even a peak Saint Domain First Layer expert couldn't withstand it.

"Heh."

Facing his poison powder and true qi, Zhang Xuan shook his head, his expression full of pity.

Whoosh!

He stretched out his hand, without any technique, and slapped him.

Seeing his move, Duan Ren first felt disdain, then his pupils contracted as he hurriedly gathered all his strength to resist.

But by the time he reacted, it was too late. Like Liu Xu just now, he didn't even have time to scream before his head was stuck in a tree branch, unconscious.

Although Zhang Xuan was only at the Saint realm, even Liao Song, a Saint Domain Second Layer expert, was no match for him. This guy was only at the late Saint Domain First Layer; a flick of his finger would finish him, nothing at all.

"This..."

Li Yuan and the others all turned pale and trembled.

Too terrifying!

They had seen Senior Brother Duan Ren's strength with their own eyes. With his poison, even an early Saint Domain Second Layer expert wouldn't dare to confront him head-on. But this Sun Poison Master, without a word, slapped him unconscious with one blow...

How strong was he?

"Alright, I'm going back to rest."

Too lazy to explain, Zhang Xuan waved his hand and glanced at Li Yuan: "If anyone else comes to cause trouble, let me know in advance."

With that, he walked toward the courtyard.

"Yes..."

His mouth twitching, Li Yuan and the others quickly nodded.

Entering the courtyard, Zhang Xuan casually closed the gate, found a place where spiritual energy gathered, and sat down cross-legged.

"Since I'm at the Poison Hall, I shouldn't hesitate. I need to read the books as soon as possible and find a way to cure Wei Ruyan."

Although Ruyan's condition hadn't reached an irredeemable state, it was still dangerous. Since he was at the Poison Hall, he didn't need to follow the Master Teacher Academy's rules. He should read the books quickly and find a cure.

Whoosh!

With a thought, his soul emerged from his body.

Going to the library in person would cause a lot of trouble. Since his soul could read as fast as his physical body, there was no need for the hassle.

With a slight movement, Zhang Xuan flew into the sky.

Although it was daytime, he cultivated the Heavenly Dao Soul, so he was unaffected. Moreover, after nourishing Wei Ruyan's soul, his own soul had gained poison resistance. Even if the island's sky was filled with poison gas, it was nothing to him.

Before long, he reached the sky and looked down.

"Elder Xu said the library is one of the three main halls. If so, it must be the tallest and most magnificent building..."

His Insight Eye wriggled, scanning through all obstructions. Three towering halls appeared in his vision.