Chapter 1010: The Hall Master Is Dead

Teacher is a responsibility, and also a principle of conduct.

Since comprehending the heart of a teacher, Zhang Xuan had never forgotten the meaning of this word.

And he himself had truly lived up to it.

Toward his few direct disciples, he never held back anything he could teach, truly embodying the selflessness of a teacher.

After settling Wei Ruyan, he turned his wrist and took out two bottles of foundation-strengthening pills. With a flick of his finger, several strands of Heavenly Dao true energy infused into them.

Under normal circumstances, these pills had no effect on Saint Domain Fourth Layer cultivators, but with his Heavenly Dao true energy, they became different—able to heal injuries and neutralize all poisons.

Moreover, by storing the true energy within the pills and nourishing them with the medicine, even if separated from his body for a long time, the energy would not dissipate and would still possess great efficacy.

This was completely different from storing it in a wine flask.

"Each jade bottle contains ten pills, enough for these two to handle anything!"

Zhang Xuan nodded.

These pills were prepared for the two poison masters, Bai and Hai. Since they were to protect Wei Ruyan, he had to ensure they wouldn't be poisoned to death.

After doing this, he took out a blank book and a brush, wrote a simplified version of the Heavenly Dao Poison Art, and then, considering Bai's condition, wrote a set of techniques. Only then did he return to the courtyard from the beehive.

After all this trouble, it was late at night. Even with his profound strength, he felt utterly exhausted.

He sat cross-legged on the ground and circulated his energy through several cycles until he felt recovered. Then he heard a knock at the door.

Midnight had arrived!

"Come in!"

As his voice faded, the two poison masters, Bai and Hai, pushed the door open and entered. They came before him, knelt down, their eyes filled with determination.

"Ancestor, we have made our decision!"

"Mm, since you have made this choice, I will not treat you unfairly."

Knowing they would make this choice, Zhang Xuan nodded. He accepted their offered souls into his mind, then turned his wrist and handed over the prepared pills and the manual of techniques.

Glancing at them, both of them breathed rapidly.

Both were peak Saint Domain Fourth Layer experts, having cultivated poison arts since childhood and knowing the methods of using poison very well. The manual before them, though seemingly simple, pointed directly to the Great Way. By cultivating it, refining and controlling Grade 8 poisons would be effortless!

Of course... the prerequisite was that their cultivation must break through!

"Bai Ting, this is a cultivation technique I specially prepared for you. It can resolve the condition of your closed Yuan Gate. If you cultivate according to it, barring accidents, you should break through soon!"

Saying this, Zhang Xuan handed over a manual.

He did not have a Heavenly Dao technique for breaking through to Saint Domain Fourth Layer, so he could not directly impart a technique to let them break through. However, by using the Library of Heaven's Path, he knew their flaws and could create a targeted solution—this was not too difficult.

Strictly speaking, what he created was not a technique but a healing method tailored to their condition.

If they cultivated it strictly, the condition of the closed Yuan Gate would be resolved, and breaking through would be a natural and logical outcome.

"Hai Mingjin, throw a punch for me to see!"

Letting Bai Ting go cultivate, Zhang Xuan looked at the poison master Hai.

Knowing that the other was about to teach him, Hai Mingjin did not dare hesitate. He quickly executed a martial technique and threw a punch.

A book formed in his mind. Zhang Xuan pondered for a long time, then orally imparted a set of techniques.

He was facing them with his eyes closed, so taking out a book to write would be troublesome. It was better to teach by word of mouth.

Committing his explanations to memory, the poison master Hai was both shocked and even more admiring.

From just one punch, he could discern the flaws and cruxes in his cultivation, and in less than the time it takes to burn an incense stick, create a targeted technique... Only the founding ancestor of the Poison Hall, a super expert who could fight even with Confucius, could do this!

Boom!

Before dawn, a loud rumble sounded. Poison master Bai Ting's entire body shook, and a massive primordial spirit emerged from his body, illuminating all directions with a heavy pressure.

Saint Domain Fifth Layer, Out-of-Body Realm!

In the Out-of-Body Realm, the primordial spirit can leave the body and roam the world. Even if the physical body dies, the primordial spirit can survive. Though it does not have the same lifespan as the body, it is still extremely formidable.

Most importantly, the primordial spirit can better integrate with nature and the world, unleashing even greater combat power!

Reaching this level, each one possesses earth-shattering combat power, inspiring awe and terror, truly stepping into the ranks of Eight-Star, standing at the pinnacle of the continent!

Shortly after Poison master Bai broke through, the surrounding spiritual energy surged again, and Poison master Hai's primordial spirit also burst out from his body.

Having cultivated the targeted techniques Zhang Xuan had specially created, both of them broke through.

Withdrawing their primordial spirits, they came before Zhang Xuan, prostrating themselves in admiration, their hearts free of any doubt.

Their condition was something even a Nine-Star poison master could not resolve, yet this person had enabled such a rapid breakthrough. If he wasn't the founding ancestor, who else could he be?

"Alright, stand guard outside. No one is to disturb or spy on me!"

Ignoring their worshipful gazes, Zhang Xuan waved his hand.

"Yes!"

The two poison masters withdrew from the courtyard. Zhang Xuan then set up an array to block prying eyes and released Wei Ruyan.

Only after dawn did he remove the array and let Bai Ting and the others in.

"Two poison masters!"

At this moment, Zhang Xuan, though still looking the same as before, had only the cultivation and aura of a Saint-level, and his gaze had become innocent and clear, no longer bearing the previous demeanor of dominating the world.

Knowing that the founding ancestor's soul had left his body, the two's expressions dimmed as they clasped their fists simultaneously.

"Mm, that is her... new body. You must fulfill her entrustment!"

Zhang Xuan pointed at Wei Ruyan not far away.

"Rest assured, we will definitely fulfill it!"

Nodding at the same time, the two looked toward Wei Ruyan. After a while, their faces flushed with excitement: "Could it be... that this girl was originally an Innate Poison Body?"

"Absolutely, otherwise, it would be impossible for her to bear the ancestor's poison-laden soul!"

At this moment, Wei Ruyan's physique had been activated, constantly emitting poison gas, which the two, as七星 Peak Poison Masters, could naturally recognize.

Originally thinking that the ancestor was merely forced to find a body, they never expected it to also be an Innate Poison Body. This was excellent; it could be foreseen that as long as they followed the ancestor, the Poison Hall would regain its glory and no longer have to hide like rats crossing the street, which was just around the corner.

"The ancestor said you should leave here quickly and head to the Poison Hall headquarters. Although she succeeded in the possession, she has fallen into a coma and must be treated as soon as possible—no delays!"

Zhang Xuan instructed.

White Poison Master nodded: "Our purpose in coming here was a book from two thousand years ago. Yesterday we had Hall Master Ruo Qingyuan go to retrieve it; he should be out soon. Once we get the item, we will leave immediately!"

Going to the Hall Master's tomb to fetch the book shouldn't take much effort, nor cause much delay.

"A book?" Zhang Xuan looked over with confusion.

"Yes, it's about a ruin in Fire Source City. It is said to be about to open. The headquarters instructed us to take this item away; perhaps we might discover something."

White Poison Master did not conceal anything.

Although the ancestor's soul was no longer in their bodies, their souls were still under the other's control, so they dared not hide anything.

"A book about Fire Source City? Could it be... the so-called map?" Zhang Xuan's eyes lit up.

Long ago, he had heard from the old dean that a map had fallen into the hands of the Poison Hall. It seemed these two were precisely here to find it.

"After you get this book you mentioned, could you let me take a look? Even without opening it, it's fine!"

Thinking of this, Zhang Xuan couldn't help but say.

As long as it was a book, the library could copy it; a single glance would suffice, not even requiring touch.

"Of course..."

White Poison Master nodded.

The other party was also a poison master, and moreover, the first body possessed by the ancestor. Just looking at a book—even if he wanted to take it away—he wouldn't dare refuse.

"Then many thanks..."

With a faint smile, Zhang Xuan was about to speak when he felt a violent tremor beneath his feet. A dull sound suddenly rang out from afar, as if something had collapsed with a roar.

"What's wrong?"

Their expressions darkened, and the three of them simultaneously soared into the air, looking toward the direction of the sound. They saw a massive shockwave emanating from a mountain range not far away, as if some super-strong expert was engaged in battle.

"It's a Saint Domain Fourth Layer expert making a move..."

Raising an eyebrow, Poison Master Bai said.

"That direction is... the Hall Master's Mausoleum! Let's go check it out quickly..."

The strongest in Hongyuan Poison Hall, Ruo Qingyuan, was only at the peak of Saint Domain Third Layer. Now, the power of a Fourth Layer expert had erupted in that direction—clearly something had gone wrong!

Moreover, the most critical point was that it was at the Hall Master's Mausoleum!

This was precisely where that book was stored.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

The three moved with incredible speed, arriving in the blink of an eye. They saw that the majestic building of the Hall Master's Mausoleum had already collapsed, and Elder Xu and the others were standing not far away, looking anxious.

"What happened?"

Poison Master Bai asked.

"Reporting to Poison Master Bai, I'm not sure either. Last night, the Hall Master said he wanted to go in to retrieve something and told us to wait here. He hasn't appeared yet..."

Elder Xu said hurriedly.

"He hasn't come out at all? Something must have happened. Let's go check it out quickly!"

Raising his eyebrows, Poison Master Bai did not hesitate and walked into the Hall Master's Mausoleum first.

Poison Master Hai and Zhang Xuan followed closely behind.

Elder Xu and the others, seeing them enter, were filled with conflict. After hesitating for a moment, they gritted their teeth and followed as well.

Under normal circumstances, only the Hall Master could enter this place; they were not qualified. But now that something had gone wrong, they could only break the rules.

Entering inside, they saw tombs scattered all over the hillside, burying successive Hall Masters. Each was built tall and majestic, with stone tablets in front engraved with their life stories, showcasing their illustrious achievements.

Before long, they caught up with Poison Master Bai and the others, who had already stopped, standing before a large pit with grim expressions.

Following their gaze, Elder Xu's pupils contracted, and his face turned pale: "Hall Master..."

There lay Hall Master Ruo Qingyuan, sprawled in the center of the large pit, covered in blood.

He quickly flew over and picked him up, only to find that the latter had already stopped breathing, as if he had been struck down by a single palm, and even the large pit before them might have been caused by the attacker.

"The Hall Master... is dead?"

All the elders' faces turned pale.