Chapter 990: Not Bad Taste

"How shall we compete? You set the rules!"

Hearing his agreement, Zhang Xuan said.

Given the other party's temperament, if he used force, even killing him might not reveal the location of the Poison Hall. Moreover, if he gave a false location, the trouble would be even greater.

The best approach was to make the other party believe he was a poison master and personally lead him there.

Besides, Wei Ruyan's condition might require the help of the Poison Hall, so it was best not to antagonize them.

"Alright. In my current state, I can't concoct poison, but I do have several drugs on me. Pick one, and if you can neutralize its toxicity, I'll acknowledge you as a poison master!"

After a moment's thought, Elder Xu grabbed with his hand, and eight small ceramic jars appeared before him.

They bore no annotations or text, only intricate seals, making it impossible to tell what was inside from the outside.

However, under the illumination of the Eye of Insight, one could clearly sense the surging killing intent within, as if opening the stopper would cause a river of blood to flow among the living.

Powerful poisons, like spiritual medicines, develop a unique spirituality. Once released without the corresponding antidote, they would cause immense disaster.

For this reason, the profession of poison master was feared by all other professions and rejected by the world.

"These are... all peak Grade-6 poisons!"

Zhang Xuan looked over.

The poisons in these ceramic jars were all at peak Grade-6, no weaker than the beetle from before.

"Indeed, these drugs are all peak Grade-6. Pick one, and as long as you concoct an antidote within an hour, I'll acknowledge you as a poison master!"

Elder Xu said with piercing eyes.

"Alright, let me first see what drugs these are!"

Seeing the rules were simple, Zhang Xuan didn't hesitate much. He nodded, casually picked up the first ceramic jar, opened it, and looked down.

Watching his actions, Elder Xu's face darkened.

When poison masters test poison, they follow special steps and methods to avoid being ambushed. This guy not only skipped all steps but also opened the stopper and sniffed it as if it were fine wine or delicacy...

Did he think he was invincible, or was he truly ignorant?

Even a three- or four-star poison master wouldn't be so reckless as to do such a childish thing.

Just as he thought the other would surely be poisoned on the spot, he saw him shake the jar, pour out a pile of powder into his palm, and gently rub it with his fingers.

"..."

Elder Xu's forehead veins bulged.

This was outright suicide. A peak Grade-6 poison placed in the palm, seeping through the skin into the meridians—even a Saint Realm layer 2 expert might not withstand it!

What poison master tests poison this way?

If that were the case, every time the Poison Hall tested poison, they'd lose a batch... After a few rounds, without the master teachers making a move, they'd have killed themselves off.

Just as he wondered if the man would be poisoned to death on the spot, he saw the fellow take out a white napkin, hang it on his chest, adjust his posture, and, as if entering a restaurant, fetch a spoon, scoop up the poison from his palm, and put it into his mouth.

His mouth twitched, and Elder Xu nearly fainted.

Rubbing poison with his fingers was already excessive and against principles... but tasting it directly?

Was he afraid of dying too slowly?

And most importantly... what was with the napkin, the posture adjustment, and the spoon?

I asked you to neutralize the poison, not to dine...

Just as he was horrified and considering whether to take out an antidote to save the man, he saw him smack his lips, look somewhat dissatisfied, and say, "Elder Xu, the poison you concocted doesn't taste good. The texture is poor, and especially the flavor—I'm afraid many people, after eating it once, would have no interest in a second try. Bad review!"

Elder Xu staggered, nearly falling.

Brother, this is poison, not gourmet food. After one bite, you're dead... where's the chance for a second?

Bad review... review your sister!

When eating poison, one should be terrified of dying at any moment, not caring about the taste!

Just as he thought the man had gone mad, he saw him not stop but open the second jar, take out the drug, and eat a mouthful: "This one is passable. If you stir-fried it a bit more, the texture would be better."

He opened the third jar: "This one is a bit sweet. Did you add honey? I really don't like honey. Next time, consider adding some licorice!"

"This one should taste good dissolved in water, but it's sticky and not very appealing. As for the flavor, paired with grilled meat and wine, I could barely eat a bowl, but more would be too much. Personally, sticky things make me a bit nauseous if I eat too much..."

...

While tasting, Zhang Xuan commented earnestly.

"..."

Elder Xu grabbed his hair.

These were Grade-6 poisons that could easily kill a Saint Realm layer 1 peak expert. How could the other eat them so easily, as if they were a delicacy?

Could it be that these poisons had lost their potency after being stored too long?

"That can't be..."

Puzzled, he casually picked up a jar the other had tasted, dipped his finger in a bit, and put it in his mouth.

"Pfft!"

The moment the drug entered his throat, he spat blood, trembling uncontrollably, his meridians seeming ready to explode.

He quickly took an antidote from his bosom and swallowed it, feeling somewhat relieved. He looked at the man still tasting poisons with a twitching face.

He was utterly bewildered.

Soon, the other had tasted all eight jars of poison, wearing a look of deep satisfaction, as if still wanting more.

"How is it?" Elder Xu couldn't help asking.

The other nodded seriously: "Not bad for peak Grade-6 poisons. They taste quite good. By the way, if the last two were a bit crispier, the texture would be even better."

"..." Elder Xu stood frozen.

He had spent his life refining these poisons, thinking they would allow him to dominate the world and instill fear in countless people. He never dreamed they would be eaten as snacks... and the other even complained about the taste...

Damn it, these were poisons that killed on contact!

I really am a poison master, and a formidable one at that, not a pastry chef...

Ignoring the other's frenzy, Zhang Xuan shook his head.

His actions weren't deliberate. With the Heavenly Dao true qi in his body, these drugs had no effect on him. Carefully tasting them, he indeed found many shortcomings that needed correction.

Since poison is meant for others to consume, a better taste would at least ease their suffering in death, making it less painful.

"Ahem, you... ate so much poison, are you really okay?"

After a while, seeing the man still looking intoxicated with no signs of poisoning, Elder Xu twitched his mouth and couldn't help asking.

"I'm fine!"

Zhang Xuan finally came to his senses: "So, can you now acknowledge me as a poison master?"

"Yes. If someone like you isn't a poison master, then someone like me might as well commit suicide..."

Elder Xu smiled bitterly and shook his head.

Earlier, when the other said he was self-taught, he thought it was nonsense. But after seeing him eat poison as easily as a meal, he understood—this guy must have taught himself!

With a body immune to all poisons, testing any poison was harmless; self-study was nothing special.

"Good. Heal quickly. I'm afraid this place won't hide us from the other party for long..."

Seeing the other acknowledge him, Zhang Xuan nodded.

Although this place could block all aura and was very secretive, it probably couldn't fool the other party for long. They would catch up sooner or later.

They had to get to the Poison Hall as soon as possible.

"Mm!"

Elder Xu understood this too. He nodded, took out medicinal herbs from his ring, concocted a special liquid, and swallowed it.

His method of healing differed from physicians and alchemists. The latter used tonics to supplement what the body lacked, while he used potent poisons to stimulate the body, accelerating true qi flow to recover from injuries.

Both approaches achieved the same goal; it was hard to say which was better.

However, the former strengthened the foundation, allowing one to go further and benefit the future, while using poison stimulation could greatly increase power in the short term but ultimately damage the root.

Seeing that his recovery would take some time, Zhang Xuan didn't urge him. He left the quiet room, transformed back into "Sun Qiang," and found Hu Yunsheng.

"Reporting to senior, earlier... the city lord spread word that anyone who competed with him would be opposing the city lord's mansion... so no one bought it. Should I continue advertising and hold another auction in a few days?"

Seeing him, Hu Yunsheng looked embarrassed.

The city lord's announcement had deterred those interested in the Earthly Flower, so while other auction items sold, the Earthly Flower remained unsold...

"No need!"

Zhang Xuan waved his hand.

Since he had found the poison master, auctioning the medicinal herbs was pointless.

"Yes!" Hu Yunsheng nodded and handed over the jade box containing the Earthly Flower.

Taking the jade box, he was about to say something when he saw a group of people striding into the auction house. The leader was the Purple Leaf King he had seen at the city lord's mansion.

Now, he was still disguised as a human; without the Eye of Insight, one couldn't see through his disguise.

"Manager Hu, this is the city lord's honored guest, Senior Purple Leaf. He had a valuable item stolen and suspects the thief is hiding here, so he wants to search the premises. Please cooperate."

A guard stepped forward and said.

"Search?"

Frowning, Hu Yunsheng's face turned ashen.

In his view, the theft claim was just a pretext. Could it be that the other couldn't afford the Earthly Flower and was resorting to robbery?

"Indeed. We hope you'll cooperate; otherwise, the Ink Cloud Pavilion will face serious trouble."

The guard's tone carried a threat.

Furious to the point of exploding, Hu Yunsheng didn't know how to respond when he heard Senior Sun Qiang's voice from nearby.

"A valuable item? Losing it is indeed worrying. May I ask what item it is? Perhaps we can help find it..."

Turning his head, he saw Senior Sun smiling with utmost sincerity.