Chapter 1009: Taste Quite Good

“How do we compete? You set the rules!”

Zhang Xuan spoke after hearing his agreement.

Given the elder's temperament, forcing him might lead to his death without revealing the Poison Hall's location. Furthermore, if he were to provide a false location, it would only create more problems.

The best approach was for the elder to believe Zhang Xuan was a poison master and then personally guide him there.

Moreover, Wei Ruyan's condition would likely require assistance from the Poison Hall, so it was best not to antagonize them.

"Alright. In my current state, I can't concoct poisons. However, I have a few compounds on me. Pick any one you like. If you can neutralize its toxicity, I'll acknowledge you as a poison master!"

After a moment's thought, Elder Xu extended his hand, and eight small ceramic jars appeared before them.

There were no labels or markings on them, only intricate seals. From the outside, it was impossible to tell what they contained.

However, under the illumination of the Eye of Insight, a surging murderous aura could be distinctly felt within, as if uncorking any jar would cause a river of blood to flow from living beings.

Potent poisons, like spirit medicines, develop unique spiritual properties. Once released without an antidote, they can cause immense disaster.

This is precisely why the profession of poison master is feared by all other professions and is not tolerated by the world.

"These are all... peak-grade Level-6 poisons!"

Zhang Xuan looked over.

The poisons in these ceramic jars had all reached peak Level-6, no weaker than the beetle he had encountered earlier.

"Indeed, these compounds are all peak Level-6. Choose any one you like; as long as you concoct an antidote within one hour, I will acknowledge you as a poison master!" Elder Xu said, his eyes gleaming.

"Alright, I'll first examine the compounds!"

Seeing that the elder's rules were straightforward, Zhang Xuan nodded without hesitation. He casually picked up the first ceramic jar, uncorked it, and peered inside.

Watching his actions, Elder Xu's face darkened.

Poison masters follow special procedures and methods when inspecting poisons to avoid being harmed. Yet, this fellow used none of them. Instead, he opened the jar and sniffed it as if it were fine wine or a delicious meal...

Did he believe he was exceptionally lucky, or was he truly ignorant?

Not even a three or four-star poison master would be so reckless or childish.

Just as Elder Xu expected Zhang Xuan to be instantly poisoned by the fumes, he saw Zhang Xuan shake the ceramic jar, pour out a pile of powder into his palm, and then lightly rub it with his fingers.

Veins throbbed on Elder Xu's forehead.

This was practically suicidal! A peak Level-6 poison placed in the palm, if it penetrated the skin and entered the meridians, even a Saint 2-dan expert might not be able to withstand it, let alone a Transcendent Saint!

What poison master would inspect poison this way?

If that were the case, the Poison Hall would likely lose a batch of members every time they tested a poison... After a few tests, they wouldn't even need the Master Teachers to act; they would have all killed themselves.

Just as he wondered if Zhang Xuan would be poisoned to death on the spot, he watched the fellow nearby take out a white napkin, drape it over his chest, adjust his posture as if entering a restaurant, then take a spoon and slowly scoop the poison from his palm into his mouth.

Elder Xu's mouth twitched, and he nearly fainted.

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

Was he impatient to die?

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

He was supposed to be analyzing poison, not having a meal...

As his scalp tingled and he pondered whether to take out an antidote to save the man, he saw Zhang Xuan smack his lips and look over with a somewhat dissatisfied expression. "Elder Xu, the poison you concocted doesn't taste very good, and the texture is quite poor. Especially the flavor—I fear many people wouldn't be interested in a second bite after tasting it once. Thumbs down!"

Elder Xu staggered, nearly falling over.

Brother, this is poison, not food! One bite and you're dead... how could there be a second chance?

"Thumbs down"... My foot!

After consuming poison, one could die at any moment. There wouldn't even be time for fear, let alone caring about the taste!

Just as he felt he was going mad, he saw Zhang Xuan, who hadn't stopped, open the second ceramic jar, take out its contents, and eat a mouthful. "This one's taste is acceptable. If it could be stir-fried a bit, the texture would be even better."

He opened the third jar: "This one is a bit sweet. Did you add honey? Ugh, I dislike honey the most. Next time, consider adding some licorice instead!"

"This one would probably taste good dissolved in water, though it's a bit viscous and doesn't look appealing. As for the flavor, with roasted meat and fine wine, you could perhaps manage a bowl, but any more would be difficult. Personally, I find overly viscous things a bit nauseating after a while..."

Zhang Xuan commented sincerely as he tasted each one.

Elder Xu clutched his hair.

He had concocted these as Level-6 poisons capable of easily killing peak Saint 1-dan cultivators. How could Zhang Xuan consume them so easily? Was it as if he were being served a gourmet meal?

Could it be that these poisons had lost their effectiveness after being unused for so long?

"That shouldn't be..."

Feeling perplexed, he casually picked up one of the jars Zhang Xuan had just consumed from, dipped a finger into it, and put a tiny bit into his mouth.

"Pfft!"

The moment the compound entered his throat, he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood. His entire body trembled uncontrollably, and his meridians felt as if they would explode at any moment.

He hastily took out an antidote from his robe and swallowed it. Only then did he feel much better, looking with a twitching face at the fellow nearby who was still tasting poisons.

His face was utterly bewildered.

Soon, Zhang Xuan had tasted all eight jars of poison, his expression one of profound satisfaction, as if he still couldn't get enough.

"How was it?" Elder Xu couldn't help but ask.

Zhang Xuan nodded seriously. "As expected of peak Level-6 poisons, they tasted quite good. Oh, and if the last two could be a bit crispier, the texture would definitely be even better."

Elder Xu froze.

He had spent his entire life refining these poisons, believing they would allow him to roam the world and command the fear of countless people. He never dreamed they would be eaten like snacks... and, most critically, criticized for their taste while being consumed...

Damn it, these are poisons that kill upon consumption!

I am truly a poison master, a very powerful one, not a pastry chef...

Ignoring the elder's outburst, Zhang Xuan shook his head.

His previous actions weren't intentional; with the Heaven's Path zhenqi flowing through him, these compounds had no effect on him whatsoever. Upon careful tasting, there were indeed many shortcomings that needed improvement.

Since poisons were meant for others to consume, having a better texture would at least reduce their suffering upon death, making it less agonizing.

"Ahem, you... you ate so many poisons, and you're really fine?" After a moment, seeing the fellow's deeply satisfied expression and no signs of poisoning, Elder Xu's mouth twitched, and he couldn't help but ask.

"I'm fine!"

Zhang Xuan then came back to his senses. "So, can you confirm I'm a poison master now?"

"Yes. If someone like you isn't a poison master, then I might as well kill myself..."

Elder Xu gave a wry smile and shook his head.

Earlier, when he heard Zhang Xuan claim to be self-taught, he thought it was pure nonsense. But after personally witnessing him consume poisons as easily as eating a meal, he immediately understood... This fellow must indeed be self-taught!

With a body impervious to all poisons, testing any poison without ill effect, self-study was no longer so remarkable.

"That's good. Heal quickly! I fear this place won't hide us from them for much longer..."

Seeing that the elder had acknowledged him, Zhang Xuan nodded.

Although this place could conceal all auras and was very secluded, it likely wouldn't hide them from their pursuers for long. It was only a matter of time before they caught up.

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

"Understood!"

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

His healing method differed from that of physicians and alchemists. The latter used tonics to replenish deficiencies in the body, while he used potent poisons to stimulate his body, accelerating the flow of zhenqi and recovering from injuries more quickly.

Both paths ultimately led to the same destination, making it hard to say which was superior.

However, the former strengthened the foundation and allowed for long-term progress, benefiting future cultivation. The latter, using poison for stimulation, could drastically increase strength in the short term but would ultimately harm one's core.

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

"Reporting, Senior. Earlier... the City Lord announced that anyone who dared to compete with him would be opposing the City Lord's manor... As a result, no one bid on it. Should I continue to promote it and hold another auction in a few days?" Hu Yunsheng asked, his face embarrassed.

"No need!"

Zhang Xuan waved his hand.

Since the poison master had been found, auctioning the medicinal herb no longer held any meaning.

"Understood!" Hu Yunsheng nodded and handed over the jade box containing the Earth-Collecting Flower.

As Zhang Xuan took the jade box and was about to speak, he saw a group of people striding into the entire auction hall. Leading them was none other than Purpleleaf King, whom he had seen earlier at the City Lord's manor.

At this moment, he was still disguised as a human; without the Eye of Insight, no flaws could be detected.

"Hall Master Hu, this is Elder Purpleleaf, a distinguished guest of the City Lord's manor. A valuable item of his was stolen, and he suspects the thief is hiding here. Therefore, we need to conduct a search, and we hope for your cooperation!" A guard stepped forward and stated.

"A search?"

Hu Yunsheng frowned, his face turning ashen.

In his opinion, the "stolen item" was just a pretext. Could it be that they couldn't afford the Earth-Collecting Flower and were now resorting to outright robbery?

"Indeed. We hope for your cooperation, otherwise, the Moyun Pavilion will face considerable trouble!" The guard's tone carried a clear threat.

Furious and at a loss for how to respond, Hu Yunsheng then heard Senior Sun Qiang's voice from nearby.

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

Turning his head, he saw Senior Sun Qiang smiling faintly, his expression full of sincerity.