Chapter 1013: Methods for Assessing Poison Experts

"If it's inconvenient, then never mind..."

Seeing his troubled expression, Elder Xu shook his head.

"It's not that it's inconvenient, but rather that the inheritance shouldn't be revealed... How about this: I can explain the basic knowledge below two stars in detail. Perhaps Elder Xu can deduce the origin of this secret manual from that!"

Zhang Xuan breathed a sigh of relief, seeing that the other party was merely asking casually and not conducting an investigation. He didn't actually possess any secret manuals, and his knowledge of poisons only extended to around two stars. The reason he could impress the other party so much was due to his Heaven's Path zhenqi, which made him immune to all poisons. Therefore, asking him to explain specific poisons would reveal him as a complete layman. However, when it came to explaining basic knowledge below two stars, he could guarantee that no one would surpass him.

"Excellent!" Elder Xu's eyes lit up. Many inheritances are indeed inconvenient to disclose; otherwise, the way of teachers would not be so revered. He could understand the other party's reluctance to speak, and as for knowledge below two stars, it was considered basic and harmless to share some.

"According to that book's explanation, poison is a type of medicine. To put it simply, it's actually for harmonizing the yin, yang, and five elements within the human body. When the five elements are balanced, one becomes immune to all poisons..." Zhang Xuan explained, recalling the two-star Heaven's Path Poison Art from his mind.

"This, this..." At first, Elder Xu thought the basic knowledge below two stars was insignificant, but after listening for a while, his expression changed. His body trembled with excitement, and his breathing quickened. The knowledge the other party possessed restructured the human body based on yin, yang, and the five elements. This was precisely why one could consume potent poisons without harm. He had heard of people being poisoned to death, but had he ever heard of poisoning the heavens themselves? The basic knowledge the other party casually explained directly pointed to the deepest mysteries of a poison master. As long as one cultivated diligently, becoming a so-called innate poison body was a certainty. Although he could no longer alter his cultivation technique, it was foreseeable that if this knowledge were leaked, it would undoubtedly cause immense upheaval. The entire Poison Hall might even be overthrown.

"Poison... it can save lives, cure illnesses, and be used as a tonic. As long as it's handled with careful intent and used appropriately, it can also become a great aid..." Zhang Xuan's voice continued. The more he listened, the more captivated he became. Elder Xu involuntarily clenched his fists. The reason poison masters were feared was their insidious and unpredictable methods; one never knew when they might be poisoned to death. If it truly were possible to apply poison in a righteous way, as explained by the other party, this profession might well see the light of day again, walking openly within the Master Teacher Pavilion like other professions, enjoying its protection, instead of being treated like rats on the street, shunned by everyone as if they were snakes and scorpions. Thinking of this, Elder Xu looked at Sun Qiang nearby again, as if he were looking at an immense treasure.

"Alright, that's all I've understood..." After casually explaining the knowledge below two stars, Zhang Xuan had just stopped when he saw Elder Xu's fervent gaze. He couldn't help but look down at his chest, thinking, 'Apparently... nothing's exposed!' 'Nothing's exposed... so why are you so excited?' 'After listening to a lecture, could it be that his orientation changed too?' 'Even Master Teachers... don't have that ability!'

"Cough, cough..." Seeing his action, Elder Xu realized he had lost his composure, nearly choking on his saliva. His expression turned serious: "Poison Master Sun, this secret manual of yours is truly astounding. It's best not to tell anyone else, otherwise, I'm afraid... you'll encounter great danger!" What poison master wouldn't want to be immune to all poisons? Who wouldn't want to concoct even more potent poisons? If others knew that this person possessed such a powerful secret manual, it would be a case of 'a common man commits a crime by possessing a treasure.' He would likely be subjected to all sorts of insidious plots and face extreme danger.

Zhang Xuan nodded. Unlike Master Teachers, who value their status and adhere to rules, poison masters are different. If others truly knew he possessed such a formidable cultivation technique, sneak attacks and poisoning would be minor concerns; they might even openly attempt to seize it. However, his sole purpose was to read more books and cure Wei Ruyan. If the people of the Poison Hall were sensible enough not to cause trouble, getting along well would be fine. If they were truly unreasonable, he could simply poison them all to death, which would count as eliminating a public menace.

"Also, you should disguise your immunity to all poisons. Don't easily display it to others!" After a slight hesitation, Elder Xu continued, "Otherwise, it will definitely arouse others' covetousness!"

"Understood," Zhang Xuan replied. That was true. He wasn't an innate poison body, yet he was immune to all poisons; anyone would be suspicious. It seemed he would need to be more discreet when he went to the Poison Hall. However, this approach also suited his personality, as he was inherently a low-key person who disliked showing off.

"I'm not very familiar with the poison master assessment. How is it conducted? Also, once I pass, can I freely access all the books in the Poison Hall?" After chatting for a while longer, Zhang Xuan asked. His primary goal for this trip was to read books; as long as he could do that, everything else was negotiable.

"Assessing a poison master is quite complex. It's not merely about concocting poisons of the corresponding level, but rather... poisoning!" Elder Xu said.

"Poisoning?" Zhang Xuan asked, puzzled.

"Yes, for example, if you're being assessed as a six-star poison master, merely concocting a level six poison isn't enough. The crucial part is being able to poison someone of the same level, or even one level higher, without being detected! Only then can you be considered a true poison master," Elder Xu explained.

"You mean there's a poisoning competition?"

"Precisely. To be assessed as a six-star poison master, you must challenge another six-star poison master. Both parties will use their skills to administer poison. If your poison doesn't even harm the opponent a bit, then unfortunately, you won't pass! Only if you manage to harm the opponent is the assessment considered successful..." Elder Xu said.

"Poison... isn't that hard to control? What if someone gets poisoned to death... what then?" Zhang Xuan found it strange. Poison is an uncontrollable substance. Too much can easily kill, while too little might have no effect at all. Competing with it... wasn't that too dangerous?

"If you're poisoned to death, it only means your skills aren't good enough; you can't blame anyone else!" Shaking his head, Elder Xu sighed, "The poison master assessment is just that ruthless!" Realizing that each poison master assessment involved a life-or-death situation, Zhang Xuan helplessly shook his head and looked over again: "Elder Xu, could you please tell me about the situation at our Hongyuan Empire's Poison Hall?" He knew nothing about the Poison Hall, and if he could get some information beforehand, he would be better prepared and less flustered.

"That's simple!" Elder Xu smiled: "The Hongyuan Poison Hall branch is actually a Level 7 branch. Not only does it have six-star poison masters, but its Hall Master also possesses seven-star strength. This means if you can defeat the Hall Master by poisoning them, you can directly be assessed as a seven-star poison master! Besides the Hall Master, the entire Poison Hall has three seven-star level Deputy Hall Masters. The remaining twenty-two are six-star peak elders, and Elder Xue and I are among them... As for poison masters below six stars, there are tens of thousands."

"Tens of thousands?" Zhang Xuan was astonished. He had thought that the number of people who used poison wouldn't be very large; he never expected it to rival a Master Teacher Academy. Fortunately, they all stayed in one place and didn't venture out; otherwise, not to mention Jingyuan City, the entire Hongyuan Empire would fall into chaos.

"Besides the poison masters, there are three main halls: First, the Library Hall. It contains all the secret manuals from the Poison Hall over tens of thousands of years, an astonishing number. To become a poison master and continuously improve, one must constantly study from it. Second is the Poison Testing Hall. Concocting poisons requires countless medicinal ingredients. If real ones were used for everything, even a mountain of herbs wouldn't be enough to squander. This hall has special formations that can accurately simulate the characteristics of every single herb, allowing for poison testing with reduced material waste! The last one is the Competition Hall! Like cultivators, poison masters also encounter conflicts. To resolve them, they come here. Once a life-and-death duel begins, poisons can be fully utilized in the fight. Although it's called a competition, it's actually... the place where the most poison masters die!" Elder Xu shook his head.

"Beyond the three halls are two forbidden areas: First, the Hall Master's Mausoleum. This is where the remains of past Hall Masters are kept. Only the current Hall Master can enter; anyone else who enters breaks the rules and will be poisoned to death. Second, the Medicinal Field. All necessary medicinal ingredients are cultivated here. To use them, one must apply in advance and cannot enter freely; otherwise, they will likewise be executed! There's nothing else to mention. With your strength and immunity to all poisons, you shouldn't have to worry..."

"Understood." Zhang Xuan nodded. Seven-star poison masters, three halls, two forbidden areas... He was only there to read books, so he likely wouldn't visit anywhere else besides the Library Hall.

"Alright, the Poison Hall isn't as terrifying as you might imagine. As long as one is a poison master, everyone is quite friendly... and besides, you saved my life!" Elder Xu smiled. The Poison Hall and its masters were incredibly fearsome in the eyes of others, but in reality, they generally got along quite pleasantly. Although friends might occasionally poison each other for fun, they usually prepared antidotes in advance, so no real harm was done.

After being asked more questions about the Poison Hall, and with Elder Xu confirming his identity as a poison master, there was nothing left to hide, so he answered everything truthfully and thoroughly. Half a day later, Zhang Xuan had learned a great deal about this Poison Hall in the Hongyuan Empire. Although it was within the Hongyuan Empire, it was actually considered the largest and most powerful Poison Hall within the Qingyuan Empire. This was precisely why it had a seven-star poison master presiding over it. The entire Poison Hall contained not only poison masters and poisons but also numerous venomous insects and poisonous herbs. Even the drinking water was highly likely to be toxic... For anyone else, Elder Xu would certainly have given many more warnings, but given that the person before him was immune to all poisons and could consume peak-level six poisons as if they were snacks, warnings were irrelevant. After all, he couldn't be poisoned to death anyway.

"Alright, we've arrived at the Poison Hall..." After flying for two full days, Elder Xu suddenly stood up and pointed forward. Zhang Xuan looked in that direction and saw a vast ocean, its surface shimmering under the sun, making his eyes slightly dizzy. Then, as the saint beast of flight turned, the view abruptly opened up, and a massive island appeared before them. This island was actually shrouded by a powerful concealment formation; it would have been impossible to find without someone leading the way.