Chapter 1024: Poison Palace Headquarters Sends People

Elder Xu You nodded and recounted in detail everything that had happened since he met Zhang Xuan.

“You said... a Saint 4-dan Spiritwalker appeared in Jingyuan City? And he tried to kill you, but Poison Master Sun saved you?”Everyone was startled.Spiritwalkers were already powerful, and a Saint 4-dan Spiritwalker was even more terrifying. For someone to risk so much to save him showed a level of courage they couldn’t match.

“Not only that, but Poison Master Sun also explained the basics of poison-wielding to me on the way here. It was too profound, so I didn't remember much, but what I did remember, if truly grasped, could benefit one for a lifetime...” Xu You couldn't help but say.

“Tell us more...”Hearing that their "Grandmaster" had personally instructed him, everyone looked over with envy.Xu You did not hide anything, recounting everything he could remember.

After listening to his explanation, everyone's faces turned pale with excitement, barely able to control themselves. Just as he had described, although it was merely foundational knowledge, it pointed directly to the Grand Dao, giving those who heard it a feeling of sudden enlightenment.

“There's no need to guess anymore. That soul must be our founding grandmaster... Besides him, I can't imagine anyone else having such a profound understanding of poison-wielding...” After a moment of discussion, Ruo Qingyuan couldn't help but say.Previously, while mostly convinced, he still harbored some doubts about the person's identity. But now, hearing Elder Xu's explanation, all suspicion vanished. Only the true founder of the Poison Hall could have such a deep comprehension of poison, capable of explaining even the simplest cultivation techniques flawlessly, pointing directly to the profound meaning of the Grand Dao.

“Alright, send people to quickly repair the damaged buildings. As for Duan Ren and Ming Zhen, they offended the Grandmaster, so they shall suffer the penalty of poisoning!” Ruo Qingyuan commanded, having confirmed his thoughts.“Yes!” Everyone nodded in agreement.Duan Ren, Ming Zhen, and the others had not only brought shame upon themselves but also implicated so many others; their crimes were unforgivable.

“That's all for today. Vice Hall Master Xu, go wait outside the Library. Once Poison Master Sun finishes reading, call for me...” Ruo Qingyuan nodded.“Understood!”Xu You answered and was about to stand up when he saw the Hall Master frown, flip his wrist, and a communication jade token appeared. The jade token emitted a soft glow, indicating an incoming message. Glancing at it, the Hall Master quickly stood up, his eyes brightening: “The headquarters... someone's here!”

“Someone from the headquarters?” Everyone was stunned.“They said two Seven-star peak level Poison Masters are about to arrive, and we need to welcome them!” After speaking, the Hall Master hurried outside.Everyone followed closely.

It wasn't long before they arrived at the spot where Elder Xu and Zhang Xuan had landed with the flying saint beast. They didn't have to wait long before they saw the seal open, and a massive saint beast slowly flew over. On the back of the saint beast, two old men stood proudly, exuding an intense aura of pressure even before they drew near.Seven-star peak Poison Masters, Saint 4-dan experts!

“Poison Master Bai, Poison Master Hai...”Recognizing their faces, Ruo Qingyuan's eyebrows twitched, and he quickly cupped his fist and bowed. Although the Hongyuan Poison Hall was very secretive, it maintained close ties with the headquarters above. Poison Master Bai Ting and Poison Master Hai Mingjin were both renowned and exceptionally powerful within the subordinate branches.

Poison Master Bai waved his hand and descended from the back of the saint beast. He glanced at the person before him, his brows furrowed: “May I ask where your Hall Master Ruo is? Why didn't he come to greet us?”“Ahem... I am Hall Master Ruo Qingyuan!” Ruo Qingyuan was utterly embarrassed. He had been beaten black and blue by Zhang Xuan; it was uncertain if even his own wife or parents would recognize him, let alone these two.

“You...” Poison Master Bai exchanged a glance with Poison Master Hai, their lips twitching simultaneously: “Hall Master Ruo, what happened to you?”Ruo Qingyuan was a Poison Master of their same rank, and although his strength was not equal, it wasn't far off. How could such a powerful individual be beaten to this state in his own stronghold? Shocked, he looked at the other elders. After one glance, his eyelids twitched again. He saw that these elders were all injured to varying degrees, with only one appearing relatively unharmed.

“This... it's a long story. Since both of you have come personally, may I ask what instructions the headquarters has?” Shaking his head with a bitter smile, Ruo Qingyuan looked at them.It wasn't that he didn't want to explain, but it was simply too humiliating.

“More than two thousand years ago, did your branch obtain a book from a ruin in Huoyuan City?” Seeing that the other party was unwilling to elaborate, Poison Master Bai also tactfully refrained from further questioning and said.“Yes!” Ruo Qingyuan nodded. He had just mentioned this book to Poison Master Sun earlier, so he remembered it very clearly.

“Good, then. This time, the headquarters sent us here to retrieve that book.” Hearing his confirmation, Poison Master Bai breathed a sigh of relief.

“Retrieve it?”He hadn't expected the headquarters to send two Seven-star peak Poison Masters on such an elaborate mission just for a book. After a pause, Ruo Qingyuan said, “That book has already been placed in the Hall Master's Mausoleum. If you two are not in a hurry, you can wait in the Guest Hall first...”The book was of no use remaining here, so if the headquarters sent someone to retrieve it, he would simply hand it over.Before he finished speaking, he saw Elder Xu and others standing nearby look somewhat embarrassed. One of the elders couldn't hold back any longer and whispered, “Hall Master... the Guest Hall has been destroyed...”Among the many buildings that had collapsed during the recent battle, the Guest Hall was prominently listed. It was now a pile of rubble; taking two guests from the headquarters there would be utterly humiliating.

“Uh...” Only then did Ruo Qingyuan remember what the elder said, and he hastily replied, “I'll take you two to my residence to rest first.”“Your residence?” Poison Masters Bai and Hai frowned.If they were visiting privately for leisure, going to the other's residence would be acceptable. But now they represented the headquarters and should naturally be treated with the etiquette due to esteemed guests. What kind of arrangement was it to go directly to his home instead of the Guest Hall?

“You two don't understand...” Seeing their disapproving expressions, Ruo Qingyuan shook his head with a bitter smile: “You'll understand on the way...”To be honest, he didn't know how to explain it.As they flew forward, the two Poison Masters from the headquarters soon saw the extensive ruins and a city that was nearly half-collapsed. They exchanged glances, both bewildered.

“This...” Poison Master Hai couldn't help but point. This was the Poison Hall, filled with their own people. How could it have been reduced to such a catastrophic state?

“Alas, this matter is truly... a disgrace to our Hongyuan Poison Hall...” Ruo Qingyuan said.Although these two were powerful, he was also a Seven-star Poison Master, not much lower in rank. Such a disastrous handling of the situation was truly humiliating. If he hadn't been so reckless and had properly clarified the other party's identity, they wouldn't have ended up with ruins everywhere, making a spectacle for the visitors from headquarters.

“What exactly happened?” Looking at the black-and-blue elders and Hall Master before him, and then at the extensive ruins, Poison Master Bai could no longer contain himself.

“It's like this...” Knowing that the others would undoubtedly keep asking if he didn't explain, Ruo Qingyuan hesitated for a moment, then recounted in detail everything that had transpired.

“What did you say? The soul of our founding ancestor is residing in the body of someone named Sun Qiang?” After hearing the account, Poison Master Bai frowned: “That's impossible! Our Poison Hall's founding ancestor, known to the outside world as 'Venerable Poison,' was actually recorded in the headquarters' texts as a woman who called herself 'Poison Fairy.' How could she produce a male voice? Furthermore, when she battled someone back then, her soul was scattered, leaving nothing behind. How could it possibly have survived by residing in a Seven-Heart Hell Lotus? It's definitely fake!”

“The founding ancestor... was a woman?” Ruo Qingyuan was stunned. Although he knew many stories about the founding grandmaster, he truly didn't know whether this ancestor was male or female.

“That's right. Although I haven't seen the books about the ancestor myself, I heard an Eight-star Poison Master specifically mention it. It's said that there's even a statue left by her disciple at the headquarters... Taking over a male body and producing a male voice? Without a doubt, it's fake!” Poison Master Hai also shook his head.

“But... the Azure Zenith Malign Poison truly had no effect on him! And he himself is immune to all poisons...” An elder couldn't help but interject.

“Although the Azure Zenith Malign Poison is potent, there are still many ways to neutralize it! I have a Heaven Fragrance Antidote Pill here, refined by an Eight-star Poison Master. If swallowed, even a Seven-star peak level poison cannot harm one in the slightest...” Seeing his doubt, Poison Master Bai said, “Even if not these sacred antidotes, some special natural treasures also have detoxifying abilities. Not to mention anything else, the Hongyuan Empire's imperial family possesses a Saint-level Bodhi Tree. If such a plant is nourished by a Saint 4-dan primordial spirit, the Bodhi fruit it yields can also neutralize all poisons. Seven-star level poisons would be useless against it, and it would even be effective against substances that can poison the soul!”

“This...” Ruo Qingyuan was taken aback. Although he was also a Seven-star Poison Master like them, these two were, after all, from the headquarters. Their breadth of vision and knowledge were simply beyond his comparison.

“Your meaning is... he's very likely a fraud?” The elder who had spoken earlier frowned.

“That's not what I meant; it just feels a bit strange! This person had strength you couldn't overcome from the start. Your beetle bit him, and not only was he unharmed, but the beetle itself was poisoned to death... I couldn't even do that, unless... he's reached the Eight-star level! But someone with that kind of strength wouldn't need to play such a prank...” Poison Master Bai shook his head.While he felt that “Sun Qiang's” claim of being possessed by the founding grandmaster was incorrect, he couldn't explain the other circumstances. What was most perplexing was that the person had no other demands. If he truly had an agenda, scaring them with a false identity would surely lead to specific requests, not just simply wanting to read books.

“In that case, is this Sun Qiang you mentioned still in the Library?” After pondering for a while, unable to figure things out, Poison Master Bai looked over, his eyes glinting: “How about this: I'll test him for you and see how skilled he truly is. If he's a fraud, I'll personally take action and eliminate him...”“This...” After a moment of hesitation, Ruo Qingyuan nodded: “Alright!”