Chapter 1029: The Sect Leader Has Died

The role of a Master entails both responsibility and a guiding principle for one’s conduct.

Ever since he comprehended the true essence of a Master, Zhang Xuan understood the profound meaning of the word and never once forgot it. He had indeed lived up to this understanding. Towards his direct disciples, he never held back anything that could be taught, truly embodying the selflessness of a Master.

After settling Wei Ruyan, he flicked his wrist and produced two bottles of foundation-strengthening elixirs. With a tap of his finger, several streams of Heavenly Dao True Qi flowed into them. Normally, these pills would have no effect on Saint 4-dan cultivators. However, infused with his Heavenly Dao True Qi, they became different: capable of healing injuries and neutralizing all poisons. Furthermore, by embedding the True Qi within the elixirs, nourished by the medicinal properties, it wouldn't dissipate even after a long time away from his body, retaining its potent effects. This was entirely different from storing it in a wine flask.

“Each jade bottle contains ten elixirs, enough for these two to handle any situation!” Zhang Xuan nodded. These elixirs were intended for Poison Masters Bai and Hai. Since he had tasked them with protecting Wei Ruyan, he naturally had to ensure they wouldn't fall victim to poison.

After completing this, he immediately took out blank books and a brush, composing a simplified version of the Heavenly Dao Poison Art. After a moment of thought, he then specifically tailored a set of cultivation techniques for Poison Master Bai's unique situation. Only then did he return to the courtyard from the beehive.

After all this effort, it was deep into the night, and even with his profound strength, he felt utterly exhausted. He sat cross-legged on the ground and circulated his energy for several cycles before he felt fully recovered. Immediately, a knock sounded at the door.

Midnight had arrived!

“Come in!”

As his voice faded, Poison Masters Bai and Hai pushed the door open and entered. They knelt before him, their eyes filled with determination.

“Ancestral Master, we have made our decision!”

“Good, with this decision, I will not treat you poorly!” Knowing they would make this choice, Zhang Xuan nodded and absorbed their pledged souls into his mind. Then, with a flick of his wrist, he handed them the prepared elixirs and cultivation manuals.

After a single glance, both of them gasped. Both were peak Saint 4-dan experts who had cultivated poison arts since childhood and possessed a thorough understanding of their methods. The manual before them, though seemingly simple, pointed directly to the Grand Dao. By cultivating according to its principles, refining and controlling Grade-8 poisons would be effortless! Of course… the prerequisite was a breakthrough in their cultivation!

“Bai Ting, this is a cultivation technique I specifically prepared for you. It can resolve your 'sealed Yuan Gate' condition. By cultivating according to it, you should be able to achieve a breakthrough very soon, barring any unforeseen circumstances!” After speaking, Zhang Xuan handed him a manual. He didn't possess a Heavenly Dao cultivation technique specifically for breaking through Saint 4-dan; directly imparting such a technique to facilitate their breakthrough was beyond his current capabilities. However, through the Library, he had identified their specific flaws, making it not too difficult to devise a targeted solution. Strictly speaking, what he created was not a cultivation technique, but a healing method specifically tailored to their individual conditions. As long as they diligently cultivated it, the 'sealed Yuan Gate' condition would be resolved, and breakthroughs would naturally follow, like water flowing into a channel.

“Hai Mingjin, throw a punch for me to see!” After instructing Bai Ting to begin his cultivation, Zhang Xuan turned to Poison Master Hai. Knowing that Zhang Xuan was about to impart knowledge, Hai Mingjin didn't dare hesitate. He quickly executed a martial technique, throwing a punch. As a book formed in his mind, Zhang Xuan deliberated for a while before orally imparting a set of techniques. He was facing them with his eyes closed, and taking out a book to write would have been cumbersome; it was more practical to transmit the knowledge orally. As he committed Zhang Xuan's explanation to memory, Poison Master Hai was astonished and felt an even deeper admiration. Just from a single punch, he understood his cultivation flaws and bottlenecks, and then, in less than the time it takes an incense stick to burn, he created a tailored cultivation technique... Perhaps only a super expert like this founding ancestral master of the Poison Hall, one capable of even contending with Kong shi, could accomplish such a feat!

Boom!

Before dawn, a thunderous roar erupted. Poison Master Bai Ting's entire body trembled as a colossal Primeval Spirit emerged from within him, illuminating all directions and exuding immense pressure. Saint 5-dan, Leaving Aperture Realm! In the Leaving Aperture Realm, the Primeval Spirit can leave the body and roam the world. Even if the physical body perishes, the Primeval Spirit can survive. Although its lifespan isn't comparable to that of a physical body, this ability is still incredibly formidable. Most crucially, the Primeval Spirit can better integrate with nature and the world, unleashing even greater combat power! Individuals who reach this level possess world-shattering combat power, inspiring awe and dread. They truly enter the ranks of 8-star cultivators, standing at the very pinnacle of the continent!

Shortly after Poison Master Bai's breakthrough, the surrounding spiritual energy surged once more, and Poison Master Hai's Primeval Spirit also burst forth from his body. Both cultivated the specific techniques Zhang Xuan had tailored for them, and both achieved breakthroughs. After retracting their Primeval Spirits, they came before Zhang Xuan, bowing in profound admiration, their hearts devoid of any remaining doubt. Their unique circumstances were such that even 9-star Poison Masters couldn't resolve them. Yet, this man before them had enabled such rapid breakthroughs. If he wasn't a founding ancestral master, who else could he be?

“Alright, stand guard outside. No one is to disturb, and no peeking is allowed!” Ignoring their worshipful gazes, Zhang Xuan waved his hand.

“Understood!”

The two Poison Masters exited the courtyard. Only then did Zhang Xuan set up a formation to block prying eyes and release Wei Ruyan. He waited until dawn before dismantling the formation and allowing Bai Ting and Hai Mingjin to enter.

“Poison Masters!” At this moment, Zhang Xuan, though still appearing as before, possessed only a Conferred Saint level cultivation and aura. His gaze had become simple and clear, completely devoid of the world-dominating presence he previously held. Knowing that the founding ancestral master's soul had departed from Zhang Xuan's body, their expressions dimmed, and they simultaneously clasped their fists.

“Yes, that is her... her new body. You must fulfill her entrustment!” Zhang Xuan pointed towards Wei Ruyan, who was not far away.

“Rest assured, we will certainly complete it!” Nodding simultaneously, they both looked towards Wei Ruyan. After a moment, their faces flushed with excitement: “Could it be… this girl was already a Congenital Poison Body before?”

“Absolutely. Otherwise, she couldn't possibly have withstood the Ancestral Master's soul, which contained potent toxins!” At this moment, Wei Ruyan's unique physique had already been activated, continuously emitting a poisonous aura. As peak 7-star Poison Masters, they naturally recognized it. Originally, they had assumed the Ancestral Master was simply forced to find a host body. To their surprise, it turned out to be a Congenital Poison Body, which was excellent! They could foresee that by following the Ancestral Master, the Poison Hall would soon regain its glory, no longer needing to skulk around like rats scurrying across the street. That day was within reach.

“The Ancestral Master said you should leave this place as soon as possible and proceed to the Poison Hall headquarters. Although she successfully possessed the body, she has fallen into a coma and must be treated without delay!” Zhang Xuan instructed.

Poison Master Bai nodded: “Our purpose for coming here was to retrieve a book from two thousand years ago. Yesterday, we already sent Hall Master Ruo Qingyuan to fetch it. He should emerge very soon. Once we have the item, we will depart immediately!” Retrieving the book from the Hall Master's mausoleum shouldn't take much effort or cause significant delay.

“A book?” Zhang Xuan asked, looking over in confusion.

“Yes, it's about a ruin in Fire Source City, said to be opening soon. Headquarters instructed us to take this item away; perhaps we can discover something!” Poison Master Bai did not conceal anything. Although the Ancestral Master's soul was no longer within Zhang Xuan, both their souls remained under his 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. He had heard the old dean mention long ago that a map had fallen into the hands of the Poison Hall. It seemed these two had come precisely to retrieve it.

“Once you retrieve that book, would you allow me a brief glance? There's no need to open it!” Thinking of this, Zhang Xuan couldn't help but ask. As long as it was a book, the Library could make a copy. A mere glance would suffice, without even needing to touch it.

“Of course…” Poison Master Bai nodded. Zhang Xuan was also a Poison Master, and more importantly, the first body the Ancestral Master had possessed. It was merely a glance at a book; even if Zhang Xuan wanted to take it, he wouldn't dare refuse.

“Thank you then…” Smiling, Zhang Xuan was about to speak when he heard a violent tremor from the ground. A dull thud suddenly echoed from a distance, as if something had collapsed with a crash.

“What happened?” Their expressions darkened, and all three simultaneously ascended into the air, looking towards the source of the sound. They immediately saw a massive surge of impact force emanating from the nearby mountains, as if super experts were engaged in combat.

“A Saint 4-dan expert is making a move…” Poison Master Bai said, his eyebrows raising.

“That's… the direction of the Hall Master's mausoleum! Quickly, let's go see…” Ruo Qingyuan, the strongest expert in the Hongyuan Poison Hall, was only at the peak of Saint 3-dan. Yet, the power of a Saint 4-dan expert had erupted in that direction, clearly indicating an unforeseen event! And most critically, it was happening at the Hall Master's mausoleum! This was precisely where the book was stored.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

The three moved with extreme speed, arriving in the blink of an eye. They saw that the majestic structures of the Hall Master's mausoleum had already collapsed, and Elder Xu and the others stood nearby, their faces filled with anxiety.

“What happened?” Poison Master Bai asked.

“Reporting to Poison Master Bai, I'm not sure either. Last night, the Hall Master said he was going inside to retrieve something and told us to wait here. He hasn't reappeared since…” Elder Xu quickly replied.

“He hasn't come out yet? Something must have happened! Quick, let's go check!” With raised eyebrows, Poison Master Bai didn't hesitate for a moment, leading the way into the Hall Master's mausoleum. Poison Master Hai and Zhang Xuan followed closely behind. Seeing them enter, Elder Xu and the others were filled with conflicted feelings. After a moment of hesitation, they all gritted their teeth and followed. Under normal circumstances, only the Hall Master was permitted to enter this place; they were not qualified. But with the current unforeseen circumstances, they had no choice but to break the rules.

Upon entering, they saw mausoleums scattered across the hillside, burying successive Hall Masters. Each was built tall and majestic, with stone tablets in front engraved with their life stories and illustrious achievements. Before long, they caught up with Poison Master Bai and the others, who had already stopped. They stood before a large pit, their expressions grim. Following their gazes, Elder Xu's pupils contracted, and his face turned deathly pale. “Hall Master…”

They saw Hall Master Ruo Qingyuan lying in the very center of the large pit, covered in blood. Rushing over to pick him up, they discovered he had already stopped breathing, as if struck by a single palm that had left him in this state. Even the massive pit before them might have been caused by the assailant.

“The Hall Master… he's dead?” The numerous elders all turned pale.