Chapter 1110: Legendary Poison Classic

The Poison Hall headquarters is located within a massive mountain range. Unlike its other branches, it is not shrouded by protective formations but is directly exposed, a vast city spanning over a thousand kilometers. Various resources are self-produced and consumed, making it like a small kingdom.

"This mountain range stretches for tens of thousands of kilometers," Bai Ting couldn't help but remark, staring at the majestic city before him. "It's said to be laced with potent poisons, so anyone who isn't a Poison Master from the Poison Hall would be instantly poisoned to death upon entering. That's why the headquarters doesn't need to be hidden..."

Anywhere else, the Poison Hall is a feared existence. For safety, its branches must be concealed by formations, making them difficult for other professionals to find. But the headquarters is different; it's built directly within the mountain range with nothing concealed. Although there are no formations, the entire mountain range harbors countless poisonous insects and beasts. Anyone who tries to cause trouble would pay a huge price. Precisely because of this, even though many know the headquarters is here, no one dares to act rashly. Even the Master Teacher Pavilion is somewhat wary of it.

"I wonder when Poison Masters will no longer have to fear the eyes of ordinary people," Hai Mingjin sighed, shaking his head with a bitter smile, "when they can walk in the light like other professions..."

Even without concealment, the headquarters is hidden deep in the mountains. This is completely different from other professions, which build their branches in major bustling areas. Poison Masters have long left a sinister and treacherous impression in people's minds; the higher their rank, the more terrifying they become. Such a perception cannot be easily changed.

"I hope that day comes too... but it should be soon!" Bai Ting said, glancing at the girl he was supporting with his *zhenqi* behind him, and offered a faint smile.

Since leaving Jingyuan City, they had flown continuously for nearly two months. The girl had shown no signs of waking up, and the poison gas emanating from her body was growing increasingly potent.

If she hadn't, while conscious and disguised as Sun Qiang, given them antidote pills, even with their peak seven-star strength, they would likely have absorbed too much poison by now and died. The passive emission of her aura was enough to overwhelm Poison Masters of their level. The Congenital Poison Body was truly terrifying.

Her constitution was innate and unchangeable. What was even more formidable was the founding patriarch's terrifying understanding of poisons.

Along the way, the two had continuously studied the knowledge of poisons the patriarch had imparted to their minds. The more they studied, the more frightening they found it; one could say that their understanding over these two months surpassed decades of their previous learning! Especially the antidote pills they were given could be described as sacred antidotes that rendered one immune to all poisons.

Not only could they neutralize the poison gas emanating from her body, but they could also counteract all the poisonous insects and creatures in this mountain range. A few days ago, Poison Master Bai Ting was accidentally bitten by a poisonous snake and thought it was incurable. After taking one of the antidote pills, he recovered completely in a short time. It was incredible that a seemingly ordinary pill could neutralize hundreds of poisons, even when experienced personally. Without these antidote pills, they might have died countless times before even reaching this place.

"As long as the patriarch regains consciousness and recovers their peak strength," Hai Mingjin lamented, recalling the Poison Hall's experiences over the years, "it won't be difficult to make other professions acknowledge us. It's just a shame that there are too many powerful Poison Hall experts, and no one submits to anyone else; everyone governs themselves! As a result, we're a scattered mess, no longer as prosperous as before, cornered and oppressed by other professions."

In fact, the Poison Hall was not always as it is now, feared by other professions. Instead, it used to live openly, like everyone else, without needing to hide. The current situation arose because, after the patriarch's passing, no Poison Master of truly extraordinary strength emerged. Powerful Poison Masters refused to submit to one another, sometimes even killing each other when rules were absent. Furthermore, there was no unified standard for recruiting disciples, leading to a mixed bag of quality. This led to a continuous decline in overall strength, evolving into the current state of affairs. If someone could reunify the Poison Hall and make everyone submit, perhaps the current situation could change, and it could return to its former golden age.

"Don't get too excited yet. The Poison Hall isn't like it used to be..." Poison Master Bai Ting said. "Before coming, I informed my teacher but didn't mention the patriarch's matter. Even so, my teacher still told me to be careful, to come discreetly, and not to be discovered by others. It seems the entire headquarters is currently plagued by chaotic infighting, and even he can do nothing about it."

"Your teacher? You mean Lin Jianghai, known as the Myriad Poison Venerable?" Hai Mingjin asked curiously. Although Bai Ting was his friend and they both came from the same Poison Hall, he had never spoken about his lineage. Hai Mingjin had only guessed some details based on Bai Ting's poison usage techniques.

"That's right, my teacher is indeed Poison Master Lin Jianghai. I studied under him for 30 years," Bai Ting said, nodding. "Unfortunately, my aptitude was insufficient, so I didn't receive his true teachings. Otherwise, I might have reached the eight-star level by now." When speaking of his teacher, he was filled with respect. A teacher's benevolence was as vast as the ocean. Without his teacher, he wouldn't be where he was today; even if he wasn't a direct disciple, this kindness could not be erased.

"The Poison Hall headquarters has two Protectors, four Venerables, twelve Poison Kings, and seventy-two first-grade branch hall masters," Hai Mingjin couldn't help but say, recalling the legends of the Poison Hall headquarters. "The weakest among these experts have all reached peak eight-star. Among the Four Venerables, the Myriad Poison Venerable might not be first, but he's not last either. Even his least powerful direct disciples have reached the eight-star level. To become his disciple, each is a dragon among men, truly enviable!" Although he was only a peak seven-star Poison Master, he had spent this period studying many books in preparation for coming to the headquarters. He had learned a great deal about the power structure of the headquarters.

At the Poison Hall headquarters, because no poison user of unparalleled skill capable of overwhelming all others and earning everyone's admiration had emerged, the position of Hall Master had been vacant for several millennia. Matters were generally decided through consultation among the Four Venerables. As for the two Protectors... they were always traveling abroad and rarely seen; even Poison Masters from the headquarters had never seen them. Currently, these four individuals held the highest power and status within the Poison Master profession. Bai Ting's ability to become a disciple of one of them meant that even if he wasn't a direct disciple, his arrival at the headquarters would be much more convenient. Otherwise, for two seven-star Poison Masters like themselves, entering here so easily would have been impossible.

"Let's go, quickly enter the city," Bai Ting urged. "The poison gas within the patriarch's body is getting somewhat uncontrollable. If we don't suppress it soon, I fear there will be danger!" After a few remarks, and not dwelling on it further, Bai Ting signaled and led Wei Ruyan forward.

The city of the Poison Hall headquarters was not significantly different from the royal cities or imperial capitals outside. It was inhabited not only by Poison Masters but also by some ordinary people. Upon entering the city and walking along its wide streets, Bai Ting and Hai Mingjin exchanged confused glances.

Under normal circumstances, such wide main streets should be bustling with activity. Yet now, they saw storefronts on both sides with doors and windows tightly shut, completely devoid of people. Had something happened? It shouldn't be! If the Master Teacher Pavilion truly intended to act, it would surely cause a huge uproar across the continent. Since they hadn't heard any such news, it meant nothing had happened. But besides the Master Teacher Pavilion, who else could cause the immense Poison Hall to become instantly deserted?

"Let's continue further inside!" Hai Mingjin couldn't help but say, as they had walked for more than half an hour without seeing a soul, making them feel a bit panicked.

"Mmm!" Bai Ting nodded, just about to speak, when a voice drifted over. "Is that Junior Brother Bai Ting ahead?" The two looked up and immediately saw a middle-aged man flying towards them.

The man was short, about 1.6 meters tall, and somewhat hunched, appearing quite unassuming. However, the eight shining stars on his chest badge were dazzling, displaying his identity and making it impossible to underestimate him.

"Senior Brother Yuan Ling!" Recognizing him, Poison Master Bai Ting didn't dare to hesitate and quickly clasped his fists.

"Yuan Ling? Could he be that peak eight-star Poison Master who once poisoned an Eighth-Layer Saint Beast?" Hai Mingjin was startled to hear the name. He might not have been familiar with other eight-star Poison Masters, but this one's reputation was immense. He was one of the seventy-two first-grade branch hall masters, and his cultivation had long reached peak eight-star. The Misty Cloud Powder he concocted was colorless and odorless, able to transform into a mist that drifted everywhere. Once inhaled, even an Eighth-Layer Saint realm expert would find it difficult to contend with! It was said that Hall Master Yuan Ling was once pursued by an Eighth-Layer Saint Beast. Having no other options, he released his poison and forcefully poisoned it to death. Because of this battle, he gained immense fame throughout the entire Empire Alliance. In the Poison Hall of Qingyuan Conferred Kingdom, he was a household name. That such a figure was actually Bai Ting's senior brother, having studied under the same master, was a shocking thought.

"No need to be so polite," Yuan Ling said with a smile. "Teacher heard you've reached the Ethereal Realm and wish to take the eight-star Poison Master examination, so he specifically sent me to greet you!" This time, upon his return, Bai Ting followed Zhang Xuan's advice and did not reveal anything about the patriarch. Instead, he stated that he was here to take the eight-star Poison Master examination, which was inconspicuous and allowed him to reach the headquarters smoothly.

"Thank you, Senior Brother," Bai Ting said, puzzled. "By the way, aren't you supposed to be at the Huaijin Branch Hall? Why are you here?" Under normal circumstances, a branch hall master couldn't easily leave their hall. Yet, this person was here and even came to greet him, which flattered him.

"You don't know?" Yuan Ling was stunned for a moment, then realized, "Ah, right. You've been away for so many years, it's normal that you wouldn't know! Right Protector Shen Que has returned and found the founding patriarch's token! He's going to succeed as Hall Master and convene a Poison Master Grand Assembly! All seventy-two of us branch hall masters have rushed here during this time. People from the outer parts of the city have also gone to attend, which is why this place is as empty as a wilderness; you can't see a single soul!"

"Right Protector Shen Que?" "Found the founding patriarch's relic?" The two were startled, then frowned. Bai Ting looked over and couldn't help but ask, "May I ask... what relic is it?"

"The founding patriarch's inherited Poison Codex!" Yuan Ling replied.