Qin Feng and Lan Yueliang encounter a horde of venomous rock snakes in a deep part of Canghong Mountain. Qin Feng manages to defeat the first snake alone, but when three more attack, Lan Yueliang uses a powder that incapacitates the third snake while Qin Feng handles the other two. They then enter a safe zone, avoiding a poisonous gas trap with an elixir provided by Lan Yueliang. A moment of connection occurs between them before Lan Yueliang opens a heavy stone gate, revealing a broader area.
Within the Stone Gate lay a vast, somewhat bare stone chamber. A luminous stone on the wall served as the sole light source. Dominating the chamber's center was a chair, upon which sat a withered skeleton, its bones deeply entrenched, casting an eerie shadow upon the silent air.
Before the chair, a stone platform held three intricately carved wooden boxes. Dirt and cobwebs obscured the original colors of these brocade containers.
Upon noticing them, Qin Feng approached with a grin.
"Oh, don't touch that!" he exclaimed.
Just as Qin Feng reached for a brocade box, Lan Yueliang swiftly restrained him.
"Allow me to open it," she stated.
After speaking, Lan Yueliang solemnly bowed three times to the skeleton with a sorrowful expression. Then, she stepped forward, her jade-like hand extending towards the brocade box.
Qin Feng's brow furrowed deeply. This concerns the Divine Strips Technique. I only hope that even a close friend doesn't turn hostile due to the Shentiao Public Law and eventually make a drastic move. Furthermore, Lan Yueliang hasn't recognized her true self for a long time. It's unlikely even ordinary friends would be willing to assist. Could it be that Lan Yueliang intends for me to obtain the brocade box herself, and her warning was merely a ruse?
Despite his myriad of doubts, Qin Feng hesitated due to Lan Yueliang's earlier "warning." While he pondered, Lan Yueliang opened the first golden box.
Inside lay a blue scroll. Ten golden characters were inscribed on it, denoting Magic Level, Witchcraft Body, and Poison Spirit!
"The Witchcraft Body is the Witchcraft Body!" Qin Feng's eyes widened involuntarily upon seeing these four characters.
"Don't move!" Before Qin Feng could react, Lan Yueliang spoke again, "The golden box and its contents are coated in poison and cannot be touched by outsiders. Once poisoned, everyone in my clan will perish unless they've ingested an antidote, like mine, beforehand. Although our sect permits high-level cultivators to carry printed copies of the sect's public laws, they are not considered part of our sect even if they die outside, thus they have no desire for these public laws!"
Qin Feng remained still, not entirely due to Lan Yueliang's warning, but because he was still reeling from the vibrations originating within his Voodoo body.
Observing Qin Feng's dazed expression, Lan Yueliang presumed he was intimidated by the Divine Palace Martial Arts. Her smile was radiant as she gently turned the first page of the "Divine Palace Martial Arts" with her elegant hand.
"Read the first passage," she instructed.
"The Witchcraft and Poison Body resides at the mid-level of the Holy-grade. Guided by myriad poisons, it reaches the pinnacle of poisonous arts. For ordinary individuals to cultivate, success comes in three years, but death within ten!"
"Indeed," Qin Feng interjected, "there are numerous prerequisites to practice. If one does not cultivate the necessary foundational merits beforehand, and rashly attempts this technique, they will meet their doom."
"How do you know that?" Lan Yueliang was genuinely taken aback this time.
"My assessment is accurate," Qin Feng replied with a confident smile.
"Yes," Lan Yueliang conceded softly, "the Voodoo body is merely the middle section of three parts. These three parts constitute the supreme attainment of my clan – the Holy Poison. To cultivate it, one must first practice the initial chapter."
"The final part is completed within a year and fades within three. However, if the first and second parts are mastered, one can extend their life by another ten years. Completing the third part's cultivation within ten years not only grants immense power, making all poisons harmless, but also restores one to a normal, exceptionally strong state. The three chapters of 'Holy Poison' correspond respectively to the lower, middle, and upper levels of Holy-grade techniques."
Lan Yueliang gazed lovingly at Qin Feng, sighed, and continued, "Regrettably, the first and second chapters of the 'Three Treasures Mantra' have been lost for ages. Within our clan, the Witchcraft Poison Body only has the middle section. Implementing it rashly would undoubtedly lead to demise. Fortunately, I discovered the secret scroll of the 'Holy Scripture,' and through diligent study, great success can be achieved."
"The poisonous Holy Scripture scrolls are... a scroll?" Qin Feng inquired, intrigued. He was familiar with the Three Poisons but unaware of the secret behind the 'Poison Scripture.'
Lan Yueliang then revealed the second brocade box, inside which lay a substantial piece of Jade Silk, elegantly inscribed with the title, "Poison Scripture." This particular Jade Silk possessed a stunning lavender hue, making it quite beautiful. Had the words "Poison Scripture" not been so conspicuously displayed, no one would have ever suspected that this delicate item contained the deadliest toxicology known.
Explaining further, Lan Yueliang stated, "These three Holy Poisons are ancient, fearsome poisons, but their cultivation methods are incredibly brutal. Even those with exceptional talent struggle to complete the process and survive to achieve true mastery. Therefore, through the wisdom of our ancestors, this poisonous Buddhist scripture secret book was created."
The poisonous scripture, while still potent, is considerably less terrifying than the three Holy Poisons and offers a safer learning path. It is considered our next best option. Especially since the first and second chapters of the 'Three Poison Holy Book' were lost, the 'Poison Scripture Secret' has become our final hope."
"I haven't heard of it before; it must have been created more recently," Qin Feng commented nonchalantly.
A sense of unease stirred within him, compelling him to inquire, "What is the connection between your clan and the Baigu Clan?"
"What? You..."
"No need for such a shocked expression. From the moment I witnessed the Voodoo technique, I suspected it might be a skill originating from the Baigu Clan members in this town," Qin Feng declared with unwavering confidence.
He felt a surge of pride. The creators of these three techniques were once his allies, and Elder Baili had imparted all his profound skills to him, including the three ancient medicinal texts. However, he ultimately declined. It was possible that revealing his knowledge might expose his identity. Given his limited acquaintance with Lan Yueliang, caution was paramount.
"I must admit, I have underestimated you. Not that I am disdainful," Lan Yueliang replied, her gaze fixed on Qin Feng, her shock palpable.
"Just say what you intend to say, and leave unsaid what you choose not to. After all, we are not intimately familiar with each other," Qin Feng responded with a yawn, feigning disinterest.
If he had not made a promise to Bai Li, Dongguo, and Shentu to seek out their descendants, he might not have pressed Lan Yueliang for answers. However, Qin Feng's personal interest in this matter was minimal. These three elders had faced immense natural calamities and sought to expand their influence across the lands, hoping to achieve dominance. While they aimed to resurrect their ancient peoples, Qin Feng harbored no desire to be involved in their ambitions.
"I am not Lan Yueliang. My mother's surname was Lan. My true name is Baili Yue," she confessed, taking a deep breath and looking at Qin Feng with profound emotion and sincerity.
"Oh? So you are a descendant of the Baigu Valley people?" Qin Feng inquired, his eyebrow raised.
"Yes," Baili Yue affirmed with a nod. "Our clan was once massacred by the Tuoba, Duanmu, and other clans, nearly to extinction. The surviving members were forced into hiding. For millennia, my Baili Clan has harbored a deep thirst for revenge and a fervent desire to restore our clan's former glory. We established the Poison Sect with the hope that one day, its power would enable our resurgence."
Qin Feng realized then that the original Fu Sect was founded by the survivors of the Baigu Valley people.
"Unfortunately, the Poison Sect eventually deviated from its original path," Baili Yue lamented, shaking her head. "Initially, those who escaped with us were fiercely loyal, and we were indeed the true masters of the Poison Sect. But after the passing of the 'Old Strong,' their descendants and newly recruited disciples joined the sect, gradually distancing themselves from the legacy of the Baigu Clan's demise. Their loyalty weakened. Without the support of the founding elders and seasoned practitioners, we gradually lost our authority over the Poison Sect. It began to fracture, and the original leader divided it into three factions. Each faction mastered a portion: one controlled the secret books, another the poisonous scriptures, and each held a piece of the legacy. Our Baili lineage is merely one of these three inheritor lines."
