Ji Changkong had never imagined that within the Dudian Lan (Poison Codex Chamber) there resided such a strange life form. He had no way of knowing how this life came to be, but the mere fact that its urine was Tiandu (Heavenly Poison) was enough for Ji Changkong to know this entity within the Dudian was incredibly dangerous.

According to what Wan Xiongjie and Gong Ba had said, Tiandu could kill even a Nine Palaces Heavenly Master. This revealed the fiercely potent and venomous nature of Tiandu. How terrifying this life form must be, being able to excrete it, was almost unimaginable.

To release such a life form from the Dudian—what would it bring to this world? Even with Ji Changkong’s boldness, he dared not rashly agree.

Benyuan Zhi Du (Source Poison). Since it called itself the Source Poison, it was likely poisonous through and through. If its urine alone could poison a Nine Palaces Heavenly Master, what defense could anyone have against its immense toxicity?

Even Ji Changkong himself, despite possessing an immunity to all poisons, dared not test the Tiandu that could leave a Nine Palaces Heavenly Master with no escape. Should this being in the Dudian be released, Ji Changkong would most likely be its first target. Thus, he was fraught with concerns and dared not act carelessly.

“If you were to come out, what would you do? Also, what do you feed on, and what form do you actually take? Furthermore, why can’t you get out? Is there some restraint on you from the Dudian?” A string of questions tumbled rapidly from his lips.

The life form within the Dudian seemed unprepared for so many questions. It suddenly fell silent. After a long while, just as Ji Changkong began to think he could no longer sense its presence, its timid and extremely faint voice returned once more.

“I... I don’t know what I would do,” I used to—I used to consume certain special poisons. Now, I don't know what I should eat. It seems I still have a need for poison, but I don't know what kind of poison I should consume. I don't know what I look like. I have never been outside. Something is blocking me here; I cannot break through.”

“What is blocking you?”

“The Dudian itself.”

Ji Changkong’s brow furrowed deeply. After pondering for a moment, he gently shook his head and transmitted his thoughts: “I’m sorry, I dare not let you out. I don't know what you would bring to me, or to this world, if you emerged. You are a life form I have never encountered, and you claim to be the Source Poison. If you got out, I cannot know if you would plunge the world into ruin and suffering. I dare not take that risk.”

“Why can’t you let me out? I won’t hurt anyone, I beg you, let me out, I won’t harm a soul!” the life form in the Dudian pleaded bitterly.

Ji Changkong’s heart was like iron. He knew he absolutely could not show mercy now. The life form in the Dudian was an unpredictable variable. If it emerged and endangered the world, Ji Changkong might not even be able to stop it. Perhaps the one who created it and used the Dudian to imprison it also couldn't fully gauge what disaster it might unleash upon the world.

Having made up his mind, Ji Changkong prepared to recall the Tianyuan Pearl once more so he could immediately leave this place. Inside the stone cave, with a mere thought, Ji Changkong, attempting to retrieve the Tianyuan Pearl, suddenly saw his expression drastically change, and he couldn't help but exclaim: “What are you trying to do?”

He was addressing the Tianyuan Pearl.

For some unknown reason, the Tianyuan Pearl had suddenly gathered a fierce and surging power. After being tossed high into the void, it plummeted at incredible speed toward the Dudian that housed the strange life form.

The Tianyuan Pearl had absorbed the souls of Ghost Demon King, Qu Le, and Wan Xiongjie. The power contained within the Tianyuan Pearl now was astonishing. Its sudden impact against the Dudian made it impossible for Ji Changkong to imagine what would happen next.

Rumble!

A deafening sound erupted from the point where the Tianyuan Pearl met the Dudian. Instantly, both the pearl and the Dudian burst forth with blinding, dazzling light. A faint, almost imperceptible life fluctuation wavered briefly amidst the deafening noise, then abruptly plunged into the Tianyuan Pearl.

The Dudian remained unharmed, still hanging there. However, the strange, weak life nurtured within it had quietly moved into the Tianyuan Pearl at that very moment.

Ji Changkong stared, mouth agape, with a hint of undisguised horror still etched on his face.

Not only had it gotten out, but it had also entered the Tianyuan Pearl. Had it actively sought out the Tianyuan Pearl, or had the Tianyuan Pearl absorbed it? Ji Changkong couldn't discern. But if a being capable of excreting Tiandu was now inside the Tianyuan Pearl, could the pearl itself now pose a problem?

Ji Changkong’s mind was in chaos; he didn’t know what to do.

“Thank you, thank you for letting me out. I... I have a new environment; this is wonderful, I like this new environment very much. Thank you, you are much better than that person...” A message of joyous excitement came from within the Tianyuan Pearl.

The very thing he feared most had happened. “Ugh,” Ji Changkong suddenly found himself somewhat speechless.

Just then, the Tianyuan Pearl, which had been reluctant to return to his body, circled nimbly in the air and flew toward Ji Changkong. Judging by its trajectory, it seemed intent on settling back down within him.

A sudden wave of bone-chilling dread washed over him. Ji Changkong, recalling how he had previously swallowed the Tianyuan Pearl after casting out the Ghost Demon King, instinctively began to back away. He was trying to evade the pearl’s return, unwilling to let it re-enter his body.

In the past, although the Tianyuan Pearl had absorbed some souls, it had never harmed him. But now, with a being claiming to be the Source Poison residing inside it—a being whose urine could overwhelm a Nine Palaces Heavenly Master—how terrifying its inherent toxicity must be, Ji Changkong couldn't imagine.

Ji Changkong couldn't be sure if it had already corrupted the Tianyuan Pearl. Perhaps the pearl had now become an object of fatal poison to anyone who touched it. Ji Changkong was terrified; he dared not accept the Tianyuan Pearl tainted with such potent poison.

Fear gripped him, but the Tianyuan Pearl was relentless. As always, it flew toward him with a speed he couldn't easily defend against. The pearl shared a marvelous connection with him; for years it had rested within his body, between his vital essence and blood in his lower abdomen. The Tianyuan Pearl bore traces of his internal essence and blood.

Ji Changkong tried frantically to evade it, but he could not escape the pearl’s approach. The moment the Tianyuan Pearl settled back into his abdomen, Ji Changkong’s limbs turned icy cold. He thought, It’s over; I’m going to be poisoned to death by the Tianyuan Pearl this time!

He stood there, body rigid, carefully sensing any change in his body after the pearl’s re-entry. He wanted to see how the being capable of excreting Tiandu would poison his flesh. His Xuanyuan bloodline within him began to surge, preparing for a desperate fight.

After waiting a while, Ji Changkong noticed that not many changes had occurred internally, yet he remained wary. Subconsciously, he regarded this life form as the most terrifying source of poison in the world. Some toxins, when killing, cause no immediate sensation until the victim realizes they are beyond saving—it’s already too late, and death is the only outcome.

In Ji Changkong’s estimation, this entity was undoubtedly one of the most horrifying and bizarre super-toxins.

Half an hour passed quietly. Ji Changkong suddenly realized he was still safe and sound, with not the slightest sign of poisoning internally.

If the life form in the Tianyuan Pearl had truly affected the pearl, half an hour would have certainly brought about some reaction, even if he hadn't succumbed to poison instantly. Since his body felt fine, indicating nothing unusual, it clearly meant the Tianyuan Pearl was unchanged.

With a sudden exhale of relief, once he confirmed he wouldn’t be poisoned in the short term, Ji Changkong gradually relaxed. After a moment of hesitation, he stilled his mind and tried to reconnect with the Source Poison inside the Tianyuan Pearl. “Are... are you in there?”

After a moment, the Source Poison inside responded slowly, “Yes, I am inside. It’s so big in here, and so interesting! But, I’m a little tired now; I need to rest. I won't talk to you anymore. Thank you, you are a good person...” The message from the Source Poison grew fainter and fainter until it vanished completely.

Ji Changkong blinked, then shook his head with a wry smile. Having the Source Poison remain in the Tianyuan Pearl was a grave threat to him, yet he had no way to expel it from the pearl, forced only to watch it stay there.

Forget it, I can’t worry about it for now. Whatever fate brings, I must face it. After comforting himself, Ji Changkong scanned his surroundings. He noticed that the water marks left by Wan Xiongjie’s corpse seemed to have dried. Only then did he nod slightly and leave the stone cave at a leisurely pace.

Upon reaching the mouth of the cave, Ji Changkong frowned as he looked at the tokens of the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect placed in the four slots carved into the stone wall. Without much hesitation, he reached out and first retrieved his own Sect Master token. Then, he collected the tokens belonging to the five Grand Elders into his Jiezidai (Mustard Seed Pouch).

As soon as all the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect tokens were removed from the stone wall, the open section slowly closed, returning to a smooth surface in a matter of moments, showing no sign of ever having been opened.

Ji Changkong, having long since replaced his mask, walked slowly and lightly toward the exit of Poison Valley.

“Sect Master, where are the Five Grand Elders?” The disciples cultivating poisons and herbs in the valley stood respectfully amid the swirling poisonous mist. Seeing him emerge, one of them asked with his head lowered.

“Our sect faces a great enemy in the Divine Archer Gate. The five elders recognized their own insufficient strength and, after studying a portion of the poison scriptures from the Dudian, gained some enlightenment. For the next period, the five elders will engage in secluded, intense cultivation. The next time I visit Poison Valley, I will reopen the stone cave. By then, the five elders will have perfected their poisonous arts, and we can counter the Divine Archer Gate.”

He delivered this string of nonsense calmly and composedly. The disciples who lived deep within Poison Valley never doubted him; their expressions brightened, showing yearning. Although they resided in the valley for a long time, they lacked the privilege to enter the stone cave housing the Dudian to even glimpse the poison scriptures. Seeing the five elders receive such a miraculous opportunity, they were filled with envy.

Pity. They would never be allowed into that cave, and thus would never know that the five elders they envied were now reduced to nothing but ashes.