Taiyin Finger and Poison Dispelling Pearl

The next day.

After tending to the spirit fields, Li Shuidao was ordered to escort his master's wife, Qin Yue'e, and his master, the Golden-Faced Gentleman, to the Five Poisons Sect's market.

He rode steadily on the White Feather Crane, his gaze straight ahead. Qin Yue'e and the Golden-Faced Gentleman stood on the crane's back, their postures upright, like immortals descending to the mortal realm.

With Qin Yue'e's cultivation, she could stand on the crane's back, and the Golden-Faced Gentleman, having reached the Spirit Refining Realm, could fly on his own. Riding the White Feather Crane was merely to accompany his wife to the market.

"Husband, among your four ultimate skills, I can only cultivate the Taiyin Finger. When do you plan to teach me?" Qin Yue'e asked, blinking her large, watery eyes pitifully.

The Golden-Faced Gentleman glared sternly at his wife.

Qin Yue'e immediately covered her mouth.

Her husband, the Golden-Faced Gentleman, had always been cautious. His four ultimate skills were always kept secret, known only to himself. Outsiders hadn't even correctly identified his companions.

Now, with someone else on the crane's back, she had let slip a secret.

After a moment of contemplation, the Golden-Faced Gentleman said via secret transmission: "Although all cultivators in our sect possess poison Spiritual Power, to poison an enemy, one must smear the venom onto a sharp weapon and break the enemy's skin to kill them with poison..."

"But if one masters the Taiyin Finger, a single point from afar can transform the venom into an invisible, chilling finger force that penetrates the enemy's clothes and skin, directly entering their body. If struck by the Taiyin Finger, the enemy will have no visible wounds, but the venom will invade their meridians and blood, leading to death by poisoning..."

"The Taiyin Finger is a technique for administering poison, and its power increases with the potency of the poison Spiritual Power. This means the power of this Dao technique has no upper limit..."

"The reason outer sect cultivators fear our sect's disciples is largely due to this Taiyin Finger, which is immensely powerful, attacks invisibly, and is difficult to defend against."

Qin Yue'e listened with rapt attention and said charmingly, "Husband, when will you teach me?"

The Golden-Faced Gentleman continued via secret transmission: "E'er, as the saying goes, the greatest truths are the simplest. The cultivation method and incantation for the Taiyin Finger are not complicated, but a treasure is required to master it."

Qin Yue'e blinked her eyes and pouted coquettishly, "My lord, quickly tell me what treasure is needed?"

The Golden-Faced Gentleman smiled slightly and continued his secret transmission, explaining, "The key to cultivating the Taiyin Finger lies in the Poison Dispelling Pearl. Without this pearl to protect the heart meridian, the cultivator will inevitably suffer a toxic backlash, invading their meridians and causing their internal organs to rot, leading to death."

"Why have I never heard of such a treasure?" Qin Yue'e asked, looking astonished.

"The Poison Dispelling Pearl is refined from the remains of our sect's Void Nascent Realm cultivators after their passing. Only immortal cultivation families with deep foundations possess this item. Its effects are also quite miraculous; if carried on one's person, it can ward off the invasion of level one or two poisons."

"It's that powerful? Does that mean that as long as one possesses this item, even your poison skills would be ineffective?" Qin Yue'e exclaimed in surprise.

"Hmph! Although my Dao techniques primarily focus on poison, they are not solely poison-based. If a Spirit Channeling Realm junior dares to provoke me while holding a Poison Dispelling Pearl, I will let them taste the might of the Ice Jade Palm," the Golden-Faced Gentleman said dismissively.

"Does your family have this item?"

"No," the Golden-Faced Gentleman shook his head. "As you know, my family has long since fallen into decline. I relied on the sect's Poison Dispelling Pearl to cultivate the Taiyin Finger. Renting this item costs two hundred Merit Points daily, for at least a month, and cultivation must take place in the sect's Hall of Bestowal of Techniques. It is strictly forbidden to take the Poison Dispelling Pearl outside the hall..."

"So, cultivating the Taiyin Finger will cost at least six thousand Merit Points?" Qin Yue'e inquired.

"That's correct."

"Husband, I'm still short over five thousand Merit Points. Can you help me make up the difference?" Qin Yue'e asked pitifully.

The Golden-Faced Gentleman also frowned, smiling bitterly. "Yue'e, you know I also lack Merit Points. To obtain six thousand Merit Points, one must participate in the sect trials."

Upon hearing this, Qin Yue'e said with dissatisfaction, "Husband, your combat power is so formidable, and you are the renowned Golden-Faced Gentleman. Why would you fear a sect trial?"

The Golden-Faced Gentleman was speechless for a moment. He knew Yue'e had a point. He sighed softly, "Yue'e, I was wrong. But Merit Points are not earned overnight; they require time to accumulate. Are you truly angry with me over this small amount of Merit Points?"

Qin Yue'e's eyes reddened, and she pouted. "How dare I be angry with my husband? I've decided to participate in the trials myself and earn the Merit Points to cultivate the Taiyin Finger."

"You know how dangerous the sect trials are. How can I let you participate?" the Golden-Faced Gentleman looked at her with heartache and said softly, "Yue'e, don't be sad. I'll buy you a Yuheng Pill at the market this time."

"I promise you, my wife, that when I have accumulated enough Merit Points in the future, I will definitely send you to the Hall of Bestowal of Techniques to cultivate the Taiyin Finger."

Only then did Qin Yue'e break into a smile, looking at the Golden-Faced Gentleman with gratitude and saying softly, "Husband, you truly have a kind heart."

The White Feather Crane landed outside the Five Poisons Sect's market, and the Golden-Faced Gentleman and Qin Yue'e entered hand in hand.

The enormous White Feather Crane could not stay there and had to go to a nearby valley to rest.

Li Shuidao guided the White Feather Crane into the valley.

There were many White Feather Cranes in the valley, as well as many flying beasts and strange creatures that Li Shuidao didn't recognize.

These Yao Beasts were all domesticated spirit pets, and each spirit pet was guarded by a young cultivator.

Li Shuidao found a patch of grass by a stream and let the White Feather Crane catch fish and shrimp on its own while he stood guard.

He also wanted to visit the market, especially since he heard that cultivation books could be purchased there.

What a pity...

So close, yet unable to visit the Five Poisons Sect's market and broaden his horizons.

The White Feather Crane had to be watched, or it would be stolen.

A White Feather Crane was worth dozens of spirit stones, far more valuable than a Spirit Channeling Realm disciple.

For this reason, Qin Yue'e, who could ride a White Feather Crane herself, insisted on having a dedicated driver.

Suddenly.

A voice called out from behind him, "Brother Shuidao, is that you?"

Li Shuidao turned his head and was pleasantly surprised to see that the person was his Li Family cousin, Li Yijun.

Li Shuidao excitedly walked up to Li Yijun and clasped his hands tightly. "Yijun, long time no see! You're here too?"

Li Yijun joyfully pointed to a large crane behind him and said, "Brother Shuidao, I never expected we'd both have the chance to become Spirit Beast Masters. Look, this is a White Feather Crane my master taught me to ride."

Li Shuidao took a closer look at the two White Feather Cranes and indeed, they looked very similar.

If these were stolen, they'd truly be impossible to find again.

"Yijun, under whom did you apprentice?" Li Shuidao inquired.

"Scorpion Shadow Venerable," Li Yijun replied.

"Water Wave and I apprenticed under the Golden-Faced Gentleman."

"Brother Water Wave, what is he doing now?" Li Yijun asked.

"He's already taken leave and gone back."

"To get married and have children?"

"Naturally."

"Then he must be..."

"That's right, toiling day and night waiting for the results."

"By the way, where is the Golden-Faced Gentleman's cave-dwelling?" Li Yijun asked.

"At the eastern foot of Poison Dragon Ridge."

"And where is Poison Hand Old Man's cave-dwelling?"

"At the southern foot."

"That's still too far apart," Li Shuidao said regretfully.

"We're both Spirit Beast Masters, and we have to take our White Feather Cranes out for exercise daily. We can just pick a place to meet up."