Corpse Poison

Biodata

Background

A thousand-year-old zombie injected Corpse Poison into Chu Xiaotian while biting his neck. The poison began clouding his mind, but after he survived a lightning strike, he discovered that its effects had not disappeared 4 5.

At night, the poison initially overwhelmed the suppressive effect of his jade pendant, turning him into a blood-drinking zombie without his usual willpower. During the day, stronger yang energy helped the pendant keep it in check 5 6. The poison also consumed spiritual energy he tried to absorb through the Mad Battle Blade Art, preventing him from cultivating with that method 12 14.

Chu later found the Heavenly Corpse Art within his pendant. Rather than avoiding Corpse Poison, the art uses it alongside yin-cold energy to strengthen the body. After two days of practice, he gained enough control to circulate a small amount through his body 17 18.

Effects and Uses

Infection

• In large quantities, Corpse Poison can destroy a victim’s sanity and turn them into a zombie. Without a means of suppressing it, the toxin can ultimately destroy both body and soul 20.
• In smaller quantities, it corrodes flesh and blood. Chu delivered it through his fingernails into Cheng Yuhu’s palm; the wound rapidly spread and crippled both hands 20 21.
• Chu later drove it into Cheng Dahu with a punch, worsening his injuries 26 27.

Cultivation

• The Heavenly Corpse Art lets Chu draw out and control the poison, circulate it through his flesh, and strengthen it by absorbing yin-cold energy 17 18 21.
• Controlling it is dangerous: contact with his intent caused sharp pain in his head, and an earlier attempt nearly overwhelmed his mind 17 18.
• Concentrating it beneath his skin produces defensive purple fur. This protected his chest from a guard’s Sword Qi, though the impact still stung 31.
• Chu deliberately let a controlled amount affect his consciousness to stop feeling the pain of opening acupoints. He risked becoming a permanently mindless zombie if he misjudged the dose 33.

Suppression and Weaknesses

• Runes in Chu’s jade pendant suppress the poison, particularly during the day when yang energy is stronger 5 17.
• Yang energy from living creatures’ blood partially neutralizes it. The unusually potent energy in a fire lizard’s blood, aided by its yang-rich valley, suppressed the poison enough for Chu to regain consciousness 6 16.
• Fire counters the poison’s cold, yin nature: the Fire Lizard’s flames burned the poison-formed fur of Chu’s zombie form 15.
• Outside the yang-rich valley, the poison became violent, but Chu’s training and pendant allowed him to bring it back under control 22.