Poison Venerable's Lost Pearl

Poison Venerable's Lost Pearl

Han Feng studied the empty stretch of water before him with great interest.

"How did you discover this place?" he suddenly asked.

At his words, embarrassment unexpectedly appeared on Ao Li's sinister face, making him look like a boor who had done something wrong.

"R-Reporting to you, Senior," he stammered, "I actually... stumbled into it."

"Stumbled into it?" Yaoxin was taken aback, unable to understand.

"Y-Yes." Ao Li scratched his head awkwardly. "A hundred years ago, I was only a fifth-tier magical beast. While wandering around the bottom of this lake, I swam a little too fast and slammed headfirst into this place. At the time, I was left dizzy and seeing stars, but afterward, I was delighted to discover that the barrier had leaked a wisp of pure Primordial Poison Qi."

"Having tasted the benefits, I knew this place was a tremendous opportunity. But the barrier was simply too tough. No matter how I attacked it, I could not break it open completely. With no other choice, I resorted to this method—coming here every day and ramming the barrier with all my strength, so it would leak more Primordial Poison Qi for my cultivation."

Yaoxin was utterly dumbfounded. Using his head to ram it? And doing so for a hundred years?

What kind of bizarre cultivation method was that?

Han Feng did not know whether to laugh or cry either. This poison flood dragon truly had a skull of iron. Yet it was precisely because of that that he had encountered this opportunity.

He said nothing more and merely raised his right hand slowly, gripping the hilt of the Green Lotus Sword at his waist.

"Step back."

He uttered the two words calmly.

Ao Li and Yaoxin immediately understood and rapidly retreated a hundred meters.

Han Feng merely gave the empty space ahead a casual, gentle sweep.

The next instant, the barrier that seventh-tier Ao Li had spent a hundred years ramming without success split silently down the middle, like butter cut by a hot knife.

Immediately afterward, the entire barrier shattered inch by inch like a broken mirror, eventually turning into countless specks of light that dispersed into the lake water.

From the drawing of the sword to the shattering of the barrier, the entire process was eerily silent.

In the distance, Ao Li watched every bit of it.

His vertical pupils widened larger than bronze bells, and his flood-dragon body trembled uncontrollably in the water. Only one thought remained in his mind.

Thank goodness... thank goodness I knelt fast enough back then!

If I had hesitated even a little, eighteen years from today would have been the perfect day for my rebirth!

As the barrier vanished, a cave dwelling enveloped in the glow of an array finally revealed its true form.

The cave dwelling was not large. A stone stele several zhang high stood at its entrance.

Lines of wild, sweeping characters were carved upon the stele, yet they carried an air of deathly stillness and unwillingness.

"I am Profound Nether. The world calls me the Profound Nether Poison Venerable, a Nine-Transformation Battle Venerable. I devoted my life to the path of poison and considered myself unmatched in Chu Yun. Even across the continent, few could surpass me. Yet when I attempted to enter the Saint Realm, I failed and suffered a backlash from my poison power, severing my vitality. Unwilling for my lifelong learning to vanish, I chose to perish at the earth-vein eye of Ten Thousand Poisons Lake. I compressed all the pure poison power I had refined throughout my life, along with all my insights into the path of poison, into this Profound Nether Poison Pearl. I sealed it here, awaiting one destined to find it."

"Later arrival, if you possess talent in the path of poison, this pearl shall be your supreme opportunity. If you are not one of this path, do not attempt to seize it by force. Otherwise, when the poison pearl explodes, everything within ten thousand miles shall become a land of death. Remember this. Remember this!"

Han Feng silently read the words on the stone stele, his expression growing slightly grave.

A Nine-Transformation Battle Venerable.

On the Dou Qi Continent, such a being already stood near the summit of the pyramid, only one step away from entering the Saint Realm.

Yet he had unexpectedly fallen here after failing to break through to the Saint Realm.

Han Feng's gaze passed over the stele and landed on a stone platform beneath it.

A crystal pearl the size of a fist floated quietly above the platform, entirely deep purple.

The pearl was lustrous and translucent, countless fine poison patterns flowing across its surface. Within it seemed to be a purple sea of poison compressed billions of times over, exuding a heart-palpitating aura.

This was the Profound Nether Poison Pearl, formed from the lifelong effort of the Profound Nether Poison Venerable!

Just as Han Feng was examining the poison pearl, a sudden change occurred!

The pearl, which had been floating silently, sensed the Calamity Poison Body aura within Yaoxin—an aura of the same origin—and seemed to come alive, emitting a joyful hum!

Bzzz—

It abruptly flew off the stone platform, turning into a streak of purple light and shooting straight toward Yaoxin!

It was so fast that even Yaoxin herself could not react.

She only felt a familiar yet yearning aura rush toward her, like a child who had been away from home for years finally finding its mother's embrace.

However, just before the poison pearl could touch Yaoxin's body—

A crimson wall of flame appeared from nowhere, precisely blocking Yaoxin's path.

Bang!

The Profound Nether Poison Pearl struck the flame barrier with a dull thud and was forcibly bounced back.

Han Feng had acted.

"Don't touch it!"

There was an unquestionable severity in his voice.

Although the poison pearl appeared to bear no ill will and even showed great closeness toward Yaoxin, no one could guarantee that the fallen Profound Nether Poison Venerable had not left some contingency within it.

For example, possession.

For someone with powerful soul strength, such a thing was hardly difficult.

He stepped forward and beckoned with his hand.

The Profound Nether Poison Pearl, which had been knocked away, flew uncontrollably toward his palm.

The poison pearl seemed extremely unwilling. It struggled and trembled violently in midair, releasing waves of poison power as it tried to break free of Han Feng's restraint.

"Hmph. You still dare resist?"

Han Feng snorted coldly, and a bloom of Red Lotus Karmic Fire rose in his palm.

Upon sensing the aura of the Red Lotus Karmic Fire, the Profound Nether Poison Pearl seemed to encounter its natural enemy. It immediately quieted down, as obedient as a lamb.

Han Feng wrapped the poison pearl layer by layer with karmic fire and carefully examined it.

Only after confirming that it contained nothing but pure Origin of Poison and scattered information about insights into the path of poison, with no remnant soul or spiritual imprint whatsoever, did he finally relax.

It seemed that the Profound Nether Poison Venerable had been a forthright man after all.

"Big Brother Han Feng, this..." Yaoxin looked at the obedient poison pearl in Han Feng's hand, somewhat confused.

"This item is an enormous tonic for you. It is even more than a hundred times better than the magical core of the Heaven-Poison Scorpion Dragon Beast."

Han Feng weighed the poison pearl in his hand, and a trace of admiration flashed through his eyes.

The crystallization of a Nine-Transformation Battle Venerable's lifelong effort was simply beyond measure in value.

"With it, not only can you successfully condense a Poison Pill and completely control your Calamity Poison Body, you may even ascend in a single step and directly inherit most of this Poison Venerable's legacy."

"Th-Then can I use it now?" A hint of anticipation appeared in Yaoxin's eyes as well.

"Not yet."

Han Feng shook his head, his expression stern.

"The energy within it is far too immense. With your current strength, absorbing it directly may not maximize its benefits. We need to consider how to integrate it perfectly into your body. That requires a foolproof plan."

He sealed the poison pearl in a jade box and placed it in his Storage Ring.

"Once we return to Sacred City, I will work with my teacher to develop the most perfect absorption method for you, ensuring that its effects are maximized."

"I understand." Yaoxin nodded obediently.

Though she could not use it immediately, her heart was already filled with hope.

After finishing this, Han Feng also collected the stone stele recording the life of the Profound Nether Poison Venerable. The insights into the path of poison contained upon it would likewise be highly valuable for Yaoxin's future cultivation.

"Let's go. Matters here are settled. It is time for us to return."

He glanced at Ao Li beside him, who had long been shocked speechless, then turned and led Yaoxin slowly upward toward the lake's surface.

Ao Li looked at the now-empty stone platform, then at Han Feng's departing back. He could not help but shudder before turning into a streak of black light and hurrying after them.

This time, the thigh he had latched onto seemed... far, far thicker than he had imagined.

First, I sincerely thank every reader who has continued following this story and quietly supporting me! Being liked and accepted by all of you is the greatest blessing on my creative journey.

Once again, I declare that this novel is a fan-created derivative work. It is a story I have expanded upon using the original characters and world setting while incorporating my own ideas and imagination. All plotlines, settings, and adaptations exist to suit the protagonist's characterization and enrich the story. They are only meant to create an exclusive derivative storyline, not to measure up against or alter the original work's settings.

I hope everyone can follow the story rationally and enjoy it casually. Please do not overinterpret it or involve real people. Just enjoy reading it.

In addition, I sincerely welcome your ideas and suggestions! If you have suitable character concepts, minor plot settings, or creative ideas, feel free to share them in the comments. I will select appropriate ones based on the overall pacing and main storyline and incorporate them into the story, gradually improving this little derivative world and making the plot more vivid.

Finally, I wish everyone a pleasant reading experience, happiness every day, and smooth sailing in the years ahead!