163: Secrets of the Poison Classic

Within the Tianwaitian Headquarters' library, the intertwining scents of sandalwood and ink filled the air. Jun Xiaoyao reclined on a soft couch covered with a white tiger pelt, perusing the Myriad Poison Grotto ledger he had brought back from Black Wind Stockade.

On the yellowed pages, various poison transaction records were marked in cinnabar. The phrase “incomplete pages of the poison scripture” was circled three times, with a blurry tower-shaped pattern drawn beside it.

“Young Lord,” Blue Phoenix gracefully entered, her silver snake whip coiled around her wrist, “I’ve extracted some clues from Chi Meng.” She placed a bamboo tube on the desk, containing several tiny Gu worms that were biting each other. “The Myriad Poison Grotto’s poison scripture is divided into seven volumes. It’s said that the first volume contains the ‘Poison Rune Key’ to the Heaven-Reaching Pagoda, which can unlock the ‘Myriad Poison Restriction’ on the fourth floor. Currently, three volumes are known to be in the hands of the Holy Master, two volumes are scattered outside, and the whereabouts of the remaining two… even Chi Meng doesn't know.”

Jun Xiaoyao’s fingertip lightly tapped the words “Poison Rune Key.” “The fourth floor of the Heaven-Reaching Pagoda? That matches what Mysterious Mechanism Master said about the location of the ‘World-Crossing Shuttle’.” He looked up at Blue Phoenix, “Are there any clues about the two scattered incomplete pages?”

“Chi Meng said one volume might be with the Misty Rain Tower Lord.” Blue Phoenix took a poisonous pouch from her waist and poured out a greenish bead. “This is the Myriad Poison Grotto’s ‘Poison Guiding Bead.’ It glows when near an incomplete page of the poison scripture. I've tried it, and it shows no reaction within the Headquarters.”

Jun Xiaoyao took the Poison Guiding Bead. It was cool to the touch, its surface covered in intricate patterns, resembling the carapace of some Gu worm. “Misty Rain Tower…” He recalled the intelligence organization spread across the continent, and its Lord, Thousand-Faced Fox, was an even more mysterious figure, rumored to have never shown their true face. “Does The Net have any spies in the Misty Rain Tower?”

Zhao Gao emerged from behind a bookshelf, holding a new secret report. “Replying to Young Lord, the Misty Rain Tower has strict hierarchies. Our spies have only infiltrated the outer layers and haven’t reached the core. However, Thousand-Faced Fox recently held a ‘Treasure Appraisal Event’ in Luoyang, rumored to be auctioning a treasure that ‘can unlock the Heaven-Reaching Pagoda's Restriction.’ Many forces have received invitations.”

“Treasure Appraisal Event?” Jun Xiaoyao tossed the Poison Guiding Bead up and caught it. “It seems that incomplete page of the poison scripture will most likely appear.” He looked at the summoning array in the center of the library. The Spirit Stone at the array's core, having unlocked cross-world authority, was emitting a faint purplish-gold glow. “Cross-world summoning authority is open?”

“Yes, Young Lord.” Zhao Gao bowed. “The System prompts that the first cross-world summon requires 5000 points and can specify a character from a ‘non-Wuxia world.’ The minimum Realm is Grandmaster Realm, and the upper limit… is unknown.”

A hint of interest flickered in Jun Xiaoyao’s eyes as he rose and walked to the summoning array. The purplish-gold energy flowing through the runic patterns had an indescribable pressure, more so than previous summoning arrays, as if connecting to more distant planes. “Since it’s cross-world, I’ll find someone skilled in treasure hunting and breaking Restrictions.” His fingertip traced the array core, and the purplish-gold glow suddenly intensified. “System, lock onto a cross-world character ‘proficient in mechanisms and skilled in treasure hunting’.”

[System Prompt: Cross-world coordinates locking... Matching non-Wuxia plane... Detecting highly compatible character...]

The light of the summoning array suddenly surged, and purplish-gold runes shot out like meteors, weaving into a complex doorway in the air. A faint sound of gears turning came from behind the door, and a figure dressed in leather armor, carrying a huge backpack, slowly emerged—the person had golden hair and blue eyes, several uniquely shaped keys hung from their waist, and they were fiddling with a bronze compass. It was Lara Croft from “Tomb Raider.”

[Character Panel Expanded:

Name: Lara Croft

Origin World: “Tomb Raider” (Non-Wuxia Plane)

Realm: Grandmaster Peak (Physique and internal energy are equivalent, skilled in burst and endurance)

Abilities:

1. Ruin Exploration: Proficient in ancient civilization ruin structures, can quickly decipher mechanisms and traps, has a natural sensitivity to energy Restrictions

2. Extreme Survival: Physical Body strength far exceeds peers, can operate in extreme environments such as highly toxic or high temperature, extremely strong self-healing ability

3. Precise Throwing: Skilled in using various hidden weapons and tools, Flying Daggers, rope arrows, etc., hit 100% of the time, can be used for long-range problem-solving

Additional Items:

- Multi-functional Expedition Boots (steel spikes hidden in the soles, can climb vertical cliffs)

- bronze compass (can sense energy fluctuations, accurately locate treasures, has a special reaction to Heaven-Reaching Pagoda Restrictions)

Loyalty: 85% (Admires strong individuals and the unknown, full of curiosity about the Young Lord’s cross-world abilities)]

Lara nodded slightly to Jun Xiaoyao, her voice a bit dry and capable. “Lara Croft, greetings, Young Lord. The Heaven-Reaching Pagoda’s energy fluctuations… are stronger than any ruins I’ve explored.” The pointer of the bronze compass in her hand spun wildly, finally pointing northwest. “There’s a strong Restriction reaction over there, originating from the same source as my compass.”

Jun Xiaoyao pointed to the poison scripture ledger on the desk. “Are you interested in attending the Misty Rain Tower’s Treasure Appraisal Event? Perhaps you can find some ‘ruin clues’ that interest you.”

A glint flashed in Lara’s eyes as she put away her compass. “Of course. But I’ll need a set of clothes that can blend into your world, and also…” She pointed to Blue Phoenix’s poisonous pouch at her waist. “Something like this that can track treasures, please prepare one for me too.”

“No problem.” Jun Xiaoyao gestured to Zhao Gao. “Prepare a set of Jianghu ranger clothes for Lara, and fetch another Poison Guiding Bead.” He looked at Blue Phoenix. “You and Lara will go to Luoyang together. If the Poison Guiding Bead shows any unusual activity, send a message back immediately.”

Blue Phoenix twirled her silver snake whip, smiling as she replied, “Don’t worry, Young Lord, I’ll keep a close eye on that incomplete page of the poison scripture.”

Three days later, Luoyang, Misty Rain Tower.

The Treasure Appraisal Event was held in the Glazed Pavilion on the top floor, with tokens from various forces hanging all around. The Great Qian Dynasty’s Dragon Banner and the Snow Region Holy Land’s Ice Lotus Banner were particularly striking. Lara, dressed in a dark-colored close-fitting outfit with her hair tied in a high ponytail, blended into the crowd. Her bronze compass, hidden in her sleeve, was subtly trembling.

“The spot by the window on the east side,” Lara whispered to Blue Phoenix, her voice only audible to the two of them. “That Young Master with the jade crown, the energy fluctuations from the jade pendant at his waist are somewhat similar to the compass.”

Blue Phoenix followed her gaze and saw a fair-faced, beardless Young Master toying with a brocade box. It was none other than the Second Master of Misty Rain Tower, “Jade-Faced Gentleman.” She quietly released a golden silkworm gu. The Gu worm circled once in the air, then flew towards Jade-Faced Gentleman, paused at his sleeve, and then flew back.

“It’s a hit,” Blue Phoenix whispered. “The golden silkworm gu is most sensitive to the poison scripture’s aura; there’s no mistake.”

At this moment, Thousand-Faced Fox’s voice, with a metallic quality, came from the top of the pavilion: “Everyone, thank you for waiting. Today’s first item for auction—one incomplete volume of the Myriad Poison Grotto’s poison scripture, starting bid one hundred thousand taels of gold!”

As the brocade box was opened, a greenish-blue light emanated from it. The compass in Lara’s sleeve instantly vibrated violently. Blue Phoenix’s Poison Guiding Bead at her waist also lit up simultaneously, emitting a faint luminescence.

“It’s really here!” Blue Phoenix was about to act but was stopped by Lara’s grip on her wrist.

“Not yet,” Lara pointed to the shadows behind Jade-Faced Gentleman. “There are three Heavenly Human Realm auras there, and… the incense burner in the corner contains ‘Soul-Bewitching Powder,’ which will only take effect when the item is hammered down.”

Blue Phoenix’s pupils constricted. She carefully sensed it and indeed detected a familiar toxicity in the incense smoke—it was a variant of the Myriad Poison Grotto’s “muscle-softening powder,” colorless and odorless, yet capable of silently sealing internal energy.

“Thousand-Faced Fox wants to double-cross?” She sneered, took out two pills from her poisonous pouch, and handed one to Lara. “Hold this in your mouth; it can neutralize a hundred kinds of hallucinogens.”

The auction price soared, quickly exceeding five hundred thousand taels. Just as Jade-Faced Gentleman was about to bid, a commotion suddenly erupted outside the pavilion. The Net’s assassins, disguised as guards, rushed in, shouting, “Assassin! Protect the Lord!”

In the chaos, Lara seized the Opportunity to use “Extreme Survival,” her figure darting like a civet cat to the display stand. She shone the bronze compass on the brocade box, and the lock sprang open. She grabbed the incomplete page of the poison scripture, then threw a smoke bomb onto the ground with her other hand, pulling Blue Phoenix as she leaped out of a pre-scouted ventilation shaft.

By the time Jade-Faced Gentleman reacted, he only saw half of a dark-colored sleeve disappearing out the window, infuriated to the point of crushing his teacup. “Chase them! Chase them for me!”

At the Tianwaitian Headquarters, Jun Xiaoyao unfolded the incomplete page of the poison scripture brought back from Luoyang. On the yellowed page, besides the eerie poison techniques recorded, the edges were indeed carved with a spiral poison pattern, perfectly matching the Restriction pattern on the fourth floor of the Heaven-Reaching Pagoda map.

“Young Lord,” Lara placed the bronze compass beside the incomplete page. The compass pointer aimed at the poison pattern, even projecting a phantom image—the outline of a tower gate, with the “World-Crossing Shuttle” pattern carved on its lintel. “This poison pattern is not only a key, but it also marks the storage location of the World-Crossing Shuttle, at the bottom of the ‘Poison Dragon Pond’ on the fourth floor.”

Blue Phoenix leaned closer, her fingertip lightly touching the poison pattern. “To unlock this pattern, you need to mix the essence blood of seven potent poisons. I can concoct three of them, but the other four… we’ll have to find them at the Myriad Poison Grotto’s Holy Altar.”

Jun Xiaoyao placed the incomplete page into a jade box, his gaze falling on the summoning array. The purplish-gold glow had not yet dissipated, indicating that cross-world summoning was still possible. “The Myriad Poison Grotto’s Holy Altar is guarded by a Holy Master in the Land Immortal Realm. Forcing our way in would be more trouble than it’s worth.” His fingertip tapped the Void Realm. “Summon another one who can directly contend with a Land Immortal Realm expert.”

[System Prompt: Consuming 8000 points, cross-world summoning in progress... Matching high combat power character...]

The light of the summoning array was even more intense than before. Purplish-gold runes condensed into the phantom image of a giant sword, its clang echoing, making the window panes hum. A figure clad in golden armor emerged from the light, holding a longsword burning with fierce flames, golden hair fluttering in the firelight. It was Liadrin, the “Blood Elf Paladin” from “World of Warcraft.”

[Character Panel Expanded:

Name: Liadrin

Origin World: “World of Warcraft” (Non-Wuxia Plane)

Realm: Earthly Immortal Early-Stage (Holy Light power is equivalent to internal energy, has a suppressive effect on evil spirits)

Abilities:

1. Holy Light Judgment: Condenses Holy Light to form a giant sword, capable of cleaving evil spirit energy, has absolute suppression over poisons and Gu worms

2. Divine Shield: Constructs a shield with Holy Light, capable of blocking a full-power strike from anyone below Mid-stage Terrestrial Immortal Realm

3. Crusader Strike: Bursts forth with Holy Light power for a high-speed charge, capable of instantly breaking through defenses and disrupting Formations

Additional Items:

- ashbringer (a longsword imbued with sacred flames, capable of purifying potent poisons and curses)

- Holy Light Insignia (can rapidly restore Holy Light power, allowing repeated use of ultimate abilities in a short time)

Loyalty: 88% (Recognizes strength as supreme, has an obsession with purifying evil spirits)]

Liadrin propped ashbringer on the ground, the flames from the sword reflecting in her increasingly determined eyes. “Liadrin, greetings, Young Lord. I sense strong evil spirit energy; does it need purification?”

Jun Xiaoyao pointed to the phantom image of the incomplete page of the poison scripture. “The Myriad Poison Grotto’s Holy Altar, where the poisonous miasma has already corroded a region, is precisely in need of Holy Light purification.” He paused, then added, “Our goal is the other two incomplete pages of the poison scripture. If the Holy Master is willing to hand them over, there’s no need for a fatal blow.”

Liadrin lightly raised her longsword, and the flames suddenly intensified. “If not, then let the Holy Light judge.”

Outside the library, Marshal of the Unruly was leading The Unruly in practicing new Formations, the crisp sounds of bone whip and long saber clashing echoing continuously. Blue Phoenix was adjusting newly concocted antidote pills, while Lara, holding the bronze compass, studied the Heaven-Reaching Pagoda’s energy trajectory. Liadrin’s Holy Light intertwined with the Headquarters’ Spiritual Qi, forming a faint rainbow in mid-air.

Jun Xiaoyao stood by the window, gazing at the distant, continuous mountain shadows. With the incomplete page of the poison scripture in hand and cross-world powerhouses joining, the outline of the Heaven-Reaching Pagoda became increasingly clear in his eyes. The Myriad Poison Grotto, Misty Rain Tower, and the two yet-unseen incomplete pages… this game of chess revolving around resources and Opportunity had just entered its fierce climax.

“Zhao Gao,” he suddenly spoke, “send a ‘gift’ to the Misty Rain Tower. Just say… Beyond Heaven is very interested in the remaining incomplete pages of the poison scripture.”

Zhao Gao bowed in acknowledgment, a hint of understanding flashing in his eyes as he turned. The Young Lord intended to 'beat the bush to scare the snake'—since Thousand-Faced Fox dared to covet the poison scripture, they had to be prepared to endure Beyond Heaven’s wrath.

The candlelight flickered in the library, illuminating Jun Xiaoyao’s calm profile. He knew that with the activation of cross-world summoning, more unexpected powerhouses and variables would surge into this continent, but this was exactly what he wanted—only through sufficiently intense clashes could Beyond Heaven more quickly devour resources and ultimately stand at the apex of all.