Just as the Great Herb King was thinking about how Physician Bai would deal with the three Vice Hall Masters and the other elders, he heard those words and felt his vision turning dark.
The Golden Poison Heart Medallion represented one's identity. It was normal for the other party to check the medallion's identity when the envoy was here.
He asked if he was qualified …
Now that the Hall Master had died, there were only three Deputy Hall Masters and many Elders left. If they were not qualified, then who was?
Even if the Special Envoy was of noble status, there should still be a limit to his arrogance. If he continued to be so arrogant … he would be easily beaten to death!
"Special envoy, you must be joking!"
As expected, upon hearing those words, the previously smiling Vice Hall Master Liao's complexion darkened. "I am the First Vice Hall Master of the Red Lotus branch. Now that the Hall Master isn't around, I hold the highest position. Naturally, I am qualified to do so!"
"I already know about the death of your Hall Master. The reason why I'm standing here today is to deal with the matter regarding the new Hall Master. Otherwise, why would I come to such a remote and desolate place?"
"Before a new Hall Master is appointed, everyone's status is the same. If you really want to be qualified, don't tell me what your role is. Instead … show me your control and understanding of poison."
Zhang Xuan flung his sleeves, and a dignified look appeared in his eyes. "What our Poison Temple needs are capable poison masters, not mediocre ones!"
"Control over poison?" Liao Xun was taken aback. "Special envoy, are you testing us?"
"That's right. I don't have time to waste on you, and I can't be bothered. In the end, the strength of a poison master was still determined by the strength of their poison. You guys concoct the poisons while I observe from the side. Whoever can concoct a poison that I have never seen before or a theory that I have never heard of before will be qualified to see my Golden Poison Heart Order and become the next Hall Master! "
Zhang Xuan looked at him expressionlessly. "Otherwise, rather than handing the Poison Temple over to an embroidered pillow, we might as well let it run its course!"
"Yes …"
Hearing him speak so straightforwardly, everyone looked at each other with solemn expressions.
In the past, when special envoys came over, they would basically eat and drink. As long as they served them well, their requests would be satisfied.
Now, it seemed that these methods were useless in front of this special envoy.
The young man before him had made a show of his strength as soon as he arrived. If he wanted to rise up, he would have to rely on his own strength!
If you don't have the strength, then don't talk nonsense.
…
"As expected of someone who can deal with the Contract Gu, amazing!"
Hearing that 'Physician Bai' resolved the crisis with a single sentence, the Great Herb King heaved a sigh of relief.
Not only was Physician Bai skilled in the Way of Medicine, his grasp of the human heart was also surprisingly accurate.
He knew that the three Hall Masters were eyeing the position of Hall Master, so he used this as bait.
They were already fighting with each other, and no one was willing to give in to the other. Now that the rules were set, they naturally followed it immediately.
Even if they had doubts about his identity, there was no way they could verify it right now, unless … they were incapable of convincing the masses!
With a single sentence, he shifted the spearhead that had fallen on him onto the three Hall Masters, causing them to fight to the death.
It was indeed powerful!
However …
In order to assess the three of them, he had to know how to use poison first. You don't even know what a poison master is, how are you going to assess him?
If the three Hall Masters could not recognize any of the poisons that they had concocted, then even if they didn't need to examine the Golden Poison Heart Token, they would still be exposed!
Upon thinking of this, the Great Herb King's face turned bitter.
Others were playing with their heartbeats, but he was playing with his life!
...
After the rules were set, the crowd didn't wait outside the city. Under the lead of the Vice Hall Masters, they soon arrived at the most majestic hall.
"Envoy, please lay down the rules for the examination!"
After everyone sat down, Vice Hall Master Liao Xun said.
"Simple, there are only two tests. Firstly, you will have to use your abilities to concoct a poison, and the one who concocts the highest poison will emerge victorious! Secondly, you will have to concoct a poison that even I am unable to identify, and that person who concocts the highest poison will emerge victorious as well! "
Zhang Xuan said calmly.
Upon hearing the content, the three Vice Hall Masters nodded their heads.
Just like apothecaries, the higher the poison that a poison master concocts, the higher the rank of the poison he concocts, the higher the rank of the poison master he concocted. The more powerful the poison he concocted, the more likely he would be able to advance in the future.
Of the two tests, one was to assess his strength, and the other was to assess his talent. If he could excel in both tests, there would be no objections to him becoming the next Hall Master.
"Alright, I'll give you four hours to prepare!"
Casually waving his hands, Zhang Xuan stood up and asked, "Where is your book collection vault? This time, I came here on orders from the headquarters to look for a book. "
"Look for a book?"
Everyone was perplexed. However, upon hearing that it was an order from the headquarters, they hesitated for a moment before deciding not to ask.
"Envoy, the book collection vault is over there. I'll send someone to bring you there right now!" Liao Xun hurriedly said.
"There's no need for that, I can head there myself. The rest of you should prepare for the upcoming examination. This concerns the position of the Hall Master, so I hope that you can give me a satisfactory answer."
Zhang Xuan placed his palm behind his back.
"Yes!"
Liao Xun and the others nodded.
Ignoring the crowd, Zhang Xuan walked toward the book collection vault.
The Poison Temple of the Red Lotus Ridge had stood for several thousand years, and it had a vast collection of books. Even though it couldn't be compared to the Tianxuan Kingdom's book collection vault, it was still comparable to the Beast Hall.
Upon entering, Zhang Xuan immediately saw innumerable books placed on the shelves, stretching as far as the eye could see.
There were bamboo slips, thread-bound books, and even all kinds of engravings on pottery and beast bones.
As they hadn't been through the flames of war, the books were well-preserved.
"To think that I would be able to enter so easily..."
Seeing that no one was following behind him, Zhang Xuan heaved a sigh of relief.
His motive for coming to the Poison Temple was to browse through these books. He thought that there would be a lot of trouble, but he didn't expect it to be so simple.
Even though the people of the Poison Temple were suspicious of his identity as the envoy, they didn't dare to do so openly.
After all, if it was true, it would represent the will of the headquarter. If they fell out with the Poison Temple, the entire branch could be destroyed.
If it was fake, as long as he didn't escape, he would be exposed sooner or later.
"Forget it for now. I should finish reading the books and resolve the poison aura in my body!"
Even though the poison aura in his body was suppressed by the Heaven's Path zhenqi, he knew that it would be a huge problem if it were to suffer a backlash. If not for the pressure of survival, he wouldn't have risked his life to come here.
Now that he had successfully arrived at the Poison Temple and entered the book collection vault, he had to make full use of his time.
Even though he had managed to intimidate the few Vice Hall Masters, there was no guarantee that they wouldn't react in time and fall out with him.
Even though there were a lot of books here, he had a new 'Running Through Calligraphy'. He could finish reading them within two hours, so he had sufficient time.
"Let's begin!"
Exhaling deeply, Zhang Xuan focused his attention. Placing his palm on the first bookshelf, he began running once more.
...
"Vice Hall Master, do you think that the envoy... is the real deal?"
In the room, Elder Blackeye, who was seated opposite Liao Xun, couldn't help but ask.
Everyone knew that Elder Blackeye was impartial, but in truth, no one knew that he was actually Vice Hall Master Liao Xun's subordinate.
"I can't confirm it without seeing the Golden Poison Heart Token!" Liao Xun hesitated for a moment before saying, "However, even though the Poison Temple hasn't appeared in the world for a long time, its reputation still lingers. I believe that no one would dare to come here and court death!"
"That's true..." Elder Blackeye nodded his head.
Even though the Poison Temple lived in seclusion, it didn't mean that anyone could bully them as they pleased. To impersonate an envoy... Unless one was tired of living!
"Furthermore, no matter what one does, there must be a motive behind it. Even if it is fake, there must be a motive for him to sacrifice his life for it..." Liao Xun continued, "Other than poisonous substances, our Poison Temple doesn't have many valuable items. I believe that no one would be willing to take such a risk!"
There must be a motive and a reason behind every action.
The Poison Temple only had some poisons, and the most valuable were some medicinal herbs. If one were to be caught impersonating an envoy, death would be certain. It was impossible for one to take such a huge risk just for these!
Liao Xun didn't think that these poisons and medicinal herbs, which could be bought with money, would be worth it.
Of course, if he were to know that the other party wasn't here for the poison but to read books... He would probably spurt blood on the spot.
At the very least, poison still had value... What was the use of reading books?
Most importantly, he had to run back and forth …
"Vice Hall Master, have you forgotten about... that thing?" Elder Blackeye hesitated for a moment before asking.
"You mean the one beneath the volcano?"
Liao Xun's face turned grim.
"That's right!" Elder Blackeye nodded his head. "The main reason why our Red Lotus branch is guarding this remote place is for that thing. Could it be possible that someone knows that the thing has matured and that the old hall master died because of it?"
"It's not impossible!"
Hearing those words, Liao Xun lost his composure. "Bring the Great Herb King in, I want to question him!"
"Yes!" Elder Blackeye backed out, and soon, the Great Herb King was brought in.
"Paying respects to Vice Hall Master Liao and Elder Blackeye!" The Great Herb King clasped his fist.
"Tell me, how did you meet this envoy? Also, if I'm not wrong, you should be dead by now. Why are you still alive?"
Liao Xun narrowed his eyes.
"I was poisoned by the Contract Gu, and I was indeed on the verge of death. It was this envoy who saved me. After which, he asked me to bring him to the Poison Temple. As for the rest... I don't know anything! "
The Great Herb King hurriedly revealed the story that they had discussed previously.
"You really don't know?" Liao Xun harrumphed coldly. "Do you know the consequences of hiding this from me?"
"I know!"
The Great Herb King kneeled on the floor in fear. "I'm speaking the truth. Vice Hall Master, you should also know that I'm a puppet of the Poison Temple, a spokesperson. This elder said that he was an envoy, and I didn't dare to stop him. Thus, I could only bring him here. As for the rest, I really don't know anything! "
"Un, you may leave!"
After asking a few more questions, Liao Xun realized that he was unable to get anything out of the Great Herb King.
"Yes!"
As though he had been pardoned, the Great Herb King hurriedly walked out.
"Even my teacher is unable to resolve the Contract Gu that has fused with his blood. To be able to ensure that this fellow is completely fine, he is probably a 4-star poison master!"
After the Great Herb King left, Liao Xun tapped on the table and analyzed, "Only the headquarters have 4-star poison masters!"
Even the most formidable poison master in the Red Lotus Poison Temple was only a 3-star poison master.
Only the headquarters were capable of dispatching 4-star poison masters.
If that was the case, the envoy was probably the real deal.
"However, it's best to be careful. Elder Blackeye, I'll have to trouble you to sneak into the book collection vault to see what books that envoy is looking for and what he's up to!"
After a moment of hesitation, Liao Xun said.
"Alright!"
Elder Blackeye replied and left the room.
Roughly two hours later, he returned with a perplexed and bizarre look on his face.
"What's wrong? Is there something wrong? Is there a book that he's looking for? "
Seeing the other party's expression, Liao Xun couldn't help but ask.
"There's nothing wrong... There isn't any book that he's looking for either!"
Recalling the sight he saw previously, Blackeye shook his head vigorously.
He saw the incomparably cold envoy running around the book collection vault like a lunatic, showing no signs of stopping. Even though he said that he was looking for books, he didn't draw a single one of them out...
Even an experienced elder like him was dumbfounded. He had no idea what the other party was up to.
If not for the fact that he was sure that the other party was the envoy, he would have thought that he was insane.
"That's good!"
Liao Xun heaved a sigh of relief. "Seems like the envoy is the real deal, there's no need to doubt him anymore! We should hurry up and concoct a medicine that can make his eyes light up! "
Elder Blackeye nodded his head. Just as he was about to speak, Poison Master Liu rushed over with a flustered look on his face.
"Vice Hall Master..."
"What's wrong?" Liao Xun frowned.
"There's a person outside, and he wants you and the other two Vice Hall Masters to meet him... He even says that he's... the envoy!"
Poison Master Liu stuttered.
"Envoy?"
Liao Xun and Elder Blackeye stared at one another, and their eyes widened in bewilderment.
Isn't the envoy already here? Why...
Why is there another one?
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