The entry for cultivating immortality states that after dying a hundred times, I attained immortalit

tenth day.

Jiang Bai sat cross-legged on a futon in the quiet room, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.

The side effects of the Breakthrough Pill were more troublesome than he had anticipated; every time he circulated spiritual energy through his meridians, he experienced a stinging pain.

The feeling of instability left by forcibly breaking through to the fourth level of Qi Refining should have taken at least three days to stabilize, but he only has twelve hours left.

"I paid money to suffer," he thought, closing his eyes as he felt the spiritual energy struggling to circulate in his damaged meridians.

The sky outside the window was still dark, and there were still ten hours left before the Black Wind Valley Secret Realm opened.

Everyone else at Zhejinghui was ready.

Jiang Shan and Jiang Wu were finalizing their combined attack technique, Jiang Yurou was counting and sorting the pills into bags, and Jiang Lin was waterproofing each talisman.

Lu Qi meditated alone in the guest courtyard, his sword held across his knees.

Only Jiang Bai still needs to complete the final step.

He exhaled a breath of stale air and began to circulate the second level of the "Hundred Poisons Tempering Body Technique".

Over the past nine days, the thirty kinds of poisons have been refined and infused into the body in three batches, and the toxins have accumulated deep in the flesh and bones, like thirty lurking venomous snakes.

According to the cultivation method, these toxins need to be nurtured for at least seven days to achieve balance, and then nourish the body to truly enter the "Thirty Poisons Tempering" realm.

But he did not have seven days.

The spiritual energy guides the accumulated toxins to travel through specific meridians, and with each cycle, the stinging pain intensifies.

Irregular dark spots began to appear on the surface of my skin, bluish-purple patches, as if a spilled palette of paint had been splashed on me.

Just as he was preparing to forcefully complete the thirty-sixth cycle.

A sudden burning sensation came from the inside of my right wrist.

It wasn't the kind of heat that burns the skin and flesh, but rather a kind of burning sensation that burst forth from the depths of the bone marrow, burning all the way up the blood vessels.

Jiang Bai suddenly opened his eyes and saw three blue lines gradually emerging under the skin of his right wrist.

Like a seed, it finally sprouted from the soil.

The lines begin to spread from the wrist bone, twisting and coiling like poison ivy climbing.

The first vein is a deep blue-black, the second is blue with a hint of purple, and the third has blood-red veins hidden on a blue background. Deep within the veins, a dark light flows, as if they were alive.

Immediately afterwards, the thirty toxins in the body, which had previously operated independently, seemed to suddenly receive a unified command.

Icy cold, scorching hot, corrosive, numbing... all the toxins began to converge in an orderly fashion toward the three poisonous patterns.

The toxins deposited in the flesh and blood are drawn out, and the stinging sensation in the meridians quickly subsides, replaced by a strange feeling of "fullness".

It was as if these three lines were three specially made containers, specifically designed to hold these deadly things.

Jiang Baifu's thoughts reached his heart, and his mind stirred slightly.

The first poisonous pattern lit up, and a wisp of grayish-white "bone-corroding poison" surged along the meridian to the fingertip. The poison was highly compressed, condensing into a thin line that was almost invisible to the naked eye.

He made a gesture across the wall.

"laugh--"

Three deep engravings remain on the bluestone wall.

He tried the second poison pattern. In the blink of an eye, dark red "Burning Blood Poison" covered the edge of the poisoned dagger.

The dagger glowed with an eerie red light, and he casually slashed it across the abandoned iron armor in the corner.

At the edge of the cut in the armor, the metal showed signs of melting, albeit slowly, but it was indeed corroding.

"It can actually damage magical artifacts."

Jiang Bai put away the dagger and felt the changes within his body.

Even more amazing is perception.

His sensitivity to poison has increased by at least 50%, which means he will have a greater advantage in the poisonous miasma environment of Blackwind Valley.

Just as the poisonous pattern was fully formed, Jiang Bai sensed a barrier deep within his body, in the dantian area.

It is formless and intangible, yet it truly exists.

When the spiritual energy of the poisonous pattern flows through that location, subtle ripples appear on the surface of the barrier, as if something is sealed underneath.

He could even sense a slight ripple coming from the depths of the ripples.

Just like a heartbeat.

He didn't pursue the matter further, got up, pushed open the door, and walked out of the quiet room.

As dawn broke, the courtyard was shrouded in morning mist.

Jiang Bai walked to the ironwood stake used for training and slightly raised his right wrist.

The first poisonous pattern lit up, and three bone-corroding poison needles shot out in a triangular shape. The moment they pierced the wooden stake, they interlocked and exploded into a corrosive area inside the stake—a level of precision he couldn't achieve before.

A second poisonous pattern flowed, and he slashed his fingers like a knife across the air. A charred mark was immediately left on the surface of the stone lock five zhang away, and the temperature of the lock body rose significantly.

Before the third poisonous pattern could be tested, the courtyard gate was pushed open.

Jiang Yuanshan stood at the doorway, looking at Jiang Bai's right wrist, where the three blue poisonous patterns shimmered with a dark luster in the morning light.

"Master." Jiang Bai stopped his stance.

Jiang Yuanshan didn't say anything, but took a step in front of him and grabbed his wrist.

The moment the spiritual energy entered, the old poison cultivator's hand visibly trembled.

"The Myriad Poisons Mark..." Jiang Yuanshan's voice was extremely low, trembling with disbelief, "The true mark of the Myriad Poisons Valley in Central Continent. Where did you get it from...?"

"They grew on their own," Jiang Bai said truthfully. "After breaking through to the fourth level of Qi Refining, the toxins from the second level of Body Tempering automatically condensed into these three patterns."

Jiang Yuanshan released his grip, paced around the courtyard a couple of times, then turned back and stared at the poisonous markings for a long while.

"Listen," he finally spoke, emphasizing each word, "These patterns must never be revealed in Black Wind Valley. No one in Ping'an County recognizes them, but if someone from Central Plains sees them, or if a knowledgeable rogue cultivator recognizes them..."

"Either you'll be kidnapped to the Valley of Ten Thousand Poisons, where they have a thousand ways to extract your inheritance; or you'll be killed on the spot to prevent the true teachings of the Valley of Ten Thousand Poisons from falling into the wrong hands," Jiang Yuanshan said, staring at him.

"Is it that serious?"

"It's more serious than you think." Jiang Yuanshan took out a roll of yellowed parchment from his storage bag and unfolded it. Intricate patterns were drawn on it with cinnabar, some of which were seven or eight parts similar to the poison patterns on Jiang Bai's wrist.

"This is a copy of the examination manual for outer disciples of the Valley of Ten Thousand Poisons, which I secretly made thirty years ago when I was traveling in Zhongzhou. The patterns on yours are even more exquisite and complex than those in the manual, at least at the level of a true disciple."

Jiang Bai glanced at the diagram, then at his wrist: "So that ancient cultivator..."

"I'm afraid you're not just an ordinary traitor." Jiang Yuanshan put away the parchment. "To be able to take away the method of refining the true mark right under the nose of the Valley of Ten Thousand Poisons, and to escape to a small place like Ping'an County—the inheritance you obtained probably has a great cause and effect behind it."

"Is it too late to return it now?"

"What do you think?" Jiang Yuanshan glared at him irritably. "The poison mark is already formed; it's a brand. Unless you cripple your cultivation and cut out your flesh and bones, this mark will stay with you for life."

He paused, his tone softening slightly: "However, every cloud has a silver lining. The poisonous markings will greatly enhance your combat strength, especially since Black Wind Valley is shrouded in poisonous miasma; your advantage will be greater than expected. Just remember—"

"Hide it well," Jiang Bai replied.

"Yes." Jiang Yuanshan took out a roll of black cloth that looked like a bandage from his pocket. "This is 'Concealing Breath Veil.' When wrapped around the wrist, it can conceal the aura of the poisonous patterns, and ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators cannot see through it. However, if the poisonous patterns release their spiritual power when making a move, they may still be detected."

Jiang Bai took it and wrapped the black gauze around his right wrist layer by layer. The luster of the poisonous pattern was completely concealed, making it look like an ordinary wristband.

"Furthermore," Jiang Yuanshan hesitated for a moment, "since the poison markings are the true mark of the Valley of Ten Thousand Poisons, there should be a corresponding method for using them. In your inheritance..."

"It only mentions the Body Tempering Technique, but not how to use the Poison Pattern," Jiang Bai said truthfully.

"Then figure it out yourself." Jiang Yuanshan was quite straightforward. "Ancient cultivation traditions rely on chance; you'll know when the time is right. Be extra careful after entering the valley."

"Yes, Master!"

After saying this, he patted Jiang Bai on the shoulder and turned to leave.

Jiang Bai looked down at his wrist, which was wrapped in black gauze, and quietly circulated his spiritual energy, sensing that poisonous patterns were slowly flowing beneath. Within the three poison pools, thirty kinds of refined toxins were stored, ready to be used at any time.

"Buy one get one free," he said, flexing his wrists. "Breakthrough comes with a free tattoo, and even an ammunition depot."

As the morning light fully spread, the five members of the Zhejing Society had already gathered outside the courtyard. Jiang Shan carried his newly replaced thick-backed sword, Jiang Wu carefully checked the buckles of his arm shield, Jiang Yurou had six medicine pouches hanging from her waist, and Jiang Lin's talisman box was full to the brim. Lu Qi stood quietly with his sword in his arms, his aura as deep and unfathomable as a bottomless abyss.

The five of them looked at Jiang Bai together.

"Is everything ready?" Jiang Bai asked.

"Alright," everyone responded in unison.

His gaze swept across the faces, finally settling on the eastern horizon. The rising sun was slowly climbing behind the mountains, its golden rays piercing the thick morning mist.

"Then let's go."

The six of them walked out of the courtyard and headed towards the family square. Along the way, they were met with glances from other young people, their expressions a mixture of envy, worry, and other complex emotions.

Beneath the black veil on Jiang Bai's right wrist, the poisonous markings were slightly hot, as if anticipating something.

On the plaza, three flying boats were ready. Jiang Yunshan and five clan elders stood at the forefront, followed by thirty elite enforcers from the Enforcement Hall—they would not participate in the competition but would guard the entrance to the secret realm to prevent any unforeseen events from the outside world.

As Jiang Bai boarded the Jiang family's flying boat, he glanced back in the direction of his family.

As the pavilions and towers gradually emerged in the morning light, the mansion where he had died three times and struggled to rise again now seemed somewhat unfamiliar.

"What are you looking at?" Jiang Shan asked.

"Look," Jiang Bai said, turning his gaze away, "after all, it might not look like this next time we come back."

The airship slowly rose into the air and headed towards Black Wind Valley.

No one spoke on the boat.

The airship pierced through the clouds, below which mountains stretched out like waves. The outline of Black Wind Valley gradually appeared on the horizon.

It was a canyon shrouded in a gray-black mist, with steep cliffs on both sides, and the bottom of the valley was unfathomable.

Even from dozens of miles away, one could feel the chilling aura emanating from the valley.