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

The Poisonous Dragon Pool is hidden on the southeastern edge of the Burial Ground, about two hundred miles away from the Yin-Yang Crevice Grotto. By the time Jiang Bai hurriedly arrived, it was already dusk.

The pool was only thirty feet in circumference, its water as black as ink, with a layer of grayish-green poisonous mist floating on top, emitting a pungent odor. The banks were sparsely covered with vegetation, the soil a sickly purplish-black color, and scattered among the bones of small demonic beasts, their bones riddled with rotten holes.

In such dangerous places, ordinary cultivators would not hesitate to detour if they could smell the aura.

Jiang Baiting stopped three zhang away from the edge of the pool. On his right arm, nine dark golden poisonous patterns faintly appeared and were slowly heating up. This was not an alarm sign, but rather a resonance caused by encountering a "kindred spirit".

He took out the map given to him by Lady Qingluo. The location of the Poisonous Dragon Pool was circled in red on the map, and there was a note in small print next to it: "The underground current at the bottom of the pool connects to the dragon's lair. The water there is extremely poisonous. Be careful when you go in. There may be shed fish scales and broken fish teeth in the lair. These items are very valuable."

Putting away the map, Jiang Bai looked towards the dark surface of the pool.

The Corpse Poison Body operates on its own, and its skin gradually shows a light gray luster. Its resistance to toxins is very strong. With the help of the origin of the Myriad Poisons Sacred Body, this poisonous water is like an ordinary stream in its eyes.

He took off his outer robe, wrapped the blood-stained knife in his robe, slung it over his shoulder, and leaped into the pool.

In the icy cold, a sinister, invading force seemed to seep into his pores like fine threads. Jiang Bai quickly held his breath, and saw the poisonous markings on his body tremble slightly. The invading sensation vanished instantly, instead transforming into wisps of eerie green poison that were slowly absorbed into his body.

He dived down.

The pool was deep and dark, and the light grew dimmer the deeper one went, until it was pitch black, making it difficult to even see the outline of a finger. Jiang Bai slowly closed his eyes, relying on his [Killing Intent Perception] and [Snake and Python Sensing], groping for the shapes around him in the darkness like a blind man.

After descending about 150 feet, a crack appeared in the stone wall on the left.

The crack was less than three feet narrow, and its edges were covered with dark green aquatic plants. After Jiang Bai parted the aquatic plants, a fishy-smelling undercurrent gushed out.

right here.

He squeezed in sideways. At first, the waterway was narrow, but it gradually widened; it turned out to be an underground river. Above, stalactites of various shapes hung like sharp swords, with glistening water droplets constantly dripping down. These droplets emitted a faint blue light, like twinkling stars, bringing a glimmer of light to the path ahead.

After drifting downstream for about half an incense stick's time, an upward slope appeared before him, and Jiang Bai emerged from the water, finding himself in a damp cave.

The cave was oval-shaped, about two zhang high and three to four zhang wide. A pungent, nauseating stench permeated the air, mixed with the putrid smell of humus and the acrid odor of years of accumulated poison. The ground was covered with a thick layer of black silt, like a veil of death, with some bones buried within—grotesque animal bones, twisted snake vertebrae, and some bluish-black human skeletal remains, all exuding an eerie atmosphere.

A larger opening can be seen deeper inside.

Jiang Bai stepped ashore, shook off the water droplets, and looked down at the left cave wall.

There was a large, grayish-white mass piled up there, much larger than a snake's shed skin. The membrane was translucent, with palm-sized diamond patterns on it. Even after the passage of time, it remained as tough as ever.

Dragon molting.

Jiang Bai leaned closer to feel it; the membrane was cold and hard, with slight damage at the edges, but the main body was intact. If given to a weapon refiner, it could be used to make at least two or three soft armors, which would have both protective and anti-poisoning effects.

He carefully rolled up the dragon's molt and put it into his storage bag.

Jiang Bai found several scattered scales nearby, a total of seven or eight. These scales were dark blue with very sharp edges, but they varied in size. Jiang Bai selected the most intact ones and kept them.

Continue looking inward.

As Jiang Bai passed through the cave entrance, the sight made him pause.

This grotto is very large, about five zhang high and more than ten zhang wide. Dense stalactites hang from the ceiling, and dark green venom condenses on the tips of the stalactites, dripping down to form small pits. In the center of the grotto is a deep pool with a diameter of three zhang. The water in the pool is dark green, extremely viscous, and tiny bubbles constantly rise from the surface. A pungent, fishy stench wafts from it.

Several broken teeth lay scattered by the pool, arm-length, their tips gleaming with a sinister blue light.

Jiang Bai was about to step forward when his heart suddenly skipped a beat.

[Killing Intent Sensing] A warning has been issued—there is more than one, rapidly approaching from the outer passage!

He reacted with exceptional speed, disappearing behind a massive stalactite pillar in a flash, activating his [Shadow Stealth] skill to its maximum, concealing his presence to an almost imperceptible degree.

Almost simultaneously, the sound of water breaking through the cave entrance was heard.

Four figures emerged one after another.

The first elderly man in gray robes looked haggard, with a jade pendant from the Starfall Pavilion hanging from his waist. Behind him was the cold-hearted woman who had previously tracked Jiang Bai in the wasteland. The other two were the Yin Bone Elder and a burly man with a face full of scars and who had reached the peak of Qi cultivation.

"This is it," the aloof woman said in a low voice. "That kid was just here."

The old man in gray nodded slightly, his gaze falling on the central poisonous pool, a strange light flickering in his eyes.

The old man with the sinister bones laughed strangely, "Fellow Daoists of the Starfall Pavilion, as I said before, the origin of the poison pattern belongs to me. You can choose the rest yourselves. As for him—he was created by me."

The gray-robed elder said calmly, "Alright. But we must first force him to reveal what he obtained in the wasteland and the method to restrain the soul."

"Of course." The old man with the skeletal frame licked his lips, his eyes revealing greed.

The four dispersed and advanced in a fan shape.

Jiang Bai stood quietly behind the stone pillar, his mind racing.

Starfall Pavilion has actually joined forces with Bloodfang Village. Although it is only a temporary alliance and both sides have ulterior motives, Starfall Pavilion has two Foundation Establishment cultivators and Bloodfang Village has two Qi Refining Perfection cultivators. The pressure of launching a siege in this confined space is unimaginable.

Do not attempt a direct confrontation.

He surveyed the grotto environment, and an idea came to mind.

The old man with the skeletal frame sneered, "Boy, stop hiding. This place is only so big; you have nowhere to escape."

After speaking, he flicked his sleeve, and dozens of white bone beetles buzzed out, crawling along the ground and walls in search.

Jiang Baizhi couldn't hide it any longer and slowly walked out.

The four men's eyes were fixed on him.

The gray-robed elder said calmly, "As expected, hand over what you obtained in the wasteland, put away your soul-body technique, and hand over what you obtained from the bottom of the pool, and I will allow your soul to be reincarnated."

The old man with the sinister bones chuckled, "I'm determined to have the source of his poisonous markings!"

Jiang Bai looked at them and smiled sweetly.

"Want it? Come and get it yourself."

Before he finished speaking, he retreated rapidly, heading straight for the poisonous pool deep inside the cave!

The gray-robed old man snorted coldly, raised his right hand slightly, and seven dark lights shot out from his sleeve. These were the "Soul-Breaking Shuttles," whose purpose was to block all escape routes.

The Yin Bone Elder attacked simultaneously, unleashing a torrent of bone-white poisonous mist, within which wriggled insect shadows that enveloped Jiang Bai.

Without turning his head, Jiang Bai pushed the [Swift Shadow Step] to its limit, his figure flashing three times like a ghost, barely avoiding the Soul-Breaking Shuttle's strangulation. The poisonous pattern on his right arm suddenly lit up, and the [Poisonous Miasma Symbiosis] was activated. The bone poison mist was only three feet away when it was devoured and transformed by the poisonous pattern.

He rushed to the edge of the pool and jumped in!

"thump."

The dark green pool water splashed high.

The old man in gray frowned, and the Soul-Breaking Shuttle temporarily stopped. It dared not make a rash move and step into the pool. The poison in the pool was unknown, and it would be too unwise to take the risk.

The old man with the sinister bones chuckled eerily, "Going into a poisonous pool? You're courting death!"

The Black Soul Banner suddenly shook, and dozens of gray shadows rushed towards the poisonous pool. These were the "Yin Soul Puppets," which devoured the life essence of living beings.

The pool water suddenly surged.

Jiang Bai emerged from the water, his body covered in dark green slime, and in his hand was a fist-sized, deep green crystal, its light swirling within.

Poisonous saliva crystals.

He leaped into the pool, not only to avoid enemy attacks, but also to seize this treasure.

"Stop him!" the cold-blooded woman shouted, her sword flashing like snow, aiming straight for his heart.

The burly man roared and lunged forward, his thick-backed cleaver slicing down like lightning at the waist.

Jiang Bai was suspended in mid-air, surrounded by a surging tide of enemies, and was about to be caught in a pincer attack.

He suddenly exerted his strength and slammed the poison crystal hard into the ground!

"Bang!"

The crystal shattered.

The dark green poisonous gas exploded with a roar, sweeping across the entire cave like a tidal wave!

The gray-robed old man's expression changed, and his protective aura suddenly surged to isolate the poison. The Yin Bone Elder was fearless thanks to the protection of the corpse poison, but the Yin Soul Puppet's shrieking became slow due to the impact of the poison gas.

The aloof woman and the burly man, however, suffered the consequences.

The woman's sword light touched the poison and was instantly corroded, her spiritual power blocked; the burly man's blade was covered with green spots, and a sweet and pungent smell wafted over him. He groaned, staggered, and took several steps back.

Jiang Bai landed and rushed straight at the aloof woman.

The woman gritted her teeth and made a blocking motion. Her swordsmanship was very exquisite. Jiang Bai did not dissect the move. Instead, he used his right index finger to condense the [Soul-Slaying Sword Intent] and gently touched the sword.

"Ding!"

The woman seemed to be struck by lightning, dropping her longsword and crashing backward into the cave wall. Blood slowly seeped from her seven orifices. In this situation, she severed the divine soul mark on the sword with a single finger!

Taking advantage of the man's injured soul, Jiang Bai turned and pounced on the strong man like a tiger pouncing on its prey.

The burly man had just suppressed the poison gas when he roared and swung his knife; Jiang Bai, however, did not dodge, but instead met the blade head-on with his left arm!

"clang!"

The clang of metal rang out.

The blade pierced flesh halfway, then could go no further. The burly man's pupils constricted sharply—what kind of body was this?!

Jiang Bai's right palm was already pressed against his chest.

[Resentment and venom penetrate] into the body.

The burly man trembled violently, his eyes were bloodshot, and he made a low, strange sound in his throat. His body fell straight down, his life extinguished.

From the moment the crystal shattered to the moment he killed two people, it was only a matter of three breaths.

The old man in gray was furious.

"That brat is asking for it!"

The seven Soul-Shattering Shuttles emitted a dense, inky black light, forming a strangling array that pressed down from above. The shuttle shadows were like a woven tapestry, blocking all escape routes. Invisible fluctuations surged in like a tide, disturbing the soul.

The old man's soul banner fluttered, and ghostly figures and bone poison mist intertwined, transforming into a gray-white domain that flanked him from the flanks like a ghost.

Jiang Bai is in dire straits.

He took a deep breath, and the nine poisonous markings on his chest shone with a dark golden light.

[Sacred Body of Ten Thousand Poisons], activate!

The poisonous patterns seemed to be alive beneath the skin, emanating an ancient and solemn aura. The surrounding poisonous energy contained dragon poison, corpse poison, yin spirit poison, and even the aftershocks of magical artifacts. They seemed to be summoned and gathered here.

The old man in gray suddenly felt his spiritual energy flow become sluggish.

Not good!

He was suddenly shocked to realize that he had inhaled a mixture of poisonous gases. He was not afraid of a single type of poisonous gas, but after being mixed and catalyzed, it produced a strange new effect that was secretly attacking his meridians and soul.

"This kid is controlling drugs!" The old man thought with a chill.

In that moment of distraction, Jiang Baidong was moved.

Without dodging or blocking, he charged straight at the gray-robed old man!

Seven Soul-Shattering Shuttles simultaneously pierced vital points.

Jiang Bai remained as still as a mountain. In the instant between the tip of the shuttle and his body, the light of the poisonous pattern on his chest suddenly surged, and a dark golden light membrane also appeared on his body surface.

"Ding ding ding ding..."

The sound of dense impacts was like rain pattering on banana leaves.

The Soul-Breaking Shuttle pierced the light membrane, but it couldn't penetrate it even slightly and was bounced away. The old man, his mind in turmoil, let out a muffled groan, and blood spilled out.

Jiang Bai was already three feet in front of him.

He suddenly raised his right hand, his index finger like a sword, and lightly touched the old man's brow.

This technique is devoid of any frills, only unleashing the purest and most intense [Soul-Slaying Sword Intent].

The old man's pupils suddenly contracted, and the spiritual light protecting him surged wildly. He took out a silver shield from his sleeve and placed it in front of him. However, Jiang Bai only used a gesture to apply the power of slaying gods to the shield.

"puff!"

The old man was struck as if by a heavy hammer, his body flying backward, crashing through two stalactite pillars before finally stopping, his face as pale as paper, his eyes unfocused and lifeless, clearly indicating that his soul had suffered a severe blow.

Upon seeing this, the old man with the Yin Bone was terrified.

He had intended to take advantage of the situation, but the steward, though only at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, was severely injured in a single move. The Yin Bone Elder dared not linger any longer, and with a flick of his soul banner, he led his men in a swift retreat.

"Trying to leave?"

Jiang Bai suddenly turned around, and the poisonous patterns on his right arm snaked out like snakes. The poisonous gas condensed and compressed in his hand, turning into a dark green arrow of energy, which shot out with fierce force.

The old man with the Yin Bone hurriedly turned around and waved the Soul Banner to defend himself. The Qi Arrow exploded with a bang, and the poisonous mist spread out like a tide. He cried out in pain, but still ran into the cave with all his might. He jumped into the underground river and fled in panic with the current.

The grotto fell silent.

Jiang Baili remained where he was, exhaling slowly.

The light of the poisonous pattern on his chest receded. The spiritual power consumed by the [Ten Thousand Poisons Sacred Body] was not to be underestimated. When he forcefully controlled the poisonous gas and broke the Soul Shuttle, he used up almost 30% of his spiritual power. However, the results were quite fruitful. The Starfall Pavilion steward was seriously injured and fled, the Yin Bone Elder was poisoned, and two people who had reached the Qi Refining Perfection stage unfortunately lost their lives.

He walked to the spot where the old man in gray had fallen.

The old man was already unconscious and his breath was extremely weak. Jiang Bai took out the old man's storage bag and the jade token of the Starfall Pavilion, and put the four Soul-Breaking Shuttles on the ground into it. The other three had been smashed.

The aloof woman leaned against the wall, seemingly unthreatening. Jiang Bai didn't kill her, only taking her storage bag and longsword.

The strong man from Bloodtooth Village had nothing of value, so they simply looted him.

After he finished, he returned to the edge of the poisonous pool.

The poisonous saliva crystals in the pool had been removed. The originally thick, ink-like liquid now shimmered with an eerie blue light. Although it had thinned a bit, it still emitted a pungent, fishy odor. Jiang Bai reached into the mud and found two smaller pieces of poisonous saliva crystals and some intact venomous fangs.

After taking stock of his spoils, he was about to leave when his gaze was drawn to a stone wall deep within the grotto.

The wall surface was uneven like scales, and as phosphorescence moved, the dragon patterns flickered, as if about to break through the wall. Venom, as black as ink, dripped from between the fangs, condensing into poisonous mist in mid-air, circulating endlessly like the wheel of immortality.

Jiang Bai approached for a closer look.

The texture appears rough and primitive, not artificially sculpted, but naturally formed by the passage of time, water flow, and mineral sedimentation. As long as one sees such a texture, the [Ten Thousand Poisons Sacred Body] will activate on its own, and the poisonous texture will also generate a slight heat.

Not a warning sign, but rather... a resonance.

He stood quietly in front of the wall, observing intently.

The patterns on the surface seemed to pulsate with life; the poisonous mist spewed by the dragon swirled like a living creature, weaving a giant, inky net between the clouds, before finally swirling back down its whiskers to its throat, forming a closed poisonous ring. Poison, too, possesses a spirit; its gathering and dispersing are like breathing. Before old poison dissipates, new poison is born, a cycle that subtly aligns with the fundamental principles of nature…

Jiang Baixin suddenly understood.

The "Hundred Poisons Tempering Technique" has been passed down to this day. Its method has always revolved around "absorbing", "refining" and "storing" toxins, using poison to temper the body and attack enemies. However, this wall pattern reveals another possibility - poison can also be "generated", "cultivated", and even "circulated" endlessly.

If one wants to understand this principle and transform the poison in one's body from a "consumable resource" into a "renewable source," then this technique may be able to transcend the limitations of "thirty poisons" and undergo a qualitative change.

It also provides inspiration for the future growth of the [Ten Thousand Poisons Holy Body].

He stood there quietly for a long time, imprinting this natural "Taoist diagram" deep into his mind.

Faint sounds of water could be heard outside the cave. These sounds could be caused by the escape of the Yin Bone Elder or by the imminent arrival of reinforcements from the Starfall Pavilion.

Jiang Bai didn't linger any longer. He packed everything up, and with a swift movement, he disappeared into the underground river and drifted away.

When it emerged from the Poisonous Dragon Pool, it was already pitch black.

On a desolate night, the deathly atmosphere grew even heavier, and the mournful cries of birds in the distance added to the eerie ambiance.

For Jiang Bai, this trip was worthwhile.

Not only did he obtain the materials needed for foundation building, but he also severely injured two enemies and comprehended the Way of Nature, which is far more valuable than merely obtaining a treasure.

But before laying the foundation, final preparations are still needed.

And some accounts also need to be settled.