The Privilege of Leaving a Backdoor

Having delivered her words, Fairy Yunshuang dismissed Yan Yun with a wave of her hand, indicating that she was free to depart.

Yan Yun promptly retreated from the main hall. Once outside, she gazed at the token clutched in her hand, a surge of excitement coursing through her.

For if Fairy Yunshuang’s pronouncements held true, the position of Purple Abyss Pavilion Master was unequivocally hers.

“Sect Master,” Yunhong interjected, “I believe it unwise to rest all our hopes upon this newly inducted young disciple. We, too, must delve into this research ourselves. Perhaps we could allow some disciples of lesser aptitude within the sect to attempt it?”

After a brief period of contemplation, Fairy Yunshuang inclined her head in agreement.

“That is permissible,” Fairy Yunshuang conceded, “but we must first seek guidance from the young Ziyun at Purple Abyss Pavilion. Having successfully cultivated it herself, her assistance might significantly enhance our prospects.”

The assembled cultivators offered no dissent.

Little did they realize, however, that the Heavenly Poison Sutra, as revised by Yan Yun and Yan Lingyun, diverged significantly from its original form.

Primarily, its might had been diminished; the revised Heavenly Poison Sutra possessed roughly thirty percent less potency than its predecessor. Furthermore, this modified version functioned as a derivative, specifically the ‘child’ within a ‘parent-child’ cultivation system.

Yan Yun, cultivating the orthodox Heavenly Poison Sutra, possessed the ability to readily absorb the power of any cultivator practicing its derivative ‘child’ version, assimilating it for her own use.

This implied that any individual cultivating the ‘child’ version of the Heavenly Poison Sutra, should they incur Yan Yun’s displeasure, would effectively be reduced to her personal cultivation vessel (TL Note: A ‘furnace cauldron’ or ‘human cauldron’ refers to a person whose essence or cultivation is absorbed by another, often against their will, to advance the latter’s cultivation).

While this constituted the most significant flaw of the revised Heavenly Poison Sutra, its efficacy in combat against others remained formidable.

Consequently, even the most potent poison cultivator would find their strength utterly impotent when confronted by Yan Yun.

Nevertheless, the possibility remained that further refinements to the Heavenly Poison Sutra could be achieved by others in time.

The poison cultivation technique yielded varied effects, contingent upon the specific type of poison primarily cultivated by each practitioner.

For instance, should a cultivator specialize in ‘spring poison’ (TL Note: A type of aphrodisiacal toxin), their acquired power could incite intense arousal in others.

Conversely, cultivating ‘fire poison’ would imbue the toxins with searing, scorching properties.

The astounding news of a successful cultivation of the Heavenly Poison Sutra rapidly disseminated across the entirety of Yunhua Sect.

Both those eager to cultivate it and those apprehensive of failure began to express a keen interest in seeking instruction from Yan Yun at Purple Abyss Pavilion.

Concurrently, Lin Mo, in his own quarters, was engrossed in scrutinizing the Heavenly Poison Sutra he held.

Despite Yan Yun’s hand in the demise of his cousin and uncle, this fact did nothing to diminish his profound interest in the Heavenly Poison Sutra.

For the Heavenly Poison Sutra famously bypassed cultivation bottlenecks; with a sufficient supply of toxins, one could cultivate without interruption, elevating each realm to its zenith with significantly fewer constraints than other cultivation methods.

The allure of such a cultivation technique was virtually irresistible to all. Should its success rate be enhanced, the stream of aspiring cultivators would undoubtedly become incessant.

“To think such a potent cultivation technique was treated as mere refuse by that Yan family youth, disseminated indiscriminately, is nothing short of a travesty, a squandering of heavenly blessings,” Lin Mo declared, his face etched with a dark scowl.

After a spell of deliberation, he retrieved his identity token and initiated contact with a member of the Lin family.

“Lin Feng,” he commanded, “proceed to Purple Abyss Pavilion and locate that young lass named Ziyun. Instruct her to surrender her accumulated insights and secret techniques for successfully cultivating the Heavenly Poison Sutra.”

It appeared Lin Mo harbored a genuine desire to cultivate the Heavenly Poison Sutra. Yet, ironically, should he truly embark on this path, Yan Yun would likely exert her utmost effort to ensure his success.

Meanwhile, Yan Yun had already made her way back to the medicine fields.

The moment they arrived, the other chore disciples scattered across the medicine fields converged upon them.

“Miss Ziyun,” one began, “we’ve heard tell of your successful cultivation of the Heavenly Poison Sutra. Do you possess any particular stratagems or methods you might be willing to impart to us?”

“Indeed,” another chimed in, “Miss Ziyun—forgive me, Senior Sister Ziyun—if you have any insights, we implore you to share them with us.”

A throng of disciples encircled Yan Yun, their gazes fixed upon her with palpable anticipation.

Yan Yun met their gazes, and a wave of pity washed over her. These were individuals yearning to defy fate and forge new destinies, yet they utterly lacked the requisite courage for such an endeavor.

“Esteemed cultivators,” Yan Yun declared, “this cultivation method demands immense fortitude. Those who cling to life too dearly will find success elusive. My own triumph stemmed entirely from a resolve to either succeed or perish in the attempt. Should any of you genuinely aspire to cultivate it, you are welcome to seek me out at Purple Abyss Pavilion when the time comes.”

Upon hearing her pronouncement, the crowd nodded in unison, expressing their assent.

“Very well,” they responded, “we shall visit you at Purple Abyss Pavilion when the opportunity arises. We humbly request that you do not withhold your valuable teachings.”

In this manner, she finally managed to disperse the eager crowd. Yet, no sooner had she returned to her medicine field dwelling, preparing to arrange her belongings, than a piercing, agonizing shriek suddenly assailed her ears.

The harrowing sound emanated from Wen Meng’s adjacent abode.

A faint wrinkle appeared on Yan Yun’s nose as the sound reached her, prompting her to swiftly rush to Wen Meng’s main entrance.

“Sister Wen Meng,” Yan Yun called out urgently, “are you cultivating the Heavenly Poison Sutra?”

Wen Meng was, in truth, engaged in cultivating the Heavenly Poison Sutra. At that very moment, she lay submerged within a vast barrel of toxic liquid, her entire being writhing and howling in unceasing torment.

Given their acquaintance, Yan Yun hesitated for a moment before resolutely breaking down the door and rushing inside.

Wen Meng cradled her body, simultaneously absorbing the venomous liquid and emitting bloodcurdling screams that were utterly bone-chilling.

The virulent poison had already spread to Wen Meng’s neck, threatening to ascend into her head. This was the ultimate trial; failure to endure it would signify the complete collapse of her cultivation attempt.

“Sister Wen Meng, you must hold on!” Yan Yun urged frantically. “To successfully master this poison cultivation technique, you absolutely must maintain consciousness before the toxins invade your mind. Under no circumstances can you surrender to sleep!”

Wen Meng laboriously pried open her eyes, casting a fleeting glance at Yan Yun. However, she felt her consciousness rapidly receding into an encroaching darkness, a sensation entirely beyond her control.

‘I’m so weary, I simply yearn for sleep,’ Wen Meng thought, her inner voice barely a whisper.

As Wen Meng’s movements and responses grew increasingly faint, Yan Yun hastily sought counsel from Yan Lingyun.

“Ancestor,” Yan Yun implored, “is there any method to remedy this? She is on the verge of failure.”

Yan Lingyun pondered for a moment.

“Whether one succeeds or fails rests solely upon their own willpower,” Yan Lingyun mused, “however, the loophole we incorporated permits you to draw out the toxins from her body. It might be worth attempting.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Yan Yun immediately stepped forward, extended a single finger, and pressed it upon the region of Wen Meng’s chest, directly over her heart.

Simultaneously, she closed her eyes and activated her poison cultivation technique. Instantly, a powerful suction force surged into Wen Meng’s body, drawing the toxins from within her, channeling them through the heart region, and along Yan Yun’s finger, into her own being.

The toxic liquid within the barrel rapidly vanished, transforming into a mere barrel of clear water in but a few moments.

Concurrently, Wen Meng’s vital signs gradually normalized.

“Phew! Fortunate that we retained this contingency,” Yan Yun murmured, a sudden thought striking her after absorbing the toxins from Wen Meng’s body. “Eh? Wait, Ancestor, if we possess the means to extract the poisons and preserve their lives upon their failure to cultivate, would they not then be able to attempt cultivation repeatedly?”

Her words, indeed, proved to be a startling revelation.

“Hah? Your thought processes are consistently so ingenious, young one,” Yan Lingyun exclaimed, a sudden realization dawning upon her that this descendant of hers was nothing short of a prodigy. “Indeed, that approach is entirely feasible.”

“Hehe, I am truly flattered,” Yan Yun replied with a soft chuckle, before gently calling out to Wen Meng several times.

Responding to her calls, Wen Meng’s eyes fluttered open almost instantly. Upon clearly discerning her rescuer, a profound astonishment registered on her face.

“Zi-Ziyun sister?” Wen Meng stammered, her voice laced with disbelief. “It’s truly you.”

Yan Yun offered a reassuring smile and a nod.

“It is I,” Yan Yun confirmed. “Thankfully, I discovered your plight in the nick of time and utilized my poison cultivation technique to extract the toxins from your body. Otherwise, you would not have regained consciousness.”

Hearing this, Wen Meng swiftly assessed her own condition. Realizing the failure of her cultivation attempt, her face clouded with deep vexation.

“Alas!” Wen Meng lamented. “I still overestimated my own capabilities. My deepest gratitude for your timely rescue, Sister Ziyun. It was only upon hearing of your success that I mustered the courage to attempt this gamble, yet, regrettably, I still failed.”

“By the way,” Wen Meng inquired, her brow furrowed with genuine perplexity, “by what means did you manage to extract the toxins from my body? Does not the Heavenly Poison Sutra explicitly state that once poisons infiltrate the brain, salvation becomes impossible?”