"Sect Master, how did you deal with the Bamboo Joint Snake King?" asked Poison Maiden cautiously.
"As it should be," Xiao Man said, standing up. She beckoned Poison Maiden to follow her, adding, "However, there are many poisonous plants and flowers here. If you wish to advance further in the way of poisons, this is a good training ground."
"Ninety-nine percent of the flowers and grasses here are highly toxic. I'll be poisoned to death," Poison Maiden replied with some helplessness. Although she was skilled in using poisons, it didn't mean she couldn't be poisoned. She merely did her best to avoid things that could harm her.
"I've always called you Poison Maiden, but I don't even know your name."
"Sect Master, my name is Shi Lan."
"Shi Lan, all things have their counterbalances. Most of the things in Yangming Valley are highly toxic, yet the plants, birds, and beasts there live in harmony. This indicates that even though these things are incredibly poisonous, there are things that can counteract them. As long as you find this balance, you'll be able to traverse more than half of Yangming Valley."
"Sect Master, is this why you can roam freely in Yangming Valley?"
"More or less." Xiao Man pointed to a vibrant flower. "This flower is called Bamanluo. It's extremely poisonous, but it's the favorite food of the White Golden Pheasant."
"Sect Master, is all the food you make for us poisonous?"
"Yes."
"The reason we don't get poisoned is because all the toxins are mixed together, achieving a balance and becoming non-toxic. That's why we can eat it and even increase our resistance to poison!"
"Clever."
"Sect Master, please accept me as your disciple."
"That's not necessary. I can offer some guidance before the assessment." Xiao Man said gently, "Starting tomorrow, you and Shan Yun will be responsible for cooking, and everyone else will prepare the ingredients. I will only guide from the side."
"Yes, Sect Master."
Poison Maiden and Shan Yun spent their days researching how to cook a non-toxic meal using the poisonous substances all around them, while others devised ways to safely gather toxic ingredients. In the beginning, they made many mistakes, but gradually, they learned to safely collect the necessary ingredients and prepare edible meals.
In a short period, everyone became familiar with many poisonous plants and flowers. Even if they were to enter Yangming Valley alone and encounter unexpected situations, they could now handle them with ease.
Xi Wen was very meticulous. After everyone had fallen asleep, he would record the newly learned poisonous substances, complete with illustrations detailing their toxicity, the characteristics of poisoning, and methods of detoxification.
Yangming Valley also harbored many dangerous poisons. When they fought against these creatures, they would get injured, but the next day, they would eagerly re-enter the valley with renewed fighting spirit. Upon their return, everyone would gather to share their experiences and spar, fostering a harmonious camaraderie.
Important matters from the Eight Directions Sword Sect were delivered to Yangming Valley daily by specialized personnel. Zhou Yan and Xi Wen trained with the others during the day and handled sect affairs at night. Despite their busy schedules, everyone felt their lives were fulfilling.
In the blink of an eye, the assessment time for Wuji City was fast approaching. The group was eagerly anticipating how they would enter the Dragon Spirit Bamboo Forest to obtain the Dragon Spirit Bamboo. Suddenly, the Bamboo Joint Snake King reappeared. Everyone braced themselves for a fierce battle, only to see the snake king drop several Dragon Spirit Bamboos before vanishing. Their enthusiasm was instantly doused with cold water. Staring at the Dragon Spirit Bamboos on the ground, they were dumbfounded. So this was another way to obtain Dragon Spirit Bamboo!
Xiao Man collected the Dragon Spirit Bamboos and led the group back to the Eight Directions Sword Sect to await the Wuji City assessment.
On the day of the assessment, Wuji City would open a designated assessment area. Anyone from the lawless land who entered this area within the specified time would be deemed qualified to participate in the assessment. Ultimately, only ten individuals would be allowed to enter Wuji City.
Wuji City had not allowed anyone in for three consecutive assessment cycles. This time, the assessors yawned, "Those people outside will once again fight to the death for these ten spots. Who knows how many will die."
"They are all sinners. Keeping them alive is a waste of spiritual energy. It's best if they all perish." A group of people walked onto the city wall, expecting to witness fierce combat. However, there was none. Usually, the area outside the city would already be a battlefield, as entering Wuji City was the lifelong dream of the sinners of the lawless land. But this time, there wasn't a single person outside!
"What's going on?"
"Could it be that because we haven't let anyone in for three consecutive cycles, they've given up?" someone beside him chimed in. After all, it was too clean outside; it made them doubt whether they were outside the sinful lawless land or in paradise.
"Impossible. The lawless land is full of poisonous creatures, has scarce spiritual energy, and is lacking in resources. Cultivation is impossible. The only way for them to live longer is to enter Wuji City." Su Dan Novel Network
"Perhaps they got the date of the assessment wrong?"
"How could they be wrong? Three days before the assessment, we release the signal. They should have arrived by now."
Inside Wuji City, those participating in the assessment exchanged bewildered glances, unsure of what had happened. Then, it dawned on them that it was a good thing if people from the lawless land didn't participate. Just as they were about to suggest returning, they saw figures appearing in the distance.
"They're here."
On the city wall, everyone peered into the distance and indeed saw countless figures appearing, marching in perfect formation. When they reached a hundred meters from the assessment area, they stopped. Ten individuals emerged from the crowd and walked directly into the assessment area. There was no fighting as anticipated, no intense struggle.
"What is happening?"
"Heaven knows!"
Suddenly, someone leaped from the crowd and swiftly entered the assessment area. The assessment area, which was supposed to have only ten participants, now had eleven. Those outside did not move, merely standing by, awaiting instructions.
"Fu Ning, it's you!" Zhou Yan was the first to recognize the person who had barged in – Fu Ning, who had jumped off the cliff.
Fu Ning sneered, his gaze falling on Xiao Man. "You truly have some skill. In my years in the lawless land, this is the first time I've seen an assessment without any fighting."
Xiao Man merely smiled and placed a hand on Zhou Yan's shoulder, signaling him not to get agitated. Wuji City had not yet issued the challenge. There was no need to entangle with Fu Ning and waste their strength.
"Esteemed sirs, you may now issue the challenge."
The people on the city wall looked at the dense crowd in the distance and then at the sparse eleven individuals in the assessment area, frowning slightly. "Does anyone else wish to enter the assessment area?"
However, no one answered. None of the people outside the assessment area stepped forward, nor did anyone respond. The few on the wall exchanged glances and looked at those within the assessment area.
"This year's assessment, like last year, is to retrieve a segment of Dragon Spirit Bamboo with spirit marrow before sunset. Passing this will be considered a success."
This was an unsolvable problem. Yangming Valley was teeming with poisonous creatures, and the Dragon Spirit Bamboo was guarded by Bamboo Joint Snakes and Flower Mantises. Unless one was immune to all poisons and unafraid of their onslaught, it was impossible to safely retrieve a Dragon Spirit Bamboo, let alone one with spirit marrow – the favorite of the Bamboo Joint Snakes.
Wuji City had no intention of letting people from the lawless land enter, which was why they had set such an impossible task.