Chapter 50: Calamity Poison Body

Xiao Bai arrived at the green stone platform and casually selected a key, inserting it into the first stone box's keyhole.

However, halfway in, he felt resistance.

"Looks like this isn't the one."

He pulled it out and tried another key. This time, it slid in effortlessly.

Had this key also failed, Xiao Bai would have truly started doubting his luck.

With a gentle twist, a click echoed through the stone chamber.

Xiao Bai flipped the lid open without hesitation.

As for potential traps or poisons, he had already scanned the inside with his soul force—there was nothing of the sort.

Inside the stone box, a colorful scroll lay quietly.

Seeing this multicolored scroll, Xiao Bai immediately knew—this had to be the famous «Seven-Colored Poison Codex»

He picked up the scroll and examined it briefly. Looking at the small characters on its side, sure enough, it read:

⟨Seven-Colored Poison Codex⟩

Opening it, he found detailed records of various poison formulas—their compositions, effects, and toxic properties.

Surprisingly, poisons were ranked similarly to pills, with the highest recorded formula in the codex being a sixth-tier poison—strong enough to threaten a Dou Zong.

On the Dou Qi Continent, there was a specialized profession that focused on poisons—the Poison Masters.

This profession originally evolved from healers—most were individuals who couldn't become Alchemists but had a strong interest in pharmacology.

Initially, they used their knowledge to heal others, but in a world where strength was paramount, many began experimenting with poisons—some for self-preservation, others out of greed.

Over time, this practice gave rise to a unique profession.

The Chu Yun Empire, north of the Jia Ma Empire, was considered a haven for Poison Masters—whereas in other regions, they were rare, in Chu Yun, they were everywhere.

On the Dou Qi Continent, Poison Masters were widely despised—the polar opposite of Alchemists.

Alchemists were respected, while Poison Masters were hunted.

"Xiao Bai, you're not thinking of becoming a Poison Master, are you?"

While Xiao Bai was deep in thought, Yao Lao's voice suddenly rang out from within the ring.

Seeing how engrossed Xiao Bai was in the Seven-Colored Poison Codex, Yao Lao grew concerned.

This kid had unparalleled talent in Alchemy—he absolutely couldn't go down the wrong path.

To Yao Lao, Alchemists were a thousand times—no, ten thousand times—more noble than Poison Masters!

The two professions couldn't even be compared—Poison Masters weren't worthy.

If Alchemy was a glorious path, then Poison Mastery wasn't even a side road—it was a dead end.

"Your talent in Alchemy is the greatest I've seen in my lifetime! Don't waste your potential by dabbling in Poison Mastery—it has no future!" Seeing Xiao Bai remain silent, Yao Lao continued his persuasion.

"Relax, Senior. I won't study this seriously. I'm just curious and wanted to take a look."

A warmth flickered in Xiao Bai's eyes as he replied gently.

"That's good!"

Yao Lao finally breathed a sigh of relief.

If Xiao Bai inherited his Alchemy legacy, he would at least be considered half a successor. But if the boy abandoned Alchemy for Poison Mastery, Yao Lao would truly regret it.

As Xiao Bai unrolled the scroll further, his eyes flashed with interest—

There it was. A record of the ⟨Calamity Poison Body⟩.

"The Calamity Poison Body—one of the rarest constitutions on the Dou Qi Continent. This physique requires no cultivation—as long as the user continuously absorbs poisons, the toxins will be converted into Poison Dou Qi, allowing for rapid power growth.

Identification: Those born with the Doomed Poison Body have a thin, seven-colored mark on their lower abdomen.

As the Poison Dou Qi inside them grows, the mark extends toward the heart. When it reaches the heart, the Calamity Poison Body reaches its peak—but at that moment, the bearer will also suffer the pain of a thousand poisons devouring their body."

"Senior, is this Calamity Poison Body really so miraculous? Can one truly gain power without cultivating, just by absorbing poisons?" Xiao Bai pretended to be confused and asked Yao Lao.

His curiosity was partly genuine, but more importantly—

He was using this as an excuse to make Yao Lao reveal his knowledge about the Poison Pill Method.

That way, no matter when he brought up trading for the Poison Pill Method with Yao Lao in the future, it wouldn't seem abrupt.

"Heh... miraculous? Xiao Bai, you need to understand—nothing in this world comes without a price!"

Yao Lao let out a cold chuckle before his voice turned somber.

"The Calamity Poison Body may indeed allow one to rapidly increase their strength through poisons, but in the end, poison is still poison.

Early on, this physique can suppress the backlash, but as the amount of poison in the body accumulates, eventually, even this special constitution won't be able to contain it.

At that point, their worst nightmare begins—they will slowly die in the agony of a thousand poisons devouring their body."

"Is there no way to resolve it?" Xiao Bai asked curiously.

"There is! As long as they never touch poison for their entire life, their physique will never awaken."

"But what if it's already awakened? The Dou Qi Continent has a vast and ancient history—surely some brilliant individuals have found a solution, right?"

"There have been cases of people overcoming it!"

After a brief silence, Yao Lao admitted it.

Xiao Bai nodded, not pressing further.

This much information was enough for now—it gave him an excuse to approach Yao Lao about the Poison Pill Method later.

Just then, a small head suddenly appeared beside him, peeking at the Seven-Colored Poison Codex in his hands.

Noticing Xiao Bai looking at her, Xiao Yi Xian quickly shrank back.

She puffed out her chest and held up the jade box in her arms, speaking in a soft, playful voice:

"Here, I've collected all the medicinal herbs—they're all in here!"

She was hugging over a dozen jade boxes, stacked so high they almost reached her small chin—an adorable sight.

Xiao Bai felt speechless.

This girl really seemed to love herbs—they could've been left in their original spot, but instead, she had gathered them all into her arms.

After showing him the boxes, she hesitated, her eyes fixed on the scroll in his hands, as if struggling to speak.

"Um… that scroll… do you need it?"

"If not… could you give it to me?"

She glanced at Xiao Bai cautiously, her toe rubbing the ground nervously, her voice soft and hesitant.

Worried that Xiao Bai might misunderstand her as greedy, she quickly shook her hands and explained anxiously:

"It's not that I want everything I see! It's just that, because of my natural condition, I can't become an Alchemist."

"This is my only option…"

Her eyes dimmed slightly as she spoke.

She was just a weak girl with mediocre talent—even after years of cultivation, she was still only at Dou Zhi Qi of 9nth stage.

If she could become a respected Alchemist, she wouldn't have to worry about her safety anymore.

The first few years in Qingshan Town had been fine—she was still young, and people saw her as just a little girl.

Her kind heart and dedication to healing anyone in need earned her the town's respect.

But over the past two years, as she grew older and more beautiful, the way people looked at her began to change.

Though her reputation in Qingshan Town kept her safe for now, who could guarantee that someone wouldn't take a risk one day?

She needed a way to protect herself.

If that meant becoming a despised Poison Master, then so be it…

This thought weighed heavily on her heart.

Xiao Bai gazed at Xiao Yi Xian and nodded.