Inside the carriage, Ye Tian closed his eyes, quietly regulating his breath.
As they were nearing the secret location of the Wandu Pool, he could not deny the rising tension within him. After all, numerous experts from the Baidu Sect were stationed there, and should his identity be exposed, death would be the only outcome awaiting him.
While lost in thought, Ye Tian meticulously reviewed all the information he had gathered, even retrieving Yi Xuehan's diary to revisit some critical passages.
At last, he confirmed several important facts: the experts guarding the Wandu Pool rarely returned to the Baidu Sect. Moreover, Yi Xuehan was deeply engrossed in his cultivation and seldom appeared before others, except for accepting missions and participating in internal competitions.
"The likelihood of them recognizing me should be quite low; however, I fear the arrival of individuals from the sect headquarters..." Ye Tian felt a pang of anxiety, yet he understood that there was no turning back at this juncture. He was not one to waver in his resolve.
Once he made a decision, he would see it through to the end. A determined glint shone in his eyes.
The carriage advanced at a leisurely pace, and after a considerable time had passed, Ye Tian finally heard the respectful voice of the attendant.
"Young Sect Master, we have arrived!"
"Mm!"
Ye Tian responded indifferently. From the window, he caught sight of an ordinary manor standing not far ahead, its grounds modest but heavily guarded.
Within the manor was a three-story building encircled by imposing walls, upon which numerous guards stood watch. It resembled a bandit stronghold more than a manor.
Amidst the surrounding foliage, Ye Tian also noticed pairs of cold eyes fixated on his carriage.
The stringent security caused a chill to run down his spine; he knew he had stepped into a den of tigers. Now, he had to conduct himself with the same caution as Yi Xuehan, for any slip could lead to his identity being unveiled, resulting in a siege by the formidable experts of the Baidu Sect.
"Ha!"
Ye Tian took a deep breath, his gaze icy, a hint of arrogance etched upon his brow as he mimicked Yi Xuehan's demeanor.
Under the piercing gazes of the gatekeepers, Ye Tian's carriage finally entered the manor.
Inside, a sizable crowd had already gathered, with several high-ranking members standing at the entrance of the building, their arms folded, gazing expectantly toward the manor's entrance.
The surrounding martial artists engaged in animated discussions, the atmosphere charged with excitement. Occasionally, someone would glance toward the entrance, their expressions a mix of envy, jealousy, and resentment.
Among this crowd were not only inner disciples of the Baidu Sect but also outer disciples responsible for maintaining the Wandu Pool.
It could be said that the existence of the Wandu Pool, even without their contributions, bore the marks of their toil.
Thus, they understood the value of the Wandu Pool intimately; the various poisons were the result of their diligent refinement, carefully placed into the pool and nurtured over the years.
To see such meticulously prepared treasures ultimately benefiting others filled them with a profound sense of injustice.
Consequently, their gazes toward Ye Tian's carriage were infused with palpable hostility, jealousy, and resentment.
Among them stood a young man clad in resplendent garments, his expression dark as he glared at the approaching carriage. Anyone with discerning eyes could see the jealousy and fury etched upon his face.
"Young Master, do not be so angry; after all, we are disciples of the Baidu Sect and must accept the decisions from above," an elder beside the young man sighed.
"But the sect clearly promised my father a spot for me! Why has it suddenly been revoked? I refuse to accept this!" The young man ground his teeth, his eyes ablaze with barely contained rage.
"Endure for now. Once he completes the baptism, if there is still enough spiritual essence in the Wandu Pool, the sect will compensate you, Young Master," the elder said, somewhat helplessly.
"Why should I have to drink his bathwater? That was clearly my spot!" The young man clenched his fists, veins bulging on his forehead, revealing the extent of his fury.
"Because he is the Young Sect Master, the personal disciple of the Baidu Sect leader, and the future leader of the Baidu Sect... Young Master, when under someone else's roof, one must bow their head. We must endure," the elder whispered, attempting to soothe him.
The young man fell silent, though his expression grew increasingly grim as he watched the slowly approaching carriage, his eyes brimming with murderous intent.
"Sigh..." The elder beside him let out a soft exhale.
The young man, Bai Li Changfeng, was the Young Master of the Bai Li Manor, and his father, Bai Li Haotian, was an elder of the Baidu Sect.
The Bai Li family had long safeguarded and maintained the Wandu Pool, forming a unique faction within the Baidu Sect. They could be considered disciples of the sect, yet they also existed as a subordinate force.
The first patriarch of the Bai Li family was a disciple of the Baidu Sect, who, after inventing the cultivation method for the Wandu Pool, was dispatched to establish Bai Li Manor, dedicating themselves to the protection and upkeep of the pool.
Through generations of the Bai Li family's lineage, they had evolved into a small faction allied with the Baidu Sect. However, the sect had stipulated that, in recognition of their contributions, all direct descendants of the Bai Li family would automatically be promoted to inner disciples of the Baidu Sect. The collateral members would become outer disciples, while their patriarch would forever hold the status of an elder within the sect.
In essence, the Bai Li family existed for the sake of the Wandu Pool, and the Baidu Sect valued them for this reason.
As the Young Master and heir to the Bai Li family, Bai Li Changfeng, blessed with considerable talent, had previously been granted permission by the higher-ups of the Baidu Sect to enter the Wandu Pool for a baptism, a reward for the Bai Li family's years of hard work.
However, no one had anticipated that Yi Xuehan would emerge from seclusion at this moment, necessitating the use of the Wandu Pool to cultivate the Nine Transformations Battle Body. Thus, the unfortunate Bai Li Changfeng was temporarily stripped of his qualification, which was instead bestowed upon Yi Xuehan.
Ultimately, the Bai Li family had no choice but to swallow their grievances; after all, in a world where strength reigns supreme, they dared not oppose the commands of the Baidu Sect.
Yet, the impetuous Bai Li Changfeng was filled with wrath, harboring deep animosity toward the "Yi Xuehan" who had come to undergo the baptism.
Clop, clop, clop...
The carriage finally arrived at the entrance of the building. The young attendant, bowing respectfully, cast a fearful glance at the high-ranking members of the Bai Li Manor before lowering his head and stepping aside.
Subsequently, under the watchful eyes of the gathered crowd, Ye Tian descended from the carriage, his gaze cold and haughty as he surveyed his surroundings.
As he stepped down, an eerie silence enveloped the area; all eyes within the manor converged upon Ye Tian.
At the entrance of the building, several high-ranking members of the manor hastily approached. Among them was a middle-aged man, exuding an imposing presence. He clasped his fists in greeting and proclaimed loudly, "Bai Li Haotian, on behalf of the Bai Li family, welcomes the Young Sect Master with open arms."
The other high-ranking members of the Bai Li family quickly bowed, their faces reflecting utmost respect, showing no signs of discontent.
However, the younger generation surrounding them, brimming with youthful fervor, regarded Ye Tian with palpable hostility.
Ye Tian paid them no mind; a sigh of relief washed over him. The absence of any unusual reactions from the others indicated that he had successfully navigated this initial challenge.
With an air of arrogance, he waved his hand dismissively and stated indifferently, "Elder Bai Li, you are too kind. Yi Xuehan has come at the behest of my master to undergo the baptism; please make the necessary arrangements."
"You must be fatigued from your journey, Young Master. We have prepared a welcoming banquet for you. Tomorrow, we shall escort you to the Wandu Pool for the baptism," Bai Li Haotian replied courteously.
"Indeed," Ye Tian responded with a slight nod. Although he longed to undergo the baptism immediately, he understood that such matters could not be rushed. Impatience would only lead to adverse consequences and the risk of revealing his true identity.
With that thought in mind, Ye Tian followed Bai Li Haotian and the other high-ranking members of the Bai Li family toward the building.
However, at that moment, an unwilling shout erupted from the crowd.
"Wait a moment!"
Before the words could fade, a young man clad in luxurious attire stepped forward, striding boldly toward Ye Tian. He shot Ye Tian a cold glare and, clasping his fists, spoke in a deep voice, "I am Bai Li Changfeng. I have heard that Senior Yi is the sect's foremost genius; might I request a lesson?"
"Impudent!" Bai Li Haotian snapped back to reality, his gaze fierce as he glared at Bai Li Changfeng.
"Changfeng, step back at once. The Young Sect Master is not someone you can challenge," several high-ranking members of the Bai Li family exclaimed, startled.
They feared that Ye Tian would hold them accountable if he were to take offense, which would spell disaster for the Bai Li family.
Ye Tian cast a glance at Bai Li Changfeng but said nothing. In the young man's eyes, he discerned jealousy and anger, but the reasons behind them eluded him, leaving him in silence.
Yet, Ye Tian's silence only fueled Bai Li Changfeng's ire. With a sneer, he taunted, "What's the matter? Is Senior Yi afraid?"
"Fool, retreat this instant!" Bai Li Haotian commanded, his voice low and laced with an icy edge.
Bai Li Changfeng, though intimidated by his father's glare, gritted his teeth and defiantly declared, "Yi Xuehan, if you possess the ability, defeat me; otherwise, you are unworthy to enter the Wandu Pool for the baptism."
"You are no match for me," Ye Tian replied coolly, casting a dispassionate glance at Bai Li Changfeng before striding toward the building.
Seeing this, Bai Li Haotian and the other high-ranking members of the Bai Li family let out a collective sigh of relief, simultaneously shooting daggers at Bai Li Changfeng before accompanying Ye Tian into the building.
"You coward, Yi Xuehan! You are unworthy of being the Young Sect Master of the Hundred Poisons Sect!"
Bai Li Changfeng was momentarily stunned, then pointed at Ye Tian's retreating figure, shouting in anger.
The surrounding crowd fell silent, and the faces of Bai Li Haotian and the other high-ranking members turned ashen.
Boom!
Ye Tian abruptly halted, turning to face Bai Li Changfeng. His piercing gaze resembled the edge of a blade, and a formidable aura surged forth, sweeping across the manor.
In an instant, the weapons in the hands of the surrounding martial artists flew from their grips, swirling above Ye Tian's head and forming a dragon-like shape. Following Ye Tian's finger, this spectral dragon lunged toward Bai Li Changfeng.
"Stop!"
"Show mercy, Young Sect Master!"
Bai Li Haotian and the others' expressions changed dramatically, urgently calling out, but it was too late to intervene.
Bai Li Changfeng stood frozen in shock.