Mutation
Boom!
The surrounding space was engulfed in chaos.
In that moment, Ye Tian revealed no hint of concealment; the full force of his one-tenth mastery of the Killing Blade Intent erupted. In an instant, a seething aura of murderous intent enveloped the area, causing the temperature to plummet dramatically.
A chill rose within the hearts of everyone present.
As Ye Tian's towering blade intent surged forth, the weapons in the hands of all present flew from their grasp, soaring towards the sky. They coalesced into a massive dragon, sweeping towards Bai Li Changfeng.
The crowd was left in stunned silence, and several high-ranking members of the Bai Li family shouted in alarm, but it was too late to intervene.
Bai Li Changfeng was also struck with shock; he felt as though the space around him had solidified, rendering his body immobile. He could only watch helplessly as the torrent of weapons surged toward him.
The gazes of everyone in the vicinity froze, while the high-ranking members of the Bai Li family wore expressions of deep concern.
Swish, swish, swish...
Finally, amidst the clamor of clashing metal, the weapons embedded themselves at Bai Li Changfeng's feet, encircling him like a cage.
"Whew!"
Having faced death, cold sweat beaded on Bai Li Changfeng's forehead. Once he regained the ability to move, an overwhelming fatigue washed over him, compelling him to kneel on one knee, gasping for breath.
Yet his gaze remained fixed on Ye Tian, his face a mask of astonishment.
At that moment, Ye Tian turned away once more, flicking his sleeves as he strode toward the building.
Bai Li Haotian and several high-ranking members of the Bai Li family let out a collective sigh of relief, exchanging glances that reflected their shared astonishment.
One-tenth Blade Intent!
As powerful warriors of the Martial Sect, including Bai Li Changfeng, who had also reached the first level of the Martial Sect, they could easily sense the formidable blade intent Ye Tian had just unleashed.
"Isn't it rumored that Yi Xuehan has only just condensed the seed of Blade Intent?"
"With one-tenth Blade Intent, he can ascend to the Martial Monarch realm without any hindrances!"
"Such rumors are truly perilous!"
Bai Li Haotian and the others felt a mix of emotions, their faces grave, and their welcome for Ye Tian grew even more fervent.
After a lively banquet, Ye Tian was escorted to a spacious and comfortable room, awaiting the baptism of the Ten Thousand Poisons Pool the following day.
Bai Li Changfeng, having suffered a significant blow, dared not seek trouble with Ye Tian again and was helped away by an elderly man.
Night fell, and the countryside lay in tranquil silence, the moonlight cascading down, draping the entire estate in a dreamlike glow.
Ye Tian sat cross-legged, his heart at peace, recalling the provocation by Bai Li Changfeng earlier that day. A shiver of dread coursed through him, leaving him somewhat apprehensive.
In terms of cultivation, Bai Li Changfeng, at the first level of the Martial Sect, effortlessly outclassed Ye Tian.
However, with the Ten Pulse Blood Pill and one-tenth Blade Intent, along with the Burial Sky Three Techniques and the Nine Transformation Battle Body, Ye Tian felt confident in his ability to defeat Bai Li Changfeng.
After all, Bai Li Changfeng was merely an ordinary Martial Sect warrior, far inferior to Yi Xuehan, who possessed true Blade Intent.
The concern, however, lay in the fact that after unleashing his full power, even if Ye Tian emerged victorious, his identity would likely be exposed.
It was common knowledge that Yi Xuehan had already ascended to the first level of the Martial Sect; thus, once Ye Tian revealed his true essence, his cultivation level would also be laid bare, leading to an onslaught from the formidable warriors of the Bai Li estate.
Therefore, in that moment, Ye Tian unleashed his Blade Intent not only to intimidate everyone but also to instill fear in Bai Li Changfeng.
Though the situation had been perilous, the strategy ultimately succeeded, prompting Ye Tian to exhale deeply. Now, he merely awaited the dawn to arrive, ready to enter the Ten Thousand Poisons Pool for his baptism.
...
In a room,
Bai Li Haotian wore a sullen expression, glaring coldly at Bai Li Changfeng, who knelt before him. "Do you realize that today you nearly led the entire Bai Li family into a pit of flames?"
"With your lack of understanding, how can I trust you with the future of the Bai Li family?"
"If it weren't for the Young Master's disinterest in dealing with you today, would you still be alive?"
"Do you now comprehend that there are greater forces beyond your reckoning?"
"Even at the same level of the Martial Sect, the Young Master could easily extinguish you with a mere flick of his finger. This illustrates the chasm between the ordinary and the extraordinary."
Each word was laced with fury, causing Bai Li Changfeng to tremble in fear, unable to lift his head.
"Alas…"
Observing his son kneeling on the ground, Bai Li Haotian shook his head, letting out a sigh. The anger on his face dissipated; after all, he was still his son.
"Rise!" Bai Li Haotian gestured with his hand.
Bai Li Changfeng stood up but still dared not speak, remaining silent with his head bowed.
"Your talent is commendable. If you aspire to ascend to the Martial Monarch realm in the future, perhaps you can elevate the Bai Li family further. However, you must cultivate a sense of composure; understand that there are many in this world whom you cannot provoke."
Bai Li Haotian turned his gaze to his son and continued, "Tomorrow, Yan Hao will arrive. Prepare yourself to forge a good relationship with him; do not let me down again."
"Yan Hao? He is also a newly ascended True Disciple of this generation. Why would he come here?" Bai Li Changfeng asked, perplexed. When did the Bai Li estate become so bustling with True Disciples arriving one after another?
"Of course, it is because of the Young Master. It is said that he is a friend of the Young Master; treat him well, and let him speak favorably of you in front of the Young Master, so that he does not hold a grudge against you."
Bai Li Haotian instructed.
…
A night passed without incident.
As the first rays of sunlight streamed through the window, Ye Tian abruptly opened his eyes, his brilliant gaze emanating two piercing beams of light.
After a night of recuperation, his vitality had reached its zenith, eagerly anticipating the baptism of the Ten Thousand Poisons Pool.
"Second level of the Nine Transformations Battle Body!"
Ye Tian leaped from his bed, his eyes quickly dimming as he reverted to his previous aloof and indifferent demeanor. He pushed open the door and stepped outside.
In the main hall, Bai Li Haotian and several high-ranking members of the Bai Li family had been waiting. Upon seeing Ye Tian approach, they hurriedly moved to greet him.
"Young Master, I trust you rested well last night?" Bai Li Haotian inquired with warmth and enthusiasm.
The other high-ranking members of the Bai Li family wore forced smiles, hoping to alleviate any discontent caused by Bai Li Changfeng's earlier provocation of "Yi Xuehan."
"Lead the way to the Ten Thousand Poisons Pool!" Ye Tian replied tersely, nodding slightly.
"Young Master, your friend Yan Hao is coming today. Should we perhaps wait for him before proceeding with the baptism?" Bai Li Haotian suddenly suggested, still beaming, as if intending to present Ye Tian with a pleasant surprise.
He had heard that Yi Xuehan was rather reclusive and had only a close friendship with Yan Hao, believing this would bring some joy to Yi Xuehan.
However, he was unaware that upon hearing this, Ye Tian felt a thunderous roar in his head, nearly pulling out his black iron battle knife in response.
"No need; cultivation is paramount. He knows my disposition!" After a brief pause, Ye Tian spoke calmly, though a fierce light flickered in his eyes, which he ultimately suppressed.
"Uh... very well, Young Master, please!" Bai Li Haotian was taken aback by this unexpected response, but knowing Yi Xuehan's fervor for cultivation, he harbored no doubts.
Soon, Ye Tian followed Bai Li Haotian to the entrance of an underground passage, its dark entrance concealed by a massive stone. Bai Li Haotian raised his hand and moved the stone aside.
To his surprise, the Ten Thousand Poisons Pool was hidden underground.
Yet at that moment, Ye Tian had no time to ponder such revelations; his mind was a whirlwind, filled with urgency.
"Yan Hao, didn't he go out for training? How could he possibly find his way here?" Ye Tian had read about Yan Hao in Yi Xuehan's journal; this man was Yi Xuehan's only friend, and he would undoubtedly recognize Ye Tian as an imposter.
Ye Tian could not believe his misfortune; the journal indicated that Yan Hao was training in a foreign land, yet here he was, having returned at this very moment.
"Thank goodness he didn't arrive a day earlier…"
A shiver of apprehension coursed through Ye Tian; had Yan Hao come a day earlier, his identity would have been exposed, and not only would he face death, but Leaf City would also suffer the consequences.
However, Ye Tian understood that since Yan Hao had come to the Bai Li estate, he would surely wish to meet Yi Xuehan before departing.
It seemed the death of Yi Xuehan could not be concealed any longer.
What awaited Ye Tian was an onslaught from the Bai Li estate and retribution from the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect.
Ye Tian's expression grew grave, his heart heavy. He was unafraid of the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect, for he had the support of the Divine Star Sect. The real concern lay with Leaf City; it was his tether, and he could not help but worry.
Boom!
As Ye Tian pondered, they traversed the underground tunnel and arrived before a massive stone door.
With a mechanism activated by Bai Li Haotian, the heavy stone door creaked open, and a chilling gust of wind rushed forth, sending a shiver down Ye Tian's spine.
He looked up to behold a pool the size of a small room, its water entirely black, bubbling as if boiling, exuding a formidable, almost sinister power that instilled fear in those who gazed upon it.
"Young Master, this is the Ten Thousand Poisons Pool. When the time comes, simply jump in and immerse yourself. Remember, you must ensure the water completely submerges you; otherwise, its efficacy will be greatly diminished."
Bai Li Haotian regarded Ye Tian with a serious expression, saying, "Though we have employed secret methods to reduce the pool's toxicity, it remains formidable. You must endure; the longer you soak, the more potent the effects."
"Understood," Ye Tian replied, nodding with a calm demeanor, his eyes glinting as they fixated on the black waters of the Ten Thousand Poisons Pool.
"Then I shall take my leave. I wish you a successful cultivation, Young Master." Bai Li Haotian clasped his fists in farewell before exiting through the stone door and departing.
Ye Tian watched Bai Li Haotian's retreating figure with a soft sigh. Once he was gone, it was likely that both sides would become adversaries, and a deadly conflict would ensue.
"Regardless, since this battle is unavoidable, I must focus on enhancing my strength. Once I achieve perfection in the second layer of the Nine Transformations Battle Body, what fear do I have against those below the Martial Monarch realm?"
Ye Tian's eyes sparkled with confidence.
Once he successfully cultivated the second layer of the Nine Transformations Battle Body, his physical strength would be sufficient to rival Martial Sect warriors, especially with the exquisite black iron battle knife in hand.
In this impending battle, he felt utterly assured.