In the tranquil depths of the Ten Thousand Poisons Pool, the black waters bubbled ominously, shrouded in a haze of toxic mist, exuding an eerie chill.
Even if Ye Tian were not inherently toxic, the very sight sent shivers down his spine; he could hardly fathom what it would feel like to immerse himself entirely in those depths.
Yet, as a former special forces operative, he had endured the most rigorous and brutal training, and his willpower was resolute.
Moreover, he found himself with no avenue of retreat; should he fail to harness the power of the Ten Thousand Poisons Pool to achieve perfection in the second layer of the Nine Transformations Battle Body, he would emerge utterly defenseless.
The Ten Thousand Poisons Pool had become his sole lifeline.
"I have already ventured into the tiger's den; how can I retreat now in the face of treasure?" Ye Tian scoffed coldly, swiftly shedding his garments and tossing the little golden mouse aside before plunging into the depths.
"Splash…"
With a resounding splash, Ye Tian submerged into the inky waters of the Ten Thousand Poisons Pool, sending up a spray that shimmered with an otherworldly glow in the darkness.
The water was frigid, and an immediate chill coursed through him, followed by an excruciating sensation as if countless insects were gnawing at his flesh. The piercing pain nearly caused him to lose consciousness.
Hiss!
Ye Tian felt as though his heart were being sliced open, a terrible agony surging like an unrelenting tide.
What compounded his suffering was the latent medicinal power within the pool, mending his battered body and preventing him from succumbing to unconsciousness or numbness.
Thus, Ye Tian was compelled to endure that horrific pain every moment, every second.
The intensity of the agony was overwhelming; had it not been for his dual existence and the harsh trials he had faced in his previous life, he would have long since faltered.
For an ordinary person, even a Martial Sect master would likely find it unbearable for long.
This was not a matter of strength; regardless of one's power, all would face this torment within the Ten Thousand Poisons Pool, and only by gritting their teeth and harnessing their formidable will could they persevere.
The black waters continued to bubble, and through the haze, one could see Ye Tian's eyes wide open, bloodshot and filled with determination. Veins protruded from his skin, which flickered with alternating glimmers of gold and black.
Ye Tian clenched his fists tightly, sitting cross-legged at the bottom of the pool, enduring this inhuman torment while resolutely circulating the Nine Transformations Battle Body.
It must be said that the Ten Thousand Poisons Pool was indeed a treasure trove for cultivating physical techniques; the black waters simultaneously ravaged and rejuvenated Ye Tian's body.
Caught between destruction and rebirth, his flesh underwent a profound evolution, a transformation that persisted as long as he could withstand the searing pain it brought.
Previously, Ye Tian had attempted to cultivate the second layer of the Nine Transformations Battle Body, but progress had been agonizingly slow. Now, however, he felt a remarkable fluidity in his practice, his speed of cultivation nearly increasing a hundredfold.
With this newfound impetus, the pain began to feel less acute, and his thoughts were solely focused on completing the second layer of the Nine Transformations Battle Body.
Time slipped away, moment by moment…
**Bai Li Manor.**
Bai Li Haotian had just returned from the depths of the Ten Thousand Poisons Pool and had barely settled down for a sip of water when his gaze sharpened, fixating solemnly on the sky above the manor.
"Hahaha…"
A young man clad in black descended from the sky, his hearty laughter echoing before his arrival.
"Yi Xuehan, an old friend has come to visit; why not come out to greet me?" The youth, dressed similarly to Yi Xuehan, descended slowly, a sinister smile playing upon his lips as he landed at the entrance of Bai Li Manor.
Bai Li Haotian hurriedly led a group of people out to meet him.
"Hmm? Elder Bai Li, where is Yi Xuehan?" The youth scanned the gathered faces, noting the absence of Yi Xuehan, and frowned in confusion.
"Yan Hao, my young friend, you have arrived a moment too late; the Young Master has already entered the Ten Thousand Poisons Pool for his baptism," Bai Li Haotian replied with a wry smile.
"Ah…"
Yan Hao was taken aback, then shook his head, chuckling as he scolded, "Truly impatient; he couldn't even wait a moment for me."
"Yan Hao, according to tradition, the Young Master should emerge in about ten days. Why not stay here at our humble manor in the meantime?" Bai Li Haotian suggested, hoping to foster a closer bond between his son and Yan Hao, the rising star of the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect.
"Very well, the matter is of some importance; I shall remain here to await his emergence," Yan Hao replied, nodding with a hint of melancholy, contemplating how he would demand compensation for the time he had wasted once Yi Xuehan reappeared.
Little did he know, he was destined for disappointment; by the time Ye Tian emerged, the very existence of Bai Li Manor might be in jeopardy.
…
**One day!**
**Two days… Three days…**
As the days passed, Ye Tian's body began to tremble, the relentless pain targeting his nervous system, assaulting his willpower.
Pain, excruciating pain, terrifying pain!
If Ye Tian's willpower could be likened to an island amidst a vast ocean, then the surrounding waters represented that intense agony.
The surging waves threatened to engulf the island, crashing relentlessly against Ye Tian.
Even with a will as unyielding as steel, he began to waver under the strain of time.
"I can't hold on any longer!"
"I must endure!"
"Ah… I'll fight to the bitter end!"
At the bottom of the pool, Ye Tian roared in anguish within his heart, teetering on the brink of madness. Enduring inhuman torment while striving to cultivate the Nine Transformations Battle Body, he felt as though his head might explode.
However, determined not to squander this opportunity and to achieve perfection in the second layer of the Nine Transformations Battle Body, he gritted his teeth and persevered.
"Chirp, chirp!"
The little golden mouse seemed to sense Ye Tian's suffering, perched atop a massive rock, its face etched with concern as it gazed at the dark waters of the Ten Thousand Poisons Pool.
Yet, the little creature's patience was evidently limited; after a few days, it curled up on the ground and fell into a deep slumber.
In the blink of an eye, half a month had passed, but Ye Tian remained submerged in the Ten Thousand Poisons Pool.
This prolonged absence shocked the members of Bai Li Manor.
"Elder Bai Li, could something have happened to Yi Xuehan?" Yan Hao approached Bai Li Haotian, his expression grave, for Yi Xuehan was a direct disciple of the sect leader, groomed to be the next master. If any misfortune were to befall him here, it would spell disaster for the Bai Li family.
"Ah… Yan Hao, fear not. Since the inception of the Ten Thousand Poisons Pool, no life has ever been lost. If the Young Master were to be unable to endure, he would certainly emerge on his own. I believe the Young Master possesses extraordinary talent and willpower far beyond the ordinary, which is why he has managed to endure thus far. To be frank, even I would struggle to last this long," Bai Li Haotian replied, initially taken aback, then filled with admiration.
As the custodian of the Ten Thousand Poisons Pool, Bai Li Haotian, despite never having undergone its baptism himself, was acutely aware of the suffering one must endure during the process.
Ye Tian's ability to withstand such trials earned him the respect of both Bai Li Haotian and the rest of the Bai Li family.
Even those young men who had previously envied Ye Tian now harbored a sense of admiration, acknowledging his rightful place in enduring the baptism of the Ten Thousand Poisons Pool.
However, as another week passed, the members of the Bai Li family began to grow uneasy.
Whispers circulated throughout the manor.
"It has been over twenty days; that lad is likely dead."
"Indeed, I said it before—no one can last in the Ten Thousand Poisons Pool for more than half a month; he must have perished long ago."
"Heh, he brought this upon himself with his arrogance, thinking he could endure longer, but lacking the willpower, he ultimately sealed his own fate."
"Quite right. As far as I recall, the longest anyone has endured in the Ten Thousand Poisons Pool is merely thirteen days. With over twenty days having passed, he must be dead."
…
As these rumors reached Yan Hao's ears, his expression darkened, and he immediately sought out Bai Li Haotian.
At that moment, Bai Li Haotian was conferring with several senior members of the Bai Li family, all of whom were uncertain, as they had never encountered anyone capable of enduring for such an extended period in the Ten Thousand Poisons Pool.
"Elder Bai Li, can you tell me what has transpired? Has anything happened to Yi Xuehan?"
Yan Hao disregarded the objections of the Bai Li disciples and stormed in, his icy words laced with fury.
The senior members of the Bai Li family exchanged glances, unsure of how to respond.
Finally, Bai Li Haotian shook his head with a bitter smile, saying, "Yan Hao, to be honest, we do not know. Until now, no one has ever lasted more than half a month in the Ten Thousand Poisons Pool."
"Logically, even if the Young Master possesses exceptional talent, he should have emerged by now," a senior member of the Bai Li family interjected.
Upon hearing this, Yan Hao's expression darkened further. He fixed a cold gaze on Bai Li Haotian and stated, "Elder Bai Li, you are well aware of Yi Xuehan's status. If anything were to happen to him, the Bai Li family would be unable to bear the consequences."
At this pronouncement, Bai Li Haotian and the other senior members of the Bai Li family immediately changed their expressions, their gazes toward Yan Hao growing colder.
Unfazed, Yan Hao maintained his steely glare at Bai Li Haotian and declared, "Let me go in and see for myself."
"That may not be possible!" Bai Li Haotian promptly shook his head.
Yan Hao's pupils constricted, his anger flaring, but before he could speak, Bai Li Haotian interrupted him.
"Do not misunderstand, my young friend; I fear you may disturb the Young Master. If he is unharmed, he is likely at a critical juncture. Your entrance could very well lead him to go astray." Bai Li Haotian hurriedly explained.
"Then what should we do now? Tell me," Yan Hao demanded coldly.
"We wait!" Bai Li Haotian replied with a wry smile, stating, "For now, we can only wait for the Young Master to emerge on his own."
"And what if something has happened to Yi Xuehan?" Yan Hao retorted with a scoff.
The senior members of the Bai Li family furrowed their brows, unsure of how to respond, their faces etched with worry.
"Then I, Bai Li Haotian, will offer my life in tribute to the Young Master!" Finally, Bai Li Haotian gritted his teeth and spoke resolutely.
"I hope to return and find Yi Xuehan alive; otherwise, your life alone may not suffice to honor him!" Yan Hao shot a cold glance at Bai Li Haotian before turning to leave.
The faces of the senior members of the Bai Li family turned ashen.
Bai Li Haotian wore a troubled expression.