With a staggering 8460 Sovereign Points at his disposal, Wei felt, for the first time, a sense of true wealth. The deaths of Deacon Yao and the Blackwood Sect disciples had been incredibly profitable. He now had access to a tier of resources in the system store that he could only have dreamed of just a few weeks prior. However, before he indulged in a shopping spree, he turned his attention to the other reward from his last kill: the 'Soul-Nourishing Chant'.
He sat in the quiet solitude of his poison den, the ever-present, sweet-lethal scent of his flora filling the air. He closed his eyes and began to recite the chant in his mind. It was not a spoken art, but a meditative one, a specific frequency of spiritual thought that resonated directly with the soul. As he began, he felt a profound, soothing warmth spread through his spiritual sea. It was the opposite of the cold, sharp focus required for his poison arts; this was a gentle, restorative current.
The chant worked by drawing in the free-floating spiritual energy of the world and refining it into a pure, protective essence that would weave itself around his Nascent Soul. It was a slow, meticulous process, like spinning the finest silk. A stronger soul meant a clearer mind, a more resilient will, and most importantly, a powerful defense against the very soul-based attacks he was beginning to favor. It was the perfect shield to complement his invisible spear. He dedicated a full week to practicing the chant, and by the end of it, he could feel a tangible difference. His spiritual sense was sharper, capable of extending further and with greater clarity, and a faint, silvery sheen now coated his Nascent Soul, a sign of its increased resilience.
Satisfied with his spiritual defenses, he finally turned his attention to the system store. With his newfound wealth, the 'Rare' category was no longer his target. He set his sights higher, on the previously inaccessible 'Legendary' section. The moment he focused his intent, the greyed-out listings shimmered and became clear, revealing items of terrifying power.
There were poison recipes capable of killing Spirit Kings, artifacts that could render entire cities barren, and cultivation techniques that twisted the laws of nature. The prices were equally astronomical, with most items costing tens of thousands of points. However, one particular item caught his eye. It was not a weapon or a poison, but a tool. It was listed under 'Artifacts' for 7,500 points: the 'Cauldron of Myriad Venoms'.
The description was tantalizing. It was a sentient, low-grade legendary cauldron that possessed two unique abilities. First, it could perfectly refine any poison, increasing its potency and subtlety by a significant margin. Second, and more importantly, it could absorb the 'essence' of any poison brewed within it. This absorbed essence could then be converted, at Wei's command, into a stream of pure, potent spiritual energy to directly advance his cultivation.
This was a game-changer. The 'Venomous Conversion' ability of his system only worked on poisons he absorbed into his body. The cauldron would allow him to "absorb" the power of the poisons he created, effectively doubling his cultivation speed. He would no longer be limited to consuming toxins; his very research would become a source of power.
"System, purchase the Cauldron of Myriad Venoms," he commanded without hesitation.
[Deducting 7,500 Sovereign Points. Cauldron of Myriad Venoms acquired.]
The air in his den shimmered. A cauldron, about a meter tall and forged from a swirling, dark-purple metal that seemed to shift like liquid smoke, materialized on the floor. It had no legs, hovering a few inches off the ground, and ancient, glowing green runes pulsed faintly on its surface. A low, intelligent hum emanated from it, a silent greeting. Wei felt a connection form between his mind and the cauldron, a nascent intelligence acknowledging its new master.
He approached the cauldron, a rare, genuine smile touching his lips. He placed a hand on its cool, swirling surface and fed it a single drop of common serpent venom. The green runes flared brightly, and the cauldron hummed with satisfaction. The venom evaporated instantly, and Wei felt a tiny, almost imperceptible thread of pure energy flow from the cauldron into his palm. It worked.
His planning was interrupted by the chiming of his sect communication jade. It was a general summons, sent by the First Elder to all elders and deacons. A formal assembly was to be held in the main hall of the Palace of Verdant Skies. Such assemblies were rare, usually reserved for major announcements.
Wei left his new cauldron, his mind already shifting back to the political landscape of the sect. He arrived at the grand hall to find it already filled with the sect's upper echelon. He gave a slight nod to Elders Jin and Mei, who were standing together, and took his place among the other elders.
The First Elder, a man whose age was impossible to guess, stood before the Sect Master's empty throne. His voice, amplified by spiritual energy, echoed through the hall.
"Elders, Deacons," he began, his gaze sweeping over the assembled cultivators. "I have called you here today to announce the commencement of the triennial Sect Grand Competition, which will begin in one month's time."
A low murmur went through the hall. The Grand Competition was the most important event in the sect's calendar, a chance for the younger generation to display their talent, win incredible resources, and bring glory to their masters and their halls.
"As always, the competition will test our disciples in combat, alchemy, and beast taming," the First Elder continued. "But this year, the stakes are higher. As many of you know, our shared resource zone with the Blackwood Sect, the Crimson Cloud Valley, has become a point of contention. Their disciples have grown bolder, frequently encroaching on our territory and harassing our disciples who go there to gather herbs."
Wei's expression remained neutral, but his interest sharpened. The Crimson Cloud Valley was a treasure trove of rare medicinal and poisonous ingredients.
"Therefore," the First Elder declared, his voice hardening, "an agreement has been reached with the Blackwood Sect. The results of our respective sect competitions will determine the rights to the valley for the next three years. The sect whose disciples achieve the most overall victories will gain exclusive access to the entire valley. The losing sect will be forbidden from setting foot in it."
The hall erupted in conversation. This was an unprecedented escalation. The competition was no longer just an internal affair; it was a proxy war for one of the most valuable resource zones in the region.
"The Sect Master has decreed that the rewards for this year's victors will be doubled," the First Elder announced, silencing the crowd. "The overall champion will not only receive a Spirit-Tempering Pill but will also be granted the honor of a private tutelage session with one of us elders."
Later that day, Wei met with his friends on Silent Bloom Peak. The mood was tense.
"This is a blatant provocation by the Blackwood Sect," Guan grumbled, slamming his fist on the stone table. "They know their younger generation has been particularly aggressive lately. They are trying to humiliate us."
"My best disciple, Liu Feng, has finally recovered from his... illness," Elder Jin said, his gaze distant. "He will participate. He must bring honor to my Iron Bone Fist style."
Elder Mei looked worried. "The beast taming competition will be fierce. The Blackwood Sect is known for their savage, swamp-bred beasts. My disciples will be at a disadvantage."
Wei listened quietly, his mind processing the new variables. Chaos, competition, conflict with the Blackwood Sect—it was a perfect storm of opportunity. The Grand Competition would draw every ambitious disciple out into the open. It was a stage, and where there was a stage, there were shadows.
"I have a thought," Wei said, drawing their attention. "The competition is a fine thing for the disciples, but the tension in the Crimson Cloud Valley is a problem for us elders. With the competition occupying everyone's attention, the valley will be less guarded. It is the perfect time for the Blackwood Sect to attempt some underhanded tricks, perhaps trying to poison the rare herbs or lay traps for after the competition."
Guan nodded grimly. "That sounds exactly like something those swamp rats would do."
"Therefore," Wei continued smoothly, "I propose to make a trip to the valley myself. I will perform a thorough sweep for any hidden poisons or malicious formations. It is better to be safe than sorry. My expertise is suited for such a task."
It was the perfect excuse. While the entire sect was focused on the competition arenas, he would be in the valley, a place teeming with natural poisons and, undoubtedly, a few arrogant Blackwood Sect disciples who thought they could operate with impunity. It would be his own private hunting ground.
"An excellent idea, Wei," Mei said, relieved. "Your caution is a boon to us all. We will handle the competition here. You ensure our prize is not spoiled before we even win it."
Jin gave a single, sharp nod of approval.
The plan was set. As the Verdant Serpent Sect began to buzz with the energy of the coming competition, as disciples trained day and night for a chance at glory, Elder Wei retreated to his den. He was not preparing any disciples. He was not overseeing any arenas. He was standing before his new Cauldron of Myriad Venoms, feeding it the rare toxic herbs he had collected from the Shadowfen Marsh.
The cauldron hummed, its runes glowing a malevolent green. With each herb it consumed, it fed a trickle of pure energy back to Wei, nourishing his cultivation. He was preparing for a competition of his own, one that would be fought not with swords and spells, but with whispers and shadows. The prize was not glory or honor, but Sovereign Points and the silent, inexorable climb to absolute power.