Chapter Eighteen: The Forging

Gurgle...

Li Ju made his way effortlessly to the bottom of the poison pool, sat cross-legged, and began to slowly channel his cultivation technique.

At that moment, a bat-shaped pattern flickered faintly on his chest.

This was his third poison tempering, and also the last. After this, not only would he break through to the second layer of the Ghost Bat Technique, he would also attain a Hundred Venoms Vajra Body, capable of rivaling experts of the internal school.

At least within this scenario, his strength was about to undergo a tremendous leap.

"Young Master Wang, please, this way."

Outside the poison pool, the Poison Brothers followed closely behind a plump, short, and unsteady young man, bowing and scraping.

The young man wore an arrogant expression. Several black-clad followers of the demonic sect, all externals, trailed him, one gently waving a palm fan.

"How's the quality of this batch of meat stakes? Can we get a Vajra Guardian out of them?"

Young Master Wang glanced at the poison pool in front of him, waving the fan before his nose in obvious distaste.

"With your distinguished presence today, Young Master, even if these meat stakes weren't destined to become Vajra Guardians, this time they surely will," flattered the Poison Brothers.

"Very well. You two strive to refine several Vajra Guardians. One earns a minor reward, two a middling reward, and if you produce more than three, I won't let you go unrewarded," said Young Master Wang, clearly intolerant of the pool's environment, pressing the fan to his nose as he turned away.

"Of course, if you don't produce even one, you know the consequences," he added, lightly tapping the Poison Brothers' shoulders with his fan as he walked out of the pool area.

"We will not disappoint you, Young Master," the Poison Brothers replied with utmost deference, though inwardly, they were filled with dread.

Since the demonic sect's leader announced his seclusion, the deputy leader had seized total power, becoming the de facto ruler of the sect. The recent attacks on righteous sects had all been ordered by the deputy leader, and Young Master Wang was his youngest son, greatly favored.

This time, the deputy leader had even commanded that every Vajra Guardian refined from this batch of meat stakes would be controlled by his son.

A Vajra Guardian could rival internal experts; even most elders in the sect were no match. For the deputy leader to bestow such power to his youngest son attested to the son's high standing.

If the Poison Brothers failed to please Young Master Wang, given his spoiled nature, they would surely suffer dire consequences.

Since Young Master Wang refused to enter the foul-smelling pool, only the Poison Brothers returned inside to continue the third round of poison tempering.

"Big brother, what do we do now? Refining Vajra Guardians is pure chance. If we don't produce even one this time, aren't we doomed..."

The brothers spoke as they walked.

"We'll take it one step at a time. Worst case, we endure a punishment. After all, we're still needed for the sect's poison pool. No matter what, Young Master Wang won't kill us outright," said the elder brother, gritting his teeth.

Though their abilities were only external, insignificant within the powerful demonic sect, their skill made them the only ones able to handle poison pool refinement. Given its importance, the sect would never kill them—at least not before finding replacements.

"Ah, let's hope we can produce just one Vajra Guardian this time, enough to satisfy the sect and get us through," sighed the younger brother.

While the Poison Brothers worried, Li Ju, at the bottom of the pool, felt utterly comfortable.

His cultivation technique, the Ghost Bat Technique, operated faster and faster within the poison pool, and unlike the previous two poison temperings, which brought only pain, this time he could distinctly sense his physical attributes improving.

Whoosh.

A vortex formed in the pool, centered around Li Ju. The toxic water whirled furiously around him, and the bat-shaped pattern on his chest gradually took shape.

[Skill Level Up: Ghost Bat Technique (1→2)]

He had finally broken through!

Li Ju was delighted. The second layer of the Ghost Bat Technique, though still in the external realm, was already at the pinnacle of external mastery. In fact, Wu E, one of the four great disciples who had dominated the first scenario, had only reached this very level.

"The second layer of Ghost Bat Technique, and I can carry this skill level out of the scenario," Li Ju grinned with satisfaction.

This breakthrough alone made his journey worthwhile. With his mediocre martial talent, solo cultivation would have taken years to reach the second layer!

"And that's not all..."

Suddenly, Li Ju felt his muscles hardening, his bones becoming heavy as if coated in steel.

The bat-shaped mark on his chest fully formed.

[Skill Acquired: Hundred Venoms Vajra Body - Fragment (Scenario Temporary Skill)]

[Hundred Venoms Vajra Body - Fragment (Scenario Temporary Skill): One of the demonic sect's secret techniques, originally used by sect practitioners to strengthen their bodies. Due to lost texts, only certain special physiques can cultivate it, and it remains vulnerable to other demonic sect secrets. (Source: Sword and Wind Chronicles)]

[Note: Scenario temporary skills are only valid within the current scenario and disappear upon leaving.]

At this moment, Li Ju felt power surging through every fiber of his being.

Watching the pool water around him gradually lighten in color, he could not help but want to laugh out loud.

Three rounds of poison tempering had not only elevated his Ghost Bat Technique to the second layer, but granted him the formidable Hundred Venoms Vajra Body. Though it could not leave the scenario, within it, he could rampage as he pleased!

At this thought, Li Ju was genuinely grateful for the demonic sect's unwitting generosity.