Chapter Nineteen: Annihilation

“Hey, big brother, it’s done! Look!”
The younger of the Poison Brothers, who had been heating the toxic pool, slapped his elder brother on the head in excitement.
Hearing his brother’s shout, the elder quickly looked up.
The once filthy and murky poison pool had now shed its grime, revealing a faint clarity.
“It’s done, it’s done!”
The elder brother waved his hand enthusiastically.
When the Golden Body of a Hundred Poisons is truly achieved, all the toxins in the poison pool are thoroughly absorbed, the nutrients drawn in to complete the final step of strengthening. Thus, whenever the pool grows clear, it means someone within has succeeded in forging the Golden Body of a Hundred Poisons.
“To think the very first one made it.”
The Poison Brothers glanced at the other comatose “meat stakes” locked in iron cages by the pool, then back at the water, excitement lighting their faces.
Even if the rest failed, they now had a foundation, and their current crisis could be considered resolved.
“Hurry, go fetch Young Master Wang. When the Guardian Vajra emerges from the pool, someone versed in the secret techniques must take control at once, or if the Guardian Vajra goes berserk, we martial artists of the External School will be powerless to stop it.”
As the poison pool grew ever clearer, the elder urged his brother.
“Alright, I’ll go right away!”
The younger brother dashed off.
Gurgle… gurgle…
Time passed, and the liquid in the poison pool became as clear as a mountain stream, bubbles rising in rapid succession from the depths.
“It’s completely spent.”
Li Ju stood up at the bottom of the pool, waving his arm.
He had absorbed every nutrient the pool had to offer; it was of no further use to him.
“It’s time to get out.”
Li Ju began swimming upward.
As he ascended, the younger Poison Brother led Young Master Wang into the chamber.
“Excellent, an auspicious start! Both of you shall be handsomely rewarded!”
Upon seeing the state of the pool, Young Master Wang’s plump face creased into folds as he burst out laughing.
He had been anxious, worried that none of the “meat stakes” would become Guardian Vajras, which would render useless the opportunity his father had secured for him despite all opposition.
He hadn’t expected the Poison Brothers to deliver such a pleasant surprise. With this one Guardian Vajra as a base, even if none more could be made, he would come out ahead.
“Young Master Wang, please stand at the edge. When the Guardian Vajra emerges, immediately activate the technique and bind it to your will.”
The Poison Brothers respectfully guided Young Master Wang to the front, explaining the process.
“Guardian Vajra, heh heh…”

Young Master Wang’s eyes, small as mung beans, were further buried by the fat of his face.
He was already fantasizing about the glory and power that would come with a Guardian Vajra, a being on par with an Internal School master, imagining a life of unbridled tyranny.
Splash!
Just as Young Master Wang was lost in his dreams, a figure nearly two meters tall, muscles bulging all over, burst from the pool.
Naked, he stood at the water’s edge, gazing at the crowd.
“It’s the Guardian Vajra! Young Master Wang, now!”
The Poison Brothers shouted anxiously.
“Hahaha, Guardian Vajra, swear fealty to me at once!”
Young Master Wang began channeling his technique, laughing wildly.
Li Ju watched him as if looking at a fool.
“Why… why isn’t my technique working?”
After a moment, Young Master Wang realized something was wrong.
“No, someone has already bound the Guardian Vajra!”
The Poison Brothers noticed the bat-shaped mark on Li Ju’s chest and their hearts sank.
“A demon cult brat…”
Seeing their realization, Li Ju sneered menacingly.
“Guards! Protect me!”
Feeling Li Ju’s malice, Young Master Wang fled toward his bodyguards, who in turn rushed to defend him.
But it was already too late.
Splat!
Ghost Bat Claw!
Li Ju’s arm pierced through Young Master Wang’s heart.
“H-help me…”
Blood bubbled at Young Master Wang’s lips. He tried to speak, but no words came; his head slumped to the side, lifeless.
“How dare you!”
The guards, unable to save their master, attacked Li Ju in fury.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
“How can this be…”

The guards stared in disbelief at the spots where their blows had landed. Their attacks had no effect whatsoever!
Not only did they fail to kill, they hadn’t even broken his skin.
“How satisfying.”
Li Ju turned to these “little bugs” who had only succeeded in tickling him, a grin stretching from ear to ear.
“Die!”
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Li Ju’s fists, without skill or flourish, casually hammered down. Each punch reduced a guard’s head to a crimson mist.
Thud.
The headless corpses collapsed.
“So powerful.”
After dealing with the nuisance, Li Ju rapped his own skin, producing dull thuds.
Each of these guards had been experts of the External School, some at its very peak, not far from Wu E’s prowess—yet none had breached his defense, and all had been smashed to pulp by his casual blows. The sensation of such overwhelming strength was intoxicating.
“And as for you two…”
After a moment of self-admiration, Li Ju turned toward the Poison Brothers, who were trying to sneak away.
Startled by his voice, they trembled, forcing smiles as they pleaded, “We saw nothing, sir, nothing at all.”
Li Ju approached, pinching them by the heads as one might carry chicks, lifting them off the ground.
“Don’t worry, I just have a small question for the two of you.”
He smiled pleasantly.

Some time later…

[Skill acquired: Golden Body of a Hundred Poisons (Fragment) – Poison Pool Creation Method]

Seeing the notification on his ability panel, Li Ju tossed the corpses of the Poison Brothers aside, satisfied.
“So my guess was right.”
He had long wondered whether techniques or secret arts learned in instances could be added to his skill list. Apparently, it was indeed possible.
While checking his skills, he glanced at the quest log.

[Time remaining until dungeon ends: one day]

“Next, I need to consider how to escape from this Demon Sect’s inner prison.”