Chapter Forty: The Contest

The morning in April still carried a trace of piercing chill. A thin veil of mist drifted through the mountain forest, its milky-white shroud quivering gently in the breeze like a sheer gauze draped across the slopes. Lei Yan walked slowly along the mountain path leading to the Ghost Venom Sect. The narrow trail, dampened by dew, was slick beneath his feet, and footprints of all sizes were imprinted clearly on the moist earth.

“How strange,” Lei Yan mused to himself. “Normally, no one should come up this mountain. Why are there so many footprints left behind?”

“Hey, young man! Wait up! Wait for me!”

Just as Lei Yan was speculating wildly, a shout came from behind. He turned to see a slightly over six-foot-tall, gaunt middle-aged man with sallow cheeks, wrapped in a black cloak, waving in his direction. Trailing behind him was a burly man—the word ‘burly’ hardly sufficed to describe the sheer savagery of his physique. The muscles on his exposed arms bulged and flexed with each movement, looking almost as if they bore fangs, a truly intimidating sight.

“You’re here to watch the Ghost Venom Sect’s once-in-a-decade competition too, aren’t you?” The middle-aged man in the black cloak jogged up to Lei Yan, breath steady and strong despite the exertion. The muscular man followed closely behind.

The Ghost Venom Sect rarely had visitors, and in fact, boasted only two disciples. If, as the black-cloaked man claimed, so many people came to observe the competition every ten years, the sect would not be so deserted, nor would it have so few members. Lei Yan grew wary, letting his psychic ability sweep over the pair before him.

“Cultivators! Both of them are cultivators!” Lei Yan’s heart skipped a beat. He stood no chance against such people. Common poisons were a joke to cultivators, though his newly refined toxins might be another matter. Masking his thoughts, he clasped his fists and said, “My name is Lei Yan. May I ask for your names…” As he spoke, a wisp of powder drifted from his hands into the air.

“Hmm?” The middle-aged man’s brows furrowed, and a flicker of murderous intent flashed in the eyes of the man behind him.

The change in their expressions registered in Lei Yan’s mind via his psychic sense, making his heart jolt. Realizing his attempt at poison had been detected, he was already considering how to escape when the middle-aged man blocked his companion, burst out laughing, and said, “Ha! So you’re from the Ghost Venom Sect?”

“And if I am?” Lei Yan welcomed the chance to stall for time; he had yet to figure out a way to escape from cultivators.

“Very well! If you’re from the Ghost Venom Sect, then you should be able to cure the poison I’ve just placed on you. Consider it a small punishment for your earlier rudeness. If you’re not, then it’s just your bad luck—the poison in your body is enough to kill you!” With that, the middle-aged man ignored Lei Yan and addressed his companion, “Let’s go!”

“He poisoned me?” Lei Yan was shocked as he watched them leave. For someone to poison him without his noticing was virtually impossible. Yet the man had spoken with such confidence that Lei Yan had no choice but to examine himself carefully. After a thorough check, he finally noticed something amiss at his chest. Pulling aside his clothing, he saw a black line creeping upward from his navel at a speed visible to the naked eye.

“A master, truly a master!” Lei Yan exclaimed inwardly. He recognized this toxin from the Medical Venom Codex: it was the venom of the Dribbling Ant. These ants, barely the size of a match head, resembled ordinary ants and were almost impossible to distinguish without close inspection. The key was that the venom only became lethal when mixed with human blood. There were two ways to administer it: first, by commanding the ant to bite someone—though even the faint sting would alert an ordinary person. The second, more vicious method, was to let the ant bite oneself, then flick the blood-mixed venom onto the target, killing them without their even noticing. Alternatively, one could have the ant crawl from oneself to the target after biting, which was evidently the method the middle-aged man had just used.

“I’ll have to be even more careful from now on!” Lei Yan broke into a cold sweat as he studied the black line on his chest. If not for the man’s warning, he might have died here unawares. He retrieved a pill from his spirit artifact; he always carried plenty, as these common pills could suppress many toxins, including the Dribbling Ant’s. Crushing one, he smeared it on the black line, swallowing another. The black line’s advance slowed noticeably. Still, if he did not concoct an antidote soon, death would be certain once the line reached his neck.

This episode spurred Lei Yan to quicken his pace. He had full confidence in dealing with Qingling; all he wanted was to finish the competition quickly and prepare the antidote.

“There certainly are a lot of people here today!” Lei Yan frowned. Upon entering the Ghost Venom Sect, he saw the spacious front courtyard crowded with dozens of people of all ages. What’s more, his psychic sense revealed them all to be cultivators. “Could it be the sect’s competition really attracts this many spectators every ten years?”

The crowd of cultivators stood encircling an open space—Lei Yan knew it was the arena. Though old and worn, it was perfect for such contests. As he approached, his gaze fell upon the platform above the arena. Seated there were three figures: his grandmaster, Ghost Venom Elder; his martial uncle, Qingling’s master; and the very same black-cloaked middle-aged man he had met on the mountain path, with the burly man standing behind him. Lei Yan’s brow furrowed slightly. “Why is he sitting there?”

Lei Yan climbed up to the platform and bowed respectfully to Ghost Venom Elder. “Grandmaster!”

“Oh? So you’re the grand-disciple, eh? That means today’s match is between you and that girl, then!” The black-cloaked man spoke before Ghost Venom Elder could respond.

“Correct! He is my grand-disciple, and by far the most promising. Not even his master or martial uncle can match him!” Ghost Venom Elder declared proudly, giving his martial nephew no face at all.

“I don’t see what’s so special,” the middle-aged man sneered. “I’ve already sampled this boy’s skills—they’re ordinary at best, and his poisons are nothing. Such weak toxins are a joke to us…” The more he spoke, the more derisive he became, belittling Lei Yan mercilessly.

“That’s enough, Yuan He!” Ghost Venom Elder’s face darkened. “You talk too much!”

Yuan He started, falling silent at once. Though he did not know why he had spoken so indiscreetly, he was clearly displeased with Ghost Venom Elder’s attitude. With a cold snort, he said, “Very well, then. I’ll see for myself just how impressive your grand-disciple is!”

“They’re not on good terms at all! In that case, there’s no need to hand over the antidote!” Lei Yan thought, a sly smile curling his lips. Yuan He’s indiscretion was a sign that Lei Yan’s poison was beginning to take effect. “The real show is about to start!” he mused.

“Lei Yan, the match is about to begin. Go get ready. Qingling has already arrived,” Ghost Venom Elder said, turning to Lei Yan.

“Yes, Grandmaster!” Lei Yan replied, heading for the arena where Qingling stood motionless, almost like a wooden statue. Lei Yan was mildly surprised; he had never paid much attention to her before, but now she seemed greatly changed. Normally, she dressed casually, but today she wore a blue dress, a small basket for poisons at her waist, blue gloves on her hands, and a veil covering her face.

Sensing Lei Yan’s approach, Qingling’s eyes snapped open, glaring at him. “Today I’ll make you pay—for killing my Jade Toad!” Her eyes seemed about to blaze with fury, leaving Lei Yan exasperated. It had been two years already, and the green-eyed toad wasn’t even that valuable. Was it really worth holding such a grudge?

Lei Yan sighed inwardly at her tenacity. “Why does this woman hold onto grudges so fiercely?” But his face betrayed nothing as he strode toward her. “You’re quite confident in your resistance to poison, aren’t you? But dare you let me try my toxins on you?”

“Hmph! I’d love to see what you can do—” Qingling’s retort was cut short as Lei Yan suddenly flicked his hand, sending a cloud of white powder swirling toward her.

“Despicable!” she scoffed, unleashing her inner strength. A gust of wind rose around her, scattering the powder harmlessly. But the wind carried the powder toward the other cultivators, who quickly popped pills into their mouths.

“The match hasn’t even started—this is just a warm-up,” Lei Yan said with a mild smile. He had never intended to poison Qingling with this, but rather, to target the onlookers.

Noticing the activity below, Ghost Venom Elder stood up and addressed the crowd: “Let me explain the rules. They’re simple: you may use any skill you’ve mastered, until your opponent yields or falls. The only restriction is no physical force—only poison or medicine may be used to bring your opponent down. Anyone who breaks the rules will be punished by sect law. Any questions?” Pausing briefly, he continued, “Let the match begin!”

“Give me back my toad’s life!” As soon as the words left Ghost Venom Elder’s mouth, Qingling leapt into the air—almost a full story high—her body floating eerily. As she swept her arms, a torrential rain of medicinal powder fell from above.

“Madwoman!” Lei Yan cursed inwardly, leaping out of the powder’s range. Where he had stood, the ground was now charred black, as if scorched.

Lei Yan knew very well that only direct physical attacks were forbidden; using one’s inner power to float or create a defensive shield was allowed. This was fair enough for most, but he himself had no inner strength or spiritual power, so all he could do was keep dodging with his psychic ability.

“Come on, don’t run!” Qingling cackled from above, delighted at Lei Yan’s frantic evasion.

“So this is your prized grand-disciple? Ha!” Yuan He laughed uproariously from the platform, and the cultivators below joined in, as if infected by his mirth.

Ghost Venom Elder was unfazed, knowing Lei Yan’s lack of inner power made such a scene inevitable. He still believed Lei Yan would ultimately prevail.

Lei Yan continued to flee, but his speed slowed as he inevitably inhaled some of the toxic dust. With a flick of his wrist, he swallowed several pills.

“This can’t go on,” he thought, and suddenly stopped running, sitting down in the midst of the falling poison. The pain made him grimace and grit his teeth, but he forced down more pills and smeared crushed ones onto his wounds.

“Haha! He’s given up! Your grand-disciple has surrendered!” Yuan He jeered loudly from above. The other cultivators’ laughter grew, oddly unceasing—some were even doubled over, clutching their bellies.

Ghost Venom Elder frowned. “Is it really that funny?”

“Of course! It’s hilarious!” Yuan He laughed, apparently oblivious to anything amiss. Even the burly man behind him was flushed red with laughter.

“Jinghui, could they have been poisoned?” Ghost Venom Elder asked Lei Yan’s martial uncle in confusion.

“Master, if you don’t know, how should I?” Jinghui replied. “But they don’t seem poisoned.”

“You might be poisoned, but we aren’t! How could anyone from the Medicine Sect fall victim to a mere trick? What a joke! Hahaha!” Yuan He roared with laughter.

Lei Yan shook his head at the spectacle. Things were just getting started.

Seeing Lei Yan no longer dodging, Qingling lost her earlier excitement, leapt down, and shouted, “Why did you stop running? You think I’ll go easy on you? You’re even more despicable like this!” With a wave of her hand, she flung a handful of multicolored powder at Lei Yan.

Feigning surprise, Lei Yan clutched his head and howled in pain. Qingling clapped her hands in delight. All the while, his psychic sense monitored everything. At the moment she opened her mouth, he flicked a pill straight into it.

“Ugh! What did you make me eat?” Qingling cried, retching.

“Damn, this girl is ruthless—she used Rainbow Spider Powder!” Lei Yan ignored her, quickly crushing more pills to smear on his face. Rainbow Spider Powder was designed to destroy one’s looks; if not neutralized within an hour, it would leave permanent scars. Though Lei Yan was not worried about his own appearance, the pain was intense.

After treating himself, he looked at the retching Qingling with a smile. “Time to turn up the heat.” He said with feigned regret, “Why wear a veil? Did practicing poisons ruin your face? That would be a pity.”

“You’re the one who’s ruined! As if I’d be disfigured. How about the Rainbow Spider Powder? Let’s see how cocky you are next time…” Qingling, forgetting the match, began ranting.

“Blood surging… ha!” Lei Yan laughed, seeing her face flush.

“Could this all be Lei Yan’s doing?” For the first time, Ghost Venom Elder grew solemn. He realized, apart from himself, Jinghui, and Lei Yan, everyone else had been poisoned—by a toxin he didn’t recognize, one that could drive people mad while they remained lucid. Judging by the signs, the madness was just beginning; who knew what would happen next?

“Are you feeling hot?” Lei Yan asked with a grin.

“Yes! So hot!” Qingling began swaying, a visible heat mist escaping her lips. “It’s too hot, I can’t stand it!” With a sudden tug, she tore off her sleeves, revealing arms as tender as a baby’s, so smooth they seemed to glisten.

“It’s a miracle, cultivating poisons and still having such delicate arms,” Lei Yan marveled. Normally, such practices would numb and corrode the skin, not leave it flawless.

Yet while Lei Yan and those on the platform felt nothing, the poisoned cultivators below were driven wild, ripping off their clothes and charging at Qingling. She, meanwhile, caressed herself, letting out moans with each breath.

Yuan He, atop the platform, could no longer bear it and tried to tear off his own clothes, but Ghost Venom Elder knocked him out with a palm strike. Jinghui leapt onto the stage, felling one crazed cultivator after another.

The poisoned cultivators, now more beasts than men, surged toward Qingling. In his anxiety, Jinghui shouted, “You brat, hurry and give Ling’er the antidote!” Seeing Lei Yan standing idly by, he sighed, “We concede the match! Is that enough for you?”