Chương 72: Chapter 73: A Hundred Venoms Secured, The Golden Core Appears

Reyn offered a curt nod of approval. Men like Liu Shengsheng were sycophants by nature, drifting toward whoever held the most power. As long as you maintained a dominant stance, they would execute your commands with meticulous precision.

"Since the arrangements are made, let us make haste," Reyn said tonelessly.

"It would be ill-advised to let those demon beasts stir up trouble in the interim." Faint streaks of light shimmered around the two men as they accelerated, their speed surging as they shot toward the Spirit Beast Pavilion.

"Senior Brother Liu! You've finally returned!" A man with a dull, blunt face shouted as they approached, his expression a mask of indignation.

"These demon beasts are far too fierce. Even the weakest among them is at the peak of Level 1. None of us dared to even get close to assign them quarters! Those envoys from the other sects just dumped them here and vanished. What are we supposed to do?" The man, Yang Quansheng, ranted loudly before finally noticing the stranger beside Liu Shengsheng. He blinked, his curiosity piqued.

"Senior Brother Liu, who might this be?" Liu Shengsheng shot a nervous glance at Reyn. Seeing Reyn's expression remained as calm as a frozen lake, he let out a silent breath of relief and immediately snapped at his subordinate.

"Yang Quansheng, mind your tongue! This is Senior Brother Reyn, the personal disciple of Ancestor Dan Chenzi. He has come specifically to help us suppress these beasts. Do not be insolent!" Though Yang Quansheng was merely an Outer Sect disciple, he possessed a natural affinity for demon beasts and had managed the Spirit Beast Pavilion with a fair amount of pride. He was rarely truly subservient, even to Liu Shengsheng. However, hearing that name sent a violent shiver down his spine.

Dan Chenzi was a Golden Core powerhouse; offending his disciple was tantamount to seeking a swift death.

"Yang Quansheng greets Senior Brother Reyn!" he stammered, bowing low.

"If I was disrespectful just now, I beg for your Senior Brother's magnanimity."

"It is of no consequence," Reyn replied, waving a hand dismissively. His focus was entirely on the collection of beasts within the pavilion; he had no interest in wasting energy on a minor clerk. As his Divine Sense swept through the Spirit Beast Pavilion, a surge of predatory joy rose in Reyn's heart. To celebrate Dan Chenzi's Golden Core Ascension Ceremony, the various sects had brought their most formidable demon beasts to showcase their own foundations.

Among such creatures, venomous beasts were often the most lethal and prized. By his quick estimation, there were over a hundred venomous specimens gathered here.

'The Hundred-Beast Poison Pill requires the essence of over a hundred toxins,' Reyn thought, his eyes narrowing.

'If I succeed in refining it, it will possess enough lethality to threaten even a Golden Core cultivator.' Turning back to the managers, Reyn spoke with cold authority.

"These beasts are volatile. A single slip-up will result in casualties. Take the Outer Sect disciples and withdraw. I shall handle the containment alone."

"This..." Liu Shengsheng hesitated, a flicker of worry crossing his face. These hundred-plus beasts were radiating a savage, murderous aura. If anything happened to Reyn on his watch, his own life would be forfeit. This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. Yang Quansheng's eyes widened in shock. Having dealt with beasts for years, he knew how impossible they were to manage.

He didn't believe for a second that Reyn could handle a hundred of them single-handedly. Seeing their hesitation, Reyn's brow furrowed. He let out a cold snort, his voice dropping an octave.

"I shall take full responsibility for this. Even if a mishap occurs, the blame will not fall on your heads. Or do you find my command insufficient?"

"No, no! Since Senior Brother is confident, we shall naturally obey," Liu Shengsheng said, bowing quickly.

"We will withdraw, but we shall remain just outside the gates. Should you require anything, Senior Brother, you need only call." Liu Shengsheng exchanged a worried look with Yang Quansheng. Despite their anxiety, they led the group of Outer Sect disciples out of the pavilion. Once the area was cleared, Reyn remained motionless, his Divine Sense expanding like a tide to scan every corner of the Spirit Beast Pavilion. Only after confirming there were no hidden observers did he relax his stance.

With a flick of his wrist, he produced several talismans from his storage bag. He infused them with spiritual energy, erecting a series of restrictive barriers designed to mask energy fluctuations and block any prying Divine Sense. Only then did he begin his work. A full day passed before Reyn stepped out of the Spirit Beast Pavilion. His pace was steady, and a rare, subtle smirk played across his lips. Inside his storage bag sat three jade vials, filled to the brim with the concentrated venom of a hundred beasts.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Reyn," Liu Shengsheng and Yang Quansheng said in unison, bowing with significantly more genuine respect than before. The fact that Reyn had emerged unscathed after a day alone with those monsters was proof enough of his hidden depths.

"The beasts have been assigned to their respective enclosures," Reyn said, waving them off.

"Have the disciples bring them fodder shortly."

"As you command, Senior Brother." Reyn nodded and took to the air, his streak of light heading straight for the main peak's Great Hall. Today was the day of the Ascension Ceremony; as a registered disciple, his presence was mandatory. Today, the Xuanxiao Sect was more vibrant than it had been since the passing of its founding ancestor. Over a hundred sects from across the North Yue State had sent representatives to offer their congratulations. It was a level of prestige rarely seen in the cultivation world.

The knowledge that their sect now boasted two Golden Core ancestors filled every disciple with palpable pride. They moved with a renewed sense of vigor, their faces glowing with excitement. Inside the Great Hall, the floor was paved with intricately carved jade that shimmered under the light of massive night pearls embedded in the ceiling. The walls were etched with ornate patterns that pulsed with faint, rhythmic power—a clear sign of a high-level defensive array.

The various sects were seated on either side of the hall, arranged strictly by their status and strength.

"Haha! My Junior Brother Dan Chenzi has fortunately achieved the Golden Core stage. I, Qingxiaozi, thank you all for traveling so far to witness this," a clear, resonant voice echoed from outside the hall. The voice was calm, yet it carried an undeniable, crushing authority that forced everyone to look toward the entrance. Two figures walked side-by-side into the hall. Both wore opulent purple Daoist robes, their hair secured by violet-gold rings.

They moved with an ethereal grace, their auras completely retracted, yet the sight of them caused the pupils of every cultivator in the room to contract violently. Two Golden Core cultivators! This was a force capable of dominating the entire North Yue State. Sect Master Xuan Wuqing of the Diling Sect and Daoist Jingyuan of the Earth Fiend Sect exchanged a grim look. Both saw the bitter resentment in the other's eyes.

They knew that for the next century at least, their sects would be forced to live in the shadow of the Xuanxiao Sect.

"Congratulations to Fellow Daoist Dan Chenzi on his successful ascension," Xuan Wuqing said, rising to cup his hands.

"The North Yue State has gained another pillar of strength." Knowing the Xuanxiao Sect was now the undisputed hegemon, neither of them dared to cause trouble. They suppressed their envy and offered their hollow congratulations with practiced smiles.