The other sect masters all jumped when they saw this, they were also thinking of trying to recruit Naath. However, seeing what sect master Su had just done to the earthen arts sect master and feeling his aura they decided against it. Instead, they all unconsciously took a step backward fearing they would be targeted next. Sect master Su patted his hands as if dusting off something dirty, he turned to Naath and said, “Don't let ignorant fools like that bother you, I recently broke through to a higher realm and soon our sect will be rising.
We will soon be able to offer you better resources than any 12th grade sect ever could. The difference between even a single grade of sect is like the difference between the heavens and the earth. A 12th grade sect will receive only a certain amount of support and resources from the head family of the continent. However, an 11th grade sect will receive almost double that. Not only this, the title of an 11th grade sect will draw in far more disciples and make us more prosperous.” Naath felt grateful to sect master Su and politely cupped his fists in response.
Sect master Su smiled when he saw this and he said, “Elder Gui, remember Naath is the genius of our sect, he is our rising star. You have my full support in guiding his cultivation path, if anyone gets in your way do not be afraid to be ruthless.”
After saying this sect master Su released some killing intent that made the air stagnate slightly. This only lasted for a single moment however it was enough to make the message clear. After this, all of the various other sect masters took their leave offering their early congratulations on the raging river sect becoming 11th grade. As soon as they were all gone sect master Su took the other elders away with him.
Naath was then alone with elder gui, elder Gui looked at him and said, “well that was intense wasn't it? Oh well now that you have finished your required soul training even far surpassing it let's move on shall we?”
Naath was in a state of disbelief, he asked, “Master, don't you want to know what that tribulation was about? Why aren't you asking any questions?” Elder Gui chuckled and said “Naath, did you really think we didn't know you were a child of the heavens? After witnessing that do you think nobody would be able to tell?
Not only that but once you woke up the heavenly energy that stopped you from healing disappeared completely. That was from heavenly punishment lightning, not normal tribulation lightning. Just the remnant energy on your skin could have killed even the sect master let alone me. The fact that you were able to survive its effects on your body and not only that but absorb and refine it says everything. Anyway come, this next bout of training is incredibly important but it will be more painful than anything you have yet experienced. Ah right before that what colour is your soul energy?”
Naath smiled sheepishly and held out his hand, the rune had warned him earlier not to show anyone his rainbow soul energy because everyone knew what that meant. However elder Gui was Naath’s first master so he held back no truths from him, he held his hand out and opened his palm facing up allowing the rainbow colour to dance on it. Elder Gui was dazed for a moment but quickly snapped into reality as he said, “haha, as expected of heaven's chosen child, a rainbow soul, haha. The heavens don't want anyone to know the secrets of your soul so they disguised it behind this huh?”
The rune in Naath’s soul sea was completely flabbergasted, this was just one misunderstanding after another. Yet each and every one made Naath look more and more certainly like the heavens chosen child. The rune quickly wore a curious look on his new face. He silently and secretly scanned Naath’s entire body with his soul sense, what he saw made him burst out into uncontrollable laughter and he said to himself. “Heavens truly well done, hahaha, way to count your eggs before they hatch!”
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Naath of course heard this and began noting it for conversation later, however, elder Gui began speaking again and drew all of Naath’s attention.
Elder Gui said, “that soul colour is wonderful, it has all attributes, truly incredible.”
Naath raised an eyebrow at this and asked, “different soul colours have different attributes?”
The rune in Naath’s soul sea smacked his own forehead for elder Gui, elder Gui paled slightly and said, “ah no, no ignore that, pretend I said nothing, you aren't ready to know yet.”
Naath let out an annoyed breath and thought to himself “I need to get much stronger so nobody can hide these secrets from me!” Elder Gui quickly changed the subject however and said, “now then about this next step in training.
It is somewhat cruel, even by my standards, however, it is absolutely necessary. Almost nobody on the path to martial cultivation goes through this training because they think that once they reach a certain stage they are invincible. However, this is terribly false information. In this vast universe, nobody is absolutely invincible. Those who think they are, are doomed to die from their own arrogance. You will do well to remember that Naath, never be complacent because of your cultivation.” Naath nodded his head and took this advice to heart. Elder gui smiled as he saw Naath sincerely learning and taking these lessons.
He took a breath and let out a deep sigh saying, “I'm genuinely sorry for what I am about to put you through Naath, however you will thank me in the future. Come with me to a soundproof location and we will begin. At your cultivation of mid-first level of muscle strengthening, you will disturb quite a few people with your pained screams otherwise.” Naath gulped down hard thinking of what this training could possibly be and dreading it because even his master thought it was cruel. Naath silently nodded and followed elder Gui to a large pale black formation, clearly another one built by elder Gui.
Inside of the formation was a small shed, inside there were shelves lined with various bottles. Naath looked at the bottles curiously wondering if they were somehow involved in his training. Elder Gui saw Naath looking and as if knowing his thoughts said, “yes they are indeed a part of your training. Inside of every single one of those vials is a different type of lethal poison. In that shed, there are thousands of kinds, every known kind on our world in fact.” Naath instantly became aware of what his training was and his entire body shuddered as his eyes went wide.
Elder Gui saw this and said, “yes it will be excruciating, however at the end you will be immune to every single one of these poisons. One of the largest chinks in a powerful cultivator's armour is poison. I have heard of even people at the peak of our little world poisoned to death by jealous people. Do not worry I will only be giving you half of the lethal dose, or effective dose for every single one until your body gains complete immunity to them. Some of them are cold poisons others are fire-based, and a few are just plain toxic beyond compare. This will test your will and your ability to endure like no other, this training can take anywhere from six months to a full decade. It all depends on your body and how well it can adapt.
Now then let's begin shall we?” With that said elder Gui made a grabbing motion with his right hand, one of the vials with poison in it flew over into his hand after this motion. Elder Gui popped the cork off of its top and guided out a single drop and turned to Naath. Naath took a deep breath and then using his own finger cut open a spot on his arm and put it forward. Elder Gui smiled saying, “good, you take this training willingly, I took this training much less gracefully than you are now back when I had to endure it.” Elder Gui sent the poison into Naath’s body.
Naath instantly felt it course through his body, he could tell from the moment it entered his body this one targeted the nerves and stunned the victim from overwhelming pain. He gritted his teeth as he tried to endure, but he was on his hands and knees moments later while trying to. Tears uncontrollably came from his eyes yet he didn't make a single sound. Elder Gui smiled saying, “good you can endure it at this level, we will start with the least painful poison and work our way up.” Hearing this Naath felt a wave of exhaustion come over him.
If this was simply the weakest level of poison, then what would the strongest one in that shed feel like?!