I Became the Protagonist Who Monopolizes Fortuitous Encounters in a Martial Arts Novel Chapter 46: Invincible Poison Man (4)
“……!!”
His words hit me with pinpoint accuracy, leaving me stunned beyond words. At the same time, I couldn't help but admire Dang Gwan Wol, the Invincible Poison Man, for his profound thoughtfulness.
“You honor me too much.”
I offered a respectful cupped-fist salute to bring the moment to a close.
“Very well, then... I shall pass on the Formless Poison Skill to you.”
With his decision made, Dang Gwan Wol rose calmly to his feet. Though his condition was barely half of what it had been at its peak, the aura of the supreme master in his field was utterly unshakable.
It's like the presence of an old expert who's stared death in the face and come out the other side, I thought.
I stood as well, mirroring him.
“Transmitting the Formless Poison Skill is simpler than you might think. Just extend your hands.”
“Pardon?”
His abrupt instruction caught me off guard, and I blinked in confusion.
“Like you're about to clash inner energy—stretch both hands out straight. Oh, and since transmitting it is akin to poisoning someone, it might hurt a bit.”
His words were cryptic, but I trusted Dang Gwan Wol completely. With unwavering confidence, I extended both palms.
Smoothly, he did the same, our hands meeting just as he'd described—like a duel of inner arts.
“Here we go.”
With his declaration, the transmission of one of this world's three supreme cheat martial arts, the Formless Poison Skill, began.
Supreme all-purpose poison art for offense or defense!
“Haaap!”
Despite his weakened state, the Invincible Poison Man poured his all into it. Veins bulged on his forehead, twitching with effort.
Then came the real astonishment.
His palms shifted into a deep inky hue.
“The true Formless Poison Skill has no form or color, but it can manifest as the user desires.”
Dang Gwan Wol smiled broadly, explaining calmly. The poison energy emanating from that abyssal ink was so overwhelmingly potent that my hands trembled involuntarily in instinctive fear.
“Don't worry. You can handle it.”
With that, he clenched his teeth and unleashed the skill at full power.
A massive, invisible force crashed over me—felt but unseen.
……!!
I flinched at the tidal wave of power but chose trust over retreat. And that choice propelled me to greater heights.
The formless poison crept along his arms, then slowly seeped into my palms.
Urk!
An excruciating agony surged through my body. How to describe it? A blistering burn fused with freezing chill, like dunking my head into a sea of lethal venom.
“Don't flinch or pull away.”
In that maddening torment that would send any ordinary person fleeing, Dang Gwan Wol spoke like a sage.
Even without his words, I stood firm, placing absolute faith in him.
“Now, sense the flow of the formless poison from your crown's Baihui acupoint, down through your dantian to the Huiyin.”
They say master poisoners are master physicians. Even without invoking the adage of medicine and poison as one, the fields intertwined—both demanding intimate knowledge of the human body.
“Huuu.”
Following his guidance, I circulated energy steadily from Baihui through dantian and Huiyin to my soles, completing a full circuit.
This was my first time channeling formless poison alongside my inner energy. It felt like dissolving my body into transparent venom, letting it seep into every fiber.
The strangeness overshadowed the pain now, filling me with awe.
“As I thought. Your constitution takes to the formless poison perfectly. In the worst cases, people succumb to the agony and fail the transmission.”
He praised me lavishly for enduring the baptism flawlessly on my first try.
Now for the next phase.
“Once you've absorbed it fully, circulate your inner heart method alongside it. Pairing it with your finest one is ideal.”
Forgetting the pain, I grinned brightly.
Why? Simple.
Ultimate cheat art amplifying any martial technique!
I possessed the Divine Transformation Heart Method, a supreme cheat equal to—no, surpassing—the Formless Poison Skill. It preserved any art's full power while amplifying it further, making it perfect for this.
Whoosh!
As I activated it, golden energy erupted around me, fusing seamlessly with the formless poison.
“Ooh... oooh!”
Even Dang Gwan Wol, the pinnacle master of poison arts, gaped in awe at the miraculous sight.
“Incredible. Whatever heart method that is, it's phenomenal. Perhaps even superior to mine.”
His admiration was pure, devoid of envy—genuinely delighted.
“No need for further explanation. Just circulate steadily to completion.”
Now the finale. With him guarding me in this secluded spot, I took my time.
Fusing the Divine Transformation Heart Method and formless poison meticulously...
Whoosh!
Two cheat-level arts harmonized within me, the Formless Poison Skill slotting perfectly into my body.
But that wasn't all.
At last... my martial realm shattered the peak and ascended to superpeak!
Incredibly, mastering this legendary art propelled me there. I'd been at peak upper-grade, just a single insight short—this was the breakthrough I needed.
Not yet thirty, a late-generation disciple, and I'd breached superpeak.
“My god! You don't mean...!”
Dang Gwan Wol noticed too, bouncing like a child in uncontained excitement.
Perfectly transmitting the Formless Poison Skill was miracle enough—now surpassing superpeak? Near-divine.
Superpeak marked human limits. Now, no top-ten-under-heaven master could intimidate me.
Not even them. None could kill me outright!
With that conviction, I circulated calmly. A subtle yet vivid formless poison now resided in me.
This embedded art would serve as my secret weapon and shield against all poisons.
“Congratulations, Cheon Myeong. You've not only reached superpeak but achieved the dream of immunity to myriad poisons!”
He clasped his hands, heaping praise. He was right. Astonishingly, I'd attained it immediately upon transmission.
Credit to the Divine Transformation Heart Method.
Transmission was easy, but results varied wildly by recipient. I'd forged near-perfect immunity.
“You're a true genius, a transcendent being. It shames me to call myself Invincible Poison Man.”
Even he, the poison grandmaster, said as much—I was overjoyed.
“Huuuu.”
Circulation complete, I composed myself and offered a respectful salute.
“No, no. It was all thanks to you, Senior. The debt of saving your life is settled.”
I'd saved him; he'd given me the Formless Poison Skill, breaching superpeak and gifting immunity. No debts remained between us.
“Nonsense. No realm or art outweighs life itself.”
Patting my shoulder proudly, he continued.
“You're my eternal benefactor... and if things go awry for me, the sole inheritor of the Formless Poison Skill.”
“Ah!”
Only then did I grasp his intent. Gratitude and my talent played roles, but above all...
In case his clash with Sichuan Dang Family head Dang Wi-ryong goes south, he chose me to carry it forward!
As its creator, letting this supreme art vanish would be tragic. Thus, he'd transmitted it fully to me.
“Thank you. I'll strive to be worthy of the Formless Poison Skill.”
Amazed anew by his magnanimity, I vowed repeatedly.
And one more thing.
“You'd refuse me as disciple, Great Hero Dang. Instead... when I venture into the jianghu, I'll aid your vengeance and protect Ten Thousand Poisons Sect folk in your name.”
His smile shone brighter than ever.
“Good. And if my Poison Heaven Dang experts suffer under the Sichuan Dang Family, lend a hand.”
“Of course. It's only right.”
From that day of transmission, the Invincible Poison Man Dang Gwan Wol and I grew exceedingly close.
But he gave more.
“Take this too.”
He drew something from his bosom and handed it over.
“What is it?”
As I asked, now prepared to depart, he replied.
“A token marking you as Ten Thousand Poisons Sect's honored guest.”
A nameplate of crimson jade, rarer and heavier than gold, radiating faint warmth. Engraved: Ten Thousand Poisons VIP.
“I see it in you—graduating Cheonmu Academy at legendary levels, shaking the jianghu. If my news or revenge stalls by then, visit Ten Thousand Poisons Sect. I'll be there.”
“Thank you. I'll cherish this Ten Thousand Poisons VIP Badge like my own life.”
Rather than refuse, I accepted gratefully, easing his heart as he left.
Time slipped away mercilessly, and farewell arrived.
“They say the Central Plains are endlessly vast yet endlessly narrow. When you enter the martial world, we'll meet again.”
I bowed deeply in salute as he departed for Ten Thousand Poisons Sect, recovered.
Rising, tears streamed from my eyes. The Invincible Poison Man Dang Gwan Wol was gone.
Man departs, fragrance lingers.