Han Xuhan couldn't quite process the vast amount of implicit information hidden inside Kong Ye's answers to his questions at the moment. So he decided to collect all the answers in one go and absorb them slowly in the next few days to get a clearer picture of his future.

"Master, this is unrelated to the subject of our discussion, but, do you have any idea if extremely powerful cultivators require the help of low-level cultivators for any specific purpose?"

Kong Ye seemed flabbergasted by the incredibly vague question.

"What do you mean? Powerful cultivators can't obviously do all the tasks of a sect by themselves. Even rogue cultivators with sufficient power would have to take in some disciples to look after their estates and manage their resources."

Han Xuhan struggled to make his question more precise. He didn't yet want to reveal his deal with Fang Xie to Kong Ye, unsure of the hidden currents flowing beneath the surface of the sect.

"Well, let's say the cultivator in question is an immensely powerful loner who has travelled far away from his home. What could be the reason behind his search for talented, young disciples?"

Kong Ye's expression turned unsightly for some reason.

Han Xuhan suddenly recalled that Kong Ye himself was a foreigner, invited by Xuan Zi to join the sect....

And he too was looking for talented, young disciples...

"Cough, cough...ahem! How retarded do you think I am? Would I ask this if I were investigating YOUR motives? I believe in your professional integrity, master!"

Despite his hurried explanation, Han Xuhan found his thoughts suddenly taking a darker turn. Kong Ye was doing the exact same thing as Fang Xie, only in a much more indirect way. Fang Xie's method was crude, whimsical and straightforward, giving off the stink of peril.

Kong Ye was playing a bigger game, a far-reaching path where many objectives could be accomplished while maintaining an ethical, righteous code of action.

Well well well, it seems that by trying to dig out a rat, I have unearthed a viper.

Kong Ye, meanwhile, recovered from his gloom and smiled stiffly.

"Ahaha, I almost took offence there. Why would I have impure motives for teaching a bunch of kids?"

Han Xuhan nodded.

When did I say anything about impure motives? Did my tone indicate that?

Han Xuhan started growing nervous. This conversation wasn't going in a direction that could lead to a positive outcome. If Kong Ye did indeed have impure intentions, it would do Xuhan little good to alarm the man. He had to steal Kong Ye's words out of his mouth and let him feel at ease, as if he was the one in control of the conversation.

"Yes, of course, master! So as I was saying, what if this cultivator in question was surely harbouring impure motives in their heart, unlike you?"

"That's a really vague question, disciple. The world of cultivation is vast. There are countless ways for a powerful cultivator to make use of the weak with bad intentions in mind. Human sacrifices, dao heart refinement, forbidden pill concoctions, heavenly tribulation manipulation...too many objectives can be achieved if you're not a virtuous person."

Han Xuhan felt troubled. How was he supposed to make this guy understand? Fang Xie hadn't given away that many clues...

"It's fine. I was simply curious about something I read in a historical record from the archives. I had another question though, teacher. It's much more important than the previous one."

Kong Ye gestured for him to speak, his gaze still suspicious.

Han Xuhan took out a small vial from an inner pocket of his robe and handed it over for Kong Ye's inspection.

Inside the vial sloshed a colourless liquid, harmless in appearance, terrifying in usage.

"What can you tell me about this liquid, master? Is it possible for you to examine its properties without wasting a single drop? As you can see, I do not have much of it in stock."

Kong Ye curiously observed the liquid inside the vial. Han Xuhan fixed his gaze at Kong Ye's face, looking for even the tiniest change in his reaction.

For the briefest moment, he saw Kong Ye's eyes losing their lively lustre and entering a familiar dazed phase.

The light in his eyes returned almost instantly, and brought with it a horrified tinge in his gaze.

"WHERE DID YOU GET THIS?!" Kong Ye cried in disbelief.

* * * *

[ Scan Completed. Remaining Scans: 3/7 ]

[ Subject: Liquid matter ]

[ Properties: Poisonous, tasteless, odourless]

[ Poison Rank: C+ (weakened version) ]

[ Usage: Can be used to cripple the target mentally and invade their consciousness, usually used to suppress and tame sacred beasts ]

[ Remedy: None discovered so far. An afflicted victim can only hope that someone equally powerful as his attacker is nearby to protect his mental fortress. ]

[ N.B. If host can intake a sample of the scanned poison, you can unlock it as a purchasable item in the shop. ]

[N.B. All poisons produced using the system shall contain fail-safes that can be activated by spending appropriate amounts of points. ]

Kong Ye snatched the bottle out of Han Xuhan's hand. He recognised the poison after going through its property panel from the system. This was not something that should exist on a backwater planet like this where sacred beasts had yet to be born.

Which outsider had brought it here? Why? How did Han Xuhan get his hands on it? Who was being targeted?

Seeing his intense, questioning gaze, Han Xuhan threw his hands up in the air in a surrendering pose.

"Don't ask me where I found that. I'd have elaborated from the beginning if that was an available option, master. My only request is that if there is an antidote or a neutralizer to this poison, help me find it."

Lots of thoughts blazed through Kong Ye's mind. Schemes, secrets, predictions and cautiousness blended together to guide his reaction in one particular direction— the path he had always chosen while dealing with his disciples.

Don't investigate the secrets of the freaks.

Returning Han Xuhan's meaningful stare, Kong Ye said, "If that is what you wish for...sure. I'll look into it."

Han Xuhan tried to take the vial back, only to be held up by him.

"But I'll need a sample, a drop at least."

Seeing Xuhan's reluctance, he added, "I'll return the sample unharmed, don't worry."

Han Xuhan nodded and silently watched him collect a drop of the poison in another vial.

"Quite bold of you to be carrying out such...plans, disciple. I don't think your 'company' matches your cultivation level, though. Be careful while playing with fire," he warned, handing the vial over to his disciple.

Both of them seemed to silently reach an understanding...

'System, bring out the first disciple's stats.'

Rows of panels materialized in the air, invisible to all but him. However, the contents of the panels were overwhelming. Kong Ye felt a chill run down his spine as he read about Han Xuhan's current stats.

[ Disciple #1: Han Xuhan ]

[ Race: ? Still Can't Identify ]

[ Ancestry: ? Still No Fully Accurate Matches ]

[ Cultivation: Early Fourth Layer Of Physique Transformation Realm ]

[ Comprehension: B+ ]

[ Qi Quality: D+ ]

[ Dao Heart: C ]

[ Dao Foundation Quality: ? What The Actual Fuck Did I Sense In There? This Is Beyond Measurement! ]

[ Elemental Affinity: D ]

[ Raw Talent: D ]

[ Expand This Column To See The Rest Of The Key Characteristics ]

[ Overall Potential: B ]

[ Click Here To See The Fluctuations In The Stats ]

[ Existent Issues That Require Immediate Guidance ]–

[1» His Kneecap's been locked onto by a void-matter. Deal with that, for starters.]

[ 2» This Disciple's dao foundation has undergone extremely complex mutations, to the point where it's unprecedented even in the system's vast records. If immediate measures aren't taken to strengthen his dao base, host's disciple count will soon be down to three. ]

[ 3» He still hasn't started practising any of the cultivation techniques you gave him. In the meantime, his breakthrough to the fourth layer has completely screwed up his dao foundation, to the point where it can't even be analysed. Heck, calling it HIS dao foundation might be a bit of a stretch as of right now. There are at least five separate wills struggling to take over the ownership of the dao base. His weak-ass dao heart is barely holding on to the title of the owner.]

[ 4» His meridians have worsened in quality. It won't be a long wait to see him end up as a cripple. ]

[ Expand This Column To See The Rest Of His Problems, And Hot Damn, This Guy Has A Fuckton Of Those. ]

[ Current Impression Of Host: Mildly Favourable ]

Kong Ye recalled the last time he had examined Han Xuhan's stats as his disciple. His sharp memory singled out the discrepancies in Han Xuhan's new stats without the help of the system's records.

Han Xuhan's qi quality has gone down by a grade, from C- to D+.

On the other hand, his dao heart has moved upwards in quality, from C- to C; courtesy of his recent enlightenment, quite probably.

More importantly, Han Xuhan's dao tower seemed beyond saving at this point unless he switched to a new cultivation technique. Five different wills vying for control in a single dao tower?

As interesting as the phenomenon was in such a low realm of cultivation, the implications were equally terrible.

Kong Ye was beginning to lose his hope of seeing this poor disciple ever reach a formidable level of cultivation and explore the vast sea of stars.

Even by the system's evaluation, his potential had gone down by a notch, a clear declaration of his future prospects.

Kong Ye found it hard to formulate a proper plan for Han Xuhan's future. Considering the circumstances they were in right now, cultivating new techniques was hardly a good idea.

Nevertheless, he had to do something, address some issues, and guide his disciple as much as possible for the optimal outcome.

"Disciple, take off your pants."