Laozi is a Sage

Seeing Fu Nantian so agitated, the group quickly turned back.

They comforted him softly, "Hero Fu, there's no need to be upset. Being at the Dao-Fusion Realm is nothing to be ashamed of. In terms of mental fortitude, even those in the Dao-Verification Realm can't compare to you."

"Moreover, as we mentioned earlier, the Poison Mist Island holds no grudge against you for concealing your true strength. On the contrary, we are deeply grateful."

"Ah, you probably don’t know what happened afterward," the lead poison master suddenly recalled and quickly explained, "You were poisoned unconscious inside the toxic mist space. It was Hero Yi who saved you."

"This time, Hero Yi emerged unscathed from the trial, while Hero Fu was left critically poisoned. From this, we concluded that the newly refined spatial poison mist is only effective against those in the Dao-Fusion Realm, with minimal impact on the Dao-Unity Realm."

He added, "Even for the Dao-Fusion Realm, it’s not necessarily fatal."

His implication was clear—he was referring to Fu Nantian.

"Thus, this poison trial is, overall, a failure for Poison Mist Island. If we can’t develop a spatial poison mist effective against the Dao-Unity Realm, it will be of little use in the upcoming war against demons and monsters."

"So we must redouble our efforts, racing against time to continue our research."

"Oh, and by the way, Hero Fu, you owe your survival to Hero Yi. Based on our observations, he might even be a rare master of herbal medicine."

"Alright, Hero Fu, rest well. We’ll take our leave now."

The poison masters patted Fu Nantian’s shoulder reassuringly, speaking with earnest sincerity.

Just as they turned to go—

Fu Nantian exploded behind them.

"What kind of bullshit conclusion is that?! You’re the one at the Dao-Fusion Realm! Your whole damn family is at the Dao-Fusion Realm!"

Fu Nantian was now in a full-blown rage, his face flushed with fury as he roared, "Listen up, you idiots! I’m a Sage! A SAGE!"

Seeing his outburst, the poison masters initially thought the toxins had addled his mind—until an overwhelming Sage’s aura erupted from Fu Nantian’s body.

The pressure was so immense that before their brains could even process it, their bodies instinctively dropped to their knees.

And with just that brief release of power, Fu Nantian triggered a minor celestial phenomenon.

Above Poison Mist Island, clouds churned violently, and thunder roared.

Every person on the island felt the crushing weight of a Sage’s might, their faces paling in shock.

Night Owl, who had been inside a pavilion, shot out like an arrow, arriving at the scene in an instant.

The moment she appeared at the door and saw that Fu Nantian—the man who had come for the poison trial—was a Sage, her brows furrowed in surprise.

"See that?! I’m a Sage! A SAGE!"

Fu Nantian’s voice was icy as he emphasized his point, berating the kneeling poison masters with a furious glare.

As for Night Owl’s arrival, he didn’t even spare her a glance.

"And your poison? Not only was it a success—it was a damn overwhelming success! It’s not just lethal to the Dao-Unity Realm. Even those in the Dao-Verification Realm would drop dead the moment they step inside!"

As he spoke, Fu Nantian’s words were laced with curses.

Damn it.

These unremarkable old geezers actually had some skill—enough to nearly take down a Sage like him and make him look like a fool in front of that brat Yi Feng.

"What?!"

But the revelation sent the poison masters’ blood pressure skyrocketing. Their hands trembled with excitement.

Even Night Owl at the door was stunned.

This was earth-shattering news.

"Sir… is this truly the case?" the lead elder asked, his voice quivering with tension.

"Why the hell would I lie? Do you think a Sage has nothing better to do than deceive you?" Fu Nantian snapped.

With his confirmation, the poison masters burst into tears, their excitement reaching a fever pitch. They nearly collapsed into each other’s arms.

"We did it… we did it!"

"Not just a success—it far exceeded our expectations!"

"All our efforts weren’t in vain!"

"Yes!"

"We can die in peace now!"

But amid their jubilation, one of them suddenly froze.

Wait.

If that’s the case, how did Yi Feng, a Dao-Unity Realm cultivator, walk out unharmed, while this Sage was nearly poisoned to death?

One of them couldn’t resist voicing the question.

"Wrong? Of course it’s wrong!"

Fu Nantian’s face darkened with rage. "That brat Yi Feng walked out fine because he’s no damn Dao-Unity Realm cultivator! At the very least, he’s a Half-Sage!"

The mere mention of it made Fu Nantian’s blood boil. He wanted to skin Yi Feng alive.

Never in his wildest dreams did he expect that kid to be so cunning—hiding his strength so well that even a Sage’s eyes were fooled.

"And why was I poisoned? Because I was already injured, and certain circumstances aggravated my condition," Fu Nantian added with a scowl. "Only under those circumstances did your damn poison get a lucky shot in."

"Otherwise, do you really think your pathetic toxin could affect a Sage like me?"

"And would that brat Yi Feng have even had the chance to save me?"

Clearly, Fu Nantian was doing everything in his power to salvage his dignity—especially since he couldn’t stomach the fact that Yi Feng had rescued him.

"So that’s how it is…"

"So Hero Yi is actually a Half-Sage!"

"Then our experiment was a complete success!"

"Yes, a total success!"

The poison masters wept with joy.

Outside the door, Night Owl’s lips parted slightly.

The results of this trial had far surpassed her expectations—a cause for celebration. But for some reason, when she heard that Yi Feng was a Half-Sage, her excitement flared even brighter.

"So… you’re this outstanding too?"

Meanwhile, Fu Nantian, having vented his fury, muttered under his breath.

"If that brat mistook me for a Dao-Fusion Realm cultivator… then he didn’t recognize me."

Though he didn’t know why Yi Feng hadn’t seen through him, Fu Nantian counted it as the only silver lining in this mess.

Now that he was awake, he needed to leave immediately to deal with the destruction of his avatar.

Given the circumstances, the next time he met Yi Feng, he’d simply adopt a different appearance.

No matter what, he couldn’t let Yi Feng connect the dots between the poisoned, comatose cloaked man in the toxic mist and his future identity as a revered master.

He had never set foot on Poison Mist Island.

A poison trial?

Never heard of it.

No idea what you’re talking about.

That black mark on his history? It didn’t exist.

Of course, he’d have to silence these people’s mouths.

"Listen well. My true strength and identity must never be revealed to that brat Yi Feng," Fu Nantian declared with the authority of a Sage.

"Yes, sir!"

None dared disobey a Sage’s command. They bowed deeply and hastily retreated.

Once they were gone, Night Owl stepped inside.

A Sage.

A Half-Sage.

The two locked eyes, their gazes clashing like blades. The very air seemed to freeze.

"Your target… is Yi Feng?"

After a long silence, Night Owl narrowed her eyes and asked.

"Of course, it's for this kid," Fu Nantian declared with his head held high. "This boy is a prodigy, and I intend to take him as my disciple. But I was afraid his strength might not be enough to survive your poison trials, so I followed along. Who knew the little brat was holding back?"

Night Owl stared at him.

For a long, silent moment, her tall figure shifted slightly.

"Take care. I won’t see you out."

Hearing this, Fu Nantian rolled his eyes before walking past her and soaring away from the island.

"Damn, that woman is terrifying—just a half-step into the Saint Realm, yet..."

Mid-flight, Fu Nantian wiped sweat from his brow. When Night Owl had spoken, he’d sensed dense toxins permeating the air, laced with unmistakable killing intent.

It had forced him to reveal his true purpose.

Otherwise, while he might have escaped unscathed, his still-recovering body would’ve suffered dearly.

"Damn it all, what rotten luck."

"Here I am, a full-fledged Saint, nearly humiliated in one go, saved by my future disciple, and now threatened by a half-Saint..."

"But that woman really is unusual."

"Hahaha, my precious disciple truly is exceptional—even managing to charm an old maid like her..."

"Sure, she’s a bit eerie, but with her watching over you, this old man can finally focus on his own affairs for a while."