Just as she had annihilated the Joyful Union Sect before, Zi Lingling, despite knowing that any misstep would cost her life, had still proceeded.
This wasn't recklessness born of foolishness, but a adherence to her own principles and bottom line.
How to put it?
Though she often claimed not to be a good person, in reality, kindness was her nature.
Who says killing is evil? Who says indulgence is good?
In the end, she only killed those who deserved to be killed.
It was precisely because of this that if she were to let a sect as wicked as the Joyful Union Sect continue its evil ways, it would leave a persistent knot in her heart.
This knot, over time, would evolve into a inner demon, appearing every time she faced a heavenly tribulation.
If handled improperly, the consequences could range from the destruction of her Dao foundation to the annihilation of all around her by the heavenly tribulation.
Similarly, her venture into the Alchemist Association was an act of following her true heart.
Of course, the Alchemist Association and the Joyful Union Sect were different.
Although there were those who committed wicked deeds within the Alchemist Association, not all poison masters were evil.
Like the scholar Rong Guang they had encountered earlier, who merely treated poison refinement as a form of Dao cultivation and had no intention of harming others.
This was why Zi Lingling's approach to the Alchemist Association was more measured than her actions against the Joyful Union Sect.
The reason she followed the assessment procedures step-by-step was because her ultimate goal was to gain control of the Alchemist Association and then purge the lineage of poison masters.
Those who committed evil would be killed!
Those who did no evil would be subdued!
In this way, when the Cataclysm arrived, there would be an additional force.
Ye Lingyuan and Zi Lingling shared a deep connection, naturally understanding her thoughts, which was why he had silently stayed by her side, protecting her.
"Ling'er, in my heart, you are more important than the Alchemist Association, and even more important than all the people in the world!"
Ye Lingyuan silently mused in his heart.
Zhao Yunfei observed their unspoken communication.
However, in his eyes, both Zi Lingling and Ye Lingyuan were already doomed, so he paid them no mind.
He said coldly, "You are now a Grandmaster Poison Master, and a member of our Alchemist Association, so…"
"Wait!"
Zi Lingling interrupted Zhao Yunfei, saying, "I am indeed a Grandmaster Poison Master, and I am indeed a member of the Alchemist Association, but not 'our' Alchemist Association, do you understand?"
Zhao Yunfei was taken aback, "What do you mean?"
Zi Lingling sneered, "Such an obvious meaning, and you still can't grasp it? I truly worry about your intelligence!"
"Fine, given your intellectual deficiency, I'll tell you plainly: the position of Alchemist Association President is about to change hands, because I am going to challenge you for the title of Emperor Poison Master!"
Her words, designed to shock, left Zhao Yunfei stunned for a long moment before he slowly recovered, disbelief etched on his face. "You want to challenge me?"
Zi Lingling retorted sarcastically, "What, are you deaf as well as dim-witted?"
"You!"
Zhao Yunfei was furious, his heart aching.
Zi Lingling chided, "What 'me'? The Alchemist Association's rules clearly state that the President must be an Emperor Poison Master, and that they must be open to challenges from Grandmaster Poison Masters at any time. A Grandmaster Poison Master who successfully challenges will be directly promoted to Emperor Poison Master and become the new President. Don't tell me you, as the President, are unaware of this rule!"
Zi Lingling had obtained the Alchemist Association's rules through Feng Mo in Linxian City long ago.
At the time, Feng Mo had asked Zi Lingling why she, an alchemist, needed the rules of the Alchemist Association.
Zi Lingling had simply smiled and said it was for preparedness, perhaps even to trick the Alchemist Association one day.
In truth, even then, Zi Lingling had already set her sights on the Alchemist Association.
However, Linxian City was under the jurisdiction of the Alchemist Guild, and since the Alchemist Guild and the Alchemist Association were mortal enemies, they would never tolerate an enemy lurking nearby. Therefore, there was no Alchemist Association in Linxian City.
Just as Qingcheng was the territory of the Alchemist Association, it had no Alchemist Guild.
Despite their animosity, the Alchemist Guild and the Alchemist Association possessed a thorough understanding of each other's intelligence.
Thus, Feng Mo had easily acquired the Alchemist Association's rules.
With Zi Lingling's photographic memory, a single perusal was enough to commit them to memory.
Moreover, she had meticulously analyzed the rules, understanding all the details and loopholes.
This was the reason she had progressed through the assessments step-by-step from a novice poison master.
Because the Alchemist Association's rules stipulated that one could not skip ranks in assessments!
Zhao Yunfei was once again taken aback. He never expected Zi Lingling to be so familiar with the Alchemist Association's rules, quoting them so readily.
If he hadn't witnessed Zi Lingling progress from a novice poison master himself, he might have suspected her of being an elder of the Alchemist Association.
However, shock aside, he refused to believe that Zi Lingling, who appeared to be only thirteen years old, could be an Emperor Poison Master. Su Dan Novel Network.
He scoffed, "Challenge accepted! I'm not afraid of you! However, if you happen to die by my hand, don't blame anyone else!"
It was as if a pillow had arrived just when he felt sleepy.
He could use this opportunity to eliminate Zi Lingling openly.
"Life and death are dictated by fate during challenges, duels, and assessments; I don't need you to remind me of that. However, President Zhao, you have a prior record of attempting to interfere with an assessment and failing." Zi Lingling said sarcastically.
The "attempting to interfere with an assessment and failing" referred to the incident where Zhao Yunfei had intended to intervene during her life-or-death duel with Liang An, only to be repelled by Ye Lingyuan's killing intent.
Zhao Yunfei flicked his sleeve and coldly snorted, "Challenging an Emperor Poison Master, you have quite the nerve! While I admire you, I'm more interested in your life!"
"On the contrary, I'm not interested in your life, but I am interested in the position of Alchemist Association President," Zi Lingling yawned, expressing her annoyance.
Zhao Yunfei's anger surged, "Since you're so eager to die, I'll oblige you!"
"Tsk!"
Zi Lingling said dismissively, "Have you forgotten how you fled in disarray after saying those words last time?"
Without waiting for Zhao Yunfei to reply, she continued, "Oh, right, I forgot to ask, have you resolved the poison of 'Yi Xiao Fang Hua' yet?"
These words were designed to strike at his heart.
With Zi Lingling's keen eyesight, how could she not notice that Zhao Yunfei still had lingering traces of poison in his body?
Zhao Yunfei gritted his teeth, saying, "Hmph! During a challenge, you must refine poison on the spot. If you use poison you refined beforehand, it's considered a failed challenge. And a failed challenger is subject to the President's disposal. You know this, don't you?"
He stated this rule not only because it was indeed part of the regulations, but also because he was extremely wary of Zi Lingling's "Yi Xiao Fang Hua."
Zi Lingling sneered, "Don't worry, refining poison on the spot will be more than enough to deal with you!"