From Teng County’s explanation, Zou Feng began to understand the situation.

In fact, it wasn’t just Silk Cave. Other places within Cloud Mist Mountain, such as the Valley of Ten Thousand Snakes and Hundred-legged Ridge, also had their own "forbidden grounds."

These locations had become forbidden grounds because of their unique environments, which periodically gave birth to special poisonous creatures.

It was precisely because these forbidden grounds in Cloud Mist Mountain constantly produced special poisonous creatures that a steady stream of experts in Poison Skills could be cultivated.

Since humans are not naturally poisonous, Martial Artists like Poison Cultivators must rely on various poisonous creatures and substances to cultivate their Poison Skills.

In a way, these forbidden grounds were one of the very foundations of Biyou Palace.

Ordinary disciples weren’t allowed into the forbidden grounds. Only those at the Cave Master level or the high-ranking members living on the mountain peak could freely enter any of them.

As for whether the spider Teng County had encountered was a Gu King...

Teng County truly didn’t know, because "Gu King" didn’t refer to a specific type of poisonous creature.

Especially within a forbidden ground; it was indeed possible for a Gu King Level poisonous creature to emerge naturally from time to time.

After all, deep within the forbidden grounds, if several powerful poisonous creatures were to emerge or mutate at the same time, they would most likely fight and devour one another.

Such an environment was, in itself, a form of Cultivation Gu.

The standard for being called a Gu King was, naturally, its toxicity. If used properly, its poison had to be capable of killing a Third Grade True Qi Realm expert.

Any creature with that level of toxicity could be called a Gu King. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"The White Jade Spider’s poison is strange, but from what I saw, it didn’t have much fighting strength. It doesn’t seem like a Gu King Level creature..." Recalling the spider’s bizarre nature, Teng County was still shaken.

Zou Feng shook his head. "Not necessarily. If even you, Cave Master, fell for its trick, the other poisonous creatures in the forbidden ground would stand no chance against its charm!"

"They might have even willingly let it poison them, turning into its nutrients!"

Teng County frowned. "Then what should we do?"

Since becoming the new Cave Master, Teng County had been in a state of desperate, frenzied Cultivation.

After all, she was currently the only one in the Five Poison Hall who had not yet reached the True Qi Realm.

Because the previous Cave Master had died abruptly, the situation was unusual. For a short while, Teng County, a Fourth Grade Cave Master, wouldn’t face too much scrutiny.

But if she failed to advance to the True Qi Realm soon, the problem would become immense.

An Evil Sect like Biyou Palace didn’t care for concepts like unity, friendship, or mutual aid.

That was why Teng County was so desperate. She had previously ventured deep into the forbidden ground seeking an opportunity, only to encounter a Gu King Level creature she was completely unable to handle.

But now, with the White Jade Spider in the forbidden ground, no other powerful poisonous creatures would appear for the time being. This meant Teng County could no longer go "treasure hunting" in the depths of the forbidden ground.

’Kill the White Jade Spider?’

That was indeed the most direct solution, but Teng County knew she was incapable of it.

Even though Zou Feng had expelled the poison, Teng County knew that if she saw the White Jade Spider again, her mind would likely be lost to its temptation once more.

Not only would she be unable to bring herself to kill it, but she would also very likely be killed by it instead.

"What if we ask the Vice Palace Master to handle it?" Zou Feng asked tentatively.

Unexpectedly, his words only earned him a bitter smile from Teng County.

Zou Feng understood her hesitation. A Cave Master was, by definition, the manager of their forbidden ground.

’A manager who can’t even control her own territory and needs to trouble her superiors... That’s simply inexcusable.’

In an Evil Sect like Biyou Palace, the consequences of such a failure of duty were unpredictable.

Of course, that was only a secondary reason. More importantly, if she reported it, she would likely lose any chance of claiming the poison for herself...

It often took several years for a Gu King Level creature to gestate within a forbidden ground.

Only a year had passed since a Gu King had last appeared in Silk Cave. Under normal circumstances, another one shouldn’t have appeared for several more years.

Therefore, the higher-ups wouldn’t be paying much attention to the forbidden ground in Silk Cave for the next few years.

Furthermore, the Palace Master, who had a special ability to sense Gu Kings, was currently away from Biyou Palace...

There would never be a better chance to claim it than right now!

Seeing that Teng County wanted to deceive her superiors and keep the poison for herself, Zou Feng was more than happy to comply.

’That suggestion about the Vice Palace Master was just a probe, anyway.’

’Handle it my ass. Wouldn’t it be much better for the two of us to split it?’

"Teng Cave Master, since that thing is most likely the Gu King, why don’t we... cooperate again?" As he spoke, Zou Feng made a grasping motion with his hand.

Teng County sighed softly. "I’d like to, but you’re still underestimating that White Jade Spider."

"When you truly see it, you lose all thought of attacking. You’ll be utterly mesmerized, and before you know it, you’ll have fallen into its trap."

Zou Feng said, "We have to try. Teng Cave Master, you should know I’m quite experienced in expelling poisons. The ’Confusion Poison’ it emits won’t work on me!"

After studying Zou Feng for a few moments, Teng County mused, "I’m well aware of your skills, Elder Zou, but if we fail, we won’t get a second chance!"

"Don’t worry. Expelling the poison for you just now gave me some understanding of its effects. It won’t be a big problem!"

Zou Feng’s confidence wasn’t baseless; he had his powerful "backers from the rankings" behind him.

’Worst case, I’ll just cultivate my Heart Skill while I go to the forbidden ground to catch the Gu King.’

’That way, even if I’m affected by the Poison of the Gu King, I can have my backers take the brunt of it.’

Seeing Zou Feng so brimming with confidence, Teng County no longer objected.

After all, she truly coveted the Poison of the Gu King as well.

The Spider Gu King Poison was an especially perfect match for Teng County’s specialization. If she could successfully perform its Refinement, the benefits would be immeasurable.