Chapter 246 - 174: Breakthrough, Eighth Layer of Qi Cultivation, Conflict Emerges

Chapter 246: Chapter 174: Breakthrough, Eighth Layer of Qi Cultivation, Conflict Emerges

"But I’m truly strapped for cash. Sorry, but I have other business to attend to, so I’ll be taking my leave."

Zhao Zuo was completely unmoved. When Meng Tianhua had released his aura, he had already sensed the man’s cultivation was only at the Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer. ’Thinking he can control me with just that? He’s dreaming.’

"Heh... You know, Demon Beasts could attack at any time in the Yunlan Mountain Range," Meng Tianhua said viciously. This was a blatant threat.

"I prefer to spend my life in secluded cultivation, not adventuring. I’m afraid I won’t be leaving the Moyun Sect to visit the Yunlan Mountain Range for the next ten years or so." Zhao Zuo paused for a fraction of a second, a flicker of killing intent flashing through his mind before it was gone. He had originally planned to celebrate with a Spiritual Food meal at Ruyi Pavilion, but running into this mess had completely ruined his mood.

After Zhao Zuo left, Meng Tianhua turned and entered the Ministry of Affairs Hall, questioning the young woman in green.

"Did you note down his disciple token?"

"Lord Wu, of course I did. Earth Fire Hall, Yuan 36."

"Zhao Zuo."

The young woman in green spoke respectfully. In truth, she was the one who performed the initial screening for Meng Tianhua’s targets. It was only through the Mutual Aid Association’s connections that she, an Outer Sect disciple, was able to hold a position in the Inner Sect’s Ministry of Affairs Hall.

"An Artifact Refiner? And he’s been an Inner Sect Disciple for less than a year?"

"I’ll need to look into his background more thoroughly."

A shrewdness completely at odds with his rugged appearance emerged in Meng Tianhua’s eyes. He had been able to fight his way up from being a Loose Cultivator to become an Inner Sect Disciple of the Moyun Sect’s Shenxiao Hall by relying on more than just brute force.

"This is your reward. Next time you have a suitable target, remember to contact me first," Meng Tianhua said, casually tossing a bag of Spirit Stones to the young woman in green.

To him, suitable targets were like walking stashes of Spirit Stones. A successful recruitment meant an extra thirty Spirit Stones a month—a slow but steady stream of income.

If the recruitment failed, arranging an ambush later would be a quick way to a big payday.

"Thank you for the reward, my lord." The young woman in green smiled brightly.

As Zhao Zuo walked down the path, his flicker of anger quickly dissipated. He didn’t know the scale of this Mutual Aid Association, but he wasn’t too worried. After all, the appearance and aura he was using weren’t his own, meaning the chances of his true identity being discovered were low.

Just as he had said, he didn’t plan on leaving the Inner Sect area for a long time to come. With the sect’s Grand Array overhead, his safety was more or less guaranteed.

Unless his enemy was so deranged they were willing to trade their life for his, the Mutual Aid Association’s threat was not a major concern.

"The Moyun Sect is in chaos," Zhao Zuo remarked softly.

This small incident revealed a larger problem. He’d been in the Inner Sect for some time, so why had the Mutual Aid Association only just come knocking? He suspected that before Chen Xiaorong was crippled, this association either didn’t exist or its founder, the sixth True Inheritance disciple, would never have dared to establish such a gang-like, exploitative organization right under her nose.

Evidently, with Chen Xiaorong out of the picture, things had changed. It had been less than two months since she was crippled and fell from the Foundation Establishment Realm, yet all sorts of shady characters had already crawled out of the woodwork, brazenly breaking the rules for their own gain.

Zhao Zuo shook his head, pushing aside these matters that didn’t really concern him. He quickly finalized his plan for his upcoming seclusion.

That was to complete the Refinement of his Lifebound Magical Artifact as soon as possible.

And studying the Heaven-Melting Scripture... That was what was truly important.

But five days later, a line of text on his disciple Identity Token shattered Zhao Zuo’s plans.

The message was from the Punishment Hall.

"Duel challenge on the Life and Death Platform, November 7th. Applicant: Meng Tianhua."

"Reason for application: Two months ago, Zhao Zuo launched a sneak attack on Meng Tianhua in the Yunlan Mountain Range over some Spirit Grass."

"Punishment Hall: Application approved."

......