Chapter 127 - 111: Upgrading the Breath-Concealing Ring

Chapter 127: Chapter 111: Upgrading the Breath-Concealing Ring

Zhao Zuo poured them both some hot tea.

He then began to share his recent experiences in the Moyun Sect, from buying a Spirit Beast at the night market and changing his Main Cultivation Method to attending the lecture on the central platform.

Shen Yunjiao listened intently, occasionally asking a few questions. It was clear she was very interested in what Zhao Zuo had been through.

A gentle breeze brushed across their cheeks, cool and refreshing.

The setting sun filled the sky with an orange-red afterglow, which reflected in their eyes. But it was their hearts that felt the warmth.

"On the way back, I was ambushed."

Zhao Zuo said suddenly, his tone surprisingly relaxed. ’I held back during the fight, so it was never really a life-or-death situation.’

"Are you hurt?"

"No. The attacker was also holding back, probably worried about leaving clues to their real identity."

’Someone who can move freely in that fog has to be a Moyun Sect disciple,’ Zhao Zuo thought. ’And based on the combat strength he displayed, I’m leaning toward... him being an Outer Sect disciple.’

"As long as you’re not hurt." Shen Yunjiao said, her hands clenching unconsciously. A wave of worry washed over her, but she quickly forced it down.

She wasn’t sure what was wrong with her, why she was so concerned for his safety.

"Do you have any suspects?" Shen Yunjiao asked.

"I’ve thought about it... I suspect my neighbor. She knew I was heading down the mountain to the Moyun Market today," Zhao Zuo answered honestly.

"That’s very likely. Tribulation Cultivators are after cultivation resources for their own advancement. Very few act on a whim; most of them pick a target in advance."

Shen Yunjiao nodded in agreement. "Every breakthrough in one’s Cultivation is a physical transformation. Anyone who can reach the late period of Qi Cultivation is no fool."

"Attacking someone without investigating them first is no different from suicide."

"When I go back... I’ll test her," Zhao Zuo said.

"Do you need my help to kill her?"

Shen Yunjiao’s tone was perfectly calm. In the Cultivation Realm, killing was an ordinary affair.

"No," Zhao Zuo said. He didn’t want to involve Shen Yunjiao. After all... it was too dangerous.

’If Zhao Qingmeng is really the mastermind, her connections could cause me a lot of trouble. But the Moyun Sect is covered by a Third Tier Grand Array that monitors internal Mana fluctuations. If I act rashly, I won’t be able to get rid of her and will only end up getting myself caught.’

Zhao Zuo was troubled.

"It’s true that it’s hard to make a move as long as she stays within the Moyun Sect." Shen Yunjiao lowered her head, fingers toying with the hem of her dress as she fell into thought.

"The simplest method is to challenge her to a life-and-death duel," Zhao Zuo suggested. "We’re at the same level of strength, so she can’t refuse. She’d have to accept."

"That is a good idea, but what’s the catch?" Shen Yunjiao asked, swirling the tea in her cup. She knew if it were that simple, Zhao Zuo wouldn’t be asking for her opinion.

"But you have to submit a formal request to the Punishment Hall, and it has to be approved. Plus, the other party gets to decide when the duel takes place, anytime within the next three months." Zhao Zuo felt a headache coming on. ’So much can change in three months.’

"Are you worried the Punishment Hall won’t approve your request?" Shen Yunjiao asked, looking up at him.

"I’m worried she’s hiding her true Cultivation level. I’m worried about what else could happen in three months. And... while my neighbor was likely involved in the ambush, she wasn’t the one who attacked me."

Though Zhao Zuo had only fought the black-robed man for less than two minutes, he was certain his assailant was male. There was a clear difference in body shape and the way men and women exerted their strength.

"So, there are more people involved?" Shen Yunjiao asked.

Zhao Zuo fell silent, his head lowered. As he thought through the possibilities, the idea of using Chen Xiaorong’s Communication Jade to ask for help surfaced once again.

A crisis that seemed insurmountable to him would be a simple matter of a few sword strikes for Chen Xiaorong.

"It’s not as dire as it seems," Shen Yunjiao comforted him gently. "The Third Tier Grand Array may restrict you, but it also protects you. As long as you’re inside the Moyun Sect... they won’t dare make a reckless move. This situation is dangerous, but you can take your time and plan."

"I know... I’m just..." Of course Zhao Zuo knew he couldn’t rush things.

He was debating whether to give up and just call Chen Xiaorong.

’I really don’t want to involve Chen Xiaorong,’ he thought, ’but the frustrating thing is, I don’t have a better solution.’

"Alright, you take your time. I’ll go make dinner."

Shen Yunjiao left him to his thoughts. She knew that in a situation like this, he needed time to think of a plan and prepare for any potential retaliation.

Fifteen minutes later, Zhao Zuo took out the book on Heavy Mountain Spirit Patterns and started to read. His furrowed brow began to relax.

He had made his decision. ’As soon as I get back to the Moyun Sect, I’ll submit a request for a life-and-death duel to the Punishment Hall. Zhao Qingmeng will almost certainly stall for time, and I can use that period to upgrade my Sky-Breaking Saber.’

After reading for a while, Zhao Zuo suddenly felt restless and put the book back into his Storage Bag.

He had escaped a life-and-death crisis before and found a place he could call home in the core district of Moyun Market. Back then, he had finally been able to relax, both physically and mentally. 𝘧𝓇ℯℴ𝓂

But now, after joining the Moyun Sect, he had hoped for a peaceful path to Foundation Establishment. Instead, another life-or-death crisis had caught up to him, like a nightmare he couldn’t shake.

"I really hate this feeling," Zhao Zuo muttered, his fists clenching unconsciously.

In truth, the biggest problem was his own lack of strength. In the fog... even though he’d had a slight advantage against the man in black, he could tell his opponent hadn’t been using his full power at all.

"It’s not a good feeling, having your fate out of your own hands," Shen Yunjiao suddenly interjected.

"Weren’t you making dinner?" Zhao Zuo asked.

"I thought of a solution. Challenging her to a duel directly is not the best strategy."

Zhao Zuo knew a direct life-and-death duel wasn’t the best plan, but what other method of retaliation did he have that was within the rules?

"What is the greatest power in the Moyun Sect?" Shen Yunjiao asked suddenly. With that, she turned and left, leaving him with the riddle.

’Zhao Qingmeng’s influence is far greater than mine,’ he thought. ’That’s a gap I can’t bridge.’

After all, she had spent years building her network, while he was just a new disciple who had barely started.

’Influence... getting Chen Xiaorong involved is one way of borrowing influence. But another source of influence I can leverage is the operational rules of the Moyun Sect. That’s the greatest influence of all.’

Zhao Zuo’s eyes suddenly lit up. He had thought of the most direct and effective way to deal with Zhao Qingmeng!

"An Inner Sect Disciple!"

If he could become an Inner Sect Disciple, his current problem would no longer be a problem.

Inner Sect Disciples can directly request that the Punishment Hall investigate the ambush in the fog. The Punishment Hall holds law enforcement authority within the sect and can, of course, interrogate Outer Sect disciples.

Then, Zhao Zuo could name her as a suspect, and if the Punishment Hall disciples used the Mystical Heart Confusion Technique to interrogate Zhao Qingmeng... the whole truth would come to light.

For violating Moyun Sect rules and attacking a fellow disciple, Zhao Qingmeng would surely pay with her life.

They might even get information about her accomplices from her.

That way, he wouldn’t need to involve Chen Xiaorong at all. The problem would be completely solved, and he wouldn’t have to take any risks himself.

Having figured this out, the tension in Zhao Zuo’s heart eased considerably.

The next step was to figure out how to become an Inner Sect Disciple.

The four halls of the Moyun Sect each had different assessments for becoming an Inner Sect Disciple. The Shenxiao and Punishment Halls primarily tested combat ability and Cultivation, while the Core Heart Hall tested one’s Pill Refining Cultivation and knowledge of medicinal herbs.

Which meant... the Earth Fire Hall’s test was on Artifact Refining!

.......

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