Chapter 267 - 187: New Problems, Compensation

Chapter 267: Chapter 187: New Problems, Compensation

’A person has to make many important choices in life. One wrong step, and everything goes wrong. In my previous life, a mistake would at most cost me some money and lead to a miserable old age. But in this world, one wrong choice could cost me my very life.’

"Congratulations on your victory," Jia Qinglin said to Zhao Zuo, before transforming into a silver stream of light and flying away on his sword at extreme speed. He vanished from sight within a few breaths.

Immediately after, the other two Foundation Establishment cultivators also quickly left. Only the figure in red casually tossed Zhao Zuo a Sound Transmission Talisman before turning into a streak of light and disappearing.

From beginning to end, Jia Qinglin never asked for the names of the two combatants on the Life and Death Platform. He displayed a condescending arrogance and indifference, his gaze like someone looking down on ants at their feet, making one instinctively uncomfortable.

The surrounding disciples, having watched such a clean and decisive battle, now looked at Zhao Zuo with more trepidation. They began to converse in low voices, the topic revolving mainly around him.

"It’s over so quickly?"

"The power gap was just too big."

"Looks like Meng Tianhua picked a fight with the wrong person this time."

"But this senior brother looks completely unfamiliar. He’s probably an Ascetic who’s been in seclusion for a long time."

The crowd below the platform murmured amongst themselves before leaving in groups of twos and threes. Their words held no pity for the dead, as if this were just a trivial, everyday matter.

Zhao Zuo bent down and took the Storage Bag from Meng Tianhua’s waist. As the victor... he had one more thing to take care of: cleaning the Life and Death Platform so as not to leave too much blood behind.

He first pierced Meng Tianhua’s body with his Black Flame Saber, channeling his Mana to conjure black flames. He burned the fallen corpse and the surrounding blood. After about thirty seconds, Meng Tianhua’s body had been incinerated, leaving only ashes.

Zhao Zuo waved his hand, using a Cleaning Talisman to clear away the remaining ashes. Only then did he quickly leave the Life and Death Platform. The battle had been largely without surprises; the only thing worth pondering was the attitude of the Foundation Establishment powerhouses toward the duel.

One had been friendly, one’s attitude was unclear, and one had been condescendingly indifferent.

On the way back, Zhao Zuo walked at a leisurely pace, so not long after leaving the mountain peak, his path was blocked. The person who stopped him had the aura of the Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer. Judging by his Taoist Robe, he was an Inner Sect Disciple. He appeared to be around thirty years old, with an ordinary build and a shrewd glint in his eyes.

"May I ask... why have you stopped me, Taoist friend?" Zhao Zuo asked warily.

"My name is Qian Mingyuan," he said. "It’s just a small matter. I’m from the Mutual Aid Association."

The moment he heard "Mutual Aid Association," Zhao Zuo immediately became more vigilant. He had no favorable impression of this gang-like organization, whose origins lay with the True Inheritance disciples.

"Go on," Zhao Zuo said, his tone flat. ’This person is probably just a messenger, a pawn. Just like Meng Tianhua, another pitiful soul swept up by forces he couldn’t resist. He may be pitiable... but if we truly become enemies, I won’t hesitate to act.’

"Young Master Chu has a message. Meng Tianhua was, after all, a member of the Mutual Aid Association. As the saying goes, you look at the master before you beat the dog—let alone kill one. Since you killed him, you should naturally offer the Mutual Aid Association some compensation. Otherwise, this matter will be difficult to resolve peacefully."

Qian Mingyuan’s tone was relaxed. It seemed that even before the fight, Young Master Chu had already decided how he would respond to Meng Tianhua’s death.

’Compensation? More like extortion, right?’

’This man’s words almost made me laugh. Such a condescending tone, so self-righteous even while extorting someone, as if he were bestowing a great favor upon me.’

It was only now that Zhao Zuo truly understood the nature of the Mutual Aid Association. It wasn’t about exploiting the majority of disciples to support a few people at the top. In truth... the entire organization existed solely to support that one Young Master Chu.

"How much is this so-called compensation?"

"Thirty thousand Spirit Stones."

The moment he heard the amount, Zhao Zuo’s expression darkened. He looked at the pitiful messenger before him and spoke coolly.

"I understand. You can go back now."

"Very well. I hope Taoist Friend Zhao can make the right choice." Qian Mingyuan had intended to leave directly, but he suddenly stopped and spoke again.

"Setting my identity with the Mutual Aid Association aside, let me offer you some advice."

"I watched your entire battle with Meng Tianhua. I must admit... Taoist Friend Zhao, you are very strong. It would be difficult to find a match for you in the Qi Cultivation Realm."

"But Young Master Chu is already on the path of Perfect Foundation Establishment and has completed the Cultivation of the Mana Barrier. His strength... is practically unrivaled within the Qi Cultivation Realm, second only to those few True Inheritance disciples above him."

"Thank you. I will make the right judgment."

Zhao Zuo thanked him sincerely. Regardless of the man’s motive, the information had indeed deepened his understanding of this Young Master Chu.

"By the way, what is that Young Master Chu’s real name?"

"Chu Yijie."

This time, Qian Mingyuan turned and left directly, vanishing from Zhao Zuo’s sight in a few flickers. After all, as a messenger for the Mutual Aid Association, he wasn’t supposed to have too much contact with his targets.

’In fact, after witnessing Zhao Zuo’s strength, he suddenly felt that Young Master Chu had made the wrong move. It was a bad play, one that could cause him to lose the entire game.’

’But... unfortunately, he was just a pawn.’

’He had no say in the matter.’

’His earlier warning was partly to curry favor with Zhao Zuo. He just hoped that when the two powerhouses clashed, a small fry like him wouldn’t get caught in the crossfire and killed.’

’Nourishing Body Realm... Mana Barrier.’

’Zhao Zuo guessed that for the Moyun Sect, only disciples who achieved Perfect Foundation Establishment were considered core members. Cultivators who broke through to the Foundation Establishment Realm using a Foundation Establishment Pill, on the other hand, were merely expendable.’

’This must be the reason for Jia Qinglin’s arrogance. In his eyes, even if I managed to reach Foundation Establishment in the future, I would be destined to never be his equal.’

’That Young Master Chu is just as arrogant. Even knowing my strength, he still chose oppression. Perhaps he shares the same mentality as Jia Qinglin: Cultivators not on the path to Perfect Foundation Establishment... are not worthy of attention.’

Zhao Zuo stood there thinking for a moment and came to understand the perspectives of Jia Qinglin and Young Master Chu. The key issue was Perfect Foundation Establishment and the Cultivation of the Nourishing Body Realm.

’Perfect. I’ll go exchange for a Nourishing Body Stage Cultivation Technique today and see for myself what’s so wondrous about Perfect Foundation Establishment.’

Zhao Zuo immediately quickened his pace, casually changing his appearance to continue hiding his true face. As he walked on, he couldn’t help but scoff internally.

’So... Young Master Chu wants me to obediently hand over thirty thousand Spirit Stones? We’ll see if he can even pinpoint my true identity and find my Cave Mansion.’

...