Chapter 32
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Chapter 32: Inside Deals
“Senior Brother?”
Ye Yun suddenly felt tense.
He had already obtained a bottle of spiritual liquid brimming with astonishing spiritual energy. While failing to gain spirit stones from the spirit field cultivation task didn’t matter much, avoiding unnecessary trouble was crucial.
“Nothing serious. You completed the task well. Prepare to receive your spirit stones.” The black-robed young disciple’s brow twitched briefly before he spoke with a neutral expression.
Ye Yun found the abrupt shift in the disciple’s demeanor suspicious, but the latter had already gestured for him to follow.
After walking a dozen steps toward the Trial Hall, they stopped at a secluded corner instead of entering the building.
“Do you want fifty middle-grade spirit stones… or none at all?” The young disciple scanned their surroundings before whispering.
Ye Yun had anticipated trickery but still feigned confusion. “I don’t understand, Senior Brother.”
“As I mentioned earlier,” the disciple said smoothly, “Elder Seven’s eccentric nature led him to assign all accumulated rewards from previous disciples’ tasks to your account.”
Ye Yun froze. Though Elder Seven had rambled about rewards in the spirit fields, he’d never imagined it involved fifty middle-grade spirit stones.
“The total reward is one hundred middle-grade spirit stones.”
Ye Yun’s eyes narrowed. “You propose splitting it fifty-fifty?”
“Quick to grasp, aren’t you?” The disciple’s expression remained unreadable. “Don’t mistake this for extortion. Hunting beasts or gathering herbs leaves physical evidence—cores, herbs, waist tokens. Even if you completed those in half an incense time, none would question your methods. But cultivating dozens of spirit fields in one day? The timeline alone would raise suspicions during audits. Even if I let you claim all hundred stones today, investigators would reclaim them later. Elder Seven’s goodwill requires… adjustments to become usable.”
“What adjustments?”
“Elder Seven’s waist token records can’t be altered, nor can the Trial Hall’s verification jade. But the task acceptance record on your waist token falls under my jurisdiction.” The disciple produced a black jade tablet. “I’ll backdate your task acceptance by weeks. Auditors rarely check minor rewards unless discrepancies surface.”
“But I only joined Tian Zhu Peak days ago!”
“True. But unless someone specifically investigates this reward, the altered Trial Hall records will suffice.” The disciple leaned closer. “I shoulder greater risks handling official records. Demanding half is reasonable. Refuse, and I’ll forward this matter for higher review.”
Ye Yun studied the disciple’s practiced calm. This wasn’t his first scheme. Refusal might cost all hundred stones.
“Fifty each seems fair.”
“Wise choice.” The disciple extended his hand. “Your waist token.”
After etching invisible marks on the token, he merged it with the black jade tablet. Spiritual energy flowed, wrapping both in black light that faded to reveal a golden rune.
“Channel your spiritual power here. The jade stores treasures—this prevents theft.”
Golden light erupted as Ye Yun complied, cascading middle-grade spirit stones onto the ground. With practiced ease, the disciple split the hoard using twin spiritual strands.
“Our secret, Junior Brother Ye.” He floated fifty stones toward Ye Yun.
“Naturally.” Ye Yun secured his share and turned to leave.
“Wait.” The disciple hesitated. “I’m Nan Cheng. A word about Elder Seven—he requested oversight of those spirit fields himself. Rumors say he outranks all Tian Zhu Peak elders. Some believe he’s from the Heavenly Sword Sect’s inner mountains.”
Ye Yun’s breath hitched. Inner mountain elders held unimaginable status.
“His cultivation level and influence are undeniable.” Nan Cheng’s voice dropped. “In five years, you’re the first he rewarded instead of maiming. This could be your chance. While others slave for months earning stones, you gained fifty in a day. High risk, high reward.”
Ye Yun nodded slowly. Nan Cheng’s profit-driven motives were clear, but the logic held.
“I’ll consider it.”
“Good. As Trial Hall staff, I often encounter… lucrative opportunities.” Nan Cheng smiled. “I’ll keep you in mind.”
Before Ye Yun could respond, urgent bell tolls shattered the air—three resonant booms echoing across the peaks.
