A hundred lifetimes of cultivation, merely seeking immortality in the cultivation world.

Chapter 202 Investigating the Real Killer

This guess is very bad.

Lu Qingyun was certain that Xiao Daojue in his previous life was just an ordinary talisman master who eventually died of illness or old age in the rear of the Great Jing Kingdom.

If he really orchestrated everything at Futang, then how was he able to do all this?

His circumstances were clearly not much different from those of his previous life.

Could it be that someone has actually set their sights on me?

Lu Qingyun immediately came to an even more ominous guess, and most importantly, he was unable to verify it at the moment.

They couldn't even tell whether the two high-ranking immortals from Danfeng were the ones eyeing him.

Xiao Daojue said gratefully, "Qingyun, thank you. I really don't know what I would have done without you."

Then, Xiao Daojue muttered, "I was really too greedy. Come to think of it, even if someone with my low cultivation level could complete the Cui family's task, why would they give me those second-tier wood-attribute and earth-attribute treasure medicines?"

"These cunning alchemy families deserve to be wiped out one by one!"

"Our decades of cultivation cannot replace their hundreds of years of accumulation."

Lu Qingyun smiled, offered a few perfunctory words with feigned sincerity, and saw Xiao Daojue off.

Xiao Daojue reluctantly grasped Lu Qingyun's fist, once again expressing his gratitude for Lu Qingyun's help, his eyes almost brimming with tears.

If it weren't for the fact that his cultivation level of the sixth level of Qi Refining was obvious to him, Lu Qingyun would have actually believed it.

Xiao Daojue didn't know whether Lu Qingyun was interested or not, but he couldn't force Lu Qingyun to accompany him to the Cui family in Qiyang.

In that case, Lu Qingyun would definitely become suspicious.

Now that Lu Qingyun has arranged for someone from the Zhao family to escort him to the Cui family to complete the mission.

They also promised to transfer him to Dajing, so at least his initial goal has been achieved.

As for whether or not revenge can be taken against the Cui family now, it depends on whether Lu Qingyun will take the bait.

Watching Xiao Daojue's departing figure, Lu Qingyun's worries deepened.

He didn't believe that Xiao Daojue had approached him for no reason, and now he could only hope that Xiao Daojue was indeed going to the Great Jing Kingdom for some purpose, just as he had said.

Instead of actually targeting him.

In the following days, Lu Qingyun even used his half-step Foundation Establishment divine sense to secretly keep an eye on Xiao Daojue, trying to see if he was involved in the blood sacrifice.

However, Xiao Daojue was very vigilant, seemingly having already anticipated that he might be watching him, and thus did not make any moves for several days.

"Qingyun, this is the file you requested regarding the matter of the demonic cultivators of the Talisman Hall."

Zhao Qingxuan handed a jade slip to Lu Qingyun and asked curiously, "Is there a problem? If you're worried about your old friend, I can use the Zhao family's power to transfer him to Dajing right now."

"This matter is of great importance, so remember not to send anyone to keep an eye on Xiao Daojue."

Lu Qingyun accepted the jade slip, shook his head, and declined Zhao Qingxuan's offer.

He didn't want to directly say which high-ranking deity might be involved in Xiao Daojue's matter, lest he bring them unnecessary risks.

Therefore, we can only try to get information indirectly.

"The outer sect is a truly murky place. We're already doing well enough to take care of the Zhao family for now. Let others worry about such complicated matters; it's not something we can get involved in right now."

"I see."

Zhao Qingxuan's gaze sharpened.

Zhao Rushou now lives a secluded life, and by virtue of her status as the eldest daughter of the Zhao family, she has almost become the true head of the Zhao family.

With the Zhao family's strength, if it weren't for those few True Immortals within the sect or families related to them, what wouldn't they be able to get involved with?

So, is this matter actually related to some high-ranking official?

"I will hand this matter over to my subordinates and have them complete the procedures for Junior Brother Xiao's trip to Dajing as soon as possible."

Zhao Qingxuan and Lu Qingyun's eyes met, confirming their guesses. Zhao Qingxuan's breath hitched, but she quickly calmed down.

In the days that followed, she learned many things and naturally knew that matters concerning the Supreme Being should not be spoken of casually.

Such beings might be able to sense something from a single word.

They're already in a bad enough situation being targeted by the Zhang family; they really shouldn't invite another wolf into their fold.

Zhao Qingxuan thought for a moment and brought up the matter of Lu Qingyun changing his cave dwelling.

"Does Junior Brother have any other needs regarding the cave dwelling? Is a second-tier cave dwelling sufficient?"

"Let's resolve this as soon as possible; spirit stones aren't a problem."

Lu Qingyun nodded.

Most of the spirit stones earned from selling pills were still stored with Zhao Qingxuan, who was responsible for purchasing some spirit herbs on a regular basis.

He hasn't been refining many pills lately, so he still has over 100,000 spirit stones left.

"Between you and me, why bother with these things?"

Zhao Qingxuan's beautiful eyes flickered, and a hint of a smile finally appeared.

"I am now temporarily in charge of all affairs of the Zhao family. As long as it is not a resource from the secret treasury, I do not even need to consult the elders."

"If this continues, it will inevitably attract gossip. Since we don't lack spirit stones for the time being, there's no need to give others a handle to use against us."

Lu Qingyun knew Zhao Qingxuan meant well, but still shook his head.

"However, I already know how my senior sister feels."

"By the way, what about Junior Sister Chen? Should we arrange a cave dwelling for her as well?"

"No need. Xiru's current cultivation level is only at the third level of Qi Refining, which is still too low. There is no need to arrange another cave for her. She probably wouldn't accept it anyway."

Lu Qingyun pondered.

"Once you've made the arrangements, Senior Sister, just reserve a side room for her. I'll ask her to help me with alchemy then, so that Xiru can save face a bit."

"Junior brother, you really are..."

Zhao Qingxuan stared at Lu Qingyun, blinked, and felt a surge of emotions.

The sentiment expressed mixed feelings: a sense of gratitude for Chen Xiru's good fortune in meeting Junior Brother Lu, and a touch of complex emotion.

Come to think of it, she should be Lu's nominal Daoist partner, but he brought it up so casually, which inevitably made her feel sentimental.

"Senior sister, don't forget to reserve a side hall for yourself. You can go there anytime you have the time."

Lu Qingyun could see the complexity in Zhao Qingxuan's heart, but he didn't care about such matters of love and romance. He calmly said, "Of course, once Xiru breaks through to the mid-stage of Qi Refining, she won't need to stay with me anymore. I'll arrange a cave dwelling for her then."

Zhao Qingxuan's feelings became even more complicated. She nodded and left the cave.

Lu Qingyun watched her leave, lost in thought.

This Jurchen woman from her previous life still seems to retain some naive emotions in her heart.

But I believe Zhao Qingxuan will understand in the future.

In this world, only the Great Way is attainable; everything else is merely about seeking to align with one's true nature.

He had no other feelings for Chen Xiru. He never expected to make her his Daoist partner, like Zhao Qingxuan.

It was merely out of consideration for an old friend; he never harbored any lustful intentions towards Chen Xiru.

Even his relationship with Zhao Qingxuan was merely a nominal one, established through an agreement with Zhao Rushou, so that he could better access the Zhao family's resources and take care of Zhao Qingxuan.

"The bond between cultivators is like the friendship between gentlemen, as pure and simple as water, nothing more."

"7

Lu Qingyun's eyes narrowed slightly.

However, speaking of his old friends...

This inevitably brings to mind the young marquis Xiao Daojue, whose life has undergone profound changes.

Although no trace of Xiao Daojue's actions against others has been found from Xiao Daojue, Lu Qingyun has a feeling that all of this must be related to Xiao Daojue.

Since his rebirth in this life, the only one who has been able to cause such a great upheaval in the Talisman Hall under his influence is Xiao Daojue.

Opening the jade slip in his hand, Lu Qingyun scanned the information on it one by one.

This includes the investigation of Xiao Daojue by the disciples of the Punishment Hall, his actions since entering the Talisman Hall, and Niu Gao's judgment on the deaths of the Talisman Hall disciples—

There are suspected remnants of an unexplained blood sacrifice ritual at this site, but further investigation is needed.

Lu Qingyun flipped through the list of the earliest missing disciples in the entire Talisman Hall, those related to Xiao Daojue.

It was that same mentally challenged young man who had been assigned to cut bamboo in the Black Bamboo Forest with him, along with the disciple in charge of the mentally challenged young man and Xiao Daojue. Back then, the disciples of the Punishment Hall hastily concluded that the two had colluded to escape.

Or perhaps they died at the hands of some unknown monster.

Such an absurd matter would not have been so hastily concluded elsewhere in the outer sect, but it was different in the miscellaneous servants' hall attached to Fu Feng.

As a branch directly under Fu Feng, Fu Tang naturally carried on the style of Fu masters who were keen on exploiting and oppressing their disciples and treating them as less than human.

New disciples have to work eighteen hours a day for their talisman teacher in order to barely learn some rudimentary talismans after ten years.

One must work sixteen hours a day to avoid being insulted by the talisman master.

They had to work twelve hours a day to avoid being beaten and scolded by the talisman master.

The noble talisman masters completely violated the Yunxia Sect's policy of treating lower-level disciples well. Things like maids and cave dwellings, which would normally be given to menial disciples, were absolutely not available in the Talisman Hall.

All of Fu Feng's policies and resources are geared towards powerful talisman masters; no one cares about the disciples at the bottom.

Because truly talented disciples will not be ignored by Fu Feng; they will be directly taken in by those great talisman masters, and will not have to suffer the exploitation that the lower-level disciples suffer.

Meanwhile, the lower-ranking disciples all dreamed of becoming ordinary talisman masters. As long as they had the ability to consistently refine a few talismans, they could give back everything they had suffered in the past to the menial disciples under their command.

Cultivators are cold-blooded and ruthless creatures. Not to mention that the Supreme Beings feed on those with lower cultivation levels, even disciples who can cultivate to the late stage of Qi Refining would not harbor such pointless kindness.

No one cares how the disciples at the bottom of the talisman hall are doing.

Because they are free to choose to leave the sect, to give up the pursuit of the Great Dao and a happy life, and to go to the mortal kingdom under the sect's rule to live a good and prosperous life.

But having experienced the thrill of spiritual energy flowing through one's body, witnessed the wonders of talismans, and seen the great privileges possessed by talisman masters, who would willingly give it up?

Even though they were enslaved by the talisman masters, they still fantasized about the day they could turn their lives around and become high-ranking talisman masters themselves.

Fu Feng's method of exploitation is simple and efficient. It aligns with the cannibalistic nature of Shangzhen, treating each disciple with different talents equally.

Talented disciples will naturally receive preferential treatment.

Disciples with average talent, if they persevere, will eventually succeed.

As for those pitiful, low-quality disciples struggling at the bottom of Rune Peak, the fact that the great Rune Masters were able to grant them the right to live on Rune Peak is already a great act of kindness; how could they possibly hope for anything else?

As for the claim that the disciples' hard work ensured the good life of the talisman masters and created the great Talisman Peak, that is utter nonsense.

Spiritual practice has nothing to do with ordinary people who have low talent.

A simple talisman crafted by a low-grade talisman master is something that even a disciple at the bottom level could never replicate in a lifetime of painstaking study without instruction.

These insignificant disciples never served as indispensable parts or screws in the great machine of Fu Feng.

They are merely icing on the cake, dispensable, or even a burdensome decoration.

"Therefore, in Fufeng, it is common for disciples to be exploited and die from overwork, and for disciples to escape. Every talisman master has a quota, and as long as the number of disciples does not reach the scale of this talisman hall, no one will care."

Lu Qingyun seemed to be deep in thought.

Of course, none of this is particularly surprising.

All crows are black.

Each peak of the Yunxia Sect has different ways of utilizing its disciples.

Fu Feng's model has nothing to do with mercy or cruelty; it's just that it's more practical in Fu Feng's world.

Like Spirit Plant Peak and Sword Peak, the reason why they are treated so well is because of this.

However, it is because good treatment allows disciples to better realize their value.

At Lingzhi Peak, all disciples need to do is farm. Farming requires the cooperation of mortals and a certain degree of initiative, which is why there are so many benefits and treatments.

They even had beautiful mortal maids.

At Sword Peak, disciples often make extraordinary progress in life-or-death battles.

Sword Peak encouraged deathmatch, causing the disciples to be exhausted too quickly.

Providing certain welfare benefits is also necessary to attract disciples to choose to join Sword Peak.

"I'm afraid that when Xiao Daojue was on the Miscellaneous Service Peak, he initially regretted his hasty killing of the mentally challenged youth and the supervising disciple, as well as the fact that the array on the Miscellaneous Service Peak restricted the entry and exit of the disciples... But soon after the Punishment Hall gave an absurd conclusion, he became unscrupulous."

The information on this jade slip is extremely detailed, including not only the pills and talismans that Xiao Daojue has been purchasing the most recently.

It also includes the fact that his identity jade tablet once detected his failed attempt to leave the miscellaneous servants' peak on the day the mentally challenged youth and the steward disciple died.

"Young Marquis, what am I supposed to do?"

Although those idiots in the Punishment Hall didn't notice, as long as they shot the arrow first and then drew the target, they could lock onto Xiao Daojue as the murderer.

This is combined with some trivial statistical methods.

You will find that after Xiao Daojue entered the Talisman Hall, the mortality rate of the Talisman Hall disciples immediately showed a linear upward trend.

"As for why the young marquis suddenly came to me about scolding Lady Cui..."

Upon reading the other part of the jade slip, Lu Qingyun's expression turned strange.

He only cursed the young marquis, whose cultivation was low, for accepting a mission to go to a place a thousand miles away from the Cui family in Qiyang, just like he had done before.

A mysterious demonic cultivator has been discovered in Qiyang Cui Clan. He is wantonly smashing, looting, and burning within the Cui Clan's territory and is carrying out a brutal blood sacrifice.

"So, the murderer is actually the Sixth Secretary of the General Affairs Department, who allows lower-ranking disciples to accept missions on the outskirts of the Cloud and Mist Mountains?"

Lu Qingyun's face twitched slightly.

He seemed to have a clue why the young marquis had approached him.

"Could it be that after being surrounded and killed by the Cui clan, Pi harbors resentment and wants to use me to take revenge, or even reap the benefits..."

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