Surviving in the Demonic Sect, one begins cultivation by retrieving corpses.

A person emerged from the water and climbed onto the boat, soaking wet.

The four surviving body retrievers rushed forward with unbridled joy.

The stable boy cried uncontrollably, "Zhao-ge'er, I knew you'd be alright!"

Yuan Shao summoned a group of corpse retrievers.

Gong Yuzhou looked at the group and said, "I told you, the reward will be doubled this time."

The stable boy and others showed little joy, only bowing repeatedly.

"Eight thousand coins per person!"

When the words "eight thousand coins per person" were uttered, the people in the stable couldn't help but be surprised.

A full eight thousand coins, more than the corpse retriever's wages for two months.

Chen Mu and the others exchanged smiles. It seemed that Gong Wei had used a Foundation Establishment treasure today and was in a great mood.

Five people would cost 40,000 magic coins, which was a considerable expense even for outer disciples.

Soldiers brought red cloth wrappings and handed them to each person.

Gong Yuzhou then looked at one of them: "Gu Zhao, you have made a great contribution today."

"Jiang Xiubao was originally a supervisor, but now that he's gone, I'll talk to Senior Brother Sun from the Dingzi District about this position."

"You do it!"

The stable was overjoyed. Now that the Imperial Guard had spoken, Zhao Ge'er would be the supervisor from now on!

Gu Zhao bowed and said, "Thank you, Envoy Gong."

Yuan Shao hadn't expected that his senior brother Gong would have to spend a considerable amount of favors to secure a supervisory position for Gu Zhao.

Chen Mu looked at the group of corpse retrievers with curiosity and asked, "How did you know to escape in the direction of the water monster?"

The stable boy and the others didn't know how to explain for a moment, and after a long pause, they finally managed to squeeze out, "We all followed Zhao Ge'er."

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Mu turned to look at Gu Zhao, his tone inquisitive: "Then tell me the reason?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the eyes of Li Wanwan, Yang Yueqi, and the others all turned to him and fell on the young man.

The boy hesitated for a moment before replying, "In response to your question, sir, it was simply a matter of panic and not knowing where to go. I was so terrified at the time that I didn't even have the mind to think about where I was headed."

He scratched his head, somewhat bewildered, and said, "It was just good luck."

The stable recalled the scene underwater. Zhao Ge'er's eyes were extremely calm, and it had nothing to do with "frantic running away".

Chen Mu smiled and said, "That's true. How could a menial servant like you have the ability to predict the future?"

"You're quite lucky."

Ni Shengyan looked at Gong Yuzhou and said in a cold voice, "I will come to find my senior brother again in a month."

After saying that, her long, clear eyes swept over the group of corpse retrievers present, and finally settled on Gu Zhao, where she smiled gently.

The four people from Xunshan Hall left.

As Yuan Shao watched Ni Shengyan and the others walk away, he sighed, "This Fairy Ni is even more unfathomable than the rumors outside the sect suggest."

"Her sword control technique among the top-grade Dao techniques is already superb. This place is a deep and dark place with the Yin Water River. With only her Qi Refining cultivation, she was able to ambush and kill a water beast of the same realm from such a distance."

"Even though Zhuo Sheng and a few others had seriously injured the Water Hou before, this skill is still something to be wary of."

In other words, if Ni Shengyan were to target them and come prepared, killing them would be much easier than hunting the water beast.

Although they were both at the Qi Refining stage, they did not have the innate thick-skinned demonic bodies that the Water Hou relied on.

Yang Yueqi, who had initially harbored some disdain, had completely lost her arrogance and said solemnly:

"Those who can make a name for themselves in the outer sect are indeed not weak."

Yuan Shao joked, "I didn't expect our Miss Yang to be completely convinced so quickly?"

Yang Yueqi ignored her, saying, "The path of cultivation is still quite arduous, and many geniuses have died young."

The group of corpse retrievers kept their heads down, naturally not daring to interrupt.

At this moment, Gong Yuzhou slowly spoke, "To be able to sit in the position of patrol officer at such a young age, and to have powerful backers supporting him, such a person is naturally no ordinary person."

After saying that, he turned his gaze and placed it directly on a corpse retriever.

The boy also kept his head down, his attitude respectful.

Gong Yuzhou's voice rang out, "Gu Zhao, I told you a few days ago that you should eliminate all potential threats before they arise, otherwise you will leave endless troubles in the future."

"Today, I will teach you another path to rise step by step and soar to the top in the Mingyi Sect."

The corpse retriever was surprised that this Gong Weishi would directly name Gu Zhao.

Gu Zhao looked like he was listening attentively.

Yang Yueqi smiled and said, "It's rare that Senior Brother Gong is willing to share some real knowledge today."

Gong Yuzhou smiled faintly: "This path is about finding a solid backer."

"In sectarian cultivation and worldly affairs, without the support of a powerful figure above, one's path will be unstable and short-lived, inevitably leading to a difficult journey."

"Just like you today, your life is worthless. A gust of wind or a drop of rain will kill you."

Gong Yuzhou said calmly, "In the outer sect, it's called finding a master."

"It can also be said that only by becoming a disciple can one truly enter the lineage of Mingyi and become a Daoist talent."

"Once you attain the Dao, your value lies in yourself. Only then will your life have the right to command a high price. Even if you are about to die, others will have to consider your worth."

Dao Cai!

Gu Zhao bowed and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Envoy Gong."

Yang Yueqi, who was watching from the side, found it amusing and somewhat laughable.

Brother Gong meticulously guided a lowly corpse retriever who risked his life on the Yinshui River, teaching him to find a master and attain enlightenment within the Mingyi Sect.

It's worth noting that even she and Yuan Shao haven't achieved this yet.

How distant is that for a lowly laborer who struggles to survive in the Yinshui River every day?

It is like the bright moon in the sky or the beautiful flowers in a mirror—visible but unattainable.

Gong Yuzhou glanced at the money in the hands of the corpse retrievers and smiled faintly: "Eight thousand coins is not a small amount among menial laborers."

He then left with Yuan Shao and the soldiers of the Zhenhe Division.

Only after the group had completely disappeared from sight did the tense atmosphere among the corpse retrievers finally begin to ease.

The atmosphere immediately became much more relaxed.

Gu Zhao seemed to be deep in thought.

The stableman frowned, as if something had occurred to him.

"The news that we received eight thousand coins will probably spread throughout the morgue very soon."

"This is not good news."

"It's not the thief you should fear, it's the one who's eyeing you."

The group of corpse retrievers also looked bitter.

The stableman chuckled, "Don't worry, I have a brilliant plan."

"Brother Zhao, today is really lively!"

"This money needs to be spent!"

Gu Zhao nodded, looking down at the heavy eight thousand coins in his hand. His savings had indeed become more substantial, and he felt much more confident.

But he knew in his heart that the greatest gain today was not these religious coins.

Deep within the sea of ​​the mind, suspended in the black gold cauldron, two lines of text slowly emerged on its surface.

The cauldron's master has already offered a sacrifice of a Que Yinshui Hou.

The cauldron master has already offered a portion of Foundation Establishment Elixir.

It was expected that he would sacrifice the water beast.

Unexpected!

He swam back to the big ship and encountered the four water monkeys, and the cauldron also reacted.

This adventure resulted in the sacrifice of two spiritual items.