Chapter 66
The next day.
The night sky was black as ink. A crescent moon hung silently overhead, spilling down a faint, gentle glow that only made the darkness feel colder.
Knock. Knock. Knock
Soft knocking suddenly echoed through the room.
At this hour, the sound felt strangely ominous.
They're here.
Lingzhu Zhenren exchanged a glance with Zao Mo before her figure vanished soundlessly into thin air.
Zao Mo flicked his sleeve. His appearance shifted instantly.
The change was dramatic enough that if Lou Yuqing and the others had been present, they would have recognized the face immediately—it was identical to the spirit beast dealer captured earlier by the Wendao Sect.
Since Zao Mo had borrowed the dealer's identity, he naturally wouldn't overlook details like this.
Every flaw had to be erased.
Only a perfect disguise could make the enemy lower their guard completely.
The door opened without a sound.
Two cloaked figures stepped into the cold night wind. Once inside, they removed their hoods, revealing faces that bore three or four parts resemblance to each other.
It was Sect Master Jin and Jin Du.
The instant they entered, Zao Mo sensed a powerful divine sense sweep over him.
Outwardly, he remained calm.
Inwardly, he sneered.
Even now, the Jin family still refused to relax.
Unfortunately for them, he had come fully prepared. No matter how many times the other party probed him, they would never see through his cultivation.
Sect Master Jin completed his inspection and inwardly relaxed.
Just as the investigation had reported—the spirit beast dealer truly only possessed Foundation Establishment cultivation.
A trace of satisfaction rose in his heart.
"Fellow Daoist," Sect Master Jin greeted warmly, "sorry to keep you waiting."
To a Nascent Soul cultivator, a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator was no different from an ant.
Yet Sect Master Jin's attitude appeared unusually polite and equal.
The reason was simple.
In his eyes, the spirit beast dealer was already dead.
And who bothered arguing with a dead man?
Zao Mo appeared completely unconcerned. "The agreed time has only just arrived. I haven't been waiting long."
He leaned back slightly. "We both know why you're here, so let's skip the pleasantries. Show me your sincerity."
A mere Foundation Establishment cultivator daring to speak this arrogantly—
Jin Du's gaze instantly turned sinister.
If his father hadn't warned him beforehand, he would've already tied this man up and beaten answers out of him.
Behind his back, Sect Master Jin made a subtle gesture, signaling Jin Du to stay quiet and avoid ruining the plan.
Although he believed success was already certain, he still didn't want unnecessary complications.
That was also why he had disguised himself as a Foundation Establishment cultivator tonight.
Only by lowering the spirit beast dealer's vigilance could they avoid accidents.
After all, once they confirmed the Spirit Ape's existence... they could act whenever they pleased.
Sect Master Jin spread his hands with a smile. "What do you think of my sincerity, Fellow Daoist?"
Zao Mo frowned immediately. "Not enough."
His tone turned sharp. "You know perfectly well how precious a young Spirit Ape is. With sufficient resources, raising one into the Golden Core realm is entirely possible. Even Nascent Soul isn't out of the question."
He looked Sect Master Jin up and down meaningfully.
"For a Foundation Establishment cultivator like you, this is practically a heaven-defying opportunity.
If I weren't worried about the dangers of dealing with higher-level cultivators, I never would've sold it at such a low price in the first place. "
He sneered. "And now you're trying to offer me this little? Impossible."
The blatant disdain in his words made Jin Du's face darken instantly.
Sect Master Jin, however, only showed embarrassment on the surface while murderous intent surged coldly in his heart.
"Then how much more would Fellow Daoist like?" he asked patiently.
A calculating gleam flashed through Zao Mo's eyes.
As though he'd been waiting for exactly that question, he raised one hand without hesitation.
"This much. No bargaining."
He wanted another fifty percent added on top.
Greedy bastard.
Sect Master Jin lowered his eyes, pretending to struggle internally, but inwardly he only sneered.
You'll probably live long enough to take the spirit stones.
Whether you live long enough to spend them is another matter entirely.
After a long silence, he finally gritted his teeth and looked up. "Fine. I agree."
Then his gaze sharpened. "But I inspect the goods first."
Zao Mo's expression relaxed immediately. "Very generous."
He rubbed two fingers together. "Inspection is naturally possible. But first, half the spirit stones upfront."
Jin Du watched coldly from the side.
The more arrogant this spirit beast dealer acted now, the uglier his death would be later.
No one understood Sect Master Jin's vindictive nature better than his own son.
Yet Sect Master Jin himself remained perfectly composed. Not only did he avoid anger, he even handed over the spirit stones readily.
"That's only fair," he said with a smile. "Money upon delivery. I came because I admire the Spirit Ape... and because I trust Fellow Daoist's reputation."
Zao Mo, who had been counting the spirit stones, suddenly paused. "You've heard of me?"
His eyes narrowed suspiciously.
Sect Master Jin chuckled lightly. "I merely asked around a little. There's no need for Fellow Daoist to be nervous. A Spirit Ape is far too precious. Anyone hearing about such a thing would naturally investigate first. Isn't that reasonable?"
His words sounded harmless enough.
But the underlying meaning was obvious.
I've already investigated your background thoroughly.
Zao Mo's face darkened. "What exactly are you trying to say?"
Sect Master Jin's smile remained unchanged. "Nothing serious. I simply wish to make friends."
Then he added casually: "I'd just like to know how many hands this Spirit Ape has passed through. Otherwise, I won't feel comfortable purchasing it."
Zao Mo gave a cold snort. "Then rest assured. The Wendao Sect still knows nothing. The accomplice who contacted me has also kept silent. Other than me, no one else knows."
His confidence appeared absolute.
Sect Master Jin nearly laughed aloud.
Excellent.
Perfect.
The Wendao Sect was powerful and troublesome. While he wasn't afraid of offending them, avoiding unnecessary conflict was naturally preferable.
Quietly making a fortune was always the best option.
"Come out."
Zao Mo formed several hand seals slowly, activating layer upon layer of concealment arrays.
Only after considerable effort did he finally release the hidden spirit beast.
A burst of golden light flashed through the room.
The little monkey appeared instantly.
Its entire body shimmered gold beneath the candlelight. Its eyes were lively and bright, brimming with spirit and intelligence. Every movement radiated adorable charm.
It was dazzling.
Jin Du's breathing hitched. "This... this is the natal spirit beast I'm going to contract..."
His face flushed with excitement as endless fantasies surged through his mind.
Victory.
Power.
Glory.
Sect Master Jin remained calmer, but his gaze had also grown frighteningly intense.
After several breaths, he suddenly laughed.
Then—without warning—he grabbed the spirit beast dealer by the head.
Before the other party could react, Sect Master Jin's palm pressed directly against his crown as he forcefully performed a soul search.
Moments later, the dealer's sea of consciousness shattered violently.
Blood sprayed from his mouth as his body convulsed weakly, already hovering on the verge of death.
Sect Master Jin obtained the information he wanted and nodded with satisfaction.
Just as the man claimed—no one else knew.
He didn't even spare the spirit beast dealer another glance.
With a flick of his sleeve, a sharp blade of spiritual energy shot out instantly.
The thin arc sliced cleanly across the dealer's neck.
Blood exploded across the floor, walls, and furniture.
The spirit beast dealer collapsed heavily onto the ground, eyes wide open in death before he could even scream.
Jin Du burst into laughter and clapped loudly. "Good kill! I've disliked him for ages!"
Then he looked toward Sect Master Jin. "Father, honestly, you overthink too much. What tricks could trash like him possibly pull? Why bother acting? We could've just captured him and forced answers out of him directly."
Sect Master Jin glanced at him calmly.
"Better safe than sorry."
The sudden appearance of a spirit beast dealer selling a Spirit Ape had been suspicious from the start.
Naturally, he had to stay cautious.
"You should return immediately and complete the contract," Sect Master Jin instructed. "The ceremony and formalities can wait until later. With the Spirit Ape's assistance, your physique should improve greatly. Cultivation will no longer be impossible for you."
His voice remained calm, but his thoughts were already calculating far ahead.
When his lifespan eventually neared its end, he could use the Enlightenment Transfer Technique to pass his lifetime of cultivation directly to Jin Du.
That way, Jin Du's position as the next sect master would be secure.
After returning to the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, Jin Du immediately completed the contract with the Spirit Ape.
The results were miraculous.
Seven or eight-tenths of his blocked meridians opened instantly.
His original five-element spiritual roots transformed into three-element roots.
And his stagnant cultivation finally broke through into Foundation Establishment.
That still wasn't the end.
Years of accumulated medicinal effects erupted all at once inside his body, pushing his cultivation wildly upward until he reached late-stage Foundation Establishment in one breath.
Only a single step remained before Great Perfection.
"Hahahahaha!"
Jin Du threw his head back and laughed wildly.
Immense power surged through his body, intoxicating him completely.
He stormed out of his cave dwelling and dragged out those disciples who had secretly mocked him behind his back.
"Laughing at me before, weren't you?"
His foot slammed onto someone's head.
"You still laughing now?! Worthless trash!"
He ground their faces into the ground mercilessly, savoring their terrified expressions.
The more they feared him, the greater his pride swelled.
In his vision, everything afterward became smooth sailing.
He broke through to the Golden Core stage effortlessly.
Then Nascent Soul.
Thousands revered him. No one dared defy him again.
After Sect Master Jin died, he inherited the position of sect master without resistance. Supreme authority rested in his hands, and he could do whatever he pleased.
From then on, no one would ever stand above him again.
"Urgh—!"
A sudden, piercing pain tore through Jin Du's chest.
His entire body stiffened. He slowly looked down—and his pupils contracted violently.
A massive, bloody hole had been punched straight through his chest.
Blood poured out continuously, soaking his robes before splattering onto the ground in rhythmic drops that sounded horrifyingly loud in the silence.
Drip.
Drip.
Drip.
Jin Du stared ahead blankly.
"You..."
His voice trembled.
Wasn't the spirit beast dealer already dead?
What was happening?!
Zao Mo noticed the confusion in his eyes but offered no explanation.
He only smiled gently. "Go reunite with your ancestors underground."
Realization finally dawned on Jin Du.
He abruptly turned toward Sect Master Jin, his pupils shrinking violently.
Sect Master Jin stood nearby with his eyes closed, an arrogant smile still frozen on his face—the exact same expression Jin Du himself had worn moments earlier while imagining his rise to supreme authority.
But now, there was also a massive hole through Sect Master Jin's chest.
Blood gushed endlessly onto the ground, forming winding streams around his feet.
An illusion.
From the very beginning... they had been trapped inside an illusion.
"Your father will outlive you," Zao Mo said casually. "I wonder what expression he'll make when he wakes up and discovers he's dying."
Jin Du weakly lifted a trembling finger toward him.
"Vicious..."
Before he could finish speaking, his breath abruptly stopped.
He died with his eyes still wide open.
The next morning, disciples of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect discovered two corpses lying outside the mountain gates.
At first, they assumed someone was playing a cruel prank, but the moment they got closer and recognized the Sect Master and Young Sect Master, panic instantly erupted throughout the sect.
Elsewhere, Zhou Bai sat listening to his subordinate ramble endlessly.
Something about how serving the Young Sect Master would bring endless fortune.
Zhou Bai didn't believe a single word.
Though the ropes binding him had already been removed, the suffocating helplessness from last night still lingered vividly in his mind.
Then suddenly—the subordinate received a transmission.
His face changed drastically. "The Sect Master and Young Sect Master are dead!"
Without waiting another second, he rushed out in panic, forgetting entirely to deactivate the room's restrictions.
Zhou Bai froze.
Then an overwhelming wave of wild joy burst through his chest.
Dead.
That scourge was finally dead!
He seized the opportunity immediately, escaping his confinement and sprinting straight toward the outer sect.
Zhou Pu.
I'm going to kill him.