The Old Man Didn't Want My Wealth, He Wanted Me
You have to fill the hole you dug yourself, even if it hurts.
Now that things have come to this, Lu Ping has no choice but to go down a dark path.
Lu Ping chose A.
[You chose A.]
[With a burst of Spiritual Power, you helped Ji Chengfeng to his feet.]
"Please, everyone, don't stand on ceremony, please rise."
[You turned to Ye Zhi with a gentle smile on your face.]
"Senior, you flatter me. Fellow Daoists, please just call me fellow Daoist."
Ye Zhi waved his hand, his face serious.
"Hey, let's keep things separate."
"You are my old friend, they are my disciples, this hierarchy cannot be disordered."
He said that, but he didn't insist any further.
[This is clearly giving you face while also giving themselves a way out.]
[A potential leak of a sect's Secret Method, which could have sparked a bloody conflict, was averted in the midst of a few words of sparring.]
[You and Ye Zhi, two old foxes, exchange a knowing smile.]
Everything is understood without words.
Ye Zhi glanced around at the mess on the ground and the disciples who had sat down again to meditate.
[His expression remained unchanged, but he secretly transmitted his voice to you.]
"Young friend Lu, I have investigated several cases of massacres in ordinary villages, and all the clues point to this group."
"They acted meticulously; if they hadn't shown themselves today, I really wouldn't have been able to catch them."
"Judging from their tone when they said 'The Thousand Mechanisms Sect has no right to interfere,' they are most likely forces from the Upper Domain."
"Young friend Lu, what's your opinion on this matter?"
[Options pop up.]
[A: Selectively disclose the information obtained from the Soul Search.]
[B: Indicates that they were just passing by and wouldn't get involved.]
[C: Your expression turned serious, and you said, "Lord Di, there must be something fishy about this."]
Little B seemed to really not want to Overtime and just wanted to leave as soon as possible.
Lu Ping can only choose A.
[You chose A.]
[You briefly described the mixed images you obtained from the Soul Search.]
"This group is indeed well-trained, ruthless, and their teamwork is impeccable."
"Furthermore, Restrictions have been placed within their souls to prevent leaks."
"I only managed to find fragments of 'Dark Hall' and 'Shenjizi'."
[You didn't utter the phrase "Heavenly Secrets Turmoil, Slay the Unusual Threat."]
These six words should make you wary.
[Heavenly Secrets Turmoil?]
[As a time traveler from another world, do you belong to the "chaos of Heavenly Secrets" in this world?]
[Could this so-called "Slay the Unusual Threats " of Shenjizi be targeting me?]
[Thinking about this, your wariness of this complete stranger deepened even further.]
[Then, you felt a little relieved.]
[In the third simulation, you lived to be sixty years old and broke through to the Golden Core.]
[For forty-two years, they never crossed paths with the Dark Hall again.]
This shows that no matter how powerful this Shenjizi, it probably has limitations.
Or perhaps your arrival was just a coincidence?!
[Ye Zhi frowned after hearing this.]
"It was them..."
He had only heard of the "Dark Hall" organization, but knew nothing about its background.
[Just like you, Ye Zhi was completely baffled by "Shenjizi".]
"Who is this person? I've never heard of them before."
You shook your head, indicating that you didn't know either.
The two exchanged a glance, both seeing seriousness in each other's eyes.
[A powerful figure capable of commanding the Dark Hall of the Upper Domain, yet able to Concealment their name, speaks volumes about their terrifying power.]
[It's possible that this person possesses the ability to conceal Heavenly Secrets.]
[Another old silver coin.]
Don't these people understand the saying, "Wealth and honor not returned to one's hometown are like wearing embroidered robes at night"?
[Boss, you should just openly show your employee ID and then shock a mere Golden Core cultivator like yourself for a hundred years!]
[The Nine Myriad Demon Domain Nine Great Demon Emperors Realms are all named figures.]
[Also, the Demon-Suppressing Tower Master, Song Fuan, is a force to be reckoned with in this era.]
[What I hate most is someone like the Golden Crow Demon Emperor; he's already at the Heavenly Demon Stage, yet he's still the sixth-ranking one.]
[Could this Shenjizi also be such a person?]
[After exchanging information with Ye Zhi, you fell into a brief silence.]
[A moment later, Ye Zhi suddenly began to look you up and down.]
Then, with a hint of regret in his voice, he said,
"Young friend Lu, your mastery of the 'Thousand Mechanisms Falling Blossoms Instruction' is no less than mine."
["Only..."]
He shook his head.
"Using ordinary iron Flying Knives to perform this skill is ultimately a waste of its potential, a squandering of such a Supreme Lore."
[While Ye Zhi was greatly shocked by your act of throwing Spirit Stones at someone, he didn't understand it.]
Therefore, Ye Zhi chose to ignore it.
[Options pop up.]
[A: "Please enlighten me, senior."]
[B: "I'm short of money, so having Flying Knife is already quite good."]
[C: Immediately take out the anti-fraud manual you bought for three Spirit Stones at the Yi Wood City teleportation plaza and tell Ye Zhi that you will never be fooled again.]
Even through the words, Lu Ping could sense Ye Zhi's scheming and manipulative tactics.
However, would a tycoon like Lu be afraid of the consumer traps of a mere Nascent Soul?
Lu Ping chose A.
[You chose A.]
"Please speak, senior."
[You adopt an attentive and receptive demeanor.]
[Ye Zhi looked at you, his gaze intense.]
"Young friend, your mastery of the 'Thousand Mechanisms Falling Blossoms Instruction' is truly divine."
"However, while the Cultivation Method is excellent, it lacks a suitable magic Law Treasure, which is a bit of a pity."
[You remained calm, didn't interrupt, and seemed completely unconcerned.]
Ye Zhi glanced at you nonchalantly and continued,
"Our Thousand Mechanisms Sect, in conjunction with the 'Thousand Mechanisms Falling Blossoms Instruction,' possesses a direct lineage of supreme killing treasures called 'Star River Myriad Blades.'"
"Once forged, ten thousand blades will be unleashed, mountains and rivers will be overturned, and galaxies will be twisted."
"Indeed, all things are formless, yet their power is boundless."
[You remain unmoved, seemingly mocking Ye Zhi, "Keep fooling around."]
[Actually, you've already started planning it in your mind.]
[Star River Myriad Blades?]
[Just hearing this name gives you the impression that it's something special.]
[The Flying Knives you're using now are obviously not from the Black Tiger Gang era.]
[However, it was just Law Artifact purchased from the Azure Dragon Merchant Association.]
[During combat, he relies entirely on poison and his Cultivation Method.]
[It's fine against Golden Core, but against Nascent Soul, this Flying Knife becomes a pure poison carrier.]
[If it weren't for the Trait "I'm the Client," you wouldn't be able to break through Nascent Soul Cultivator's defenses at all.]
Even if the defense is broken, the damage is almost zero.
[And Ye Zhi directly throws out a set of supporting magic weapons of Qianji Luoying Jue.]
It's impossible for you not to be tempted.
[You just killed the Black-Clad Leader, and then casually took the Storage Ring.]
[Could it be that Ye Zhi also has his eye on this Storage Ring?]
[Cultivating Immortality, Fighting for a Single Thread of Heaven.]
[Whoever seizes the fortuitous opportunity will naturally keep it.]
"What you mean, senior, is..."
[You tentatively speak, taking out the Storage Ring and placing it in your palm.]
However, Ye Zhi's next move completely exceeded your expectations.
[He didn't even look at the ring on your hand, but spoke sincerely,]
"I wish to invite you, young friend, to serve as Guest Elder of my Thousand Mechanisms Sect."
"If you agree, young friend, I can immediately bestow upon you the complete crafting method for this 'Star River Myriad Blades' as a gift!"
[Ye Zhi looked at you with a sly smile, like an old fox finally showing its tail.]
You were stunned.
Countless thoughts flashed through your mind in an instant.
[This old man...]
[He doesn't want your Storage Ring, he actually wants you for yourself!]
"Guest Elder?"
[You repeated it to make sure you hadn't misheard.]
["Good,"]
Ye Zhi nodded.
"Guest Elders are not included in the sect's genealogy, are not bound by sect rules, and are free to come and go as they please."
"I will only lend a hand when the sect needs it."
"The sect will provide corresponding offerings and conveniences for Guest Elders."
"Of course, if you'd like to exchange Alchemy Techniques with the sect elders, that's perfectly fine with me."
[Alchemy Technique! So, Ye Zhi was waiting for you here.]
[Options pop up.]
[A: I agree. Let's get the refining method first.]
[B: Politely declined, stating that he was used to a life of leisure and did not want to be bound by a sect.]
[C: Inquire about the salary, social insurance and housing fund, year-end bonus, and retirement plan of the Guest Elders.]