Preparation

Ling Yun's heart stirred upon hearing this, and he felt a flicker of interest.

"A job? Doesn't your Demon Suppression Division always look down on martial artists? When did you start needing our help?"

Qin Wei scoffed, curling his lips. "What martial artist or not? I, Qin Wei, only care if someone is pleasing to my eye."

"If they are, anyone is a friend. If they aren't, even if you were the King of Heaven, I wouldn't give a damn!"

Although his words were crude, they clearly showed that this guy was hot-tempered and straightforward.

While that could be troublesome to a certain extent, it was still much better than those hypocritical fake gentlemen.

"Since that's the case, why don't you tell me the specifics of this job? It actually requires someone of your strength to seek outside help."

After a moment of thought, Ling Yun didn't immediately agree.

However, Qin Wei shook his head. "It's not convenient for me to say too much about the specifics right now. The only thing I can tell you is that the mission will take place in about three days."

"And I guarantee that this mission will absolutely not be beyond your capabilities."

"If you agree, consider these as your deposit."

With a wave of his hand, ten bank notes appeared out of thin air in his palm, all large denominations of one thousand taels each!

Ling Yun looked at the hand Qin Wei extended, a glint flashing in his eyes.

It wasn't because of the bank notes, but because of the ancient ring on his thumb!

A spatial ring.

He had kept it in mind ever since he saw one at Bai Ji's place last time.

It was a pity that, like internal cultivation techniques, this item was a rare treasure that could only be found by chance.

Even if it appeared on the market, it would surely be snatched up by the major powers.

Sensing Ling Yun's gaze, Qin Wei unconsciously touched his ring, and a slight smile curved his lips. "Kid, you've got good taste."

"How about it? If you join the Demon Suppression Division now, I guarantee I'll apply for a Spirit Ring for you within three years!"

Ling Yun rolled his eyes at this. Three years? If it were three days, he might have actually been tempted.

He then lost interest in dealing with Qin Wei and began to consider whether to accept the job.

Although he didn't know the mission details yet, the high reward indicated that its difficulty would not be insignificant.

However, he did need the money right now.

After pondering for a moment, he looked up and asked, "I have an important matter to attend to in three days. If that's acceptable, I'll take the job."

Qin Wei was stunned for a moment, then said with a peculiar look, "The important matter you're referring to, could it be the underground auction in three days?"

"Let me guess, you're after that Spirit Artifact?"

Seeing the "how did you know?" look on Ling Yun's face, Qin Wei laughed heartily, saying with a knowing tone:

"Because that Spirit Artifact at the auction was taken out by our Demon Suppression Division!"

"It was taken out by the Demon Suppression Division?"

Ling Yun was slightly surprised, but then it seemed logical.

After all, the control over Spirit Artifacts in Cloud City was much stricter than that of martial arts techniques. Anyone caught selling them privately, whether buyer or seller, would inevitably face strong suppression from the Demon Suppression Division.

Therefore, this suddenly appearing Spirit Artifact could only have come from this source after much consideration.

But what was their reason for doing so?

It couldn't be that the dignified Demon Suppression Division was short of money, could it?

In response to Ling Yun's confusion, Qin Wei mysteriously stated that it was a rather special Spirit Artifact.

As for what made it special, he refused to elaborate.

Ling Yun didn't overthink it. Whatever it was, he would know when he saw the actual item.

Finally, the two chatted for a while longer. When asked why he was so determined to kill Evil Spirits, Ling Yun casually fabricated an excuse.

Whether Qin Wei believed it or not, he couldn't tell.

However, as they parted ways, Qin Wei did offer a reminder, saying that his recent actions had already displeased and drawn the attention of many higher-ups, and it would be best for him to lie low for the next few days.

Otherwise, if trouble arose, it wouldn't be easy for him to intervene.

Although Ling Yun appeared nonchalant, he decided in his heart to keep a low profile for a few days after tonight.

In fact, he was also quite puzzled as to why Cloud City, a relatively small city, harbored so many high-ranking Demon Suppression Envoys.

Take this guy Qin Wei, for example. Although he didn't know his exact rank, based on their previous exchange, this fellow was definitely not below seventh rank!

Moreover, from the hints in his words, it wasn't hard to guess that there were others in Cloud City of the same rank, or even stronger.

Having Demon Suppression Envoys of this caliber gathered in such a small place as Cloud City was, to put it bluntly, a complete waste of talent.

Watching Qin Wei's retreating back, Ling Yun's eyes flickered. He had a feeling that these guys were plotting something.

Then, with a flash of his figure, he also disappeared from his spot.

Two days later.

"Master Ling, the martial arts from Sunset City have been delivered. As for Flying Swallow City, they might need a few more days to send someone over. I'll go negotiate with them then."

"Also, the auction has been scheduled for tomorrow noon."

In the courtyard of the Ling residence, Zhang Mu placed down two booklets. After briefly recounting the major and minor events that had occurred in Cloud City recently, he respectfully withdrew.

Upon exiting the inner courtyard, Zhang Mu wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, marveling at how Master Ling's strength was becoming increasingly unfathomable. Just standing beside him exerted an indescribable pressure.

Seeing a curious household servant staring at him, Zhang Mu's expression turned stern. After reprimanding him a couple of times, he sauntered away.

Meanwhile, inside the inner courtyard, Ling Yun slowly opened his eyes, a flash of blood-red light disappearing from their depths.

"The third Blood Essence Pearl has finally been condensed."

Stretching comfortably, Ling Yun looked at the three Blood Essence Pearls suspended in his dantian, a hint of satisfaction appearing on his face.

It was worth the effort of condensing his blood essence day and night for the past few days. With these three Blood Essence Pearls, his trump cards had undoubtedly increased by one.

He then turned his gaze to the two cultivation techniques placed before him, his eyes flashing as he reached out to flip through them.

Soon, the corresponding martial arts names appeared on his status panel.

Hundred Rend Blade Technique, Iron Bell Body.

One was a blade technique, the other a body-strengthening art. Ling Yun had specifically chosen these two from many techniques because they were the most similar to the cultivation method he was currently practicing.

The reason for doing so was merely to test a hypothesis of his.

Ling Yun's gaze lingered on these two techniques for a moment before finally settling on the Hundred Rend Blade Technique.