Lesser Heavenly Cycle Minor Accomplishment

After agreeing on the terms, Zhang Yunhao gave Nangong Ru the antidote. Before long, she had recovered her strength. After thanking him, she immediately began searching the Poisonous Snake Young Master's corpse, but couldn't find what she was looking for.

Nangong Ru frowned and turned to Zhang Yunhao, asking, "Did you take that jade pendant?"

Zhang Yunhao looked bewildered. "What jade pendant?"

Nangong Ru said sternly, "The Poisonous Snake Young Master infiltrated Qianshan City and stole a jade pendant from the Li Family. This matter is definitely not simple. Now that he's dead, the jade pendant is the only clue. If you took it, please hand it over."

Zhang Yunhao looked very innocent. "Even if you say so, I didn't. I only took some silver notes and the poison!"

Nangong Ru walked over. "I need to search you! It's not that I don't trust you, but the jade pendant is of great importance and cannot be lost. Moreover, our Demon Extermination Alliance can protect this jade pendant, but you can't. You can't stand against either the Li Family or the Demonic Sect. Keeping it with you would be a disaster!"

"Search me?"

Zhang Yunhao was furious, his eyes wide. "Is this how you repay your savior? If you want to search me, fine. After you're done, I'll search you too."

"Okay!"

Nangong Ru agreed without hesitation and immediately began her search. Zhang Yunhao was stunned for a long time, not knowing how to react. He cursed inwardly and raised his hands.

As a constable of the Demon Extermination Alliance, Nangong Ru was very professional. She searched him thoroughly, but she didn't find the jade pendant on Zhang Yunhao!

Nangong Ru judged situations objectively. After realizing she was mistaken, she immediately apologized. "I wronged you. It seems the Poisonous Snake Young Master had accomplices who secretly transferred the jade pendant after obtaining it, or perhaps it's still on this mountain. If you want to search me, go ahead."

Saying that, Nangong Ru raised her hands like Zhang Yunhao. Zhang Yunhao rolled his eyes and said helplessly, "Let's forget it. Just find more villains for me."

"Alright."

Nangong Ru glanced at Zhang Yunhao, her evaluation of him improving somewhat. She then discussed some loose ends with him before leaving with the Poisonous Snake Young Master and the bodies of the two constables from before.

After Nangong Ru left, Zhang Yunhao let out a sigh of relief and sat down to rest, using the power of the Blood Origin Pearl to heal his injuries.

With the Blood Origin Pearl, Zhang Yunhao's injuries healed extremely quickly. Once he was mostly recovered, he got up and started digging a hole to bury the bodies of Iron Eagle and Black Eagle.

He couldn't let Zhang Yuntang know about Iron Eagle and Black Eagle's demise for now, or he would definitely send even stronger experts. Therefore, he had to keep it a secret and then give the other party a big surprise on the day of the competition!

Before burying them, Zhang Yunhao didn't forget to collect his spoils of war, obtaining some silver notes, as well as the secret manuals for Eagle Claw Skill and Iron Cloth Shirt.

At the same time, Zhang Yunhao secretly retrieved the jade pendant from Black Eagle's clothes. Zhang Yunhao had guessed earlier that Nangong Ru would search him, so he had secretly hidden the jade pendant in Black Eagle's clothes using his feet, successfully pulling the wool over her eyes.

"You think you can take something that has fallen into my hands?"

Zhang Yunhao chuckled inwardly but didn't show any outward signs, fearing that Nangong Ru might be monitoring him from outside. This woman was not to be underestimated.

Besides obtaining a Pure Heart Jade Pendant, this incident also caused his Evil True Qi to increase slightly. Such an act of embezzling treasures was undoubtedly evil!

Three days later, Nangong Ru arrived at the cave as promised, bringing six blindfolded prisoners.

Nangong Ru said, "These are all death row inmates, not a single good one among them. Each of them has at least ten lives on their hands. You're in a hurry, so I can only give you these for now. However, one of them once massacred a village, killing hundreds of people. He should satisfy you."

"Satisfied, of course, I'm satisfied."

Zhang Yunhao was quite surprised. Over the past three days, he had been in seclusion in the cave, controlling the surge of True Qi and successfully completing the Lesser Heavenly Cycle.

The Lesser Heavenly Cycle is also known as Hundred Days Foundation Building. After success, the True Qi completes a minor circulation, laying the foundation, and recovery and cultivation have been elevated to a higher level, considered minor completion. His speed would absolutely astound anyone if it got out – it took less than five days.

As long as his True Qi reached minor completion, Zhang Yunhao was confident he could defeat Zhang Yuntang. Now, with these wicked death row inmates, his power would undoubtedly more than double, guaranteeing victory!

After delivering the people, Nangong Ru didn't leave immediately. She asked, "You want to join the Heavenly Fist Sect?"

Zhang Yunhao narrowed his eyes. "You investigated me?"

Nangong Ru said matter-of-factly, "You saved my life, and I want to repay you. Also, I'm very curious about your background, so investigating you is normal."

Zhang Yunhao snorted inwardly and then said, "Of course, I want to join the Heavenly Fist Sect, and I can join."

"Perhaps."

This time, Nangong Ru was noncommittal. Then she asked an unrelated question, "How much do you know about the Demon Extermination Alliance?"

"Why are you asking this?"

Zhang Yunhao was puzzled but still answered, "The Demon Extermination Alliance is an organization specifically targeting the Demonic Sect. They have headquarters in various provinces. Although initiated by the imperial court, they are self-contained and have immense power, able to mobilize local constables and even garrison troops."

"There aren't many people in the Demon Extermination Alliance; only true elites can join. No one in our Zhang Family has been able to join the Demon Extermination Alliance yet."

Zhang Yunhao continued, "Furthermore, the Demon Extermination Alliance receives abundant resources from the imperial court and major sects, with excellent benefits. Many people dream of joining, but of course, the danger is also great."

Nangong Ru asked again, "If you had the chance, would you be willing to join the Demon Extermination Alliance?"

Zhang Yunhao smiled. "The Demon Extermination Alliance is a good place. Killing those demons is acting on behalf of heaven. If I have the chance, I would naturally be willing to join. However, I estimate I'll have to achieve something in the Heavenly Fist Sect before I'm qualified to join. Even in the Heavenly Fist Sect, very few can join the Demon Extermination Alliance."

"That's good. I think I can repay your life-saving favor soon."

Nangong Ru nodded with satisfaction and then threw a black iron long saber badge to Zhang Yunhao, telling him to keep it.

Zhang Yunhao took the black iron badge and looked at it a few times, asking confusedly, "What is this? Why are you giving this to me?"

"You'll know when the time comes. Just keep this safe. I said I would repay your kindness, and I will."

Nangong Ru didn't say more and turned to leave. Zhang Yunhao was bewildered but didn't take it too seriously. He put away the badge and looked excitedly at the death row inmates. These were all his power-boosting gifts!

He was definitely going to win the upcoming competition!