At Crimson Flame Peak, everyone looked at each other in bewilderment.
After a long while, they all involuntarily shivered.
These are all old foxes who have lived for thousands of years. Although there is no evidence, the sudden and extremely bizarre "deep embrace" between Xing Tian and Zhu Wuwang makes anyone feel that something is wrong.
All of this happened precisely after Zhang Lingyun and his disciples had formed a deadly feud with Xing Tian.
To say it has nothing to do with these two people... only a fool would believe that!
Subtle and suspicious gazes swept over Zhang Lingyun and Zhang Yu, carrying both apprehension and a sense of distant respect.
Helian Jue also gave Zhang Lingyun a deep look, and before leaving, he left behind a meaningful remark:
"Jiang Ling, I have repaid the favor I owed your Master today."
From now on... you should all take care of yourselves.
Having said that, she didn't linger and gracefully departed.
The other Peak Master also left one after another, each with a complicated expression and hurried steps, as if staying even a moment longer would bring some kind of misfortune.
Only the Pink Skull, instead of leaving, approached Zhang Lingyun with a smile, her eyes gleaming with seductive allure, and whispered:
"Was that performance just now... orchestrated by you?"
Zhang Lingyun glanced silently at Zhang Yu beside her and shook her head expressionlessly.
"You don't need to deny it,"
The Pink Skull covered her mouth and chuckled softly, but her eyes glanced in the direction Xing Tian had left:
"Once that old man sobers up, the first people he'll suspect will definitely be you."
This feud is now completely over.
She paused, her tone suddenly becoming ambiguous and curious:
"However... your methods are truly remarkable."
Could you... teach me?
She leaned even closer, her voice barely audible:
"I recently had my eye on a Brother, but he's really ignoring me. If only I had your charm..."
"Roll."
Zhang Lingyun didn't even lift her eyelids, only coldly uttering a single word.
The Pink Skull wasn't annoyed. She giggled, swayed her hips, and gracefully left, even giving Zhang Yu a flirtatious wink before she went.
--
Crimson Flame Peak, Main Hall.
After settling Qing Mu and the other Vengeful Spirit disciples who had just escaped their predicament, Zhang Lingyun gave them several Pills Soul Body preparing to return to her quiet room to heal her injuries.
"Master."
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Zhang Yu stepped forward, a "kind and honest" smile plastered on his face:
"As you know, I have considerable experience in business and financial management."
Now that Crimson Flame Peak has returned to your hands, everything is in need of rebuilding. Shouldn't you entrust the management of the finances to your disciple?
His intentions were practically written on his face—paving the way for continued corruption.
Upon hearing this, Qing Mu and the other former members of the Crimson Flame Peak who had just escaped all changed their expressions and shook their heads frantically at Zhang Lingyun, their eyes filled with "No way!"
Absolutely not, Peak Master!
This little rascal dared to embezzle 95% of the money in front of the entire clan without even blinking.
If the financial power of Crimson Flame Peak were handed over to him, I'm afraid that within three days, the entire Crimson Flame Peak would be starving!
But Zhang Lingyun's reaction filled them with utter despair.
She simply stared at Zhang Yu for a moment, her mind flashing back to the immense Merit of the Eastern Sheng Kingdom and the vast power of Dao Ancestor Li's remaining vows.
What are a mere tens of thousands of Spirit Stone compared to Immeasurable Merit?
Moreover, she has not yet fully refined that Merit, having used less than one-tenth of it, simply because it is too immense.
If converted into Spirit Stone, even tens of millions would be insufficient to exchange for it.
In her eyes, Zhang Yu's "embezzlement" was nothing more than a harmless little quirk.
"Can."
She spoke calmly, her words decisive:
"From this day forward, you will be fully responsible for all financial income and expenditure of Crimson Flame Peak."
Qing Mu assisted him, ensuring the accounts were clear and error-free.
"..."
It's over.
Qing Mu and the others suddenly felt everything go black, as if the sky had collapsed and the earth had caved in.
This isn't just the Peak Master spoiling his disciple!
This is clearly spoiling!
It's utterly unprincipled indulgence!
The group exchanged glances, a bizarre yet persistent thought simultaneously arising in their minds—
Could it be that the Peak Master and this Zhang Yu... share some kind of illicit relationship, like Elder Xing Tian and Zhu Wuwang?
Otherwise, how can one explain such unprincipled trust and indulgence?
"Disciple will certainly not fail Master's expectations!"
Zhang Yu didn't care what they thought; he immediately bowed and accepted the order, a smile already creeping onto his lips.
Financial power is in hand!
From now on, won't all the Spirit Stone from Crimson Flame Peak be mine for the taking?
He could almost see the magnificent sight of countless Spirit Stone surging in like the Yangtze River, Cultivation level soaring like a rocket.
Meanwhile, Qing Mu and the others, looking at the almost overflowing "greed" in Zhang Yu's eyes and then at Zhang Lingyun's calm and indifferent back, which subtly revealed a hint of indulgence, felt that the road ahead was shrouded in darkness.
This Crimson Flame Peak... is probably doomed.
Zhang Yu became the de facto chief steward of Crimson Flame Peak, and his first task was to lead Qing Mu and a group of old subordinates on a grand inspection of the warehouses.
Zhu Wuwang and his group left in a hurry, leaving behind a large amount of supplies that had not been moved in time for the Crimson Flame Peak warehouse.
Boxes of spirit medicine, neatly stacked refining materials, unopened Pills Jade Bottle, and even a few Soul Path Law Artifact in good condition.
"Hmm, Zhu Wuwang to have some wealth."
Zhang Yu nodded, a satisfied expression on his face, then waved his hand dismissively:
"These supplies have been stored for a long time and there is a risk of damage or spoilage."
This Young Master will inspect each item one by one to ensure that the Crimson Flame Peak Assets are intact.
As he spoke, he brazenly stuffed all the boxes of spirit medicine, materials, and even the few Law Artifact into his Spatial Bag.
The movements were fluid and seamless, without any hesitation.
Qing Mu and the others watched with twitching eyelids and twitching lips.
Examine?
Is this an inspection or embezzlement?
"Young Peak Master!"
An elderly guardian of the Vengeful Spirit could no longer contain himself and spoke in a trembling voice:
"These supplies... belong to the peak's public property. For you to directly pocket them like this is... against the rules."
"Rule?"
Zhang Yu turned his head, his face filled with righteous indignation:
"I personally inspected it precisely because of the rules of Crimson Flame Peak."
If left unattended, what if it gets eaten by insects or mold? Wouldn't the losses be even greater?
Don't worry, I'll return it after I've checked it.
Return?
Once something's in your pocket, can you really get it back out?
Besides, your reasoning is so flimsy. Spirit Stone and Law Artifact can be eaten by insects? Do you think we're all idiots?
Everyone groaned inwardly, but no one dared to utter another word.
Qing Mu remained silent for a long time, then finally sighed and whispered his advice:
"Young Peak Master, Crimson Flame Peak has suffered a great calamity, and the people's hearts are unsettled. This is a time when resources are scarce."
Could you perhaps tone down your behavior a little?
"Qing Mu, you're right."
Zhang Yu slapped his thigh, as if he had suddenly realized something:
"Crimson Flame Peak is currently in dire need of reconstruction and needs to stabilize the morale of its people."
This Young Master has decided to personally take out ten thousand Spirit Stone and distribute them among you all as a token of my respect and comfort."
As he spoke, he actually took out ten thousand High-Grade Spirit Stone from his Spatial Bag and piled them up in front of everyone. They shone with a dazzling light, making people's eyes dazzled.
Zhang Yu had already confirmed with the system that as long as the embezzlement was successfully completed, it would be recorded in the system's records, and there would be no problem as long as the money was spent in a private capacity.
Qing Mu stared at the pile of Spirit Stone, his eyelids twitching again.
Isn't this just a portion of the 20,000 Spirit Stone Zhu Wuwang compensated us?!
Didn't you say your Spatial Bag leaked and you only had a thousand left?!
Still 'paying out of his own pocket'?
Have you no shame?!
But Zhang Yu was completely oblivious, and instead patted Qing Mu on the shoulder earnestly:
"Take it and distribute it to the brothers."
From now on, if you follow Young Master, I guarantee you'll live a life of luxury and never suffer any losses.
Qing Mu and the others held the pile of Spirit Stone that they had "embezzled and then used as rewards," their feelings extremely complicated.
What's this?
Using public funds to buy people's hearts?
Could it be that the Young Peak Master is planning to... sideline the Peak Master and establish his own independent power?
But then he thought, since the Peak Master is almost completely obedient to Zhang Yu, even handing over control of the finances, why should he go to all this trouble?
Everyone racked their brains but couldn't understand what was going on in the mind of this Young Peak Master acted so absurdly and was so blatantly greedy.
Zhang Yu ignored their entanglement and gave the order:
Go and procure a batch of deployment materials for me. I'll give you the list later.
These are the basic materials he is preparing to use to control the array.
The plan to take control of the Soul Refining Sect's Grand Formation is of utmost urgency.