Chapter 241: Chapter 210: Cultivators Driven by Profit, the Depths of the Wilderness

「Three days later.」

The atmosphere inside the meeting hall of Broken River Castle was heavy.

Lu Zhao sat upright on the main stone seat, his Profound Daoist Robe making his expression seem all the more serene. His gaze, as tranquil as a cold, ancient pool, slowly swept over the several people standing solemnly below.

Hann Song, Xu Kui, Wang Zhen, and several other influential figures from the Broken River Plains—family heads and Demon Hunting Team leaders—all stood with their hands lowered respectfully, none of them daring to breathe too loudly.

"Everyone," Lu Zhao began, his voice not loud, yet it clearly cut through the hall’s dead silence. "The Broken River Plains is a vital territory for the Sect, surrounded by Demon Beasts and fraught with hidden dangers. As I am the Commander here, it is my duty to purge this demonic aura and ensure the peace of this region."

He paused. His fingertip tapped lightly on the armrest of the cold stone chair, creating a faint sound that seemed to strike at everyone’s heart.

"However, the Wilderness is vast, and the tracks of demons are elusive. I cannot possibly investigate everything alone." Lu Zhao’s gaze sharpened. "Starting today, you will all provide men and effort to investigate the depths of the Broken River Plains for me, searching for the precise whereabouts of Tier Two Demon Beasts. If you find any information about other rare Spiritual Materials or Treasures of Heaven and Earth, report it as well."

The command was simple, direct, and carried an unquestionable authority.

The hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The faces of Hann Song and the others turned deathly pale. ’Search for the tracks of a Tier Two Demon Beast? That’s no different from sending our disciples to their deaths! Tier Two Demon Beasts are existences that only Foundation Establishment Cultivators can contend with. If a Qi Cultivator encounters one, death is all but certain! Even scouting from a distance is incredibly perilous; a single misstep would mean not even their bones would remain.’

Fear and indignation intertwined in their eyes, yet no one dared to voice their objections. They had already experienced this Commander Lu’s methods firsthand and could not afford the price of defiance.

The dead silence lasted for several breaths before beads of cold sweat formed on Hann Song’s forehead. He swallowed hard, finally steeled himself, and took a step forward. With a deep bow, his voice trembling uncontrollably, he said, "Elder Lu, please understand. Searching for a Tier Two Demon Beast is exceptionally dangerous. May I ask, Elder, how many men do we need to send? And what are the Cultivation requirements?" He asked with extreme caution.

Lu Zhao’s gaze fell upon him, and that calm, rippleless look sent an even deeper chill through Hann Song’s heart.

"The first batch," Lu Zhao began slowly, his voice flat but each word landing like a hammer blow, "will be twenty-five men, divided into five teams of five."

He paused briefly before continuing, "The minimum Cultivation must be the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer. Each team must be overseen by at least one Late-stage Qi Cultivator."

"Twenty-five men?! Five Late-stage Qi Cultivators?!" Xu Kui couldn’t help but gasp, crying out involuntarily. He immediately realized his gaffe and hastily lowered his head, his face ashen. The others felt their vision go dark, their bodies swaying slightly.

For their families, this was a devastating blow! In a place like the Broken River Plains, Late-stage Qi Cultivators were the top fighting force, the pillars of their clans and factions. To dispatch five at once, along with twenty core members at the Mid-stage Qi Cultivation, for a mission with a near-zero chance of survival?

Such a loss was enough to gravely wound them! Not to mention, judging by Lu Zhao’s tone, after this "first batch," there would likely be a second, and a third... He was practically forcing them down a path to ruin!

An air of despair filled the hall. Hann Song’s lips moved, wanting to say something, but it ended in a silent sigh.

Lu Zhao took in everyone’s reactions. He naturally knew his demands were harsh, but the opportunities and Tier Two Demon Beast Materials hidden in the depths of the Broken River Plains were crucial for his future Cultivation and his breakthrough to become a Tier Two Puppet Master.

In his eyes, the lives of these local tyrants were far less valuable than improving his own strength. However, he also understood that applying pressure blindly would only be counterproductive, forcing these people to feign compliance while secretly disobeying, or even pushing them to take desperate measures.

"Of course," Lu Zhao’s tone shifted. It was still flat, but now it held a subtle trace of temptation. "I am not an unreasonable person, nor will I have you expend your efforts for nothing."

With a flick of his sleeve, several smooth, Cyan Jade Scrolls materialized out of thin air and flew precisely into the hands of Hann Song, Xu Kui, Wang Zhen, and the other leaders.

"This is the ’Minor Merit’ exchange list. Anyone who dispatches men will be awarded merit according to their Cultivation. For each Late-stage Qi Cultivator sent, you will earn ten Minor Merits. For each Mid-stage Qi Cultivator, three Minor Merits." Lu Zhao’s voice clearly entered everyone’s ears. "Once you’ve accumulated merit, you can use this Jade Scroll to exchange for the items on the list."

Hann Song and the others subconsciously accepted the Jade Scrolls. With a dazed expression and a final, faint glimmer of hope, they immersed their Divine Sense into them.

In the next moment, several sharp gasps echoed through the hall!

Inside the Jade Scrolls, the list of items was dazzling and far beyond their wildest imaginations!

Jade Sea Returning Essence Skill, a Middle-Grade Water Element Technique, Qi Cultivation Chapter—requires 300 Minor Merits.

Thick Earth Technique, a Lower Grade Earth Element Technique, Qi Cultivation Chapter—requires 100 Minor Merits.

Jade Wave Heart Scripture, a Lower Grade Water Element Technique, Qi Cultivation Chapter—requires 100 Minor Merits.

Essentials of Basic Array—requires 100 Minor Merits.

Hundred Herbs Atlas—requires 100 Minor Merits.

...

Magical Artifacts and Pills:

Tier One High-Grade flying sword—50 to 80 Minor Merits each.

Tier One High-Grade Pills like the "Water Spirit Pill"—5 Minor Merits per pill.

Special pills like the "Barrier-Breaking Pill," which aids in breaking through the Late-stage Qi Cultivation bottleneck—30 Minor Merits per pill.

...

Puppets:

Complete Tier One Lower Grade Puppet like an "Ironwood Guard"—20 Minor Merits each.

...

The list was so detailed, the variety so rich, and the value so high that Hann Song and the others were left dazzled and breathless! Many of these items, like the Jade Sea Returning Essence Skill, the Barrier-Breaking Pill, and Tier One High-Grade Spiritual Artifacts, were things that couldn’t be bought in the Broken River Plains even if one had the money!

These were treasures they had dreamed of but could never obtain! And now, they could be exchanged for merit earned simply by sending people out to scout?

’This is practically a blessing from the heavens!’

’But the price for this blessing is the lives of our clan’s elite disciples!’ Hann Song struggled internally, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the Jade Scroll.

Lu Zhao’s voice rang out again, like a heavy hammer shattering their final hesitation:

"If the people you send can truly find the precise location of a Tier Two Demon Beast for me, and help me hunt it successfully..." His gaze swept over the crowd as he spoke, word by word, "In addition to the merit awarded per person, there will be a grand reward! Cultivation Techniques, Pills, Magical Artifacts... even a Foundation Establishment Pill is not something I am unwilling to bestow!"

"A Foundation Establishment Pill?!"

Those three words exploded like thunder in their minds! Xu Kui snapped his head up, a terrifying glint erupting from his single eye as his breathing stopped completely.

Wang Zhen shuddered violently, nearly dropping the Jade Scroll in his hand. Hann Song’s pupils contracted, and the veins on the hand holding his Jade Scroll bulged!

A Foundation Establishment Pill! That was a supreme treasure capable of changing a family’s destiny, of creating a Foundation Establishment Cultivator! It was something that Qi Cultivation Clans like theirs could only dream of but never reach! And Commander Lu was actually promising to bestow one?!

The immense temptation instantly washed away all their fear and hesitation! Compared to a Foundation Establishment Pill, what was sending out a few men? Even if there were losses, if they could exchange them for a Foundation Establishment Pill, it would be the opportunity for their family to soar! ’It’s worth it! Absolutely worth it!’

"Elder Lu!" Xu Kui was the first to react. With a THUD, he dropped to one knee, his voice booming with unprecedented fanaticism. "My Xu Family is willing to serve you to the death, Elder! We will dispatch our clan’s most elite and experienced disciples! We will not fail you!"

"The Wang Family is the same!" Wang Zhen followed right after, bowing low. "Whatever you command, Elder, the entire Wang Family will not shrink from death! We will turn the Broken River Plains upside down if we must to find the demon’s tracks for you!"

"The Hann Family humbly obeys the Elder’s decree!" Hann Song took a deep breath to suppress the shock in his heart and also bowed. Though his tone was not as fervent as Xu’s or Wang’s, it was filled with an unprecedented resolve. "The disciples of the Hann Family are at your disposal, Elder!"

The other leaders also bowed one after another, scrambling to declare their loyalty. Their previous despondency and despair were completely gone, replaced by an infinite craving for merit and the Foundation Establishment Pill.

Lu Zhao watched this group of faction leaders, who had transformed from lambs to the slaughter into bloodthirsty wolves in an instant. The corner of his mouth curled into a barely perceptible arc. ’When profit is on the line, such is the nature of the human heart.’

He gave a slight nod. "Very good. You will arrange the specific candidates yourselves. Give the list to Zhao Xiaoshu within three days. Remember, I only want capable men. If you try to fill the ranks with subpar members, you will bear the consequences yourselves."

"Yes! Rest assured, Elder!" the crowd replied in unison.

"You are all dismissed," Lu Zhao said with a wave of his hand.

As if granted a pardon, yet filled with irrepressible excitement, the group bowed respectfully before filing out of the meeting hall.

Only Lu Zhao and the attendant Zhao Xiaoshu remained in the hall.

"Little Shu," Lu Zhao called.

"Elder." Zhao Xiaoshu immediately took a step forward.

"You will be responsible for forming a small department dedicated to recording and calculating the merit earned by the men these families send out, as well as handling the subsequent exchanges."

Lu Zhao instructed, "Pick your staff from the Outer Sect Stewards in the castle or from people you trust."

"The rules are as follows: for any exchange request under three Minor Merits, you only need to log it and organize the records periodically. I will conduct spot checks. For requests of three Minor Merits or more, you must compile a detailed list each month and deliver it to my residence for my personal review."

Zhao Xiaoshu’s expression grew serious. He immediately understood the importance of this task. ’This isn’t just about record-keeping; it’s a crucial link for supervising and keeping those families in check.’ He replied solemnly, "Yes! This junior understands! I will do my utmost and ensure not a single mistake is made!"

Lu Zhao nodded slightly, fairly satisfied with Zhao Xiaoshu’s composure. He stood up, the sleeve of his Profound Daoist Robe brushing against the cold stone chair.

"Go. Get the framework set up as soon as possible. The winds in these Broken River Plains are about to start blowing." Lu Zhao’s voice carried a chilling anticipation, his gaze seeming to pierce through the stone walls to see the killing intent and opportunity lurking deep within the Wilderness.

Zhao Xiaoshu bowed and said, "Yes," watching as Lu Zhao’s figure disappeared down the passage leading deeper into his residence.

He turned to look at the empty meeting hall, as if he could still feel the tense undercurrents stirred by the recent temptation. He took a deep breath, knowing his own task was about to begin.

He walked quickly out of the hall, already calculating in his mind who to select for his staff and how to establish a strict and efficient merit-recording system.

Outside Broken River Castle, the clan leaders who had received the promise walked with hurried steps, the gloom on their faces gone, replaced by suppressed excitement and calculation.

They needed to return at once to select the most "suitable" candidates—people who were sharp and capable enough to actually find a demon’s tracks and even earn merit, yet who were also expendable enough to protect the core seeds of their families.

Hann Song returned to the Hann Family’s secret chamber and immediately summoned his trusted Elders. He showed them the Jade Scroll List, and when the three words "Foundation Establishment Pill" were whispered, the breathing in the chamber instantly grew several times heavier.

Xu Kui, on the other hand, directly summoned all the clan disciples at the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer and above, announcing this "heaven-sent opportunity" and "test for the family." The flames of ambition immediately ignited in the eyes of the Xu Family disciples.

Meanwhile, Wang Zhen began taking inventory of his family’s treasury, calculating how to use this opportunity to exchange for as many precious Cultivation Techniques and resources as possible.

The Broken River Plains, which had been calm for a long time, suddenly erupted into a frenzy due to Lu Zhao’s single command and one tempting "price list."

Countless eyes turned toward the depths of the Wilderness, a mix of greed and fear swirling within them. A hunt, with human lives as its probes and driven by a sharp blade, was about to begin its bloody prelude.

And Lu Zhao, seated deep within Broken River Castle, was like a chess master patiently waiting for his pieces to move, awaiting news of his prey, and... the Tier Two Demon Beast Materials that would help him ascend to a higher realm of Puppetry.

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