Chapter 148 : Privilege

Chapter 148: Privilege

“Senior Sister Yun, do you mean that Lu Lei and the others are still fleeing and have not yet been captured?” Chen Beiwu probed.

If that was truly the case, he had decided to remain in the sect and go into seclusion for this period of time, so as to avoid being targeted for revenge by three Foundation Establishment cultivators.

“How could that be possible.” Yun Yishu cast him a strange glance:

“Had they merely fled, that would be easy to deal with. The key point is that all three of them are already dead, with only Yu Pan still alive. Otherwise, the Judicial Hall would not have been unable to obtain crucial evidence.”

‘Silenced?’ Chen Beiwu’s heart sank.

When it came to interests, in the eyes of the sect’s higher-ups, even a Foundation Establishment cultivator was no more than an ant that could be crushed with a flick of the hand.

No wonder Senior Sister Yun had reminded him earlier that as long as he stayed within the sect, there would be no danger.

As for outside the sect, that was another matter entirely.

Thinking of this, Chen Beiwu drew a deep breath and asked directly: “Is there truly no other way?”

Resigning himself to death was not in his nature.

If possible, he preferred to strike first and root out all the hidden enemies within the sect.

“It’s not that there is no way, it depends on whether the sect’s higher-ups are willing to make the painful choice.” Yun Yishu cast a glance at Chen Beiwu, bluntly pointing out the flaws currently existing in the Mirror Moon Sect.

“‘The predecessors plant the trees, the descendants enjoy the shade.’ Within the Mirror Moon Sect, interpersonal relationships have already formed into a system. Many of the second-generation cultivators rely on the merits of their forebears to live luxuriously, even diverting sect resources to form circles of influence. And what you exposed this time was one of those circles.”

Yun Yishu’s tone carried disdain: “Of the thirty-six Great Return-to-Sea Formations on Qingsu Island, twelve have problems. Do you know what that means?”

Chen Beiwu shook his head.

“Dozens of Third-Tier treasure materials embezzled, countless Second-Tier materials, and the number of low-grade Spirit Stones involved amounts to several million.”

Her eyes revealed mockery: “The Golden Core True Persons within the sect may not care about such resources, but the second-generation cultivators not only covet them—they dare to take them openly.”

“If they did not have the backing of their forebears, if there were no circles of influence, do you think a mere few Foundation Establishment cultivators could have embezzled so many sect resources?”

Yun Yishu paused, her eyes fixing firmly on Chen Beiwu as she asked in a deep voice once more: “If the sect’s higher-ups wish to hold someone accountable, do you think they really need evidence?”

Hearing these questions, Chen Beiwu fell silent.

He lifted his head, meeting his senior sister’s gaze, and forced a bitter smile: “Hearing you say all this, why does it feel like my situation is precarious, as if I could fall at any moment.”

“Junior Brother, have you forgotten something?”

Yun Yishu rose, walked to his side, and patted his shoulder: “You too are within the sect’s second-generation circle, and you too enjoy certain privileges.”

At this, Chen Beiwu was slightly taken aback.

He, a Qi Refining rogue cultivator by birth, became part of the sect’s second generation just by apprenticing under a Golden Core True Person?

Wasn’t the sect unlike the Immortal Alliance, where lineage and pure heritage were emphasized?

“You are Master’s fourth disciple, and Master is the sect’s foremost artifact refiner, the Ninth Elder of the Mirror Moon main lineage.”

“Even if you were to violate the sect’s laws, as long as it isn’t too excessive, the higher-ups would most likely turn a blind eye.”

“Just like this time, the higher-ups clearly know that Vice Hall Master Li Yuanhua of the Formation Hall and Vice Hall Master Zhao Wuji of the Profound Secrets Hall are suspects, yet due to insufficient evidence, they do not arrest or interrogate them directly, instead letting them self-investigate and hand over the culprits.”

“In truth, it’s simply raising high and lowering gently.”

Mentioning this matter, Yun Yishu seemed to lose interest and waved her hand at Chen Beiwu:

“Enough. Why should I tell you all this? You need not worry about the sect’s matters. Just focus on cultivating in peace.

“As for the matter of the Heaven-Eye Blackhawk, I have already arranged everything for you. You may go to the Eroded-Bone Abyss and discuss with Yu Pan.”

Realizing that his senior sister was dismissing him, Chen Beiwu rose and took his leave.

Only after his figure disappeared did Yun Yishu lift a cup of tea, staring at the reflection on the water’s surface in silence.

……

Eroded-Bone Abyss.

The cold wind was like blades, wailing with mournful cries.

Led by a Judicial Hall cultivator, Chen Beiwu stopped before a sheer cliff.

As the sect’s punishment ground, the cliffs of the Eroded-Bone Abyss were lined with honeycomb-like prison cells that sealed away cultivators’ spiritual power and divine sense.

Every morning, those imprisoned within the Abyss were subjected to the punishment of flesh being flayed by fierce winds and bones eroded by chilling sha.

Foundation Establishment cultivators, with blood as dense as mercury and flawless bodies, could just barely endure this torment.

But Qi Refining cultivators were miserable; in just ten days or half a month, they would turn into lifeless ice sculptures.

“Junior Brother Chen, this way please.” A Punishment Hall cultivator stepped forward, unlocking the heavy prison gate.

Hearing the sound of the gate, Yu Pan lifted her head, her gaze falling upon Chen Beiwu.

“I have seen Senior Brother Chen.” She greeted respectfully.

Chen Beiwu glanced at the Punishment Hall cultivator, who tactfully withdrew, closing the gate lightly behind him.

In an instant, only Chen Beiwu and Yu Pan remained within the cell.

“Forgive me, Senior Brother Chen. I had no choice at the time.” Yu Pan immediately apologized, her expression pitiful.

“Junior Sister Yu, I am not here to pursue the matter of Qingsu Island’s embezzlement. I wish to make a trade with you.” Chen Beiwu spoke bluntly.

“What trade? If it is something I can do, I will not refuse.” Yu Pan’s beautiful eyes lifted.

If Chen Beiwu were willing to leverage his connections, her ten-year sentence might be shortened to a year—or even less.

“I am very interested in the Heaven-Eye Blackhawk you raised. If Junior Sister is willing to part with it, I can use sect contribution points for the trade.” Chen Beiwu’s gaze turned toward her spirit beast pouch.

Though sentenced to imprisonment, Yu Pan had not been stripped of her assets or treasures—only her embezzled gains were confiscated.

“Why would Senior Brother Chen take a fancy to a Heaven-Eye Blackhawk?” Yu Pan asked with suspicion.

“My hobbies are few. My greatest interest is raising spirit beasts. Will Junior Sister consider the trade?” Chen Beiwu looked directly into Yu Pan’s eyes.

She instinctively avoided his gaze, saying nothing.

“Ten thousand contribution points.” Chen Beiwu named a price difficult for a Foundation Establishment cultivator to refuse.

Yu Pan remained silent.

“Thirteen thousand one hundred contribution points, plus ten thousand low-grade Spirit Stones.” Chen Beiwu gritted his teeth and raised the offer.

Hearing such a precise sum, Yu Pan exhaled a turbid breath and shook her head: “Forgive me, Senior Brother Chen. It is not about the price. Xiao Hui is my companion, not a commodity.”

“You may think on it, Junior Sister. There is no need to rush your answer.” Chen Beiwu stepped back, turning to leave.

“Wait!” Yu Pan’s voice stopped him.

“Has Junior Sister changed her mind?” Chen Beiwu smiled.

“Senior Brother Chen, if you are willing to take me as your Dao companion, not only Xiao Hui, even I will be yours.” Yu Pan said calmly.

She did not care for appearances—only for strength.

Since Chen Beiwu had escaped from Lu Lei and the others, it proved he was no useless second-generation cultivator. His Foundation Establishment was assured, and he even held a faint hope of reaching the Golden Core.

Thinking thus, becoming his Dao companion was not a humiliation—in fact, it could be a way to borrow strength and avert disaster.