C1499 Greed
C1499 Greed
They chose not to seek an audience with Lin Xuan immediately but instead gathered in a side hall to coordinate with the Martial Puppet. Their first order of business was to organize the congratulatory gifts before presenting the final tally. This step marked the completion of their mission.
Given the tight timeframe of only three days provided by Lin Xuan, perfection was a tall order, even with the use of large-scale teleportation arrays. They managed to fulfill the task, albeit just barely. Hastily, without having time to inventory the gifts, they hurried to their destination.
Upon arrival, they extracted all the acquired gifts and entrusted them to the Martial Puppet, who meticulously sorted and accounted for them in the presence of the five halls' high-ranking officials. The Martial Puppet, personally appointed by Lin Xuan and boasting a cultivation at the pinnacle of the Emperor Level, was closely associated with Lin Xuan, more so than with the Martial Hall, which left no room for dispute over its significant role in this process.
The Martial Puppet was acutely aware of the gravity of its duties. It understood Lin Xuan's exceptional talent better than anyone else; the barriers in his cultivation had vanished. While Lin Xuan's demand for precious medicinal pills and spiritual materials was minimal, his need for vast quantities of cultivation resources was extraordinary—far exceeding that of his contemporaries, potentially by several or even dozens of times.
Thus, upon his return to the Dongyuan Continent, Lin Xuan, armed with his invincible strength, forcibly appropriated the resources of the six major forces. Without sparing his reputation, he even claimed half of the savings from all the Emperor Level powers on the continent under the guise of receiving celebratory tributes. His goal was to amass an immense stockpile of cultivation resources for his personal use.
The greater Lin Xuan's strength and the quicker his cultivation progressed, the safer and more beneficial it was for the Martial Puppet. In matters concerning Lin Xuan's advancement in cultivation, the Martial Puppet could not afford to be anything less than meticulous.
He oversaw the operation with undivided attention, ensuring not a single error was made.
Within this side chamber, the crème de la crème of the Dongyuan Continent's high-ranking martial artists were assembled.
Yet, the room was eerily quiet, with only the sound of breathing audible.
Wei Zhengzhen, Cang Shuiyue, and the others had their eyes fixed on the martial puppet, waiting in silence for the outcome.
Predictably, there was an issue.
The martial puppet's face was a mask of frost as he lifted his head to address Wei Zhengzhen, who stood ten meters away.
"Brother Wei, this is the congratulatory gift from the Hundred Smelting Sect within your Eastern Righteous Hall's domain, isn't it?
The Hundred Smelting Sect, notorious for their defiance, was annihilated, correct?
Within their ranks were the Hundred Smelting Yama Gold and the Hundred Bird Phoenix Spear. Why don't I see them here?"
Wei Zhengzhen's face registered shock, but he quickly recovered and apologized, "Brother Wu, this oversight is on us at the Eastern Righteous Hall. Please forgive us; I will have someone fetch them immediately!"
Wei Zhengzhen had not anticipated that the martial puppet would be so well-informed.
The Hundred Smelting Sect was an Emperor Level power within the Eastern Righteous Hall's territory, led by a warrior at the Fifth Level of the Martial Monarch Stage.
Rumors spoke of two treasures within the sect: the Hundred Smelting Yama Gold and the Hundred Bird Phoenix Spear.
The Hundred Smelting Yama Gold, an Emperor Level material, had reached High-grade status and was a crucial component in many High-grade Medicinal Pills and Spirit Weapons.
The Hundred Bird Phoenix Spear, a Mid Emperor Level Spirit Weapon, was considered exceptional among its peers.
Should it integrate with the user's vital blood, it could unleash a formidable strike, powerful enough to challenge those at the Emperor Level.
The Eastern Righteous Hall, being a superior sect, was privy to the actual circumstances.
These items were not mere hearsay; they were genuine treasures housed within the Hundred Smelting Sect.
They were, in fact, the most prized possessions of the sect.
To other Emperor Level forces, these treasures were of immense value.
For the East Saint Sect, such matters were trivial.
They had never paid much attention to them before.
But today, since they were required to collect half of their savings as a congratulatory gift, they had to present at least one of the two treasures, along with other items, to match the value of half the savings.
Not to mention the scenario of being wiped out.
After the extermination, all the savings would naturally be seized, eliminating the possibility of not presenting both treasures.
Wei Zhengzhen's face darkened with fury.
This was Lin Xuan's first official mission.
It was crucial for the future and for shaping Lin Xuan's impression of the various halls.
He had never considered embezzling even the slightest amount.
Yet, to his disbelief, someone had dared to do so.
In the past, it might have been overlooked.
But the individual in question now was Lin Xuan.
A mere thought from Lin Xuan could spell disaster for the East Righteous Hall, a catastrophe of epic proportions.
"Who is in charge of this mission for the Hundred Refinements Sect?"
Wei Zhengzhen inquired, addressing the gaunt elder beside him. This man, appearing to be in the twilight of his life, was the current hall master of the East Righteous Hall. His cultivation had reached the ninth level of the Martial Monarch Stage and he was a confidant of Wei Zhengzhen.
"Reporting to the hall master, it's Wei Hu!"
Li Jian felt a sinking feeling in his chest.
Wei Hu bore the same surname as Wei Zhengzhen, being his grandnephew and the most exceptional among his family's younger generation. His cultivation had reached the Fourth Layer of the Martial Monarch Stage.
His team included another member at the Level 7 of the Martial Monarch Stage.
Yet, due to his special status, he was appointed as the captain.
He had always been haughty and complacent, acting without proper consideration.
His repeated failure to reform when it came to embezzling treasures was well-known.
But he had never expected him to dare such a thing this time.
"Go, retrieve the Hundred Bird Soaring Phoenix Spear and the Hundred Refined Yama Gold. Additionally, bring two hundred top-grade spirit stones.
As for Wei Hu, strip him of his cultivation and let him retire to his family as an elder!"
Wei Zhengzhen's voice carried through his divine sense, icy and resolute.
With just a few words, the verdict was cast.
Li Jian shuddered, sensing the unwavering determination in Wei Zhengzhen's command.
He hadn't anticipated Wei Zhengzhen's response to be so ruthlessly decisive.
Wei Zhengzhen's divine sense carried a chilling intent as he communicated his message. With just a few words, he determined the outcome.
Li Jian shuddered, sensing the resolve in Wei Zhengzhen's words. He hadn't expected Wei Zhengzhen to be so ruthless and icy. This was the junior he had always favored. Even when mistakes were made, a few days of confinement and a couple of reprimands were usually enough for Wei Zhengzhen to let it slide.
It could be said that Wei Zhengzhen was partly to blame for Wei Dangtian's brazen actions today. Yet now, Wei Zhengzhen had decisively cast him aside. To strip him of his cultivation and send him into retirement? For a martial artist, that fate was more agonizing than death itself.
But Li Jian quickly came to a realization. After all, it was just a nephew. When weighed against his own future, his life, and his wealth, the nephew paled in significance. This matter concerned Wei Zhengzhen personally; no amount of affection could change that. No matter how promising the future or how great the potential, nothing could compare to one's own life.
He had indulged the boy in the past, fostering arrogance and a lack of awareness of the bigger picture, leading to disaster. It was only fitting that he faced the consequences. This was a mission assigned by Lin Xuan, of utmost importance and without precedent. To interfere at such a pivotal moment was to seek one's own doom. Being stripped of his cultivation was a lenient punishment.
This also served as an account to Lin Xuan. As for the fallout, what weight did the family's resentment hold? The entire Wei Family was under Wei Zhengzhen's control. Anyone who dared to object would be swiftly dealt with.