Decaying World

Chapter 181 181 Infiltration Part 1
11 month 9 day.

After several days of adaptation, Lin Hui gradually gained a deeper understanding of the Star Breath Sword Manual and also had a rough idea of ​​how the Typhoon Sword Technique evolved into the Star Breath Sword Manual step by step.

The process was very complicated, giving him a frustrating feeling that he seemed to understand, but couldn't recall the details.

It seems that, combined with his previous observations of disciple Tao Xuehai's swordsmanship path and the insights gained from the Star Breath Sword Manual, Lin Hui broke through the Typhoon Sword Technique again and reached the fifth level of Body Tempering in less than a week after returning to Qingfeng Temple.

Meanwhile, Qingfeng Temple was fortunate enough to collect a batch of newly harvested and traded Lingzhi mushrooms.

Because several channels were simultaneously acquiring aphrodisiac medicines, any new medicines that appeared would immediately be purchased by Qingfeng Temple at great expense and delivered to Lin Hui's residence.

This is also the benefit of having power. Without power, he wouldn't be able to guarantee the millions of dollars in monthly medication expenses, let alone obtain the newly launched premium medicines so easily.

Without anyone's help, Lin Hui had to go to the inner city to buy medicine on his own, and if he didn't have connections or a network of relationships, people might not even be willing to sell to him.

Therefore, he always paid attention to maintaining the surrounding industries and businesses of Qingfeng Temple, and the expedition team set off again after selecting new members.

This time, because we only followed the original route, the entire journey was relatively safe, and there were very few casualties.

This is actually the norm for most expeditions. The reason some expeditions suffer heavy casualties is because powerful clans set high expectations for the loot. Some clans even simply throw cannon fodder and supplies into the expedition, not caring whether the expedition members live or die.

“In this respect, our Qingfeng Temple is different.” In the courtyard of the mansion behind Qingfeng Temple.

Wang Hongshi earnestly reported the recent situation to Lin Hui.

"We made the best preparations for each member of the expedition team, providing them with all-round protection. The purpose was to train the team members, and obtaining supplies was secondary, so the casualties were minimal."

Lin Hui nodded slightly upon hearing this.

"Recently, more and more people have been coming to exchange for the Perfect Breeze Sword and Secret Techniques. It seems that everyone has made great progress."

“Yes, last year alone, three more inner courtyard disciples broke through to the Inner Strength Realm. Now, Qingfeng Temple has more than double-digit Inner Strength martial artists. In this respect, the Perfect Qingfeng Sword created by you, Master, has a far greater effect on breaking through Inner Strength than previous sword techniques.” Wang Hongshi quickly replied, his eyes full of admiration.

"What about other aspects? According to Chen Sui's report, the recent accounts show a slight decrease. What happened?" Lin Hui is someone who manages money and always knows how much he earns each month, but his income has decreased slightly in the last two months, so he asked.

“It’s like this,” Wang Hongshi explained. “Recently, the government has been requesting us to send experts to assist in investigating several cases in other towns. As you know, these kinds of investigations are usually unsupported, so we have to pay for them ourselves. This takes up some of our middle and upper management resources, which means we’re a bit lacking in protecting our businesses.” “Furthermore, another crucial point is that since the Wang family fell out with you, some of our business dealings with them have also ended. A decline in business is to be expected.”

Looking up at Lin Hui, Wang Hongshi's face showed a hesitant expression.

"Master, I recently discovered a disciple who has just joined the sect and has exceptional talent. I'm hesitating whether to mention him to you."

"Just say it," Lin Hui said calmly.

"There is a disciple who joined the sect two months ago. He has excellent swordsmanship talent and comes from the inner city, but he is a bit arrogant. His name is Xue Yanxiu."

Another female disciple who joined at the same time was Li Yuanyuan, a generous and hardworking immigrant from another city. She possessed exceptional talent in internal energy cultivation. Both of them entered the sect with prior training, and their combined strength was already second only to the top ten.

"Check their background and family information, and give me the details. I'll get back to you in a bit," Lin Hui said.

"Yes."

Wang Hongshi nodded.

"Finally, there is one more matter. Recently, our industrial expansion has reached its limit, and our manpower is insufficient to patrol any further. If we wish to continue, we must continue to increase the number of disciples. I wonder what the Abbot thinks?"

"Disciples at the Inner Strength Realm are allowed to establish their own lineage, accept outsiders as disciples, and receive a fixed monthly allowance from the sect. As for the compensation expenses, didn't the Wang family withdraw from the cooperation? They won't be giving us a share anymore, so we can use this portion to pay out," Lin Hui said nonchalantly.

"Will the breakdown of cooperation with the Wang family affect the Hundred Flowers Sect?"

"No, she wouldn't dare," Lin Hui said calmly.

Wang Hongshi took his leave, leaving Lin Hui alone to cultivate his internal energy and practice the Virtual Manifestation Technique.

Before long, the disciple in charge of meals brought lunch. After he finished eating, he simply called over the two people Wang Hongshi had mentioned.

The Blood Seal is still evolving, and this month or so is a good time to deal with these trivial matters, so as to avoid being distracted and affected later.

Xue Yanxiu and Li Yuanyuan arrived at the mansion courtyard quickly.

The two were fifteen and seventeen years old, respectively, and both were of above-average appearance. Their clothing and appearance also suggested they came from poor families.

With the current income of Qingfeng Temple, it's really impossible for an average family to get close to the top ten so quickly.

In fact, every year Qingfeng Temple insists on admitting a portion of students from ordinary backgrounds, offering them a significant reduction in tuition fees. This is so that no talented person from a disadvantaged background will be overlooked.

However, having a good family background is still a huge advantage when it comes to practicing martial arts.

The two quickly entered the gate, crossed the courtyard gate, and bowed to Lin Hui with clasped hands.

"Greetings, Abbot!" x2.

Lin Hui glanced at Xue Yanxiu and thought, "Wow, what an appearance and temperament! He's dressed in white, with long black hair, a cold face, and a sharp, aloof demeanor."

In addition, the fact that he always had a sword hilt at his waist gave him the air of a peerless swordsman.

No wonder Wang Hongshi couldn't help but recommend it. After reading this, he turned his gaze to Li Yuanyuan.

This girl had a voluptuous figure. Few martial artists have bad figures, but this one was clearly blessed with exceptional natural endowments, possessing an extremely curvaceous figure and astonishingly perfect proportions. Yet, despite such a fiery figure, she had a beautiful face that was as cold as ice.

In addition, he also had his hand on the sword hilt, giving him a cold demeanor.
"Are you related?" Lin Hui couldn't help but ask, looking at the two new disciples who had extremely similar demeanors.

“No, Abbot,” Li Yuanyuan replied.

Xue Yanxiu nodded.

Compared to Li Yuanyuan, he was actually a little more uneasy.

From the moment he received the mission to infiltrate, he pondered for a long time before finally coming up with a way to disguise himself and join the Qingfeng Temple.

The order given by that person was to obtain the martial arts manual from Qingfeng Temple and copy it down.

He did indeed do it. Within two weeks of becoming a disciple, he copied the perfect Seven-Section Swift Sword and sent it back to the inner city government office.

For this, he even received a secret reward from the judge.

He promised him that if he could copy out the most important Nine-Section Quick Sword and Qingfeng Sword, he could get them.

As for why the judge valued Qingfeng Temple's martial arts so much, he didn't know.

From what I've learned so far, the martial arts here, while somewhat unique, are still significantly inferior to those of the three major government offices in the inner city. It's hardly something that would warrant the personal attention of a judge whose status is second only to the prefect.

You should know that the judge is the third most important person in the government, and he is a very important person who can make decisions on all judicial and criminal matters outside the core area.

Of course, if you can't figure it out, just let it go. Those high-ranking figures probably have ideas you can't even imagine.

As a nobody, I should just honestly do what I'm supposed to do.

Standing in front of Lin Hui, Xue Yanxiu completely controlled all his physical activities to ensure that no one would notice anything amiss.

This is also the greatest effect of the divine technique he cultivates. As long as he is willing, even if he is only at the level of a high priest, he can easily use cognitive correction abilities similar to those of a great priest.

Of course, this ability can only be used on oneself.

His divine ability is cognitive deception.

One can modify a less conflicting idea into one's own understanding, making it one's own conviction, thereby ensuring that no one notices the problem.

"Wang Hongshi said you guys are very talented, but I'm skeptical," Lin Hui's voice came over at that moment.

"You demonstrate what you've learned so I can see."

"Yes!" Xue Yanxiu nodded quickly.

He stepped back a few paces, drew his sword, and then meticulously demonstrated the perfect version of the Seven-Section Fast Sword technique he had practiced.

After completing the repetition, Lin Hui nodded slightly.

"Your understanding is excellent, the effect is spot-on, and the timing of your exertion is perfect. Have you reached the peak of body tempering?"

“Yes, I just reached the ninth rank.” Xue Yanxiu nodded.

"To have tempered your body to the ninth rank in just two months is truly extraordinary," Lin Hui sighed. "Wang Hongshi suggested that I take you all as my personal disciples, but in my opinion, talent is secondary. What is truly important is whether you are loyal to my Qingfeng Temple. If your hearts are with me, talent is the icing on the cake; if your hearts are not with me, the better your talent, the greater the harm it will cause."

"How do you want us to prove it, Master?" Li Yuanyuan stepped forward decisively and said in a deep voice.

“No need. I have a method that will take some time to discern your intentions, so I cannot accept you all for now. I need to wait for the right time,” Lin Hui said calmly.

Li Yuanyuan remained calm, but Xue Yanxiu's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly entered a state of divine concentration.

But in that instant, Lin Hui's gaze swept over him.

Fortunately, under the influence of the divine technique, Xue Yanxiu remained unmoved, his expression honest and without the slightest flaw.

"Alright, next up is Li Yuanyuan. You'll demonstrate your situation." Lin Hui then proceeded to test Li Yuanyuan.

This one is even more impressive. She started with some basic skills, and after mastering the seven-section fast sword technique, she actually developed internal energy when she switched to the nine-section fast sword technique. Because of this internal energy, her nine-section fast sword technique is progressing at an incredibly fast pace, and she has already reached the minor mastery stage in just two months.

His talent is in no way inferior to that of Tao Xuehai before him.

Lin Hui carefully examined the man, his expression calm. Only after the man demonstrated the internal force of his Nine-Section Fast Sword did he wave for the two to leave and await news.

Li Yuanyuan's face was as cold as ice as she followed Xue Yanxiu out of the courtyard, though she was actually a little uneasy inside.

As a member of the Shadowhound Clan, she was not human, but a princess of a small clan who secretly lived in the underground ruins of the nearby fog zone.

(End of this chapter)