From absorbing the essence of the sun and moon to achieving divine mastery in martial arts

Chapter 68 No Backing? I Bribed the Elders and Your Backer

Inside the room, the aroma of tea wafted through the air, yet it couldn't mask the oppressive atmosphere of an impending storm.

He Baiweng sat upright on the sofa, looked up at Cang Lian, and said in a solemn tone: "It's confirmed. The news just came back. The Elders' Conference will be held tonight, without a moment's delay."

Before Cang Lian could speak, He Baiweng continued, "Shi Jiugao really went all out this time. He not only gave gifts to the elders and the hall master, but he even gave me a generous gift." He earnestly asked me to say a few good words for him at the conference later.

"Bribery?" Cang Lian's expression changed slightly.

"He who eats another's food is bound to him; he who takes another's money is bound to him. It's the same everywhere in this world." Old Man He Bai shook his head helplessly and sighed, "For these old foxes who have been in their positions for decades, this kind of exchange of benefits is already commonplace. The elders all accepted the gifts that Shi Jiugao sent. As elders of the same realm and old friends who have known each other for many years, they are naturally more willing to give Shi Jiugao face than a junior like you who has no foundation and is just starting out."

Hearing this, Chu Zhaoxue, who had been silent all along, spoke up: "Does this mean that Cang Lian is destined to be expelled from the National Martial Hall?"

"Alas—" Old Man Hebai sighed, his gaze fixed on Cang Lian. "I can only say I'll do my best. I'll speak up for you at the meeting, muddy the waters, and insist that Shang Jue used the Corpse King Nail to harm you first. But—unless you can offer something even greater than Shi Jiugao's, making the elders feel it's more advantageous to speak on your behalf. After all, everyone witnessed Shang Jue using the Corpse King Nail; logically speaking, he's not in the right. But if Shi Jiugao's offer is substantial enough, then 'reason' becomes as light as a feather in the face of profit."

Cang Lian frowned and said in a low voice, "Are the rules completely useless?"

"Rules?" Old Man He Bai shook his head. "At our level, to some extent, we are the rule-makers ourselves. Faced with absolute strength and interests, we value relationships and exchanges more. We naturally help our relatives more, but we only help those in the right—unless the other party is not an elder."

Cang Lian's heart sank.

If he is expelled from the National Martial Arts Hall tonight, his plan to exchange for national martial arts techniques and acquire more cultivation resources will be completely ruined.

Suddenly, he remembered the Heaven and Earth Pearl he possessed.

The bead generates pure essence of the sun and moon every day, resources that countless martial artists dream of.

But then I thought about it again, and realized that this method wouldn't work, since the Heavenly Pearl was of great importance.

"Elder He!" Cang Lian looked up and asked, "What do those elders usually like?"

After a moment of contemplation, He Baiweng slowly said, "Having cultivated to our level, worldly gold and silver are like dirt. What catches our eye are only four things: first, the national martial arts, which are the foundation of martial arts; second, top-grade natural treasures."

Thirdly, there are innate magical artifacts; finally, and most importantly—methods for nourishing the body.

At this point, He Baiweng pointed to an unopened gift box on the table, which was sent by Shi Jiugao: "What Shi Jiugao brought out this time is a five-hundred-year-old blood ginseng. This is a rare item; he divided it into ten portions and gave one to each of us nine elders and the Palace Master. This blood ginseng can revitalize one's qi and blood when it is declining, and can even extend lifespan by ten years. For us old folks who are fighting against fate, this is indeed a temptation."

"National martial arts, top-grade natural treasures, innate divine artifacts, and methods of nourishing the body—" Cang Lian silently recited these words in his heart. Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck him.

He suddenly looked up at Chu Zhaoxue: "General, I want to make a phone call to connect to the Sheng Hai Kingdom Martial Hall base!"

"Make a phone call?" Although Chu Zhaoxue was a little puzzled, seeing Cang Lian's gaze, she didn't ask further and simply nodded. "Okay, come with me!"

The two quickly walked out of the room, through the corridor, and into a private office equipped with encrypted communication lines.

Cang Lian took a deep breath and quickly dialed the number.

"Beep beep—!"

After a few busy tones, the call was connected.

Cang Lian exchanged a few words with the operator, and soon Ning Chongli's voice came from the other end: "Is this young master? This is Ning Chongli!"

Without exchanging pleasantries, Cang Lian quickly explained her current situation.

"Don't worry, young master!" Ning Chongli replied decisively before Cang Lian could finish speaking, "Compared to your life-saving grace, young master, this request is nothing! I will immediately recite the incantation of that health-preserving method word by word, and you can memorize it!"

On the other end of the phone, Ning Chongli began to read it aloud, word by word.

With his extraordinary mental strength and unparalleled memory, Cang Lian firmly memorized this obscure and profound technique in just a few minutes.

After hanging up the phone, Cang Lian picked up the paper and pen on the table and wrote down the incantation from memory with swift and skillful strokes. After returning to her room, she handed it to He Baiweng.

He Baiweng took the paper, and his originally nonchalant expression froze instantly after reading a few lines.

The more he looked, the more surprised and delighted he became, until finally his hands began to tremble slightly.

"The Hidden Dragon Technique?!"

He Baiweng took a deep breath, his voice rising several decibels: "What an exquisite method of health preservation! It allows one to sleep like a hibernating dragon, deeply locking in the body's vital energy and blood, halting the flow of life, and slowing down aging. Although this is only a fragment, containing only the first half of the 'Hibernation' method, its sophistication far surpasses any other health preservation method held in the National Martial Hall!"

He suddenly looked up, his gaze fixed intently on Cang Lian: "Cang Lian, are you planning to use this incomplete health cultivation method to bribe those elders?"

"Yes! I don't know if it's feasible?" Cang Lian said in a deep voice.

He possessed the complete "The Hidden Dragon Manual," but only handed over the first half.

"It's feasible! Absolutely feasible!" Old Man He Bai laughed. "The five-hundred-year-old blood ginseng that Shi Jiugao gave us only extends lifespan by about ten years, and it's a one-time consumable. But this half of the 'Dragon-Hibernating Technique' is different. If we can understand its secrets and combine it with the health cultivation methods of the National Martial Hall, we can lock in our essence whether we're practicing or sitting and lying down, extending our lifespan by more than ten years!"

He slapped his thigh hard: "This value far surpasses that of a five-hundred-year-old blood ginseng, and even a thousand-year-old blood ginseng is far inferior! Cang Lian, this time, Shi Jiugao might really have suffered a terrible loss after trying to steal a chicken!"

After speaking, He Baiweng turned to Chu Zhaoxue beside him: "Zhaoxue, there's no time to lose! You, in Cang Lian's name, immediately distribute this copy of the 'Dragon's Lair Technique' to the other elders and hall masters. Remember, be quick; it must be delivered before the elders' meeting officially begins!"

"Yes, teacher!" Chu Zhaoxue nodded, immediately took the few thin sheets of paper, and quickly left.

Inside a luxurious suite filled with the strong smell of medicine and blood.

Shang Jue lay half-reclined on the bed, his back tightly bandaged, but the excruciating pain still contorted his face, his features almost dislocated.

His once-proud mastery of internal energy cultivation was now severely hampered by the bone marrow damage caused by the Blood Soul Divine Needle breaking through his defenses, leaving him somewhat unable to muster any strength.

"Master! I want him dead! I want him to be torn to pieces!"

Shang Jue's eyes were bloodshot, filled with resentment and a frenzied killing intent. His roars echoed in the room, like a demon crawling out of hell.

Shi Jiugao sat on the sofa to the side, his expression solemn.

Seeing his beloved disciple's state, he frowned and said in a deep voice, "Disciple, you are now filled with murderous intent. You must not let your violent nature become too strong! We martial artists cultivate both body and mind. If we allow killing intent to cloud our reason, it is easy to breed inner demons, which will destroy our very foundation!"

"Inner demons?" Shang Jue's laughter was chilling. "If I don't kill him, my inner demons won't be quelled! I want him dead, he must die!"

Sensing the chilling aura of resentment emanating from Shang Jue, Shi Jiugao's eyes flashed with surprise.

It was as if he was seeing his apprentice, whom he had watched grow up, for the first time. His ruthless and vicious nature, which was willing to do anything for profit, made him feel a little unfamiliar with him.

Shi Jiugao paused, then said sternly, "That Cang Lian was brought by He Baiweng after all. Don't say things like 'kill him' anymore. If you actually take action, the whole situation will change!"

Seeing that Shang Jue was still arguing, Shi Jiugao waved his hand and reassured him, "But don't worry, disciple, I have already applied for the Elders' Conference, which will be held tonight. At that time, in front of all the elders, I will expose his hoarding of divine weapons and his heinous behavior, and I will definitely expel him from the National Martial Hall!"

"Master, I don't want him to be expelled from the National Martial Hall, that's too easy on him! I want him dead! Dead!"

Shang Jue's eyes bulged out, and he spat out words.

Shi Jiugao's face darkened, and he frowned slightly in displeasure. He opened his mouth as if to reprimand someone, but ultimately swallowed his words, simply saying, "Don't worry, disciple, I will seek justice for you!"

Meanwhile, the residences of the elders in various parts of the National Martial Hall.

Chu Zhaoxue's figure moved like a gentle breeze, flitting between the exquisitely decorated rooms.

Every door she knocked on turned out to be a senior elder who was usually high and mighty.

She didn't say much, but respectfully handed over a thin copy, and then whispered a few words.

Each time, the elders would show an incredulous expression on their faces the moment they saw the contents of the copy, followed by undisguised ecstasy.

As night falls, the lights are on.

Deep within the headquarters of the National Martial Arts Hall, in a solemn circular conference room.

Above the enormous round table, Yi Zhennan, the head of the National Martial Hall, sat regally in the head seat, exuding an imposing aura without anger.

Below him, on both sides, sat ten elders: Luo Liehuo, Tao Xuanzheng, Qingyi Daoist, Su Wangnan, He Baiweng, Jinhua Popo, Master Xuanku, Elder Ying, Chongshan, and Shi Jiugao.

The atmosphere in the meeting room was somewhat heavy, with only the faint sound of breathing.

"I've heard about what happened at the arena today." Yi Zhennan's gaze swept across the room, his voice steady yet carrying an air of authority. "Elder Shi requested this emergency meeting, presumably for this matter. Everyone, what are your thoughts on how to handle this?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Shi Jiugao stood up abruptly and said in a stern voice, "Palace Master, fellow colleagues!"

That audacious Cang Lian dared to cruelly inflict a fatal blow on my disciple in full view of everyone using the Blood God Cult's evil weapon, the Blood Soul Needle! If such a vile individual is not severely punished, what will become of the National Martial Hall's prestige? I propose that this villain be immediately expelled from the National Martial Hall to set an example!

After speaking, he looked intently at the other elders, his eyes carrying a hint of suggestion.

According to his previous gift-giving arrangements, these elders should have echoed his sentiments and launched a collective attack at this point.

However, the next second, a bizarre scene unfolded.

On the left, Luo Liehuo picked up his teacup and drank tea, while on the right, Granny Jinhua closed her eyes to rest, and Master Xuanku lowered his eyes—all the elders seemed not to have heard his words, remaining silent one by one, and not a single one echoed him!

Shi Jiugao was stunned, a bad premonition rising in his heart, his doubts evident in his expression.

Just then, the silent old man, He Baiweng, spoke up quietly.

"You can't say that," Elder He Bai slowly stroked his beard. "Shang Jue first used the incredibly insidious Corpse King Nail in the duel. This thing is forged from the venom of a hundred-year-old Corpse King; those hit by it will instantly collapse, or even turn into zombies. This kind of evil and unorthodox method is the true style of the demonic path! If Cang Lian had been a step slower, he would probably be the one who died tragically right now. Shouldn't we talk about this too?"

"Yeah yeah."

"This Corpse King Nail is indeed too insidious. If word gets out that our Martial Arts Hall's genius used poison to kill someone, the impact will be extremely bad."

Suddenly, the previously silent elders seemed to have had their magic unlocked, and they all spoke up, unanimously criticizing Shang Jue's methods.

"What do you mean, 'yes'? Whose side are you on?!" Shi Jiugao exclaimed in astonishment, pointing at the elders around him.

"Since all the elders have expressed their opinions, I would also like to say a few words."

Yi Zhennan tapped on the table, interrupting Shi Jiugao's questioning.

His gaze was deep as he slowly said, "After investigation, it was found that the Blood Soul Needle was a spoil of war obtained by Zhao Xue when she killed Yuan Ye. Yuan Ye delivered himself to her, and was not killed during a mission, so it cannot be considered as keeping a divine weapon privately."

At this point, Yi Zhennan paused, his gaze lingering on Shi Jiugao for a moment, before continuing, "As for Shang Jue and Cang Lian, both were at fault. One used the Corpse King Nail to injure someone, and the other used the Blood Soul Divine Needle to retaliate; both methods were too violent and will have negative consequences. Fortunately, no major casualties were caused, and the people are still alive. Therefore, I suggest that they be publicly criticized throughout the entire hall for their actions! Let them go back and deeply reflect on their behavior!"

After speaking, Yi Zhennan looked at the crowd and said loudly, "Do you have any objections?"

No objection.

"The Lord of the Palace is wise."

"I have no objection either; issuing a public reprimand is reasonable and justified."

The elders nodded in agreement, their tone as calm as if they were discussing dinner.

"What? No objections?! I object! I object!"

Shi Jiugao was completely dumbfounded, exclaiming in disbelief, "My disciple was injured, and all I get is a reprimand? That's a demonic act!"

"Since everyone agrees, it's settled then. Meeting adjourned!" Yi Zhennan waved his hand and stood up to leave.

"What? Meeting adjourned? I object! I object!"

Shi Jiugao watched the group leave nonchalantly, feeling a lump in his throat, unable to spit it out, and extremely angry. "You old bastards! You took my five-hundred-year-old blood ginseng, and you didn't even speak up for me? I have objections, all of you come back and continue the meeting!"

Shi Jiugao angrily chased after him.

But as soon as he chased out of the conference room, he bumped into a white figure.

Chu Zhaoxue was standing at the door when she saw the furious Shi Jiugao. She remained calm, took out an exquisite copy from her bosom, handed it to him, and smiled, "Elder Shi, please calm down. This is a special gift from Cang Lian to you."

"Be filial to me? I'm not done with him yet!"

Just as Shi Jiugao was about to explode, he angrily snatched the copy and was about to throw it on the ground and stomp on it, when Zi Guang inadvertently glanced at the large characters on the cover.

—The Secret of Hidden Dragons: Methods of Nourishing Life.

"The Hidden Dragon Technique?!"

Shi Jiugao's hand suddenly froze in mid-air.

Seeing that the manual had touched his soul, Chu Zhaoxue smiled and nodded, a barely perceptible smile curving her lips. Then she turned and walked away gracefully.

Only Shi Jiugao remained standing in the corridor, holding the thin copy in his hands as if he were holding the whole world.

Inside the room.

Shi Jiugao's expression shifted back and forth, turning pale and then flushed, as he sat silently on the sofa, seemingly making an extremely difficult decision.

"Master, what happened? Has Cang Lian been expelled from the National Martial Hall?"

Lying on the bed, Shang Jue didn't see Shi Jiugao's expression and asked expectantly, "As long as he's no longer a member of the National Martial Hall, I have a hundred ways to kill him and make him regret being born!"

Shi Jiugao touched the priceless "Dragon Hibernation Technique" in his arms, a complex look flashing in his eyes. Finally, he sighed and said, "Alas, disciple—you really shouldn't have used the Corpse King Nail this time. The consequences were too severe, and all the elders are very dissatisfied."

He paused, his tone turning stern: "We just decided in a meeting to issue you a public reprimand. And your character—I've spoiled you too much. You really need to change that. Never again will you take the wrong path!"

After saying that, Shi Jiugao frowned, stood up, and walked out of the room with his hands behind his back.

"What? A public reprimand? I'm being criticized?"

Shang Jue froze on the bed, doubting whether he had heard correctly. It was as if the world had collapsed at that moment, and he was completely shattered on the spot.

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