Chapter 127: Eight-Sided Exquisite

Sharing a big secret can quickly improve the relationship between two parties.

Lin Bai shared the "Words Follow Intent," and even though he had declined Jiang Qingqin's marriage proposal, in the eyes of Jiang Yuru, she already considered him one of her own; she naturally told him everything he asked without reservation.

……

From the mouth of Jiang Yuru, Lin Bai learned for the first time about the power distribution in the Cultivation World.

The Righteous Seven Sects are headed by the Heavenly Dao Sect, followed by the Heavenly Sword Sect, Weapon Refinement Sect, Danling Sect, Beast Taming Sect, Buddha Spirit Sect, and Moon Spirit Sect;

The vast majority of sects in the world are products of the Righteous Seven Sects' layouts in the mortal realm.

They are spread across the world, controlling the entire Cultivation World.

Likewise, these sects also shoulder the mission of transporting talent to the Righteous Seven Sects;

Huilong Temple is subordinate to the Heavenly Dao Sect, the Chaoyuan Sword Sect is subordinate to the Heavenly Sword Sect, and behind Hundred Flowers Valley is the Moon Spirit Sect……

Of course.

Aside from regularly transporting talent upward, the sects derived from the Righteous Seven Sects remain in a state of self-governance most of the time; unless a large-scale war between the Righteous and Evil Paths breaks out, they do not have much interaction with the high-and-mighty sects in their daily lives……

Precisely because of this, as time passes, the subordinate sects inevitably develop their own ideas.

Detaining talent, wanting to grow in secret, and attempting to break free from the control of the Righteous Seven Sects is also a common occurrence. For example, Medicine King Valley has raised three thousand Golden Core cultivators to guard the mountain, claiming to be the number one subordinate sect of the Danling Sect, and they have not lacked the thought of breaking away from the Danling Sect to stand on their own.

However.

The high-and-mighty Righteous Seven Sects have not responded to this.

Jiang Yuru's guess is that after tens of thousands of years of development, the Righteous Seven Sects have accumulated an unknown amount of wealth, and in all likelihood, they do not even look at the so-called three thousand Golden Cores……

And among the Righteous Seven Sects themselves, there also exist conflicts of interest.

After all, each sect has its own specialties, and no one is convinced by the others.

Just like the Heavenly Sword Sect, which has never acknowledged the Heavenly Dao Sect's position as the number one of the Righteous Sect, and is always thinking of replacing them.

With the sects above competing with each other, the branch sects below naturally do not live in peace either, and they also want to vie for superiority, but they merely maintain a superficial harmony!

The Demon Sect is the same.

The difference is that there are only five sects on the Demon Sect side: Shengji Sect, Poison Sect, Blood Sect, Wanhun Valley, and Tianmo Mountain.

Although there are two fewer sects than the Righteous Sect, the Demon Sect's techniques are fierce and overbearing, capable of quickly producing a large number of experts in a short time, so their strength is actually on par with the Righteous Seven Sects.

The war between the Righteous and Evil Paths causes huge damage to the Cultivation World.

Therefore, to maintain stability, most sects are unwilling to easily break this balance……

……

"Sure enough, it's the same in every world! Human nature—where is there any absolute loyalty?" After bidding farewell to Jiang Yuru and coming out, Lin Bai chuckled, caring even less about the matter of offending Huilong Temple.

The Cultivation World is not a monolith; in these chaotic times, he can always find allies.

Sure enough.

Before he had walked two steps on the street, Zhao Ang of the Chaoyuan Sword Sect had already blocked Lin Bai's path, his face flushed as he stammered: "Shopkeeper Lin, I... I... Senior Brother Tong invites you over for a chat."

"So it is Senior Brother Zhao." Lin Bai looked at him with a smile and asked bluntly, "You were the one following behind Qingming Daozhang last night, right?"

Damn!

He was discovered even from that far away?

Lin Bai's strength is far higher than he imagined!

Zhao Ang's heart trembled violently, and he said incoherently: "Shopkeeper Lin, I... I was just passing by yesterday and accidentally caught a glimpse of Qingming Daozhang going to the Beggar Sect to cause trouble. If there was any offense yesterday, I hope Shopkeeper Lin will forgive me……"

"So you were just passing by?" Lin Bai shook his head and smiled, "I thought you, like Qingming Daozhang, also wanted to spar with me!"

"I wouldn't dare, no, I am not the same kind of person as him." Zhao Ang's thoughts gradually straightened out, and he squeezed a flattering smile onto his cold face, "If Shopkeeper Lin hadn't acted so fast last night, I would have had the heart to help Shopkeeper Lin……"

"Senior Brother Zhao is kind." Lin Bai looked at him and cupped his hands in thanks, "To tell you the truth, I didn't expect it either. We were talking perfectly fine, and in the blink of an eye, Qingming Daozhang came to my door to kill me. Yesterday, I saw that Qingming Daozhang looked kind, and I thought I could be friends with him! Who knew that one can know a person's face but not their heart... Sigh, it is people as upright as Senior Brother Zhao who can be trusted!"

"Yes, yes!" Zhao Ang nodded repeatedly, "Those who practice the Sword have an open mind, so they naturally wouldn't act one way to your face and another behind your back……"

"I really didn't misjudge you." Lin Bai clapped his hands and laughed, "Senior Brother Zhao……"

"Shopkeeper Lin, just call me Junior Brother." Zhao Ang corrected him with a flushed face.

What a joke.

A Palm Thunder that struck a Golden Core True Person to death.

If such a person called him Senior Brother, he couldn't bear it!

"Alright, Junior Brother Zhao, you are a man of your word. For some reason, Qingming Daozhang of Huilong Temple came to my door without a word to take my life." Lin Bai looked at Zhao Ang and said sternly, "To protect myself, I used some methods and subdued Qingming Daozhang; it was truly not my intention. If Huilong Temple investigates in the future, I will have to trouble Junior Brother Zhao to be a witness for me. What do you think?"

【Resentment from Zhao Ang; +1+1+1】

"Junior Brother Zhao, you don't need to be biased toward me; when the time comes, just tell the truth, alright?" Lin Bai looked at Zhao Ang expectantly, "Junior Brother Zhao is a practitioner of the Sword, with an open mind and no fear of power; surely you will agree, right?"

"I……" A fine layer of sweat seeped from Zhao Ang's forehead, and he couldn't say a single word.

Huilong Temple and the Chaoyuan Sword Sect have similar power, so it's not like one is afraid of the other, but offending Huilong Temple for the sake of a Lin Bai is clearly not worth it!

"Shopkeeper Lin, I will answer for him." Tong Cha's voice came from inside the courtyard; as the voice arrived, so did the person, and a tall, middle-aged man appeared at the entrance. He smiled and cupped his fists at Lin Bai, "I heard from Junior Brother Zhao about last night's events. I don't know what madness possessed Qingming Daozhang to go and assassinate Shopkeeper Lin.

However, he was killed in return on the Beggar Sect's territory, so he brought it upon himself. If Huilong Temple asks, the Chaoyuan Sword Sect is willing to mediate for Shopkeeper Lin. Shopkeeper Lin need not worry; the Cultivation World is a place that follows rules. Relying on one's backing to kill people at will—how is that any different from the Demon Sect?"

"Many thanks to Senior Brother Tong for speaking up for justice." Lin Bai turned to Tong Cha, smiled slightly, and cupped his hands in a salute, "Although Lin is not afraid of Huilong Temple, businessmen value harmony above all else. To provoke an enemy for no reason is truly unwise."

"Shopkeeper Lin is too polite." Tong Cha smiled and returned the salute, gesturing with his hand, "Why don't we go inside and talk? Please!"

"Senior Brother Tong, please first." Lin Bai smiled, his gaze sweeping past Zhao Ang, a flash of disappointment passing by imperceptibly, and he harvested another set of Negative Emotion from him.

Zhao Ang was speechless. Why are you disappointed in me? I'm not even a Golden Core; is it interesting to make things difficult for a lowly sword cultivator?

"Senior Brother Tong, I presume you have formed your Golden Core?" Lin Bai asked as they walked.

"I am ashamed; I was lucky enough to form a Sword Core three years ago." Tong Cha laughed, "I cannot compare to Shopkeeper Lin, who at such a young age has killed a Golden Core True Person with his own hands. You are truly worthy of being the World Walker of the Righteous Sect."

"It was only because I was unruly that my master kicked me out of the house," Lin Bai said.

"If you can kill a Golden Core while being unruly, if Shopkeeper Lin were to get serious, would there be any way for us to survive?" Tong Cha laughed, "The Heavenly Mandate Person is truly extraordinary!"

"Senior Brother Tong is too kind. If you keep praising me, Lin's face will turn red," Lin Bai said.

"What boasting? Everything I said is the truth." Tong Cha glanced at Lin Bai and asked with a smile, "I wonder why Senior Sister Jiang of Hundred Flowers Valley summoned Shopkeeper Lin? It couldn't really be for the Heavenly Descended, could it? As far as I know, although Senior Sister Jiang is a woman, she has a proud personality and would never blatantly ask Shopkeeper Lin to open a back door."

With a few steps and a few words, Tong Cha quickly closed the distance with Lin Bai. From an outsider's perspective, the two already seemed as familiar as old friends of many years.

No wonder the Chaoyuan Sword Sect sent him to be the director of the admissions office...

This social ability is invincible!

If not for his own interference, the Chaoyuan Sword Sect should have received the most Heavenly Descended!

After all.

Sword Immortals with peerless attack power are naturally popular with players, not to mention Tong Cha's silver tongue.

Lin Bai looked at Tong Cha with admiration and said, "Senior Sister Jiang indeed didn't say anything about the Heavenly Descended; she just told me to handle official business according to the rules."

Calmly lowering Jiang Yuru's seniority, Lin Bai's face flushed slightly as he said softly, "She saw that I traveled with Qingqin and learned that I know how to refine a few pills, so she just wanted to play matchmaker between me and Junior Sister Qingqin!"

Pill Refinement?

Tong Cha was stunned. He glanced sideways toward the direction of Hundred Flowers Valley and spat under his breath, "Shameless!"

Tong Cha looked at Lin Bai sideways, raised his eyebrows, and said, "That's a good thing! Who doesn't know that the fairies of Hundred Flowers Valley all have peerless beauty, and after reaching the Golden Core stage, they are even more stunningly beautiful? Junior Brother Lin is blessed."

"I didn't agree." Lin Bai shook his head shyly. "The world is in chaos because of the Heavenly Descended, and I don't know where the future is headed. I, Lin, do not wish to entangle myself in romance yet."

"That's right, a man should have ambitions in all four corners of the world. Once you achieve fame and success, what kind of Dao companion can't you find? By then, let alone one Jiang Qingqin, I'm afraid even Jiang Yuru would be willing to marry you." Tong Cha laughed. "By the way, Junior Brother Lin, can you really refine pills?"

"I know a little bit." Lin Bai took two pill bottles out of his robes. "A few days ago in Jiamu City, I puzzled out two pill formulas and sold them to the Royal Pill Refinement Workshop in exchange for some silver."

"..." Tong Cha was stunned, the corner of his eye twitching involuntarily. "You sold the pill formulas?"

"Living in the secular world, one needs silver to grease the wheels." Lin Bai smiled. "So I sold the formulas. They were just randomly puzzled out and weren't of much use, so selling them is fine. Senior Brother Tong needn't feel sorry for me."

Tong Cha was silent for a moment, looked Lin Bai up and down, and said, "Junior Brother Lin, although this is our first meeting, for some reason, I feel like we've known each other for a long time. How about we become sworn brothers?"

"Senior Brother Tong is joking." Lin Bai shook his head with a smile. "Senior Brother is an elite of the Chaoyuan Sword Sect, while I follow the path of Martial Dao and haven't even formed a Golden Core. I'm afraid I'll drift further and further away from you in the future. I'm not worthy of climbing the social ladder to be your brother; please don't mention this again, lest people laugh at us."

"Junior Brother Lin looks down on me, then!" Tong Cha looked at Lin Bai and shook his head with a smile. "Very well! It was my rashness. Junior Brother Lin is intelligent, so let's skip the hypocritical talk. Since Junior Brother Lin says he is a businessman, let's talk business. I would like to do business with you, Junior Brother Lin."

"Please go ahead, Senior Brother," Lin Bai said.

"Regarding the recommendation of the Heavenly Descended this time, I would like to ask your Beggar Sect to look after the Chaoyuan Sword Sect a little, how about that?" Tong Cha cupped his hands.

Lin Bai smiled without a word.

"Naturally, I won't let Junior Brother Lin work in vain." Tong Cha smiled and beckoned toward the room. A precious Sword whistled over and landed in his palm.

He handed the Sword to Lin Bai with both hands. "This Sword is named Poof Wind. It is a Dharma Treasure I spent three thousand Spirit Stones to have a master craftsman forge at the Spirit Tool Pavilion. It is extremely sharp, and True Qi flows through it without obstruction. The amplification array engraved within the blade can increase the emitted True Qi by thirty percent. It is most suitable for those on the path of Martial Dao. This Sword is for nothing else but to make a friend of you, Junior Brother Lin. If you can send more Heavenly Descended to the Chaoyuan Sword Sect, I will have a great reward for you later."

Thirty percent increase in True Qi!

This is a real Dharma Treasure!

Lin Bai reached out to take the Sword and smiled. "Those who practice the Sword really don't have so many twists and turns; Senior Brother Tong is straightforward. But one should not accept rewards without merit. I shouldn't have accepted your beloved item, Senior Brother, but if I don't, I fear you might think I would intentionally make things difficult for the Chaoyuan Sword Sect during the selection of the Heavenly Descended. I will keep this Sword for now, and after the selection is over, I will return it to you."

You've said it all! Tong Cha contributed a wave of Negative Emotion to Lin Bai, but on the surface, he remained calm and even laughed heartily. "Junior Brother Lin is truly righteous."

"Senior Brother Tong is too kind," Lin Bai smiled.

"Life in this world is all about give and take, and that is how friendships are made." Tong Cha laughed. "Junior Brother Lin, I have no other hobbies, I just love making friends. After we interact a few more times, you will understand how sincere I am!"

"I can see that." Lin Bai looked at the Poof Wind Sword in his hand, then looked outside the door, and nodded. "Senior Sister Jiang said the City Lord would send someone to contact me. It's getting late, so I should take my leave."

"I'll see you out." Tong Cha smiled and walked side-by-side with Lin Bai. As they walked, he said, "Junior Brother Lin has great talent but little experience. There are some things I would like to advise you on."

"Please go ahead, Senior Brother," Lin Bai said.

"Pill formulas are precious. If you have any more in the future, don't sell them easily," Tong Cha said. "Even if you want to sell them, don't choose people from the secular world. Gold and silver are ultimately useless to us cultivators..."

"I understand." Lin Bai smiled and interrupted him, shaking the Poof Wind Sword in his hand with an 'I get it' expression. "Senior Brother Tong, if I research any more pill formulas in the future, I will prioritize you."

"Junior Brother Lin is indeed intelligent." Tong Cha cupped his hands. "Although the Chaoyuan Sword Sect is not as wealthy as the Medicine King Valley, if the pill formulas are useful, we will certainly not treat you unfairly."

After leaving the gate of the Chaoyuan Sword Sect.

Lin Bai didn't even avoid Tong Cha and Zhao Ang; he carried the Poof Wind Sword and walked straight toward the Spirit Tool Pavilion.

Zhao Ang widened his eyes in disbelief and said, "Senior Brother, Lin Bai... how could he? Isn't he too greedy?"

"Greedy?" Tong Cha restrained his smile, watching Lin Bai's retreating figure with growing appreciation.

"If he takes our Sword and then goes to the Weapon Refinement sect, isn't he selling you out, Senior Brother!" Zhao Ang said indignantly.

"If he didn't go to the Weapon Refinement sect, that would be selling us out." Tong Cha shook his head and said, "Junior Brother Zhao, practicing the Sword is practicing the heart. If you cannot understand the petty schemes of this world, I fear it will be difficult to form a Golden Core. Shopkeeper Lin of the Righteous Sect is a character. People like him will not suffer in the Cultivation World. Do not clash with him anymore. Find a way to find out from the Heavenly Descended what exactly he did in Jiamu City."

"Yes." Zhao Ang nodded. "Senior Brother, what about Huilong Temple..."

"Ignore them." Tong Cha snorted coldly. "The Heavenly Descended have entered the world, and the world doesn't know where it's headed. To still be unable to distinguish between what is important and what is urgent at this point, such a sect will decline sooner or later."

"This time, unless Huilong Temple can kill Shopkeeper Lin with lightning speed before he grows too powerful, even if he doesn't choose Huilong Temple, Lin Bai doesn't need to do anything; the Heavenly Dao Sect will be able to convict them of failing to handle the task properly."

Zhao Ang asked, "Can Huilong Temple take out Shopkeeper Lin?"

"Take out Shopkeeper Lin?" Tong Cha glanced at him and said, "What do you think Lin Bai went to the Spirit Tool Pavilion for after leaving us?"

(End of chapter)