I transmigrated to a chaotic world and became the sole player.

The setting sun, like blood, illuminated the edge of the swamp, stained with gray mist and the stench of blood. Eight came, and eight returned, but all were wounded, weak, and ragged, as if crawling out of hell. They came full of vigor and hope; they returned barely alive, their hearts heavy with lingering fear. They came as hunters; they returned as… survivors.

The silver airship hovered silently at the edge of the open space where they had landed, its light refraining from flowing, seemingly out of place in the surrounding deathly and evil environment, yet like a solitary island, its only refuge. Seeing the airship, the group's tense nerves finally relaxed slightly, and their pace quickened.

"Board! Return immediately!" Zhao Wuji's face was ashen. He leaped onto the flying boat first, not even glancing at the others behind him, and went straight into the main cabin. He closed the cabin door and set up a protective barrier, clearly in a terrible mood. Although this mission had repelled the Blood Fiend Cult deacon, it had also exposed the dangers of the "Secondary Sacrifice Grounds," and caused him to lose the crucial "Blood Pool Core Fragment" (which he believed was taken by the Blood Fiend Cult deacon). He hadn't even found the "Blood Fiend Banner Fragment," which the evil cultivator might have left behind when he escaped, and which might be even more valuable. It was all for nothing, and he almost lost his men. How could he not be furious? What infuriated him even more was that Lu Zhao, that "useless" guy, had accidentally damaged the Blood Fiend Formation, forced back the evil cultivator, and become a "hero"! This made him feel disgusted, like he had swallowed a fly, but he had to admit that if it weren't for Lu Zhao's actions, they would probably have been in grave danger.

Zhou Tong and Wu Ming followed closely behind, silent and equally pale. They too were injured; the bloodthirsty energy had seeped into their bodies, and although not severe, it would require time to heal. More importantly, having followed Zhao Wuji, they naturally knew some of the inside story, and this mission failure had dealt a significant blow to Zhao Wuji's "plan."

Liu Feng, Shi Yong, Hou San, Huang Ling'er, and Lu Zhao also boarded the ship one after another. They each found a place, some meditating to regulate their breathing, some tending to their wounds, and some taking pills to recover. The atmosphere inside the cabin was oppressive; no one spoke. Only Hou San occasionally glanced at Lu Zhao, his eyes filled with undisguised admiration and gratitude, but he dared not utter a word.

The airship took off, transforming into a silver streak that tore through the gray sky, speeding towards the Yunmengze Sect. What had taken an hour to travel there felt incredibly long on the return journey. Inside the cabin, only the low hum of the airship cutting through the air and the suppressed breathing and regulating of the passengers could be heard.

Lu Zhao sat cross-legged in the corner, closing his eyes to regulate his breathing, but actually diverting a portion of his mind to analyze the gains and losses of this mission, as well as digest the "spoils of war." The first thing he examined was the [damaged Blood Fiend Technique jade slip (partial)]. The jade slip was cold to the touch, carrying a faint smell of blood; its material seemed to be some kind of animal bone. He probed it with his spiritual power, and a chaotic, violent, and murderous intent, filled with a desire to devour, mixed with incomplete incantations, cultivation routes, and some key points for casting Blood Fiend techniques, flooded his mind.

"The Blood Fiend Technique devours the essence and souls of living beings to condense blood fiend energy, strengthening oneself. It is insidious and domineering, and harmful to the natural order. This method is quick to cultivate, but its foundation is unstable, easily leading to loss of mind and descent into demonic ways. The jade slip is incomplete, containing only parts of the incantation for the early to mid-stages of Qi Refining, as well as three techniques: [Blood Fiend Palm], [Blood Coagulation Finger], and [Blood Shadow Escape] (incomplete). It can be studied to understand the characteristics of the Blood Fiend Sect's techniques and enhance methods to counter them. Warning: Without the corresponding mental fortitude and the ability to suppress it, it should not be cultivated lightly, otherwise there is a risk of demonic possession." The panel provided a detailed introduction and warning.

As expected, it was a fragment of a Blood Fiend Cult's technique. Although its rank was low and it was incomplete, the methods of utilizing Blood Fiend power and plundering essence, blood, and soul contained within gave Lu Zhao a more direct understanding of the Blood Fiend Cult's methods. Especially the [Blood Shadow Escape] (fragmented), although incomplete, its characteristics of unpredictable speed and ability to move through blood energy and shadows were vaguely visible, perhaps offering some inspiration for improving his [Turtle Breath Stealth Technique] or dealing with similar escape techniques. As for cultivating it, he naturally wouldn't. He had more balanced and potentially powerful techniques like [Dragon Sleep] and [Spirit Refining Technique], so why bother with such evil arts? However, it was excellent as reference material for studying his opponents.

"This Blood Fiend Technique seems to share the same origin as the 'Corruption Power' of the Plague Mother of Huai Mountain Village and the 'Evil God Power' of the Blood Pool at Broken Soul Cliff, but it focuses more 'purely' on 'blood' and 'fiend.' There are probably different branches within the Black Fiend Sect. The Blood Fiend Hall focuses on blood fiends and sacrifices; the Poison Fiend Hall focuses on poisons and Gu; the Corpse Fiend Hall focuses on corpse refining; the Soul Fiend Hall focuses on souls and illusions… This Blood Fiend Sect is indeed a massive evil organization," Lu Zhao pondered.

He then examined the [Broken Blood Fiend Banner Pole (Tier 1, High Grade)] and the [Blood Fiend Banner Fragment (Tier 1, High Grade)]. These two items were heavier and exuded a stronger malevolent aura. The banner pole was jet black, neither metal nor wood, with a hard texture, covered with fine, twisted, dark red patterns like blood vessels, within which a faint energy flowed. The banner fragment was made of the hide of some kind of tough, unknown demonic beast, dark red in color, and painted with incomplete, chilling runes using a dark red pigment resembling congealed blood. These runes were similar in style to those on the evil god's emblem and map fragments of Broken Soul Cliff, but far more complex and malevolent.

"You can try using the [Refining Spirit Technique] to analyze the rune structure within, which might help you understand the principles of blood-fiend formations and talismans. Alternatively, once your talisman-drawing level is higher, you can try decomposing it and using it as material for high-level talismans or even formations. You don't need it for now, so keep it safe for now."

As for the spirit stones, pills, and materials, Lu Zhao inventoried them one by one and categorized them carefully. One hundred and thirty low-grade spirit stones were a considerable fortune for him, enough to exchange for many basic spells and pills, or to buy materials for drawing talismans. He dared not use the Blood Fiend Pill for the time being, fearing side effects, but he could keep it; perhaps he could exchange it for other resources later, or study its composition. The Blood-Coagulating Grass was an excellent material for refining some healing and blood-replenishing pills, so he could keep it. The Bone-Corroding Poison Powder was of average quality, but better than nothing.

"This mission, though dangerous, was incredibly rewarding..." Lu Zhao thought with satisfaction. Not only had he completed the elite mission and received generous rewards (to be claimed), but he had also acquired so much loot. More importantly, he had gained a deeper understanding of the Black Fiend Cult and Zhao Wuji, and had also begun to demonstrate his "value" (talisman genius), establishing prestige within the team. It was truly a win-win situation.

"However, there will likely be another storm after we return. Zhao Wuji will never let me get the contribution I deserve so easily; he might even use this opportunity to make trouble, slander, and suppress me. I must come up with a countermeasure." Lu Zhao's eyes turned slightly cold. He never expected an enemy to become a friend. Zhao Wuji was a vindictive, narrow-minded person who coveted his "secret." After returning, he would definitely try every means to deal with him. However, he wasn't unprepared. Elder Yun's favor, the "merit" from this mission, and the "witnessing" from Hou San, Huang Ling'er, and even Liu Feng and Shi Yong were all his bargaining chips. Moreover, he also had "clues" about Zhao Wuji's suspicious behavior...

Just as Lu Zhao was pondering, the flying boat shuddered slightly, slowing its speed. Outside the porthole, the familiar Yunmeng Marsh, dyed red by the sunset, and the distant, mist-shrouded mountains and palace outlines came into view. They were back.

The flying boat slowly landed on the mountain gate square. The cabin door opened, and Zhao Wuji stepped out first, his face still gloomy. He gave a few instructions to the disciples who came to greet him, then turned and headed towards the inner sect, transforming into a streak of light and speeding away. He was clearly in a hurry to report to his superiors (or rather, to "arrange" something). Zhou Tong and Wu Ming also left in a hurry.

Liu Feng, Shi Yong, Hou San, Huang Ling'er, and Lu Zhao were then taken to the mission hall by the disciple in charge for mission handover, contribution assessment, and... reporting mission details.

Inside the mission hall, people were still coming and going, but seeing Liu Feng and the others looking disheveled, injured, and weak, especially seeing that Lu Zhao, the "useless spiritual root," had actually returned alive and seemingly unharmed, many people cast surprised, curious, and even gloating glances at them. Clearly, news of their team's near-annihilation had spread.

"It's Liu Feng and his team! They're back from the mission in Bing Shang! Judging from their appearance, they must have suffered heavy losses!"

"That Lu Zhao is still alive? He's incredibly lucky!"

"He's probably hiding in the back and taking advantage of the situation, right? With his cultivation level, it's a miracle he even made it back alive."

"I heard they were ambushed by remnants of the Blood Fiend Cult in the northeast region and almost perished there!"

"The Blood Fiend Cult? Really? That's a big deal!"

"..."

The crowd began to murmur amongst themselves. Liu Feng and the others looked grim, but they paid no attention and headed straight for the task handover area.

The handover was still handled by the disciple surnamed Wang. Seeing everyone return, a look of surprise appeared on his face, especially when he saw Lu Zhao, his expression becoming even more complex. He had clearly heard rumors as well.

"Senior Brother Liu, Senior Brother Shi, Junior Brother Hou, Junior Sister Huang, Junior Brother Lu, you... have worked hard." Deacon Wang carefully chose his words. "Deacon Zhao has already left to report to his superiors. You need to report the details of the mission, your encounters, your gains, and your losses in detail so that our contributions can be assessed and rewards distributed. In addition, the matter concerning the Blood Fiend Sect needs to be recorded separately and reported to the Enforcement Hall."

"Understood." Liu Feng, as the team leader (in name only), took a deep breath and began to recount the mission. From entering the edge of the Misty Swamp, encountering poisonous insects and demonic beasts, to discovering the corpses of sect disciples and the blood pool, to being ambushed by Blood Fiend Sect deacons, surrounded by the Blood Fiend Formation, and finally, with the help of "Junior Brother Lu Zhao using talismans to break through the formation's nodes and force back the evil cultivators," they were able to break through and return to the sect. He recounted the events relatively objectively, not concealing Lu Zhao's "merits," but also emphasizing Zhao Wuji's role in directly confronting the evil cultivator deacons and the group's desperate resistance.

Shi Yong, Hou San, and Huang Ling'er chimed in, especially Hou San, who vividly described Lu Zhao's "golden hedgehog" and "precise-point explosion" display of "heroic bravery." Deacon Wang and some of the disciples who had been listening intently stared in disbelief and...bewilderment as they looked at Lu Zhao. A mere Qi Refining Level 3 cultivator with a useless spiritual root, using talismans to withstand dozens of blood shadow tentacles, and then precisely locating the array's nodes to break it in one strike? Is this...possible? Is he just bragging?

But Liu Feng, Shi Yong, and Huang Ling'er did not refute it, clearly acknowledging it. This left no room for doubt.

Lu Zhao looked down at his nose, appearing humble, as if to say, "I just did what I was supposed to do" and "It was just a fluke." He knew that it was better to be low-key at this time; too much of a good thing could be bad.

After hearing the report, Deacon Wang's expression turned grave. He quickly took notes, especially detailing the parts concerning the Blood Fiend Sect deacons, the Blood Fiend Formation, the Blood Pool, and the deaths of sect disciples. This was no longer a simple "Category C" investigation mission; it was a major incident involving the Blood Fiend Sect and the deaths of sect disciples! It had to be reported immediately.

"I have recorded the situation and will report it to the Hall of Affairs and the Council of Elders immediately. As for your contribution assessment..." Deacon Wang pondered for a moment, then looked at everyone, "According to the sect's rules, for a C-level mission, the basic contribution points are 300 per person. However, this mission encountered a powerful enemy, the danger far exceeds that of a C-level mission, and there were evil cultivators from the Blood Fiend Cult present, making the situation serious. Therefore, the reward can be increased at the discretion of the 'B-level' mission standard. In addition, based on mission performance and contributions, there will be extra contribution points, pills, and magic artifacts as rewards, which will be jointly assessed by the Hall of Affairs and the mission issuer (Zhao Wuji)."

He paused, then looked at Lu Zhao with a complex expression: "Junior Brother Lu, according to Senior Brother Liu and the others, you played a crucial role in the mission, using talismans to break through the array's nodes and help everyone escape. This is a great achievement. As is customary, you are entitled to an additional special contribution reward of at least 500 contribution points, and a chance to obtain a Grade B magic weapon, or the opportunity to enter the first floor of the Scripture Pavilion and choose a mid-grade Yellow Rank cultivation technique/spell. In addition, your contributions in killing or assisting in killing evil cultivators and demonic beasts will also be calculated separately. However, these will only be finalized after the Hall of Affairs verifies and Steward Zhao confirms them."

Special Contribution Reward! 500 Contribution Points! A Grade B Magic Weapon or a Mid-Grade Yellow-Rank Cultivation Technique/Spell! A collective gasp rippled through the crowd! This reward, for an outer disciple, especially a new one, was an astronomical sum! Enough to make countless people envious! Keep in mind, an ordinary outer disciple might only manage a few dozen or a hundred contribution points after a month of hard work completing various daily and Grade D tasks. Lu Zhao's reward was equivalent to half a year's or even a year's income for others! Moreover, there was a chance to obtain a Grade B Magic Weapon or a Mid-Grade Yellow-Rank Cultivation Technique! This treatment was practically comparable to completing a Grade B task!

"This...this reward is way too generous!"

"A special contribution reward? What merit does someone with a useless spiritual root have to deserve that?"

"They must have gotten incredibly lucky, or Senior Brother Liu and the others exaggerated!"

"Exactly, maybe Deacon Zhao is giving him a benefit out of respect for Elder Yun!"

"Hmph, what good are more resources to a useless spiritual root? It's still a waste!"

"..."

A chorus of jealous, questioning, and sour whispers arose around them. Those disciples who had previously mocked Lu Zhao, in particular, now wore particularly grim expressions.

Liu Feng, Shi Yong, Hou San, and Huang Ling'er were happy for Lu Zhao, but they also felt the reward was a bit...too high. After all, while Lu Zhao's contribution was significant, it was mainly in "assistance" and "breaking the deadlock." It was they and Zhao Wuji who truly confronted the evil cultivators and slew the demonic beasts head-on. However, considering Lu Zhao's miraculous use of talismans and that crucial strike, it seemed reasonable. Besides, that was the sect's rule—merit must be rewarded—so they couldn't really say anything.

Lu Zhao's heart skipped a beat. 500 contribution points, a Grade B magic weapon, or a mid-grade Yellow Rank cultivation technique—this reward certainly exceeded his expectations. It seemed that his "show of skill" had been quite effective. However, he also knew that whether he could actually get his hands on the reward was still uncertain. Getting past Zhao Wuji would be difficult enough.

Sure enough, at that moment, a cold, authoritative voice rang out at the entrance of the mission hall:

"A special contribution reward? Hmph, I doubt it!"

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw Zhao Wuji return, leading two disciplined disciples dressed in black discipline hall uniforms, their auras heavy. He strode in! His face was still gloomy, but his eyes flashed with a cold, calculating light. He had clearly finished his "report" and returned with the people from the "Discipline Hall"! Moreover, his very first words were a direct questioning of Lu Zhao's "special contribution"!

"Deacon Zhao!" Deacon Wang quickly stood up and bowed.

"Deacon Zhao!" Liu Feng and the others bowed, their hearts skipping a beat, knowing trouble was brewing.

Lu Zhao remained calm, but inwardly he sneered, "They've come, just as I expected."

Zhao Wuji approached, his icy gaze like a knife scraping across Lu Zhao's face. He said sternly, "Lu Zhao, I ask you, where did the talismans you used during the mission come from? With your Qi Refining Level 3 cultivation, how could you instantly activate and control dozens of Vajra Talismans? And how could you accurately locate the key node of the Blood Fiend Array? This is something no ordinary rogue cultivator, much less something a 'useless spiritual root' like you could do! Speak! Did you cultivate evil arts, possess evil treasures, or collude with the Blood Fiend Sect to deliberately sabotage the array and let evil cultivators escape in exchange for their trust, plotting something sinister?!"

These words caused an uproar in the room!

"What? Practicing evil arts? Colluding with the Blood Fiend Cult?"

"This...this hat is way too big!"

"However... what Deacon Zhao said makes sense. How could someone with a useless spiritual root have so many talismans? And how could he find the array's core?"

"Could he really be a traitor?"

"..."

The gazes directed at Lu Zhao instantly shifted from jealousy and skepticism to shock, suspicion, vigilance, and even hostility! Colluding with a cult and harming fellow disciples were heinous crimes punishable by death in the Qingyun Dao Sect! If proven true, Lu Zhao would undoubtedly die! Moreover, it would implicate everyone connected to him!

Liu Feng, Shi Yong, Hou San, and Huang Ling'er's expressions changed instantly. Although they had some doubts about Lu Zhao's methods, they absolutely did not believe that Lu Zhao could be a traitor! If Lu Zhao were a traitor, why would he risk saving them? Wouldn't it have been cleaner to just let the Blood Fiend Sect kill them all? Moreover, they had heard about Lu Zhao killing Wang Biao and assisting Lin Qingfeng in fighting against the Black Fiend Sect. How could he possibly be a traitor?

"Deacon Zhao! There must be some misunderstanding! Junior Brother Lu, he..." Liu Feng said urgently, trying to defend Lu Zhao.

"Shut up!" Zhao Wuji interrupted sharply, his gaze chilling. "I'm questioning Lu Zhao! It's none of your business to interrupt! Lu Zhao, answer my question! If you utter even the slightest lie, I will immediately seize you and hand you over to the Enforcement Hall for severe torture!"

The two law enforcement disciples behind him also stepped forward, their auras locked onto Lu Zhao. As soon as Zhao Wuji gave the order, they would immediately take action to arrest him! The atmosphere instantly became tense!

Looking at Zhao Wuji's hypocritical and righteous face, which concealed his malicious intent to kill him, Lu Zhao's inward sneer deepened. Sure enough, the most vicious tactic had arrived. Not by withholding rewards, not by secretly sabotaging him, but by directly accusing him of "colluding with a cult," aiming to utterly destroy him, even... to silence him! What a ruthless scheme!

However, he was prepared.

Lu Zhao raised his head, looking calmly at Zhao Wuji. His face showed neither panic nor anger, only a perfectly measured hint of astonishment and grievance. He clasped his hands in a fist salute, his voice clear and neither servile nor arrogant: "Steward Zhao, please understand. All the talismans I use are drawn by myself. Before entering the sect, I received the teachings of a talisman master and have a basic understanding of talisman techniques. Drawing some first-tier talismans is not difficult for me. As for instantly activating and controlling dozens of talismans, this is due to a secret spiritual technique I possess, which allows me to precisely control spiritual and mental power. This is a family tradition and has nothing to do with evil arts. As for finding the array's core node…"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the surrounding crowd before finally settling on Zhao Wuji. He slowly said, "The reason I was able to find the array's core node is not because of my superior cultivation, nor because I colluded with the evil cult, but because… at Broken Soul Cliff, I personally witnessed the Blood Fiend Cult's blood sacrifice and saw similar blood pools and Blood Fiend arrays. I have some understanding of their aura and fluctuations. Furthermore, my spiritual power is still considerable, and my senses are sharp. Therefore, when that evil array was activated, I noticed the abnormality in the convergence and fluctuation of the earth's blood fiend energy, and thus risked trying it. Senior Brother Lin Qingfeng of the Inner Sect, Miss Su Qingqian of the Hundred Herbs Hall, and Elder Yun Mengze can all testify to this. At Broken Soul Cliff, I assisted Senior Brother Lin and Miss Su in disrupting the Blood Fiend Cult's blood sacrifice and killing Blood Fiend Cult members. This matter should be recorded in the sect's records. If I were colluding with the Blood Fiend Cult, why would I disrupt their blood sacrifice and kill their members? Why would I kill Wang Biao of the Black Tiger Hall, who was colluding with the Blood Fiend Cult, in Qingyun Town?"

His words were clear, logical, and well-supported. He not only explained the origins of his talismans and spiritual magic (attributing it to family tradition and the lineage of talisman masters), but also cited his experiences at Broken Soul Cliff, Lin Qingfeng, Su Qingqian, and even Elder Yun as witnesses! In particular, his mention of "disrupting the blood sacrifice at Broken Soul Cliff" and "killing Blood Fiend Cult members" was the most powerful counter-evidence! How could someone who disrupted the Blood Fiend Cult's blood sacrifice and killed Blood Fiend Cult members be a traitor within the Blood Fiend Cult? Logically, it simply doesn't make sense!

Furthermore, he also mentioned "Killing Wang Biao in Qingyun Town," which is also an achievement of the "Anti-Black Fiend Cult"! Lin Qingfeng and the onlookers at the time can attest to this!

Sure enough, as soon as he finished speaking, the surrounding chatter resumed, but the wind had shifted.

"Soul-Severing Cliff? He's the rogue cultivator who helped Senior Brother Lin and Miss Su at Soul-Severing Cliff?"

"I heard! The Blood Sacrifice at Broken Soul Cliff was ruined by a rogue cultivator. So it was him!"

"He also killed Wang Biao? Wang Biao was the third-in-command of the Black Tiger Hall, and he was colluding with the Blood Fiend Cult!"

"So, he's not only not a traitor, but also a hero in the fight against the Blood Fiend Cult?"

"That accusation against Steward Zhao is... a bit far-fetched..."

"..."

Liu Feng, Shi Yong, Hou San, and Huang Ling'er suddenly realized. So Lu Zhao had such "glorious deeds"! No wonder he was so calm and decisive when facing the Blood Fiend Sect! This only proved his innocence and his stance!

Zhao Wuji's face instantly turned extremely ugly. He hadn't expected Lu Zhao to be so eloquent, and even more unexpectedly, Lu Zhao had brought up his experience at "Soul-Severing Cliff" and Elder Yun and the others! This was indeed a flaw in his plan. He had assumed that Lu Zhao, a rogue cultivator with no connections, could be easily manipulated, but he had forgotten that Lu Zhao had been "specially approved" to join the sect by Elder Yun, and that before joining, Lu Zhao already had the merit of "fighting against the Black Fiend Sect"! This made his accusation of "colluding with a cult" seem weak and even... somewhat like a deliberate frame-up!

"Hmph! Clever words and a deceitful face!" Zhao Wuji suppressed his anger and sneered, "Even if you had some merit before, it's hard to guarantee you weren't bribed and coerced by the Blood Fiend Sect! How could a rogue cultivator like you possess such profound talismanic skills and spiritual mystical arts? It must have been bestowed upon you by an evil cult! As for finding the array's core, perhaps it was a ruse orchestrated by you and that evil cultivator, a deliberate act of self-inflicted injury to let them escape! This matter must be thoroughly investigated! Disciples of the Enforcement Hall, seize this boy and temporarily detain him in the Enforcement Hall until I report to the elders for detailed interrogation!"

He's trying to forcibly arrest people! Regardless of whether there's evidence or not, just arrest them first! Once they're in the courtroom, there are plenty of ways to make them "confess"!

Upon hearing this, the two disciples exchanged a glance, hesitant. They had also noticed the loopholes in Lu Zhao's words, and given that Elder Yun and Lin Qingfeng were involved, the matter was likely more complex than it seemed. However, Zhao Wuji was, after all, an inner sect deacon, and they dared not disobey him.

"Deacon Zhao, regarding this matter... should we consult the elders...?" a disciple asked hesitantly.

"I am here on the orders of the elders to investigate this matter! Arrest them immediately!" Zhao Wuji shouted, a hint of impatience and killing intent flashing in his eyes.

"Yes!" The two law enforcement disciples did not hesitate any longer, stepped forward, and were about to make their move.

"stop!"

Just then, a clear, melodious, yet undeniably authoritative female voice, like the cry of a phoenix from the heavens, suddenly rang out and resounded throughout the entire mission hall!

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw a white figure had appeared at the entrance of the Mission Hall. Clad in pristine white robes, with a half-silver mask covering her face, her demeanor was aloof and cold – it was Elder Yun Mengze, Miss Yun! Behind her followed Lin Qingfeng, and two sect elders with unfathomable auras, dressed in purple-gold Daoist robes! One of them was none other than the Vice Hall Master of the Enforcement Hall!

"Elder Yun! Senior Brother Lin! And... the Deputy Hall Master of the Enforcement Hall, and the Elder of the Transmission Pavilion!" Everyone exclaimed in surprise, bowing respectfully. Even Zhao Wuji's expression changed instantly, and he hurriedly bowed, but a trace of fear and resentment flashed in his eyes.

Miss Yun didn't even glance at Zhao Wuji, walking straight to Lu Zhao. Her gaze fell on him, a barely perceptible tenderness flashing in her eyes, but her voice remained cold: "Lu Zhao, are you alright?"

"This disciple is well, thank you for your concern, Elder Yun." Lu Zhao clasped his hands in a fist salute, feeling reassured. Miss Yun had arrived, and she had brought elders from the Enforcement Hall and the Transmission Pavilion with her. Things had taken a turn for the better.

"Hmm." Miss Yun nodded, turned around, and looked at Zhao Wuji with icy eyes. "Zhao Wuji, you have quite the nerve! Without any verification, you want to arrest my Yunmengze disciples on the grounds of 'colluding with a cult'? Who gave you that authority?"

"Elder Yun, please calm down!" Zhao Wuji's face paled, and he hurriedly explained, "This boy's behavior is suspicious. The methods he uses are beyond the capabilities of ordinary rogue cultivators, and he was able to accurately locate the core of the Blood Fiend Array. I suspect..."

"Suspicion? What evidence do you have?" Miss Yun coldly interrupted, "The talismans used by Lu Zhao were drawn by himself. Deacon Zhou of the Talisman Pavilion can testify to this. His spiritual techniques are family heirlooms, so what's wrong with that? As for finding the array's core, he personally experienced the Blood Fiend Cult's blood sacrifice at Broken Soul Cliff. He's familiar with the blood fiend energy and array fluctuations, and with his keen spiritual power, he noticed the anomaly. What's so strange about that? Lin Qingfeng and Su Qingqian can both testify to this. You're just making baseless accusations and slandering your fellow disciples based on mere speculation. What are your intentions?"

"I..." Zhao Wuji was speechless, cold sweat instantly soaking his back. He hadn't expected Elder Yun to know so much about Lu Zhao's affairs, and to be so protective of him! He'd even brought Lin Qingfeng as a witness! Now, he was completely at a disadvantage.

"Deacon Zhao," the deputy head of the Enforcement Hall, a lean old man with piercing eyes, spoke slowly, his voice calm yet carrying an invisible authority, "Regarding this mission and Lu Zhao's matter, I have a general understanding from Liu Feng and the others' reports. Lu Zhao performed outstandingly in the mission, making merits without fault. Your suspicion of 'colluding with a cult' is unfounded. This matter is hereby dropped. As for Lu Zhao's special contribution reward, according to the sect's rules, he should be rewarded accordingly. Deacon Wang, calculate the contributions of Liu Feng, Shi Yong, Hou San, and Huang Ling'er according to the standards for a lower-level mission. Lu Zhao will receive an additional special contribution reward of 500 contribution points, and will be allowed to enter the first floor of the Scripture Pavilion to choose a mid-grade Yellow Rank cultivation technique or spell. The reward will be issued immediately."

"Yes, Deputy Hall Master!" Deacon Wang replied hastily.

"Vice Hall Master! This..." Zhao Wuji was anxious and still wanted to argue.

"Hmm?" The deputy head of the Enforcement Hall's gaze sharpened, and an invisible pressure instantly enveloped Zhao Wuji. Zhao Wuji trembled, swallowing back the words he was about to say, his face flushed red, and he dared not utter another word.

"Furthermore," the elder from the Transmission Pavilion, with a ruddy complexion and a beaming smile, added, "Lu Zhao possesses considerable talent in talismans. This mission also demonstrated his unique skill in their application. Our Transmission Pavilion is in dire need of such talent. Lu Zhao, would you be willing to join our Transmission Pavilion as a registered disciple of the Talisman Pavilion? You will receive a fixed number of contribution points each month, and you will be able to audit talisman courses and borrow relevant texts."

Whoosh! The crowd gasped again! The elder of the Transmission Pavilion had actually personally invited Lu Zhao to become a registered disciple of the Talisman Pavilion! This was an opportunity that countless outer disciples dreamed of! Becoming a registered disciple of the Arts and Crafts Pavilion not only meant better resources and guidance, but also meant that one foot was already in the door of becoming an "inner sect arts and crafts disciple," a status far beyond that of ordinary outer disciples! Lu Zhao had truly struck it lucky!

Lu Zhao's heart stirred. Becoming a registered disciple of the Talisman Pavilion was indeed a good option. He could systematically learn talisman knowledge, improve his [Talisman Drawing] level, gain stable contribution points, and have a powerful backer (the Transmission Pavilion). Moreover, the Talisman Pavilion was relatively independent, with less interaction with Zhao Wuji's forces, making it safer.

"This disciple is willing! Thank you for your kindness, Elder!" Lu Zhao accepted without hesitation, clasping his hands in gratitude.

"Alright." The elder of the Transmission Pavilion nodded with a smile.

"Lu Zhao," Miss Yun spoke again, looking at Lu Zhao, her tone still cold, but seemingly softened slightly, "You performed well in this mission. Come see me at Yunmengze in three days. I have something to ask you."

"Yes, disciple obeys." Lu Zhao understood. Miss Yun's visit to him was probably not just about "asking about something." Perhaps it was about the "Secondary Sacrifice Site," about the Black Fiend Sect, about... Zhao Wuji?

"Alright, everyone disperse. Those who need to heal, heal; those who need to receive their awards, receive them." The deputy head of the Enforcement Hall waved his hand, his gaze lingering on Zhao Wuji for a moment, and said calmly, "Deacon Zhao, as the team leader, your handling of this mission was not entirely appropriate, but considering that you repelled the evil cultivators and brought back important intelligence, your merits and demerits will offset each other. You should take heed of this."

Zhao Wuji's face alternated between pale and flushed, his head bowed, not daring to speak. His fist, clenched white in his sleeve, dug deep into his palm. Humiliation! Utter humiliation! Not only had he failed to subdue Lu Zhao, but Lu Zhao had also stolen the limelight in front of everyone, receiving a generous reward, even catching the eye of an elder from the Transmission Pavilion, and being summoned by Elder Yun! And he, on the other hand, had been publicly reprimanded, utterly disgraced! All of this was because of Lu Zhao! This boy must be eliminated! Otherwise, the consequences will be dire!

He kept his head down, a venomous and crazed glint in his eyes. But at this moment, he dared not show it in the slightest.

The crowd gradually dispersed. Liu Feng, Shi Yong, Hou San, and Huang Ling'er also stepped forward to receive their respective contribution point rewards (each person received a base contribution point of 400 based on the B-level task, plus a share from killing monsters and evil cultivators, resulting in each person receiving between 500 and 600 contribution points). Before leaving, they all nodded to Lu Zhao, their eyes filled with complex emotions. Hou San even secretly gave Lu Zhao a thumbs up.

Lu Zhao also stepped forward and took from Deacon Wang a contribution token containing 500 contribution points, a token engraved with "Transmission of Merit Pavilion - Talisman Registration", and a "pass" that allowed him to enter the first floor of the Scripture Pavilion.

"Junior Brother Lu, congratulations." Deacon Wang handed the items to Lu Zhao and whispered, "There are quite a few mid-grade Yellow Rank cultivation techniques and spells on the first floor of the Scripture Pavilion. Choose carefully. When you go to see Elder Yun in three days, make sure you perform well."

"Thank you, Senior Brother." Lu Zhao thanked him. He could sense that Deacon Wang's attitude towards him had become more polite, even carrying a hint of befriending him. This was the change brought about by strength and "value".

As he stepped out of the mission hall, the setting sun cast a warm glow upon Lu Zhao. He glanced back at the imposing plaque above the mission hall, then at the inner gate, the spot where Zhao Wuji had vanished, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

"Zhao Wuji... I will avenge today's humiliation one day. However, the most urgent task is to improve our strength, digest our gains, deal with Elder Yun's summons, and... guard against Zhao Wuji's subsequent retaliation."

He didn't linger. He turned and strode towards his cave. In his hand, he held the contribution token and the pass, his heart filled with anticipation for the future and a chilling wariness.

The road ahead is still full of unknowns, but at least he is no longer that helpless, penniless rogue cultivator.