Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 693 - 693 692 Northwest Beacon Fires 3 Request for Votes at Month End

693: Chapter 692 Northwest Beacon Fires 3 [Request for Votes at Month End] 693: Chapter 692 Northwest Beacon Fires 3 [Request for Votes at Month End] PS: It’s the end of the month, the monthly ticket is about to expire, please give a helping hand to the old lazy.

Thank you all for your support, thank you.

……

One month later, Hou Niao emerged from the underground Dark River.

The Five Elements are vast and profound; he could not possibly comprehend all their mysteries at this time.

Achieving the greatest harvest he could at his current realm was good enough; he was not greedy.

In the Dark River, he saw that many cultivators were still desperately pursuing more, a clear case of the human heart never being satisfied, like a snake trying to swallow an elephant, pursuing what should not belong to them, not knowing how to advance or retreat.

It was a waste of time and could even ruin one’s mentality.

This Water Element verification deepened the color of his blue Water Element Mysterious Light by a few shades, turning it crystal clear, with a faint mist emanating from within, representing the most primitive process of technique application.

It originated from the laws, was practiced in battle, and then contrasted with the theory so the combination of theory and practice is what fundamentally empowers a technique.

These are not things one can develop simply by finding a place to cultivate alone, shutting oneself away to build blindly.

When he emerged from the Dark River, the sky had cleared to a vivid blue.

The impacts of the once-in-a-century sandstorm had completely disappeared, but the surrounding forest belts still showed many traces; trees were buried several feet deep, and even the leaves were dull gray.

From the sky, a vibrant green dragon had turned into a gray-green one, showing the magnitude of the sandstorm’s impact.

Loulan New City was hurriedly undergoing repairs as the fury of nature had passed, and humanity continued its resilient progress according to plan, in what resembled a war, likely a prolonged one.

After going around Loulan New City a few times, he wondered what his companions were doing since they seemed to be absent?

The autonomy of cultivators was fully demonstrated at this time; you could never know what a cultivator, including friends, was thinking.

Should he pave his own path and leave or stay a bit longer?

Before he could decide his next course of action, a stranger cultivator approached him,

“Brother Hou, Uncle Yu asked me to invite you over.”

Hou Niao felt troubled, “Is there something urgent?

I’m quite busy, and I’m not familiar with Uncle Yu.”

The cultivator just laughed, “Uncle Yu said he still owes you some resources as compensation for the devotion you gave three years ago.

Now that things have calmed down here, he thought of giving back a bit.”

“Is it really that good?

Can what has been consumed be regurgitated?” Hou Niao was full of doubts.

But he knew now that he had come to Loulan, he couldn’t avoid the encounter.

He had avoided it earlier for fear that the old man might pull some tricks that could disrupt his important affairs.

But now that his business was settled, and he could leave at any moment, he resolved a worry in his heart.

From his experience, this was a trap.

Ever since he knew this old man, it had been one trap after another, never an easy encounter, but even so, he jumped in without complaint every time, because he found himself becoming stronger after climbing out of each pit.

“Arrived?

Hmm, you look well.

It seems you’ve recovered comfortably in Liang State these days?

I’ve heard you received gifts until your hands went weak, robbed until Hezhou shivered in fear, and had beauties delivered to your door for free…” Yu Zhengxing said with a warm smile.

But Hou Niao was not fooled by his act.

“Rumors and hearsay.

You, a senior of such high status, believe such things?

Uncle Master, let’s cut the small talk.

I heard you called me here to offer some compensation for my recent financial ruin.

Is that true?”

“If it’s true, we can talk about it.

If it’s just an excuse, as a current officer of the Pingliang State Capital Commandant’s office, I have the right to refuse any unreasonable reassignments from other offices.

Please forgive me.”

Yu Zhengxing spoke earnestly, “It’s true, absolutely true!

Opportunities for compensation like this are rare.

You know that this place in Loulan is lacking in resources, troubled by problems, and complex in personnel; it’s full of holes…

But, as long as we catch our breath, I, Yu Zhengxing, will definitely compensate those brothers who have bled and wept for the Northwest Protective Forest.

You’ll be the first!

Everyone else comes after.”

Hou Niao felt a chill, having heard such promises too often, enough to know what was coming next; he was still too young, always hoping that the old man would be reliable this time, but now it seemed doubtful.

The more righteously and passionately the old man expressed himself, the more uneasy he felt.

No, he needed to plan ahead.

He waved his hand dismissively, “Uncle Master’s generosity overwhelms me, which I dare not accept.

Since I’ve decided to dedicate myself to the Northwest, how could I be picky and still expect a reward?

Please save your compensation for the brothers currently guarding the forest.

I’ll pass.

I have other business to attend to.

Since Uncle Master is doing well, I will not disturb any further.

I’ll take my leave now – I won’t be coming back…”

He turned to leave, cursing his foolishness.

After being duped so many times, why couldn’t he learn?

Seeing that his temptation failed, Yu Zhengxing’s expression darkened, “Stop!

Did you think you could just walk away so easily from my place?

Go outside and ask around.

Have you ever heard of a precedent where something I, Yu Zhengxing, decided to give was taken back?

Do you want support at the next annual conference?

Do you think Bai’s Trading Company can thrive in Loulan without my approval?

You must be daydreaming!”

Hou Niao turned back around; the old man was now desperate, “What I mean is, if you want to make use of your disciple, just say it outright.

Why do you always treat me like a fool, using me for your deadly errands and then acting as if I owe you a favor?

Do you find that amusing?”

Yu Zhengxing remained composed, “Come, come, sit down.

Hou Niao, this time I really have a great opportunity for you, I’m not joking…

Only, this opportunity is not currently with me.”

Hou Niao glared, “So you mean you are being generous with someone else’s generosity.

Am I supposed to fetch it myself?

Rob it?

Steal it?”

Yu Zhengxing smiled warmly, “Don’t put it so harshly.

Am I that kind of person?

Well, actually, it’s not far from here, just about two or three thousand miles away…”

So shameless, Hou Niao thought, speechless, “With that said, I can guess the direction already.

Are we heading into the desert?

After I fetch this compensation, are you going to send me another four or five thousand miles deeper next time?

If I venture ten thousand miles into the Kneecap Desert, will I strike it rich then?”

Yu Zhengxing’s expression became serious, “Joking aside, let’s talk business.

Recently in the Kneecap Desert, there has been a new pattern to the attacks by the undying creatures, which is shocking; you encountered a massive sandstorm on your way here, didn’t you?”

Hou Niao was stirred, “You mean, the sandstorm was man-made?

By those undead creatures in the desert?

Do they have such capability?”

Yu Zhengxing snorted, “Don’t underestimate any Cultivation Creatures.

Their existence is justified.

As natives of the desert, we do not fully understand what capabilities they actually possess.

Who can guarantee they can’t control certain weather patterns to some extent?

If the Water Demon kind can turn rivers and manipulate floods, then why can’t undead creatures manipulate sandstorms?”