Invisible Security Guard
Chapter 998 - 997: Accepting Bribes

Chapter 998: Chapter 997: Accepting Bribes

Jack Gardner, a towering figure in the Campbell Sect, a Grade Eleven Grand Pill Master, held enormous authority within the sect, so much so that he could sit as an equal with the Sect Master.

As soon as he arrived, all the senior members in the stands stood up and bowed respectfully, especially the two, Rafael Case and Edison Yates, who bent their backs at a right angle.

"What is this display, you two brothers?" Jack Gardner cast a stern glance at Rafael Case and Edison Yates, frightening them so much that they dared not even draw a deep breath.

"And betting on eating the Pill Furnace, hmph." Jack Gardner snorted angrily and took Rafael Case’s seat, while Rafael Case stood behind him. Edison Yates even personally fetched tea and handed it to Jack Gardner.

After taking a sip of tea, Jack Gardner’s expression finally softened, and he smiled at the other elders, saying, "I made you witness a joke!"

"Head of the Gardner Estate, how could you say that? These two brothers have been like this for many years. If we don’t hear them bickering, it actually feels abnormal," one of the elders said with a chuckle.

Jack Gardner couldn’t help but chuckle at that comment before curiously turning his attention to the exam area, eventually fixing his gaze on Delilah Ferguson, Yusuf Zuck, and Maria Haney.

"While Ninth-Grade Elixirs are indeed of lower grade, all three of them would find it difficult to craft such potions, especially the one with Heavenly Immortal Ninth Grade, challenging a Ninth-Grade Elixir? That’s nearly impossible."

"Exactly, I said it was impossible," Edison Yates replied with a sycophantic smile.

"Master, why did you leave your seclusion so early?" Rafael Case suddenly asked, puzzled.

"Hmm, had I not come out, you two brothers would have become the laughing stock of the entire sect. What if you actually had to eat the Pill Furnace and burst from it?"

"Hahaha..." The other elders laughed uproariously, recognizing that Jack Gardner was teasing his two disciples.

Rafael Case and Edison Yates also gave a sheepish smile, not daring to respond.

"By the way, boss, what’s the background of that Heavenly Immortal Ninth Grade?" Jack Gardner recognized Delilah Ferguson and Maria Haney—after all, these two girls were also key figures cultivated by the sect, which was why he was familiar with them. But the Heavenly Immortal Ninth Grade was a mystery to him, and it was unusual for someone with that rank to dare challenge a Ninth-Grade Elixir.

"To answer the Master, he’s a menial worker for Rafael Case, who intends to accept him as a fourth-generation disciple."

"Rafael Case? The menial worker of Rafael Case?" Jack Gardner was stunned for a moment before recalling, "It was indeed I who sent him to recruit a menial worker. However, to think he actually recruited someone of Heavenly Immortal Ninth Grade—quite interesting!"

"Master, you are unaware of something." Edison Yates interjected, "That menial worker was at Spirit Immortal Rank One only three months ago, ascended from the Lower Realm, and in the span of these three months, he has leaped eighteen levels to achieve Heavenly Immortal Ninth Grade!"

"What? This is true?" Upon hearing Edison Yates’s words, Jack Gardner was astounded. To leap eighteen levels in three months was simply defying the heavens—a character of unparalleled genius.

"This is indeed true, but regarding the underlying reasons, I shall report to you later. I have already inquired about it from Rafael Case!" Rafael Case said this much aloud, then continued via Divine Sense communication, "Child Rafael Case is mindful of your kindness. He has achieved Grade Two Daluo, and when he returned a few days ago, he brought back two Green Spirit Fruits. He gave one to me and wished to offer the other to you. As you were in seclusion, I have been keeping the Green Spirit Fruit here with me!"

"Boom—What?" Jack Gardner stood up abruptly.

As he stood, everyone was filled with astonishment and confusion, not understanding why, for they had not heard Rafael Case’s Divine Sense message!

"Boss, come with me!" Jack Gardner was brimming with excitement. The reason he had ended his seclusion earlier was that he had hit a bottleneck, unable to perceive the necessary insights and unable to advance, forcing him to come out.

But now, the Sect Master mentioned he had a Green Spirit Fruit? And it was a gesture of filial piety from his disciple, Rafael Case? Wasn’t this just like someone handing him a pillow when he wanted to sleep? With the Green Spirit Fruit, he could achieve enlightenment and advance!

The value of the Green Spirit Fruit was immense, with only nine fruits maturing every thousand years. The Green Spirit Sect treated these fruits as Divine Fruits, revering them greatly. He had once sought the fruit from the Green Spirit Sect, but they completely ignored him!

Yet now, his disciple had acquired this fruit—how could he not be thrilled?

"Swoosh—" Jack Gardner took the Sect Master and left, while the others were unaware of what the master and disciple were up to.

Edison Yates’ expression turned grim. As the second disciple, the Sect Master always seemed to favor him less, despite them being equal in cultivation level and Pill Master ranking. He even secretly cultivated Divine Skills, believing himself capable of surpassing the Sect Master. However, Jack Gardner had never fully trusted him, claiming he lacked steadiness and needed more experience.

Now that the two of them had left alone, they certainly were up to something done behind others’ backs.

...

...

Meanwhile, in the arena, Delilah Ferguson and Maria Haney continued to tend to the Pill Furnace, while Zayden Newton kept on staring blankly, seemingly entangled in the complexities of the alchemy formula, or possibly even overwhelmed, because for a Heavenly Immortal Ninth Grade to attempt crafting a Grade Four Elixir was impossible. Thus, many believed Zayden Newton was struck with fear.

Jack Gardner returned to the Hall of Light with the Sect Master, then closed the doors of the hall.

Right when the doors shut, the Sect Master immediately took out the Green Spirit Fruit wrapped in Gold Foil Paper and handed it over.

The Gold Foil Paper was his wrapping, intended to keep the Green Spirit Fruit fresh.

The reason for Jack Gardner’s urgency was to confirm whether it indeed was a Green Spirit Fruit and not a trick by his disciple, so he quickly unwrapped the Gold Foil Paper, and the green fruit appeared before him!

He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and then his eyes flashed with sharp brilliance, "It really is a Green Spirit Fruit, and not just any but of the highest quality. You should know that although the Green Spirit Fruit matures every thousand years, the nine fruits are not all the same—some big, some small, some better, and some worse—but this one is the finest of the top grade, excellent stuff!"

"Well then, Master, please keep it safe. This is your disciple’s gift to you!" the Sect Master said with a smile, "I won’t hold onto it for you."

"Hahaha." Jack Gardner laughed heartily, "Rafael Case is thoughtful indeed, it was not in vain that I took care of him once. But how did he get his hands on this fruit?"

"It’s like this..." The Sect Master recounted Rafael Case’s explanation, and after listening, Jack Gardner also laughed, waving his hand, "Everyone has their secrets. If that’s all he’s willing to say, then we’ll just take it as it is." Who was Jack Gardner? He knew immediately that Rafael Case’s story was fabricated, and even the Sect Master knew it was false.

But everyone has secrets in this world, and a master can’t probe every detail; it’s a kind of boundary. When they were disciples, they too had their own little secrets, even secret cultivation methods, but their masters let it be—because without personal secrets, one might as well walk naked through the world, which can be very dangerous!

As long as the disciple is devoted and has filial piety, that’s enough. When their wings are strong, they will soar through the heavens!

"However, now I find myself interested in that... that Zayden Newton, let’s go back and see," he said after storing the Green Spirit Fruit. Jack Gardner’s hearty mood was evident from his casual smile as he dashed out of the Hall of Light!