Ye Zhaozhao's eyelashes trembled, but she dared not open her eyes. She had already run through several possible explanations for Lingxu Zhenren in her mind.
Annoyance bubbled inside her.
That Lingxu Zhenren was both greedy and stingy. Over the years, in order to win him over completely, she had given him more than she cared to remember.
Now that her wealth was exposed, she didn't even have to look to know that Lingxu Zhenren must be quietly grumbling in his heart.Her master's appetite was insatiable!
And what about her? Had she had it easy all these years? She had worked hard for her cultivation. Li Shuang wanted to take it all back? Over her dead body. She would find a way. She must.
"Business matters should be based on mutual consent. Therefore, we don't intend to pursue these dividends. However, this amount of spirit stones is not small, so I thought I should let you know." Hong Sheng smiled faintly. "Also, someone from the Lingbao Pavilion headquarters will be arriving soon. If they ask, we will, of course, report truthfully."
Report truthfully.
Meng Yifei's expression shifted slightly.
Reporting truthfully meant the world would soon know that Sword Sect disciples had colluded with Manager Qiu to make a fortune.
Manager Qiu was no saint, and if this spread, the Sword Sect's reputation would take a hit. They were one of the top six sects, after all. If word got out that their disciples were cheating and deceiving people with spirit stones, how could they face anyone in the future?
Meng Yifei flipped through the booklet with a calm tone. "If this were ordinary business, it would be one thing. But these methods carry the clear stench of fraud. These spirit stones are ill-gotten gains."
He fixed his gaze on Lingxu Zhenren. "A total of 3,652 high-grade spirit stones. Ye Zhaozhao must return them in full."
Lingxu Zhenren's expression darkened.
Three thousand six hundred fifty-two high-grade spirit stones!
For his cultivation level, it wasn't an enormous amount.
But his miserly nature still felt the sting.
For the first time, he felt a flicker of resentment toward his young disciple.
She had earned so much, yet the gifts she'd given him over the years were barely a drop in the bucket, all while pretending to be devoted and filial.
The pretense was wearing thin.
Ye Zhaozhao whimpered softly and slowly opened her eyes.
"Junior Sister, you're awake?" Chang Le'an called out with relief.
Ye Zhaozhao nodded weakly.
"Good, just in time," Meng Yifei said. "Please hand over all the dividends from these years."
The sect's reputation was paramount, and Meng Yifei was unyielding.
Ye Zhaozhao's eyes filled with grievance. "Master, I only gave some ideas. Manager Qiu did the actual work. It's been years, and I've already spent most of the spirit stones. How can I return them now?"
Hong Sheng smiled. "It's alright. We're not asking for them back—just discussing the matter."
Not asking for them back, perhaps—but if this matter became public, the Sword Sect's reputation would be ruined.
Meng Yifei's tone turned icy. "Within seven days, deliver the spirit stones to the Spirit Weapon Pavilion."
There was no room for argument.
Ye Zhaozhao wanted to protest, but Sheng Yuan gently squeezed her hand, signaling her to stop.
Swallowing her resentment, she fell silent.
Meng Yifei cast an annoyed glance at the Lingxu Peak group. "Enough. Go your separate ways. Old Hong, I'll see you out."
Hong Sheng nodded, and the two left.
Manager Qiu hurried after them, not forgetting to shoot Ye Zhaozhao a venomous glare before disappearing.
Luo Mingyue smirked and whispered, "Those two are really tearing each other apart."
Neither Manager Qiu nor Ye Zhaozhao were good people, and seeing them bite at each other was deeply satisfying.
Li Shuang's lips curved slightly in agreement.
As she followed the sect disciples out, a sudden surge of spiritual force welled up inside her—stronger than the last two times.
She circulated it experimentally. It moved as if it were her own, flowing without the slightest obstruction.
A thoughtful glimmer passed through her eyes.
This power… could it really be her own cultivation?
As before, it appeared the moment Ye Zhaozhao suffered a setback.
Why?
When Li Shuang's cultivation had stagnated, Ye Zhaozhao's had soared.
When Li Shuang had been in dire straits, Ye Zhaozhao had been blessed with fortune.
Now, it seemed the reverse was true: each time Ye Zhaozhao stumbled, Li Shuang's cultivation advanced.
Was there some strange connection between them?
Li Shuang shook her head. Impossible. Perhaps it was simply the mysterious nature of the Supreme Forgetfulness Art.
At the mountain gate, Meng Yifei and Hong Sheng spoke privately.
Hong Sheng sighed. "Master Meng, I'm not here to cause you trouble. But Manager Qiu had plenty of evidence. To lessen his own punishment, he reported it immediately. Headquarters will come to investigate, and they'll certainly uncover Ye Zhaozhao's part in this."
Meng Yifei nodded. "You're already helping me by coming here first. Once Ye Zhaozhao returns the spirit stones, please help keep this quiet. My Sword Sect… can't afford to lose face."
He was irritated with Ye Zhaozhao, but as long as she remained a Sword Sect disciple, he had to shield her.
"I understand," Hong Sheng said.
After a brief exchange, Meng Yifei watched him depart.
On the Nanyan Continent, the Six Major Sects were known as the "Upper Six."
But that didn't mean other forces couldn't rival them.
The Spiritual Equipment Pavilion had risen abruptly a century ago, expanding at a startling pace. Its branches now covered not only the Nanyan Continent but also, it was said, other continents entirely.
A true giant.
In terms of sheer power, the Sword Sect might not even match them.
So, even as a sect leader, Meng Yifei had to tread carefully in dealing with them.
He rubbed his temples, weary. Maintaining the sect's standing was no easy task—especially with so many people dragging him down.
Ye Zhaozhao must return those high-grade spirit stones.
—
On Lingxu Peak, Ye Zhaozhao lay in bed, her whole body aching. She dared not move.
Chang Le'an fed her an elixir, and some color returned to her face.
Lingxu Zhenren's voice was stern. "Zhaozhao, the Head has ordered that you return these high-grade spirit stones. You have seven days to hand them over."