### **Chapter 86: The Aftermath**
Wang Yu naturally agreed with delight. He had been an outer disciple for nearly nine years now; rounding up, that was almost a decade. It was time to move up a bit.
After all, breaking through to Foundation Establishment as an outer disciple and as an inner disciple were two very different treatments. As an inner disciple, as long as you were under a hundred years old upon breakthrough, you were qualified to undertake the [True Disciple Trial Mission]!
This single point made a world of difference.
While Zhuo Shouqing's official position wasn't high, the network and influence he could mobilize were no less than True Disciple Su's, and it was far less dangerous.
They were, after all, a group of privileged young masters, even more concerned with preserving their own lives than he was. As long as he could help them acquire spirit stones, his status would be similar to that of a "hanger-on".
Referring to someone who specializes in accompanying the wealthy and powerful in their amusements.
The Alchemist Association matter was settled. The spirit stones in Wang Yu's possession were close to fifty thousand, enough for him to use for a long time.
Furthermore, he lacked the channels to convert spirit stones into actual strength.
Accumulating more would be useless.
Spirit stones had many uses: replenishing the spiritual energy of spirit boats and formation flags was one; aiding daily cultivation, restoring spiritual power, or substituting for spirit veins during breakthroughs were others.
Of course, their most important use was their purchasing power as currency.
Many things within the sect required contribution points.
Those took time to earn. After returning from Profound Bone Mountain, Wang Yu didn't have many left. Investing the time cost to earn more was too great and not worth it.
He also didn't lack for conventional items like spells, magical instruments, or pills.
With nearly fifty thousand spirit stones in savings, calling him the wealthiest outer disciple wouldn't be far off.
After the arrests concluded, he returned to his residence in the Evil God Market.
He quietly waited for the follow-up from True Disciple Su and the Enforcement Hall. If the former's plan failed, obtaining the [Demonic Embryo Profound Origin Secret Curse] might still fall to Zhuo Shouqing and his group. He could only wait.
Three days later.
Rumors about the collapse of the Alchemist Association were still circulating in the streets. Some sighed with regret, feeling they hadn't bought enough and that there would never be such cheap spirit pills for sale again.
Others sneered, stating categorically, "Mark my words, within ten years, there will be a second Alchemist Association, a Talisman Master Association, an Artifact Smith Association..."
The sect's internal monopoly had never been limited to just the pill path. Wang Yu understood better than anyone how terrifying the profits involved were.
But these profits were gained by squeezing the profits of the sect's own industries. The risks were simply too high. He definitely wouldn't do it a second time, unless he left the Ten Reverse Blood Markets.
As agreed, Wang Yu went to the Enforcement Hall in the Evil God Market. By his count, this was his third time here.
Besides the two Foundation Establishment cultivators, Zhuo Shouqing and Yu Xing, there was also a young man with golden hair, quite handsome, possessing the best looks among the three.
However... Wang Yu's expression turned odd as he subtly sniffed the air. This person had the scent of 〈Crown Sunflower Sap〉 on him. As an alchemist, he was well-versed in medicinal properties. This substance's effect was to stabilize medicinal properties.
But it also had a little-known secret effect: dyeing!
When washed with spiritual power of different attributes, it presented different colors. The basic five elements corresponded to red, blue, gold, green, and brown.
Washing it with mixed multi-attribute spiritual power could even produce brilliant, colorful hues. But using it to dye hair... truly a unique individual.
*Ahem—*
"Wang Yu pays his respects to the three lords!"
The other two were animatedly recounting the process. The golden-haired man looked somewhat disappointed and resentful. "You guys have no sense of brotherhood. Such a fun thing, and you didn't wait for me."
Zhuo Shouqing said helplessly, "If we waited for you, it would have been too late. Just be happy you're getting a share of the money, and stop complaining."
Yu Xing smiled without speaking.
Wang Yu's voice drew their attention. Zhuo Shouqing stepped forward to introduce him:
"This is the main contributor this time, named Wang Yu."
"Wang Yu, this is Zuoqiu Ming, the third steward of the Enforcement Hall."
"Greetings, Lord Zuoqiu."
"And this is Yu Xing, you've met him before."
"Greetings, Lord Yu."
No matter how amiable the three seemed, Wang Yu performed his bows dutifully and did not interject a single word.
Their personalities and auras were quite different from the general atmosphere of the Reverse Spirit Blood Sect. This was because their family backgrounds allowed them to live secure lives even if they were naive, valued brotherhood, lazed about, or bickered constantly.
Of course, this didn't mean they were stupid. Their naive side was only revealed to each other—this was trust!
He had interacted with Zhuo Shouqing alone once before. While he seemed easily deceived on the surface, he actually knew everything.
When it came to double-crossing, he showed no mercy and was even more ruthless, going so far as to swallow Steward Xu's entire family fortune. Calling him greedy was an understatement.
This showed that beneath their friendly exteriors, they still possessed the underlying nature of the Demonic Path.
Wang Yu was different. He had too many things to consider.
Their social circles were different. Forcing his way in wouldn't work, or perhaps these three formed a small clique distinct from the larger environment, likely watched by many eyes.
Their friendliness towards him naturally stemmed from his ability to bring them benefits.
Find the right position, and you will find your way!
Seeing him stand obediently to the side without any attempt to join the conversation, Zhuo Shouqing couldn't help but show an appreciative smile. He raised his hand to signal the other two to stop their chattering.
"Wang Yu, I've looked into you."
"Originated as a spirit slave, promoted to outer disciple in less than half a year through connections with a True Disciple of Coldblood Peak, cultivated in the outer sect for nearly ten years, and now have late Qi Refining cultivation."
"Am I correct?"
Wang Yu nodded.
"Lord Zhuo is perceptive. That is indeed Wang Yu's life history."
"A pity—"
Seeing his neither servile nor overbearing attitude, Zhuo Shouqing swallowed what he initially wanted to say and changed his tone.
"You only have Waste Spiritual Roots aptitude. You reached this point by trading lifespan for cultivation due to your ambition to stand out, but this is your limit."
"Originally, I intended to promote you to become an inner disciple of [Blood Nether Peak]. But your aptitude is limited; you will find it difficult to break through to Foundation Establishment in your lifetime, and you likely won't live much longer."
"In that case, the status of an inner disciple isn't that significant. Do you have a reward you desire? You may state it yourself."
Hearing this, Wang Yu was slightly surprised.
According to the logic of the Demonic Path, someone who had lost their value only had one outcome: being discarded!
Although he had brought Zhuo Shouqing two windfalls, looking toward the future, he wasn't a worthwhile long-term investment, but rather a short-term amusement.
Paying him off with spirit stones was the best method. But judging by the current tone, he was undoubtedly being given a chance to change his fate.
After a moment of contemplation, Wang Yu said decisively,
"Has Lord Zhuo heard of the [Demonic Embryo Profound Origin Secret Curse]?"
A flash of surprise passed through Zhuo Shouqing's eyes.
"That secret art for improving aptitude, spread by the Nine Evils True Monarch?"
"Precisely. This subordinate wishes to request this art, to seize the opportunity to defy heaven and change my fate."
The three Foundation Establishment stewards looked at each other. Zhuo Shouqing frowned.
"This secret curse was given to the sect by the True Monarch and also passed to his relatives. Although very few have mastered it, it is one of the top-tier secret arts in the world. You have quite the audacity, kid!"
Wang Yu persisted:
"This subordinate has heard that since the method spread five hundred years ago, tens of thousands of cultivators have attempted it, with only a handful succeeding. Yu merely seeks a chance to cultivate it! I will not regret it, even if it leads to my death!"
**(End of Chapter)**