I Have An Infinite Cultivation Resource
Chapter 109: Bai Yongzheng: The Mastermind Was Me?!
Bai Yongzheng wanted to explain himself, but just then the doors to the main hall were pushed open. Bai Zihua strode in at the front, leading a vast crowd of sect disciples into the inner hall.
"Venerable Bai is here! Venerable Bai is here too!"
"With Venerable Bai present, Wu Hao won't be able to get away this time!"
To force his grandfather to make a decision, Bai Zihua had deliberately staged this public confrontation, preventing the two Nascent Soul Venerables from settling the matter in private.
"Hmph! What else do you have to say now?" Wu Hao sneered, convinced that Bai Yongzheng had been plotting against him all along.
"Bai Zihua, what are you doing? And the rest of you—have you no sense of propriety?"
Ignoring the disciples' thunderous accusations, Bai Yongzheng turned to Wu Hao and explained, "Venerable Wu, once I bring Han Tian here, everything will become clear."
After receiving Han Tian's evidence, Bai Yongzheng had crippled Han Tian's dantian. As long as Han Tian was brought here, Wu Hao would see how he had treated him and understand that this wasn't Bai Yongzheng's doing. If he truly intended to frame Wu Hao, why would he cripple the key witness instead of using him?
Raising a hand, Bai Yongzheng silenced the noisy crowd and declared sternly,
"Disciples of the Law Enforcement Hall, bring Han Tian before us!"
Wu Hao let out a cold laugh.
"You think you can convict me with the testimony of a mere Foundation Establishment disciple?"
Standing before the assembled crowd, Wu Hao showed no fear whatsoever. He wasn't worried that the matter would spread either. Han Tian's evidence could only prove that Wu Tong and Huo Chuan had cultivated the forbidden technique; it couldn't directly implicate Wu Hao himself.
Still, this grudge between him and Bai Yongzheng had been forged.
He would make the Law Enforcement Hall understand what it meant to incur the wrath of the Deep Literary Pavilion.
"There is no need for Venerable Bai to have me escorted into the hall."
A clear voice rang out from outside.
"I, Han Tian... never intended to run."
At that moment, a streak of golden light shot toward the hall. Han Tian—whose dantian had supposedly been destroyed—was actually flying on a sword. In the blink of an eye, he landed inside the Law Enforcement Hall.
"Senior Brother Han Tian is here!"
"Senior Brother Han Tian is so brave! He actually dared to confront a Nascent Soul cultivator!"
"Wait... isn't Senior Brother Han Tian only at the Foundation Establishment realm? How is he flying on a sword?"
"Golden Core! Senior Brother Han Tian is in the Golden Core realm! He's only been cultivating for such a short time, yet he's already reached the Golden Core realm!"
Han Tian had entered the outer sect as a mere menial disciple. Later, after obtaining an inheritance within an ancient tomb, he broke through to the Foundation Establishment realm, entered the inner sect, and became a disciple of the Law Enforcement Hall.
Only two months had passed since that ancient tomb expedition.
Yet in just two months, he had advanced from Foundation Establishment to Golden Core.
Such talent could only be described as the pride of the Verdant Cloud Sect.
"Venerable Wu Hao!"
Han Tian infused his voice with spiritual energy so that every disciple present could hear him clearly.
"You tolerated your trusted followers' cultivation of demonic cultivation techniques and allowed them to slaughter fellow disciples. What crime do you deserve?"
"So this is what you wanted me to see!"
The moment he saw Han Tian, Wu Hao flew into a rage.
In an instant, he believed he had pieced together the truth of what had happened inside the secret realm.
Bai Yongzheng had deliberately arranged for a Golden Core disciple to disguise himself as a Foundation Establishment cultivator and infiltrate Wu Tong's side. At the critical moment, Han Tian had stolen the evidence and even murdered Wu Tong and Huo Chuan within the secret realm.
"I..."
Even Bai Yongzheng was dumbfounded.
Wasn't Han Tian at the Foundation Establishment realm?
Hadn't I personally crippled his dantian?
How had he become a Golden Core cultivator after only a few days?
Originally, Bai Yongzheng had intended to hand Han Tian over to Wu Hao as a gesture of goodwill, allowing Wu Hao to deal with him however he wished.
But now...
It looked exactly as though Bai Yongzheng had arranged for Han Tian to appear here specifically to stir up public outrage against Wu Hao.
"Han Tian, stop talking nonsense!"
Caught completely off guard, Bai Yongzheng had no way to explain the situation to Wu Hao. He could only glare angrily at Han Tian.
"The evidence you presented hasn't even been verified. And even if it is genuine, it still doesn't prove that Venerable Wu is involved! Since you've broken through to the Golden Core realm, I'll give you one chance. Come down here and apologize properly to Venerable Wu!"
"Apologize?" Wu Hao laughed in anger. "A genius like him is far too important for someone like me to accept an apology from."
At this point, Bai Yongzheng was still putting on an act, as though he were treating him like he's a complete fool!
"If you want to accuse me, then produce actual evidence. If you're going to fabricate charges out of thin air, don't blame me for tearing your Law Enforcement Hall apart!"
"And another thing—I heard that the treasure Wu Tong intended to deliver to me was taken by Ma Yuan, only to be stolen by someone else afterward. Ma Yuan even reported the matter to your Law Enforcement Hall, yet none of you investigated it. Now Ma Yuan has suddenly disappeared."
"Could it be that your Law Enforcement Hall murdered him to silence him while stealing the treasure for yourselves?"
Even though a Nascent Soul cultivator could slaughter Foundation Establishment and Golden Core cultivators as easily as chickens or dogs, Wu Hao couldn't make a move in front of so many witnesses.
He had already made up his mind.
First, he would force them to reveal the whereabouts of the ancient map.
Once he obtained the map, mastered the cultivation technique it contained, and advanced to the Divine Transformation realm, he would personally kill everyone involved to avenge Wu Tong.
Even Bai Yongzheng would not escape death.
. . .
It's time.
Hidden within the crowd, Elder Wen watched the spectacle with undisguised excitement.
As expected of Bai Yongzheng…
A Nascent Soul Venerable truly is extraordinary.
Every step had been meticulously planned.
Aside from Bai Zihua secretly being Dongfang Bubai, even Han Tian had turned out to be a hidden Golden Core cultivator.
Moreover, Bai Yongzheng had begun laying the groundwork as early as when Han Tian was still tending the spiritual fields.
Now every piece of that elaborate plan had exploded into motion.
First, copies of the evidence had been distributed to everyone.
Then Han Tian revealed his cultivation, increasing the credibility of the evidence.
And now...
He was even signaling him to strike the decisive blow.
There was no longer any room for hesitation.
Timing, location, and public support were all on the Law Enforcement Hall's side.
Furthermore, Wu Hao was still obsessed with recovering the ancient map.
If Wu Hao wasn't brought down today, Bai Yongzheng would certainly expose Elder Wen's theft of the map.
Finally, Elder Wen steeled himself.
He strode out from among the Golden Core elders and viciously pointed at Wu Hao.
"Who says there's no evidence?"
"I am the evidence!"
"Venerable Bai, feel free to search my soul."
"I, Wen Hao, held the same rank within the Deep Literary Pavilion as Huo Chuan. Everyone knows that."
"My memories still contain the scenes of Huo Chuan and I serving Venerable Wu together."
"Venerable Wu personally promised that he would reward me with the cultivation technique recorded on the ancient map, allowing me to break through Golden Core and enter the Nascent Soul realm!"
After speaking, Elder Wen looked toward Bai Yongzheng with an expression of complete loyalty.
The entire hall was stunned.
Elder Wen had personally accused Wu Hao!
While Venerable Wu Tong had been in secluded cultivation, Huo Chuan, Elder Wen, and the other ten peak Golden Core cultivators had publicly overseen the affairs of the Deep Literary Pavilion.
With Elder Wen stepping forward as a witness, it would be nearly impossible for Wu Hao to clear himself of suspicion.
More importantly...
Elder Wen had voluntarily agreed to a soul search.
In the cultivation world, testimony could be fabricated.
Evidence could be forged.
But memories could not lie.
At this moment, Elder Wen felt victory was already in his grasp.
A soul search could damage one's consciousness and might even expose the fact that he had ambushed Ma Yuan.
But Bai Yongzheng was one of his own.
He had even arranged for a loyal subordinate to secretly inform Elder Wen beforehand.
Therefore, Elder Wen was convinced that not only would the soul search be perfectly safe, but Bai Yongzheng would deliberately avoid revealing anything related to the ancient map.
He would extract only the evidence needed to condemn Wu Hao, avoid harming his consciousness, and even clear him of suspicion regarding Ma Yuan's disappearance.
In that case, everyone—including Wu Hao—would only hate Elder Wen for betraying the Deep Literary Pavilion.
No one would ever suspect that it was actually Elder Wen who had stolen the ancient map.
Now that he stood in the public eye, no matter how much Wu Hao hated him, he couldn't kill him in front of everyone.
As long as he survived, he could simply wait for Bai Yongzheng to fulfill their agreement: hand over the cultivation technique and the prisoners from the Law Enforcement Hall's prison to serve as cultivation resources, helping him break through to the Nascent Soul realm.
At that point, he would no longer have anything to fear from Wu Hao.
Hahaha~~
I laugh at Bai Yongzheng for believing he has calculated everything.
I laugh at Wu Hao for his arrogance.
No matter how fiercely the Deep Literary Pavilion and the Law Enforcement Hall fight, the only true winner in the end will be me!
Bai Zihua, standing below the dais, was equally stunned.
He had never imagined that this was what Elder Wen had meant when he asked him to relay those words.
So Grandfather had been planning to deal with the Deep Literary Pavilion and Wu Hao all along!
I misunderstood Grandfather!
His name truly suits him—he has always been the same, never once abandoning justice!
Bai Yongzheng himself was utterly bewildered.
What in the world is going on?!
I had just confiscated the evidence from Bai Zihua, and the very next moment every disciple in the Verdant Cloud Sect somehow had a copy.
I had personally crippled Han Tian's cultivation, yet now he's a Golden Core cultivator.
I was trying, both openly and indirectly, to ease the tension and clear Wu Hao of suspicion first... but Elder Wen suddenly jumped out as if we'd rehearsed it beforehand, seizing on my words and forcing Wu Hao into a corner!
I haven't done anything!
I've been trying to protect the Deep Literary Pavilion!
How did all the evidence suddenly become complete in the blink of an eye?!
Bai Yongzheng looked at Han Tian, then at Elder Wen, and finally at the copies of the evidence that every disciple was holding.
If he continued shielding them now, the very foundation of the Verdant Cloud Sect would be shaken.
At the very least, he had to stabilize the disciples and give everyone an explanation.
"Then we'll conduct a soul search."
Bai Yongzheng beckoned with his hand.
A disciple immediately brought over a Memory Projection Jade.
The Deep Literary Pavilion possessed the same type of artifact, and Huo Chuan had even used one before. It could convert memories into images and project them onto a misty screen.
Elder Wen stepped forward confidently.
Bai Yongzheng glanced at him, placed one hand on the top of Elder Wen's head and the other on the projection jade.
Damn you.
If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have had to go through all this trouble.
He felt nothing but disgust toward Elder Wen.
Partly because Elder Wen had caused so much trouble.
Partly because he despised someone so reckless as to betray others without understanding the danger.
The next moment...
Bai Yongzheng showed no restraint whatsoever.
His spiritual energy erupted violently, crashing straight into Elder Wen's consciousness and brutally ripping memories from his mind.
"No!!"
Elder Wen let out a miserable scream.
But he had already placed himself into the hands of a Nascent Soul Venerable.
There was no longer any way to resist.
On the projection jade, every memory related to Venerable Wu Hao began playing before the crowd.
The first scene showed Wu Hao tempting Elder Wen with promises of sharing the cultivation technique recorded on the ancient map.
Then the mist shifted.
The next scene showed Elder Wen dressing in black, ambushing Ma Yuan, and stealing the ancient map.
At first, everyone watching below was filled with admiration.
"Elder Wen is truly righteous!"
"He actually volunteered to undergo a soul search just to reveal the truth!"
But as the following scenes unfolded...
Everyone stared at one another in disbelief.
"No... that's not right!"
"Bai Yongzheng, you set me up!"
"You promised me!"
"You promised we'd work together!"
Elder Wen screamed at the top of his lungs.
The projection continued.
A Law Enforcement Hall Foundation Establishment disciple entered Elder Wen's room.
The two chatted at length.
Then, to preserve secrecy, the disciple drew his blade and severed his own head right in front of Elder Wen.
Everyone present was completely dumbstruck.
They had already found it unbelievable that Elder Wen had willingly exposed himself for ambushing Ma Yuan.
But now...
Bai Yongzheng appeared to be exposing his own secret as well—that he had coerced and bribed Elder Wen into cooperating.
Has the entire Verdant Cloud Sect gone insane?
"Good! Very good!"
"Bai Yongzheng!"
"You've done well!"
"So this is how you planned to scheme against me!"
The sky suddenly darkened.
Wu Hao had become so enraged that he no longer cared about the consequences.
A gigantic phantom materialized behind him.
He had unleashed his Dharma Avatar.
"What?"
"How did I become the mastermind behind all this?!"
Bai Yongzheng stood frozen in shock.
Even after living for over a thousand years, he could no longer make sense of today's chain of events.
Seeing Wu Hao activate his Dharma Avatar and charge at him with murderous intent, Bai Yongzheng realized that explanations were now pointless.
He, too, released his own Dharma Avatar.
Glancing at everyone present, Bai Yongzheng steeled his resolve.
He had already become Wu Hao's mortal enemy.
There was no way he could afford to lose the moral high ground as well.
"Wu Hao!"
"What do you mean by 'scheming'?"
"Everything I have done was to bring you, the cancer within the Verdant Cloud Sect, to justice!"
"Our Law Enforcement Hall is the light of the Verdant Cloud Sect!"
"Even if our disciples must sacrifice their own lives, we will expose your crimes for all to see!"
Bai Yongzheng desperately tried to salvage the situation.
Regardless of who had actually sent that dead agent, he first had to distance himself from any accusation and frame everything as an act of justice.
Otherwise, people would conclude that he had secretly cultivated suicidal operatives within the Law Enforcement Hall.
Just as the two Nascent Soul cultivators were about to clash, the sky—already obscured by their Dharma Avatars—suddenly split apart.
A stream of azure light poured down like a celestial river, effortlessly tearing through the Dharma Avatars. It then transformed into glowing ropes, binding Bai Yongzheng and Wu Hao where they stood.
Moments later, the heavens brightened once more.
High above, the clouds began to swirl of their own accord, forming a grand staircase stretching down from the sky.
A handsome cultivator dressed in a green Daoist robe slowly descended the stairway of clouds.
"Sect Master!"
"Greetings, Sect Master!"
The nearly ten thousand people surrounding the Law Enforcement Hall immediately recognized him and knelt in unison.
"I never expected that so many things would happen within the Verdant Cloud Sect while I was in secluded cultivation."
The man known as the Sect Master wore a gentle smile.
He casually waved his hand, and spiritual energy descended upon the crowd, lifting every kneeling disciple to their feet.
"Rest assured."
"As long as this Zhang Daoran lives, nothing will happen to the Verdant Cloud Sect."
He then turned his gaze toward Bai Yongzheng and Wu Hao.
"Venerable Wu Hao."
"You cultivated forbidden techniques and permitted the slaughter of fellow disciples. The evidence is conclusive."
"Your cultivation shall be sealed, and you are confined to your Water-Cloud Realm for one thousand years, as a warning to others."
He shifted his eyes toward Bai Yongzheng.
"Venerable Bai Yongzheng."
"Although your objective was to gather evidence, your methods were excessively extreme and caused harm to sect disciples."
"Your cultivation shall likewise be sealed, and you are confined to your Water-Cloud Realm for one hundred years."
Finally, he looked toward Elder Wen.
"As for Elder Wen..."
"You harbored malicious intentions, robbed others of their treasures, and murdered fellow disciples."
"Your punishment is the complete destruction of both body and soul."
As he spoke, Zhang Daoran casually pointed a finger.
Elder Wen instantly disintegrated into dust.
Before a Divine Transformation cultivator, a Golden Core cultivator was as insignificant as a withered leaf—crushed into powder with the slightest touch.
"And Han Tian."
Zhang Daoran smiled.
"Your loyalty is commendable."
"You faced danger without fear."
"You deserve recognition."
"From this day onward, you are promoted to Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall."
"Beginning today, Bai Zihua will serve as the acting head of the Law Enforcement Hall."
"Han Tian will assist him."
His gaze then shifted toward the Deep Literary Pavilion.
Sweeping it with his divine sense, he discovered that virtually everyone connected to Wu Hao had already been eliminated.
He then issued another order.
"The Deep Literary Pavilion is currently short of personnel."
"Venerable Wu Hao shall temporarily serve as its executive administrator, responsible only for maintaining the Pavilion's daily operations."
"He shall have no authority to issue commands on behalf of the Deep Literary Pavilion."
Having finished making the necessary arrangements, Zhang Daoran addressed the crowd.
"Heaven cherishes all life."
"I am no different."
"Moreover, Nascent Soul Venerables are the foundation of our sect."
"If we were to lose them, our enemies would seize the opportunity to invade, and the sect's survival would be in jeopardy."
"From today onward, both Venerables will remain under my supervision and guidance."
"I will ensure that they sincerely repent, reform themselves, and make amends for their crimes."
"Very well."
"The path to immortality allows no delay."
"This matter ends here."
"No one is to continue gathering here."
"If anyone continues spreading rumors or discussing this affair, it will be considered an attempt to undermine the very foundation of the sect."
"Anyone found doing so will be expelled from the Verdant Cloud Sect."
Finally, Zhang Daoran smiled warmly.
"However..."
"Seeing all of you care so deeply for the Verdant Cloud Sect brings me great comfort."
"Therefore, beginning today, this date shall be commemorated as the Day of Justice."
"Every year on this day, the sect's criminals will be punished."
"Furthermore, during the month in which the Day of Justice falls, every disciple's contribution points earned will count for double, while redemption costs will remain unchanged."
"Continue working hard, and strive to attain the Great Dao and everlasting life as soon as possible!"
"Long live the Sect Master!"
"Long live the Verdant Cloud Sect!"
The establishment of a brand-new festival made everyone present feel as though it was something they themselves had fought to achieve.
They were filled with pride.
On top of that, contribution points earned during the month would count double.
One month's work would effectively be worth two.
Every disciple received a tangible benefit.
In an instant, the atmosphere became as lively and joyful as the New Year.
Unlike the cheering crowd, Han Tian silently watched as Zhang Daoran departed with the two Venerables.
His fists clenched so tightly that veins bulged across the backs of his hands.
'It seems the Verdant Clouds have long since been covered by dark clouds…'
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Tn: I updated the story once every 2 days, but if you want to see more chapter of this story ahead of time, please go to my Patreon.
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