Chapter 148: 獬豸冠

Adding in the thirteen ultimate soul arts, Wang Yu's upcoming learning tasks were far too numerous to leave entirely to the passive learning slot. Moreover, having just broken through his realm, the initial period would naturally prioritize passive cultivation of techniques. Only after his progress slowed would he focus on further enhancing his combat power.

He pondered for a moment.

Evasion techniques were his top priority; they needed to be learned first. With the passive learning slot, he could forcefully master them even without the aid of complementary elixirs. The Corpse Demon Secret Art was a prime example.

Next, he needed suitable Foundation Establishment-grade magical artifacts. He wouldn't have to forge them himself; he could simply commission a master from the Artifact Forging Hall.

After that was the soul-refining cultivation method, 'Ancient Soul Art.' It didn't need to be fully mastered via the passive slot; reaching the introductory level would be enough for him to cultivate it on his own. After all, many soul arts and their inheritances required a powerful soul and divine sense to maximize their effectiveness.

Next was the Cold螭 Alchemy Art. This art absolutely needed to be cultivated to the second tier; the sooner he could refine top-grade Ice Spirit Pills, the better.

After just a rough inventory, Wang Yu felt his scalp prickle. There were simply too many urgent matters to address, meaning the next few years would be spent in constant busyness—a truly delightful predicament.

Taking a deep breath, he left the Skill Transmission Hall.

Wang Yu put on the first-tier, top-grade magic robe designated for Foundation Establishment deacons. It was a moon-white robe with silver thread and subtle patterns, feeling quite comfortable on him. His accessory was a Xiezhi crown. This item was carved with the divine goat, symbolizing order and judgment, and signifying the sect's rules and enforcement authority. After changing, Wang Yu was completely transformed; a dignified aura now adorned his handsome, youthful face.

Taking flight, his destination was the Evil God Market. He intended to handle all his affairs within a single day, then dedicate himself to cultivation.

Upon arriving at the Evil God Market's Law Enforcement Hall, the elite enforcers he encountered bowed in salute. Many subtly glanced at him, seemingly trying to ascertain if they recognized him.

"Sir, are you here to..."

"I am indeed the Evil God Market's fourth Law Enforcement Deacon. I hope for your continued assistance in the future."

As the saying goes, 'everyone carries the sedan chair,' Wang Yu was quite courteous to these second-generation cultivators. After all, their elders were at least Core Formation cultivators. They came to the Law Enforcement Hall for three reasons: lucrative benefits, light duties, and similar social standing. They belonged to the same circle, starting from a vastly different position than those of humble origins. For them, a little effort could secure top-grade Foundation Establishment Pills, making the difficulty of becoming a Foundation Establishment cultivator 80% lower than for ordinary people. As for Core Formation, that was an unknown. The resources for that stage would require them to compete for themselves.

Working together in the future, there might be times he could leverage their connections. Proactively adopting a more humble approach would also make it easier to integrate, as he was a true grassroots cultivator, relying entirely on his own efforts.

"My surname is Wang, and my given name is Yu. Are Sir Zhuo, Sir Zuoqiu, and Sir Yu present?"

The disciple on guard immediately replied, "Sir Yu is here; the other two sirs should be at Qingji Tower and won't return until tomorrow."

Hearing this, Wang Yu still stepped inside. It was fine if they weren't all present; he wouldn't be leaving the sect anytime soon, so he could communicate with them eventually.

The Law Enforcement Hall was a typical symmetrical rectangular building. Entering from the front, long corridors ran along both sides, raised a foot from the ground, open from front to back, adorned with bamboo mats and wind chimes. It was divided into four main areas. The foremost was the courtyard, serving as the facade. Due to the spiritual gathering array, a faint mist of spiritual energy drifted in the air. Artificial rockeries, man-made streams, and colorful koi swimming within made it feel more like a private residence than a public office, suggesting it had been renovated.

The second area was the office zone, which included a judgment hall, a torture chamber, temporary detention cells, and a small open space specifically for public viewing.

The third area was the living quarters, which could only be described as luxurious, far more opulent than Su Zhenchuan's courtyard on Cold Blood Peak. It was clear now—it had definitely been renovated!

The fourth area was the prison zone, which was not only fortified with numerous formations and restrictions but also featured biological traps on its outermost layer, housing a low-tier third-grade Ghost Hand Vine and two Stone Lions of Insight. The Ghost Hand Vine typically resembled a dark-colored creeper. However, if anyone rashly entered the prison without holding a token or attempted to escape, it would demonstrate true cruelty. The Stone Lions of Insight were unique beings, spirits formed from stone, belonging to the class of elemental spirits. Their eyes possessed the ability to see through illusions, allowing them to discern the authenticity of tokens, whether an incoming person's identity was disguised, and so on. They preferred to remain still. To the Stone Lions of Insight, standing there, enduring wind and rain, was akin to the daily activities of humans; they enjoyed it.

And this place would be Wang Yu's future office and cultivation spot, so he naturally needed to understand it thoroughly.

"Sir Yu."

Just as he crossed the threshold of the third area, Wang Yu called out from a distance. Although he had broken through to Foundation Establishment, and Yu Xing was only at the third layer of Foundation Establishment, proper etiquette could not be overlooked. The 'Three Young Masters of Rebellious Spirits' held significant prestige.

"Wang Yu?!"

First surprise, then confusion, followed by shock—Yu Xing vividly displayed these three stages of emotional change before him. He quickly walked over, continuously scrutinizing him.

"My goodness, you actually succeeded! You didn't use the Foundation Seizing Grand Art, did you?"

Wang Yu shook his head, "The Demonic Embryo Profound Origin Secret Incantation. To cultivate this secret art, I endured immense hardship and almost got lost in the evil thoughts of the Heavenly Demons."

"You really are a freak. Well, that's good." With that, Yu Xing suddenly pulled out a communication jade slip and sent a message to Zhuo Shouqing and Zuoqiu Ming. Only then did he continue speaking to him, "So, you spent these past few years cultivating this incantation?"

"Yes, and I also verified its effects and made a trip home. It's a long story; let's discuss it once Sir Zhuo and Sir Zuoqiu return."

"Alright then."

Zuoqiu Ming and Zhuo Shouqing arrived quickly, disheveled, their fair skin marked with lipstick and fragrant kisses, their hair messy. This time, Zuoqiu Ming's hair was purple. He seemed even more excited than Wang Yu, who had just mastered the secret incantation.

"Brother Wang, I knew I hadn't misjudged you! It wasn't in vain that your older brother worked so hard to get you this secret incantation. From now on, just stick with your Brother Ming."

"Hey, hey, hey—"

"What are you doing? What are you doing?! Wang Yu is my subordinate! What do you mean by that?"

Zhuo Shouqing grabbed Zuoqiu Ming and mercilessly landed two solid blows on his handsome face, as if it had been premeditated. Zuoqiu Ming couldn't take it anymore.

"Zhuo Shouqing! You're just jealous of my face! What about your subordinate? If it weren't for me, you would have given up on Brother Wang, wouldn't you? See? He's back, full of vital essence, his lifespan extended by at least 150 years. And now you're jumping in to snatch him from me. What are you trying to do? Bully me?"

Wang Yu watched the two of them playfully bicker, feeling a slight twinge of envy. He also had brothers, blood relatives even, but unfortunately, they were already 'absorbed.' They were wholeheartedly helping him enter a higher realm. That wasn't bad either.

"Alright, alright, Wang Yu is still here. Don't make a spectacle of yourselves." Yu Xing couldn't help but speak, interrupting their argument. He was considered the most rational among the 'Three Young Masters of Rebellious Spirits,' rarely swayed by emotions. More often than not, he acted as the mediator among the three, and was the crucial link that kept their friendship intact.

"Hmph."

"Hmph!"

"Didn't you two notice the change in Wang Yu's attire? Don't you want to hear the story of what happened to him during this time?"

That remark proved effective. Once the three were seated, Wang Yu slowly began to recount his tale, attributing the deaths of Old Man Ning and the others entirely to the traveling Sword Sect disciple. He primarily emphasized his experiences in the latter half in the Dry Leaf Marsh. As for the Joyful Union Sect's actions in the Black Mountain Demon Lands and the matter of the Lust Demon, he only mentioned them in passing. For example, he claimed to have discovered Old Man Ning secretly capturing young women and selling them to unknown places, and that their demise at the hands of the Sword Sect disciple was due to this. This implicated him, but he didn't dare investigate, which led to the subsequent events in the Dry Leaf Marsh. Anyway, regarding living witnesses, apart from Chang Xi, everyone else was dead, so he could fabricate anything he wanted, as long as the logic was sound.

The others had no particular reaction after listening, only Yu Xing showed a thoughtful expression.

"Tell us about that Sword Sect disciple. Were they strong? Were they beautiful?!" Zuoqiu Ming pressed.

"You killed a mid-Foundation Establishment Sword Sect disciple??" Zhuo Shouqing asked. Their points of focus were completely different.

Wang Yu sighed. "Sir Zhuo, I was merely lucky. While searching for me, he unexpectedly fought a late-tier second-grade Alligator Dragon. There was also an early-tier second-grade Alligator Dragon assisting. I merely got lucky and seized an opportunity. As for Sir Zuoqiu's question, I..."

Before he could finish, Zhuo Shouqing spoke. "Why bother answering such an inappropriate question? And stop calling us 'Sir' from now on. You're a Foundation Establishment cultivator now, so just call us 'Brother.'"

Wang Yu immediately seized the opportunity and responded, "Brother Zhuo, Brother Ming, Brother Yu."

"Aye~"

Zuoqiu Ming grinned from ear to ear. "From now on, you're our fourth brother. Whatever you need, your brothers will help you."

Yu Xing, standing nearby, frowned. He wanted to refuse but didn't want to make his brothers lose face, so he ultimately remained silent. His impression of Wang Yu was neutral. However, he was quite averse to sycophants and flatterers, which made his own identity feel like a mockery, considering the three of them were the infamous 'Three Young Masters of Rebellious Spirits.'

"Oh, right, I haven't asked where you got that attire. Are you planning to become a Law Enforcement Deacon?"

"Yes, right here at the Evil God Market."

"Excellent, excellent. You'll live in the hall from now on. Old Yu, let Wang Four take charge of the hall from now on, hehe."

Zuoqiu Ming winked at his two brothers. His intentions were obvious to a blind man: he was treating Wang Yu as free labor to free them from their boring lives. Wang Yu didn't mind this idea at all; in fact, he was quite pleased. He needed time to cultivate, and being in charge was perfectly suitable, allowing him to occasionally lead enforcement teams to earn extra income.

"Let's arrange it this way for now."

Yu Xing concluded the conversation. Noticing that Wang Yu seemed to have something more to say, he proactively pulled his two brothers outside, likely intending to discuss something privately.