Chapter 680: Bribery

Dai Bufan had never before heard of a demonic cult proactively offering benefits.

"Are the demonic cults treating you two as their protective umbrellas, or what's going on? I persecute demonic cults daily, yet I never see them beg for mercy or try to bribe me."

"You can't call it a bribe," Meng Jingzhou corrected. "It's just that they offered it to us willingly, and we were too embarrassed to refuse."

"Besides, bribery crimes target government officials, and Lao Lu and I are legitimate commoners," Lu Yang added. "We endured humiliation and reluctantly accepted gifts to infiltrate the enemy's ranks."

Dai Bufan was speechless.

"Never mind, never mind. Here's all the intelligence on the Blazing Sun Cult. You two can study it."

Dai Bufan handed them a large stack of dossiers, telling them to read them there and return them when finished. He saw it as pre-training for future hall masters and their deputies.

He still had many pressing matters to attend to.

The Ask-The-Dao Sect's new round of recruitment was only a few months away. Last time, they hadn't prepared adequately, leading to the admission of Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou—two juniors who constantly caused him anxiety—while promising talents like Bai Ming and Lan Ting were recruited early by other sects. This time, Dai Bufan decided to scout ahead for good prospects with excellent character, temperament, and talent. His immediate task was to find these individuals within the vast intelligence gathered by the Boundless Sea and Cloud Mist Pavilion.

Many details about the Blazing Sun Cult were impossible to conceal. For instance, they regularly sent two Integration-stage cultivators to their deaths on the sun, they wished everyone to worship the sun, and they considered the Osmanthus Immortal Palace their primary adversary.

The Blazing Sun Cult had been established for sixty thousand years and had researched the sun for just as long. It was imaginable how profound their understanding of sun-based cultivation techniques had become.

However, no matter how profound, it certainly couldn't compare to Lu Yang's knowledge. In the recently acquired study of the Immortal Fairy, there was a clear exposition of the Ninefold Immortal's understanding of both Yin and Yang energies. No matter how powerful the Blazing Sun Cult was, could they possibly surpass a Ninefold Immortal who possessed the Dao Fruit of Yin and Yang?

Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou spent three full days studying, finally thoroughly grasping all the intelligence on the Blazing Sun Cult.

"Finished reading?" Dai Bufan raised an eyebrow. With a thought, the Blazing Sun Cult's dossiers automatically returned to their original places. "More or less."

"How many elders will you need to accompany you?" Dai Bufan would certainly not allow two Nascent Soul cultivators to meet a demonic cult leader alone; it was far too dangerous.

"Four elders."

"Alright, wait here. I'll contact them for you."

Dai Bufan rose and left the Mission Hall to invite elders from various peaks. Upon hearing another chance to become a Guardian Heavenly King, the elders' attitudes grew increasingly enthusiastic, almost leading to a brawl. Fortunately, Dai Bufan's persuasion led them to agree to decide by drawing lots. Ultimately, Elder Ba, Third Elder, Fourth Elder, and Seventh Elder were chosen to accompany Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou.

Meanwhile, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou took out their respective tokens, notified the two cult leaders, and then selected a restaurant for their meeting two days later. The Heavenly Court Cult held the initiative regarding the meeting and gift exchange. Both cult leaders quickly responded, confirming their attendance.

Two days later, the restaurant was reserved, and the three cults gathered once more.

Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou sat in the main seats, with four towering Guardian Heavenly Kings standing behind them. The Heavenly Kings' tiger-like eyes were wide, exuding an imposing aura without needing to rage, subtly oppressing those present.

Mu Baiyi and Cult Leader Chi had not expected to see each other there, creating an awkward silence. Cult Leader Chi also hadn't anticipated the presence of Young Cult Leader Lu. Weren't Young Cult Leader Lu and Saint Son Long supposed to have a rift? Why was he giving Saint Son Long a gift privately, and why had Young Cult Leader Lu accompanied him? Could there have been some change he was unaware of?

"It's been many days since we last met, and both of you are still as impressive as ever, ha ha ha ha." Cult Leader Chi clasped his fists, greeting them as an equal, and was the first to break the awkwardness.

Behind Cult Leader Chi stood two young, delicate maidservants, whose skin was so tender it seemed one could pinch water from it. Cult Leader Chi gave a subtle nod, and the two maidservants obediently walked over to Meng Jingzhou, acting completely submissive, which made Meng Jingzhou's eyelid twitch.

"Cult Leader Chi, what is the meaning of this?"

"Just a small token. Both you and I cultivate pure Yang-type techniques, which require periodic venting of energy. Consider these two girls a welcoming gift. Please accept them, Saint Son Long."

Cult Leader Chi thought that merely offering cultivation techniques might not sway Saint Son Long, so he decided to sweeten the deal.

Meng Jingzhou naturally wouldn't accept them and feigned anger, saying, "Are you perhaps trying to use this opportunity to plant two spies by my side?" Cult Leader Chi quickly replied, "Saint Son Long, please calm your anger. I assure you I had no such intention."

Regardless of Cult Leader Chi's persuasion, Meng Jingzhou remained wary and refused to accept the two maidservants. Seeing Saint Son Long's firm stance, Cult Leader Chi could only give up and have the maidservants return.

Meng Jingzhou narrowed his eyes. "Cult Leader Chi, do you truly possess a method to enhance the absorption of solar power?"

Cult Leader Chi hadn't expected his previous actions to create a rift with Saint Son Long, which was contrary to his original intention.

Lu Yang chuckled and patted Meng Jingzhou's shoulder. "You're overthinking it. How would Cult Leader Chi dare to scheme against us? There's nothing of the sort."

Seeing Lu Yang smoothing things over, Cult Leader Chi looked at him with a hint of gratitude, then took out a wooden box with a restriction spell on its surface. He deactivated the restriction, revealing several books inside the box, which were cultivation techniques that utilized solar power.

Fourth Elder stepped forward, flipped through the techniques, then turned and respectfully told Meng Jingzhou, "Saint Son, these are indeed cultivation techniques that harness solar power. They can be used as reference."

Meng Jingzhou casually hummed in acknowledgment and waved his hand impatiently. "Then take them."

Cult Leader Chi hadn't prepared a gift for Lu Yang, so he hastily retrieved some precious heavenly materials and earthly treasures from his storage ring. "Young Cult Leader Lu, please accept these."

Lu Yang recognized the items with a glance and chuckled. "Hundred-Herb Pills, True Dragon Remains, Ginseng King's Tendrils... Cult Leader Chi, you're too thoughtful. I won't stand on ceremony then."

Seventh Elder stepped forward from the side to accept the treasures on Lu Yang's behalf.

Mu Baiyi saw the effort Cult Leader Chi had put in. If his own gifts were inferior, it might leave a bad impression on the Heavenly Court Cult. This was likely the real reason the Heavenly Court Cult had brought both of their cults together.

With a pang of regret, Mu Baiyi took out his cherished treasures from his storage ring and presented them to Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, who accepted everything. After the two cult leaders finished giving their gifts, they suddenly spoke in unison: "I have a matter to inquire about."

They glared at each other.

Lu Yang raised a hand with a chuckle, signaling them not to rush. "There's plenty of time; one at a time. How about this: Cult Leader Chi spoke first just now, so this time, let Cult Leader Mu speak first. What do you two think?" Cult Leader Chi could only agree.

Mu Baiyi asked, "Our barbecue restaurant is thriving, bringing in immense wealth daily, but the imperial taxes are too high. Young Cult Leader Lu, do you know of any solution?"

Mu Baiyi immediately tried to pull Lu Yang into his camp.

The four Guardian Heavenly Kings frowned internally. This was an unexpected question; how should they answer it? Lu Yang smiled but didn't reply, instead turning to Cult Leader Chi: "And you?"

"Well, as Young Cult Leader Lu knows, our Blazing Sun Cult has been researching solar power to make people believe in the sun. Recently, we've attempted to ascend to the sun multiple times without success. Does Young Cult Leader Lu have any suggestions?"

Cult Leader Chi was anxious. If the ascent to the sun failed again, he would have to resort to tax evasion and hide in prison for decades to escape.

The four Guardian Heavenly Kings frowned inwardly once more. What solution could there possibly be? The sun was supremely strong and rigid; anyone who touched it would die. Did the Blazing Sun Cult want Yun Zhi to intervene?

Hearing this, Lu Yang interlaced his fingers, placed them on his chest, and leaned back slightly against the chair. "The problems both your organizations face can actually be solved with one method."

"Cult Leader Chi, have you heard of solar energy?"