The Sect Leader's Bizarre Recruitment Chapter 138: Keeping Secrets from Me? (Part 1) - Novel Cool

Chapter 138: Keeping Secrets from Me? (Part 1)

Chapter 138: Keeping Secrets from Me? (Part 1)

"Is this the Moonseizing Sect?"

"A third-tier sect?!"

"This is ridiculous! Even if it wasn't our Fire Virtue Sect, I doubt even the Beast Taming Sect could have such a scene!"

"Countless Eight Treasures Chickens and Ducks?!"

Huo Kunlun was dumbfounded.

Even if it was just a small flock.

But he could see clearly that there were both male and female birds, and they seemed to be in a state of bliss. Moreover, two of them were mating, which meant they could reproduce on their own?!

Which third-tier sect would treat the Ancient Eight Treasures as ordinary poultry?!

Even a sacred land might not be able to witness such a scene.

Was the Moonseizing Sect going against the heavens?!

"Holy shit!"

Huo Kunlun couldn't help but exclaim in shock.

He even felt that all the times he had said 'holy shit' in his life didn't compare to the past half hour.

Soon after, he began to fantasize.

If these creatures were from their Fire Virtue Sect, how wonderful would that be?

He would be grinning from ear to ear, right?

Unfortunately, they belonged to someone else.

Huo Kunlun couldn't bring himself to smile anymore.

Instead, he felt incredibly heavy-hearted and miserable.

Even his steps became slow and heavy.

...

"Ah, what a relief!"

Zhao Tiezhu successfully broke through, becoming a Great Power Practitioner.

He couldn't help but let out a long, earth-shattering roar to the heavens.

But soon, he restrained himself.

"This won't do. I mustn't make too much noise and disturb the cute little fellows of the Moonseizing Sect's cultivation. Well, I'm happy, and that's all that matters."

He emerged from his breakthrough.

He sensed that Jin Zhen and Ma Canzhan, who had felt his breakthrough, were already waiting outside his cave abode.

"Congratulations!" Jin Zhen laughed heartily. "After all these years, Third Elder, you've finally taken that extra step and attained the Great Power stage."

"Our Fire Virtue Sect will become stronger because of you."

"Indeed," Ma Canzhan sighed with mixed emotions. "This moment reminds me of the past, when we were young and in a brilliant era..."

"We've secretly worried about you all these years, but now we can finally put our minds at ease."

"It's fate, and destiny."

Zhao Tiezhu sighed, "I was almost in despair, but I never expected that by chance, in the Moonseizing Sect... Alas, this debt of gratitude is hard to repay."

"I can only repay it by working harder in the Moonseizing Sect, teaching more disciples, and repaying this debt, right?"

He was happy, but also filled with mixed emotions.

Breaking through was a great joy, and staying stuck for so many years before attaining Great Power was a cause for celebration, even if he got drunk for three days straight.

But then, he thought about the debt he owed, and how could he ever repay it?

"You want to repay it?"

As someone who had been through this, Jin Zhen and Ma Canzhan could only smile helplessly. "You can't repay it."

"Unless you're willing to leave immediately, you'll never be able to repay it in your lifetime."

"Of course, there's another possibility, and that's if we die. Death erases debts, or if the Moonseizing Sect were to be destroyed by an irresistible force..."

"How could that be?"

Zhao Tiezhu didn't believe it. "Why can't it be repaid in a lifetime?"

"Hmph."

Ma Canzhan laughed mockingly. "You'll understand in time."

"Not bad."

Jin Zhen stroked his beard, his expression unreadable.

"Good!"

"You're all indeed here!"

"Yes, yes, yes!"

As they were chatting, they heard a voice filled with anger and familiarity, causing them to stiffen and their scalps to tingle. Even as Great Power Practitioners, their legs, nearly making them flee in panic.

"Sect... Sect Leader?!"

They looked at the rapidly approaching Huo Kunlun in confusion, their minds going blank.

"Why has the Sect Leader come here personally?"

"What should we do now?"

"Damn it! We're doomed! Doomed!"

They were almost in despair.

Huo Kunlun's anger was palpable.

He had been looking for someone to ask about the three elders' whereabouts, and just as he heard Zhao Tiezhu's roar, he immediately followed the sound.

But when he saw the three elders chatting and laughing, he was furious and laughed instead.

"Good, good, good! You three, you're having a great time, aren't you!"

"The Fire Virtue Sect is busy and needs people, yet you're all hiding here without a word. If others didn't know better, they'd think you were elders of the Moonseizing Sect!"

"You broke through?"

"Oh? Third Elder, you did indeed break through, you didn't lie to me."

Huo Kunlun was both mentally and physically shaken.

He had truly broken through?!

This was wonderful news.

But...

His anger remained, and it couldn't be extinguished just because the Third Elder had broken through.

"You dare to hide this from me, the Sect Leader? Have you no conscience?!"

"Hide from you?"

Zhao Tiezhu shivered and said awkwardly, "Sect Leader, we don't know what you're talking about. We didn't hide anything from you. Besides, you saw it yourself—I had a sudden realization, and I just broke through..."

"Yes, Sect Leader, I can testify," Jin Zhen quickly spoke up for him. "The Third Elder just broke through. That roar earlier was his breakthrough, and he couldn't hold it in."

"I can testify too!" Ma Canzhan stepped forward. "Sect Leader, you know me. If he were lying, I'd expose him, not agree with him."

"It's true!"

"And there's something else."

Ma Canzhan continued, "Sect Leader, this is..."

"This... well..."

"Ahem, I also had a sudden realization and am about to break through. So, I want to stay here temporarily and have the First and Third Elders protect me during my breakthrough. After I break through, we can return together, how about that?"

Hearing this, Huo Kunlun's anger intensified.

"Good, good, good! You're taking me for a fool!"

"Such deep friendship!"

"But don't take the Sect Leader for a fool!"

"Am I that foolish?"

"On this journey, I've learned what I needed to know, and what I didn't, I've now learned!"

"You still want to deceive the Sect Leader?"

"You're simply shameless!"

"What?!"

The three men were even more shocked, their voices trembling as they spoke.

The Great Elder cautiously probed, "Sect Leader, what do you know?"

"What do I know?"

Hu Kunlun scoffed, "I know everything!"

"Are you not ashamed of using someone else's potent pills to break through?"

"Huh?!"

"After all, I'm an Elder of the Fire Virtue Sect, a high-ranking elder, yet you shamelessly linger at the Moon Holding Sect, even attending classes together, right?"

"Where's your dignity?!"

"You're all old men, why are you acting like this?"

"How will others view you, and how will they view our Fire Virtue Sect?"

A torrent of scolding left the three men drenched in humiliation, resembling three quails with their heads lowered and huddled together, not daring to lift their eyes to meet Hu Kunlun's gaze.

"Huh?!"

"Why don't you speak up?!"

"Why does our Fire Virtue Sect have three elders like you?!"

"Neglecting your own disciples, when asked to teach at the Fire Virtue Sect, you always have excuses to evade it. Even when you do teach, your attitude is terrible, and your teachings are overly abstract."

"But at the Moon Holding Sect, you're closer than your own grandchildren! Along the way, I've heard nothing but praise for you, saying how well you teach and how amiable your temperaments are."

"With such a disposition, why don't you teach at the Fire Virtue Sect?"

"Which sect are you elders of, huh?!"

"Speak up!!!"

"Do you even have sect rules? Do you have any sense of law?"

"Where's your morality?"

"Where's your character?"

"Where's your dignity?"

"Where are the pills?!"

"Huh?!"

The trio was almost stunned into silence, never expecting such a response. After all, they knew they were in the wrong, and while the issue might seem minor on a smaller scale, it was undoubtedly significant on a larger one.

Therefore, they were prepared to bear the scolding without retorting.

As the saying goes, when you're in the wrong, you must admit it, and when you're about to be beaten, you must stand firm.

Having committed this act, they naturally had to face the consequences.

But then...

Suddenly, a voice broke the silence, causing the three men to raise their heads in surprise, their faces filled with bewilderment.

Hu Kunlun, with spittle flying and eyes blazing, continued his tirade.

"Didn't you hear me?!"

"Are your ears deaf?!"

Hu Kunlun unleashed another round of scolding.

"Ahem."

Jin Zhen took out a jade bottle, "There's not much left."

"Let me see!"

Could it be true? So, he hadn't guessed wrong; there were indeed pills, and they had worked so hard for them. The quality must be exceptional!

If there wasn't much left, then there was still some remaining?

How many had they given away? Hu Kunlun was secretly astonished, but his expression remained 'ferocious' as he snatched the jade bottle and opened it.

He didn't even need to use his spiritual sense.

Closing his left eye, he peered into the bottle with his right.

"Dao Fusion Pills..."

"Twelve of them?!"

"Five seventh-rank, six sixth-rank, and one fifth-rank!!!"

Wow! The sight before him made Hu Kunlun's expression change dramatically.

Even though he had prepared himself for this outburst and was determined not to waver, this sight still shocked him.

For a moment, even his convictions began to crumble.

His heart silently roared.

"You call this not much left?!"

"Are you saying you consumed many before this?"

"At least they're all fifth-rank and above. Such high-quality pills, far exceeding ten in number... Are you trying to defy the heavens?!"

"Even if I'm the Sect Leader of the Fire Virtue Sect, and even if our sect has abundant resources, pills of this quality aren't something you can easily purchase, right?"

"They're priceless!!!"

"Fifth-rank pills are occasionally available for a hefty price, but sixth-rank? I haven't seen them in years! Seventh-rank? I've never even tasted them!!!"

"And you, you have five seventh-rank pills left?!"

"You're saying these pills are that fragrant?"

"And their effects are that good?"

"Damn it... I'm..."

"Holy sht!"

His heart screamed 'holy sht' once more.

Hu Kunlun was completely stunned.

He had thought he was mentally prepared, his defenses fortified, but at this moment, they were utterly shattered.

In fact, he suddenly understood Jin Zhen and the others.

Not to mention them.

Even if it were him...

Unless the Fire Virtue Sect had an urgent matter requiring his presence, he wouldn't want to return either!

Ahem.

He forced himself to calm down, collecting his thoughts and managing his expression.

However, his hand gripping the jade bottle refused to let go.

He then asked without expression, "Do you have any?"

Ma Canzhan scratched his head, "Yes, but not as many as the Great Elder."

Sigh, if only I had acted faster last time.

Next time, I'll be the first to rush forward!

"I don't have any left."

Zhao Tiezhu smiled helplessly, "I've just arrived at the Moon Holding Sect, how could I ask for many pills? I've already used them all for my breakthrough, but..."

Hu Kunlun's heart skipped a beat.

Damn it! He had just arrived at the Moon Holding Sect and had received enough pills for his breakthrough. What treatment...

I'm envious!

"But what?"

"However, if I can gather some materials, I can ask Miss Ling'er to refine some for me."

"What's the success rate?" Hu Kunlun's heart raced.

That's right, that's right, that's exactly it!

This is the feeling!

I knew it!

"We're not sure about the success rate." The three men shook their heads, "But we have a good relationship with Miss Ling'er and the Moon Holding Sect."

"Miss Ling'er has granted us a fifth-rank guarantee."

"One set of materials can produce at least one fifth-rank pill."

"What?!"

Hu Kunlun's voice rose by eighteen degrees.

Wow, a fifth-rank guarantee?

What the hell? The best alchemist we have a good relationship with, the Fire Virtue Sect, can only guarantee a Third Rank at best? And they're so busy that they can't even make a few batches of the Dao Fusion Pills throughout the year...

But here...

"Can we really get a Fifth Rank guarantee with whatever amount we offer?"

"Yes." Jin Zhen nodded. "At least, that was the case before."

"And the efficiency is incredibly high!" Ma Canzhan chimed in from the side.

Previously, they tried to conceal this information.

But now that it's exposed, there's no need to hide it.

In fact, they even went as far as to boast about Xiao Ling'er.

The more they praised her, the lighter their 'sin' would be.

It's not that we're shameless or immoral, and it's not that we haven't seen the world; Xiao Ling'er is indeed exceptional, and these pills... they smell so good!

"If we provide the materials today, perhaps tomorrow we can get pills from her, with a Fifth Rank guarantee at the very least. Occasionally, there might even be some Sixth Rank pills mixed in."

"What about Seventh Rank?"

Occasionally there are Sixth Rank pills? Huo Kunlun grasped the key point.

Jin Zhen still had five Seventh Rank pills!

Huo Kunlun stared at the jade bottle in Jin Zhen's hand, saying, "Those were obtained with my life on the line."

"Tell us the details!"

"It's like this. When the Moon Holding Palace encountered a crisis, I couldn't stand by and did something about it..."

"These Seventh Rank pills were intentionally kept by me. I consumed the lower-quality ones first, and when I was about to break through or reach a higher realm, I would take the higher-quality pills." Jin Zhen explained with a bitter smile.

"That's how it happened."

What this meant was... those Seventh Rank pills were obtained with his life, and he hadn't even consumed them yet.

You, as the Sect Leader, shouldn't take advantage of this, right?

Huo Kunlun's eyebrows furrowed, and his thoughts raced.

At this moment, he didn't know what to say.

He was shocked and his mind was in turmoil.

Xiao Ling'er is she even human?

Her talent and skills in alchemy are too formidable!

And because she helped the Moon Holding Palace, she gets such good treatment?

This... this... this...

What should I, as the Sect Leader, do now?

He struggled to make a decision, his expression changing from moment to moment.

Just then, a familiar voice full of joy reached them from a distance.

Xiao Ling'er has returned!

Huo Yun'er's face turned pale.

Huo Kunlun glanced at her, "You didn't lie, but now she's back. I'll go to her myself; you don't need to lead the way."

Without waiting for a response, Huo Kunlun rode the clouds and mist to 'intercept' Xiao Ling'er.

Huo Yun'er panicked and grabbed him, "Father, don't go!"

"This has nothing to do with her. I'll go with you, and I won't come out again."

However.

Huo Kunlun completely ignored her.

The vast difference in their cultivation levels rendered Huo Yun'er's efforts futile. Instead, she was pulled along as well.

Jin Zhen and the others smiled bitterly, but they had no choice but to follow. They communicated through sound transmission, "What should we do?"

"Let's see what the Sect Leader does. He shouldn't be too impulsive."

"No, we must stop him at all costs.

"This is our fault, not Ling'er's. If there's any punishment, it should be directed at us, not Miss Ling'er. She shouldn't suffer any undeserved..."

"What did I just see?!"

The three of them were perplexed, and suddenly, they were stunned.

They watched as Huo Kunlun, with Huo Yun'er in tow, approached Xiao Ling'er with a domineering attitude. They held their breath, thinking Huo Kunlun was about to lose his temper...

But to their surprise, he suddenly smiled and greeted Xiao Ling'er with a bow, saying, "Miss Ling'er, we meet again."

"During the trip to the Imperial City, did this young lady cause you any trouble?"

"As her father, I should apologize to you first."

Huo Yun'er, who was filled with mixed emotions, was stunned.

"Huh? (⊙o⊙)???"

Even Jin Zhen and the others, who had been prepared to stop Huo Kunlun no matter what, were taken aback.

"Huh?"

Σ(⊙▽⊙"Huh?!"

This isn't what we expected at all!

You just scolded us like crazy and put on such a domineering attitude. We thought you were going to scold her, or even take action against her! But your mood swing is too fast, isn't it?!"

As they were left dumbfounded, Xiao Ling'er was also surprised, "Sect Leader Huo?"

"Why are you here?"

"Why are you calling me Sect Leader Huo? That's too distant! I don't like it!" Huo Kunlun pretended to be unhappy. "You and Yun'er are like sisters, and you even saved her life. If you don't mind, just call me 'Uncle' from now on."

"Come, Yun'er, you've been telling me you want to play with Ling'er, right? Now that she's back, go and play."

He gave her a push.

Huo Yun'er flew towards Xiao Ling'er uncontrollably.

"Ling'er!"

Huo Yun'er's eyes widened, and her mind was filled with question marks.

What's going on?

Xiao Ling'er was unaware of what had just transpired and couldn't help but feel delighted. "Yun'er."

Huo Yun'er: "Er..."

"I came to play with you."

Bewildered, she could only respond in this way.

(End of Chapter)

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