52: Triumph and the sinister plot in the shadows

The Wolf King was executed, and the residual wolves scattered.

Inside Blood Wolf Valley, a heavy scent of blood permeated the air, yet it also echoed with the cheers of those who survived the ordeal. The dozen or so surviving Disciples of the Conquering Wolf Squad were all wounded and their clothes were tattered, but their eyes shone astonishingly bright, filled with pride and excitement.

They did it! They defeated the strong with the weak, completing a mission that was deemed impossible!

"Quickly, clear the battlefield and treat the wounded!" Wen Youyi issued the command, forcing himself to stand despite his nearly exhausted body. His Meridians were significantly damaged from forcibly accommodating the alien Spiritual Power, but his spirit was in a state of excitement.

Everyone immediately took action. The corpses of the Wolf King and the elite blood wolves were valuable resources: fur, bones, sharp claws, and especially the Wolf King's Demonic Core, which was worth a fortune. The injured Disciples were carefully bandaged and fed Medicinal Pills.

Upon tallying, twenty people set out, three were killed, five were severely wounded, and everyone else was injured. The cost was undeniably heavy. However, those who survived had undergone a transformation in temperament after this battle, their eyes now holding iron blood and steadfastness.

"Bring the bodies of our brothers, and the spoils of war. We... are going home!" Wen Youyi's voice was hoarse, yet it carried undeniable power.

When this battered yet high-spirited team, dragging the massive corpse of the Wolf King and other spoils, walked out of Blood Wolf Valley and started their journey back, the news had already spread like wind back to the Qingxuan Sect.

At first, there was disbelief, followed by a huge sensation!

"They actually succeeded?!"

"My heavens! A Qi Refining Sixth Layer Wolf King! How did they do it?"

"I heard that Wen Youyi's final punch gathered the strength of everyone and directly blew up the Wolf King's head!"

When Wen Youyi and the others appeared in the Sect Plaza, the entire Outer Sect felt as if a thunderclap had been thrown into their midst!

Looking at the mountain-like corpse of the Wolf King being dragged along, and looking at the Conquering Wolf Squad Disciples—though battered, they stood straight-backed with sharp eyes—all voices of doubt, ridicule, and schadenfreude instantly vanished without a trace!

What replaced them was shock, awe, and the fire of hope ignited in the eyes of countless Lower-level Disciples!

They proved with ironclad facts that the "Mutual Aid Society" was not just empty talk, and the "Cooperation Method" was not a crooked Dao! Lower-level Disciples uniting truly could create miracles!

In front of the Mission Hall, Wen Youyi handed over the Wolf King's head and the mission certificate. The Old Deacon, who had always seemed drowsy, now opened his cloudy eyes and looked deeply at Wen Youyi before handing over the generous reward—one thousand contribution points, five hundred Spirit Stones, and a Medium Grade Magical Artifact shimmering with light, the "black tortoise shield"—into his hands.

"The younger generation is formidable," the Old Deacon said, a rare four-character phrase from him.

Wen Youyi bowed in thanks, then turned to face the increasingly large crowd of Outer Sect Disciples and declared loudly: "The merit of this battle does not belong to Wen Youyi alone, but is the result of the concerted efforts of the twenty brothers in my Conquering Wolf Squad, and indeed, all Fellow Sect Members of the Mutual Aid Society! All rewards will be distributed fairly according to contribution, and compensation will be provided to the families of our fallen comrades! The door of our Mutual Aid Society is forever open to all like-minded individuals!"

These words won applause like a mountain cry and a sea roar! Especially the Lower-level Disciples felt their blood boil, sharing in the glory!

After this battle, the names "Outer Sect Disciple Mutual Aid Society" and Wen Youyi truly resounded throughout the entire Outer Sect of the Qingxuan Sect, and no one dared to underestimate them again! Even Inner Sect Disciples began to cast glances of attention.

However, some were happy, while others were troubled.

Five Elements Courtyard, Fire Cloud Child's residence.

An exquisite White Jade Teacup was violently smashed onto the floor, scattering fragments.

"Trash! A bunch of trash! You can't even deal with a rabble!" Fire Cloud Child's face was livid, his chest heaving violently. He had intended to use Blood Wolf Valley to eliminate Wen Youyi, but instead, he had contributed to the other party's prestige!

"Great Master Senior Brother, calm your anger!" A Trusted Disciple said tremblingly. "That Wen Youyi seems to have mastered some strange Combined Attack Technique that can gather the strength of many people..."

"I don't care what method he used!" Fire Cloud Child's eyes were sinister. "This child has already developed influence; we cannot let him continue to grow! Since we can't do it openly, we'll do it secretly!"

He pondered for a moment, a trace of viciousness flashing in his eyes: "Doesn't he like helping those pieces of trash? Go, release 'that piece of news'..."

The Trusted Disciple was stunned at first, then understood, a cruel smile appearing on his face: "Great Master Senior Brother is brilliant! Killing with a Borrowed Knife—even if it doesn't kill him, it will give him a run for his money!"

...D-7 Courtyard was currently filled with a celebratory atmosphere.

The compensation and reward distribution plan for the fallen Disciples was quickly finalized, fair and just, leaving all Members completely convinced. The injured Disciples received the best treatment. The remaining resources and contribution points were used as the Mutual Aid Society's public fund for future development.

Wen Youyi gave the Medium Grade Magical Artifact, the "black tortoise shield," to Zhao Iron Pillar to enhance the team's defensive capability. He himself needed more time to repair the damage to his Meridians.

Just as everyone was immersed in the joy of victory, Wang Wu approached Wen Youyi with a hint of worry.

"Junior Brother Wen, a piece of news is starting to circulate outside... It says that deep inside the 'Abandoned Mine Pit' on the edge of the Sect's territory, a light indicating the emergence of a Rare Treasure has recently flashed, suspected to be a large amount of unclaimed 'star essence gold'..."

"star essence gold?" Wen Youyi's heart stirred. That was a Supreme Material for refining high-grade Magical Artifacts and even constructing certain Formations; it might be extremely useful for his research on the Primal Array.

"Is the source of the news reliable?"

Wang Wu shook his head: "Its origin is unknown, but the rumors are detailed and convincing. I worry... could this be a trap?"

Wen Youyi's gaze narrowed slightly. The timing was too coincidental for such a tempting piece of news to spread right after they achieved a great merit.

Did someone want to use Killing with a Borrowed Knife? Or were they trying to Lure the Tiger Away from the Mountain?

He looked at the celebrating crowd in the courtyard, knowing that the real challenge might have just begun.

(End of Chapter)