485: Chapter 485 Dispelling the Test

After Zhou Yan's immature attempts at provocation backfired one after another, he realized that they were on different levels and couldn't be bothered to stir up trouble anymore.

For a moment, the atmosphere eased significantly, and the conversation between the two increased.

In the subsequent conversation, Zhou Yan learned that King Dong was previously a mid-level cadre at the Lianxing Pavilion, and only later, after getting to know a Senior from the Truth Cult, was he poached to serve in management.

Once these words were spoken, Zhou Yan understood the other party's meaning.

King Dong was implying that he still had connections within the Lianxing Pavilion and knew about the relationship between the Taiyi Sect and the Lianxing Pavilion, which was why he had been so polite to him all along.

At the same time, he did not forget to mention that he also had backing within the Truth Cult, revealing his trump card.

Compared to Zhou Yan's direct method of provocation, King Dong had made the point clear with just a few casual remarks.

After understanding this, Zhou Yan wisely refrained from bringing up what exactly was going on with the guy downstairs.

After all, if he really brought it up, he might not necessarily gain the upper hand again, and given the other party's eloquence, he would certainly have a retort ready.

Rather than letting the other party shift the blame, it was better to let him swallow his words and let him make up for it himself later.

After all, regardless of whether the matter had anything to do with Tang Pu, it ultimately happened downstairs from him.

As long as Zhou Yan didn't bring it up proactively, Tang Pu would have to guess his attitude on his own.

For a smart person like this, the best method was to stop talking if you couldn't out-talk them, and let them fill in the blanks themselves.

After probing each other, the content of their conversation gradually became more relaxed, and they began to chat about this and that.

What Tang Pu had said earlier about skipping the getting-to-know-you phase was just a casual remark.

In fact, it hadn't been skipped; the two were still probing each other, and only now did they get to the main topic.

"The thing about being conferred as a King, due to some reasons, its value has decreased quite a bit."

"But overall, the threshold is still there. To be conferred as a King, one must meet at least three requirements."

"The first is that one's own strength must meet the standard. The previous threshold was either a Soul Transformation Late Stage Cultivator with potential for the Body Integration Stage, or someone at the Body Integration Stage or above."

"The former is more of a special promotion channel, a 'radish-hole' position—one hole for one King—but it mainly relies on the latter type of promotion path."

"But now the requirements have been relaxed quite a bit; as long as one is a Soul Transformation Cultivator with potential for the Body Integration Stage, the conditions can be met."

"According to my current understanding of your sect—"

"Your sect's honored God is at the Soul Transformation cultivation level, and your sect's Elder Zhang is also a veteran Soul Transformation Cultivator."

"As for you, Fellow Daoist... your sect's Sect Master only mentioned that you have Soul Transformation cultivation, and I am not very clear on your specific strength, so I only filled it in as Soul Transformation Early Stage."

"Conservatively estimating, your sect has at least three Soul Transformation Cultivators whose average strength far exceeds the local Soul Transformation Cultivators of the Eastern Region. The Taiyi Sect can be considered to have a bit of a reputation in the Eastern Region."

"Therefore, I fully believe that the Taiyi Sect has the ability to cultivate someone at the Body Integration Stage."

"As for the second and third, one is completing a trial, and the other is having a recommendation from someone else."

"I am the recommender, so the third requirement is naturally met. And as for things like trials, I assume you wouldn't like them, Fellow Daoist, so I sent someone to take the exam in your identity and pass it."

Originally, upon hearing Tang Pu say that he still had to go through a trial, Zhou Yan had already lost interest.

After all, it was a Demonic Sect; who knew what the other party wanted to do. But upon hearing the follow-up, the other party had already handled everything, even managing to pass the trial by proxy.

This was essentially laying out the condition of "As long as he comes, he will be conferred as a King." Compared to the 'radish-hole' position he mentioned, this was actually more like a 'radish-hole' position.

After listening, Zhou Yan pondered for a moment before speaking.

"Fellow Daoist, you are, after all, at the Body Integration Stage."

"Although the Taiyi Sect has developed well in the short term and the momentum is fast, it is impossible for you, Fellow Daoist, not to know how we quickly made our fortune."

"Yet, not only are you not angry, Fellow Daoist, but your sincerity is also so great."

Saying this, Zhou Yan did not continue but looked at Tang Pu, the meaning self-evident.

King Dong smiled and gave a response.

"After all, it is a Demonic Sect; the law of the jungle is normal."

"They attacked you, Fellow Daoist, and were killed in return; they deserved it. Who told them they couldn't hold onto their own foundation and were always thinking of causing trouble."

"During that time, the Truth Cult was already having some incidents, and I even specifically told them not to cause trouble, yet they still did so."

"Even if you hadn't killed them, Fellow Daoist, if they had fallen into my hands, they wouldn't have ended up well either. After all, I dare not keep subordinates who don't listen and are always plotting their own little schemes."

"So, in terms of interests, we do not conflict."

"As for helping you, Fellow Daoist, I naturally have my reasons. During this period, major events in the Truth Cult have been happening one after another, and I really cannot handle it all by myself."

"Being able to have the help of a leader of a major power like you, Fellow Daoist, will make things much easier for me, and we can continue to carry out many collaborations in the future."

"So, paying the price of a quota for being conferred as a King for this is naturally not expensive."

Zhou Yan suddenly thought of something and couldn't help but feel moved, but he suppressed his excitement and asked calmly.

"Oh? Major events? What kind of major events?"

At this point, King Dong finally put away his signature smile and instead revealed a bit of sorrow.

He did not answer Zhou Yan's question directly but said.

"Many things regarding being conferred as a King are hard requirements. I have handled everything for you, Fellow Daoist; anyone with depth would have doubts."

"Then, if I myself have a hidden agenda and am willing to clarify it, I presume you, Fellow Daoist, can easily accept my goodwill and be willing to come and help me shoulder some responsibilities."

"So, you, Fellow Daoist, cleared all obstacles for me to be conferred as a King because there is an important matter you need me to help with?"

Zhou Yan responded casually, but in his heart, he had already begun to calculate whether it was the matter he had guessed.

"That is exactly right."

"This is a mission from the School of Life, but the school is now withering, and I cannot handle it alone."

"So, it just so happens that I can assign one to you, Fellow Daoist, treating it as merging all the conditions for being conferred as a King into this one matter."

"In fact, you, Fellow Daoist, already have the authority to be conferred as a King. Regardless of whether the matter succeeds or not, as long as you are willing to take it on, you can be crowned as a King at any time."

"However, before that, may I ask you a question first, Fellow Daoist?" King Dong widened his eyes, looking like an old urchin.

But the next sentence made Zhou Yan tense up.

"May I ask, what is your relationship... with that Saint Zhou Yan of the Qingxu Grotto-Heaven?"

"Your sect happened to appear only after that Saint Zhou Yan was born, and the time you, Fellow Daoist, were in seclusion happened to be when Zhou Yan went missing."

"Furthermore, you even possess the same golden eyes as that person. Shouldn't you explain the reason for this, Fellow Daoist?"

"After all, that Saint is considered an old enemy of our Truth Cult."

Here it comes! The expected identity probe.

Originally, Zhou Yan had no interest in being conferred as a King, but after King Dong finished speaking, Zhou Yan became interested instead.

What kind of major event could the Truth Cult have, and why specifically during this time?

Thus, although he did not care for the benefits of being conferred as a King, he took an interest in the price attached to it.

So, Zhou Yan quickly followed his planned strategy and began his attempt to prove his innocence.

And King Dong, at this moment, was also waiting for a response.

Three years, for a Cultivator of his Rank, was enough time to do too many things.

Although three years seemed too short for the Taiyi Sect to rise rapidly as a Divine Rank major power.

But it was built on the annexation of three Soul Transformation powers, so those three years were not entirely impossible.

What really made him suspicious was the other party's relationship with the Qingxu Grotto-Heaven.

The Taiyi Sect's business could not have become so large without being involved with the Three Sects. And upon investigation, the deepest connection was naturally with the Qingxu Grotto-Heaven.

All sorts of signs pointed to that long-missing Saint, but all sorts of signs also seemed to indicate that it might not be the case.

After all, the Taiyi God truly existed.

He had secretly sent people to investigate, and this deity indeed existed, which meant that the other party was most likely cooperating with the Taiyi Sect, rather than leading it.

Therefore, King Dong guessed that either this Kong Xuan was Zhou Yan's front man, or it was him in person.

This point was crucial and would determine what attitude he would adopt towards the Taiyi Sect in the future, or rather, towards Kong Xuan.

Kun Gou's target was more precisely Zhou Yan, and if Kong Xuan was...

King Dong kept calculating in his heart while staring closely at the changes in the other party's expression, waiting for Zhou Yan's reaction.

But he didn't expect that Zhou Yan would remain very calm.

He just took a sip of wine, and then, in King Dong's shocked gaze, a pair of horns grew out of his head.