"Are you suggesting I join your ranks, senior? I'm sorry, but I have no grand ambitions. I prefer a life of freedom and ease, so I must once again decline your kind offer," Yuan Ming said, shaking his head politely in refusal. "Countless rogue cultivators wish to join Changchun Temple, yet you've rejected the offer time and again. Truly worthy of your reputation as a genius Foundation Establishment cultivator from Leizhou. Pu Zhengqing, Gu Qiulong, and Xu Changqing all fell at your hands, didn't they?" Zuo Qinghui remarked casually, dropping a bombshell. Yuan Ming's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this, but he quickly regained his composure. However, the fleeting change in his expression did not escape Zuo Qinghui's notice. "Your actions have been discreet, but there are always traces to follow. A careful investigation and a bit of speculation reveal many clues at Precious Spirit Sect and Guangli Sanmeng," Zuo Qinghui said indifferently.

Yuan Ming's face remained unchanged, but his heart sank. Ever since he arrived in Xiaohu City, he had been extremely cautious. The only slip-ups were when he impersonated Xu Changqing's disciple to collect a penalty fee at Guangli Sanmeng and when he went to Precious Spirit Sect to authenticate a Winged Bird Egg. Zuo Qinghui mentioned these two places right off the bat, indicating that he had thoroughly investigated the matter. "I don't understand what you mean, senior. I did kill Pu Zhengqing, but as for Xu Changqing and Gu Qiulong, I've never even heard of them," Yuan Ming denied outright. If Zuo Qinghui was recording their conversation with a treasure, his guilt would be set in stone. Still, Yuan Ming was puzzled about Zuo Qinghui's intentions. With his Nascent Soul stage cultivation, if he had come to capture Yuan Ming, he would have acted by now. Why was he merely engaging in idle chatter? "There's no need to keep up this act, young friend. You don't have to worry; I have no connection to Xu Changqing. If you're willing to pay a price, I can help you cover this up," Zuo Qinghui hinted, tapping the table beside him and speaking through a voice transmission. "What exactly do you want me to do, senior?" Yuan Ming asked after a moment of silence, replying through a voice transmission. "I'm in need of some spirit stones. Give me the earnings from Xuanhua Spiritual Incense Shop over the past few years, along with Pu Zhengqing's bounty, and I'll make sure Xu Changqing's death is pinned on Pu Zhengqing," Zuo Qinghui said, no longer hiding his intentions.

Yuan Ming felt a slight relief. Although the hundred thousand spirit stones he had obtained from Sha Hao were nearly depleted, the shop had made some profit over the years, and after accounting for the cost of artifact refining, there was still some left. If Zuo Qinghui only wanted some spirit stones, Yuan Ming could scrape together the amount needed to make a deal. "My cultivation expenses over the past few years have been substantial, and the business in Wangyue City has been mediocre. Give me some time, and I should be able to gather thirty-five thousand spirit stones," Yuan Ming said. "Three days, fifty thousand spirit stones," Zuo Qinghui demanded with a frown, in a tone that brooked no refusal. Yuan Ming calculated in his mind, planning to send Zuo Qinghui away and leave Wangyue City immediately. Just then, two streaks of golden light shot out from the opposite side—it was Zuo Qinghui making a gesture. Yuan Ming's expression changed drastically as he quickly dodged backward, but it was too late. One of the golden lights struck his right arm and disappeared without a trace. Yuan Ming quickly examined his arm, which bore no marks; the golden light seemed to have merged into his body. "What do you mean by this, senior?" Yuan Ming asked gravely. "Why so angry, young friend? It's just a magical imprint I've placed within you," Zuo Qinghui replied, retracting his finger nonchalantly.

Yuan Ming's face turned sour as he channeled his spiritual consciousness through his right arm and the rest of his body in a rapid search, but he found nothing. "I've already agreed to give you the spirit stones, why do you still do this?" Knowing Zuo Qinghui was not easy to dismiss, Yuan Ming suppressed his anger and asked. "You're feigning ignorance, young friend. Now that we're in this together, I did this to solidify our relationship and make future interactions more convenient," Zuo Qinghui chuckled. "Future interactions?" Yuan Ming furrowed his brows. "Of course. You don't think you're the only one in Changchun Temple looking into Xu Changqing's death, do you? Many are watching this matter. To keep it hidden for long, I need to grease some palms. Here's the deal: we'll split the profits from the spiritual incense shop seventy-thirty, and I'll handle any issues from Changchun Temple, ensuring your safety," Zuo Qinghui said smugly.