You dare to cultivate without money?!

Chapter 1289 825: The Storm Triggered by Zhang Yu

A cultivator from the Tax Supervision Army sneered, looked at Ying Aikun and said, "Hehe, a fire at the Cave Mansion? I've been chasing taxes for so many years, collapsed Small Realms are checked just the same. Feel free to use any trick you have."

Meanwhile, in another location, Su Lingyou also wanted to make contact, only to realize those who used to greet her with a smile were now avoiding her as if she were a plague, treating her with strict professionalism, and no longer offering a friendly face.

"Su Lingyou, evidence of Ying Aikun secretly hiding and embezzling the Traitor Immortal's assets has been found in his Qiankun Pot, do you have anything to say?"

Su Lingyou said expressionlessly, "Then you'd better be careful not to discover something you shouldn't while investigating."

"Su Lingyou, if you're hoping for luck, let me tell you, this time the Yicai Haisheng God has issued a strict order to investigate for three years, to root out all Kunxu parasites embezzling Traitor Immortal assets and evading taxes!"

Though Su Lingyou's expression remained unchanged, a storm of emotions swirled within her.

The past three years were precisely the period after Yingxin Heaven's fall, during which numerous forces frantically consumed its assets.

And during these three years, as Taoist Partner to Yingxin Heaven, the Taizhen Immortal Clan, being blood relatives, naturally took advantage of their proximity to secretly seize a large portion of Yingxin Heaven's wealth.

Upon hearing this, Su Lingyou coldly replied, "Investigate this... aren't you afraid of provoking public outrage?"

"Do you admit that over the past three years, you have been embezzling Wanfa Sect's sect assets and evading taxes?"

Su Lingyou remained silent, simply closing her eyes.

In another room, Ling Chiyue said, "I've always been responsible for the Old Graveyard's work. Before this incident, I wasn't familiar with Ying Aikun or Su Lingyou at all."

"I have no idea what they've done, or what their intentions are."

"Right, Ying Aikun did hint that he was the heir to Yingxin Heaven, and this inheritance would be easily acquired..."

Shortly after being questioned by the True Gods, Ling Chiyue divulged everything he knew like spilling beans from a bamboo tube, completely distancing himself from Yingxin Heaven, Su Lingyou, and the Taizhen Immortal Clan.

...

As the investigation unfolded within the Maze Realm, related news exploded in the Spirit Realm like a shocking revelation, then swept through the Ten Great Sects like a storm.

"Zhang Yu, Level 4 Sect Affairs Officer of Wanfa Sect's Ghost Faith Department, reported the illegal activities of the Taizhen Immortal Clan under his real name, sparking widespread discussion. Currently, relevant clues have been accepted, and the incident is still under further investigation..."

Inside the Yufa Pavilion, Lu Hengzhang watched the report, unable to suppress a cold smile.

As Vice Minister of the Audit Department and a staunch supporter of the Innate Dao, he had once suppressed Zhang Yu and had even been beaten several times by Lord Bu.

After Zhang Yu was reassigned to the cold bench of the Ghost Faith Department, he thought he wouldn't hear about him for a long time, but he didn't expect to see news related to him so soon, and it was a monumental incident.

"Really courting death."

As an advocate of the Innate Dao, Lu Hengzhang naturally supported the Taizhen Immortal Clan by default.

In his view, Zhang Yu's reporting behavior was a clear-cut case of insubordination.

"But this kid himself probably isn't that bold, he likely has been used as cannon fodder by someone."

"Caught up in the struggle among the Immortal Clan, and even the Immortals..."

Lu Hengzhang shook his head, "Does he really think that clinging once to Lord Bu's thigh means he can climb higher and grope for bigger support everywhere?"

Moments later, he sent a message to Vice Pavilion Master Yang Kaitai: "Leader, Zhang Yu is after all one of our Yufa Pavilion people, since he's causing such a mess now, is there anything we should do?"

Yang Kaitai: Do nothing, watch and see

...

"Zhang Yu, a top student born in Kunxu's first layer, enrolled in university with outstanding grades, joined the sect, and during his time at school once stood up many times to confront the anti-Kunxu group led by Yingxin Heaven."

"He raised widespread attention for questioning the secret transactions and tax issues involving the Traitor Immortal Yingxin Heaven and the Taizhen Immortal Clan..."

In Kunxu's 11th layer training school, the Magnetic Pole Divine Monarch watched the flood of news in the Spirit Realm, exclaiming, "This kid Zhang Yu... has he lost his mind? Why has he antagonized the Taizhen Immortal Clan?"

"Caught up in upper-level infighting, can his small stature withstand it?"

Beside him, Old Gao looked at the confrontation scene between Zhang Yu and Su Lingyou in the photo on the news, analyzing, "Currently, most news outlets hold a relatively positive view of Zhang Yu."

Old Gao knew that within Kunxu, public opinion is a comprehensive reflection of power, influence, and assets; the advantage in public opinion indicates the forces behind Zhang Yu remain dominant in this struggle.

Magnetic Pole sighed, "What of the advantage? Historically, those at the forefront of high-level struggles always turn into cannon fodder."

"The nail that sticks out gets hammered down, I'm worried this kid Zhang Yu will be discarded once used up."

Beside him, Old Gao watched the Magnetic Pole Divine Monarch hesitantly handling the Spirit Realm, and asked, "What's wrong?"

Magnetic Pole said, "I still... need to contact Master, at least to ask what Zhang Yu's current situation is."

...

Within the Law Realm of Wanfa Sect.

The intentions of Starfire God King, Yu Xinghan, Ye Xingli, Shi Huaiyu, Yan Qianji, and Feng Tingting gathered in a group chat, discussing the recent events.

Yu Xinghan, looking at various reports, worriedly said, "Master, I heard the entire Old Graveyard is now under lockdown. Several members of the Taizhen Immortal Clan have already been taken away for questioning. This matter has become so big... will Zhang Yu be alright?"

Starfire God King said, "My intelligence network is currently scouting for this information, I will update you once I receive feedback."

Just then, a noble lady from Wanfa Sect sent a message to the office of the special investigation team, inquiring about Zhang Yu's situation.

Soon, Starfire God King explained to the group, "For the time being, the problem isn't major."

"You've all seen recent news reports, emphasizing Zhang Yu was born in Kunxu's first layer, entered Wanfa University through the Foundation Establishment examination, passed the Examination Sect to join Wanfa Sect, and prevented Yingxin Heaven from seizing the Lower Realm."

"This suggests that above, they likely want to use him as a banner for Kunxu reform, certainly they'll ensure his safety, and not let him have mishaps easily."

Yu Xinghan couldn't help but say, "But the opposite side is the Taizhen Immortal Clan, and behind Taizhen Immortal Clan stands Taizhen Immortal."

In Yu Xinghan's eyes, an Immortal could easily decide Zhang Yu's fate with just a glance, thus Zhang Yu's position in the storm's center was extremely perilous.

...

Within a Grotto Heaven of Wanfa Sect.

Bu Yingshu looked at the figure before her, saying, "Dad! Zhang Yu is one of mine, we must find a way to protect him!"

Since Zhang Yu was taken away, Bu Yingshu was anxious like an ant on a hot pan, with only one thought: "What to do if Zhang Yu exposes my Great Saint Inheritor identity? What if he reveals the secrets of my talent awakening?"

The more she thought about it, the more frightened she became, even regretful of having saved Zhang Yu.

"Foolish Lower Cultivator, I shouldn't have saved him in the first place!"

"Stubborn mind! Why act so impulsively? Why not think it through before rushing out!"

Filled with fears, Bu Yingshu decided to hide within her family's Grotto Heaven, yet feared the sudden appearance of divine light and notice someday, taking her, the Great Saint Inheritor, away.

At this moment, the figure before Bu Yingshu was a young cultivator named Bu Yuan Gui.

Listening to Bu Yingshu's constant concerns, he couldn't resist saying, "Yingshu, why are you so worried about Zhang Yu? Have you loaned him a lot of money?"

Bu Yingshu said, "It's not about lending money."

Bu Yingshu quickly came up with a long-conceived excuse, "Didn't Zhang Yu previously work with me on the 'Blood Tide Essence Qi Holy Observation'? He knows a lot about our plans, and I'm worried he'll spill it and it won't be good."

Bu Yuan Gui looked at his daughter seriously explaining, suddenly his mouth curled into a smile, "I see... Your concern is quite reasonable, seems you've matured over this period."

Bu Yingshu confidently said, "Right, so let's quickly get Zhang Yu out. Just those Heavenly Court lackeys, what right do they have to capture our Wanfa Immortal Clan's dog?"

Bu Yuan Gui calmly said, "My clever daughter, do you know why High Intelligent Artifact Spirits have thrived over the past two years?"

Bu Yingshu anxiously said, "Dad, is this the time to talk about such things?"

Bu Yuan Gui unhurriedly continued, "Many factors contribute, but one absolutely stands out: large areas of the Old Graveyard are shut down, causing a decline in Soul Cultivator supplies, raising costs, and pushing up prices, which gives High Intelligent Artifact Spirits a chance to develop."

"If the Old Graveyard could be restored, the competition between Soul Cultivators and High Intelligent Artifact Spirits's outcomes would be undecided."