I Cheated While Cultivating

“Haha, that is certainly possible,” the Supreme said with a smile, “Otherwise, what would be the point of calling ourselves the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer? In fact, once the Star Lord completes the third task, you can fully access the information within the mask.

“There, you can find information about other worlds, and the virtuous tasks available for selection in the future will not be limited to just our world alone.”

“…” Zhou Heng fell silent upon hearing this, somewhat at a loss for words and said, “But my third task has not been assigned yet. Initially, it was handled by a senior from the Five Emperors Inner Council.

“Later, after he was injured due to the catastrophe caused by the demons of the West Wasteland, it was transferred to the care of the Horn Star Officer, but it has already been over ten days, and I still haven’t received any news.”

“The Horn Star Officer?” The Supreme was momentarily taken aback and then helplessly said, “I see, that was my oversight.

“A few days ago, ‘Gang’ and ‘Huagai’ were trapped by a powerful enemy while completing a task in another world, so I had the Horn go to rescue them.

“It must be because of this that your task dispatch was delayed. This is my fault, please forgive me, Star Lord. I will carefully select a task and have your third task assigned as soon as possible.”

“This… I understand,” Zhou Heng did not expect this to be the reason, though he had some recollection of the two Star Officers ‘Gang’ and ‘Huagai’.

Afterward, he inquired in detail about information concerning the Plague Emperor Sect to facilitate the upcoming battle.

However, compared to killing the people of the Plague Emperor Sect, finding them seemed to be an even more difficult task.

The thirty-three provinces of Da Qi are vast, and although the Plague Emperor Sect is one of the four great evil paths, the overall number of disciples is not large. To find and kill them will not be an easy task.

“Actually, you need not be too fixated on the people of the Plague Emperor Sect,” the Voice of Heaven spoke up, “The Evil God’s Path of the Plague Emperor Sect is indeed the most ‘authentic,’ but it is not the only evil art that derived from that path.

“If you kill more high-level practitioners of similar evil arts, you should be able to achieve a roughly similar effect, though you might need a larger quantity.”

“Heh, that suits me just fine,” Zhou Heng chuckled, “In fact, I have another idea, but I need the help of the two seniors.”

“What idea?” asked the Supreme, curious.

“I hope the two seniors can help me put out a bounty,” Zhou Heng said, “I’ll trade virtuous tasks for the location information of high-ranking members of the Plague Emperor Sect, fifty virtuous tasks for each at the peak of the Seventh Rank, up to ten, and just one at the Secret Sixth Rank, for five hundred virtuous tasks.”

Upon these words, the three others present besides Zhou Heng fell silent, and even the air seemed to quiet down for a moment.

After a while…

The Voice of Heaven finally spoke, “You, have many virtuous tasks?”

The Supreme also expressed confusion, “Star Lord, virtuous tasks are not easily acquired.”

Even Fang Rich Rabbit seemed to question life, saying, “Star Lord, would you like to think it over again?”

In their view, a ‘newcomer’ who had just joined the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer and had only undertaken two tasks, no matter how powerful, should not have many virtuous tasks.

Spending a thousand all at once seemed like a huge expense, and they felt like they were witnessing the prodigal ways of a spendthrift.

“I still have over four thousand virtuous tasks left, so spending a thousand is no big deal,” Zhou Heng said with a smile, “In fact, I was also prepared to give a thousand virtuous tasks to each of the two seniors as a token of gratitude for your hard work.

“Although I’m aware that a thousand virtuous tasks might not mean much to the two seniors, after all, I am inconveniencing you, so I feel obliged to offer some gesture.”

“We get some too?” The Supreme seemed somewhat excited.

“A thousand virtuous tasks?” The Voice of Heaven also got excited.

Unlike other living members of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, these two Celestial Men were actually killed by the Great Demon Cang Hua over sixteen hundred years ago.

Now only their Primordial Spirits linger in front of the Purple Tenuity Palace, having lost the normal channels to acquire virtuous tasks, so a thousand virtuous tasks was definitely not a small number for them.

“Since I’ve said it, I will not go back on my word, and besides, the two seniors have indeed resolved many of my doubts,” Zhou Heng said with a smile, “Two thousand virtuous tasks are nothing to worry about.”

With these words, the three on the scene went silent once more.

Due to the mechanism of acquiring virtuous tasks in the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer as well as the strength of ghosts and evil creatures, generally speaking, it is hard for those of Lower Third Rank to obtain virtuous tasks through mass-killing of ghosts and evil creatures.

But once one steps onto the Middle Third Rank, the virtuous tasks gained from killing Lower Third Rank ghosts will plummet, and the Middle Third Rank ghosts and evil beings, especially those of the Sect Fifth Rank and above, such as Ghost Immortals and evil spirits, are even harder to kill, making it very difficult for Middle Third Rank practitioners to earn virtuous tasks.

Individuals like Zhou Heng, who at the level of the Lower Third Rank slaughters ghosts and evil creatures as easily as chopping melons and cutting vegetables, are extremely rare, hence he effortlessly amassed such an abundance of virtuous tasks.

“Since you are so generous, I won’t refuse as an old man,” the Supreme nodded with a smile.

“You were the quickest to diverge the topic just now, and now you’re the quickest to collect virtuous tasks,” The Voice of Heaven shot the Supreme a glance and snorted, “When the Star Lord reaches the Middle Third Rank, you’d better clarify the matters of the Battle of Tianyang with him properly.”

“Of course, of course,” the Supreme first gestured to Zhou Heng and then glared at The Voice of Heaven, “After all, wasn’t it the two leaders who set this rule? Besides, even if I didn’t diverge the topic, would you dare to speak up?”

“How do you know I wouldn’t dare?” The Voice of Heaven turned away, feigning indifference.

Although these two Celestial Men were of venerable age, in actuality, they currently only had the appearance of young Taoist boys, not very tall, bickering with each other, appearing somewhat adorable.

“Haha, I won’t disturb the pleasant time of the two seniors any longer,” Zhou Heng laughed and then took his leave.

“Star Lord, let me accompany you out,” Fang soon spoke up eagerly.

“Thank you,” Zhou Heng bowed his hands in thanks.

…

Fang’s cultivation realm was not low; she was at least a Fifth Rank Sect Master.

Summoning clouds beneath her feet, she escorted Zhou Heng across the void between the Purple Tenuity Palace and the entrance’s Purple Qi Cloud Platform, hesitating to speak on several occasions.

Zhou Heng, with his powerful spiritual senses, naturally noticed the subtle shifts in Fang’s emotions.

Therefore, once they reached the Purple Qi Cloud Platform, Zhou Heng said with a smile, “Fang, is there something you wish to discuss? Please feel free to speak.”

“The Star Lord has noticed,” Fang said somewhat bashfully, lowering her head, “I’m quite ashamed to say that I wanted to borrow a thousand virtuous tasks from you.”

“Is your wish pressing?” Zhou Heng asked. Usually, virtuous tasks are used to fulfill wishes at the Wishing Pool, though sometimes they are also used for trading items.

“Not for a wish, but I’ve had my eye on a Lifespan Extension Pill from Elder Zuoyuan and I’m a thousand virtuous tasks short for the exchange,” Fang seemed somewhat anxious, “But I’m running out of time and can’t delay any longer… I can repay more virtuous tasks later, and, by the way, I’m skilled in forging and refining treasures; I can make a suited magical weapon for you.”