Once greed takes root in the human heart, it is nearly impossible to suppress.
At this moment, the mere thought of Elder Gu secretly hoarding a mountain of spirit stones was enough to make Yu Hualong's heart race with anticipation, especially with Chen An's supposed success story providing a tempting precedent.
Wealth has always had the power to blind rationality. In the face of immense profit, most would be willing to risk everything.
"Brother, since Elder Gu is hoarding so many spirit stones, why don't we… borrow a bit for ourselves?" Yu Hualong suggested, his expression laced with an almost hypnotic allure as he fixed his gaze on Chen An.
"Not!" Chen An's immediate response was to shake his head vehemently. "Brother Yu, you don't understand—last time, I barely made it out alive by sheer luck. I can't guarantee the same fortune next time. If we're discovered, we'll lose our lives!"
The more Chen An resisted, the more Yu Hualong's interest grew. He retorted with a confident smile, "What's there to fear with me here? Gu may be an elder, but he's just from the outer sect. As an inner sect deacon, my rank is no less than his."
"If anything goes wrong, I'll protect you. But if we succeed, we'll strike it rich together!"
Yu Hualong had been completely consumed by greed, believing that his position as an inner sect deacon could rival Elder Gu's standing.
Elder Gu might have been stationed in the outer sect, but he was an old hand in the Lingfu Sect. Whether in terms of cultivation or authority, he was far beyond Yu Hualong's reach, a fact Yu had foolishly overlooked in his clouded judgment.
Yet Chen An, having grown up amid deceit and betrayal, was no stranger to such games. He had seen too many people betray trust for personal gain. While Yu Hualong naively played the "brotherly bond" card, Chen An remained outwardly hesitant but inwardly vigilant.
"Brother Yu, can I truly trust you to protect me if things go south?"
"Of course! Who else would I protect if not you?" Yu Hualong swore with a hearty pat on his chest.
With such assurances, Chen An finally appeared to relent, even proposing a plan. "I've noticed that Elder Gu always leaves the sect during the full moon. Tonight happens to be a full moon—why not seize this chance to act under cover of night?"
Eager to act, Yu Hualong immediately agreed. After finalizing the details, the two parted ways, planning to rendezvous after sunset at the outer sect.
Unbeknownst to Yu Hualong, he was walking straight into a deadly trap.
---
As night fell, the once-bustling Lingfu Sect was enveloped in silence.
Shrouded in the darkness, Yu Hualong slipped into the outer sect undetected and found Chen An waiting nervously outside Elder Gu's residence.
"Brother Yu, does anyone know you came here?" Chen An asked the moment he saw him, his expression tense.
"Relax," Yu Hualong replied with a smirk. "I'm more cautious than you think. No one—not even my closest confidants—knows where I've gone."
In the faint light, Chen An's eyes glimmered with a chilling intensity upon hearing those words. His prey had walked willingly into the trap.
"Follow me, Brother Yu. I'll show you the way."
Under Chen An's guidance, the two slipped into Elder Gu's quarters and made their way to the meditation chamber without encountering any guards. Yu Hualong couldn't help but wonder why the area was so deserted.
Chen An explained that Elder Gu had dismissed the attendants earlier, leaving only himself on duty. The excuse seemed reasonable enough to allay Yu Hualong's suspicions.
Soon, they stood before the meditation chamber. Chen An cautiously pushed the door open, gesturing for Yu Hualong to enter.
Inside, the chamber was pitch black, devoid of even the faintest light. Yu Hualong instinctively reached for a corner candle, but Chen An stopped him.
"Better not light anything. We can't risk drawing attention," Chen An whispered.
Acknowledging the logic, Yu Hualong nodded and proceeded deeper into the chamber, groping his way in the dark. His nerves were on edge, and his eyes scanned every corner, desperate to locate the promised mountain of spirit stones. But as he searched, a sinking feeling crept in—there was nothing there.
"Chen An, where are the spirit stones? This place is empty!" Yu Hualong demanded.
"Why don't you ask Elder Gu yourself?" Chen An's voice rang out from the shadows.
Suddenly, the chamber lit up as Chen An struck a match, illuminating the room. To Yu Hualong's horror, Elder Gu stood just a few paces away, watching him with an eerie smile.
"Chen An, you…!"
Yu Hualong froze, dread coursing through him as he realized he had been set up. He turned to flee, but before he could move, a powerful force immobilized him. Elder Gu's spiritual energy condensed into a massive hand, holding him firmly in place.
"Elder Gu, wait! What are you doing—ah!"
Yu Hualong's cries turned into agonized screams as countless needles of pain pierced his body. His blood began to drain uncontrollably, converging into a crimson armor that enveloped Elder Gu.
The last thing Yu Hualong saw before his consciousness faded was Elder Gu's face, twisted in greed and malice.
With a sickening thud, Yu Hualong's lifeless, shriveled body hit the ground like a discarded rag. Elder Gu now invigorated and looking years younger, emerged from the blood pool with a satisfied grin.
"Not bad, Chen An. Your efficiency impresses me," Elder Gu remarked as he tossed a storage pouch to Chen An.
The pouch contained spirit stones, rare herbs, and crafting materials—everything Chen An needed. He accepted it without hesitation, bowing respectfully before excusing himself.
Throughout the ordeal, Chen An had remained silent, his gaze fixed on Elder Gu, particularly during the gruesome blood extraction.
Chen An had his reasons. This was not just a test of loyalty, but a calculated observation to confirm something critical.