Cultivation : I'm an Ancient Giant Bear-Chapter 415 - 393: Investigation

At this moment, the elder in gray didn’t say anything, took out a Zijin-colored book, casually flipped it open, and lines of golden script floated up. The records inside were all the tasks issued by the Hidden Origin Association over the past years, as well as the income situation over the years.

In the blink of an eye, the elder in gray had already closed the book and said indifferently, "Since Song Guangming has been presiding over this sub-pavilion, it’s been exactly 3,481 years, with no annual profit ever recorded, a major loss during 45 years, moderate losses during 391 years, and all others were minor losses."

"Moreover, from the task list, it can be seen that he embezzled several Celestial Grade materials allocated by the Hidden Origin Association, not to line his own pockets, but to build a new sub-pavilion station in the north. This act is extremely inappropriate. Even if he did not embezzle, his extravagance and incompetence are evident."

"Of course, it is also necessary to look at this fairly. The objective environment of the Vermilion Bird Immortal Alliance is extremely harsh. Song Guangming applied to abolish the sub-pavilion of the Vermilion Bird Immortal Alliance several times, all of which were rejected, and the headquarters’ support was relatively limited. Overall, it can be said that his ability to do things is insufficient, but it cannot be said that he is ineffective. He does have his difficulties. Without merit, he still has worked hard, and that is also a fact."

"So, let’s vote, item by item. First, vote on whether the Lying Flat Monarch is guilty of dereliction?"

Upon hearing this, the woman in white and the young man in black exchanged glances, and the latter said nonchalantly, "Speak with facts. The foundation of the Hidden Origin Bell is not damaged, so Song Guangming’s doubt is invalid. Meanwhile, Song Guangming is unaware of the broader circumstances, impulsive and reckless, careless and extravagant, and should be admonished."

The woman in white also agreed, "That’s right, speak with facts. The Lying Flat Monarch is not guilty; rather, it is Song Guangming who is overly incompetent. After this incident, the relationship between Song Guangming and the Lying Flat Monarch will be difficult to mend. I suggest transferring one of them or letting the Hidden Origin Bell make the decision."

The elder in gray took a look at the woman in white, his expression indifferent, and with a wave of his hand in the air, a golden light dissipated, as if dismissing the investigation of Wang Wu.

"Continue to vote on the disposition of Song Guangming."

"What Elder Hui said is not without reason. Without merit, there is still hard work, just admonish him." The young man in black laughed it off.

"Incompetent and confused, I suggest replacing the Sub-Pavilion Master of the Vermilion Bird Immortal Alliance." The woman in white expressed a different opinion.

The elder in gray quietly looked at her for a while, and said lightly, "I abstain."

"Then I abstain as well. I quite agree with Frost Monarch’s view." The young man in black continued laughing it off.

"Very well, the investigation is over, and the results will be reported to headquarters. Please, both of you!"

The elder in gray said nothing more and left directly.

However, the young man in black stayed behind, looking at the woman in white, "Frost Monarch, the place where the Vermilion Bird Immortal Alliance is located is already a remote borderland, and now it coincides with the Great Cold and Minor Cold seasons. At this time, there is no elder from the Hidden Origin Association willing to preside over this sub-pavilion. Although Song Guangming is incompetent and foolish, he is at least a Ninth-Grade Elder who can barely hold the situation and safeguard the Hidden Origin Bell. Are you thinking of promoting that Lying Flat Monarch? He is still a level away from becoming a Ninth-Grade Elder."

"Moreover, the person who takes the role of Sub-Pavilion Master of the Hidden Origin Association must have the strength of at least Taiyi True Immortal Third Tier, otherwise, they cannot withstand the seasonal changes that occur once every hundred years. If you dismiss Song Guangming, that guy might actually consider it a blessing."

The woman in white just smiled, "I don’t care how he thinks; but indeed there is a suitable candidate who will be willing to come. As for that Little Bear, if you’re a standout in the woods, the wind will certainly destroy you. Let’s see if he can survive this seasonal change first."

After that, the woman in white also left.

But the young man in black pondered for a moment, took out a Five-Colored Jade Talisman, waved it slightly, and transformed into an ordinary person, landing directly in a small courtyard in Dragon Head City from the clouds.

Here, Song Guangming sat dejectedly, clearly having received the information. He couldn’t believe that, despite everything seeming perfectly under control, it all suddenly fell apart.

Seeing the young man in black appear, Song Guangming immediately kneeled down as if he had seen his backbone.

"Master! Master! Your disciple has been wronged!"

The young man in black still wore a smile on his face, even patting Song Guangming on the shoulder gently, "This time it is not your fault, but your inability to anticipate a stronger opponent, that’s all. It’s no big deal. Previously, you applied several times to transfer, and it was I who persuaded you to stay. Now, with this opportunity, you can leave."

"Also, don’t hold any grudges, the principles within it I need not repeat. Go back to headquarters and retreat for a while."

"Understood!"

Song Guangming obeyed, but eventually couldn’t hold back, "Master, your disciple wants to know, where exactly did I lose?"

"Where did you lose? You lost because you weren’t strong enough. If you could cultivate to Taiyi True Immortal Ninth Tier and refine the Celestial Eye Wisdom Heart, could you not see through the tactics of that Little Bear? Could you not handle such trivial matters as repairing the damaged foundation? Could you not have been so ineffective in the Vermilion Bird Immortal Alliance for three thousand years, accomplishing nothing?"

"I told you, don’t dwell on it, don’t care about it, and don’t think about getting back. Even if you kill that Little Bear in the future, it will only delay your own mindset. If you’re not as good as others, you’re just incompetent, you need to go back into retreat and cultivate, don’t look for excuses or reasons."

"Understood, your disciple complies. I will now return to the Hidden Origin Headquarters to retreat." Song Guangming bowed and thanked, left without packing or making a sound.

And the young man in black continued waiting in this small courtyard. A moment later, a figure silently appeared not far away, it was the elder in gray.

"Elder Hui, thank you for earlier. If it weren’t for you covering up, the nasty affairs my worthless disciple committed would be enough to banish him to the Great Wilderness Sin Prison Tower for three thousand years. Where did he get the audacity to deceive the upper and conceal from the lower, diverting the Celestial-grade resources allocated by headquarters for his use! He thinks he’s Divinely Calculative and Unrivaled, able to play flawlessly? No, he’s just relying on his old man to cover for him. What kind of nonsense is all this!"

The young man in black cursed angrily, hard to imagine that he had been so gentle to Song Guangming originally, truly deep love indeed!

The gray-robed elder’s eyes flashed with a hint of mockery, yet he smiled and said, "Song Guangming does have some merits. At least he’s very steady. This time, he didn’t really suffer any loss. Experiencing more trials isn’t a bad thing for him. But how do you plan to deal with that Lying Flat Monarch?"

"Deal with what? Elder Hui, what kind of joke are you making? It has already become a First-Grade Steward of our Hidden Origin Association. Once it advances one more level, it will be a Ninth-Grade Elder. Such a promising talent, I can barely protect it in time, how could I deal with it? To be honest, I want to take it as my disciple."

The young man in black slightly smiled, his expression softening.

"What a coincidence, I’ve also recently had the thought of taking on a closed-door disciple. This patrol was remarkably fruitful, and this Lying Flat Monarch suits my interest very well! Black Emperor, thank you for your kind assistance in this matter, consider this old man grateful to you for your favor."

"Hold on, Elder Hui, is this appropriate?"

The young man in black still smiled warmly.

"What’s inappropriate about it? Our Hidden Origin Association is all about rules. You owe me a favor already, so until you’ve repaid it, you have to yield to me."

The gray-robed elder smiled slightly, victory in his grasp.

Upon hearing this, the young man in black’s warm smile froze on his face. He thought to himself, he had no usual dealings with Old Deng, no conflicts of interest, just nodding acquaintances, and today he unexpectedly helped Song Guangming with good words. Damn it!

Exchanging one disciple for another, what a scheme!

No, wait, this time the headquarters sent someone to inspect, this gray-robed old man didn’t need to come, yet he volunteered, even swapping itineraries with another elder. This old guy, he had a plan all along.

"Have you cultivated the Level 27 Divine Calculation?"

The young man in black’s face showed a look of shock.

Divine Calculation, a great divine technique only mastered when the Human Race’s Three Thousand Daoist Techniques are perfected, is on par with the Demon Race’s Foreknowledge Divine Techniques.

Originally based on Nine Grades, each grade having three tiers, hence also called Twenty-Seventh Grade or Twenty-Seven Realms. But over time, especially after a few exceptionally talented and powerful Daluo of the Demon Race appeared in history, the tendency leaned more towards the Demon Race’s saying, which is Level 27.

Even simpler and clearer.

This is also almost the highest level that can be reached below a Daluo Golden Immortal.

"Haha, not Level 27 yet, still a little short, but on a whim, I deduced that I’m fated to have a closed-door disciple, which is not a problem."

"The Hidden Origin Bell can’t isolate your deduction?"

By now, the young man in black had lost interest in competing and didn’t want to offend this gray-robed elder, but rather curiously asked. The Human Race’s Divine Calculation and the Demon Race’s Foreknowledge Divine Techniques are the most mysterious. Low-level divine calculation or low-level foreknowledge is one thing, but Level 27, the entire Hidden Origin Association probably has only this one.

"It certainly has an impact, but some mysteries can still leak through." The gray-robed elder smiled slightly.

"So, Elder Hui, what are we waiting for? Call your disciple over, I’d also like to broaden my horizons. By chance, I recently acquired a treasure which could serve as a meeting gift."

The young man in black smiled. Since the matter had come to this, competition was futile, so why not let both parties be happy, you never know when you’ll meet again someday.

But the gray-robed elder shook his head.

"I don’t know where it is, there’s no sign of it in the entire Dragon Head City. It’s probably in the Hidden Origin Bell’s cave dwelling, let’s wait for now."

"Wait?"

The young man in black was somewhat taken aback but didn’t say much. Indeed, if not waiting, could they smash open the Hidden Origin Bell to drag out the little bear cub?

Alas, what a hardship.

This wait lasted a full three days. When Wang Wu finally recovered from the state where even his Divine Soul Divine Thought was almost drained, he saw that the jade talisman had several new messages.

"The investigation about you has concluded. It is basically determined that you have done meritorious service with no faults. Song Guangming, a Ninth-Grade Elder of the Hidden Origin Association, is foolish and incompetent, narrow-minded, and has already been removed from his position as Chief, ordered to go to the headquarters for closed-door reflection."

"Fog Realm Immortal, a Third-Grade Elder of the Hidden Origin Association, summons you to pay respects."

"Black Realm Immortal, a Third-Grade Elder of the Hidden Origin Association, summons you to pay respects."

"Frost Realm Immortal, a Third-Grade Elder of the Hidden Origin Association, summons you to pay respects."

```