195: Chapter 195: The Conclusion of the Month of Settling War Debts

High above the main hall of the Qingheng Sect, the atmosphere was as oppressive as the low pressure before a torrential storm.

The cloud-chariot of the War Debt Bureau hovered above the plaza, casting a massive shadow over the Disciples who had just experienced a life-or-death vote. Lord Bai Heng stood in the center of the main hall. He was still in his spotless official robes, but this time, his back seemed to carry less of a murderous aura and more of an indescribable exhaustion.

With a soft chime from the measuring ruler in his hand, a golden screen of light slowly unfolded under everyone's gaze.

"The Qingheng Sect War Debt Liquidation Month concludes today."

Lord Bai Heng's voice echoed through the main hall, devoid of any emotional fluctuation.

"Following a review by the War Debt Bureau and the Nine Provinces Credit Rating Bureau, the Qingheng Sect has successfully brought its overall war debt risk back from the 'Extremely Dangerous' (Red Line Zone) to the 'Controllable Range' within this month, through unconventional means—namely, 'merger and reorganization' and 'divisional reform'."

The main hall was so quiet that even the sound of breathing could be heard. Sect Leader Ning Chenzhou stood at the Sect Head's position, his hands gripping the armrests so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

"In light of the aforementioned facts," Lord Bai Heng continued reading, "the War Debt Bureau determines that the Qingheng Sect has technically fulfilled its war debt obligations for this month and has not triggered a 'Sect-level bankruptcy circuit breaker'."

Hearing this, many young Disciples almost couldn't help but cheer. This was a narrow escape from death! It meant they wouldn't be broken up, wouldn't be sold off as mine slaves, and the Qingheng Sect would continue to exist.

However, Lord Bai Heng's next sentence was like a basin of ice water, chilling their faint joy to the core.

"However."

He raised his head, his gaze sweeping across the room. "Given that the Qingheng Sect, in the process of reform, is suspected of using anomalous data methods, causing public unrest, and impacting the existing credit rating System, the Rating Bureau has resolved to maintain the Qingheng Sect's 'C-' credit rating."

"At the same time, the Qingheng Sect is placed under a 'Special Observation Period' for a duration of three years."

"During this observation period, every single one of your war losses and every report will be scrutinized with tenfold intensity. Once any 'data anomaly' or 'war debt default' occurs again, there will be no more warnings; forced liquidation will be executed immediately."

The golden light screen slowly closed, finally freezing on the bright red "C-" and "Special Observation Period".

Lord Bai Heng put away the measuring ruler and his gaze fell upon Shen Xingzhou. This was the first time today he had looked directly at this young Auditor.

"Congratulations to you all."

It was impossible to tell from Lord Bai Heng's tone whether it was a compliment or sarcasm. "You have, for the time being, been removed from the 'Default Watchlist'."

Boom—!

The War Debt Bureau's cloud-chariot let out a roar and slowly ascended, seemingly in a hurry to leave this place of trouble. The Disciples in the main hall watched the departing cloud-chariot with extremely complicated feelings. They had survived, but it felt as though they had been shackled even tighter.

"System, settle."

Shen Xingzhou stood in place, ignoring the noise around him, and silently intoned in his heart.

The System interface unfolded before him. This time, it wasn't a red alert, but a phase report detailed to a harsh degree.

[Qingheng Sect War Debt Liquidation Pilot · Phase One Settlement Report]

Core Indicator Changes:

War Debt Risk Exposure: 72% —> 44% (Significant decrease, away from the death line)

Actual War Loss Rate: 35% (Lower than the 60% average of similar Sects in the Nine Provinces)

Sect Cash Flow: Negative to Positive (Though very little, it is no longer bleeding out)

Derivative Indicators:

Public Opinion Influence: High (Hot search entry in the entire Nine Provinces, has attracted the attention of the Central Continent)

Heavenly Dao Vigilance: High (Lightning strike record has been filed, algorithm tagging is in effect)

Employee Satisfaction: 65 / 100 (A qualitative leap compared to the initial despair)

Comprehensive Evaluation:

In a completely rotten environment, you have produced a barely passable financial report.

But this financial report was obtained by "defying the Heavenly Dao".

Looking at that "44%" figure, Shen Xingzhou let out a long breath. No matter how many thorns lay ahead, at least for this month, they had survived, and they had survived standing up.

Just then, a streak of light shot out from the cloud-chariot. It did not land in the center of the main hall but fell precisely toward Shen Xingzhou, who was standing in the corner.

Shen Xingzhou subconsciously reached out to catch it.

In his palm was a heavy, black-gold seal.

[Item Identification: War Debt Liquidation Deferment Seal]

Origin: Lord Bai Heng (Private gift? Misuse of public office?)

Grade: Special Authorization Item

Effect: A one-time "Get Out of Jail Free" card.

When the Sect encounters a "Sect-level forced liquidation", activating this seal can forcibly delay the execution time by 30 days.

Note: This is a "backdoor" that Lord Bai Heng exchanged for with his accumulated merits over many years. He does not want to see you die because you "wrote the accounts wrong"; at the very least, don't die too quickly.

Shen Xingzhou gripped the cold seal and looked up.

The cloud-chariot was already flying very high, but he felt as if he could sense Lord Bai Heng standing at the tail of the chariot, looking back from afar. In his mind, a sentence echoed—one that Lord Bai Heng had not read aloud, but had transmitted via Divine Sense:

"Don't get too cocky, Auditor Shen."

"War debt is just the most insignificant link in the Heavenly Dao System. You think you are moving the reports? In reality, you are moving the screws on the chain of Karma."

"Some accounts are not settled here; they are settled at the Ring of Judgment."

"That place... even I cannot intervene."

There was a rare hint of gravity in Lord Bai Heng's voice, perhaps even... a hint of fear.

Shen Xingzhou subconsciously looked at Peak Master Luo Qingyi beside him. Upon hearing the words "Ring of Judgment," the former female war god shuddered violently. The veins on the back of her hand, which was gripping her sword, bulged, and her eyes revealed a trace of profound dread and pain.

The Ring of Judgment... that was the ultimate judgment arena that even the Old Gods had to obey.

"It seems the trouble we've stirred up is even bigger than we imagined." Shen Xingzhou muttered to himself.

As the War Debt Bureau's cloud-chariot completely vanished into the horizon, the oppressive haze that had shrouded the Qingheng Sect for a month finally dissipated a little. Sunlight fell once again upon the dilapidated mountain gate. Although the words on the plaque were still somewhat jarring, at least it was a plaque that belonged to them.

The System's task notification sounded again, this time with a milestone-like solemnity.

[Main Quest Updated]

[Qingheng Sect Bankruptcy Reorganization · Phase Completed]

Rewards being calculated...

New Main Quest Unlocked:

[Central Continent Pilot]

Task Description:

Since you have proven that an "imperfect System" can also save lives, more greedy eyes will naturally turn toward you.

Prepare to welcome an invitation from the center of the cultivation world.

Shen Xingzhou had just closed the System interface and hadn't yet had a chance to speak to Sect Leader Ning Chenzhou beside him, when a streak of light, even more dazzling and luxurious than the golden light from the War Debt Bureau, tore through the clouds. Carrying an aura of arrogance that looked down upon the world, it fell straight toward the entrance of the Sect's main hall.

Thud!

It was the sound of some kind of top-grade jade striking the ground—crisp and melodious, yet it shook the surrounding low-level Disciples, causing their blood to churn.

It was not an ordinary letter; it was a scroll about three feet long, made entirely of flowing cloud shark silk, with unknown glowing gems embedded at both ends. Before it was even opened, a dense mist of Spiritual Qi had already begun to permeate the surroundings.

This was simply not the standard of the Nine Provinces; this was the kind of pomp used only by the legendary Central Continent.

The System's red alert lit up again, but this time, the content of the alert had changed.

[System Prompt]

Official invitation from the "Central Continent Project Committee" detected.

Shen Xingzhou stepped forward, and the scroll floated up automatically, slowly unfolding in front of him. Every character shimmered with golden light, seemingly carrying the pressure of "law following words".

[Central Continent Righteous Alliance · Heavenly Pivot Pavilion · Special Approval Official Document]

To: Deacon Shen of the Qingheng Sect (and all reform colleagues)

Subject:

In view of the "excellent risk management capabilities" and "innovative organizational structure" demonstrated by your Sect in the peripheral areas, after multiple rounds of deliberation by the Central Continent's high-level officials, it has been unanimously decided:

Your Sect is specially approved to enter the Central Continent and become the first batch of external pilot units for the "Three Realms Order Construction".

Benefits:

Promoted to "Central Continent Direct Observation Sect", enjoying priority in Spirit Stone supply.

Partial access to the Central Continent's Advanced Scripture Pavilion opened for your Sect's study.

Deacon Shen is invited to go to the Central Continent to participate in "higher-level project cooperation".

Note:

We are very interested in your "Employee Satisfaction" and "War Loss Control" models.

This is a bigger stage, Shen Xingzhou. Don't waste your time in the quagmire.

The scroll closed and hung quietly in mid-air, waiting for Shen Xingzhou to reach out.

Shen Xingzhou looked at this exquisitely gorgeous invitation, then looked back at the Disciples behind him, who were full of excitement but had no idea what "Central Continent" meant.

The last line of small text from the System appeared like a cold judgment:

[Situation Analysis]

Last time, only the War Debt Bureau (debt collectors) were watching you.

This time, it's not just the creditors watching you; it's the entire chessboard watching you.

That is an invitation only issued when a hunter sees "interesting prey".