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In the Mystic Spirit Realm, inside the Lingxiao Hall.
The expression of the man in splendid robes changed slightly. He immediately issued an order, striking the great bell. Before long, streaks of light flew in succession toward the Lingxiao Hall.
These were all high-level officials of the Heavenly Court.
All of them were Earth Immortals—nine in total at this moment—and their auras were surging with power. If they were placed in Jiangnan or Jiangbei, they would each be a Grandmaster in the late Foundation Establishment Realm!
"Greetings, Heavenly Official!"
The nine Earth Immortals saluted in unison. In the entire Heavenly Court, only the [Three Immortal Officials] had Celestial Immortal cultivation. Presently, only the Heavenly Official had returned to position; the other two seats remained vacant.
"[Metal of Shen] has changed hands."
The man in ornate robes did not delay, speaking directly, "The agent we developed earlier, Qi He, has likely been exposed. The original plan needs to be revised."
At this statement, the Earth Immortals were all shocked: "Heavenly Official..."
"No need to say more," the man in robes waved his hand firmly. "My mind is made up. If we delay any further, the other side might launch an attack!"
Cultivators from the [Mystic Spirit Realm] were by no means fools.
Especially those adept at crossing boundaries—they were very experienced in invading other realms. They knew precisely what could and couldn't be done.
Therefore, long ago, the [Mystic Spirit Realm] had discovered the mass grave's existence but chose not to act recklessly. Instead, they quietly infiltrated, developing agents and gathering intelligence on Jiangnan and Jiangbei. The result? The more they learned, the more terrified they became. Just what kind of bizarre place was this Jiangnan and Jiangbei?
Thirty full fruit positions!?
This single piece of information made the [Mystic Spirit Realm] completely abandon their plans for invasion, changing their strategy to plunder—strike and retreat swiftly.
And the [Metal of Shen] was one of the resources they valued the most.
"Let's act ahead of schedule. I will personally lead the team."
"Eliminate Yu Shao and seize the [Metal of Shen]!"
The man in robes said gravely, "Do not worry. I have already reported to the Supreme. The Supreme will personally intervene to shield us, ensuring no accidents occur."
Hearing this, the Earth Immortals could only withdraw helplessly.
'The Heavenly Official... is moving too fast!'
'Then again, it's understandable. Yu Shao's betrayal has massive repercussions. If the other side also has a Supreme, they could trace us using him...'
'But the focus on the [Metal of Shen]... is a bit excessive.'
'Could the rumors be true? That the Supreme ascended hastily, their cultivation unstable, requiring external Qi to stabilize their position in the Heavenly Court?'
'Shh—watch your words!'
Although filled with doubt, none of the Earth Immortals dared slack off and began preparations at once.
Meanwhile, Lu Yang was completely unaware of the changes occurring in the Mystic Spirit Realm.
At that moment, he was deep within the mass grave, inside a grand hall. The confrontation with Qi He had been an unexpected event, and naturally could not be concealed. R𝙖ŊоꞖЁS̩
What surprised him, however, was that the one overseeing the mass grave for the Saint Sect turned out to be someone familiar—someone he had encountered once overseas in his previous life. His name was [Jun Tong], a Grandmaster under [Zengcai Qiluo True Lord], also a promising candidate for achieving the Great Foundation Establishment.
"So, you're Yuan Tu?"
On the grand seat, Jun Tong's expression was indifferent, with a hint of a smile. "Although Chong Guang mentioned you to me, he never said you were this bold."
"Attacking a Saint Sect Grandmaster in the mass grave?"
"What Saint Sect Grandmaster? This man has long colluded with the [Mystic Spirit Realm]."
Lu Yang smiled calmly and tossed the barely breathing Qi He to the ground, then produced the intelligence Chen Xin'an had extracted from him.
Jun Tong was indifferent at first—until he saw the intelligence and the strange, seductive appearance of Qi He despite his aged face.
"...Hoh!"
As a Grandmaster of the Saint Sect in the late Foundation Establishment Realm, Jun Tong had considerable experience. At a glance, he saw that Qi He had been afflicted by the [Heavenly Mother Transformation Light]. With a bit of deduction, he immediately guessed how Lu Yang had obtained this intelligence.
In an instant, his expression became much more solemn.
'What a ruthless man!'
Ruthless to others, and even more ruthless to himself. Such a Saint Sect Grandmaster was not easy to deal with. Not to mention, according to Chong Guang, this person had a significant background.
Possibly backed by a True Lord?
Thinking of this, Jun Tong looked again at the intelligence in his hand, collected it without changing expression, then turned to Lu Yang. "Your contribution is not small this time."
"Why not stay in the mass grave and allow me to extend some hospitality?"
"No need."
Lu Yang shook his head. "I'm still undercover in the Sword Pavilion. My identity cannot be exposed. Though this is not my true body, staying here still poses too great a risk."
"Very well then."
Jun Tong agreed readily, watching Lu Yang turn and leave.
Moments later, a figure emerged from the rear of the hall with a dark expression. Jun Tong smiled as he saw him. "Well? Does Fellow Daoist Chen recognize this person?"
"Not at all."
Had Lu Yang still been present, he would have instantly recognized this figure—none other than his former nemesis, the head of Mending Heaven Peak, Chen Taihe!
But Chen Taihe was in no good mood. His eyes were gloomy as he pondered, 'The divine powers used to kill Qi He... seemed like [Master of Warfare] and [Stubborn Gold Duke]? With such a divine power setup... could he also be after the [Pomegranate Wood] position, just like me?'
Thinking of this, his gaze grew even colder.
He had come at Chong Guang's order to identify a "Saint Sect Grandmaster unwilling to reveal his name."
In the end, he failed to identify the person but instead discovered a formidable adversary.
"Truly don't recognize him?"
Jun Tong asked curiously, "This one's mastery of the Mending Heaven Sutra is astounding. His flexibility of thought—the use of Heavenly Mother Transformation Light was ingenious..."
"Truly don't recognize him."
The Mending Heaven Peak Master shook his head, then lowered his voice. "But this person is sneaky and refused to reveal his identity. His motives are likely impure."
"He claims loyalty to the Saint Sect, but who knows if he'll betray us."
"My lord should have kept him here."
In response, Jun Tong waved his hand casually. "No need. If he really stayed, I would be the one troubled."
"...Oh?"
Seeing Chen Taihe's confusion, Jun Tong remained calm. "It cannot be denied—Qi He acted very discreetly. No one noticed before."
"But three years ago, Chong Guang gave me a hint, and I secretly investigated."
"If I still failed to uncover Qi He's betrayal and his dealings with the outside world, I'd be unfit for my position. That other realm is called the [Mystic Spirit Realm]?"
He sneered, "The reason the Sword Pavilion attacked the mass grave is likely for this [Mystic Spirit Realm]. Coincidentally, the [Metal of Shen] that Qi He had was already tampered with by the Mystic Spirit Realm. Now that Yuan Tu has taken it, they will surely not let it go."
"So his departure from the mass grave suits me perfectly."
"As long as he's in Jiangnan, the Mystic Spirit Realm will follow the marker to him. Whatever damage they do, it'll be to Jiangnan—and the Sword Pavilion will be the one to suffer."
"Best outcome would be a fight between the Sword Pavilion and the [Mystic Spirit Realm]."
"While they bite each other, we conserve strength, then strike when the Mystic Spirit Realm is depleted—harvesting Qi in bulk and reaping huge gains!"
When the snipe and the clam fight, the fisherman profits!
"...Wait!"
Leaving the mass grave, Lu Yang suddenly shivered and frowned. "That Jun Tong... was a bit too casual. He just let me go like that?"
Qi He had colluded with the [Mystic Spirit Realm].
That was critical intelligence. Yet Jun Tong hadn't even tried to verify it, simply choosing to believe him. Was Lu Yang really that trustworthy?
Or rather...
'He already knew?'
Lu Yang pondered deeply. He always gave enemies the benefit of the doubt, never assuming a Saint Sect Grandmaster was a fool—especially not a Grandmaster.
So he preferred to think in the worst possible terms.
Shoot the arrow first, then draw the target!
'If he already knew about Qi He and the [Mystic Spirit Realm], there's no way he missed the marker left on the [Metal of Shen].'
'But he didn't warn me.'
'Not warning me means he harbors ill intent!'
Thinking this far, Lu Yang couldn't help but sigh—The Saint Sect... was still the same old Saint Sect...
'...Diverting disaster eastward?'