Eastern Divine Continent, Hundred-Mile Drifting Clouds.
The terrain here was treacherous — a hundred miles of sheer peaks and jagged ridges, with countless summits shrouded in mist. That was why this place had earned its name.
Chu Xingchen stood atop a mountain peak, his gaze sweeping calmly over the land below.
He hadn't simply turned his disciples loose on the Donggua lead while washing his hands of the matter entirely.
The Eastern Divine Continent was extraordinarily active right now. Three top-tier immortal sects had converged, and a dragnet-like intelligence network had long since been woven across the surrounding area.
No matter how advanced or covert Donggua's communication methods were, with three top immortal sects actively investigating and tracking, the message flow had still been intercepted.
Though Tian Yan Sect and Xuan Qing Heavenly Sect had sent only small contingents, every one of them was elite.
Through analysis and tracking, the destination had been narrowed down to this stretch of mountainous forest.
After all, cultivators with low cultivation and no backing could only manage the crudest forms of infiltration. Someone like Chu Xingchen, with both formidable strength and a solid background, could simply investigate by force.
That was the gulf between master and disciple.
"Exterminate?" Xu Jin stood at Chu Xingchen's side, his gaze calm and glacial.
Yu Yang Daozi swept his eyes across the landscape below, speaking in an even tone.
"The terrain here is a labyrinth of ridges and valleys — perfect for concealment both above and below ground. They've almost certainly prepared escape routes. A direct assault risks alerting the snake rather than trapping the dog in the house."
"If they didn't have that much cunning, these foul things would never have been able to stir up any waves to begin with."
Xu Jin glanced at Yu Yang Daozi.
"Three great sects, assembled together. One party seals the earth veins, another seals the spirit veins. Not a single one escapes. The Tribulation-passing Elders from all three sects jointly activate a grand formation — we level this entire place to the ground."
"Anyone still alive gets interrogated. The dead ones don't even need burying."
Yu Yang Daozi was momentarily at a loss for words.
Three top-tier sects' Tribulation-passing Elders activating a grand formation together — would anything here survive? The entire area would probably be reduced to a crater, and the residual spiritual pressure alone would leave the land barren for decades.
Chu Xingchen sighed in admiration. "Truly worthy of Brother Xu Jin. You really are utterly incapable of coexisting with evil."
Xu Jin didn't even look up. "What, are we supposed to share drinks with them instead?"
"Not at all." Chu Xingchen's tone remained even. "I simply don't believe this is their core base. It's most likely just a temporary outpost. The real center lies elsewhere."
Xu Jin shook his head slightly. "This isn't like the Donggua situation your disciple is handling. Even if we captured every single person here alive, we might not extract anything useful. These past days, this location has only been connected to small fry."
"If things go wrong, they'll simply stop reaching out entirely."
"Even if this isn't the core, it's clearly a key node. Wiping it clean severs one of their arms. It sends a message — that there's always a sharp blade hanging over their heads."
"Only when they're afraid will they make mistakes. Only when they're cautious and hesitant will they give us more time. The ones truly running short on time are them — not us."
The so-called demons currently possessed nowhere near enough strength to change the world's shape. If they did, it would have happened already.
Once the Eighteen Immortal Sects obtained conclusive evidence and fully mobilized — unleashing their most terrifying true power — what information could possibly escape their pursuit?
Chu Xingchen considered this for a moment, then chuckled.
"Killing them all would be a waste. Filthy creatures usually have filthy minds. We let a few of the harmless ones go back — let them turn their suspicion on their own people for a while, instead of obsessing over us."
"Fortunately, my third disciple has learned an illusion art. Consider it a little show we're putting on for our enemies."
Yu Yang Daozi clicked his tongue. "You really are a dark one, kid."
"You call this dark?" Xu Jin wore an expression of utter righteousness. "Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. If one's heart is just, how can it be shackled by the methods one employs?"
Chu Xingchen's eyes flickered. The words reminded him of when his own second disciple got defensive and started rationalizing. He couldn't help but laugh.
"I'll have to introduce my second disciple to you sometime. I think you two would get along."
His second disciple was always agonizing over whether his blood-aura techniques were insufficiently righteous. Xu Jin, meanwhile, always complained that their methods against demonic cultivators were too merciful.
The two of them would probably have plenty to talk about — at the very least, they were complementary.
Xu Jin gave an indifferent nod and spoke his final piece.
"Meeting him is fine whenever. What matters is the matter at hand — I'll leave the arrangements to you, Brother Chu."
——————
Three days had passed since Xigua's report.
There had been no further contact from above. Donggua's demeanor remained as composed as ever, but she had begun personally directing the operation against the demonic cultivators.
What had previously been Cui Hao's responsibility was now firmly in her own hands.
Naturally, Cui Hao still had the right to offer suggestions.
From this, Xigua confirmed one thing — the decision to strike at the demonic cultivators had been made. Even though the higher-ups surely knew that ninety-nine percent of Donggua's report was fabricated, and that the risks were astronomical.
They still couldn't bear to give up even that one-in-a-million chance.
Because... the potential reward was simply too enormous.
Xigua had imagined many possible excuses Donggua might use, but he never in his wildest dreams expected her to invoke the Heavenly Meteorite.
He wasn't sure what he was feeling right now. Helplessness? Or relief that Donggua's suicide-level gamble had somehow found a way forward?
He had originally intended to simply wait for the final outcome in silence — whether it was a trap or a genuine success. He hadn't wanted to make any last-ditch struggles.
Because deep down, his honest thought was — I'm tired. Whatever. If I die, I die.
Yet for some reason, he found himself standing outside Donggua's door. His expression was conflicted, but he remained motionless.
Suddenly, Donggua's exasperated voice came from inside the room.
"You've been standing there for a quarter hour. What, do you have feelings for my door? Did losing half your body really affect you that much?"
Xigua snapped out of it. His expression returned to neutral, and he pushed the door open and went inside.
Inside the room.
A large map hovered in the air, supported by Donggua's willpower. She studied every point on it with intense focus, marking locations with threads of spiritual energy.
Donggua's tone carried a hint of impatience.
"What is it? We move against the demonic cultivator in a few days. Given how our superiors operate, even if they do send someone, it'll barely be enough. This is going to be a brutal fight."
"You didn't come here to chat, did you? Or do you have some brilliant strategy to discuss with me?"
Xigua fell silent for a moment. By the time he finally spoke, Donggua was already looking ready to throw him out.
"Not a single word Cui Hao says can be trusted. At the very least, none of the plans he proposed this time should be used. The final plan must be designed by you alone."
"And you need to prepare for the possibility that Cui Hao turns on you — and for an emergency withdrawal."
Donggua's gaze shifted from the map to Xigua. She let out a sudden scoff.
"You think I need you to tell me that? He's just a Cui Hao — a little feigned stupidity and he's easily fooled. I'm not stupid enough to place my life in someone else's hands."
"How do you think I made it this far?"
Hearing those words, Xigua felt something loosen in his chest.
He'd always assumed Donggua was being led around by the nose by Cui Hao, practically reduced to a blithering idiot. Sometimes watching the two of them had genuinely left him speechless with frustration.
Seeing Donggua back to her sharp, capable self was immensely reassuring.
"As long as you know."
Xigua gave a small nod and said nothing more, turning to leave.
Just as he reached the doorway, Donggua's voice came from behind — notably softer than before.
"Thank you."
She didn't specify what she was thanking him for. But Xigua understood.
She was thanking him for not exposing her completely.
For being glad to see her wits return to their peak.
And Xigua, at last, felt somewhat reassured.
After all, Cui Hao was only at Foundation Establishment, and his senior sister was merely at Golden Core.
Even working together, as long as Donggua kept her guard up, those two couldn't stir up much trouble.
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