Is this true

"Reporting to Your Eminence, there is urgent news. Our subordinate Cui Hao has uncovered something of grave importance while investigating the demonic cultivators."

"He and his senior sister were originally dispatched by the Taidao Sect to covertly investigate the annihilation of the Mist Mystic Temple years ago."

"According to intelligence, the former sect master of Mist Mystic Temple must have obtained the Celestial Meteorite, which enabled him to incite the battle between Chu Xingchen and Daoist Yuyang at the temple, ultimately reducing the entire Mist Mystic Temple to a deep ravine."

"However, after the great battle, the Taidao Sect’s search yielded no trace of the Celestial Meteorite. At the time, the Taidao Sect’s leader had personally arrived, and Daoist Yuyang was also present. The likelihood of Chu Xingchen obtaining the meteorite was virtually nonexistent."

"Thus, in the Taidao Sect’s records, this Celestial Meteorite was classified as lost—or perhaps hidden away by the Mist Mystic Temple’s sect master."

"But the truth may be far more complicated."

"Cui Hao has confirmed that the demonic cultivators who have been unusually active lately may have seized the Celestial Meteorite hidden by Mist Mystic Temple and have already begun experimenting with it."

"Their ambitions are far greater than mere banditry—this would also explain why a Soul Unity demonic cultivator has taken the field."

"Yet the most troublesome aspect isn’t the Soul Unity demonic cultivator, but the fact that aside from Cui Hao’s team, other sect disciples are also pursuing the Taidao Sect’s orders—even the Taidao Sect itself is investigating."

"Given the demonic cultivators’ methods, it’s only a matter of time before they’re tracked down."

"The longer we delay, the higher the risks and uncertainties become. Unfortunately, the forces I’ve gathered now are far weaker than before. But given the gravity of this matter, I must boldly seek Your Eminence’s aid."

"If our clan can reclaim the Celestial Meteorite, we may break free from our current plight. Even if not, it would still be a tremendous advantage!"

In a dimly lit cave, Donggua lay prostrate, her forehead pressed against the ground. Before her stood a grotesque, misshapen clay idol clad in heavy armor, its fierce expression faded with time.

The idol’s surface roiled and twisted, its shifting features distorting into eerie expressions.

Donggua took shallow breaths, tension coiling through her body.

She had lied to her superiors before—after all, failures were common, and Donggua had learned to deflect blame to survive. Whether her lies had gone unnoticed or her cunning was simply tolerated for field operations, she didn’t know.

But this was the first time she had fabricated something so grand.

After much deliberation, she concluded this was the only way to secure a Soul Unity expert’s support.

Only by framing this as a priority for her superior would they act recklessly, as Cui Hao had suggested—fearful of failure and willing to spare no expense.

She had one shot at this. Contact with her superior was rare, and repeated lies would invite suspicion—and scrutiny.

So Donggua went all in.

The clay idol continued to writhe silently.

The weight of the silence grew unbearable, stifling Donggua’s breath.

Finally, the idol’s gravelly voice shattered the stillness:

"Do you have concrete intelligence to present now?"

"Time is short, and we lack fully verified details. The information is still fragmentary," Donggua replied, her voice trembling slightly before she hastily added,

"But Cui Hao is willing to stake his life on this. He has his methods."

"The implications are too significant to ignore, so I deemed it necessary to report to Your Eminence."

She pressed her forehead harder against the ground.

If this unraveled, she could always pin it on Cui Hao. He wouldn’t blame her—not where he’d be going.

And if he had objections, he could voice them himself—assuming he ever returned.

The idol’s painted, menacing eyes bore into Donggua, its tone eerily calm:

"If true, we must act—or at least confirm the details."

Donggua inhaled sharply and interjected before the idol could continue:

"I am incompetent. To verify this, we’d need to confront the Soul Unity cultivator—the greatest threat of all. As of now, I..."

She trailed off, then kowtowed again, declaring:

"I am incompetent!"

The idol’s surface convulsed violently before it spoke again after a pause:

"Reaching this level likely requires more than one Soul Unity cultivator. With the Celestial Meteorite’s aid, that blood-qi demonic cultivator may have broken through to Soul Unity."

"I will adjust our arrangements and contact you later."

"Prepare the intelligence. Conduct a thorough analysis. Ideally, confirm whether the Celestial Meteorite is truly involved."

The idol paused, its fierce gaze sweeping over the prostrate Donggua before continuing:

"If this is indeed the Celestial Meteorite, you will be rewarded with ascension to the Celestial Beyond."

Donggua exhaled inwardly but feigned excitement, her voice brimming with fervor:

"Thank you, Your Eminence! I will spare no effort to see this through."

The idol offered no reply.

After a moment, Donggua sensed the oppressive aura fade. She rose calmly, staring at the now-still idol.

Without another word, she turned and strode out.

The Celestial Beyond was the dream of every demonic operative.

Yet Donggua had no idea what lay there—she had never seen it, only heard it was a place of great power.

A place where one could rise from a mere pawn to a master of the game.

Perhaps even command the board herself one day.

Under normal circumstances, such a promise would have thrilled her beyond measure, driving her to any lengths.

But this was all a fabrication.

There was no Celestial Meteorite—not even clarity on the demonic cultivators’ true goals.

This time, Donggua only hoped to survive the mission.

The Celestial Beyond...

Hah.

She knew she’d never lay eyes on it in this lifetime.

But survival was enough.

"Did Donggua’s claim about the demonic cultivators possessing the Celestial Meteorite come from Cui Hao’s guarantee? Have you verified this?"

In another hidden mountain crevice, Xigua knelt much like Donggua had, one hand bracing his posture.

Before him stood a weathered, peeling wooden puppet.

Xigua answered swiftly: "I’ve heard nothing of it. Donggua never mentioned it to me."

The puppet remained silent for a moment before asking:

"Do you think she’s hoarding the credit, or has she developed other ideas?"

This time, Xigua took longer to respond, deliberating before speaking:

"In this world, we alone have no place to call home. She has no choice. As for Donggua’s report... it feels too nebulous, too unsubstantiated. At least, I’ve detected no corroborating evidence."

"As for Cui Hao—Donggua is no match for him. She may have been deceived."

Xigua lowered his head in silence. This was all the help he could offer.

It was an act of undermining, yet it also protected Donggua.

Those who truly get things done never rely solely on one person to wield unchecked authority.

Donggua was full of ambition, burning with fervor—daring to act and even risk his life. In urgent times, such people could prove invaluable.

Xigua, on the other hand, carried an air of twilight years. Though more composed and shrewd than Donggua, he was no longer the optimal choice.

That was why she had been selected to oversee this operation.

As for Xigua, he still had his uses—a silent, inconspicuous piece on the board, overlooked yet crucial to those above.

Steady, intelligent, loyal, and capable of delivering clear messages.

He could sharpen the vision of those in power.

Xigua sighed inwardly. Donggua hadn’t seen through his own death wish—one meant for her sake, and for Xigua’s as well.

Now, only the two of them remained. If Xigua died, Donggua would be free to act without restraint.

And for him, death would mean final liberation, no longer burdened by the tenderness hidden in the heavens beyond.

“I understand.”

The answer from the weathered wooden puppet was ambiguous.

It was unclear whether it had listened to Donggua or half-heeded Xigua.

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