Thank You

The Eastern Victory Divine Continent, Baili Liuyun.

This region was treacherous, with towering peaks and rugged ridges stretching for hundreds of miles. Countless summits lay hidden amidst the swirling mist, earning it the name "Baili Liuyun"—Hundred Miles of Flowing Clouds.

Chu Xingchen stood atop a mountain peak, his gaze calmly sweeping over the terrain below.

The operation concerning Donggua wasn’t something he had left solely to his disciples to handle haphazardly while he remained indifferent.

The Eastern Victory Divine Continent was now bustling with activity. Three top-tier immortal sects had gathered here, and the surrounding areas had long been woven into a tightly-knit intelligence network akin to an inescapable net.

No matter how advanced or covert Donggua’s methods of transmitting messages were, under the deliberate scrutiny and tracking of these three great sects, their communications had still been intercepted.

Though the Tianyan Sect and the Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect had sent only a handful of elites, their presence was formidable.

Through deduction and pursuit, they had narrowed down the target location to this very stretch of mountainous wilderness.

After all, those with low cultivation and no backing could only engage in the crudest forms of infiltration, while someone like Chu Xingchen—with both power and formidable connections—could investigate openly.

Such was the difference in standing between a master and his disciples.

"Exterminate them?" Xu Jin stood beside Chu Xingchen, his tone icy and indifferent.

Daoist Yuyang glanced downward and remarked coolly,

"This terrain is layered with forests and ravines. They could be hiding anywhere—in the mountains, underground. They’ve surely prepared escape routes. If we act recklessly, we’ll only scare them off rather than trap them."

"If they lacked such foresight, these filth wouldn’t have lasted long enough to stir trouble again."

Xu Jin turned his gaze toward Daoist Yuyang.

"With three great sects united, we can seal the earth veins in one direction and the spiritual veins in another, leaving no escape. The Tribulation Transcendence elders can jointly activate a grand formation, reducing this place to rubble. The living can be interrogated, and the dead won’t even need burial."

Daoist Yuyang fell momentarily silent at these words.

If the Tribulation Transcendence elders of three top sects combined their power in a formation, would anything survive? The area would likely be blasted into a crater, and the lingering spiritual energy would render it barren for decades.

Chu Xingchen sighed in admiration. "As expected of Brother Xu Jin—truly unyielding against evil."

Xu Jin didn’t even blink. "Should we instead share drinks and laughter with them?"

"Not at all," Chu Xingchen replied evenly. "But I suspect this isn’t their core base—just a temporary outpost. The real stronghold lies elsewhere."

Xu Jin shook his head slightly. "This isn’t like the Donggua your disciple dealt with. Even if we capture everyone here alive, we might learn nothing. These past days, we’ve only uncovered minor players. If they fail, they’ll cut all ties to avoid risk."

"Even if this isn’t their heart, it’s still a critical limb. Severing it will weaken them and remind them that a sharp blade hangs perpetually over their heads."

"Fear will make them sloppy, hesitant—buying us more time. It’s they who lack time, not us."

The so-called "demonic faction" clearly lacked the strength to overturn the world, or it would have already done so.

Once the machinery of the eighteen immortal sects truly mobilizes with irrefutable evidence, revealing their full might, what intelligence could evade their pursuit?

After a moment’s thought, Chu Xingchen chuckled.

"Killing them all would be a waste. The wicked often harbor filth in their hearts. Let a few harmless ones return to sow distrust among their own—let them scrutinize each other instead of us."

"Coincidentally, my third disciple has mastered an illusionary technique. Consider it a theatrical performance for their benefit."

Daoist Yuyang clicked his tongue. "You truly have a devious mind."

"Devious?" Xu Jin retorted righteously. "Extraordinary times demand extraordinary measures. True justice isn’t shackled by the means employed."

Chu Xingchen’s brow arched. The words reminded him of his second disciple’s usual excuses, and he couldn’t help but laugh.

"I’ll introduce you to my second disciple someday. You’d get along."

His second disciple often fretted over whether his methods were righteous enough, while Xu Jin constantly criticized leniency toward demons.

Chu Xingchen had a feeling the two might complement each other well—or at least find common ground.

Xu Jin nodded indifferently. "An introduction is trivial. What matters now is this operation. I leave the arrangements to you, Brother Chu."

Three days had passed since Xigua’s report.

There had been no further contact from above, yet Donggua remained composed, now personally overseeing plans to counter the cultists.

What was once Cui Hao’s responsibility had shifted entirely into her hands—though Cui Hao still retained the right to offer suggestions.

Thus, Xigua confirmed one thing: the higher-ups had decided to act against the cultists. Even knowing Donggua’s words were 99% lies, even aware of the immense risks, they couldn’t resist the sliver of remaining opportunity.

After all… the potential gains were too great.

Xigua had concocted countless excuses in his mind, but he never imagined Donggua would dare invoke the "Heavenly Fall" as her pretext.

He wasn’t sure what emotion gripped him now—resignation, or relief that Donggua’s suicidal lie might ironically be their salvation.

He had intended to wait passively for the outcome, whether trap or success, without further struggle.

Because Xigua’s true sentiment was: I’m tired. Whatever. Death is fine too.

Yet for some reason, he found himself standing outside Donggua’s door, expression conflicted but unmoving.

Suddenly, Donggua’s exasperated voice came from within:

"You’ve been standing there for half an hour. What, do you have a grudge against the door? Did losing half your body affect you this much?"

Xigua snapped back to reality, his face smoothing into neutrality before pushing the door open.

Inside, a large map hovered mid-air, suspended by Donggua’s willpower as she meticulously marked points with spiritual energy.

Irritation laced her tone.

"Well? We’re moving against those cultists in a few days. Given the higher-ups’ tendencies, even if they send reinforcements, it’ll barely suffice. It’ll be a brutal fight."

"You didn’t come here for small talk, did you? Or do you actually have a strategy to discuss?"

Xigua remained silent until Donggua grew impatient enough to shoo him away. Then he spoke:

"Don’t trust a single word from Cui Hao. None of his proposed plans should be used this time. You must design the final strategy yourself—and prepare for his betrayal, as well as an escape route."

Donggua’s eyes flicked from the map to Xigua, and she suddenly scoffed.

"Did I need you to tell me that? Cui Hao’s nothing. I’ve been humoring him as a fool, but I’m not stupid enough to place my life in his hands."

"You think I reached this position by being gullible?"

For some reason, Xigua’s heart eased at her words.

He’d often watched their interactions with silent fury, convinced Donggua was being duped into idiocy by Cui Hao.

Seeing her now, sharp and aware, was… refreshing.

"Good. As long as you know."

Xigua gave a slight nod and turned to leave without another word.

As he reached the doorway, Donggua's voice suddenly softened behind him:

"Thank you."

Donggua didn't specify what for, but Xigua understood—it was gratitude for not exposing him completely.

Seeing Donggua's intellect restored to its peak,

Xigua finally felt somewhat at ease.

After all, Cui Hao was merely a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and his senior sister only at the Golden Core stage.

As long as they remained vigilant, the two of them together couldn't stir up any real trouble.

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