183: Mystery of the Demonic Sect

Just as Yao Delong's gaze swept across the high platform, the Dan Chenzi, Dan Chenzi, who was seated in the Peak Master's seat,

seemed to sense something. His gentle gaze instantly pierced through the crowd and landed precisely on Yao Delong.

"Delong?"

A warm smile immediately appeared on Dan Chenzi's face, and a gentle voice transmission rang out directly in Yao Delong's Sea of Consciousness:

"You've come out of seclusion? Your aura is thick and has improved quite a bit!

This place is noisy. Why don't you come up and watch the ceremony from Junior Martial Uncle's side? The view is better and it's quieter."

Yao Delong felt a touch of warmth in his heart; Junior Martial Uncle Dan Chenzi truly treated him with kindness.

However, his gaze swept over the high platform that represented the core of the Sect's highest power,

as well as the nine Peak Masters, three Core Disciples, and numerous Elders seated upon it, and he shook his head slightly.

He also replied via voice transmission:

"Thank you for your kindness, Junior Martial Uncle. I have just come out of seclusion, and my aura still needs to be stabilized.

Besides, I can see the techniques of my fellow Disciples more clearly from below and learn a thing or two.

I won't go up to disturb you and the other Peak Masters."

Hearing this, a flash of understanding and approval crossed Dan Chenzi's eyes.

He knew well that Yao Delong had a low-key personality, disliked showing off, and even more so, did not wish to become a target of public criticism at this time.

He did not force the matter further, only nodding with a smile:

"Very well, just watch the battles on your own then. I look forward to your performance in the Core Disciple rankings in three days."

"I will certainly do my best," Yao Delong responded respectfully.

Dan Chenzi withdrew his gaze, the smile on his face fading as he turned to look at the Sect Head White Cloud Master beside him.

His lips moved slightly, clearly engaging in a secret voice transmission.

"Senior Brother, since Delong brought back the news, our Sect has been secretly investigating for several months.

We have used means such as the 'Heart-Interrogating Mirror' and 'Source-Tracing Talisman' to screen everyone from the Outer Sect to the Inner Sect, and even some deacons..."

Dan Chenzi's voice was solemn. "However, that mole seems to have vanished into thin air, with not a single clue to be found!

If Delong hadn't brought back Senior Brother Yao's Pill Fire, I would almost doubt the truth of this matter."

White Cloud Master's expression remained warm, but a cold glint flickered deep in his eyes:

"The Heart-Interrogating Mirror can illuminate the Divine Soul, and the Source-Tracing Talisman can track Karma. It is impossible for ordinary Disciples or even deacons

to hide Devilish Qi under such means without revealing a flaw. Unless..."

"Unless this mole holds a very high position, has deep cultivation,

and possesses extremely sophisticated concealment secret techniques, or even... carries a rare treasure capable of shielding against detection!"

Dan Chenzi took up the thread, his tone heavy. "Their identity is likely no longer that of an ordinary Elder..."

The two men's gazes seemingly casually swept over the group of Elders standing in attendance on the high platform,

as well as the several Peak Masters seated nearby (Black River of the Earth, Ji Yanshuang, Liu Yue, Li Cen, Mu Xianglan, Lei Zhenzi, Peak Master Han Yunzhou, Ou Yehong), their thoughts racing.

A Peak Master? This thought was too terrifying!

Every Peak Master was a pillar of the Yin Yang Sect, a top combat power of the Soul Transformation Stage, and the very Foundation of the Sect!

If one of them was a mole for the Demonic Sect... the consequences would be unimaginable!

The possibility was extremely low, but not entirely impossible.

The means of the Demonic Sect were treacherous and unpredictable, and their infiltration ran deeper than imagined.

"Or perhaps... a certain highly trusted, high-ranking Elder with real power?"

White Cloud Master transmitted, "This matter is tricky and needs to be considered carefully and observed in secret. We must not alert the enemy.

Strengthen the protection and monitoring of vital locations such as the Secret Realms, storehouses, and Formation cores of each peak."

"Yes, Sect Head Senior Brother," Dan Chenzi replied, his heart filled with even greater worry.

The enemy is in the dark while we are in the light; this hidden tumor is like a sword hanging over our heads, and no one knows when it will fall.

When their gazes swept over the Peak Master of Spirit Forging Peak, Ou Yehong,

this burly man, who was like a human furnace, seemed to sense something. He raised a thick, crimson eyebrow and transmitted his voice gruffly:

"Old Bai, Old Dan, what are you two whispering about, making eyes at each other?

Have you found some good Materials again? Share some with old Ou!"

White Cloud Master and Dan Chenzi looked at each other and smiled bitterly. This Lord of the Forging Heavens

had a simple mind; his eyes were only for Artifact Refining Materials. White Cloud Master gave a hollow laugh:

"Junior Brother Ou must be joking. We were just discussing a few promising young talents below."

Hearing this, Ou Yehong's bell-like eyes immediately glared at the arena below, and he said in a booming voice:

"Oh? Which ones? Let me see! Hmm... that kid with the hammer isn't bad, his strength is great!

And that girl playing with water, her mastery isn't quite there yet, but her spirituality is decent..."

Yao Delong withdrew his gaze from the high platform and turned it toward the dozens of arenas below where battles were in full swing.

His gaze was like lightning, quickly sweeping across.

Soon, a familiar figure caught his eye.

Spirit Water Peak, Lin Shishi!

Her figure was still graceful, dressed in a water-blue gown, surrounded by a misty water vapor,

but her aura was more than a level stronger than during the last Inner Sect selection! She was actually at the Early Golden Core Stage!

Her opponent was an experienced and steady Inner Sect Disciple at Foundation Establishment Perfection, whose earth-system defensive techniques were quite solid.

However, the gap in Realm was difficult to overcome.

Lin Shishi raised her fair hand, and streams of water arrows and water blades, condensed as if they were solid,

carrying a bone-chilling cold and powerful piercing force, easily tore through her opponent's earth walls and stone shields.

In just over a dozen moves, the veteran Disciple was already struggling to cope,

and was finally entangled by a flexible yet powerful water ribbon and thrown out of the arena.

"Lin Shishi of Spirit Water Peak wins!" the Referee Elder announced loudly.

Yao Delong nodded slightly.

To be able to Breakthrough to the Golden Core and stabilize her Realm in such a short time,

Lin Shishi's talent and hard work were not to be underestimated.

Turning his gaze again, he saw several more familiar faces:

Xiao Huohuo of Chiyan Peak, with flames rising around him and a fierce offensive; Li Xuanqing of Heavenly Sword Peak, with sharp sword techniques and a piercing edge;

Liu Yufei of Spirit Plant Peak, controlling several strange spiritual plants, both offensive and defensive, and quite difficult to deal with... These were all outstanding individuals who had participated in the Inner Sect selection together, and now they were shining in the Inner Sect Ranking Competition.

However, with Yao Delong's current strength of possessing several Earth Rank Perfection Cultivation Techniques, comprehending the Sword Domain, and having a powerful Divine Sense,

the battles of these Inner Sect Disciples, whether in terms of technique or power level,

seemed somewhat "slow" and "weak" to him. After observing for a moment, he gained very little.

'It seems that competitions at the Inner Sect level no longer offer much benefit to me.'

Yao Delong thought to himself. Just as he was about to turn and leave to find a quiet place to further consolidate his cultivation,

a clear female voice, tinged with a bit of alarm and annoyance, came from the outskirts of the crowd not far away:

"Senior Brother Meng! Please show some self-respect! I said, I'm not interested in your 'kindness'!"

This voice... it was Luo Miaomiao!

Yao Delong frowned and looked toward the sound.

He saw that in a relatively quiet spot under the shade of a tree, near the edge of the Core Disciple viewing area,

stood a young girl dressed in a goose-yellow dress.

Her face was charming and her skin was as white as snow,

but her lively large eyes were now full of anger and wariness; it was precisely Luo Miaomiao of Spirit Water Peak!

Opposite her stood several figures. The leader had a feminine face,

with a disgusting fake smile hanging on the corner of his mouth—who else could it be but Meng Bi?

Behind him followed several Inner Sect Disciples with weak auras, who were clearly his lackeys.