72: camouflage

The Steward nodded and walked over to the dejected 157. "You, what is your name?"

"In... in reply to the Immortal Master, my name is Pillar." 157 looked up, his eyes filled with timidity and a flicker of hope.

"Pillar... hmm. Although your Aptitude is poor, considering your sincerity and that you have a bit of wild perception. The Sect's Miscellaneous Service Yard is still short of a few rough servants to tend the Medicinal Fields. Are you willing to go?"

"Although the monthly allowance is meager, it is stable. If you are diligent, you might even be able to secretly learn a technique or two to strengthen your body," the Steward said in a patronizing tone.

A light of pleasant surprise immediately erupted in 157's eyes, and he bowed repeatedly. "I am willing! This Disciple is willing! Thank you, Immortal Master! Thank you for your mercy, Immortal Master!"

"Alright, go over there to register and wait for arrangements." The Steward waved his hand.

157 withdrew with a thousand thanks. The moment he turned around, all emotions in his eyes instantly vanished, leaving only absolute calm.

The first step of infiltration, successful. Entering the lowest level of the Xuan Yun Sect in the most inconspicuous way.

At almost the same time, similar scenes played out in different ways with different Death Warriors at the selection points of the Divine Weapon Pavilion, Wonderful Sound Valley, and several other secondary Sects.

Whether because of "ancestral curios," "special craftsmanship," or "resilient Heart-Nature," these Death Warriors with mediocre or even poor Aptitude entered the periphery of their respective target Sects under the guise of being "barely qualified" or "specially recruited."

They had no dazzling talent or deep backgrounds; like drops of water merging into the ocean, they were silent... "Nest" Command Room.

On the light screen, under the status bar of the "deep dive plan," of the thirty markers representing candidate positions, twenty-eight had turned light green (successful infiltration), while two had turned gray (accidental failure, "reasonable" exits or rerouting already arranged).

"Young Master, the first batch of hidden agents is basically in place. All have entered the silent incubation period as planned, beginning to adapt to their environments and collect basic information," 4 reported.

"Maintain minimum one-way contact, only receiving the safety signals and public environment reports they send periodically."

"Unless there is an emergency or a major Opportunity, do not issue active instructions," Lin Mo ordered. In the Early Stages of infiltration, safety was paramount.

"Yes."

"What is the status of the backbone cultivation for the kindling plan?"

"Of the eighty-seven backbones, forty-one have successfully condensed their first hidden acupoint and stepped onto the right track of cultivation."

"Seven of them have performed excellently and can already independently handle the daily operations and basic training of small outposts. I suggest gradually granting them more authority and resources."

"Execute according to plan. Establish a tiered management system, with the core controlled by Death Warriors and the middle level held by trustworthy backbones." Lin Mo nodded.

He couldn't do everything personally; cultivating local middle-level managers was a necessity.

"The World-Breaking Team's remote sensing detection of tidal weak points has yielded preliminary results."

4 pulled up new data. "Three locations: one is near the 'Endless Sea Eye,' where spatial disturbances are most intense and the risk is highest."

"One is located in the far north at the 'Frozen Abyss,' where the energy reaction is extremely cold and stable. The third is in the southwest at the 'Buried Dragon Ancient Marsh,' where the energy is obscure and has characteristics of a Forbidden Ground for life. Detailed data has been recorded."

Lin Mo stared at the three coordinate points. He had experienced the Sea Eye personally; it was exceptionally treacherous.

The Frozen Abyss and Buried Dragon Ancient Marsh didn't sound like pleasant places either.

These places were likely where the ancient seal and the present world overlapped most vulnerably, and were key nodes where internal and external forces could potentially penetrate.

"Continue remote monitoring and establish long-term observation files. Do not approach easily until we have enough strength or a clear objective." Lin Mo made a prudent decision.

"Understood."

"The reconnaissance results for the remnant Formation nodes on the seabed of the East Sea?"

"2's team has returned safely. It is confirmed that the nodes are severely damaged, with residual ancient Formation patterns originating from the same system as the Seal."

"There are traces of unnaturally formed passages near the nodes, suggesting that small objects or energy have passed through recently. There are residual traces of minor foreign energy fluctuations, partially similar to the aura of the Blood Fiend Sect, but not entirely identical."

"It is speculated that other forces or creatures may have used these damaged nodes for limited infiltration or spying."

A new variable. Besides the Blood Fiend Sect, other entities had their eyes on this place.

Lin Mo tapped his finger on the armrest. The situation was becoming increasingly complex, but it was also within expectations. The loosening of the Seal and the allure of the demonic taint were like a cracked egg; they would always attract flies.

"Strengthen monitoring in the direction of the East Sea, especially for energy anomalies and unknown biological activities. Try to analyze the characteristics of that foreign energy fluctuation and build a signature database."

"Yes."

After handling various matters, Lin Mo looked at the top right corner of the light screen.

[Total Death Warriors]: 311/315

[Core Cultivation Group]: 89 people (Highest cultivation: Fourth Level of Qi Refining)

[Self-Cultivation Assessment]: Foundation Establishment Middle Stage (Combat power uncertain)

The numbers were steadily growing, and power was silently accumulating. The seeds of infiltration had been sown, and the eyes of observation had opened.

Next was to wait for the seeds to sprout and for the eyes to see more of the truth, while... Lin Mo turned his gaze to the entries on the light screen regarding the "Prodigy Dao Discussion Meet" and "Internal Dynasty Turmoil."

It was time to make this pool of water flow faster in the direction he needed.

"3," he called out.

"Young Master."

"Take the evidence we have regarding the secret dealings between the remnants of the Third Prince's faction and the Grassland Royal Court, as well as the rumors of several princes privately recruiting Evil Path Cultivators and hoarding contraband resources..."

"...and 'inadvertently' leak them through various channels to their political enemies, the Censorate, and... different factions within the Heavenly Supervision Department."

Lin Mo's tone was calm. "Pay attention to the rhythm, release them in batches, and create suspicion and a chain effect."

"Understood. It is expected to gradually trigger tremors in the imperial court over the next two to three months, diverting some of the high-level attention and potentially intensifying the conflicts between the princes," 3 quickly grasped the idea.

"At the same time, in the Jianghu, spread news about 'mysterious treasures emitting rays of light reaching the sky in the Buried Dragon Ancient Marsh of the southwest' and 'traces of an ancient Cultivator's Immortal Cave found in the Frozen Abyss of the far north'."

"The news should be vague, the sources mixed, a blend of truth and falsehood."

Lin Mo continued, "Lead the gazes of those restless Cultivators and adventurers who thirst for opportunities toward these remote and dangerous lands."

He wanted both the court to be in chaos and the Jianghu to be in motion. Chaos was a ladder, and also the best cover.

"Yes. The information network will be activated immediately."

The command was like a pebble thrown into a deep pool; ripples began to spread.

Lin Mo closed his eyes, his consciousness sinking into cultivation while separating a strand to connect with the more than three hundred loyal links scattered everywhere, sensing the pulse of the entire network.

Like a giant whale diving deep beneath the ocean surface, swimming slowly but steadily, breathing the currents, and influencing the ecology of the entire ocean.

On the surface, it was calm.

Beneath the water, undercurrents had already risen.