35: Chapter 35: Infiltrating the Palace!

"Senior Sister's Wisdom Eye is truly sharp, nothing can escape you. This Black Fiend Cult is indeed strange, though I can't pinpoint exactly where the strangeness lies—I only know they seem to be secretly planning something that allows Qi Refining Stage Cultivators to achieve Foundation Establishment without needing a foundation establishment pill. And after establishing their foundation, those Cultivators become Blood Servants, which is certainly not a good sign."

Since the Girl in Green Dress had already seen through him, Zhao Changsheng stopped hiding and laid out the excuse he had prepared earlier.

"Achieving Foundation Establishment without a foundation establishment pill is not unheard of in the Cultivation World. If one can find rare heaven and earth spiritual medicine or have a high-level Cultivator perform Marrow-Cleansing, there is a chance. But the Black Fiend Cult doesn't even have a single Core Formation Stage Cultivator, yet they can accomplish this. They must be using some sinister Demonic Path method; it is indeed peculiar."

After hearing Zhao Changsheng's words, the Girl in Green Dress nodded in agreement, a trace of gravity flashing in her eyes.

As a Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator who had already lived for over a hundred years, she naturally knew such methods existed. However, compared to foundation establishment pills, they were even harder to obtain, beyond mere rarity.

It was truly a once-in-a-thousand-years great Opportunity!

"This matter is fraught with unpredictable danger. Senior Sister, why not return to the Sect first and bring back more helpers?"

Zhao Changsheng seized the chance to advise, hoping to send her away.

The Girl in Green Dress, however, seemed not to hear him and instead continued questioning: "Do you know how many Foundation Establishment Cultivators this Black Fiend Cult has? How many Cultivators above the twelfth level of Qi Refining? Have they set up powerful Formations or possess any special, formidable means?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Changsheng simply shook his head: "I don't know any of that. But what I can confirm is that the Sect Master of the Black Fiend Cult must be a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, and already at the Late Stage Foundation Establishment level."

This was something he had to clarify to prevent the other party from underestimating the situation.

"In that case, the two of us are enough. With me here, the chances of successfully annihilating the Black Fiend Cult are greater; even if things don't go smoothly, I can ensure we retreat unscathed and will definitely not let you fall into danger." The Girl in Green Dress spoke solemnly, her words decisive and leaving no room for Zhao Changsheng to negotiate.

With things having reached this point, what else could Zhao Changsheng say? He could only agree: "Alright, as Senior Sister says. Thank you for your assistance."

"No need for such insincerity. Deep down, you're probably wishing I'd leave sooner so you can claim all the credit for destroying the cult alone, right?" The Girl in Green Dress saw through his thoughts at a glance, mercilessly mocking him.

Zhao Changsheng's face immediately flushed with even more embarrassment, and he hurriedly defended himself: "I absolutely do not mean that! I'm only worried about Senior Sister's safety—if this matter involves you and causes you harm, I would regret it for the rest of my life and could never absolve myself of blame!"

He quickly found a reasonable excuse for himself.

"Enough, let's not dwell on this. We should hurry with our preparations; this matter is better done sooner rather than later." The Girl in Green Dress cut him off, her tone turning serious. "With the cultivation of the two of us, plus the talisman treasure our Revered Master gave you, even if we face a Core Formation Stage Cultivator, we have the strength to fight, let alone just a Sect Revered Master at Late Stage Foundation Establishment? There's no need to be so hesitant and create unnecessary worries."

She paused, then added: "Tonight, we will go investigate the imperial palace. If the timing is right, we'll directly annihilate the Black Fiend Cult; if the timing isn't right, we'll withdraw immediately and make other plans. With our strength, if we want to escape, a single Black Fiend Cult Sect Revered Master won't be able to stop us." Clearly, she had lost interest in bickering with Zhao Changsheng and directly laid out the operation plan.

"Alright, I'll listen to Senior Sister. We act tonight!" Zhao Changsheng knew there was no room for further delay now. He could only suppress his own thoughts for the moment and look for opportunities later. "After all these years, I also want to see what kind of filthy, demonic den this Black Fiend Cult is and whether we can eradicate them in one fell swoop."

Afterward, the two discussed the action details further. The final strategy was for the Girl in Green Dress to be the main force, with Zhao Changsheng assisting from the side. Unless the Black Fiend Cult Sect Revered Master's strength far exceeded expectations or there were multiple other Foundation Establishment Cultivators within the cult, Zhao Changsheng was absolutely not to act rashly. He only needed to protect his own safety and be prepared to cover their retreat.

This arrangement was entirely for Zhao Changsheng's safety—in the eyes of the Sect, Zhao Changsheng's importance far outweighed that of the Girl in Green Dress.

He was Yellow Maple Valley's hope for a future Core Formation Cultivator, while the Girl in Green Dress, due to limitations in her Heart-Nature, had a slim chance of condensing a Golden Core.

The Girl in Green Dress was well aware of this, which was why she was unwilling to let Zhao Changsheng take risks.

Knowing this, Zhao Changsheng's slight resentment toward the Girl in Green Dress dissipated completely, let alone any hatred.

Although she had disrupted his plans, her intentions were good.

He was not a cold-blooded person; how could he blame her for this?

After eating and drinking their fill and settling the subsequent plans, the two got up and left the Restaurant, paying the bill on their way out... The night grew darker, the curtain of night like ink. Two figures, like ghosts, swept through the capital's streets and alleys, silently infiltrating the city's most core location—the imperial palace.

The layers of security within the imperial palace were like nothing in their eyes. The patrolling guards and hidden sentries—not a single one detected the traces of these two uninvited guests.

After entering the palace, the Girl in Green Dress immediately shielded Zhao Changsheng behind her while simultaneously releasing her Divine Thought, like an invisible net, carefully probing the surroundings for any movement.

A moment later, she withdrew her Divine Thought and said softly: "It seems the Black Fiend Cult's strength truly isn't much. Up to now, I haven't sensed the aura of a single Foundation Establishment Cultivator. It's likely as you said—within the cult, only the Sect Revered Master is a Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator."

"That makes sense." Zhao Changsheng chimed in, his tone deliberately tinged with confusion. "They couldn't easily obtain foundation establishment pills, and foundation establishment pills are almost the only path to Foundation Establishment in today's Cultivation World, so it's normal there are no other Foundation Establishment Cultivators. But... that Black Fiend Cult Sect Revered Master is most likely a Disciple from one of our Seven Sects. I really can't figure out why he would abandon his School identity to become the Sect Revered Master of this Black Fiend Cult. What is he plotting?" These words, seemingly questioning, were actually asked with full knowledge.

"No matter what he's plotting, this time, he will undoubtedly die." The Girl in Green Dress's tone was icy, a flash of killing intent in her eyes. "This Black Fiend Cult must also be annihilated. As for the School side, don't worry; our Revered Master will handle it. Our act of destroying the cult this time is itself a great merit; we definitely won't be punished. You can rest assured."

"I understand what Senior Sister means, but I still have concerns in my heart."

Zhao Changsheng shifted the topic, his tone turning grave. "I always feel this Black Fiend Cult Sect Revered Master isn't that simple. If he were truly mediocre, how could he have remained hidden for so many years, undetected by our Seven Sects? It can't just be because the capital is a Forbidden Ground for the Seven Sects—he must have hidden methods unknown to others. Senior Sister, when we act later, please be extra careful."

He remained wary of that Black Fiend Cult Sect Revered Master's strength and Divine Abilities, which was why he had been fully prepared from start to finish, fearing any accidents.