Chu Xingchen raised his hand slightly, using spiritual energy to draw the crystal toward him, while simultaneously summoning Wan Ban in its embroidery needle form.
For something entangled with rules, using Wan Ban to verify it would be more convenient.
In a sense, Wan Ban might have been born precisely for such a purpose.
Wan Ban coiled around the crystal for a moment, then immediately bloomed with brilliant light, seemingly intent on destroying the crystal outright.
Chu Xingchen didn't use spiritual energy to control it. He simply raised his hand slightly to convey his intent. Wan Ban instantly froze in place, trembling for a moment as if exercising tremendous restraint before returning to Chu Xingchen's hand.
"The speculation is more or less accurate. Certain rules may have fallen into the hands of demons." Chu Xingchen recalled Wan Ban and asked, "Under what circumstances did you find this thing?"
Bai Xuanling raised her eyes and spoke: "I know a bit about this. Do you remember when Bai Qing captured a batch of creatures in the Eastern Divine Continent? Besides pursuing the Buddhist sect lead, we never let go of the Eastern Divine Continent thread either."
"We followed that lead and uncovered a large number of bizarre evil cultivators of various classifications, all connected by this single thread."
"We cast a wide net with many long lines, but ultimately only caught some evil cultivators who had been mystified by this thing."
"Those evil cultivators were all interrogated—you know the Heavenly Derivation Sect's ultimate methods, and half of them were practically devised by you."
"They knew nothing, only believing this was a heaven-sent opportunity. They thought that by cracking or absorbing it, they could ascend to immortality and dominate the world."
Bai Xuanling suddenly scoffed at this point. "Putting everything else aside—if this thing truly had such miraculous effects, how would those lowly evil cultivators ever have learned of it?"
"A thousand years of cultivation still can't match a fragment of a principle—then how can cultivation be called treading the path to heaven? If that were truly the case, such immortality wouldn't be worth pursuing."
Chu Xingchen glanced sideways at Yan Yun. "So you've called me here because there's something you need me to do personally?"
Yan Yun nodded gently. "The Heavenly Derivation Sect doesn't have much strength in the Eastern Divine Continent."
"Our last operation also drew dissatisfaction from other immortal sects—after all, we nominally claimed to be investigating demonic activity, but in the end only rounded up evil cultivators. Our explanation naturally couldn't satisfy the other immortal sects."
"Behind the scenes, they probably suspect the Heavenly Derivation Sect of wanting to leverage its dual-core disciples to extend its reach where it shouldn't."
"Once suspicion arises, no matter how upright our actions, in others' eyes we're always preparing to do something underhanded."
"I hear you and Yuyang Daizi of the Great Dao Sect are on quite good terms. If we could borrow the Great Dao Sect's capability to handle things, that would be ideal. If not, we're willing to be fully transparent with Yuyang Daizi about our objectives—at the very least, we need the Heavenly Derivation Sect's people to conduct the investigation."
Chu Xingchen didn't immediately agree. Instead, he asked in return: "Wouldn't it be better for Sect Master Lu and the Great Dao Sect's sect master to discuss this? Operating in secret is ultimately rather passive."
"Naturally, the communication hasn't gone smoothly." Yan Yun sighed. "Sometimes, a grand exchange between major sects is far less effective than a private word between friends asking for help."
"This isn't an exchange of interests. If you handle it in your capacity, it might actually be simpler. At the very least, the Heavenly Derivation Sect could send fewer people, and it would represent our stance of having no intention of interfering in the Eastern Divine Continent's situation."
Chu Xingchen nodded slightly at her words, accepting Yan Yun's reasoning, then asked:
"Are there any remaining leads to follow up on? You can't have broken the fishing rod and then told me to wander around blind."
Yan Yun produced a pale blue jade stone. "We have covert agents planted there under the Heavenly Derivation Sect's direction, though they don't know they're being managed by us directly. We've been operating them under the front of a new faction."
"That previous investigation caused quite a stir, and the Heavenly Derivation Sect hasn't directly collected intelligence from that side for a while. But recently, a major lead was submitted, and it feels like a waste not to pursue it. We wouldn't ask you if we had another choice, but these are troubled times, and we can only turn to you—after all, fewer complications are always better."
Chu Xingchen stood up, looking somewhat speechless. He reached out and summoned the pale blue jade stone from Yan Yun's hand:
"You've got covert agents spread across multiple networks gathering intelligence, and you still complain about others being suspicious of you. Listening to you just now, I almost thought the Heavenly Derivation Sect was truly pure and spotless."
Yan Yun also stood up, answering in a calm tone:
"If we were truly pure and spotless, we wouldn't be one of the Eighteen Immortal Sects. Besides, they have their own covert agents in the Southern Continent too. We're all the same color—how is that not another form of purity?"
Chu Xingchen stretched and said in a somewhat lazy tone: "Yes, yes, you're absolutely right. Congratulations on redefining the usage of 'pure and spotless,' establishing the equivalence conditions for 'pure and spotless,' and elevating its application to an entirely new level."
Yan Yun looked at Chu Xingchen with a slightly puzzled expression. The words sounded rather odd—technically speaking in circles, only half said. But even without thinking hard, it was clear this was definitely not a compliment.
Still, compared to how infuriating he used to be, in Yan Yun's eyes, Chu Xingchen was now practically amicable.
Yan Yun ignored the remark and asked directly: "So you're agreeing?"
"Mm." Chu Xingchen nodded lightly. "Where do I go to make contact?"
Yan Yun let out a slight breath of relief. Sure enough, ever since Lingyu had persuaded him with a cup of wine last time, Chu Xingchen's attitude had improved considerably. She immediately said:
"Eastern Divine Continent, outside Yao Guang Immortal City, at Yu Hua Stream."
"Once you arrive, simply present the jade stone I just gave you. Your codename is Jiu Xuan. After that, you'll assume command of all the Heavenly Derivation Sect's agents and covert operatives in the Eastern Divine Continent."
"If you encounter any problems you can't solve, or any moments of crisis, you can contact the Heavenly Derivation Sect directly. No matter the situation, we will provide aid at the first opportunity, regardless of cost."
Chu Xingchen gave a slight nod in acknowledgment, then walked over to stand before Bai Xuanling.
Bai Xuanling was still sitting where she was, raising her gaze slightly to look at Chu Xingchen. "Do you have some task for me?"
"There is one thing." Chu Xingchen produced a pill bottle from his spatial ring and set it before Bai Xuanling. "You're not as carefree as you used to be. Anyone can see you're unwell."
"Good medicine is bitter. Remember to take your medicine on time. The position of Grand Elder is still being kept warm for you."
Bai Xuanling's face broke into a faint smile at his words. She swept her white robes with a grand gesture, her tone suddenly much lighter:
"You brat, giving me orders now. Understood. Go handle your business—and don't mess it up and make me clean up after you."
Chu Xingchen clasped his hands in farewell. "Rest assured."
With those words, Chu Xingchen walked out. Once beyond the main hall, he transformed into a streak of rainbow light and departed.
Yan Yun withdrew her gaze, then looked at Bai Xuanling with concern:
"Senior Uncle Bai, though your spirits have improved considerably, they haven't fully stabilized. This isn't anything major—you didn't need to come here in person."
Bai Xuanling shook her head slightly. "That kid is sharp. If I hadn't come today, who knows what he'd imagine."
"He might have thought I was dying."
Then, as if remembering something, Bai Xuanling asked:
"Everything I mentioned—have you made proper arrangements?"
Yan Yun answered solemnly: "Rest assured, Senior Uncle. Nothing has been overlooked."
"Mm." Bai Xuanling picked up the pill bottle from the table and headed out.
"You put in some effort and become sect master a bit sooner. If you took the position, I daresay you might even outdo your master."
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