Given Chu Xingchen's extremely special status, the four of them were not housed in the usual guest peak. Instead, they rested right there on the main peak, which was protected by additional grand formations.
Moreover, the moment Chu Xingchen expressed his hope that Xiaoyun Hall would provide assistance, the hall had begun mobilizing personnel — even in a situation where they barely knew what they were supposed to be doing.
Since Chu Xingchen and his group had arrived at Xiaoyun Hall, the entire hall's attitude had been exemplary. Setting aside whether Yunxiao was deliberately playing the hard cop, the rest had been beyond reproach.
Even when facing Chu Xingchen's occasional nitpicking demands, they did their best to negotiate.
After yesterday's discussions and the meeting with Ye Antao, today the group chose to rest rather than return to the great hall.
Daoist Yuyang sat lazily in a courtyard chair, his gaze on Chu Xingchen:
"After waiting several days, all you were waiting for was a very expressive Spirit Transformation cultivator?"
Chu Xingchen snorted lightly and smiled: "Naturally."
"I didn't see anything particularly impressive about her." Daoist Yuyang produced three bottles of wine from his spatial ring and began distributing them. "Does this little girl have some hidden story?"
Chu Xingchen took the wine, clinked cups with Daoist Yuyang, took a sip, then replied:
"Her biological brother is Yunxiao. Does that count?"
Daoist Yuyang raised an eyebrow: "Mmm… somewhat. But I don't think she can really call the shots."
Chu Xingchen clinked cups with Xu Jin, then chuckled:
"Put everything else aside — would you rather deal with Ye Antao or deal with Yunxiao?"
Daoist Yuyang answered instantly:
"Ye Antao, definitely."
Xu Jin held his wine bottle, his gaze drifting beyond the courtyard's protective barrier, and said softly:
"They're here. The conditions from yesterday will probably be accepted."
Chu Xingchen's gaze naturally followed. His cultivation had now recovered to the early Mahayana stage, making him the highest among the group.
But when he had arrived, he had still been channeling Xuanqing Heavenly Sect's treasure — more than enough to mask his divine sense and cultivation fluctuations, keeping anyone from detecting his true state.
Besides, his official story was still that he was at Nascent Soul, diligently cultivating.
Outside the barrier.
Ye Antao and Yunxiao were already waiting silently at the entrance, with no one else behind them.
Chu Xingchen rose to his feet as the barrier at the entrance dissipated.
When Ye Antao and Yunxiao walked into the courtyard, the barrier re-formed behind them.
Chu Xingchen gestured for them to take the empty seats, then smiled:
"I trust Fellow Daoists have good news for me."
Yunxiao said nothing.
Ye Antao smiled and spoke:
"I only returned to the hall yesterday, spent the whole night going through the intelligence, and finally understood the situation. Last night the Sect Master approved my leading the squad. However, I'm still inexperienced, and there are things I genuinely don't understand, so Yunxiao will serve as deputy commander."
Ye Antao watched Chu Xingchen's face closely for any reaction.
But unfortunately, Chu Xingchen's expression didn't change at all. He nodded naturally:
"That's only right. I trust Fellow Daoist Ye's abilities."
As he spoke, Chu Xingchen produced a Map Jade Token from his spatial ring, activated it, and a detailed map with numerous marked targets appeared in the air.
"Those are all mission targets. Memorize them, then find any location you like, and we'll strike together to test what they're made of?"
Ye Antao stared in mild bewilderment at the exquisitely detailed map.
Was this how things worked?
Wasn't there supposed to be some heart-to-heart conversation, some words of guidance, then Chu Xingchen gradually revealing information, and only after genuine effort would she earn his trust — and then together they would plan great things?
This process was absurdly fast. They hadn't even exchanged two sentences of reminiscence, and they were already at the final step.
And wasn't "strike together to test what they're made of" a rather crude approach?
Yunxiao watched the bewildered Ye Antao, a faint smile touching his lips.
Just yesterday she had claimed she didn't understand social dynamics, that her words weren't clever enough.
Now she could see — Chu Xingchen never played by the rules.
Ye Antao felt a twinge of suspicion, wondering if this was a test from Chu Xingchen to gauge her true capability. After a moment's thought, she said tentatively:
"Wouldn't striking at just one target startle the snake in the grass? Wouldn't it be better to try to catch them all in one net?"
"Hmm? Isn't startle-the-snake exactly what we're going to do?" Chu Xingchen smiled. "After all, any intelligence we can confirm at this stage probably isn't truly critical. Startle the snake first, observe their movements — there might even be additional surprises. Making them hesitate to hit the rat for fear of the vessel is a valid strategy too."
"Fellow Daoist Ye, are you testing my level with that question?"
Ye Antao's expression grew even more animated, and an awkward smile crept back onto her face.
Yunxiao, seeing this, interjected:
"Since Fellow Daoist Chu already has a plan, we'll follow it for now. But how does Fellow Daoist plan to strike?"
Chu Xingchen smiled: "I've got a Donggua, so brute force will do."
"Huh?" Ye Antao finally couldn't help but let out a confused sound.
"Huh?"
Northern Julu Continent.
Donggua had no idea how many times it had made this confused, near-death exclamation.
No matter how despicable Cui Hao's methods were, Donggua genuinely did not want to fall into Xu Linglong's hands right now.
So it had indeed performed a few acts right under the noses of Tianyan Sect's cultivators, and word of its "defection" had probably already reached Xu Linglong's ears.
At least the mission had its limits — most of it was just showing its face, and Tianyan Sect cultivators were always present as escorts.
Though Donggua seethed inwardly, it had to admit this was better than being hunted by Wukong across Western Niu Continent. At least here it could bask in the sun, and no Buddhist would suddenly appear and run it through with a sword.
Donggua understood it was merely a chess piece to be moved around at will.
It had already braced itself for a grim ending.
But that didn't mean Donggua had no bottom line.
Donggua watched the Tianyan Sect cultivator before it extend a jade token.
The Spirit Transformation-stage Tianyan Sect cultivator looked cold, his tone none too polite:
"Uncle-Master Cui's orders — infiltrate among them in your demon identity and obtain critical intelligence."
Donggua heard this and felt its head throb. There were too many elements to unpack; it didn't even know where to start cursing.
"Isn't Cui Hao no longer at Tianyan Sect? Where does he get off issuing orders?"
"Uncle-Master Cui is concerned for your safety and specially sent these orders."
"My safety? I've personally killed more demons than I can count. My reputation may not be completely ruined, but it's definitely not one that could pass as an insider! The only reason I haven't been chopped to pieces after going in is that they can't beat me!"
"Uncle-Master Cui says that with your abilities, it will be easily accomplished."
"Bullshit! If you want to kill me, can't you just be direct about it? Xu Linglong is as elusive as a ghost — if you die here, that's your problem. What about me?"
"Uncle-Master Cui says Xu Linglong wouldn't risk her life to kill a piece of trash like you just for revenge. So don't worry."
Donggua now understood that further words were useless. Its fists clenched tight, eyes blazing with fury, and it said through gritted teeth:
"Cui Hao! I will kill you!"
The Tianyan Sect disciple's lips curled upward, his tone earnest:
"I will be sure to pass that message along to Uncle-Master Cui."
Donggua was so furious it almost laughed, too exhausted to even curse at this lunatic of a Tianyan Sect disciple.
After laughing for a moment, Donggua forced a sound from its throat as if sighing:
"Huh…"
[
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