The interrogation chamber deep within Qingxu Temple was shrouded in gloom. Phantom Shadow, stripped of his black attire and covered in wounds, was bound to a stone pillar by spirit-constraining chains. The green lotus mark on his forehead continued to glow faintly, suppressing his cultivation and preventing any self-destructive actions.
Tang Xiaoqi, Liu Yun, Mu Qingfeng, and Sect Master Xuan Xuan Zhenren himself sat in the chamber's four corners. The atmosphere was heavy.
. Speak.. The Sect Master's voice was calm but carried unquestionable authority. . Everything you know..
Phantom Shadow raised his head with difficulty, looking at these Qingxu Temple high-level figures, a bitter smile appearing on his face: . Sect Master personally interrogating... I'm honored..
. Your choice is simple,. Tang Xiaoqi said coldly. . Tell us everything useful, and I'll ensure your soul isn't annihilated. Otherwise, the green lotus mark will slowly purify your soul power until nothing remains..
This threat was more terrifying than death for a cultivator. Soul annihilation meant complete erasure from existence - no reincarnation, nothing.
Phantom Shadow fell silent for a moment, then slowly began speaking: . The Shadow Snake Pavilion's structure... I only know parts of it. There are three Silver-Faced Envoys below the Pavilion Master, each controlling different operations. I was one of them, specifically managing assassination tasks..
. Who are the other two Silver-Faced Envoys?. Liu Yun asked sharply.
. One handles intelligence gathering, codenamed 'Thousand Eyes.' The other manages resource acquisition and external relations, codenamed 'Shadow Snake.'. Phantom Shadow answered, . I've never seen their true faces..
. And the Pavilion Master?. Mu Qingfeng asked.
Phantom Shadow's body trembled slightly: . The Pavilion Master... I've only seen him once from a distance. He wears a golden mask, and his cultivation... I estimate he's at least at the Spirit Transformation stage. Perhaps even higher..
Spirit Transformation! The Sect Master and others' expressions grew grave. A Spirit Transformation stage cultivator was already a top-tier expert in the cultivation world.
. What is the Shadow Snake Pavilion's ultimate goal?. Tang Xiaoqi asked the key question.
Phantom Shadow was silent for a long moment, then said with difficulty: . To revive... an ancient existence. I don't know the specifics, only that it requires the Four Symbols Soul Crystals and... the Purification Origin..
. The Four Symbols Soul Crystals?. The Sect Master's brow furrowed, . Those legendary artifacts from ancient times?.
. Yes.. Phantom Shadow nodded, . Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermillion Bird, Black Tortoise - the four soul crystals are keys to some kind of seal. Your son obtained the Azure Dragon Soul Crystal in the Eastern Sea, which is why he became a target..
Tang Xiaoqi's heart trembled. So his father had been targeted because of the Azure Dragon Soul Crystal all along.
. And the Purification Origin?.
. It's said to be... the power to undo the final seal.. Phantom Shadow's voice grew weaker, . I truly don't know more than this... The Shadow Snake Pavilion's hierarchy is extremely strict. What each level knows is limited..
Tang Xiaoqi exchanged glances with the others. The information Phantom Shadow had provided was already quite valuable. At least they now understood the enemy's general structure and ultimate goal.
. One last question.. Tang Xiaoqi leaned in close, his voice low, . Who is the 'Diviner'?.
Phantom Shadow's pupils suddenly contracted, his entire body beginning to tremble violently. The green lotus mark on his forehead flashed rapidly, suppressing the soul restriction that was trying to activate.
. I... cannot say.... He struggled painfully, blood seeping from the corners of his mouth, . He... he can see... fate... those who know his identity... all die....
. Just a name.. Tang Xiaoqi pressed, . Or any identifying feature..
Phantom Shadow's body convulsed for several more seconds, then suddenly stilled. He raised his head, a strange smile appearing on his face: . He... said... you would ask this question... He said... you and he... will meet... soon....
As his words fell, his body suddenly went limp, all signs of life completely vanishing!
. He's dead!. Liu Yun quickly checked, . His soul has dispersed!.
Tang Xiaoqi stood in silence. That mysterious . Diviner. had actually predicted this interrogation and prepared a death trap within Phantom Shadow's soul. This person's terror far exceeded the Shadow Snake Pavilion itself.
. The enemy knows us better than we know them.. The Sect Master said gravely, . This is not good..
. But at least we know their goal.. Mu Qingfeng said, . The Four Symbols Soul Crystals and the Purification Origin. Xiaoqi possesses both, which is why he's become their primary target..
Tang Xiaoqi nodded slowly. The battle line had been drawn. Now, it was a matter of who would make the next move.