Players: All NPCs in the Sect Are Moles

Qingxu Temple, a secret chamber in the back mountains.

Xuanyuan gazed at Su Ling’er’s intact life tablet, lost in thought.

Su Ling’er had been sent to...

The Guixi Sect.

’Time is running out. Since the spy sent to the Guixi Sect managed to survive, perhaps it’s worth digging deeper!’

Before long, a figure walked into the dimly lit secret chamber.

"This disciple greets the Sect Leader."

The newcomer was a young-looking outer disciple, dressed in a simple gray Daoist robe. His Cultivation was only at the second layer of Qi Refining.

He looked entirely unremarkable, save for a Heart-Protecting Copper Mirror hanging on his chest, which he had polished to a brilliant shine.

Xuanyuan looked at him, his expression just as solemn and grave as it had been when he summoned Su Ling’er.

He mentally rehearsed the same speech he had given Su Ling’er, then slowly began to speak.

"Wang Xiedi, you have been a part of my sect for several years now. Do you know of the Guixi Sect, located three hundred li to the east?"

"This disciple has heard of them."

"I suspect they may be the remnant of some ancient, long-lost Evil Cultivator lineage that has now reappeared in the world.

Their Cultivation Techniques, their goals—everything about them is a mystery. They are truly a sharp blade hanging over the heads of us orthodox sects."

"And your senior sister, Su Ling’er, infiltrated them to uncover the truth. She has not been heard from since, and her fate is unknown!"

"What?!"

Wang Xiedi’s expression changed at his words.

’Wait, hold on a second?!’

’Miss Su?!’

An image of her flashed through Wang Xiedi’s mind, finally settling on a figure in a red dress.

’She... She’s trapped in a den of devils?!’

’No word from her?!’

’When did this happen?!’

’No wonder I haven’t seen her around lately!’

Back when he was in the outer sect, she had always looked out for him, and the thought filled Wang Xiedi with self-reproach.

Xuanyuan took in his reaction and continued.

"Wang Xiedi, like your senior sister, your talent and aptitude are of the lowest grade. You both possess a Pseudo Spirit Root.

Despite cultivating bitterly for years, you are still only at the second layer of Qi Refining.

Have you ever felt unwilling to accept this?"

’Unwilling?’

Wang Xiedi thought for a moment. ’Probably... not.’

But then again, maybe he had.

Years ago, when he was on the verge of starvation, Miss Qin, a senior sister from the Qingxu Temple’s outer sect, had given him a steamed bun and even brought him back to the temple. Since then, everyone had looked out for him.

And Miss Su, being the most diligent person in the outer sect, often looked out for him as well—or rather, she looked out for all her junior brothers and sisters, and he was just one of them.

His aptitude was poor, so he couldn’t grow strong enough to protect the sect like the elders or the Sect Leader, but he felt he could protect this warmth he had found.

He wanted to protect everything he held beautiful in his heart, just like protecting a ray of light within him.

To this end, he polished his ancestral Heart-Protecting Mirror every day, because his grandfather had once told him that as long as his heart was sincere, the mirror could protect those important to him.

And he remembered: a drop of kindness should be repaid with a gushing spring. When you do something, you must see it through to the end. You must be a true man!

Once, Miss Qin was summoned to a dark room by the Sect Leader. She had told him that the Sect Leader had given her an important mission, and that she had finally earned his recognition!

He had been so happy for Miss Qin at the time.

But since that day, Miss Qin had never returned...

And it seemed the same had happened to Miss Su...

"Now, there is an opportunity before you."

"Infiltrate the Guixi Sect and become one of their disciples.

No matter what methods you use, you are to uncover the truth about their Cultivation Techniques, find evidence that they are Evil Cultivators, and report everything you learn to me.

Of course, you may also look for Su Ling’er while you are there and confirm her safety."

"Upon your success, not only will I make an exception and accept you as my Direct Disciple, but I will also personally perform a Marrow Washing to reshape your spiritual foundation!

I can even tell you the whereabouts of Miss Qin, the senior sister who brought you back to Qingxu Temple. After your mission is complete, if you wish to find her, you may go."

Wang Xiedi’s heart pounded with excitement.

’I can find out what happened to Miss Qin, the one who brought me to the temple!!!’

’After I become a Direct Disciple, I’ll be able to repay Miss Qin, who saved me when I was like a stray dog on the street, and Miss Su, who always looked after me.’

’Since...’

’Since the Sect Leader himself has said so...’

"Sect Leader! This disciple... This disciple is willing to go!"

"Good."

Xuanyuan nodded in satisfaction and took a small jade box from his robes.

"The last Contracted Spirit Insect was of too low a grade. This time, I will bestow upon you this ’Heart-Connected Fruit’."

He opened the jade box. Inside lay a thumb-sized fruit, crimson all over and covered in strange patterns.

"These fruits grow in pairs on the same plant, one child and one mother."

"You will carry this child fruit with you."

"When you have gathered enough intelligence, you will swallow this fruit.

At that time, the information you wish to convey in your mind will appear on the mother fruit I have here.

Ordinarily, it is just a common Spirit Fruit. Only after being consumed can it transmit a message.

You must keep it safe. Do not lose it under any circumstances, and absolutely do not let anyone else eat it by mistake!"

"Yes, Sect Leader!"

Wang Xiedi accepted the jade box and carefully stored the child fruit close to his body.

"Go."

Xuanyuan waved his hand.

"I have high hopes for you. You must be extremely careful."

Wang Xiedi turned and left. The stone door of the secret chamber slowly closed, and his figure disappeared into the darkness.

’A drop of kindness should be repaid with a gushing spring!’

’Senior Sister, wait for me!’

’I will definitely save you from that den of devils!!!’

...

Several days later, outside the mountain gate of the Guixi Sect.

Wang Xiedi stood at the foot of Luohai Peak, gazing up at the barren summit.

’This... is the Guixi Sect?’

’It’s just as the Sect Leader said. With a sight like this, if it’s not a demonic sect, what else could it be?’

The thought that Miss Su might be trapped in such an ominous place, suffering all kinds of torture, made Wang Xiedi’s heart ache with pain.

He took a deep breath, suppressed his fear and anger, and strode toward the mountain gate.

The moment his foot crossed the threshold of the gate, the world seemed to shift, and the scene before him opened up dramatically!

The dead, barren mountain vanished, replaced by what seemed to be an Immortal Realm on earth.

???

The stark contrast left Wang Xiedi so stunned he couldn’t speak for a long moment.

But he quickly came to his senses, his heart growing even more vigilant.

’What a powerful evil formation!’

’The evil arts of this Guixi Sect are truly unfathomable!’

"I will save Miss Su from this sea of suffering!"

...

Just then, he saw a familiar figure not far away.

The figure was walking slowly toward him from a small path, dressed in a red robe, with a graceful bearing.

’It’s Miss Su!’

’Did Miss Su sense my arrival and hurry over to meet me?’

’But... she looks so strange. It’s like her soul has left her body. And she’s radiating such a deathly aura?’

’Her steps are so unsteady, too?’

’Could it be... could they have stolen a part of her soul?!’

’Or did she go through something terrible in this demonic sect?’

’And she seems to have gotten much stronger than before...’

’Could it be... Did she betray the sect and join this demonic one?’

’Did she become an Evil Cultivator?’

’No! Impossible!’

’Her Dao heart is so firm! These devils must have used some vicious method to torture her!’

’Damn this demonic sect!’

’But no matter what, it’s good that I can see her again.’

He straightened his robes, puffed out his chest, and gave the Heart-Protecting Mirror on his chest another wipe.

Only when it was gleaming brightly did he look toward Miss Su with a beaming smile.

And she, in turn, looked toward him as he stood at the gate.

’She sees me, right?’

’She must have recognized me?!’

...

Su Ling’er had received a reception task from her Eldest Senior Brother and was walking mechanically toward the mountain gate.

She sluggishly raised her head and looked toward the front of the gate.

A young man was standing there.

’Is this the new disciple who wants to join, the one Eldest Senior Brother mentioned?’

And he was staring at her with such a fervent gaze.

’Why is he looking at me like that?’

Su Ling’er’s deathly, lifeless eyes blinked slightly.

’This person looks a little familiar...’

’Who was he again?’