192: Chapter 192 A Frenzied Test

"This..."

The old man's brows furrowed, and he rubbed his temples. "Use the excuse that the Formation requires routine maintenance to delay them for a few days."

"During these few days, you must do everything in your power to figure out their background."

"If you confirm there are no issues, then consider letting them use it."

"If you discover anything suspicious, report to me immediately."

"Yes, Uncle."

Ximen Qing acknowledged the order and retreated from the Meditation Room.

Walking along the path, he secretly bemoaned his misfortune.

He had originally intended to host friends with good intentions, but he never expected it would stir up so much trouble.

His uncle's request was simply asking too much!

He had to keep them here, investigate their background, avoid offending them, and ensure they didn't become suspicious... How could there be so many win-win situations in this world?

Regardless, the matter still had to be handled.

He walked around the courtyard, calmed his mood, forced a smile, and then headed toward the guest courtyard where Chu Feng and the others were staying.

Before long, Ximen Qing arrived outside the courtyard gate.

He did not rely on his status to push the door open directly; instead, he stood at the entrance and called out politely, "Brother Ding! Fellow Daoists! Ximen Qing has come to pay a visit!"

With a creak, the courtyard gate opened from the inside.

"Brother Ximen is here! Please, come in!" Chu Feng said with a beaming smile, greeting him warmly.

Jiang Miaoyi, Yun Luoli, and Tang An also came out from the house to welcome him, all greeting him politely with smiles that were just right.

For a moment, the atmosphere in the courtyard was harmonious; the host and guests were enjoying themselves, filled with laughter.

If someone unaware of the inside story saw this, they would think these people were old friends of many years, with a very close relationship!

But in reality, both sides had their own agendas; the sincerity of the smiles on their faces was matched only by the depth of the schemes in their hearts.

"Hahaha! Fellow Daoists, I came over to invite you all to have a meal together!" Ximen Qing said, smiling as he explained his purpose.

Chu Feng raised an eyebrow, feeling secretly vigilant, but his face showed hesitation. "Wouldn't that be improper? Wouldn't that trouble Brother Ximen?"

"It's no trouble at all!"

Ximen Qing waved his hand in dissatisfaction. "You are my friends, and you have come to the Ximen Clan as guests. If we don't even hold a welcoming banquet, how would the Ximen Clan be viewed by our peers?"

"If word of this got out, wouldn't they say that I, Ximen Qing, don't understand etiquette and treated honored guests poorly?"

"Let's go. My wife has already prepared a banquet. If you don't go, she will blame me!"

Since things had reached this point, Chu Feng really couldn't find a reason to refuse, so he could only agree.

Ximen Qing's home was not far from the guest courtyard.

Passing through several winding, secluded bluestone paths and bypassing a small garden with artificial hills and flowing water, the view suddenly opened up.

This was an extremely spacious pavilion, built above a pool of clear Spiritual Spring, with light gauze curtains fluttering in the breeze all around.

Contrasting with the exotic flowers and Spiritual Plants planted outside the pavilion, the floral fragrance mixed with the thin mist rising from the Spiritual Spring, truly resembling a fairyland.

The pavilion was filled with a sumptuous banquet. Chu Feng swept his gaze across it, feeling secretly shocked.

This Ximen Qing really went all out.

In the center was a roasted Earth Demon Spirit Deer cub, golden and crispy, its skin glistening with an enticing sheen. The deer was sprinkled with various rare spices, and the aroma was mouth-watering.

Beside it were crystal-clear Earth Demon Spirit Shrimp cubs, each the size of a palm, with plump and translucent meat.

There were also steamed Spirit Fish, braised Spirit Beast meat, cold-dressed Spiritual Plants, and stewed Lingzhi soup...

There were a full eighteen dishes, each made with Spirit materials of Profound Rank or higher.

The cost of this meal was at least a million Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

"Brother Ding, Fellow Daoists, being able to get to know you all this time is truly my, Ximen Qing's, good fortune."

Ximen Qing personally poured wine for the four of them. The liquid poured out from the jade pot, clear and transparent like amber, emitting a rich and mellow aroma that refreshed one's spirit just by smelling it.

This was actually a thousand-year-aged Spirit Wine, which was of great benefit to Cultivate.

"Brother Ximen is truly too polite!" Chu Feng and the other three raised their glasses in thanks.

After three rounds of drinks and tasting the dishes, the atmosphere reached a climax.

Ximen Qing spoke seemingly casually, but his tone carried a hint of probing. "Brother Ding, I have heard that the Ten Thousand Poison Demon Sect is mysterious and unfathomable, with countless experts within the Sect. I wonder, which aspect of affairs is Brother Ding mainly responsible for in the Sect?"

As he spoke, he used the corner of his eye to observe the reactions of the four, his smile remaining warm, but his gaze becoming sharp.

Chu Feng felt a slight chill in his heart, knowing that the real probing had begun.

He put down his glass and said calmly, "Brother Ximen is too kind! In the Ten Thousand Poison Demon Sect, I am merely a fanatic for Cultivate."

"Normally, aside from retreating to Cultivate, I am out gaining experience, collecting various poisonous substances and Spiritual Plants to refine poisons and Medicinal Pill."

He spoke vaguely, neither revealing his specific duties nor mentioning the internal situation of the Sect.

In reality, he knew nothing about the internal state of the Ten Thousand Poison Demon Sect and could only respond in such an ambiguous manner.

"Then, in this trip to the Endless Mountains, Brother Ding must be looking for some kind of special poisonous substance or Spiritual Plant?"

Ximen Qing continued to ask, his tone carrying just the right amount of curiosity. "The depths of the Endless Mountains are fraught with danger. It is said that even Nascent Soul Demonic Lord dare not easily set foot in the depths. Does Brother Ding have full confidence?"

Before Chu Feng could answer, Tang An couldn't help but interject. "My Senior Brother is highly skilled; we will definitely gain something this time."

"The four of us work together with tacit understanding, looking out for each other along the way; ordinary dangers cannot stump us!"

Although this was said with great pride, it also revealed that their understanding of the Endless Mountains was not deep.

Ximen Qing nodded, his gaze sweeping across the faces of the four, trying to find any flaws.

However, Chu Feng and the others handled it with ease.

The four of them had long anticipated these situations and had rehearsed in their minds on the way here—what kind of probing they might encounter and what kind of answers would not reveal their secrets.

At this moment, they answered fluently, their expressions natural, without revealing a single flaw.

"Brother Ding, I have heard that the poison techniques of the Ten Thousand Poison Demon Sect are bizarre and unfathomable, and are extremely dangerous to Cultivate. I wonder if there are any particular requirements?" Ximen Qing switched angles to continue probing, thinking that if they didn't even understand poison techniques, they must be impostors.

Chu Feng sneered in his heart, but his expression remained as calm as water. "The Cultivate of poison techniques emphasizes the word 'enlightenment'."

He picked up his glass, took a sip, and said slowly, "Different poisonous substances have varying toxicity, and their characteristics are vastly different."

"Some are extremely poisonous but act slowly; some are mild in toxicity but lethal extremely quickly; some can corrode the Physical Body, and some can pollute the Divine Soul."

"To master these poisons and integrate them into one's own Cultivation Technique, one needs to have a very deep understanding of each poisonous substance."

"In addition, one's state of mind when Cultivate poison techniques is also extremely important. A slight carelessness can lead to a backlash from the toxicity; at best, the Meridians are damaged, and at worst, one dies on the spot..."

He spoke about the Cultivate methods of the Ten Thousand Poison Demon Sect in a very convincing manner.

Some of this knowledge was seen in poison manuals, and of course, some were his own insights.

As he spoke, he really seemed like an expert who had been immersed in poison techniques for many years.

"So that's how it is. Brother Ding's insights into poison techniques have truly opened my eyes."

Ximen Qing still had a trace of doubt in his eyes, but he couldn't find any flaws. "It's just that poison techniques are so profound and mysterious; for Brother Ding to have such attainments at such a young age, you must be a gifted, once-in-a-century genius!"

"Brother Ximen is too flattering. I just spent more time and energy than others," Chu Feng said modestly, waving his hand.

"By the way, Brother Ximen, to be honest, the four of us are in a hurry to reach the depths of the Endless Mountains. Time is tight, and we really cannot afford to delay."

"I wonder if Brother Ximen can arrange for us to use the Family's teleportation array as soon as possible? We will definitely keep this favor in mind and will surely reward you handsomely in the future."

Ximen Qing was startled, and the smile on his face paused slightly. He didn't expect Chu Feng to bring up the use of the teleportation array so quickly.

He quickly composed himself, still wearing a warm smile, but there was a hint of imperceptible vigilance in his eyes.

"Brother Ding, this matter..."

Ximen Qing sighed, put away his smile, and showed an embarrassed expression. "The teleportation array has been used frequently recently. A few days ago, it had a minor malfunction, and the Family is doing its best to repair it."

"But after the Formation Master inspected it, they found it quite tricky to repair. I'm afraid it will take a few more days."

He followed his uncle's instructions to find an excuse to delay. "Why don't you stay at the Ximen Clan for a few more days, enjoy the scenery of our Family, and see the wonders of our Xitian Mountain? Once the teleportation array is repaired, I will immediately arrange for you all to depart, and will definitely not delay any further."

This is intentional delay!

Chu Feng and the others understood as soon as they heard it.

But Ximen Qing did not directly refuse; his words were tactful and polite. Plus, since they were on his territory, the four of them couldn't easily lose their temper.

The banquet ended in a slightly awkward atmosphere.

Back at their accommodation.

Tang An was the first to curse, unable to hold back. "This ungrateful wretch! We saved his life, and he treats us like this! If it weren't for us taking action, he would have died long ago!"

"Exactly!!!"

Yun Luoli was also indignant. "A life-saving grace doesn't have to be repaid tenfold, but at least he should try his best to help, right? It's just borrowing a teleportation array, not asking him to pay Spirit Stones, yet he still makes excuses and delays!"

Jiang Miaoyi sneered. "He has become suspicious of us and is deliberately delaying time. I'm afraid he is secretly investigating our identities."

"Miaoyi is right."

Chu Feng nodded, a cold light flickering in his eyes. "I wanted to use the Ximen Clan's teleportation array to travel, but I didn't expect to be treated like this!"

"If I had known, I would have killed Ximen Qing on the road and looted his wealth. That would have saved all this trouble now!"

Tang An asked hurriedly, "Brother Feng, what do we do now? Just wait here?"

Chu Feng pondered for a moment. "Don't rush. Let's see how things go first. These few days, you all should Cultivate as usual, take walks, and act normally."

"I will find an opportunity to go out and scout, to figure out the background of this Ximen Clan."

The next three days.

Chu Feng and the four of them stayed in this small courtyard.

During the day, they would either meditate to Cultivate in their rooms or stroll around the courtyard enjoying the flowers.

On the surface, they were relaxed, but in reality, they were constantly paying attention to the movements around them, observing the various Restriction, Formation, and patrol patterns of the Ximen Clan.