77: Chapter 77 There is a traitor within the Qingxuan Sect!

Zhao Ruoan walked over to the captured Cultivator and squatted down.

"Name."

"Th-This lowly one is called Wang Er. People on the streets call me Er Mazi."

"Who sent you?"

"It... It was an order from the Cult's Protector! We were only acting on orders, Immortal Revered Master! We don't know anything!"

Wang Er kowtowed like pounding garlic, only wishing for a way to survive.

"Nether Cult?"

"Yes, yes, yes!"

"Who is your insider in the Qingxuan Sect? How did they inform you of my whereabouts?"

Wang Er was completely dumbfounded.

"In... Insider? Immortal Revered Master, low-level cultists like us have no right to know such secrets!"

With a miserable face, he cried, "I only know that this operation was led by a deacon from the Eastern Hall, with two Protectors overseeing it. They said they were going to intercept and kill an important Disciple of the Qingxuan Sect. I know absolutely nothing else!"

"Where is your Sub-altar?"

"We don't have a fixed Sub-altar!"

"In order to survive, Wang Er blurted out everything he knew."

"The Cult's strongholds are all mobile and hidden using Formations. They change locations every once in a while. We also only find the organization through special transmission talismans. There really is no fixed mountain gate, Immortal Revered Master!"

After listening, Zhao Ruoan stood up.

Sure enough, it was just as recorded in the Sect's archives.

This Nether Cult acted stealthily, with a strict organizational structure, making it impossible for low-level personnel to access core information.

However, to be able to set up an ambush here so accurately, there was absolutely a traitor within the Qingxuan Sect.

"Immortal Revered Master, I've told you everything I know. I beg you to spare my life! I will serve you like an ox or a horse..."

Wang Er was still bitterly begging on the ground.

Zhao Ruoan ignored him and simply said to Qiuyin and Xiamo, "I'm done asking."

Qiuyin understood his meaning and drew her longsword.

Wang Er's begging came to an abrupt halt.

Puchi.

A spray of hot blood splattered onto the scorched earth.

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing the hidden mission: Desperate Counter-Kill!]

[Mission Evaluation: Perfect!]

[Settling rewards...]

[Congratulations to the host for obtaining the Heaven Rank Low Grade Cultivation Technique: "Burning God Scorching Heaven Art"!]

[Congratulations to the host for obtaining the Earth Rank High Grade Magic Treasure: xuanlin inner armor!]

[Congratulations to the host for obtaining High-Grade Spirit Stone x10000!]

[Congratulations to the host for obtaining Random Lucky Draw x1!]

The series of System notifications swept away Zhao Ruoan's depressed mood.

With a thought, he checked the newly acquired Cultivation Technique.

"Burning God Scorching Heaven Art" was an extremely overbearing explosive secret technique.

It was divided into three stages.

The first stage could burn ten percent of one's essence blood and Divine Soul power, boosting overall combat strength threefold for a short period.

The second stage burned thirty percent, boosting it fivefold.

The third stage burned fifty percent, boosting it tenfold!

This was simply a divine skill tailor-made for making a comeback against the odds.

However, the price was not small. After each use, depending on the degree of burning, one would enter a period of weakness of varying lengths, commonly known as "Sage Time."

"Good stuff. It can be used as a trump card at critical moments."

Zhao Ruoan then looked at the inner armor.

[xuanlin inner armor: Earth Rank High Grade defensive Magic Treasure, refined from the scales of the Deep-Sea Black Iron Turtle supplemented by a hundred rare Materials. It can withstand a full-strength blow from a Spirit Pill Realm Late Stage Cultivator and significantly weaken some attacks from Divine Soul Realm powerhouses.]

Coupled with the defensive jade pendant he had previously obtained from the Secret Realm, his current tankiness could be called king-level among those in the Pulse Condensation Realm.

Even if he stood still and let someone in the Spirit Pill Realm attack him, the opponent might not be able to break his defense.

His sense of security was overflowing.

As for the final random lucky draw opportunity, Zhao Ruoan did not plan to use it now.

Having sorted out the loot, a new problem lay before him.

The immortal crane was gone. How should they travel next?

"Young Lord, what do we do now? Should we find a place to send a message to the Sect for help?" Xiamo suggested.

"No need."

Zhao Ruoan rejected the idea.

Before weeding out the traitor, any request for help through the Sect's channels would be equivalent to exposing their location to the enemy once again.

"We will go directly to the Spirit Stone Mine station."

He made a decision.

"Ah? But... but we agreed earlier to visit Qingshi City ahead and eat delicious food..."

Qiuyin muttered softly, her face filled with disappointment.

Zhao Ruoan smiled, reaching out to rub her head. "Don't worry, once things are settled, I'll definitely make it up to you next time."

"Really?"

"When have I ever lied to you."

Qiuyin and Xiamo exchanged a look, their hearts feeling as sweet as if they had been poured with honey.

The three of them delayed no longer. After determining the direction, they flew with all their might toward the Qingyang Sect's Mid-Grade Spirit Stone mining area.

Without the immortal crane as a means of transport, they had to rely on flying themselves, which slowed their speed considerably.

It took them a full day and more before a mountain range dense with Spiritual Qi finally appeared at the end of their vision.

On the outskirts of the mountain range, a team of Disciples dressed in Qingxuan Sect attire patrolled at regular intervals, heavily guarded.

As soon as the three of them approached, they were stopped by a patrol team.

"Who goes there? State your name!"

The leading Disciple was highly alert.

Zhao Ruoan did not waste words and directly showed his Personal Disciple token.

On that warm white jade token, a flamboyant character "Yun" represented the supreme status of its owner.

When the patrolling Disciples saw this token, they were all startled and hurriedly bowed in salute.

"We did not know Peak Master Yun's Personal Disciple had arrived. We failed to recognize greatness. We hope Junior Martial Uncle will forgive us!"

"No matter. I have come to the mining area for tempering under my Revered Master's orders. Please lead me to meet the guarding Elder here, Senior Brothers."

Zhao Ruoan's tone was very gentle, without any pretense.

"Junior Martial Uncle, this way please!"

Soon, in a pavilion built halfway up the mountain, Zhao Ruoan met the guarding Elder of this place, Qian Kun.

Elder Qian was a slightly plump middle-aged man with a cultivation of the Divine Soul Realm Early Stage. He looked very amiable.

"You are Senior Sister Yun's newly accepted little Junior Brother, Zhao Ruoan?"

Qian Kun sized up Zhao Ruoan, feeling very surprised.

"Disciple Zhao Ruoan pays respects to Elder Qian."

"No need for formalities."

Qian Kun waved his hand and clicked his tongue in wonder. "I heard you only entered the Sect three months ago? This cultivation... is already at the Pulse Condensation Realm Middle Stage?"

He could hardly believe his own probe results.

"I was fortunate to have made a Breakthrough," Zhao Ruoan said modestly.

"You kid, there is nothing fortunate about it."

Qian Kun laughed heartily. "Senior Sister Yun is not only an eternal genius herself, but her ability to teach Disciples is also top-notch!"

Zhao Ruoan smiled and did not respond.

Because of the Nether Cult insider matter, he now held a trace of wariness toward any high-level members of the Sect.

He quietly used a probe on Elder Qian.

[Name: Qian Kun]

[Identity: Qingxuan Sect Outer Sect Elder, Mid-Grade Spirit Stone Mining Area Guarding Elder]

[Cultivation: Divine Soul Realm Early Stage]

[Life: Born into the mortal world, with ordinary Aptitude. Relying on perseverance and sweat far exceeding ordinary people, he was promoted step-by-step from an Outer Sect Handyman to an Outer Sect Elder. He is upright and conscientious...]

After reading Qian Kun's life information, Zhao Ruoan completely put his mind at ease.

This was an honest man who had climbed up through his own hard work, and he could be trusted.

"Ruoan, you have come a long way and must be tired. I will have someone take you to your lodging to rest first."

Qian Kun was very enthusiastic. "However, the conditions in the mining area are simple. There is only one quiet room dedicated to Core Disciples' cultivation, which is currently occupied, so I can only trouble you to stay in a regular guest room first."

"Elder, you are too polite. Any place to stay is fine."

Zhao Ruoan did not care about this; he had other important matters.

"Elder Qian, this Disciple wishes to borrow the Sect's Transmission Spirit Bird. There are some matters I would like to report privately to my Revered Master."

"Oh?"

Qian Kun was somewhat surprised and immediately showed an approving expression.

This child had only just entered the Sect and gone out for tempering, yet he did not forget to report his safety to his Revered Master. He was truly a sensible and filial Disciple.

Senior Sister Yun is truly blessed to have received such a Disciple.

"It's only right, it's only right."

Qian Kun nodded repeatedly. "I will have someone take you to the transmission point right away."

He called out toward the door.

"Li Gui, come in for a moment."

A thin Inner Sect Disciple walked in and bowed. "Elder, you were looking for me?"

"Take Junior Brother Zhao to the Chuanxun Cliff. He needs to use the Transmission Spirit Bird."

"Yes, Elder."

The Disciple named Li Gui responded and then turned to Zhao Ruoan, making a gesture of invitation.

"Uncle-Master Zhao, this way please."

Zhao Ruoan habitually threw a probe toward this Li Gui.

In the next breath, the probe results appeared before him.

[Name: Li Gui (formerly Wang Wu)]

[Identity: Qingxuan Sect Inner Sect Disciple]

[Cultivation: Spirit Sea Realm Middle Stage]

[Status: Possessed (eroded by the Nether Cult's secret technique 'Soul Planting' erosion, the Divine Soul has been assimilated)]

Zhao Ruoan's foot, which was about to step out, paused in mid-air for an instant.