“You two did well.”

After listening to their report, Qi Yuan nodded, offering a rare word of praise.

If the Seven Great Sanctuaries were truly filled with gentle, benevolent saints, they would have been chewed up and spat out by the ruthless demonic sects eons ago. They hadn’t dominated the cultivation world for hundreds of thousands of years by being nice.

They survived because of their strict rules and brutal efficiency. When something needed to be eradicated, they showed absolutely no mercy.

From the moment Wang Tiande was caught practicing evil arts, the Wang Clan’s fate was sealed.

Even the few who were spared execution had their cultivation paths severed. With their spiritual roots destroyed, they could never rise again. The Wang Clan of Reed River City was effectively extinct.

“Awesome! The evidence was useful after all. Hauling that vat of ashes wasn’t a waste of time.”

Seeing that they had gained the approval of the “Mission Verifier,” Lucky Li and Richie Zhang beamed with excitement.

“Thank you for understanding, Brother! Hey, since we’re done, let’s hit up the Drunken Joy Brothel. My treat!”

Overcome with excitement, Lucky Li slapped a thigh loudly. He winked at Qi Yuan, issuing a warm invitation.

Thud!

Before Qi Yuan could reply, Richie Zhang kicked Lucky Li sending him flying. Zhang glared at him, furious.

“Li, are you out of your damn mind? You said you’re treating, so why the hell are you slapping my thigh?”

“And another thing! If you don’t give me a valid explanation for knocking me out earlier, this partnership is over!”

Qi Yuan watched them with a tired sigh. He didn’t have the energy to roast them.

He looked at them with a mixture of pity and disdain. “It seems hiding your identities was the right choice. Remember, when you walk the world in the future, never tell anyone you are disciples of the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary. It would be humiliating.”

The arguing duo froze.

Lucky Li looked confused. “What do you mean? Our Sanctuary is a top-tier powerhouse. We’re famous and glorious! How is it humiliating to say we’re from there?”

“You misunderstand,” Qi Yuan said deadpan. “I mean you would humiliate the Sanctuary.”

He didn’t want to waste another second explaining. He pulled a token from his sleeve and tossed it to them.

“Take this back to the Mission Hall. They’ll confirm your completion and issue the rewards.”

With that, he waved his hand and turned to leave.

“Brother, wait!”

Richie Zhang hurriedly called out.

Qi Yuan frowned, stopping in his tracks. “What now?”

Richie Zhang exchanged a glance with Lucky Li, then leaned in close, a sycophantic smile plastered on his face.

“To be honest, this mission was way too easy. That Senior Elder practically spoon-fed us the culprit to make sure we didn’t screw up. We… we feel a bit embarrassed taking the credit.”

Qi Yuan raised an eyebrow. “Meaning?”

Richie Zhang rubbed his hands together. “Since the Senior was so generous, we feel like we need to go the extra mile. Otherwise, taking those twenty thousand merit points won’t sit right with us.”

Qi Yuan was intrigued. “Spit it out. What are you planning?”

Richie Zhang looked around theatrically to ensure no one was eavesdropping, then lowered his voice to a conspiratorial whisper.

“When we searched the Wang estate, we found out that Wang Tiande didn’t create that evil technique himself. Someone taught it to him.”

“That person was Wang Tiande’s handler. Seventy percent of the blood essence Wang Tiande harvested had to be kicked up the chain. He only got to keep thirty percent for his own life extension.”

“This proves there’s a bigger fish in Reed River City. And based on the clues, this ‘Big Fish’ is almost certainly connected to the City Lord’s Manor.”

Richie Zhang grinned. “If we follow the vine to find the melon—if we drag out the mastermind behind the scenes—wouldn’t that prove our competence?”

He chuckled slyly. “If we handle this beautifully, maybe that Senior will think of us first the next time he has a juicy mission. What do you think?”

A bigger fish?

Qi Yuan paused. He hadn’t expected this.

Honestly, he didn’t care. He had only issued this task to fulfill his own obligation to Falling Cloud Valley. The current outcome already far exceeded the requirements. He had no interest in playing detective for some evil mastermind.

However, he didn’t want to crush their enthusiasm for demon-slaying.

Qi Yuan nodded solemnly. “Good. I’ll be waiting for your good news.”

After offering a few empty words of encouragement, Qi Yuan turned and left, resuming his journey back to Falling Cloud Valley.

He still had a Main Mission to complete. He just wondered what the System meant by the upcoming “Crisis”…

Qi Yuan pondered this as he sped away.

Meanwhile.

Falling Cloud Valley. Main Hall.

“How are the preparations coming along?”

Shen Wuji sat sprawled on the Sect Leader’s throne, looking down at Bai Qingwu, who stood respectfully to the side.

Behind Shen Wuji, four beautiful maidens clad in sheer gauze massaged his shoulders and legs, serving him with terrified diligence.

Bai Qingwu kept his eyes lowered, not daring to look at the scene. He pulled an exquisite storage bag from his robes and handed it to one of the maidservants.

“Holy Scion, we have prepared the spirit stones and top-grade artifacts you requested. However…”

Bai Qingwu paused, steeling himself.

“Falling Cloud Valley simply cannot provide twenty untouched maidens. Please, seeing our sincerity in all other matters, I beg you to waive this specific demand.”

“Is that so?”

Shen Wuji took the storage bag from the servant. He swept it with his spiritual sense, and his face instantly turned cold.

“So, you’re saying you can’t give me what I want?”

“You misunderstand,” Bai Qingwu said quickly, sensing the hostility. He took a deep breath. “If you agree to drop this requirement, Falling Cloud Valley is willing to offer an additional five thousand high-grade spirit stones for your travel expenses.”

Shen Wuji’s expression shifted. “You know how to conduct business.”

He gave a thin, insincere smile. “Fine. I won’t force you. I wouldn’t want rumors spreading that this Holy Scion bullies his subordinates. But… I do have one final requirement. Take a look.”

He pulled a jade slip from his robe and handed it to Bai Qingwu.

“As long as you can do this, I’ll leave immediately. You can even keep the extra five thousand stones.”

“Oh?”

Bai Qingwu, suspecting nothing, reached out to take the jade slip.

Snap.

The moment his fingers touched it, the jade slip erupted.

Whoosh!

A burst of strange black light exploded outward. Before Bai Qingwu could react, a dense, inky darkness sprayed from the slip, swallowing him whole.