Reassurance

Chu Xingchen ignored the gaze Xu Jin directed at him and temporarily shelved his initial plan to start with the Baiqing Grand Technique upon meeting.

Though he couldn’t yet discern the exact intentions of the Buddhist sect, he could at least confirm they were colluding with demons.

Whether others believed it or not, the Tianyan Sect and the Xuanyuan Qing Sect certainly did, and that was enough to warrant some caution toward the Buddhist sect.

However, there was one more clue that could help estimate the timeline of the impending calamity—his second disciple.

In his past life, his second disciple had taken over a century to reach the Nascent Soul realm. By the time Li Xingtian was drained dry by that demoness, the world had not yet descended into the chaos of a full-scale calamity.

Otherwise, his second disciple would have surely warned him about it.

This meant the so-called "impending calamity" wasn’t as imminent as Chu Xingchen had assumed.

Perhaps Li Xingtian’s demise occurred just on the eve of the calamity.

And that left Chu Xingchen with what seemed like a considerable amount of time.

Sometimes, stirring the hornet’s nest wasn’t a bad strategy—it could force hidden enemies to reveal themselves before they were fully prepared.

But every action had its pros and cons.

At the very least, he should consult Lv Xuan and Bai Xuanling about this matter.

"Would the young master like this servant to warm his bed?" Meng Li’s expression flickered with surprise before her eyes curved playfully. "It would be my honor. Might I ask… does the young master wish for it now, or shall I wait until tonight?"

The two men before her exuded an aura so steady that even Meng Li, at the Nascent Soul realm, couldn’t perceive the slightest flaw.

Without a doubt, they were cultivators from the Xuanyuan Qing Sect, at least at the Divine Transformation realm or higher.

But still…

Their blatant lack of concealment, this act of walking straight into the lion’s den—it felt undeniably strange.

Yet no matter how odd it seemed, no one could possibly see through her true identity now.

Even if they tore open her heart, it would be nothing but a human’s.

Her skin, every drop of blood coursing through her veins—all bore the unmistakable scent of humanity.

To survive, even the proudest creatures would lower their heads and learn to disguise themselves.

So what if they doubted her? So what if she had used their faith energy? She was human now, through and through.

Otherwise, why would the Buddhist sect have allowed her and the others to walk free? It would be like handing over evidence of their crimes.

Meng Li extended her delicate fingers toward Xu Jin, who was feigning ignorance, her gaze hazy as if she had taken a liking to this man who only knew how to grin foolishly.

"Besides… both of you are supreme cultivators. This servant has overstepped."

No one who reached the Divine Transformation realm was a fool. He was just bad at pretending.

Xu Jin’s silly grin vanished instantly. He pushed away Meng Li’s approaching hand, his expression turning grave as he looked at Chu Xingchen.

He wasn’t some weakling—he could sense Meng Li’s Nascent Soul-level cultivation.

He had only played dumb earlier because he assumed Chu Xingchen would stick to his usual routine: casting illusionary arts the moment they stepped in to mask their cultivation.

The fewer details they had to fabricate, the better, as illusions grew more detectable the more they concealed.

Besides, the Buddhist sect had their own expertise in illusions. Hiding their cultivation would suffice to obscure their identities.

Chu Xingchen ignored Xu Jin’s accusatory stare with practiced ease, slinging an arm over his shoulder and giving it a light pat.

"You knew you overstepped, yet you still thought you had a chance? You really think you’re worthy of coveting the two of us?"

Meng Li’s playful demeanor faded, her tone cooling. "Then what guidance do these two seniors have for me? This place is under the direct jurisdiction of the Central Plains’ Buddhist sect. I advise you to think carefully before acting."

"Wow, the Central Plains’ Buddhist sect sure is impressive—always the first to break new moral ground." Chu Xingchen patted Xu Jin’s shoulder again, as if consoling him, then continued,

"A sect that preaches abstinence is the first to open a brothel. Truly eye-opening."

Meng Li couldn’t care less about Chu Xingchen’s words. The Buddhist sect’s reputation meant nothing to her.

With an elegant motion, she took a seat and gestured toward the teapot on the table.

"Would the two honored guests care for a cup?"

Chu Xingchen moved to sit as well, but before he did, his hand on Xu Jin’s shoulder tapped several times.

Xu Jin showed no reaction, only shaking off Chu Xingchen’s hand with visible irritation, as if still holding a grudge.

Chu Xingchen gave him an awkward glance before turning back to Meng Li.

"No tea. We just have a few questions for you."

Meng Li lowered her eyes demurely. "You are both seniors, likely disciples of the Eighteen Immortal Sects. Ask whatever you wish—this servant will answer what she can."

Chu Xingchen smiled. "Then tell us—what forbidden things has the Buddhist sect been raising?"

"That is not something this servant should know, nor is it something she could."

Despite Chu Xingchen’s refusal, Meng Li began preparing tea with graceful movements. She added,

"If you find the Buddhist sect’s brothel unusual, investigate it. Investigate me, investigate this entire establishment—it makes no difference."

Chu Xingchen nodded, seemingly satisfied. "You said it yourself."

Meng Li’s eyes trembled slightly, her expression pitiful.

"Then I beg the two seniors to be gentle. Too rough, and this servant might get scared."

Chu Xingchen glanced at Xu Jin and raised a brow.

Xu Jin responded with a disdainful frown.

Meng Li observed the exchange carefully, wondering if there was some discord she could exploit—

But in the next instant, Xu Jin’s sword was drawn.

A surge of immense spiritual power erupted, locking Meng Li in place before she could even blink.

At the same time, Chu Xingchen’s violet-tinged spiritual energy flared, sealing the entire room.

Meng Li barely had time to react before she felt the annihilating pressure of a blade at her throat—and the icy grip of death.

The room fell into dead silence.

Meng Li took two shaky breaths before forcing a smile.

"Senior… even if the Buddhist sect runs a brothel, it’s hardly a capital offense, is it?"

Chu Xingchen’s voice turned sharp. "I ask, you answer. If I sense anyone—including the Buddhist sect—approaching, I promise your head will hit the floor first."

"Ask… ask away…" Her voice trembled violently.

"What is the Buddhist sect’s purpose in raising demons like you?!" Chu Xingchen demanded. "Are they trying to trigger the calamity themselves?"

"I don’t know what you’re talking about! What demons?"

Chu Xingchen scoffed, pulling a bronze mirror from his spatial ring and thrusting it before Meng Li’s face.

In the reflection, her beautiful visage was gone—replaced by a face with four slanted eyes, an unnaturally elongated jawline, and an eerie, almost-but-not-quite human appearance.

Chu Xingchen barked, "The Demon-Reflecting Mirror, jointly forged by the Eighteen Immortal Sects. Still want to keep lying?"

Meng Li stared at the monstrous reflection, her expression frantic—but her mind was calm.

Because the creature in the mirror was a Mei demon.

And she was not.

This was a bluff.

They were trying to scare her into confessing.

Meng Li was able to detect that the power of wishes had been tampered with because the Buddhist faction had reported the situation at the Ten Thousand Buddha Temple.

A cultivator with at least Nascent Soul-level cultivation, specializing in illusion techniques.

Such formidable illusions—truly, not a single flaw could be detected.

Chu Xingchen's expression was fierce, yet his mind remained calm. His current goal wasn’t to suppress Meng Li and forcefully accuse the Buddhist faction.

Since the Buddhist faction dared to release demons, they must have believed their methods were foolproof.

Chu Xingchen couldn’t exactly claim he had a system capable of seeing through labels—declaring Meng Li an outright demon and the Buddhist faction irredeemably corrupt would convince almost no one.

Moreover, such intelligence wasn’t meant to be used that way.

Keeping the enemy in the dark while staying hidden himself had its advantages.

For now, what Chu Xingchen needed to do was feed the Buddhist faction a reassurance pill, ensuring they continued to act cautiously rather than preparing to tear off all pretenses.

And Meng Li, at present, was the perfect reassurance pill.

A reassurance pill from one of their own—that was the kind that wouldn’t arouse suspicion.