Why Doesn't It Look Quite Right to Me

Yao Guang Pavilion.

Chu Xingchen decisively pushed open the door to the Celestial-Class Suite. This unexpected encounter with that young man had proven to be of immense value.

The [Demons] likely operated in several covert groups. One such group was embedded within the Evil Spirit Sect, and this particular faction was probably unknown to the Demonic Buddha Sect—otherwise, their pursuit wouldn’t have taken such a crude form.

All the Buddha Sect needed to do was pressure the [Demons] under their command. After all, the Buddha Sect was still composed of humans, but demons were true fiends.

Moreover, the other two hidden groups of [Demons] likely had no connection to each other. Alternatively, the highest echelons of the Buddha Sect might still be controlled by humans, ensuring that classified information wouldn’t leak easily.

Otherwise, that young man wouldn’t have hesitated so conspicuously, ultimately stammering that he’d only act upon direct orders.

To those people, the reason behind the Buddha Sect’s pursuit of the Evil Spirit Sect was probably shrouded in mystery.

This was an unexpected windfall. Chu Xingchen had originally planned to quietly observe the situation, but instead, he’d stumbled right into their stronghold.

However, if he wanted to reel in the catch, the bait needed to be convincing—something like the so-called "direct order" from the Dark Crow Sect Leader.

Direct orders likely only existed as images, given how rarely the Dark Crow Sect Leader issued them. But the Eighteen Immortal Sects were still the Eighteen Immortal Sects. It was nearly impossible to hide anything from their eyes in the Central Continent.

Information on the Evil Spirit Sect was comprehensive.

While the real Chu Xingchen didn’t possess it, forging a fake wasn’t out of the question.

Counterfeiting was an art with tiers of quality. A rogue cultivator hastily carving on a stone was incomparable to a high-tier artificer from the Taidao Sect meticulously replicating an image.

What the Dark Crow Sect Leader could produce, the Eighteen Immortal Sects could undoubtedly replicate. But what the Eighteen Immortal Sects crafted, the Dark Crow Sect Leader might never achieve in his lifetime.

Forgery was an art, and the Taidao Sect was likely teeming with artists.

Chu Xingchen pushed open the door, his gaze sweeping across the room before his words abruptly halted, his eyes narrowing in confusion.

A young girl hung suspended, a dagger embedded in her abdomen. Daoist Yuyang twisted the blade slightly, the immense pain causing her body to convulse involuntarily. Her mouth seemed to be sealed by some spell, rendering her unable to scream.

Xie Lingyu glanced at Chu Xingchen’s sudden pause, then curiously turned his attention to the scene inside.

Hearing the door open, Daoist Yuyang looked up and was met with Chu Xingchen’s expression of utter disgust, along with the words:

"My apologies for interrupting your... entertainment. Please, carry on."

With that, Chu Xingchen disdainfully used his spiritual energy to shut the door.

Daoist Yuyang’s eyes widened. He knew Chu Xingchen’s sharp tongue all too well—if this got out, even with explanations, he’d be saddled with a few colorful and unflattering nicknames.

"Get back in here!" he bellowed. "This was sent by your disciple!"

Chu Xingchen paused, frowning. "No matter who sent her, you shouldn’t—"

"Bullshit! Your disciple sent her for interrogation!" Daoist Yuyang stood up. "Since you’re here, do it yourself!"

Before Chu Xingchen could retort, Xie Lingyu stepped forward.

"Enough theatrics. If your second disciple sent her, it’s probably critical."

"Fine, let’s play along." Chu Xingchen shrugged and followed. "Brother Yuyang won’t mind."

"I do mind," Daoist Yuyang grumbled.

Chu Xingchen strolled forward, his eyes lifting to the suspended girl.

No surprises here—her profile indeed bore the [Demon Heart] trait.

It seemed the [Demons] were supremely confident in their concealment methods. Even suspecting a trap, they’d sent her without fear of exposure.

Chu Xingchen’s gaze settled on the dagger in her abdomen. One glance told him it was his disciple’s handiwork—a tool to restrict blood flow, inducing a near-death state. A countermeasure against detection, perhaps?

Li Xingtian’s cautious nature did carry a hint of his own style.

After a thorough inspection, Chu Xingchen finally studied the girl’s face. Though twisted in agony, traces of innocence lingered beneath the pain.

Was this meant to be a seduction ploy?

Chu Xingchen suddenly chuckled. "Wonderful. We’ve got this year’s best joke."

Daoist Yuyang shot him a questioning look.

Xie Lingyu also seemed puzzled.

Chu Xingchen, barely containing his amusement, explained, "Someone actually tried to use a woman to tempt Li Xingtian."

Daoist Yuyang remained confused, but Xie Lingyu burst into laughter. Even Qinghe knew Li Xingtian’s creed—no distinction between genders in battle. Against men, he held back slightly; against women, he struck harder.

Sadly, this joke would only land with those from their sect.

After his quip, Chu Xingchen flicked the dagger in the girl’s abdomen.

"If we’re interrogating, must it be so bloody? Doesn’t the Taidao Sect have more... refined methods?"

Daoist Yuyang massaged his temples. "Your disciple said this might be top-secret. I didn’t know if her intel could be shared, so I had to start rough."

Chu Xingchen shook his head, releasing a strand of spiritual energy to lower the girl.

"You don’t understand interrogation. Threats must be paired with incentives. Pressure and relief—that’s the art of it."

The girl collapsed, curling into herself.

As he spoke, Chu Xingchen retrieved a vial of enhanced Elixir of Ten Perfections from his spatial ring and tossed it to an attendant.

"You—feed her one pill every quarter-hour. She’s barely cultivated. If she bleeds out, we lose our lead."

The attendant accepted the vial without question, uncorking it to reveal a top-grade pill, ready to begin the task.

Xie Lingyu shook his head slightly.

Admittedly, being force-fed Chu Xingchen’s elixirs achieved two effects at once—both coercion and incentive.

Chu Xingchen turned to Daoist Yuyang, getting to the point. "She’ll probably talk soon out of gratitude. But right now, I’ve got a more urgent lead to pursue."

"Hope it doesn’t involve me."

"Not you, but the Taidao Sect."

"Go on. I knew nothing good followed your arrival."

"Can the Taidao Sect replicate the Evil Spirit Sect’s Black Crow Direct Order?"

"Black Crow Direct Order? That thing from the runaway-first Dark Crow Sect Leader? What use—" Daoist Yuyang cut himself off, waving a sleeve in resignation. "Never mind. Forging the appearance should be easy, but replicating its authenticity flawlessly might be impossible."

Chu Xingchen nodded. "That’s enough. I doubt the other side could tell the difference anyway."

No sooner had he spoken than a heavy thud echoed from the center of the room.

The crowd followed the gaze and saw the young girl trembling violently, her sweat pouring down like water, her face twisted in agony, her eyes bloodshot, and her forehead covered in blood. She raised her head high once more, ready to slam it down again, as if knocking herself unconscious was the only way to escape the unbearable torment.

Chu Xingchen shrugged and said, "See? She’s so moved she’s thanking me already."

Daoist Yuyang remained silent for a moment before speaking.

"It doesn’t look like gratitude to me. What kind of pill did you feed her?"