The Show Begins

Yuan Kong reached out and stored all the items from the chest into his spatial ring.

This spatial ring was the one Chu Xingchen had temporarily lent him when they parted last time. Chu Xingchen had said he looked pitiful, having to carry everything on his person, and told him he would have to return it someday.

Yuan Kong figured debts were many and worries were few; it wasn't as if he wouldn't return it later.

If he had had this spatial ring earlier, he wouldn't have been reduced to gnawing on grass out of starvation in the beginning.

The money Yuan Kong earned during his travels wasn't much. To put it bluntly, those who needed his help were mostly poor souls who couldn't afford to pay.

A simple meal was often enough to satisfy Yuan Kong.

Money, naturally, was scarce. Otherwise, he would have long since changed out of these clothes that rivaled a beggar's rags.

After storing his belongings, Yuan Kong turned his gaze to the Abbot and said:

"During my journey, I met a villager from Yuzhou City. They said that evil cultivators are running rampant there now. The Yuzhou City Demon Suppression Division is powerless to subdue them, and the situation has reached a point where the people can barely survive. Many have fled Yuzhou City, seeking a way out."

Upon hearing this, the Abbot pondered for a moment before speaking:

"Recently, there have been some minor movements by evil cultivators. The Demon Suppression Division has sent people to deal with it, but the evil cultivators are exceptionally cunning. The Division hasn't been able to obtain solid evidence or capture many."

"Sacrifices performed by evil cultivators have also occurred outside Yuzhou City. Following that, rumors began to spread that the Demon Suppression Division was powerless against the evil cultivators' methods."

"The claim that the Demon Suppression Division is powerless to stop the evil cultivators' disturbances might be false, but the dead are real. For ordinary mortals, life is only given once, and they cannot gamble on 'maybe I won't be next.'"

"Most of the fleeing refugees are commoners from outside Yuzhou City walls. Unable to reside within the city for long, they flee outward for self-preservation."

"The city itself remains relatively peaceful and orderly."

Yuan Kong nodded gently in acknowledgment.

The Abbot looked up, meeting Yuan Kong's eyes directly:

"Has Uncle Master returned this time to deal with this matter?"

"My cultivation is still meager, but I must do something for this land that raised me," Yuan Kong bowed slightly, a light smile on his face. "The one taught by my senior brother would not be a heartless or ungrateful person."

The Abbot also bowed slowly in return:

"If you grow weary, remember you can always return. Chanlin Temple is still Chanlin Temple, and you are still my Uncle Master. Your room is still being cleaned regularly."

"Naturally, otherwise where would I sleep tonight?"

Yuan Kong replied with a laugh before turning to leave.

The Abbot's gaze was calm as he watched the young monk, now a grown man, slowly depart.

His eyes narrowed slightly.

In the Abbot's eyes, the young monk transformed back into the small, proud little Yuan Kong of the past.

The Abbot chuckled softly.

Demon Suppression Division.

Xu Linglong, dressed in the Division's uniform, leaned leisurely against a tree. She watched the busy members of the Division coming and going, including those who stole glances at her with somewhat distasteful looks in their eyes.

Joining the Demon Suppression Division had been as easy as drinking water for Xu Linglong.

The Division was perpetually short-handed, but they still wouldn't accept those with truly wretched talent.

Moreover, the proportion of the Division's members fighting on the frontlines was far higher than that of ordinary sects.

Only impoverished minor cultivators with spiritual roots would choose to join the Demon Suppression Division in exchange for cultivation resources.

Xu Linglong only needed to reveal a sufficient level of cultivation and a few simple tricks to gain entry.

Over these past days, Xu Linglong had thoroughly familiarized herself with both Yuzhou City and the Demon Suppression Division.

Chu Xingchen's reputation was also considerable in Yuzhou City. Whether it was the Sect Conference or Yuan Jing's multiple visits to Chu Xingchen's sect, these were all much talked about matters in the city.

Especially since Chu Xingchen had distributed money to the city's commoners and held a grand event, later said to be for his eldest disciple's birthday.

There was also the address of the sect Chu Xingchen left behind in Yuzhou City.

The sect's protective formation was clearly the work of the Tianyan Sect at first glance. So, Chu Xingchen indeed had unclear connections with the Tianyan Sect from the very beginning.

As it was a Tianyan Sect formation, and the caster, though not a specialist, possessed high enough cultivation, it was impossible to cleverly break it without being detected.

Thus, Xu Linglong could only survey the general layout of the sect compound, unable to enter and search personally.

But that was enough. One couldn't expect everything to be perfect.

Xu Linglong had also largely figured out Chu Xingchen's usual demeanor when dealing with people.

A broad character model of him had already taken shape in Xu Linglong's mind.

Next, it was time to arrange a surprise for Chu Xingchen.

It was true that Chu Xingchen had taken all the key figures of his sect with him. Those left behind did have friendly ties with him, but once the gap in cultivation becomes too vast, so-called friendships often become legendary—friendships whose greatest use is boasting, "I know him," rather than expecting that friend to do anything for you.

At the very least, Xu Linglong didn't believe Chu Xingchen would drop everything he was doing and make a special trip to Yuzhou City for Ah Nian.

However, nothing in this world is ever perfect.

After sorting through all the relationships, Xu Linglong had keenly identified one person—Yuan Kong.

The name of the Buddhist Prodigy, Yuan Kong, resounded throughout Yuzhou City.

According to intelligence, Yuan Kong originally couldn't cultivate, but later, Abbot Yuan Jing of Chanlin Temple used boundless, rootless power to mend his spiritual foundation.

A Buddhist Prodigy, whose future minimum achievement would be the Unity Stage.

That Chu Xingchen left a treasure at Chanlin Temple in Yuzhou City was also an interesting tidbit.

A Buddhist Prodigy, and Chu Xingchen leaving a treasure.

The Zheng Yin Dharma Temple also had records of Yuan Kong, personally saved by Chu Xingchen.

So many incidents couldn't be mere coincidence.

In Xu Linglong's eyes, Yuan Kong had reached a level where he could be used for a test.

Yuan Kong traveled about, and finding him had cost Xu Linglong considerable effort.

Now, she only waited for Yuan Kong to return to Yuzhou City.

Then, she would stir up waves, and Yuan Kong would seek aid from Chu Xingchen.

Only by removing her own influence as much as possible...

Even if Bai Xuanling accompanied Chu Xingchen, it would be fine.

To besiege such a figure, one must exert every effort.

Of the Eight Great Heavenly Demons, four had already arrived.

Even if Bai Xuanling personally came to protect him, she would have to be left behind as well.

There was only one chance for the killing blow, so Xu Linglong naturally strove to make it perfect.

However, it wouldn't matter if Chu Xingchen didn't come. After all, in any scheme, there is always room for miscalculation.

Chu Xingchen was meticulous and cautious, and it was a critical time; it would be normal for him not to come personally.

Sending some sect disciples to handle it was also possible.

Then, she would only need to cast some more bait to recapture Chu Xingchen's attention.

Yuan Kong was not the end of the scheme, but merely the beginning.

Xu Linglong was confident that once Chu Xingchen turned his gaze toward Yuzhou City even once, she could absolutely seize his attention and hold it fast.

Until he felt compelled to come and see for himself.

"Linglong, there's news from Linqu Village on the western side. We've been assigned to investigate."

Xu Linglong's gaze followed the voice. She saw Zhao Wanqing, at the Foundation Establishment Perfection stage, a sword at her waist, pressing down with one hand as she spoke to her from a distance.

"Coming." Xu Linglong rose leisurely to her feet.

This person had also passed on quite a bit of information about Chu Xingchen to her.

A gentle smile graced Xu Linglong's face as she walked toward Zhao Wanqing. At the same time, her eyes flicked toward Bai Bo, who was hidden from view and gave her a slight nod.

Thus, the smile on her face deepened.

Yuan Kong has entered the stage.

The show begins.