Legend has it that in the ancient times, a wicked god emerged in the Southern Region, possessing vast magical powers and leading countless demons, causing endless bloodshed among humans.

 

During this dire period, the celestial realm, which had not yet severed ties with the human world, intervened. A massive mountain descended from the heavens to suppress and kill the wicked god, thus saving the common people.

 

The mountain was incredibly vast, capable of suppressing the wicked god of the Southern Region and all his demonic followers. From then on, this mountain range was known as the "Southern Region Suppression Mountain". As countless demons were buried here, the mountain was often plagued by strange and evil occurrences, resulting in numerous forbidden, dangerous, and demonic areas.

 

However, treasures were often found in these strange places, attracting countless cultivators who risked their lives to venture into them. Every year, countless people would disappear within, forever lost, which was a testament to the old saying: "People die for money, and birds die for food."

 

…

 

On the left foot of the Southern Region Suppression Mountain, there was a forest known as the Wolf Tail Forest, named for its long and peculiar shape.

 

One day, a handsome man dressed in a tight black robe arrived at the Wolf Tail Forest. His face was covered, and his aura was concealed, almost completely hidden.

 

This man was Chu Liang.

 

Having learned that "Sixty" had arrived at the Wolf Tail Forest the night before, he had come to the Southern Region Suppression Mountain early with his master. At this moment, Di Nvfeng was waiting not far away. If Chu Liang were to shatter the jade talisman, she would immediately appear to capture him.

 

Many aspects of his contact with the Mingwang Sect were unknown, and Chu Liang had to rely on his own abilities. He was inevitably nervous, but outwardly, his steps remained steady and calm.

 

As expected, there was a pile of black stones at the entrance of the forest.

 

The black stones were arranged in the shape of an arrow, pointing in a certain direction. Chu Liang followed this direction deep into the forest, where he saw another pile of black stones pointing in a different direction. After walking a great distance, he finally saw a not-so-large cave.

 

Chu Liang observed the entrance of the cave for a while before slowly walking in. The cave was shallow and empty. However, as soon as he entered, a figure appeared at the entrance.

 

"You're here," the figure said.

 

His voice was muffled and hoarse, as if it had been altered by some special technique.

 

Chu Liang turned around and saw that the figure at the entrance was also dressed in a black robe, his face covered, and his aura concealed…

 

Oh.

 

They were wearing the same outfit.

 

The reason Chu Liang wanted to meet "Sixty" first was that being alone was the best way to get information. He could learn more about the Mingwang Sect from this person and prepare for the upcoming gathering.

 

If he said something wrong, he could also summon his master in time without alarming the enemy, and directly erase the other party, minimizing the risk.

 

So, from the moment he saw "Sixty", he focused on observing the other party, hoping to gather as much information as possible. Unfortunately, the other party was just as cautious.

 

Chu Liang had a vague feeling that he was not the only one feeling nervous about this encounter.

 

The fact that "Sixty" had waited for Chu Liang to enter the cave before appearing suggested that he had been observing him in secret. If Chu Liang had done anything suspicious or had someone following him, "Sixty" might have left immediately.

 

In the place where shadows and light intertwined.

 

Two people stood facing each other.

 

But apart from being slightly shorter than Chu Liang, nothing else could be discerned about him, and even his height might not be real.

 

Chu Liang couldn't help but wonder, if the disciples of the Mingwang Sect always met like this, with such heavy precautions, how did they communicate with each other? Or did they simply not communicate at all?

 

"I'm here," he responded to "Sixty" in the same simple manner, being careful not to give anything away.

 

"Sit," Sixty gestured.

 

There were two stone stools in the cave. Chu Liang sat on the left, and he sat on the right.

 

They were not far apart, but Chu Liang couldn't see anything but the heavy shadows… This guy's robe, shadow, and voice were all the same as his own, both of them blocking all prying eyes.

 

I sit on your left, as if separated by the Milky Way.

 

"How did the last thing go?" As soon as he sat down, Chu Liang suddenly took the initiative and asked a question.

 

This was his premeditated opening line, a vague question that, if "Fifty-eight" and "Sixty" had indeed had a "specific" matter in common, might reveal some information. If not, the other party would probably ask what he was referring to, and Chu Liang could use the transaction he had made with "Fifty-nine" in the group to cover up.

 

He could attack or defend.

 

After pondering for a moment, "Sixty" replied, "You should be able to guess."

 

"?"

 

Chu Liang's mind raced.

 

He didn't ask what it was, which meant that there was indeed a "specific" matter between the two of them. What could it mean that the outcome of this matter was something he could guess?

 

It didn't explain anything.

 

This was indeed a difficult start…

 

Chu Liang shook his head and sighed, "Life has been tough lately, and many things haven't been going well."

 

This was another ambiguous statement. It could be interpreted as his guess about the "specific" matter not going well, leading to further conversation. Or if it wasn't something that could be described as "going well", it could just be taken as a general lament.

 

And indeed, life had been tough for them, the disciples of the Mingwang Sect, especially those under the command of the Purple Gold Marquis.

 

"Indeed," Sixty simply nodded and added, "You should be doing better than me."

 

Huh?

 

Why would I be doing better than you?

 

Was it because "Fifty-eight" had a higher cultivation level than "Sixty", or was it something else? This was another opening line with little information, as if he was supposed to follow up with some substantial words.

 

He had to coax the other party into revealing some substantial information.

 

"Hehe." After a quick thought, Chu Liang laughed and said quite directly, "Tell me about your recent situation."

 

"I haven't had anything noteworthy recently," Sixty shook his head and asked, "What about you?"

 

"Same here," Chu Liang replied.

 

"…"

 

The awkward conversation came to a standstill.

 

Chu Liang's patience was almost exhausted. The other party seemed to be on guard against him, not revealing any information.

 

This was a waste of time.

 

It would be better to call his master over and take drastic measures."But try not to make a move around here. We're too close to the Wolf Tail Forest. 'Sixty' has already reported in the Soul Arrest Order that we would meet here. If there are any signs of a fight, even the slightest residue of true qi fluctuation could alert the other two."

 

Chu Liang was prepared for this. If it came to this situation, he would make an excuse that he had found a place on the way here that seemed to hide some heavenly treasures, and invite the other party to go and see it together.

 

There were many instances of disciples scheming against each other in the Demon Sect, so the other party should be on guard. But as long as they left this place, no matter how prepared they were, it would be useless against his master's cultivation.

 

Just as Chu Liang was about to speak.

 

Suddenly, "Sixty" broke the silence and said, "Before you arrived, I found a valley on the slope outside the forest. It seemed to contain heavenly treasures. I was worried that you wouldn't find anyone when you arrived, so I returned early. Since they will arrive later, why don't we go and see it together?"

 

This…

 

Isn't that my line?

 

A vague suspicion rose in Chu Liang's heart. He didn't know why the other party suddenly said this. He remembered that the other party had tried to lure him into a meeting with the Dark Sea Golden Lotus before. Could it be that he was planning to double-cross him?

 

But leaving this place was ultimately beneficial to him, so he might as well go with the flow.

 

So he nodded and said, "That sounds good."

 

Then, "Sixty" stood up and walked forward. However, as he moved forward, he always kept his body slightly sideways, half of his body facing Chu Liang.

 

Chu Liang lagged half a body behind, always facing the other party directly.

 

Obviously, they were both afraid of being ambushed.

 

After this brief encounter, Chu Liang even felt a sense of kinship with "Sixty". All his moves were like they were taught by the same master, and he couldn't break any of them.

 

Could this guy be an undercover agent too?

 

Such a thought flashed through his mind, and Chu Liang couldn't help but laugh. This was too absurd.

 

No matter what his purpose was, when the master arrived and restrained him, everything would become clear. Even if you copied all my methods, you couldn't have the same master as me, could you?

 

Seeing that they had already reached the slope and were far away from the Wolf Tail Forest, Chu Liang prepared to quietly take out the jade slip.

 

Crack.

 

But before he could, a faint sound of shattering echoed in the air.

 

A familiar feeling descended upon Chu Liang, like some kind of invisible shackle. A slight dust wind spread out like ripples, and the rules of heaven and earth around them changed slightly.

 

Witchcraft.

 

A forbidden area?