In the following days, Tang Xin settled into the enemy’s main camp.
The other side didn’t immediately let her meet the remaining genius cultivators, whether intentionally or because there were many procedures to go through.
On the surface, these people didn’t restrict her actions, but secretly, they had placed countless spies. Tang Xin couldn’t find an opportunity to observe the terrain from a high vantage point and confirm her position.
Progress seemed to have stalled.
Aside from teasing Su Ling, the senior sister of the Xuanling Sect found nothing else to do.
Lying on a rocking chair with her eyes closed, the sword cultivator girl stood beside her, one hand behind her back, a look of struggle in her eyes.
Over the past few days, from her conversations with others, she learned that the white-haired witch before her, known as “Red Snow Asura,” was named Xue, a very mysterious figure in the demonic path.
This person had a peculiar personality, seemingly friendly and easy to get along with, but her actions and words were far more malicious than the average demonic cultivator, especially enjoying toying with people’s hearts.
Just like now, she lay defenseless in front of her, with a book covering her face, clearly inviting someone to “come and kill me.”
But she knew that no matter how she acted, she had no chance of winning.
Moreover, such eccentric people usually meant what they said, and if she implicated that Xuanling Sect disciple…
Invisible sword energy swirled in her palm, and after a moment of internal struggle, Su Ling ultimately gave up on the idea of a sneak attack.
“Daoist Xue,” someone called from outside the tent, “the elder invites you for a discussion, saying it’s related to cooperation.”
“Finally can’t delay any longer?” Tang Xin removed the book from her face and said to the flat-chested girl beside her, “As a sword cultivator, either don’t consider making a move at all, or strike with thunderous force… hesitation leads to defeat.”
“You… knew all along?”
Su Ling frowned.
Tang Xin patted her shoulder, and the two left the tent to meet the Nascent Soul cultivator they had seen before.
This time, she led them to the center of the main camp, heavily guarded, where rows of iron cages appeared in view.
Tang Xin casually strolled around, saying, “This is just a cover, right? If you hand over this kind of goods, you probably won’t have another chance to cooperate.”
“Daoist Xue truly has sharp eyes,” the Nascent Soul cultivator smiled, then ordered people to move several iron cages aside, revealing an entrance to an underground passage slowly rising from the ground. “The real goods are beneath our feet.”
Building the main camp in such a remote place and hiding the goods… professional!
Following the Nascent Soul cultivator underground, they found various genius cultivators imprisoned in cells.
Among them were disciples of large immortal sects, members of cultivation families, and even rogue cultivators with no apparent affiliation.
Men and women, young and old, of all types, specializing in spells, physical body, sword cultivation, and even those exuding an evil aura, could all be seen.
“Quite comprehensive indeed,” Tang Xin remarked, “you managed to find every type. Does the employer have such peculiar requirements?”
The Nascent Soul cultivator smiled without responding, not falling into her trap.
“How did you find these cultivators?”
She changed her question.
“We have our own intelligence network,” the other replied, “as long as the funds are sufficient, there’s almost nothing we can’t accomplish.”
“Oh,” Tang Xin mused, “Do you take on tasks above the Nascent Soul stage?”
“Hmm…”
The other party considered for a moment and then spoke in a deep voice.
“Generally, we don’t. Once a dispute escalates to the Nascent Soul stage or above, it becomes a different kind of problem. You should know that among high-level cultivators, there’s a certain unspoken rule.”
“But?”
“We don’t take them, but we can help you find someone willing to take on such tasks,” the Nascent Soul cultivator said. “There are high-level cultivators in the cultivation world who are unaffiliated and have no ties.”
“Your business scope is quite broad, even acting as a middleman,” Tang Xin laughed. “I heard that this time, many forces are involved. So, who should I contact if I have a task in the future?”
“Of course, you should contact our Nine Star Pavilion!” The Nascent Soul cultivator took out a completely black stone. “This is a pathfinder stone, containing some of our contact points with the outside world. You can directly go to these places to get in touch with the Nine Star Pavilion.”
“If you’re looking for someone, find the most professional!”
Sure, even competing for business…
Tang Xin continued to converse with the other party, subtly trying to extract some information about the Blood Sovereign Hall, but perhaps these people didn’t know much about their employer, so she didn’t gain much.
Feigning interest, she asked a few harmless questions and made up some background for a “mysterious force,” making the other party believe her even more. Then, they returned to the surface.
Tang Xin took Su Ling to a more secluded place, confirmed no one was eavesdropping, and whispered.
“Where is the old man who taught you the secret technique being held?”
Before meeting Tang Xin, whenever Su Ling left the cell, she would be blindfolded.
Now that the cell’s location was confirmed, they just needed to determine the target’s position within the cell.
Hearing that the white-haired witch really intended to find the mysterious old man, Su Ling’s face immediately showed a worried expression.
“No, you can’t harm him, I…”
“Keep your voice down,” Tang Xin lowered her voice. “If those people find out this secret, the old man won’t live long.”
She paused and then added.
“I don’t intend to harm him, just want to meet him,” Tang Xin thought for a moment and came up with a plausible excuse. “I sensed a familiar aura in your sword technique.”
Although Su Ling was impulsive, she wasn’t stupid, and she was mostly skeptical of her words.
“Don’t force me to use my trump card, okay?” Tang Xin sneered. “Don’t forget, I still have a hostage.”
She reached out and touched the girl’s cheek, sliding down her neck to her shoulder, teasing her collar as if ready to take advantage at any moment.
“You’d better listen to me. If you don’t… you’ll have to bear the consequences!”
“Who exactly…” Su Ling didn’t care about the hand on her, staring into the white-haired witch’s eyes, questioning, “Who exactly is in your hands?”
“Take a guess?”
The white-haired witch smiled sweetly.
“I swear,” the future Hidden Sword God said expressionlessly, enunciating each word, “if you dare harm a single hair on a Xuanling Sect disciple, I will hunt you to the ends of the earth and never let you go!”
“The ends of the earth?” The witch looked at her eyes filled with killing intent, still teasing with a smile. “Sounds like a lifelong commitment… Don’t worry, for now, you’re more valuable to me. As long as I still need you, the Xuanling Sect disciples are safe.”
“I hope you keep your word…”
Su Ling took a deep breath and said slowly.
“The senior is on the lowest level of the dungeon. I was held there before, and there are two guards.”
“That’s my good darling,” the witch revealed an “evil” smile. “Come on, let’s go pay a visit!”
