Mad Doctor No. 9

"Young Master Jiang, thank you for your trouble."

"Brother Wang, there's no need for such formalities," Jiang Lan waved his hand and said. "In order to counter the threat of the Eternal Life Society, the True Martial Sect is willing to cooperate with Brother Wang and the Hidden Dragon Organization."

Furthermore, there's been a lot of undercurrents in the capital lately. Not only the Eternal Life Society, but also several ancient families and reclusive sects seem to have caught wind of something and are starting to stir. Brother Wang, you possess a great treasure; it's best to be cautious.

"I see."

The two chatted for a few more minutes, exchanging their insights on martial arts and alchemy.

Jiang Lan was highly accomplished in alchemy, and his questions were insightful. Wang Tian also provided timely guidance, which greatly benefited Jiang Lan, and she became even more respectful towards him.

After leaving Tingtao Pavilion, Jiang Lan personally saw Wang Tian off and handed him the guest elder token of Zhenwu Sect: "Although this token is not as powerful as Qianlong's, it can still be of some help to the capital and even the martial arts world in the north."

With this token, one can access some of the resources outside the Zhenwu Sect, and if necessary, seek assistance from nearby Zhenwu Sect outposts.

Wang Tian thought for a moment and accepted the token. More favors meant more options.

Not long after, Qin Feng came to see him again, this time with new information.

"Advisor Wang, through cross-analysis of the Panlongling ruins and in conjunction with other recent unusual events, we have discovered that the Eternal Life Society's blood sacrifice array is very likely to be set up in more than one place at the same time."

The target locations are spread across the entire country, seemingly constructing a vast and extensive network.

Qin Feng's expression was solemn. "According to Dr. Shen's team's prediction, once this network is established, it will cause widespread tremors in the earth's veins, rampages in spiritual energy, and even... tear apart spatial barriers."

Wang Tian narrowed his eyes: "Covering the entire country? Where would you get so much manpower and resources?"

"That's what's scary," Qin Feng said in a deep voice. "I suspect that many small and medium-sized ancient martial arts families, and even some enterprises and research institutes, are related to them."

They used the resources and institutions of modern society to achieve evil goals from ancient times.

"What does headquarters plan to do?"

"Old Master Long and General Zhao have issued the highest-level orders and have joined forces with the military, national security and other departments to launch a secret investigation into this matter."

However, the enemy is well-hidden, so the operation must be swift, accurate, and ruthless, without alerting them. Elder Long's meaning is that Advisor Wang, you can participate in operations at certain key junctures as a mobile force and special advisor.

Wang Tian nodded: "That's how it should be."

"Furthermore," Qin Feng said in a deep voice, "the situation at headquarters... seems rather unstable. There are differing opinions within the higher-ups regarding your possession of the Star Lord's Token and your authority."

Elder Long and General Zhao are very supportive, but you should still be cautious.

Wang Tian's gaze turned slightly cold. The Hidden Dragon organization wasn't a monolithic entity. It was normal for some to covet the Star Lord's Token, and for others to have doubts about their sudden rise to power and loss of control.

"I see. Thank you for reminding me."

After seeing Qin Feng off, Wang Tian stood in the courtyard, gazing at the rare clear sky over the capital. Countless stars twinkled, echoing the Star Lord's Token within his sea of ​​consciousness.

A storm is brewing. The Eternal Life Society's grand scheme, the undercurrents within the Hidden Dragon faction, and the covetous eyes of various forces... all of this is like a giant whirlpool, drawing him in.

However, he was not afraid. He possessed the Star Lord's Token, the inheritance, the Hidden Dragon, and the True Martial Sect. What he needed to do now was to create an opening, expose the mastermind behind it all, and prevent this catastrophe that could engulf the entire world from happening.

"It seems that this period of seclusion is coming to an end." Wang Tian murmured, turned around and went back to his room to start planning the next steps.

Over the next week, Wang Tian and Qin Feng launched three raids on suspected strongholds of the Eternal Life Society. One location was in northern Hebei, the other in western Shanxi, and the third in eastern Shandong.

With swift and covert actions, Wang Tian relied on his own formidable strength, coupled with the Star Lord's Token's ability to sense evil energy, to break the deadlock.

These three strongholds varied in size, but all showed signs of blood sacrifice and research into evil magic. A large amount of intelligence and items were found, and some of the lower- and middle-level members were captured.

However, the core members either moved away in advance or committed suicide after being captured, and the trail went cold.

Clearly, the Immortal Society is a very cunning organization.

However, the continuous attacks were not without effect. At the very least, they slowed down the speed at which the enemy set up their formations, and Qianlong gained some understanding of their activity patterns and personnel characteristics.

Wang Tian's title as "successor of the Star Lord" quietly spread within upper-class circles, attracting many glances, some friendly and some malicious.

That afternoon, Wang Tian had just returned to the capital from Shandong and was resting when he suddenly received a message from Long Zhenyue on his tactical watch.

"Young friend Wang Tian, ​​come to headquarters now. I have something important to discuss with you," Elder Long said, unusually serious.

"I'll be right there," Wang Tian replied.

Twenty minutes later, at the Qianlong headquarters, in the familiar conference room, Wang Tian reappeared. Besides Long Zhenyue, Zhao Tieshan, and Shen Moyun, there was also an old man, dressed in a dark blue Taoist robe, with white hair and beard, exuding an air of otherworldly wisdom.

"Wang Tian, ​​he is Master Yunhe, the head of the Tianji Pavilion," Long Zhenyue introduced. "The Tianji Pavilion is a secluded sect with a history of thousands of years. They are skilled in deducing heavenly secrets and array formations and restrictions, and rarely come out to make their way in the world."

"Master Yunhe has come at our invitation to assist in unraveling the mystery of the 'Eternal Life Society's' array."

Wang Tian bowed and said, "Master Yunhe."

Master Yunhe's eyes flashed like lightning as he carefully examined Wang Tian. After a long while, he stroked his beard and sighed, "He possesses the potential of many stars; he is destined by Heaven. Elder Long is right; this young friend is indeed no ordinary person."

"You flatter me."

"Enough with the small talk," General Zhao Tieshan said. "Based on the fragments of array diagrams we collected from various strongholds, and combined with the records in the ancient scrolls of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, True Immortal Yunhe has made a major discovery."

Master Yunhe's expression was solemn. He took out a map drawn on specially made silk from his robes and spread it out on the table. It was a map of China, with more than a dozen places marked with red circles, including Panlong Ridge.

"This is the Nine Netherworld Soul Summoning Array!" Master Yunhe said, enunciating each word clearly. "This is no ordinary blood sacrifice or evil-gathering array; it is an ancient forbidden array of unprecedented scale, the most evil and complex ever!"

He pointed to the red dots on the map: "These places are either places that experienced great battles in ancient times and are filled with death energy, or places where yin energy gathers."

The Eternal Life Society will activate and connect these nodes through blood sacrifice. Their ultimate goal is to use the entire formation as its core to forcibly tear open the Yin-Yang barrier, bringing the most Yin and evil energy from the Nine Netherworlds, along with the will of a slumbering ancient evil god, into this world!