I am in Yellow Maple Valley, and I have a demonic beast clone!

Back at his cave dwelling on Lingmu Peak, Zhou Ding's life quickly returned to its former tranquility and routine.

He would meditate in his quiet room every day, breathing in and out spiritual energy to consolidate his mid-stage Core Formation cultivation and comprehend the invisible bottleneck leading to the later stage.

Or perhaps he could study the "Heavenly Origin Array Canon" with Xin Ruyin, exploring the deeper mysteries and control methods of the array contained in the "Eight Gates Golden Light Mirror," and try to combine the power of the Golden Light Divine Flame with the Five Elements Absolute Killing Array.

Or he could instruct Xiaomei on how to make talismans, thus testing her progress in cultivation.

Inside the cave, all was peaceful and filled with the spirit of Taoism, as if the thunderous hunt that took place a thousand miles away and deep in the sea, and the fall of that level-six demon beast, had never had anything to do with Zhou Ding.

His expression remained calm and composed. When he was discussing Daoist principles with Xin Ruyin over tea, a gentle smile played on his lips. When he was checking Xiao Mei's progress in cultivation, his gaze was stern yet expectant.

Only when he was alone, deep in a quiet room, examining the deep blue, lightning-patterned, level-six demon core in his storage bag, as well as the spiritually vibrant infant carp beast materials, would a barely perceptible hunter's sharpness and satisfaction flash in his eyes.

But he would quickly suppress all his emotions, carefully conceal what he had gained, and leave no trace.

Nearly ten days passed peacefully like this.

On the morning of the fourth day, Zhou Ding was in his cave's medicinal garden, observing the growth of a newly transplanted "Ice Heart Grass," a plant with extremely demanding growing conditions. His elder's token at his waist vibrated slightly, transmitting Feng San Niang's familiar yet clearly anxious and urgent voice:

"Elder Zhou, I have an extremely urgent matter to report! It is of great importance, and I implore you to come to Baishui Tower immediately!"

The panicked tone in his voice was completely different from the calm and confident demeanor he displayed when reporting news of the Infant Carp Beast that day.

Zhou Ding knew perfectly well that what was bound to happen had finally arrived.

He replied in a deep voice to the communication talisman, "Understood, I will come immediately."

Zhou Ding did not set off immediately. Instead, he leisurely tended to the Ice Heart Grass, then went to the quiet room to greet Xin Ruyin, who was deducing the formation, and told her that he was going to handle the affairs of the palace. Only then did he straighten his robes, ride his escape light, and fly towards Kui Xing City.

Throughout the journey, his expression was solemn, his brows slightly furrowed, as if he were truly pondering what the "extremely urgent matter" Feng San Niang had mentioned was all about.

Upon entering Baishui Tower, without needing any guidance, he immediately sensed the oppressive atmosphere emanating from the private chamber on the top floor.

Pushing open the heavy stone door of the secret chamber, one could see Feng Sanniang pacing back and forth like an ant on a hot pan, her face pale, beads of sweat glistening on her forehead, and her eyes bloodshot and filled with barely concealed panic.

Upon seeing Zhou Ding, she seemed to grasp at a lifeline, practically lunging at him, her voice trembling:

"Elder! You've finally arrived! Something terrible has happened!"

"Third Sister, what's wrong? Why are you in such a panic? What kind of behavior is this!"

Zhou Ding frowned even more, his voice sharp and authoritative, taking the initiative to stabilize the situation. At the same time, he waved his hand to set up a soundproof barrier: "Speak slowly, the sky isn't falling!"

Feng Sanniang, barely calmed down after his shout, still spoke rapidly, her voice trembling: "Elder, it's the Infant Carp Beast! That...that level six Infant Carp Beast...it's gone! And our patrol team that we sent to secretly guard that deserted island in that sea area...all...all five members of the team, including Chief Wang, are...all dead! They died mysteriously, their bodies never found, and even the warning array was completely destroyed!"

"What?!"

Zhou Ding's expression changed abruptly. He stood up abruptly, and the immense spiritual pressure belonging to a mid-stage Core Formation cultivator was released uncontrollably for a moment, causing the tables and chairs in the secret room to shake slightly.

His eyes flashed with disbelief and shock, which then transformed into overwhelming rage. He slammed his hand on the jade table beside him, producing a muffled thud. The surface of the jade table was instantly covered with spiderweb-like cracks!

"Gone? The entire team wiped out? Who did this?! How dare they! They dared to touch the demon beasts of my Sixth Palace and kill my people!"

Zhou Ding's voice suddenly rose, carrying a chilling killing intent, his gaze piercing Feng Sanniang like a knife: "What exactly happened? Explain yourself clearly! Don't leave out a single detail!"

His reaction perfectly captured the anger and shock of a superior who had learned of the loss of an important prey, the murder of his subordinates, and the challenge to his authority.

The outward release of spiritual pressure and the act of slamming the jade table further amplified the emotions to the extreme.

Startled by his sudden outburst of rage, Feng Sanniang trembled all over, her legs even going weak. She hurriedly and haltingly recounted what had happened.

As was her custom, she contacted the island's sentries every few days using a special communication method to confirm their safety.

But there has been no response since a few days ago.

She sensed something was wrong and immediately dispatched another trusted squad to investigate in the fastest airship.

The cave on the deserted island was found to be empty, with only a faint trace of chaotic spiritual energy and a faint smell of burning from the battle. The warning array had been violently destroyed.

The team expanded their search area and even risked infiltrating several areas on the edge of the "Ghost Mist Vortex" where the Infant Carp Beast might be hiding, but they found nothing. The level-six demon beast seemed to have vanished into thin air, leaving no valuable traces or clues.

"Your subordinate suspects that a highly skilled individual, someone extremely knowledgeable about the situation, knew the location of the Infant Carp Beast and the deployment of our sentries beforehand, swiftly eliminated the sentries, and then... hunted down the beast!"

By the end, Feng Sanniang's voice was trembling with tears, filled with shock, fear, and remorse. "Elder, it's my fault! I failed to protect the secret, I failed..."

"What's the point of saying all this now!"

Zhou Ding abruptly interrupted her, his face still flushed with anger, his chest heaving slightly as if he were suppressing his rage. He paced a few steps in the secret room, then stopped abruptly, looked at Feng Sanniang, and said in a deep voice, "Have you reported this matter to headquarters?"

"Such a major event has occurred, how could I dare to conceal it? After confirming that the investigation had yielded no results, I immediately reported the details to the Inner Sea Headquarters through the most urgent channels!" Feng Sanniang hurriedly said.

"What was the headquarters' response?" Zhou Ding pressed, his expression still grim.

"Headquarters is furious! Elder Miao Li has personally set out for Kui Xing Island to investigate this matter! He has also strictly ordered his subordinates to keep the news under wraps and not to reveal a single word to anyone before the elder arrives!"

Feng Sanniang replied, a glimmer of hope rising in her eyes: "Elder Miao is experienced and highly skilled; he will surely uncover the truth!"

"Elder Miao is coming..."

Zhou Ding's anger subsided slightly, but his brows remained furrowed. He slowly sat back in his chair, his fingers unconsciously tapping the armrest. After a long while, he sighed, his tone carrying a hint of resentment and a touch of wishful thinking: "Hopefully... that infant carp beast was just startled and temporarily hid deeper, or was lured away by some reason we don't know. After all, it's a level six demon beast, incredibly powerful. Hunting it down silently is no easy task. Perhaps... there's still room for maneuver."

His words seemed to be both comforting Feng Sanniang and convincing himself, perfectly capturing the mindset of a "victim of loss" who was both angry about the loss and still held a sliver of hope.

Upon hearing this, Feng Sanniang quickly nodded in agreement, saying, "Elder is right! That demonic beast is extremely ferocious; it might truly be hiding temporarily. As long as the beast remains, we can discuss this further once Elder Miao arrives..."

But her tone clearly indicated that she herself didn't quite believe the possibility.

"Well, I hope so."

Zhou Ding waved his hand, a look of exhaustion on his face: "You can go now. Continue to keep an eye on the relevant news, but remember not to alert the enemy. We'll discuss everything when Elder Miao arrives."

"Yes! Your subordinate obeys!" Feng Sanniang felt as if she had been granted a pardon and bowed as she left the secret room.

After Feng Sanniang left and the stone door of the secret chamber closed, the "anger," "resentment," and "exhaustion" on Zhou Ding's face receded quickly like the tide, returning to a calm as deep as a pool.

He picked up the still-warm spirit tea from the table, took a small sip, and a deep, indescribable light flashed in his eyes.

"Miao Li... is finally here. The real show is just beginning."

……

Half a month passed quietly in a seemingly calm but actually turbulent atmosphere.

The cultivation world on Kuixing Island was completely unaware of this, and Lingmu Peak remained tranquil.

But inside Baishui Tower, there was a tense atmosphere, as if a storm was brewing.

On this day, Zhou Ding received another telepathic message from Feng San Niang, whose tone was respectful yet unusually solemn: "Elder Zhou, Elder Miao Li has arrived in Kui Xing City and is currently at Bai Shui Lou. He requests your presence for a chat."

"understood."

Zhou Ding replied succinctly, put down the "Eight Gates Golden Light Mirror" he was studying, straightened his robes, and calmly left the cave.

Stepping back into the secret room of Baishui Tower, the atmosphere was completely different from half a month ago.

The room was filled with the calming aroma of high-grade sandalwood, yet it could not dispel the invisible heaviness and grim atmosphere.

Feng Sanniang stood by the door with her hands at her sides, not daring to even breathe loudly.

In the center of the secret room, Miao Li stood with his back to the door, hands behind his back, gazing at an ancient sea chart hanging on the wall.

He was still wearing that dark blue elder's robe with cloud patterns, but his back view now exuded a chilling calm and coldness, like a volcano suppressing its rage.

Hearing footsteps, Miao Li slowly turned around. His face looked somewhat haggard, with deep-set eyes, but his eyes were sharp as a hawk's, flashing with a cold and angry light. His gaze was like a tangible blade, instantly landing on Zhou Ding's face, as if trying to see through him from the outside in.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, you've arrived."

Miao Li's voice was hoarse and low, carrying a suppressed anger. He pointed to the seat next to him: "Sit."

"Elder Miao." Zhou Ding bowed respectfully, calmly taking his seat as instructed. He met Miao Li's scrutinizing gaze with composure, and asked with a hint of "concern," "Elder Miao, you don't look well. Is it because of the Infant Carp Beast? I wonder if there have been any new discoveries or instructions from headquarters, or from your personal visit this time?"

Miao Li did not answer immediately. He walked to the main seat, sat down, picked up the spirit tea in front of him that had long since gone cold, and then put it down heavily with a soft "clang".

He stared at Zhou Ding, speaking each word with a voice as cold as ice:

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, there's no need to harbor any illusions. I personally investigated that sea area, using secret techniques and even enlisting the help of a guest elder in the hall, skilled in tracking, to repeatedly investigate using the 'Reflection Technique.'"

He paused, each word carrying immense weight: "It's confirmed, that level six infant carp beast is dead! Killed! The body was disposed of meticulously, leaving not a single useful remnant! That patrol team was also wiped out instantly using extremely skillful and ruthless methods, their very souls destroyed!"

Although it was expected, the air in the sealed room seemed to freeze when Miao Li stated the conclusion so confidently.

Feng Sanniang's face turned even paler, and her body trembled slightly.

Zhou Ding's face appropriately revealed a look of "shock" and "disbelief," and he even leaned forward slightly: "Dead?! How is that possible? That was a level six demonic beast, comparable to a late-stage Core Formation cultivator! Who could kill it silently and without leaving a trace? Could it be... a Nascent Soul cultivator's doing?"

"A Nascent Soul cultivator?"

Miao Li sneered, his eyes flashing even colder. "If it were a Nascent Soul cultivator making a move, why would they need to be so sneaky? Why bother killing a few Foundation Establishment ants to silence them? If they want this demonic beast, they can simply take it. Would my Six-Linked Palace dare to stop them?"

His gaze, sharp as a hook, was fixed on Zhou Ding. His voice was low, yet carried a penetrating power: "After repeated deductions by myself and several elders at headquarters, we believe the most likely culprit is not an external enemy, but... an internal traitor!"

"A mole?" Zhou Ding frowned, his face showing a thoughtful and solemn expression.

"good!"

Miao Li slammed his hand on the armrest of his chair, abruptly stood up, and paced back and forth in the secret room. His voice trembled with anger: "The location of the Infant Carp Beast is top secret! Besides a limited number of high-ranking officials at headquarters, you and me, and a handful of others like Deacon Feng, it's known! The patrol's sentry deployment is known only to Deacon Feng and his closest confidants! There's absolutely no way an outsider could know such details, or act with such precision, speed, and cleanliness!"

He abruptly stopped, turned to face Zhou Ding, his eyes flashing with suspicion, scrutiny, and a barely perceptible hint of sinister intent: "Fellow Daoist Zhou, do you think this spy... could be one of us? Or perhaps, the Six Linked Halls of Kui Xing Island have long been infiltrated by some force, riddled with holes? Otherwise, how do you explain this sudden, terrifyingly precise leak and assassination?!"

His words, like cold, poisonous thorns, struck at the heart of the matter.

In the sealed room, you could hear a pin drop.

Feng Sanniang was deathly pale. She knelt down with a thud and said in a trembling voice, "Elder Miao, please understand! I am utterly loyal to the Six-Linked Palace and have never harbored any disloyalty! This matter... this matter, I truly knew nothing about!"

Miao Li didn't even glance at her, her gaze remaining fixed on Zhou Ding's calm face, as if trying to find a flaw in every subtle change in his expression.

As Zhou Ding met Miao Li's piercing gaze, his expression slowly shifted from initial shock and solemnity to a deep sense of reverence and acceptance.

He nodded slowly and said in a deep voice, "Elder Miao's words... are not without reason. This matter is indeed strange. If it weren't for an internal leak, it would be extremely difficult for an outsider to do something like this. However..."

He abruptly changed the subject, his face displaying just the right amount of "doubt" and "worry": "If it truly is an internal spy, what is their purpose? Is it merely to hunt down a level six demonic beast? Or... is there something else going on? Could this matter be related to the fact that my Six-Linked Palace has recently infringed upon the interests of certain forces in some matters?"

He threw the question back and cleverly steered it toward the possibility of "external forces instigating internal traitors." He neither denied the possibility of an "insider" nor failed to broaden the focus of suspicion from specific individuals to the more ambiguous level of "power struggles." At the same time, he showed "concern" for the overall interests of the Six-Party Hall.

Miao Li gave Zhou Ding a deep look, his sharp, scrutinizing gaze flickering slightly, as if he were also weighing the deeper meaning in his words.

The atmosphere inside the sealed room became increasingly eerie and unpredictable.

He stared at Zhou Ding, speaking each word with a voice as cold as ice:

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, there's no need to harbor any illusions. I personally investigated that sea area, using secret techniques and even enlisting the help of a guest elder in the hall, skilled in tracking, to repeatedly investigate using the 'Reflection Technique.'"

He paused, each word carrying immense weight: "It's confirmed, that level six infant carp beast is dead! Killed! The body was disposed of meticulously, leaving not a single useful remnant! That patrol team was also wiped out instantly using extremely skillful and ruthless methods, their very souls destroyed!"

Although it was expected, the air in the sealed room seemed to freeze when Miao Li stated the conclusion so confidently.

Feng Sanniang's face turned even paler, and her body trembled slightly.

Zhou Ding's face appropriately revealed a look of "shock" and "disbelief," and he even leaned forward slightly: "Dead?! How is that possible? That was a level six demonic beast, comparable to a late-stage Core Formation cultivator! Who could kill it silently and without leaving a trace? Could it be... a Nascent Soul cultivator's doing?"

"A Nascent Soul cultivator?"

Miao Li sneered, his eyes flashing even colder. "If it were a Nascent Soul cultivator making a move, why would they need to be so sneaky? Why bother killing a few Foundation Establishment ants to silence them? If they want this demonic beast, they can simply take it. Would my Six-Linked Palace dare to stop them?"

His gaze, sharp as a hook, was fixed on Zhou Ding. His voice was low, yet carried a penetrating power: "After repeated deductions by myself and several elders at headquarters, we believe the most likely culprit is not an external enemy, but... an internal traitor!"

"A mole?" Zhou Ding frowned, his face showing a thoughtful and solemn expression.

"good!"

Miao Li slammed his hand on the armrest of his chair, abruptly stood up, and paced back and forth in the secret room. His voice trembled with anger: "The location of the Infant Carp Beast is top secret! Besides a limited number of high-ranking officials at headquarters, you and me, and a handful of others like Deacon Feng, it's known! The patrol's sentry deployment is known only to Deacon Feng and his closest confidants! There's absolutely no way an outsider could know such details, or act with such precision, speed, and cleanliness!"

He abruptly stopped, turned to face Zhou Ding, his eyes flashing with suspicion, scrutiny, and a barely perceptible hint of sinister intent: "Fellow Daoist Zhou, do you think this spy... could be one of us? Or perhaps, the Six Linked Halls of Kui Xing Island have long been infiltrated by some force, riddled with holes? Otherwise, how do you explain this sudden, terrifyingly precise leak and assassination?!"

His words, like cold, poisonous thorns, struck at the heart of the matter.

In the sealed room, you could hear a pin drop.

Feng Sanniang was deathly pale. She knelt down with a thud and said in a trembling voice, "Elder Miao, please understand! I am utterly loyal to the Six-Linked Palace and have never harbored any disloyalty! This matter... this matter, I truly knew nothing about!"

Miao Li didn't even glance at her, her gaze remaining fixed on Zhou Ding's calm face, as if trying to find a flaw in every subtle change in his expression.

As Zhou Ding met Miao Li's piercing gaze, his expression slowly shifted from initial shock and solemnity to a deep sense of reverence and acceptance.

He nodded slowly and said in a deep voice, "Elder Miao's words... are not without reason. This matter is indeed strange. If it weren't for an internal leak, it would be extremely difficult for an outsider to do something like this. However..."

He abruptly changed the subject, his face displaying just the right amount of "doubt" and "worry": "If it truly is an internal spy, what is their purpose? Is it merely to hunt down a level six demonic beast? Or... is there something else going on? Could this matter be related to the fact that my Six-Linked Palace has recently infringed upon the interests of certain forces in some matters?"

He threw the question back and cleverly steered it toward the possibility of "external forces instigating internal traitors." He neither denied the possibility of an "insider" nor failed to broaden the focus of suspicion from specific individuals to the more ambiguous level of "power struggles." At the same time, he showed "concern" for the overall interests of the Six-Party Hall.

Miao Li gave Zhou Ding a deep look, his sharp, scrutinizing gaze flickering slightly, as if he were also weighing the deeper meaning in his words.

The atmosphere inside the sealed room became increasingly eerie and unpredictable.

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Miao Li did not answer immediately. He walked to the main seat, sat down, picked up the spirit tea in front of him that had long since gone cold, and then put it down heavily with a soft "clang".

He stared at Zhou Ding, speaking each word with a voice as cold as ice:

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, there's no need to harbor any illusions. I personally investigated that sea area, using secret techniques and even enlisting the help of a guest elder in the hall, skilled in tracking, to repeatedly investigate using the 'Reflection Technique.'"

He paused, each word carrying immense weight: "It's confirmed, that level six infant carp beast is dead! Killed! The body was disposed of meticulously, leaving not a single useful remnant! That patrol team was also wiped out instantly using extremely skillful and ruthless methods, their very souls destroyed!"

Although it was expected, the air in the sealed room seemed to freeze when Miao Li stated the conclusion so confidently.

Feng Sanniang's face turned even paler, and her body trembled slightly.

Zhou Ding's face appropriately revealed a look of "shock" and "disbelief," and he even leaned forward slightly: "Dead?! How is that possible? That was a level six demonic beast, comparable to a late-stage Core Formation cultivator! Who could kill it silently and without leaving a trace? Could it be... a Nascent Soul cultivator's doing?"

"A Nascent Soul cultivator?"

Miao Li sneered, his eyes flashing even colder. "If it were a Nascent Soul cultivator making a move, why would they need to be so sneaky? Why bother killing a few Foundation Establishment ants to silence them? If they want this demonic beast, they can simply take it. Would my Six-Linked Palace dare to stop them?"

His gaze, sharp as a hook, was fixed on Zhou Ding. His voice was low, yet carried a penetrating power: "After repeated deductions by myself and several elders at headquarters, we believe the most likely culprit is not an external enemy, but... an internal traitor!"

"A mole?" Zhou Ding frowned, his face showing a thoughtful and solemn expression.

"good!"

Miao Li slammed his hand on the armrest of his chair, abruptly stood up, and paced back and forth in the secret room. His voice trembled with anger: "The location of the Infant Carp Beast is top secret! Besides a limited number of high-ranking officials at headquarters, you and me, and a handful of others like Deacon Feng, it's known! The patrol's sentry deployment is known only to Deacon Feng and his closest confidants! There's absolutely no way an outsider could know such details, or act with such precision, speed, and cleanliness!"

He abruptly stopped, turned to face Zhou Ding, his eyes flashing with suspicion, scrutiny, and a barely perceptible hint of sinister intent: "Fellow Daoist Zhou, do you think this spy... could be one of us? Or perhaps, the Six Linked Halls of Kui Xing Island have long been infiltrated by some force, riddled with holes? Otherwise, how do you explain this sudden, terrifyingly precise leak and assassination?!"

His words, like cold, poisonous thorns, struck at the heart of the matter.

In the sealed room, you could hear a pin drop.

Feng Sanniang was deathly pale. She knelt down with a thud and said in a trembling voice, "Elder Miao, please understand! I am utterly loyal to the Six-Linked Palace and have never harbored any disloyalty! This matter... this matter, I truly knew nothing about!"

Miao Li didn't even glance at her, her gaze remaining fixed on Zhou Ding's calm face, as if trying to find a flaw in every subtle change in his expression.

As Zhou Ding met Miao Li's piercing gaze, his expression slowly shifted from initial shock and solemnity to a deep sense of reverence and acceptance.

He nodded slowly and said in a deep voice, "Elder Miao's words... are not without reason. This matter is indeed strange. If it weren't for an internal leak, it would be extremely difficult for an outsider to do something like this. However..."

He abruptly changed the subject, his face displaying just the right amount of "doubt" and "worry": "If it truly is an internal spy, what is their purpose? Is it merely to hunt down a level six demonic beast? Or... is there something else going on? Could this matter be related to the fact that my Six-Linked Palace has recently infringed upon the interests of certain forces in some matters?"

He threw the question back and cleverly steered it toward the possibility of "external forces instigating internal traitors." He neither denied the possibility of an "insider" nor failed to broaden the focus of suspicion from specific individuals to the more ambiguous level of "power struggles." At the same time, he showed "concern" for the overall interests of the Six-Party Hall.

Miao Li gave Zhou Ding a deep look, his sharp, scrutinizing gaze flickering slightly, as if he were also weighing the deeper meaning in his words.

The atmosphere inside the sealed room became increasingly eerie and unpredictable.