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

This is your treasure trove for discovering the best Xianxia (fantasy/martial arts) novels.

Inside the sealed room, the atmosphere was as tense as a fully drawn bowstring, threatening to burst.

Miao Li's accusations of "internal traitor" and "infiltration of power" were like a cold, venomous snake hissing in the air, coiling around everyone's hearts.

Feng Sanniang knelt on the ground, trembling, and even her breathing was extremely soft.

Zhou Ding's expression was solemn, his brows furrowed, as he calmly met Miao Li's sharp, hawk-like scrutinizing gaze, as if they were engaged in a silent contest.

This brief silence lasted for several breaths, yet felt as long as an eternity.

Finally, the coldness and sharpness on Miao Li's face seemed to be slowly wiped away by a hand, and the corners of his mouth were pulled upwards into a slightly stiff, yet clearly "smile".

He waved his hand gently, his voice softening slightly, but beneath that softening, something elusive still seemed to be hidden:

"Elder Zhou's words are reasonable and his considerations are thorough. This matter is indeed strange, and there may be far more to it than a simple leak from an insider. Perhaps some rival forces are secretly watching our Six Linked Halls, waiting for an opportunity to strike. It is not impossible."

His words were ambiguous, neither denying his previous "insider theory" nor fully adopting Zhou Ding's "external forces theory," and seemed more like a temporary, noncommittal postponement.

His tone shifted abruptly, his gaze sharp as lightning, fixed on Feng Sanniang, who was still kneeling on the ground, his voice becoming stern again: "Deacon Feng!"

"Your subordinate is here!" Feng Sanniang trembled and hurriedly replied.

"The Infant Carp Beast has gone missing, and the patrol team has been wiped out. As the steward of the Kui Xing Island branch, in charge of intelligence and coordination, you cannot shirk your responsibility!"

Miao Li's voice was icy: "I order you to use every means at your disposal to investigate this matter thoroughly! Whether it's an internal oversight or the work of an external enemy, you must give me and headquarters an explanation as soon as possible! If there is any concealment or negligence, don't blame me for punishing you according to the palace rules!"

"Yes! Yes! Your subordinate obeys! I will do my utmost to investigate to the end and will not dare to slacken in the slightest!"

Feng Sanniang felt as if she had been granted a pardon, and kowtowed repeatedly to guarantee her safety, her back already soaked with cold sweat.

She knew that this was both a severe punishment and a glimmer of hope. As long as something could be found out, even if she was just a scapegoat, she might be able to save her life and her job.

"Go down! Remember, what we discussed in this secret room today must never be revealed!" Miao Li waved his sleeve.

"Understood! I take my leave!" Feng Sanniang hurriedly got up, lowered her head, and unsteadily left the secret room, carefully closing the stone door behind her.

Inside, only Miao Li and Zhou Ding remained.

With Feng Sanniang's departure, the atmosphere in the secret room seemed to have undergone a subtle change.

The invisible tension did not completely dissipate, but seemed to settle down, transforming into a more subtle and private atmosphere.

The stern expression that Miao Li had been deliberately maintaining on his face completely disappeared, replaced by a slightly complicated but noticeably more "kind" and even somewhat "friendly" smile.

He sat back down in the main seat, personally picked up the jade pot that was warming on the small stove next to him, and poured a cup of steaming spiritual tea for Zhou Ding and himself.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, please have some tea. This is 'Cloud and Mist Spirit Tip' that I brought from the Inner Sea. It has a unique flavor compared to 'Mist Peak Cloud Tip' from Kui Xing Island." Miao Li pushed the teacup toward Zhou Ding, his tone gentle, as if the previous conversation, full of doubt and wit, had never happened.

"Thank you, Elder Miao."

Zhou Ding remained expressionless, cupped his hands in thanks, picked up his teacup, and took a small sip.

Upon tasting the tea, its spiritual energy was indeed more refined and fragrant, carrying a unique, refreshing scent of mountain mist—truly an extraordinary tea. He set down his teacup, his gaze calmly fixed on Miao Li, awaiting his next words.

He knew that Miao Li's decision to dismiss Feng Sanniang and keep him alone was definitely not just to invite him to drink tea.

As expected, Miao Li also took a sip of tea, put down his teacup, and his smile faded, replaced by a serious expression of "heart-to-heart talk." He slowly said, "Fellow Daoist Zhou, to be honest, besides investigating the disappearance of the Infant Carp Beast, I have another important matter to attend to on Kui Xing Island, which is specifically for your sake."

"You came for me?"

Zhou Ding appropriately displayed a hint of "surprise" and "confusion," leaning forward slightly as if listening attentively: "I wonder what Elder Miao is referring to? Please enlighten me."

Miao Li did not answer immediately. Instead, he carefully took out a palm-sized, pitch-black, seemingly ordinary, yet ancient wooden box from his bosom, which subtly emitted a barrier that isolated divine sense fluctuations.

The wooden box was plain, except for a pale gold spirit-sealing talisman affixed to the lid.

He gently pushed the wooden box in front of Zhou Ding.

"This item belongs to a high-ranking and powerful figure at the headquarters of our Six-Linked Hall. Hearing that Fellow Daoist Zhou possesses exceptional talent and has made rapid progress in his cultivation, and that he has been diligent and conscientious since joining our Six-Linked Hall, achieving numerous merits, he greatly admires him. He specifically instructed me to bring this item to Fellow Daoist Zhou as a token of his appreciation." Miao Li's voice was not loud, but it carried a strange penetrating power as he stared intently at Zhou Ding.

"A gift from an important person?"

Zhou Ding's expression of surprise deepened. He glanced at the wooden box, then looked at Miao Li and cautiously asked, "May I ask Elder Miao, which senior has bestowed this honor upon me? I am still a newcomer to the temple, with low cultivation. What merit do I have to accept such a generous gift? As the saying goes, one should not accept a reward without merit. Please enlighten me, Elder Miao."

Miao Li revealed a knowing smile, as if to say, "I knew you'd ask that." He leaned forward slightly, lowered his voice, as if revealing a major secret: "The one who gifted this item is the Grand Elder of the Six-Linked Palace's Inner Sea Headquarters!"

"The Grand Elder?!"

Zhou Ding's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly, and his face showed a mixture of shock and flattery.

Grand Elder of the Sixth Hall!

He was naturally familiar with this title.

Judging from Feng San Niang's occasional words of reverence and the limited information he had access to after becoming an elder, this Grand Elder was undoubtedly the second most powerful figure in the Six-Linked Hall, second only to the elusive Hall Master!

He wields immense power and his cultivation is unfathomable. It is said that he has already reached the Pseudo-Nascent Soul realm and may even have touched the threshold of the Nascent Soul realm!

How could such an important figure notice a newly appointed elder from a "remote sub-island" like him?

They even sent someone to deliver a gift?

"It is indeed the Grand Elder."

Miao Li nodded affirmatively, a subtle glint of awe mixed with a certain profound meaning flashing in his eyes: "The Grand Elder's evaluation of Fellow Daoist Zhou is quite high. He said that Fellow Daoist Zhou has a solid foundation, great potential, and what's even more rare is his steady approach to things. He is a promising talent."

That's why I was asked to bring this item here as a token of my appreciation.

The Grand Elder also asked me to convey his message that he hopes to have the opportunity to invite Fellow Daoist Zhou to the Inner Sea Headquarters for a chat. He very much wants to meet this rising star in person.

appreciate?

A promising talent?

Invitation to visit headquarters?

Alarm bells rang in Zhou Ding's mind!

The initial feeling of being flattered was quickly replaced by cold rationality.

There's no such thing as a free lunch, especially not from the "appreciation" of a powerful figure you've never met.

His mind raced, connecting Miao Li's words, the sudden "generous gift," and the intention of "inviting him to headquarters" with the various clues he had previously gathered about the Infant Carp Beast and the Reverse Star Alliance.

A terrifying guess, like a will-o'-the-wisp suddenly lit in the darkness, instantly illuminated the blind spots in his mind!

"Reverse Star Alliance!"

These three words were like three cold awls, piercing his heart and soul!

Yes!

In the original story, decades later, a violent upheaval that shocked the Chaotic Star Sea did indeed occur within the Six-Linked Palace!

An ambitious high-ranking official, with his ruthless methods and the enormous power he had secretly accumulated, successfully launched a rebellion, overthrowing the original Palace Master lineage and ascending to the throne for himself!

Shortly after this person took office, he openly led the entire Six-Hall Alliance to side with the rising Anti-Star Alliance, which was then attempting to overthrow the Star Palace's rule!

The "traitor" who successfully rebelled and ultimately led the Six Halls to surrender to the Reverse Star Alliance... could he be the same Six Halls Elder who now "favors" him and holds a "high position of power"?!

This conjecture instantly sent a cold sweat down Zhou Ding's back!

If that's the case, then everything before us has a reasonable explanation!

The reason why this "Grand Elder," or rather, this "core member of the Reverse Star Alliance" who was lurking in the upper echelons of the Six-Linked Palace, noticed me and offered me a generous gift and extended an olive branch was not because he "appreciated my talent," but because he valued my "clean" identity: "no sect or faction, no complicated background, good cultivation potential, and a certain status within the Six-Linked Palace"!

They saw him as a "high-quality fresh blood" worth recruiting and absorbing into the "Reverse Star Alliance" camp!

Sending a generous gift is the "first step"; inviting someone to headquarters is the prelude to the "second step"!

If I actually agree to go to the Inner Sea headquarters and step into the lair that the other party has been operating for many years, it will be like a lamb entering a tiger's den!

At that time, it will probably not be a simple "talk". I will inevitably be forced to know the core secrets of the Reverse Star Alliance and be forced to take sides.

At that point, whether or not you agree will no longer be up to you!

You won't agree?

Knowing such a shocking secret, do you still want to leave alive?

They will inevitably be silenced with swift and decisive measures, leaving no trace of their remains!

promise?

Then one must make an extremely vicious oath of inner demons, even handing over a wisp of one's primordial spirit to be controlled by others, thus having one's life and death in the hands of others, and becoming a complete lackey and pawn of the Reverse Star Alliance!

In the future, they will have to fight alongside this massive organization that is at odds with the Star Palace, battling through bloodshed and danger, and may become cannon fodder at any time, dying and disappearing!

Neither outcome is something Zhou Ding wants to see!

He has worked hard to cultivate until now and established the Lingmu Peak base in order to pursue immortality and freedom, and to protect the people around him, not to get involved in the life-and-death struggle between top forces and become a pawn and sacrifice for others' ambitions!

"I absolutely cannot go! I absolutely cannot agree!" Zhou Ding's heart was instantly filled with turmoil.

But he quickly suppressed it forcefully, without revealing a trace on his face.

His face still held that "shock" and "flattery," even with a touch of just the right amount of "hesitation" and "feeling unworthy," his gaze fixed on the dark wooden box, as if he were struggling.

Miao Li took in all the changes in Zhou Ding's expression, and the smile on his lips deepened, carrying a hint of composure as if "everything is under control".

Miao Li took in all the changes in Zhou Ding's expression, and the smile on his lips deepened, carrying a hint of composure as if "everything is under control".

He reached out and personally removed the pale gold sealing talisman from the wooden box.

The talisman was lifted, but the box lid was not fully opened. However, a pure, powerful aura, carrying a rich water-attribute spiritual energy and a faint hint of thunderous pressure, leaked out from the gaps in the box!

Zhou Ding scanned the box with his divine sense and "saw" what was inside.

It was a round pill about the size of an egg, with a deep, dark blue color, natural silver lightning patterns on its surface that flowed slowly like living things, and an interior that seemed to contain a small stormy ocean. It was a level six demon beast core of excellent quality!

Judging from its aura and attributes, it is quite similar to the demon core of the Infant Carp Beast, but it seems to be more ancient and refined. It is obviously from another powerful water-type lightning-type demon beast, and it is priceless!

Miao Li pointed to the demon core and smiled, "This is the demon core of the 'Thunder Abyss Turtle,' also a level six demon core, and the thunder power it contains is in no way weaker than that of the Infant Carp Beast. Whether used for alchemy, weapon forging, or to assist in the cultivation of thunder attribute divine abilities, it is an invaluable treasure. The Grand Elder's gift of this shows how highly he regards Fellow Daoist Zhou."

Level 6 Demon Core!

Such a generous gift!

Zhou Ding's inward sneer intensified.

This is a temptation, a test, and a silent pressure.

Such a generous gift, will you accept it or not?

Accepting the favor would mean owing someone an immense debt of gratitude, thus establishing an unbreakable connection with the Grand Elder and the Reverse Star Alliance.

Zhou Ding's expression of "struggle" deepened. He took a deep breath, as if he had made a great decision, and slowly reached out his hand. However, he did not immediately take the wooden box, but gently closed it and pushed it back to Miao Li a little.

He raised his head, looking sincerely at Miao Li, his voice carrying a hint of "shame" and "firmness":

"Elder Miao, the Grand Elder is so kind, I am deeply grateful and truly unworthy of such a gift! This gift is far too precious for me to accept. Moreover, I know that I am not very talented and have only been in the palace for a short time, and I have not yet made any contribution to the palace."

Now, with the Infant Carp Beast missing, the traitor unknown, and affairs on Kui Xing Island complicated, it is my duty, as an elder of the island, to stay here and assist Elder Miao and Deacon Feng in finding out the truth as soon as possible and stabilizing the situation.

Accepting such a generous gift at this time, or even going to headquarters, would likely invite criticism and would not be the proper course of action.

He paused, his tone becoming even more earnest: "Perhaps this is better. Elder Miao, please temporarily withdraw this generous gift, or convey my sincerest gratitude and apologies to the Grand Elder on my behalf. Once this matter is resolved, the situation on Kuixing Island is stable, and I feel that my cultivation has improved enough not to have disgraced the Grand Elder's appreciation, then I will travel to the Inner Sea Headquarters to pay my respects to the Grand Elder, receive his guidance, and then accept the reward. What do you think, Elder Miao?"

His words were perfectly flawless.

First, he expressed gratitude and trepidation, emphasizing that he had not done anything to deserve such a reward.

He then used the reasons of "the disappearance of the Infant Carp Beast, the unknown traitor, the busy affairs of Kui Xing Island, and the responsibility he must fulfill as an elder" to explain that he could not leave for the time being, which was reasonable.

Finally, he made a promise to "go in the future," which neither explicitly rejected the elder's "good intentions" nor prevented them from being postponed to an uncertain future, thus giving himself valuable buffer time.

At the same time, he took on the responsibility of "finding out the truth and stabilizing Kuixing Island," which made him appear even more loyal and responsible, making it difficult for anyone to force him to comply.

Upon hearing this, Miao Li's smile faltered slightly, and a barely perceptible shadow of gloom and scrutiny flashed in his eyes.

He stared at Zhou Ding for several breaths, as if trying to determine whether Zhou Ding's words were a genuine refusal or if he had sensed something and was merely being evasive.

The air inside the sealed room became subtle and tense once again.

He reached out and personally removed the pale gold sealing talisman from the wooden box.

The talisman was lifted, but the box lid was not fully opened. However, a pure, powerful aura, carrying a rich water-attribute spiritual energy and a faint hint of thunderous pressure, leaked out from the gaps in the box!

Zhou Ding scanned the box with his divine sense and "saw" what was inside.

It was a round pill about the size of an egg, with a deep, dark blue color, natural silver lightning patterns on its surface that flowed slowly like living things, and an interior that seemed to contain a small stormy ocean. It was a level six demon beast core of excellent quality!

Judging from its aura and attributes, it is quite similar to the demon core of the Infant Carp Beast, but it seems to be more ancient and refined. It is obviously from another powerful water-type lightning-type demon beast, and it is priceless!

Miao Li pointed to the demon core and smiled, "This is the demon core of the 'Thunder Abyss Turtle,' also a level six demon core, and the thunder power it contains is in no way weaker than that of the Infant Carp Beast. Whether used for alchemy, weapon forging, or to assist in the cultivation of thunder attribute divine abilities, it is an invaluable treasure. The Grand Elder's gift of this shows how highly he regards Fellow Daoist Zhou."

Level 6 Demon Core!

Such a generous gift!

Zhou Ding's inward sneer intensified.

This is a temptation, a test, and a silent pressure.

Such a generous gift, will you accept it or not?

Accepting the favor would mean owing someone an immense debt of gratitude, thus establishing an unbreakable connection with the Grand Elder and the Reverse Star Alliance.

Zhou Ding's expression of "struggle" deepened. He took a deep breath, as if he had made a great decision, and slowly reached out his hand. However, he did not immediately take the wooden box, but gently closed it and pushed it back to Miao Li a little.

He raised his head, looking sincerely at Miao Li, his voice carrying a hint of "shame" and "firmness":

"Elder Miao, the Grand Elder is so kind, I am deeply grateful and truly unworthy of such a gift! This gift is far too precious for me to accept. Moreover, I know that I am not very talented and have only been in the palace for a short time, and I have not yet made any contribution to the palace."

Now, with the Infant Carp Beast missing, the traitor unknown, and affairs on Kui Xing Island complicated, it is my duty, as an elder of the island, to stay here and assist Elder Miao and Deacon Feng in finding out the truth as soon as possible and stabilizing the situation.

Accepting such a generous gift at this time, or even going to headquarters, would likely invite criticism and would not be the proper course of action.

He paused, his tone becoming even more earnest: "Perhaps this is better. Elder Miao, please temporarily withdraw this generous gift, or convey my sincerest gratitude and apologies to the Grand Elder on my behalf. Once this matter is resolved, the situation on Kuixing Island is stable, and I feel that my cultivation has improved enough not to have disgraced the Grand Elder's appreciation, then I will travel to the Inner Sea Headquarters to pay my respects to the Grand Elder, receive his guidance, and then accept the reward. What do you think, Elder Miao?"

His words were perfectly flawless.

First, he expressed gratitude and trepidation, emphasizing that he had not done anything to deserve such a reward.

He then used the reasons of "the disappearance of the Infant Carp Beast, the unknown traitor, the busy affairs of Kui Xing Island, and the responsibility he must fulfill as an elder" to explain that he could not leave for the time being, which was reasonable.

Finally, he made a promise to "go in the future," which neither explicitly rejected the elder's "good intentions" nor prevented them from being postponed to an uncertain future, thus giving himself valuable buffer time.

At the same time, he took on the responsibility of "finding out the truth and stabilizing Kuixing Island," which made him appear even more loyal and responsible, making it difficult for anyone to force him to comply.

Upon hearing this, Miao Li's smile faltered slightly, and a barely perceptible shadow of gloom and scrutiny flashed in his eyes.

He stared at Zhou Ding for several breaths, as if trying to determine whether Zhou Ding's words were a genuine refusal or if he had sensed something and was merely being evasive.

The air inside the sealed room became subtle and tense once again.