The Hidden Front

Li Songgu is the current Hidden Lord of the Jiu Li Hidden Gate, a fact that is no secret to Zuoqiu Hongting, Hidden Nine, and Cangli.

Once Qi Xiao's injuries stabilized, he recounted in detail everything that had happened over the past two years, leaving nothing out.

Even Cangli, filled with boundless hatred and immense pain, calmed down, realizing that if he acted impulsively, the hard work and efforts of his father, Yao Qingxuan, and Li Weiyi over two generations would be in vain.

At the same time, all three were deeply shocked. The power of the cult described by Qi Xiao was several times greater than anyone had anticipated.

Previously, it was widely believed that the power of cults was less than that of Myriad Gate Families.

Zuoqiu Hongting said, "The Zuoqiu Courtyard and the Zuoqiu Hidden Gate have repeatedly sent shrewd and capable cultivators to infiltrate the cult, but only one in ten manages to enter the main altar. And of those who do enter, very few come out alive."

"They only knew that the main altar was located in a certain secret realm and that they traveled there and back via Spatial Teleportation Array; they had no idea that the main altar was located in the Underground Immortal Mansion."

Qi Xiao smiled bitterly, "If it weren't for Li Weiyi, I would have died at the main altar long ago and wouldn't have been able to get out. If it weren't for Yao Qingxuan, Brother Weiyi would definitely have died inside as well. Even with Yao Qingxuan alone, it wouldn't be enough; we also need Hall Master An as our backer. The main altar is truly fraught with danger at every turn. No one trusts us, and they've used every means to kill us."

Hidden Nine said, "The fact that Hidden Lord could appear at Nanyan Pass Yao Qingxuan's identity."

Cangli said, "Three months is the deadline. The Demon Race, the heretical sect, and the Netherworld of the Departed must have already laid out their plans in secret. The Rice Cult has been hiding for a thousand years, and the Rice People are everywhere. All the major forces have undoubtedly been silently infiltrated and riddled with holes, making it difficult to distinguish friend from foe. We must take action and not sit idly by and watch Lingxiao City fall. No matter how corrupt the Imperial Court, it is currently the strongest pillar of the human race. Even if it is to fall, we must first wear down the enemy."

Zuoqiu Hongting said, "You said it yourself, it's hard to tell friend from foe right now. Once the news spreads, can you guarantee that all nine tribal chiefs of your Jiu Li Tribe are trustworthy? I certainly can't guarantee that there aren't any cult members among the Longevity Realm Giants in the Zuoqiu Courtyard. Even if there aren't, cults will definitely try every means to infiltrate, subvert, coerce, and entice them. We're in the open, they're in the shadows. In a thousand years, they can do so much."

"Once the Demon Race and the evil cults discover the leak, war will break out instantly. They've been planning this for a long time, while we haven't done anything yet."

She looked at Qi Xiao: "Currently, within the cult, only those at the Venerable level or above know the exact details of the attack on Lingxiao City, right?"

"That should be the case," Qi Xiao said.

"Yao Qingxuan is very likely the highest-ranking figure among all human factions within the cult."

Zuoqiu Hongting carefully considered the situation. "Regardless of how long it takes them to make their move, we'll calculate it as three months. At this very moment, the demon, evil, and ghost factions must have already begun their preparations in the eight core states of the Imperial Court. To conceal their true intentions, the Demon Race will definitely take action in the East Sea, the Southern Border, and the Western Territory, drawing the Imperial Court's attention to the periphery."

"To break through Cloud Heaven Immortal Plain and Lingxiao City, a brute-force attack from the outside would surely result in heavy casualties, and it might not be successful."

"Working together from within and without is the only way."

"The key to this battle that will determine the fate of the world lies within Lingxiao City and at the four major passes leading to Cloud Heaven Immortal Plain. If we can eliminate as many of the hidden forces of the Demon Race and evil cults, as well as human traitors, as before the great battle, Kirin Zhuang and the evil cults will have to pay a heavy price if they dare to go to Cloud Heaven Immortal Plain."

"Li Weiyi must have mobilized the experts of the Jiu Li Hidden Gate to Lingxiao City for this reason: to inflict heavy losses on the enemy on the covert front and to gain the greatest possible advantage for the human race."

Hidden Nine said in a deep voice, "Unfortunately, the Hidden Lord may already be gone... The only Hidden Person can mobilize are the young Hidden People of our sixty years. To fight against the millennia-old scheme of the evil cult is like throwing an egg against a rock. Moreover, Lingxiao City still has a powerful figure like Yao Qian."

Cangli said, "If the Jiu Li Tribe cannot even fully trust its nine patriarchs and nine high priests, who else can they trust? How can we guarantee that the information will not be leaked at all?"

Zuoqiu Hongting said, "Since it's a covert front, we can only use the power of the Hidden Gate. Mobilizing a large number of experts in the open will definitely alert the enemy. If the Jiu Li Hidden Gate isn't enough, we still have the Zuoqiu Hidden Gate. We only have two months left, I don't know if we'll make it in time."

"Isn't it three months?" Hidden Nine asked.

Zuoqiu Hongting said, "In the last month, or even the last half month, the Imperial Court, no matter how bloated and slow, should have sensed the danger. Qi Xiao, the Death Spirit Fire within you is quite special. The evil cult likely has a way to use it to pinpoint your location. I cannot take you back to Qiuzhou City."

Qi Xiao nodded with a bitter expression and said, "I understand! Only if I die will the Rice Cult not suspect anything. I was already prepared before I came back. Just give me a quick death!"

Zuoqiu Hongting shook her head and said, "There is another path, perhaps more valuable than death."

Qi Xiao looked at her blankly.

Zuoqiu Hongting said, "Return to the Daojiao headquarters, and go back through the Underground Immortal Mansion Entrance a hundred miles away. Whether you survive or not depends on your fate! Just in case, I will erase this part of your memory and place a letter with Li Weiyi's handwriting in your bosom. When you wake up, after reading the contents of the letter, you will naturally know what to do."

"Whoosh!"

Her Glabella Spiritual Realm opened, drawing upon the power of the shattered lamp; its light, sharp as a knife, slashed into Qi Xiao's Sea of Consciousness.

Qi Xiao fainted.

Hidden Nine imitated Li Weiyi's handwriting, wrote a letter, and stuffed it into his arms. "Tell him in the letter that if anything happens at Nanyan Pass, he should immediately return to the Divine Sect headquarters and inform Venerable Nan."

Hidden Nine, carrying Qi Xiao, headed towards the Underground Immortal Mansion Entrance.

"Cangli, please accept my condolences. Uncle Li may have made preparations and did not die at Nanyan Pass. Put aside your emotions, clean and arrange this place, and don't let the cult notice anything amiss. I have to go back to Peach Plum Mountain immediately." Zuoqiu Hongting left first.

After Li Weiyi and Zhuang Yue's secret meeting, Li Weiyi retrieved Qi Feng and immediately rushed back to the three-courtyard residence where his retainers lived, not daring to leave for too long.

It leaped over the wall and landed in the courtyard.

He released his mental power to investigate the courtyard.

The two maids were fast asleep on their respective beds in their rooms, their breathing long and faint.

"No! They are all Ninja Masters. How could they all fall asleep on their first night of service?"

Li Weiyi became alert and immediately stuck a Divine Speed Talisman on his body, then held an Immobilization Talisman in his hand, pushed open the door and entered the room with his hands behind his back.

The array set up in the room has been broken.

In the darkness, a graceful and slender figure lay on the bed, a faint fragrance wafting through the air, evoking a sense of intoxicating allure.

"Why are you only getting back now? Everyone was almost asleep!" Long Xiangcen's voice was soft and gentle, tinged with weariness.

Li Weiyi flicked his finger.

A spark of spiritual fire flew out and lit the glass lamp on the table.

In the lamplight, Long Xiangcen lay on her side on the bed, still wearing a pale yellow blouse, but completely different from her beautiful and elegant appearance during the day. Her snow-white and slender legs were exposed, all the way to the top of her plump and smooth thighs. Her tail was fluffy, her eyes were full of charm, and her expression was seductive to the bone.

Even the most resolute man would probably disregard everything and first pull her into his arms and caress her.

Li Weiyi stood at the door, his expression grave. "Fighting here won't benefit anyone. If Taishi Bai finds out about the seductive way the Dragon Fairy rode on the legs of the Phoenix-born Unicorn-young, all your fond memories will vanish."

"You saw it after all!"

A cold glint flashed deep in Long Xiangcen's eyes, then her pink lips curled into a smile, "Do you think he trusts you or me? My aunt is now in charge of the General's Mansion, and she's my own aunt."

"If Madam Taishi were a member of the Demon Race, I would have run away long ago. Why would I willingly come to her?"

Li Weiyi believed that the Madam Long had not participated in the Demon Race faction's actions because she was genuinely investigating Jiang Xin's identity as an "Prefectural Elder." If she had intended to cover it up, the letter Li Weiyi sent to Taishi Bai would definitely have disappeared without a trace.

Do you really think the Jiang family and Luantai can bring down Jiang Xin?

Li Weiyi continued, "If I were to shout loudly now and summon all the retainers of the Taishi Family around, they would surely be very curious as to how a powerful figure like Fairy Dragon could end up in my bed. If she can climb into my bed, can she also climb into theirs?"

Long Xiangcen vanished, and she stared at Li Weiyi for a long time. "You really have a lot of nerve! You think your Disguise Art can fool everyone?"

Li Weiyi could tell that she wouldn't dare to act rashly; if she were, she would have already been lying in wait in the courtyard. His tense nerves relaxed slightly, and he smiled, "This is my true face; I'm not afraid of being exposed."

Long Xiangcen chuckled, sat up on the bed, and leaned softly against the bed frame. "I came here to verify your true identity, to see if you are truly the Divine Child or just a so-called centenarian. Show me the Divine Child's Life Tablet of the Rice Cult again."

She reached out her hand, asking for it.

How could Li Weiyi possibly give her the Divine Child's Life Token, allowing her to use it against him? He said, "Actually, our goals are the same; there's no need for us to both suffer losses."

"What is your purpose?" Long Xiangcen asked with a completely unconvinced smile.

Li Weiyi said, "Whatever your purpose is, that's what I'm after. Actually, we can cooperate."

Long Xiangcen became serious. "You are not a member of the Rice Cult at all, much less a divine child of the Rice Cult. The Rice Cult's foundation in Nanyan Pass has been destroyed by you."

Li Weiyi entered the room, sat down at the table by the lamp, and sighed, "This matter is a secret of the Divine Cult, and I cannot tell you too much. I will only tell you one thing: Yao Qian, the Shaoqing of the Imperial Secretariat, is a member of the Divine Cult. The Divine Cult's foundation in Nanyan Pass was destroyed by him."

Long Xiangcen was genuinely shocked by this news and couldn't discern whether Li Weiyi's words were true or false. She said, "If you are truly a member of the Rice Sect, why did you kill several Dao Seed Realm experts of our Demon Race in the Thirty-Six Tombs of Lei?"

Li Weiyi sneered, "The Divine Sect and the Demon Race are allies only in the matter of attacking Lingxiao City. You don't naively think that such a relationship is very strong, do you? Your Demon Race Lord Kirin Zhuang blasted open the Underground Immortal Mansion, causing us immense suffering."

Long Xiangcen was not about to be fooled by his few words. Not wanting to suffer a second loss and lose face in Phoenix-born Unicorn-young, she said, "There must be a reason, right?"

Li Weiyi pondered for a long time, then let out a long sigh, "If I don't tell you, you'll probably keep targeting me and ruin my plans."

"It's good that you know," Long Xiangcen said.