From the Ouyang Brothers' memories, Yan Chihuo learned that the two had indeed come from Rogue Cultivator backgrounds. However, when they reached the Qi Gathering Stage, they encountered the current Grand Elder Patron of Cloud Purity Palace and were accepted as his disciples. At the time, that Elder Patron had merely been an ordinary core disciple of Cloud Clear Hall.
Though the Elder Patron took in the Ouyang Brothers, he did not bring them back to Cloud Purity Palace. Instead, he allowed them to continue roaming outside, where they became Cloud Purity Palace's hidden hands.
The two possessed decent aptitude and were capable in their work. The Elder Patron had not held back in teaching them, and he usually looked after them as well, allowing the pair to advance step by step into the Spirit Cultivation Stage.
As for that strange secret realm, the brothers had naturally never experienced it themselves. Yet neither had they fabricated it on a whim—it was what the Elder Patron had told them. After the two formed their cores, the Elder Patron had them lure Rogue Cultivators and disciples from minor sects into that so-called secret realm. Once those people entered, the Elder Patron would lead the brothers out, while not a single one of the others who entered ever emerged again.
The two had come to the Tianyang Kingdom imperial family for a simple purpose: to secretly capture or kill the Tianyang Kingdom's Supreme Emperor. Although the conflict between Cloud Purity Palace and the Tianyang Kingdom imperial family depended on Ascension Stage Cultivators, the Tianyang Kingdom's Supreme Emperor was different. He held an exalted position and possessed secrets unknown even to Tianyang Kingdom Spirit Cultivation Stage Cultivators. If he were to fall unnaturally, it would affect Tianyang Kingdom's future development.
Their excuse for seeking