A Spy Within the Yuan Household?
"Elder, please sit down." Su Zhan gestured to the guest seat next to him.
The White-haired Elder hesitated for a moment, but still sat down as instructed, while the rest of the Yuan Lineage members could only stand, creating a tense and strange atmosphere.
"Now, tell me," Su Zhan said bluntly, "What exactly is the Black Demon Sect all about? Don't tell me you know nothing."
The White-haired Elder sighed. There was no point in hiding anything now. He gathered his thoughts and said in a deep voice, "This matter... is shameful to admit. We only discovered the problem after entering the Secret Realm."
"The Secret Realm opens once every hundred years, and the entrance Formation Key is jointly controlled by our main lineage and several powerful branch lineages. Logically, it should be impossible for outsiders to sneak in. However, this time, we discovered that the Demon Beast within the Secret Realm showed signs of being corrupted by Devil Qi, and we also found several locations where evil Altar had been set up. Our investigation led to several clashes with the Black Demon Sect, but they are elusive and powerful; we suffered heavy losses and still couldn't find their core stronghold."
Su Zhan listened, his fingers rhythmically tapping the armrest, lost in thought.
"So, you suspect... there's a traitor within the Yuan Household?"
A bitter and angry look appeared on the White-haired Elder's face. "That's right. I can't think of any other explanation besides this possibility. Only the person who holds the Key the Formation could let the Black Demon Sect in without anyone noticing. Moreover, the other party knows the terrain of the Secret Realm like the back of their hand and can always avoid our search in advance. There must be an inside agent providing intelligence behind this!"
"Are there any suspects?" Su Zhan pressed.
The White-haired Elder shook his head. "Those who control the Key are all core members of the Lineage, each with a clean record and utmost loyalty. I really can't imagine who would betray the Lineage."
Su Zhan didn't ask any further questions. He knew he wouldn't get anything out of them. If these old guys could find out the truth, they wouldn't be in such a mess now.
"Alright, I understand." Su Zhan waved his hand. "From now on, your people will be stationed in the eastern area outside the Palace. No one is allowed to act without my orders. Also, compile a list of all the intelligence you have on the Black Demon Sect and give it to me."
"Yes." The White-haired Elder responded with a humiliating voice, then rose and led his clansmen out.
Watching them leave, Yuan Yuan finally couldn't hold back any longer. She leaned close to Su Zhan and whispered, "Brother Su Zhan, are we really going to cooperate with them? Those people are really wicked, I'm afraid they..."
"Don't worry." Su Zhan smiled and ruffled her hair. "I don't trust them, I trust my own fists. They're just a bunch of defeated opponents; they can't cause any trouble. It's better to keep them around than to let them cause us trouble from the shadows."
After calming Yuan Yuan, Su Zhan's consciousness returned to his mind.
"Come out, everyone, dinner's ready."
As soon as he finished speaking, the Chat Group erupted in cheers.
[Blazing Dragon Venerate]: Awoo! Long live the boss! Has my feast arrived yet? I want something Fire attribute!
[Nine Heavens Divine Lightning]: I want heavenly materials and earthly treasures containing the power of thunder; I don't want inferior ones.
[Immovable Wisdom King Wall]: I'm pretty easygoing; as long as the energy is pure, that's fine.
Su Zhan flipped his hand, and several items appeared in his palm. One was a "Crimson Flame Crystal" that he had seized from an enemy he had killed earlier, radiating a scorching aura; several high-grade pills containing pure Spiritual Qi; and a piece of bone from an unknown Demon Beast, with traces of electricity still remaining on it.
These are some of his recent spoils, which he'll use to reward himself for these Cultivation Method.