"Grandmaster, progress on every front has been encouraging. We are close to uncovering leads on that Market Ward and venturing deep into the Netherworld Pure Land to investigate.
"For the most part, we still have to rely on the Demon-Subduing True Lord, General Fan, and the others. But to nurture promising newcomers to the righteous path, the Heaven-Illuminating Sect has also requested that some Immortal Sect disciples be allowed in for tempering. That Lü Xianyun from last time is on the list...
"Aside from them, there are the rogue cultivators wandering the rough-and-tumble world. Rewarding merit and punishing wrongdoing has yielded considerable gains. We plan to distribute some of the seized Merchant Association properties and Unorthodox Path treasures as rewards, allocating them appropriately..."
On Lai'er Island, Yao Lingxian had come to request an audience. Before an empty Ritual Altar in a quiet, deserted spot, he burned incense, paid his respects, and reported the details.
His words received no immediate response, but he understood that the patriarch's spiritual presence had its own means of transcending time and space to hear and see what happened here.
At that moment, Li Ling's true body was in the Que Luo Immortal Abode. Sensing that the demonic path might be targeting his sect, he had personally stationed himself there, and he did indeed perceive Yao Lingxian's report.
He emerged from meditation with a thoughtful expression.
By this point, he no longer concerned himself with the specific affairs over there. He was merely waiting for the Sea Market to be found so he could strike it.
What concerned him more was the changing environment of the entire West Sea.
"Ever since those demonic disciples arrived, people's hearts have grown unsettled. The entire West Sea is being corrupted.
"Ye Hengsheng's affair offers a glimpse of the whole