In a secluded chamber at an inn in the Heavenly Star Sect's Market, an unknown stretch of time passed before Jing Wen slowly opened his eyes. A sharp gleam flashed through them, replaced by irrepressible delight.
He had successfully mastered the second level of the Breath-Concealing Art. Now, even late Foundation Establishment cultivators would struggle to see through his true cultivation.
"It's time to return to the Black Fiend Cult," Jing Wen murmured, his voice echoing through the quiet chamber.
He recalled receiving a Sound Transmission Talisman from Steward Li of the Black Fiend Cult a few days earlier.
The brief message had sent a jolt through his heart-Steward Li had successfully reached Foundation Establishment.
Almost at the same time, Ge Hong had also sent word, explaining in detail that Steward Li's first attempt at Foundation Establishment had failed. This had been his second attempt, and he had finally succeeded.
Suddenly, a bold and bizarre thought flashed through Jing Wen's mind: Could Steward Li also be an External Incarnation of the Yue Emperor?
Once the thought surfaced, he could not shake it.
After considering it for a moment, however, Jing Wen felt the possibility was exceedingly slim.
As far as he knew, Steward Li's background was relatively clear.
He had originally been a Rogue Cultivator and had only joined the Black Fiend Cult later.
If Steward Li truly was an External Incarnation of the Yue Emperor, then by all rights, he would have needed to start at Qi Refining, First Layer and cultivate anew, step by step.
Yet according to the intelligence Jing Wen had gathered, although Steward Li's cultivation had suffered setbacks, it had never plummeted all the way to Qi Refining, First Layer, forcing him to start over.
In that case, his suspicion that Steward Li was the