Infiltrating the Liang Kingdom, Swapping a Wildcat for the Crown Prince!

Several months later.

North of the Cloud Sword Mountain Range, the night wind rustled through the forest and leaves, producing a series of low, mournful cries.

Two dark figures, draped in wide cloaks that concealed their forms perfectly, moved swiftly and silently through the dense forest.

The figure ahead had a hunched back, and its steps were light and silent, leaving no trace in the snow.

The one following closely behind moved steadily, landing silently.

Both of them wore a gray-white jade tablet hanging from their chests. This was the "Aura-Concealing Gui" bestowed by Purple Firmament Peak, which tightly locked the Yao Qi in their dantian, preventing it from leaking out in the slightest.

Their faces were covered with human skin masks. The Green Ape Clan was already humanoid in form, so by simply hunching over and tucking in their muscles, they looked no different from elderly men.

"The journey to the Liang Kingdom is long and involves crossing mountains and valleys; extreme caution is required."

Cang Ya transmitted his voice secretly, his voice hoarse.

Bi Luo replied, "Clan leader, please rest assured. Our clan has been entrusted with this important task by our ancestor, and we will certainly do our utmost. The Four Righteous Dao Sects of the Liang Kingdom are divided among themselves, You Prefecture, being a remote and secluded place, is just right for us to settle down."

The two apes traveled onward, carrying their mission, enduring months of hardship and sleeping in the open.

After crossing the Clear Blue Kingdom and traversing a region known as the Black Wind Mountain Range, one officially enters the territory of You Prefecture in the Liang Kingdom.

The governance framework of the Liang Kingdom is roughly divided into four continents, each with more than twenty prefectures and hundreds of counties and prefectures of varying sizes. The four continents of You, Han, Bai and Ling are respectively under the jurisdiction of the Four Righteous Dao Sects.

You Prefecture is rich in water and lakes, and its water and trees are full of Spiritual Qi.

The lush vegetation was like a fish leaping into the sea for the Azure Ape who cultivated the Way of Wood Spirit—an indescribable joy.

One month later, in Taizhen Commandery, Fallen Leaf County.

Cang Ya set his sights on an excellent target: Lin Changsong, the patriarch of the Lin Household.

This person is in the Foundation Establishment Early Stage cultivation, with a lifespan of over 170 years. His vital Qi and Blood is declining, and his foundation is weakening. Recently, he has been frequently visiting various markets, searching for longevity-extending spiritual items, and his whereabouts are quite regular.

At this moment, in a swamp called Black Mud Swamp.

The poisonous miasma lingers year-round, the muddy water churns, and when the bubbles burst, it emits a nauseating stench. Ordinary cultivators would never want to set foot in such a wicked place. However, this place is rich in a spirit medicine called "Bone-Rotting Ganoderma," which has a miraculous effect on delaying the decline of Qi and Blood.

Lin Changsong held the Spirit-Seeking Compass, raising a pale blue protective aura around him.

They rode flying shuttles, hovering several feet above the mud.

The cultivator's face was withered, his eyes sunken, and with each breath he took, strange noises emanated from his lungs, his breath was disordered, and his life force was waning.

"As long as I find the Bone-Rotting Ganoderma, and combine it with those main medicinal ingredients, extending my life by another ten years won't be a problem," Lin Changsong muttered to himself, speeding up his search.

But then, an unexpected change occurred.

The void flickered in all directions as several array flags silently disappeared into the swamp, sealing off an area of a hundred feet in radius. The surrounding poisonous miasma, drawn by the array, transformed into a thick wall of energy, cutting off any escape route.

Lin Changsong was shocked and slapped the Storage Bag with his backhand.

The Jade Water Sword shot out, its Sword-Ray flickering and transforming into a sword shield that surrounded him.

"Who is this expert who has set up this formation? I am the head of the Lin Household in Fallen Leaf County. If I have offended you in any way, please forgive me!"

However, no one answered.

Deep in the swamp, thick vines burst from the soil, intertwining like venomous pythons, heading straight for Lin Changsong's feet. The Dao of Wood magic advocates endless life.

The flying sword transformed into a streak of light, severing several vines.

But from the cut, green sap gushed out, and before it even hit the ground, the vines began to grow again, seemingly endless!

"The art of controlling wood—who exactly harmed me?"

Lin Changsong's thoughts were racing. He bit his fingertip and sprayed his Essence Blood onto the sword. Instantly, the sword light surged several feet, cleaving open a path to survival.

Just as he was about to turn and fly away, the miasma on his side was forcibly torn apart.

Cang Ya lunged forward, his wide sleeves billowing, and extended a thick, hairy arm. His fist whistled, and the air surged as it aimed straight at Lin Changsong's face.

Lin Changsong had no choice but to parry with his sword.

The fist struck the spine of the sword, producing a metallic clang.

Amidst the flying sparks, the Jade Water Sword let out a mournful cry, its spiritual light dimmed, and it flew back in an instant. Lin Changsong was struck as if by lightning; the bones in both arms shattered, his internal organs shifted, and blood gushed out.

"Body cultivation?!"

His face was ashen; such terrifying strength was far beyond what an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator could possess.

Before he could regain his footing, Bi Luo attacked from the other side, her five fingers forming claws that tore through the thin protective aura and pierced directly through Lin Changsong's right chest.

Wood elemental energy surged into his body, violently damaging his meridians and dantian.

Two Foundation Establishment level demons joined forces to kill a cultivator of the same level whose Qi and Blood were declining. In just over ten rounds, Lin Changsong died on the spot, his life force cut off.

Cang Ya pressed down on his skull, dug out his brain and sucked it. Although they did not know the secret technique of soul searching, Cang Ya had a talent for reading memories by eating brains, although it was not as good as soul searching.

But knowing some of those memories is enough.

Memories flooded my mind like a tidal wave.

Lin Changsong, one of only two Foundation Establishment Ancestor in the Lin Household.

His descendants were mediocre, and the Lineage gradually declined, barely managing to survive on just a few shops in the market and a hundred acres of sacred land.

The clan is rife with factions; the Grand Elder, Lin Changhai, is ambitious, while the young clan leader Lin Yue, is cowardly and lacks any ambition...

Having learned a general understanding of the Lin Household, Cang Ya already had a clear picture in mind.

Cang Ya then took out a thin-bladed dagger and skillfully peeled off Lin Changsong's face along his hairline.

Using Secret Method of the Demon Race, it is applied to one's face.

His bones cracked and popped, his body grew taller, and the curve of his back was adjusted. In the blink of an eye, he was no different from the dead Lin Changsong.

Bi Luo then changed into a gray robe, disguising himself as an old friend of the Rogue Cultivator.

Cang Ya cleared his throat, mimicking Lin Changsong's bellows-like cough, and twirled two iron walnuts he had taken from the corpse in his hand.

"From this day forward, I shall be Lin Changsong."

Cang Ya's voice was deep and resonant, carrying a strong sense of weariness.

Bi Luo smiled, raised an eyebrow, and pretended to cup her hands in a gesture of respect, saying:

"Brother Lin, please!"

The two apes then quickly disposed of the evidence at the scene, destroying the body and leaving without a trace, before flying away and heading straight for Fallen Leaf County.

The Lin Household is located east of Fallen Leaf County.

The vermilion gate was tightly shut, and the stone lions were covered in a layer of dust, highlighting the decline of this Lineage.

Cang Ya's return caused a stir throughout the Lin Household.

"The Ancestor has returned!" the gatekeeper shouted, scrambling into the inner courtyard to announce.

Inside the main hall, Cang Ya sat upright in a grand chair, his eyelids slightly lowered, slowly twirling an iron walnut in his hand.

Elder Lin Changhai led a group of stewards to the scene. He was Foundation Establishment Early Stage cultivator with graying temples and shrewd, calculating eyes.

"Cousin, did you find anything that could prolong your life on your journey?"

Lin Changhai bowed respectfully, his tone concerned, but his gaze lingered on Cang Ya.

Cang Ya coughed twice, picked up his teacup, and took a sip. "Not bad, I've gained something. This is Fellow Daoist Bi, a sworn brother I met on this trip."

"From now on, he will be a guest retainer of the Lin Household. Seeing him is like seeing this old man."

Bi Luo stood to one side, expressionless, nodding slightly, and said nothing more.

Lin Changhai glanced at Bi Luo, unable to gauge her true strength, and felt deeply wary, but outwardly smiled obsequiously:

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Bi."

"My cousin is truly blessed to have received help from a wise man; it is a great fortune for the Lineage."

After exchanging pleasantries, they parted ways. Cang Ya breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed he hadn't been exposed, which put him at ease.

Night falls.

Cang Ya summoned the young clan leader Lin Yue alone.

Lin Yue is nearly forty years old and at the Qi Refining Sixth Layer. He is timid by nature and indecisive in his actions. When he saw the patriarch sitting in the high seat, he didn't even dare to raise his head.

"Yue'er, the Lineage's power is weak, entirely because there is no powerful Cultivation Method to suppress its hidden strength."

Cang Ya took out a Jade Slip and tossed it onto the table. "This is High Antiquity inheritance that I obtained after surviving countless near-death experiences. It is called the ' Marrow-Cleansing Sainthood Transformation Instruction.' Take it and study it carefully."

Lin Yue accepted it with both hands, probed it with his Divine Sense, and after a moment his face turned pale and his hands trembled. "Ancestor, this Cultivation Method... requires consuming raw meat, and also requires five kinds of hearts as a guide."

"This... this is clearly the practice of Evil Cultivator!"