Fu Qingyang's avatar lit up with the "microphone" icon, his voice clear, resonant, and magnetic, yet slightly detached as it played through the speakers: "Everyone's here. Master Liang and Master Gao, how is your progress in capturing the Pure Yang Grand Master?" Master Hong Ying sighed, her avatar also lighting up with the "microphone" icon. "We've laid out several strategies, fought repeatedly against both the Pure Yang Grand Master and the Night Rose, but each time they manage to escape us—our efforts have been consistently uphill." Master Gao offered a concise assessment: "This will be a prolonged campaign, and what we lack most is patience." This only applies to your earth-bound creatures, hasn't Master Hong Ying already grown weary? Zhang Yuanqing typed furiously at his desk, expressing his thoughts. " Sister Yin, did the head tell you that you've been injured?" " Yes, the Pure Yang Grand Master has specifically targeted me." Yin replied in the discussion thread. The Prime Immortal: "It appears the Pure Yang Grand Master has regained considerable strength. "Yin Ji: "He's at most recovered to level five, and his magic-user abilities are only at level four. However, he had assistance from members of the Night Rose at that time, while I lost contact with my master." Yuan Shǐ Tian Zun: "We'll go back and deal with him together—to avenge your loss." Yin Ji: "Such confidence—you truly reached level six? [smiling]" "Cough, cough!" Elder Gao coughed. "You two can chat later." Yin Ji and Zhang Yuanqing both fell silent, and the comment section settled into quiet. Elder Hong Ying smiled and said: "It's good for young people to exchange ideas and communicate—definitely not a bad thing... Fu Qingyang, what were the main points of today's meeting?" This afternoon, Fu Qingyang suddenly contacted them by phone, claiming to have obtained significant intelligence from the Night Rose, and scheduled an online meeting at 6:30 PM. Both Elder Hong Ying and Elder Gao took the meeting seriously, with the former even inviting students to join. Fu Qingyang said: "Master Yuan Shǐ has uncovered crucial information about the Night Rose—this is The three senior elders were instantly energized. Zhang Yuanqing activated the microphone. "Through a discreet channel, I've learned that the Night Rose is attempting to use the Master of Pure Yang to set a trap, luring you into it—though the exact timing and location remain unclear." He didn't mention that the intelligence came from two deceased 4th-level Star Officers, even though the Hua Du branch might not be aware that a Night Rose member had been monitoring Xia Hou Ao Tian yesterday—caution was always better. "Using the Master of Pure Yang to lure us in…" Elder Hong Ying's voice echoed through the speaker. "How reliable is the source? If possible, could you share the specific details of how the information came to you? I'm not untrustworthy—I simply find the Night Rose particularly cunning. They sometimes deliberately fabricate false intelligence." Quite cautious indeed, Zhang Yuanqing thought to himself, and replied, "The information comes from a member of the Night Rose's Mobile Division, a 4th-level Star Officer. Given his rank and status, he is well-positioned to be involved in the plan, so the information should be accurate." "As for the source of the information, I'm sorry, but I cannot disclose it," said Master Gao Feng and Master Hong Ying, both of whom immediately furrowed their brows. This information was indeed crucial—precisely because it was so important, it demanded careful handling. Master Yuan Shi's reluctance to reveal how he obtained it naturally raised their concerns and made them hesitant to fully trust him. "Master, Master Gao Feng," said Yin Ji in a gentle voice, "Master Yuan Shi may be unwilling to share the details because they pertain to his personal privacy, not because the information itself is unreliable. He has publicly sworn enmity against Pure Yang Master at the evening banquet held at the Hundred Blossoms Pavilion—there is no reason for him to deceive us." Yin Ji's heart was clearly with me! Zhang Yuanqing felt a deep sense of relief, thinking how fortunate it had been that he had repeatedly risked his life to protect her. "I trust Master Yuan Shi," said Master Hong Ying, "but I do not trust the Night Rose. A pawn rarely realizes it is a pawn until it is about to be discarded." "I can personally vouch for the authenticity of the information," said Fu Qingyang. The elder Feng, who had remained silent for a long time, finally spoke: "With Fu Elder as guarantor, there will be no issue. Grand Master Yuanshǐ, the intelligence you've provided is of great value—I will certainly record this as one merit for you." With so many merits accumulating, he thought, next time he'd have to give him more money. Zhang Yuqing immediately added, "Ladies and gentlemen, I believe this is an opportunity. Why not proceed with a strategy that leverages the psychological tendencies of the Night Rose, thus drawing out the serpent and exposing it." After a moment's thought, Elder Hongying smiled and asked, "What is your plan?" Zhang Yuanqing pressed the microphone and replied, "I know a Dream-Weaver from the School of Nothingness. We can leak his movements to draw out the Pure Yang Master of the Sect." As for how to leak the information, he didn't care. With the capabilities of Elder Gao Feng and Elder Hong Ying, if they couldn't even manage such a leak, they would have already been eliminated by the Night Rose. Even the modest and gentle Elder Gao Feng is a seasoned and resourceful Master. Yin Ji paused and interjected, "But this should still escape the Night Rose's notice." Zhang Yuanqing smiled, "It doesn't matter. Even if the Night Rose detects that we're fishing, they'll willingly bite the hook—precisely what they want." The Night Rose knows the official side is fishing, but that's not crucial to them. In their eyes, they are the true fishermen, arranging for the Pure Yang Master to bite so as to bring out Elder Gao Feng and Elder Hong Ying. Yet in reality, the official side knows the Night Rose will actively bite and has already set a trap using the Pure Yang Master. The official team is in for a real challenge. Yin Ji paused thoughtfully, endorsing Yuan Shi Tian Zun's plan, then furrowed her brows: "With this arrangement, High Peak Elder and Master might find themselves a bit short on strength..." Dark Night Rose, fully aware of both their capabilities, still intends to lay out a strategy to counter the two elders—demonstrating confidence that she can eliminate the official's two Dominators. Fu Qingyang spoke calmly: "It doesn't matter. I'll step in." Zhang Yuanqing was delighted: "Master's presence is truly commanding—Master, you even know how to throw in a witty remark!" Fu Qingyang blinked: "What kind of remark?" "Oh, nothing at all," Zhang Yuanqing cleared her throat. "If High Peak Elder and Red Ying Elder have no objections, then we'll proceed as planned. I'll go and coordinate with the Dream Messenger." Red Ying Elder said: "I'm good with that." High Peak Elder nodded in agreement. The meeting concluded. Zhang Yuanqing stepped out of the conference room, closed the software, and took a deep breath. "I'll reach out to Liang Chen tomorrow. I hope … The hotel suite. Longered Red stepped out of the online conference room, took a cup of tea, and vanished into a streak of starlight. The next moment, she appeared in Yin Ji’s study. At that time, Yin Ji was sitting before her computer, lost in thought, carefully weighing the feasibility of her plans. Upon seeing the rising streak of starlight, she quickly rose to greet her. “Master!” Longered Red sipped her tea and nodded with a warm smile. “The young Master Yuan Shi is quite talented—both gifted and strategic. He truly matches your standards. Do you have any feelings for him?” Yin Ji’s moist, bright eyes flashed with a touch of resignation. “Master, please don’t force a match just because you think it’s right. I don’t feel anything special for Yuan Shi.” Longered Red smiled gently. “Your attitude toward him is different from how you treat other men—those who are directly involved often fail to see the full picture.” Back then, to secure her student’s future, she had had to break up a promising pairing. Though Yin Ji had never voiced her complaints verbally, she still kept her veil lightly drawn, holding a quiet resentment Master Hongying felt guilty and had always hoped to do something to make amends, so that she might soon forget the魔king and find a good future. Yin Ji lowered her eyelids and said, "He's already engaged, Master. You needn't worry so much anymore." Master Hongying stared at her for a moment, then smiled, "Very well—youthful feelings are best allowed to unfold naturally. What do you think of Master Yuanshi's proposal…?" The Zhongting controls the state-owned construction companies, and the Hua-asset construction groups are merely one among several, with Huang Taiqi—grandson of the Zhongting Grand Elder Di Hong—being the largest in scale. When it comes to accessible capital, Huang Taiqi is unquestionably the "money prince" among the four major families. However, due to his institutional status and his own personality, he remains notably reserved. He rarely hosts events, drinks alcohol, accepts bribes, or engages in romantic pursuits—instead, he quietly goes about his work. The badge signifies their identity—the Palace of the Water God and the White Tiger troops. Additionally, the middle-aged man on the left, wearing a wave motif badge, holds a wooden tray covered by a crimson silk cloth. "Mr. Huang," the man with the sword-shaped badge smiled, "I'm Wu Gou, a headquarters investigator from the White Tiger troops." He then produced his credentials and handed them over with a warm smile. Huang Taiji did not take them, merely glanced at them, his expression now serious. "What is it that you two wish to discuss with me?" "Indeed," Wu Gou said, returning the credentials, "Senior Cai believes there are still many unresolved aspects regarding Cai's death, which you did not elaborate upon in your mission report. That's why I've come with the Tiger Seal, together with the Water Star, to ask a few questions." Huang Taiji's usually composed and expressionless face, slightly stern now, showed a subtle deepening of concern—enough for a quiet, reserved earth creature to indicate that something significant had gone wrong. Huang Taiji remained silent for several seconds, first dismissing the female secretary, then turning to the two of them and nodding. "May I ask?" Huang Taiji's face was pale, beads of sweat rolling down his forehead, his lips trembling slightly as if trying to draw upon the mountain deity's endurance to withstand the tiger seal. But after only three seconds, he could no longer hold back and spilled the truth: "Cai Longshen wanted to seize the spoils—he was killed by Yuan Shi Tianzun." Recently, he has been at the peak of his fame, defeating three six-tier evil organizations in a single instance—an unprecedented achievement of advancing two levels within a single dungeon. A figure of such stature is generally tolerated by the headquarters, unless he colludes with the evil organizations or betrays the faction; in such cases, they may impose penalties, but they would never go to war with him. Thus, this situation has become particularly difficult. Mercury furrowed his brows, speaking with heightened seriousness: "Master Huang, why didn't you clearly state the truth in your dungeon report, but instead chose to conceal it?" Master Huang Taiqi fell silent once again, yet within just three seconds, he was compelled to reveal the truth: "Master Cai, relying on his teleportation device, has been reluctant to engage, hesitating to confront the evil faction. As a result, we nearly suffered complete annihilation within the dungeon—I am deeply frustrated." Pausing for a moment, he added: "Master Yuan Shi has called me his adoptive son, and I feel truly honored. So, I've helped him..." Though the situation felt extremely challenging and his heart weighed heavily, the two investigators remained stunned for a long time upon hearing the … Wu Gou took a deep breath, "Master Huang, we now know the full truth. Is there anything else you would like to add?" Master Huang spoke solemnly, "At that time, the Prime Immortal Devourer absorbed the boss's soul and became mentally unstable. It was Cai Longshen who stimulated him, prompting him to take the life of the victim—this was not originally his intention. I hope both of you can convey my words to Elder Cai." Water Star nodded, "We will certainly do so. As for whether Elder Cai will accept your account, however, we are not certain." 说着, he unfolded the crimson silk cloth and carefully covered the tiger emblem again. The two investigators made no further停留, their expressions serious and their steps brisk as they departed.