Tao Qian struggled to suppress the thundering in his mind, his thoughts racing like lightning as he guessed much of True Master Xiao's plan.
Not long after, on the top floor of the Star-picking Pavilion, Tao Qian saw True Master Xiao once again.
However, different from before, the elder Great Cultivator from the Ten Thousand Infant Sect was clad in a new set of purple garments. Apart from still displaying her fair clavicle and shoulders smooth as jade, there were additional ornaments such as bells, golden rings, and jade bracelets adorned around her wrists and ankles.
Or rather, Magical Treasures.
Tao Qian discerned the stirring in his mind and came to a conclusion: True Master Xiao was fully armed.
Tao Qian doubted that any of the items casually taken from True Master Xiao's person would be extremely precious treasures to someone of the "Energy-Introducing Realm" like himself.
At that moment, Tao Qian found himself somewhat envious of the Immortal Infant Tong Dudu.
Nevertheless, this thought came and went swiftly.
In the next moment, he indeed heard True Master Xiao's voice, still gentle in tone, yet Tao Qian discerned a trace of grim killing intent.
It was no wonder True Master Xiao felt anger and urgency, considering her own son had fallen into the hands of a Great Demon of terrible renown like the "Beautiful Corpse Bodhisattva."
"Junior, I have summoned you here again because there is a matter that I need your assistance with," she said.
"You must once again make use of your undercover agent to find out which Great Demon is guarding the array on Iron Buddha Mountain tonight. If you can uncover some weaknesses or gain more secrets related to the 'Hundred Demon Embryo Blood Refining Array,' so much the better."
"If that is not possible, just knowing the Great Demon's name and fundamental information will suffice."
"Since I'm asking for your help, naturally, I will give you a reward. Take this."
With that, True Master Xiao, from the generosity of her own wide bosom, produced a soft, bizarrely-shaped white jade stone, seemingly designed for children to grasp.
With a flick of her hand, the jade stone flew towards Tao Qian.
Catching it instantly, Tao Qian felt a warm, moist sensation, accompanied by bursts of fragrance that refreshed the spirit and delighted the senses.
Had Tao Qian's will not been quite strong, he might have rudely pocketed it then and there.
Seeing this response, True Master Xiao at the head of the room showed a look of approval and then gently said:
"I do not know where you, this peculiar junior, acquired our Ten Thousand Infant Sect's 'Small Innate Nascent Soul Escape Technique.' Other elders might want to reclaim the Divine Skills you have cultivated."
"But I am not so strict. Since you have managed to cultivate this skill and dispelled its cost, it is naturally your good fortune."
"I also want to help you further. This jade contains a method for converting Source Qi. It can transform various Source Qis into Nascent Soul Source Energy and store it within this jade without any significant cost. However, it is limited to converting the foundational Source Qi of a few major Daoist sects. Fortunately, the Spirit Treasure Source Qi you practice is also included."
"With this item, you will face no restrictions when using the Nascent Soul Escaping Skill in the future, just like the cultivators of our Ten Thousand Infant Sect."
As True Master Xiao finished speaking, Tao Qian had just finished reviewing the transcendent information that sprang up in his mind.
It was exactly as she described, without any discrepancies.
The thought of joy instantly emerged in the depths of Tao Qian's heart.
He had been somewhat worried that after using up the three strands of "Nascent Soul Source Energy" stored within his body, the effectiveness of his Nascent Soul Escaping Skill would diminish.
But unexpectedly, a pillow had arrived just as he was dozing.
Tao Qian didn't play coy; he pocketed the jade and then said, "I thank the True Master for the treasure. Now, please grant me a quiet room, so I may initiate the magic to communicate with my agent. Within thirty minutes, there should be a result."
Although Tao Qian did not expect True Master Xiao, a being of her caliber, to be unaware that his so-called "undercover agent" was probably a Puppet Body, he still tried his best to conceal it where he could.
There was no need to leave the Star-picking Pavilion, as Tao Qian accompanied by a maid, entered a nearby quiet room.
Within his heart, he silently said:
Gathering intel about the Great Demon in charge of the array, it seemed they indeed weren't planning to wait even a night. The moment I had results, I suspected that bunch from the Human Clan and the Heterodox Great Cultivators would once again embark on a campaign against the Demon Cave on Iron Buddha Mountain.
I never expected to truly become an undercover agent; doing it just once yielded such benefits, making this role of a double-crosser rather promising.
Tao Qian dispersed his thoughts while sitting firmly in a meditative pose, his spirit stirred, and in an instant, he reentered the outer puppet body situated far away inside Iron Buddha Temple.
The moment he settled in, Tao Qian first skimmed through the puppet's recent memories, confirming it indeed followed his will, engaging in a push-and-pull game with Pan Hongniang, stubbornly not breaking character or becoming intimate with her.
Feeling relieved, Tao Qian then sensed that his surroundings were as lively as ever, a blend of rank smells, meat, and lewdness... all sorts of odors mixed together, vying to invade his nostrils.
Glancing up, it was indeed that side hall again.
A gathering of Demons and Evil Cultivators were indulging in their pleasures here.
The scene before him was primal, bizarre, and savage, characteristic of this side hall.
Compared to the Buddha, Bodhisattva, and Arhat statues smeared in filth and excrement, it highlighted the absurd horror of these dark and chaotic times even more.
The only thing that made Tao Qian feel slightly less disgusted was that the roasting prey surrounded by several Pig Demons in the hall was no longer of the Human Clan.
Considering the shape of the blood and flesh turning on the spit, could it be a giant Deer Demon?
Its fur was already peeled off, tied around the waist of a Pig Demon, barely covering its shaking mass.
The meat sizzled as it was roasted, releasing a rich, fatty aroma mixed with the stench of Demons that was surprisingly mouthwatering.
At Tao Qian's side, an old Demon covered in sores and black teeth eyed that delectable deer meat; drool vile and corrosive, dotted with wriggling black maggots, dripped down.
As it dripped, he muttered discontentedly,
"We finally caught a Mutated, mad deer, and after killing it together, shouldn't we share and enjoy it? Why divide and give some away, especially those tenderest deer legs? Better send its stupid head instead, to pay lip service."
"No, no, the deer's brain is the most delicious. This old man's body is weak; I desperately need a bowl of deer brain ginseng soup to nourish myself."
His grumbling was overheard by the Pig Demons in charge of the cooking.
The Yellow-maned Pig Demon, who used deer skin as an apron, had wanted to turn around and scold, but when he saw it was the Black Maggot Demon, his shiny pig's head quickly shrank.
Nodding and bowing, he then replied very respectfully,
"Black Maggot Master, please don't give us a hard time, for although the rules up here on the mountain are loose, there are still some that must be respected."
"Those powerful Masters willing to condescend and lead a group of brothers to keep watch at night, to prevent that woman from Seeking Immortal County who lost her son from going mad. It's right for us to provide some food."
"Especially tonight, the one keeping the array is the 'giant troll baby demon' Master, whose appetite is rather large and who is fond of fine wines and foods."
"Speaking of which, had it not been for this stupid deer going mad tonight, my brothers and I would have been really worried. Those responsible for the other side halls and Zen Rooms had already carried their prepared foods and wines over, except for us."
"You, wait a moment, and my brothers will come back and cook you deer brain ginseng soup."
Having said that, he saw the Pig Demon, surrounded by a foul miasma including dung, give a signal to the other Pig Demons.
In the next instant, there was a flash of knives, and two deer legs, almost as thick as the red lacquered pillars in the hall, roasted to a golden brown and savoury smell, were promptly removed.
The Pig Demons worked together, some carrying the legs and others hefting human-height jars of wine, and they huffed and puffed their way out of the hall.
They disappeared in a cloud of dust, quickly vanishing from sight.
"Really unlucky, a bunch of slippery, deceitful little pig bastards, using the 'giant troll baby demon' to snub me."
At Tao Qian's side, the Black Maggot Demon muttered dissatisfiedly.
He was unaware that the pretty boy from the Nongyu Immortal's family beside him had a look of surprised delight showing deep within his eyes.
Hearing his muttering, Tao Qian thought it over and struck up a conversation in a seemingly casual tone,
"Old brother, you're well-informed. Do you know the strength of this 'giant troll baby demon' Master? Compared to that Naked Saintess the other day, who is more powerful?"
ps: Afraid of messing up with my slow typing speed, I'll upload these two chapters first. More will burst forth during the day, bringing some climactic scenes, so brothers and sisters, please subscribe!