Niu Yuanshan, one of the nine deacons of the Dao Gate's outer sect.
His cultivation level was not considered high within the Dao Gate, only at the third realm, but he held significant power in the outer sect.
Just half an hour ago, he had completed the newcomer reception mission assigned by [The Organization] and returned to his own residence. In fact, he had just been in his room, caressing the golden mask, reminiscing about his time in the Moon Kingdom.
Although he had been undercover for many years, had achieved a high and powerful position in the outer sect, and was deeply trusted and valued, none of this had corrupted him.
He felt not the slightest sense of belonging to the Dao Gate.
"Everything I have belongs to [The Organization]."
"Loy—alty!"
Tonight, the reason Niu Yuanshan's thoughts were wandering was purely because he had completed his final newcomer reception mission.
"From now on, I just need to lie low quietly in the Dao Gate and await the [Organization's] next instructions."
"After so many years of tireless work, I have already infiltrated the core circle of the outer sect. In the future, I will surely be able to dedicate myself and achieve great merit for the [Organization]!"
People like him, who had been brainwashed since childhood, had no fear of death. Their only regret was that their death might not be glorious enough, that they might not have sacrificed themselves for the [Organization].
But there was one point that made Niu Yuanshan a little suspicious. He was an experienced spy from the Moon Kingdom, and after so many years undercover, he was very good at observing people. When his eyes met Chu Huaixu's just now, he felt something was off. The foxy-faced man had stared at him for a long time.
"Could he know my identity? Did the [Organization] not conceal it from him?" Niu Yuanshan speculated.
In fact, Chu Huaixu really did know.
"Niu Yuanshan? Why did Li Chunsong dump me here with Niu Yuanshan!" His heart jolted.
He remembered this person, having seen many posts about him on the forums. This man was an undercover agent sent by some organization from the Moon Kingdom. His identity had even been accidentally exposed by a few goofball players, causing a huge uproar at the time.
Back then, this incident had sparked massive discussions on the forums, including some on the philosophical implications. After all, the current background of the era was—a great calamity is coming. Under such circumstances, was humanity only maintaining a superficial unity?
The Dao Gate had spies from the Moon Kingdom, so what about the other sects? And on the Moon Kingdom's side, were there spies sent by the four great sects of the Eastern Continent or the Mirror Kingdom?
Later, the goofball players had even spontaneously organized a grand "Find the Spies" campaign, purely for the fun of stirring up trouble. As a result, they had indeed caused quite a commotion. Since players were distributed among various factions, some factions benefited, while others were implicated...
And Niu Yuanshan's exposure was the beginning of it all!
Those who benefited hailed him with: "Go well, Grandpa Niu!"
Those who were implicated cursed him with: "Niu Mo De!" (T/N: A pun on "Ni Ma De," a common curse, swapping "Your Mom" with "Ox Demon.")
Therefore, Chu Huaixu had deliberately revealed a flaw just now to observe his reaction.
At this moment, with his back to Li Chunsong, he faintly had some answers in his heart.
...
...
Coming back to his senses, under the Sixth Elder's gaze, Niu Yuanshan, as the Outer Sect Deacon, began to distribute the in-name disciple tokens to Chu Huaixu and Han Shuangjiang.
Coming back to his senses, under the Sixth Elder's gaze, Niu Yuanshan, as the Outer Sect Deacon, began to distribute the in-name disciple tokens to Chu Huaixu and Han Shuangjiang.
The token was both a symbol of identity and a storage magic treasure, commonly known to players as—the [Backpack]. The storage space inside was about three cubic meters. It was already stocked with some daily necessities, a disciple's handbook, and a key to their residence.
Niu Yuanshan was no fool. Knowing he had to take good care of them, he arranged for them to have residences in a very good location, and their bamboo huts were adjacent to each other, making them direct neighbors.
After doing all this, he looked at Li Chunsong with a fawning expression and asked, "Elder, do they need to choose their aperture-opening stage techniques now? Also, do you have any other instructions?"
He didn't mind showing this side of himself in front of the newcomer from the [Organization]. On the contrary, he felt that the subservience, flattery, and bitterness he was displaying now... were all a dedication to the [Organization]!
He will definitely feel it, feel my years of hardship. My image will only grow taller in his heart!
Niu Yuanshan felt that he probably couldn't compare to this unconventional monster in terms of ability, so he decided to teach the newcomer a lesson on a spiritual level.
Little did he know that Chu Huaixu wasn't paying much attention at all. When his words fell into his ears, they were directly transformed into: "Abba abba... aperture-opening stage technique... abba abba."
Is it finally time? Am I finally going to open the door to my cultivation?
He instantly perked up, puffing out his chest, raising his head, sucking in his stomach, and clenching his buttocks.
Li Chunsong stood there, pondering for a moment. He raised his finger and pointed at Han Shuangjiang, instructing, "Give her the 'Ice-Pure Art'."
He had basically chosen for Han Shuangjiang himself.
Chu Huaixu's heart burned with excitement. "What about me! What about me!"
As expected, Li Chunsong raised his hand and pointed at him, saying, "As for him... whatever."
Hearing this, the foxy-faced man's expression nearly morphed into that of a Tibetan fox meme.
The Sixth Elder was also helpless. He was widely experienced, and the Dao Gate's foundations were deep. He had seen all kinds of spiritual embryo physiques, and he even knew how to guide the top-tier Profound Yin Physique. The 'Ice-Pure Art' was a hundred-percent perfect match, no problem there.
However, for a kid with a [Pseudo Spirit Embryo]...
—Damn it, this question is too hard!
He had never taught a bad student.
"But it doesn't matter. Opening the apertures is just the most basic stage. Whether the technique has a high compatibility match will have an effect, but the overall impact isn't that great," Li Chunsong thought.
For someone with a Profound Yin Physique like Han Shuangjiang, she could speedrun any aperture-opening technique she practiced. The only difference would be a few days sooner or later.
"I don't know what Martial Uncle was thinking, picking a [Pseudo Spirit Embryo] to bring up the mountain," Li Chunsong couldn't figure it out.
"However, there are a few exceptions in this world whose [Spirit Embryo] is not externally apparent, like a pearl covered in dust."
"The moment they step through the gates of cultivation, it will radiate with brilliance."
He looked at Chu Huaixu and thought, "What if?"
At this thought, his gambling addiction flared up.
"The Sect Master and my martial brothers are still waiting for me. I have to get back quickly and have a few rounds with them!"
"This little girl and this kid are both very special. Aren't they the best choice to bet on?"
Thinking of this, Li Chunsong gave a few simple instructions, then flew away on air, rubbing his hands together as he went, leaving the three of them to stare at each other.
...
...
Wumeng Mountain, Biyou Terrace.
The rain had stopped for a while now.
The still-drenched Xu Ziqing stood under the ancient tree, feeling time slip by second by second. However, no one ever appeared to take him to the Dao Gate.
During this time, Xu Ziqing had imagined all sorts of scenarios, constantly comforting himself, constantly making up reasons.
"It's okay, there must be a reason."
"Wait a little longer, just wait a little longer!"
After a while, Xu Ziqing began to lose his sense of time.
Cold, so cold...
He began to shiver more violently in the rain. The youth, who was usually rosy-lipped and fair-toothed, now had lips that were turning white.
The face of the ordinary-looking but somewhat nonchalant storyteller appeared in Xu Ziqing's mind. At first, he had thought this temperament was that of a powerful cultivator roaming the mortal world for fun. But now, the more he thought about it, the more wrong it felt.
Since he's roaming for fun, could it be that I'm the one being played?
The disheveled youth's roars began to echo across Biyou Terrace at the foot of Wumeng Mountain:
"You lied to me."
"You lied to me!"
"YOU LIED TO ME!!"
"AHHHH!!!!"
...