Xi Zheng merely nodded silently in response to Luo Yongqi's answer.

For some reason, he always had an undefined premonition in his heart, feeling that this conspiracy would not proceed as smoothly as he imagined.

Upon this thought, he involuntarily shifted his gaze toward the direction Xing Rong had left.

It was at that moment when the man with three eyes sitting opposite him suddenly let out a low chuckle.

"Venerable Xian Kong, you are prudent and composed, but sometimes you lack the sharpness of youth. Besides, even after all your strategizing, there will always be oversights. Ultimately, some matters still depend on one's own strength. Wouldn't you agree, Fellow Daoist Luo?" the three-eyed man said, glancing at Luo Yongqi.

Hearing this, Luo Yongqi didn't concur, merely smiling lightly, his gaze rotating between Xi Zheng and the three-eyed man, detecting a subtle relationship between the two.

"If you have any discoveries, Evil Eye, just speak plainly. It's a matter of great importance. Why do you bother to engage in wordplay here?" Xi Zheng said with visible displeasure.

"You're thinking too much. What wordplay? As for the affairs of the Southern Border, you are the lead, and I am merely assisting, responsible for filling in the gaps. Naturally, I have to remind you from time to time, lest later on you blame me for not pulling my weight," the Evil Eye Venerable responded with another light laugh.

Xi Zheng's expression grew even more displeased, but in consideration of the Moon Sect's reputation, he did not want to quarrel with his own people in front of outsiders, so he suppressed his anger as if he had not heard the Evil Eye Venerable speaking.

"Evil Eye Venerable, Senior Luo, Venerable Xian Kong's worries are not without reason. Pan Si Island's power is formidable. Whether we can capture them all in one swoop hinges on the Xiao Family's Ancestor. We also need to give this more thought," at this moment, Ximen Rui suddenly spoke up in support.

This time, the Evil Eye Venerable did not continue to object.

"That's true. In that case, I'll trouble Junior Brother Xing to make another trip later, to clarify with Xiao Fangcheng in advance the construction of formations and forbidden areas in Bamboo Sea Square, and also to keep a close watch on that old guy Xiao Fangcheng, to prevent him from getting any other ideas," Luo Yongqi said, nodding in agreement at the situation.

The group then discussed the specific details of the plan for a while before dispersing.

However, 15 minutes later, Ximen Rui knocked on the door of the temporary residence of the Evil Eye Venerable.

"Venerable, those words you spoke in the hall earlier, was there a deeper meaning behind them?" As soon as he entered, Ximen Rui exchanged a few simple pleasantries before getting straight to the point.

Facing Ximen Rui, the Evil Eye Venerable was notably more amiable. When asked, he did not keep secrets.

"Of course there was. I just did not expect that Xi Zheng has regressed so much. Despite being at the Peak of Sleep Witch, he failed to notice such an obvious problem," the Evil Eye Venerable said with a cold smile on his lips.

"Oh? What seems to be the problem?" Ximen Rui asked, curious.

"That Xing Rong has been controlled by someone. The changes in his Divine Soul fluctuations on the hall earlier were quite significant compared to before. If nothing goes wrong, our plan should already be known by others. When we go to Bamboo Sea Square, it's really hard to say who will be ambushing whom. Young Master Ximen had better prepare in advance to avoid falling into a trap," the Evil Eye Venerable explained.

"I see. I hadn't thought of that. I only assumed there might have been some complications from the Xiao Family's Ancestor. Turns out the problem lies within our own ranks. Well, this is also good. We just have to watch the drama unfold. If this mission fails, we can simply place the blame on Xi Zheng. After all, the Xi Family has been growing increasingly influential in the sect. If they really succeed with the Southern Border affair, it will be difficult to suppress them later," Ximen Rui said with his usual refined demeanor, but his words were extremely cold.

"That's the idea. Just a bunch of deserters who flee from battle. Now that they see our sect rising, they want to come back. Those who sway like grass on both sides of the fence also dream of ruling a domain, how laughable," the Evil Eye Venerable said with a scornful tone.

"Indeed, if the Xi Family wants to come back, that's not impossible, but they need to recognize their position clearly. Now, even Xi Zheng's little daughter dares to show me attitude. It's sheer arrogance. I want to see, when they reach a dead end, if that noble Xi Family Princess still dares to lift her head in front of me," Ximen Rui revealed a chilling expression.

Hearing this, a barely noticeable sneer of contempt flashed across the Evil Eye Venerable's face, but he nonchalantly shifted the conversation.

"Wu Yue God designated Xi Zheng to oversee the Southern Border affair, and although I have supervisory power, it's not right for me to interfere blatantly. But since they've made mistakes on their own, we'll just wait and see the outcome. However, there's another matter that Wu Yue God personally entrusted me to do, and I'll need Young Master Ximen's cooperation with it," the Evil Eye Venerable said.

Ximen Rui gave him a curious look, then saw the Evil Eye Venerable produce a statue with a flip of his hand.

The statue depicted a man in a contemplative state, but the features were not clear—only the outlines of the eyebrows and eyes could be vaguely discerned.

"This is the statue of a False God called Nether Moon God. Young Master Ximen, you're aware that the Xi Family's Cultivation Technique is called 'Moonlight Technique.' Wu Yue God suspects that these two matters are related and thus sent me to covertly investigate the relations between the Xi Family and the Moon Sect. Young Master Ximen has been a guest at the Xi Family recently; have you discovered anything?" the Evil Eye Venerable inquired.

Examining the statue, Ximen Rui's brow furrowed slightly, then abruptly relaxed.

"I haven't seen this statue in the Xi Family's possession, but someone who looks somewhat similar to the one carved on this statue, I have met recently," Ximen Rui said slowly.

"Is that so, Young Master Ximen? May I know who that person is?" the Evil Eye Venerable asked eagerly.

"His name is Yuan Ming, he's a guest of Xi Ying. He has disguised his appearance, thinking that no one could see through him. As for the relationship between those two...well, it seems a bit ambiguous," Ximen Rui said, his words dripping with jealousy.

However, at that moment, Evil Eye Venerable had no interest in Ximen Rui's trivial and superficial concerns.

"Indeed, based on the intelligence I've gathered, there's a Divine Envoy in the Moon Sect who also has the surname Yuan. These two could very well be the same person. Young Master Ximen, could you provide more details? How advanced is this Yuan Ming's cultivation, and does he have any peculiar habits when he speaks or acts?" Evil Eye Venerable asked eagerly.

"Based on my estimation, he should at most be a Nascent Soul Middle Stage Cultivator. He might also have learned some Body Cultivation Method. As for habits, I haven't had much contact with him and haven't noticed anything," Ximen Rui said, shaking his head slightly.

"Hmm... his cultivation seems to differ from the information I have, but it's possible that he has made a sudden breakthrough. Anyway, let's not fuss over that. Since this person is suspicious, we should just capture him and perform a Soul Search. That way, we'll soon find out if he has any ties to the Moon Sect," Evil Eye Venerable murmured after a moment's thought.

"If the Venerable has such intentions, I will certainly provide my full support. However, I have one request; after the Venerable has finished searching his soul, may I take him into my own hands?" a cold glint flashed in Ximen Rui's eyes.

"If he's not someone of importance, that's possible. But if he is deeply involved with matters of the Moon Sect, we'll have to wait until I have comprehensively investigated the sect before deciding," Evil Eye Venerable did not agree immediately. The reference version of this chapter is on *.

"Of course, everything must prioritize the tasks set by Wu Yue God," Ximen Rui nodded.

...

One month later, Bamboo Sea Square.

The workshop was situated in the eastern coastal area of the Southern Border Southern Domain, bordered by the Nanyun Sea on one side and the Ten Thousand Bamboo Forest on the other. Whether sea-going cultivators wished to come ashore, or land-bound cultivators wanted to venture into the sea, they would all pass through here, stocking up on necessities.

However, with the discovery of a Spirit Vein nearby, the relations between Senluo Sect and Pan Si Island had gradually tensed. Thus, the workshop no longer bustled with the usual congregation of cultivators, and the Great Array outside the market was constantly in operation without a pause, with the streets revealing an atmosphere of tension everywhere.

Fortunately, there was recent news that Senluo Sect and Pan Si Island were about to negotiate. The war clouds that had been looming over the Southern Border had not yet formed before signs of dissipating appeared, which undoubtedly made the group of cultivators in the Southern Border breathe a sigh of relief.

However, as the Bamboo Sea Square was the designated site for the negotiations, security in the vicinity had increasingly tightened as a result.

In the sky, Xiao Family's Ancestor Xiao Fangcheng, accompanied by two Core Formation disciples, was flying towards the market at a leisurely pace. Before they could get close, a tunneling light shot out from the market and landed in front of them.

"Who might this Fellow Daoist be...eh, is that you?" As the figure emerged from the tunneling light, a burly man with a face full of meaty bulges appeared, ready to question the identity of the newcomer. Seeing that it was Xiao Fangcheng, he immediately showed surprise.

"Haha, Black Tiger Fellow Daoist, how have you been?" Xiao Fangcheng greeted with a smile and a cupped hand salute.

"Xiao Fangcheng, when did you achieve Nascent Soul? Why was there no sign of it?" The man called Black Tiger looked Xiao Fangcheng up and down with curiosity.

"Haha, it was just good fortune. Half a month ago, I unexpectedly received celestial aid and just managed to breach the Heavenly Barrier, stepping into the Nascent Soul realm. I was intending to seclude myself to stabilize my cultivation, but I couldn't stay away due to the imminent negotiations between Senluo Sect and Pan Si Island, which are of great importance. Furthermore, Bamboo Sea Square was a formation I had laid out with my own hands," Xiao Fangcheng said with a sincere expression.

"Fellow Daoist Xiao is quite thoughtful. Rest assured, as long as you're willing to help our Pan Si Island, we won't let you suffer any loss. When the Island Master arrives, I will personally report this matter and grant you some compensation," Black Tiger said prompt

"That's not necessary, not necessary at all," Xiao Fangcheng waved his hands with a beaming smile.

"Sigh, you should accept it. Consider it a congratulatory gift from our island for your breakthrough into Nascent Soul. But let's not talk more now, you know the situation. Senluo Sect has chosen our controlled workshop for the negotiations; they definitely have some scheme. I need to monitor the nearby movements in real-time, and also to keep an eye on the Great Array. Now that you're here, some of the burden can be taken off my shoulders," Black Tiger said with a laugh.

"Rest assured, Fellow Daoist, with me in control of the Great Array, I will not give Senluo Sect any chance to find a solution!" Xiao Fangcheng assured vehemently.

Black Tiger nodded, knowing that Xiao Fangcheng's skill in formations was almost unmatched, and the Red Lotus Island had long been a dependable ally to Pan Si Island, never once being rebellious. Thus, he confidently led Xiao Fangcheng into the workshop and handed over the methods of controlling the formation.

Throughout the entire process, Black Tiger's gaze never lingered on the two Core Formation disciples following Xiao Fangcheng. After completing the handover, he quickly left to take charge of patrolling and securing the vicinity of the market.

However, after Black Tiger left, Xiao Fangcheng, who had just been portraying the might of a Nascent Soul cultivator, suddenly turned around and presented the Compass that controlled the Great Array of the market to the two "Core Formation" disciples.

"Do you want to control this Dao Array?" asked the middle-aged male cultivator with a face full of pockmarks, turning his head.

"I'm not interested, let Xiao Fangcheng handle it," the plain-looking female cultivator by his side shook her head.

The two were, of course, Yuan Ming and Xi Ying.