Chapter 9: Undercover Meets Undercover

Niuyuan Shan was one of the nine stewards of the Outer Sect of Dao Gate.

His cultivation level wasn’t high in Dao Gate—only 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 residence.

He had even been fondling that golden mask in his room, recalling every detail of his time in Moon Country.

Although he had infiltrated for many years, risen to high status in the Outer Sect, and gained deep trust, none of this had corrupted him.

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He felt no sense of belonging toward Dao Gate.

“All of me belongs to the Organization.”

“Loyal—!”

Tonight, Niuyuan Shan’s swirling thoughts were purely because he had completed his final newcomer reception mission.

“From now on, I can quietly continue my undercover work in Dao Gate, awaiting the Organization’s next instructions.”

“I have labored for so many years in obscurity, infiltrated the core circle of the Outer Sect. In the future, I will surely dedicate myself and achieve great merit for the Organization!”

Those who had been brainwashed since childhood like him feared nothing—not death, only regretting dying without fanfare or without sacrificing for the Organization.

After some emotional reflection, Niuyuan Shan’s mind drifted again to that young man with a fox‑like face.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve met such a special newcomer,” he thought.

He had considerable admiration for that fox‑faced newcomer.

“These newcomers in recent years gave me the feeling that the Organization was doomed.”

“Looks like there are still some good talents!”

It was a pity that he had infiltrated Dao Gate as a menial servant—who knows when he might get his chance to rise?

As Niuyuan Shan indulged in such idle musings, that fox‑faced guy... really took off instantly.

Outside the courtyard, when Niuyuan Shan saw Huaixu’s face clearly, he was deeply shocked.

“Brought personally by Li Chunsong?”

“And not as a servant, but directly registered as an enrolled disciple?”

“How did he get connected to Li Chunsong?”

“This is Li Chunsong! Sixth Elder of Dao Gate, a Seventh Realm peerless expert!”

“I’ve been undercover for so many years, and I only know his face!”

“Even just knowing his face was worth adding a special note in my report to the Organization last year!”

A monster—an absolute monster!

No wonder these shadowy crawlers among us were always low‑profile in action, but he was entirely the opposite.

Niuyuan Shan still remembered how this fox‑facied newcomer slapped Xue Hu every so often, with such a flamboyant posture.

It made him almost want to go down and try it himself—to see if the sensation was really that great.

“A naturally gifted prodigy has his own style,” Niuyuan Shan admired inwardly.

In his view, Li Chunsong held himself in high regard and was extremely arrogant.

To have received his special favor must not be easy.

This young man had, from the very beginning, accomplished in a moment what others couldn’t in years!

“The Organization truly continues to produce talents!”

But one thing puzzled Niuyuan Shan.

He was an experienced spy from Moon Country, stealthy for so many years, skilled in reading people.

Just now, in their eye contact with Huaixu, he had an odd feeling—this fox‑faced newcomer had stared at him for a long time.

“Could he know my identity? Did the Organization not hide it from him?” Niuyuan Shan speculated.

In fact, Huaixu did know.

“Niuyuan Shan? How did Li Chunsong dump me off at Niuyuan Shan’s place!” a shock struck him.

He had an impression of that man—he had seen many posts about him on forums.

This person was an undercover sent by some organization from Moon Country, and his identity had been accidentally exposed by a few silly players; it had caused quite an uproar at the time.

At that time, the matter sparked extensive discussion on the forum, even including some reflections on humanity.

After all, the current era’s backdrop was—The Great Calamity was approaching.

In such circumstances, was humanity only maintaining a façade of unity?

If Dao Gate had a Moon Country spy, what about the other sects?

On the Moon Country’s side, were there spies sent by the Four Great Sects of the Eastern Continent or the Mirror Country?

Later, silly players even spontaneously organized a massive undercover-hunting campaign, purely for the fun and drama of it.

As a result, it did cause quite a stir.

Because players were scattered across various factions, some benefited from it, while others were caught in the crossfire...

And the exposure of Niuyuan Shan was the beginning of it all!

Those who profited said, “Farewell, Grandpa Niu!”

Those who were affected cursed, “You damn bull demon!”

Thus, Chu Huaixu had deliberately exposed a flaw just now, to observe his reaction.

At this moment, with his back to Li Chunsong, a faint answer emerged in his heart.

...

...

When he came back to his senses, under the gaze of the Sixth Elder, Niuyuan Shan—steward of the Outer Sect—began distributing disciple tokens to Chu Huaixu and Han Shuangjiang.

The tokens were not only symbols of identity, but also storage artifacts, commonly referred to by players as—【Backpack】.

The storage space inside was roughly three cubic meters.

Inside were already some daily necessities, a disciple manual, and keys to their residence, etc.

Niuyuan Shan wasn’t stupid; he knew to take good care of them, so he arranged excellent locations for their residences, with the two bamboo huts right next to each other, making them neighbors.

After doing all this, he looked flatteringly at Li Chunsong and asked, “Elder, should they select a Qi-opening technique now? Also, do you have any other instructions?”

He didn’t mind showing this side of himself in front of a newcomer sent by the Organization.

On the contrary, he felt that the humility, fawning, and hardship he displayed at this moment... were all offerings to the Organization!

He would surely sense it—sense how difficult his years had been. His image would only grow nobler in the newcomer’s heart!

Niuyuan Shan felt that, in terms of capability, he might not match such a monstrous talent who walked an unconventional path, so he decided to give this newcomer a spiritual lesson instead.

Little did he know, Chu Huaixu didn’t pay much attention at all. Even his words fell on deaf ears, becoming: “Aba aba... Qi-opening technique... aba aba.”

So it’s finally here? The gateway to my cultivation is finally opening?

He immediately perked up—chest out, head high, abs tight, glutes clenched.

Li Chunsong stood in place and pondered for a moment, then pointed at Han Shuangjiang and instructed, “Give her the ‘Ice Purity Art’.”

That meant he had personally selected a technique for Han Shuangjiang.

Chu Huaixu’s heart burned with anticipation: “What about me! What about me!”

Sure enough, Li Chunsong then raised his hand and pointed at him, saying, “As for him... whatever he wants.”

Upon hearing this, the fox-faced man nearly turned into a Tibetan fox meme.

Even the Sixth Elder was helpless.

He was knowledgeable and experienced, and Dao Gate had deep foundations. He had seen all kinds of Spirit Embryo constitutions, and even knew how to guide the most elite Body of Profound Yin.

‘Ice Purity Art’? A hundred out of a hundred—perfect choice.

But this kid’s kind of 【False Spirit Embryo】...

—Damn, what a hard question!

Never taught a failing student before.

“But it doesn’t matter,” thought Li Chunsong, “Qi-opening is just the foundation. Matching the technique does matter, but the overall impact isn’t that big.”

Someone like Han Shuangjiang with a Body of Profound Yin could breeze through any Qi-opening method—differences only in a matter of days.

“Uncle-Master picked a 【False Spirit Embryo】 to bring up the mountain... what was he thinking?” Li Chunsong couldn’t figure it out.

“But there are always exceptions. Some Spirit Embryos don’t appear on the surface—like pearls hidden in dust.”

“Once they step through the door of cultivation, they’ll shine.”

He looked at Chu Huaixu and thought, “What if?”

At that thought, his gambling addiction flared up.

“The Sect Master and my fellow brothers are still waiting for me—I need to hurry back and gamble a few rounds with them!”

“This little girl and this boy are both quite special—aren’t they the perfect stakes for a bet?”

With that idea, Li Chunsong gave a few simple instructions and then flew off through the air.

He even rubbed his hands together while flying, leaving the three of them staring at one another.

...

...

Wumeng Mountains, Biyou Terrace.

The rain had already stopped for a while.

Xu Ziqing, still soaked through, stood beneath that ancient tree, feeling time pass second by second.

However, no one ever appeared to escort him to Dao Gate.

During this time, Xu Ziqing conjured up countless scenarios in his mind, constantly comforting himself, constantly coming up with excuses.

“It’s fine, there must be a reason.”

“Just wait a little longer—just wait and see!”

Later on, Xu Ziqing even began to lose his sense of time.

Cold, so cold...

Standing in the rain, he began shivering more and more violently. The once rosy-lipped, white-toothed youth now had pale lips.

In his mind, the image of that ordinary-looking storyteller—who had a somewhat roguish aura—appeared.

At first, he had felt that this man’s aura clearly marked him as a cultivation expert who took life lightly.

But the more he thought about it now, the more something felt wrong—seriously wrong.

If he was someone who treated life like a game, then... wasn’t I the one being played?

In Biyou Terrace beneath the Wumeng Mountains, the desperate cries of a wretched youth began to echo:

“You lied to me.”

“You lied to me!”

“You lied to me!!”

“Ah!!!!”

...