Their sole mission was to serve those few powerful figures in the Demon Sect.

"Greetings to Vice Sect Leader Ghost Mask and the two Saint Heirs!"

A group of beautiful ladies in palace attire approached gracefully.

Ning Qi didn't pay attention, merely saying indifferently:

"Where is the Grand Elder?"

The leading female officer prostrated herself on the ground:

"The Grand Elder was in meditation at the Sorrow Forgetful Palace yesterday and will come out tomorrow."

Ning Qi's eyes flickered:

"Alright, if the Grand Elder exits seclusion early, come and inform me."

With that, he turned and headed towards the Underground Palace belonging to Ghost Mask.

After Ning Qi's figure disappeared, Jiang Tianlong and Ye Qin exchanged glances, both a bit puzzled. Jiang Tianlong suddenly said:

"Did you notice, there's something strange about Vice Sect Leader Ghost Mask today?"

Ye Qin nodded:

"You noticed too? It seems he doesn't wish to talk much with us."

He chuckled with interest, and the black pattern on his bald head seemed to wriggle:

"Do you think... could there be an accident with this mission? It seems Vice Sect Leader Ghost Mask is eager to meet the Grand Elder."

Jiang Tianlong said coldly:

"Your Ye Family snatched this mission and you claim you don't know what's going on?"

Ye Qin shrugged:

"I really don't know, it's clear Vice Sect Leader Ghost Mask returned alone in advance. Tsk tsk, could it be that Qin Yun turned traitor again?"

Jiang Tianlong's eyes flickered:

"How about we collaborate? This time we absolutely cannot let Qin Yun return to the Saint Heir candidate list. Both of us are from the main line of the Holy Sect, why should that outsider who joined halfway be on equal footing with us? Two competitors is better than three."

Ye Qin grinned, revealing his sharp white teeth:

"I had just that thought, and I don't know what the Grand Elder was thinking, supporting Qin Yun. This time we'll join forces and crush Qin Yun!"

The two passed by each other and left nonchalantly.

From afar.

Ning Qi's lips curved slightly.

With his strength, even if the two used secret transmission techniques, he could still hear them.

"It seems the internal strife within the Demon Sect is quite intense indeed."

Having seen and heard all along the way, he had many thoughts.

It is said that the Demon Sect's predecessor was the remnants of a previous dynasty, always wanting to overthrow the Great Yan. But after two thousand years, how many still hold onto their original intentions is hard to say. But this is good; with differing goals, things become easier for him.

He did not forget the purpose of this trip.

Returning to the palace belonging to Ghost Mask, Ning Qi dismissed everyone to be alone.

"The mission this time is to stop the Demon Sect from producing a Martial Saint, and the Grand Elder is the only one who knows the secrets. The best plan is to subdue him quietly and then extract information. But he is currently meditating, making it difficult to approach."

"Fortunately, he'll come out tomorrow. If it's delayed for several days, and Fifth Senior Brother doesn't send back intelligence, it will surely arouse suspicion."

"Perhaps... I could go investigate after nightfall."

Ning Qi prepared for the worst, which was nothing more than fighting forcibly.

As long as he confirmed the Grand Elder was here, it was better than wandering blindly like before, but it was best to conserve energy.

He closed his eyes gradually, contemplating, and rejuvenating his energy.

...

Night falls.

In the underground, there is no sun or moon, but here, someone manipulated crystal stones above to simulate day and night.

Ning Qi suddenly opened his eyes.

He activated the Silence Technique and stepped out of the palace silently.

The underground palace was dark, only the lamps were continuously lit. Ning Qi identified the direction of the Sorrow Forgetful Palace and moved like a cunning cat. Occasional patrols couldn't spot Ning Qi at all.

The underground palace was vast, but the cultivation of these servants serving the core Demon Sect members was not high.

Before long.

Ning Qi stopped outside the Sorrow Forgetful Palace.

He concealed himself in the shadows, not proceeding further. The guards were secondary; mainly he sensed a Qimen Array secretly set up in this palace. Entering recklessly would surely alert those inside.

If that happened, a direct confrontation would be inevitable.

The idea of secretly subduing the Grand Elder was immediately dashed.

"Indeed, it's not that simple. The people of the Demon Sect are truly cautious," Ning Qi thought to himself.

This was much more challenging than the operation at the Qing State stronghold in the Southern Border. Only someone of Ning Qi's prowess could find the door to the underground palace; others wouldn't even find it.

But he wasn't discouraged.

If it couldn't be done now, he would see if there was an opportunity when meeting the Grand Elder tomorrow.

He might as well make some other preparations first.

Ning Qi's eyes glinted as he silently sneaked elsewhere in the underground palace.

As he moved quietly, he periodically sensed the surrounding auras cautiously.

Before long.

Ning Qi circled around the underground palace.

He stopped, somewhat astonished:

"Just in this underground palace alone, I can sense more than thirty Celestial Human Realm auras. If we include the few I haven't sensed, there might be over forty? And these auras are quite strong, probably not just at the initial Celestial Human Realm level."

The number was indeed astonishing.

After all, this was only the headquarters of the Demon Sect. If one includes the strongholds across various branches of the Demon Sect, the number might double.

"Across the Great Yan Thirteen States, if all Celestial Human Realm experts are counted together, it might number only a few hundred. By estimate, such experts are nearly one in a billion, unparalleled geniuses. The Imperial Court occupies at least thirty percent, with the rest distributed across many Martial Path sects."

"No wonder the Demon Sect can contend with the Imperial Court for so long; they indeed have a profound foundation."

Ning Qi became more cautious.

With so many Celestial Human Realm experts, some could undoubtedly rank high on the Celestial Being List. He had to be very careful; if a melee broke out, it might not be easily resolved.

If he wanted to leave, there would be no danger, but if he failed this time, it would be unlikely to have such a good opportunity again.

After meticulous consideration.

Ning Qi already had an idea.

He quietly moved through various parts of the underground palace, avoiding patrols, then planted one Gang Essence Sword Species and a few arrays as a precaution to prevent anyone from escaping.

After completing everything.

Ning Qi returned to his own palace.

Now, he just had to wait for tomorrow.

...

The next day.

Ning Qi, served by many servants, finished his breakfast, when yesterday's female officer arrived gracefully:

"Vice Sect Leader, the Grand Elder has emerged from Sorrow Forgetful Palace. He instructed this servant to have you meet him at Chaotian Hall."

Chaotian Hall?

Ning Qi paused slightly, then nodded:

"Understood."

This Chaotian Hall is the Grand Elder's residence; if he closed in seclusion, it would be there. It's the Grand Elder's private place, and he wouldn't usually summon other Demon Sect high-ranking members there; they had other venues for meetings.

This was a display of trust.

From the increasingly respectful demeanor of the surrounding servants, one could discern a thing or two.

But Ning Qi's heart was slightly apprehensive.

He straightened his robe according to Ghost Mask's habits and said:

"Lead the way up front."

The female officer bowed respectfully and led the way.

Jiang Tianlong and Ye Qin, whom he met yesterday, appeared together, and there was a trace of envy in their eyes. They complimented together:

"Congratulations Vice Sect Leader Ghost Mask, for earning the Grand Elder's favor!"

Within the Demon Sect.

The most important figures are the Sect Leader and the Grand Elder, possessing authority and secrets unmatched by others, passed down through word of mouth. The Saint Heir inherits the Sect Leader's position, while the Grand Elder chooses from among the Vice Sect Leaders.

Now that Ghost Mask was summoned to Chaotian Hall by the Grand Elder, this attitude was showing a significant inclination.

Ning Qi pondered and continued forward.

He heard the two transmitting secretly:

"This Vice Sect Leader Ghost Mask is indeed lucky. Like Qin Yun back then, he joined the Holy Sect from outside. Could it be that the Grand Elder..."

Both of their pupils shrank, continuing no further.

But Ning Qi had already guessed a bit.

Moments later.

Ning Qi stepped into Chaotian Hall with large strides, slightly respectful as he said:

"Ghost Mask greets the Grand Elder!"

Then he saw an elderly man with silver hair slowly turning, a slight smile rising on his face.

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