“Zhao Tianlong, an Inner Disciple of the Black Heaven Sect. He has concealed his true ident.i.ty as a spy from the Underworld Palace. He was once a Full Nascent Core cultivator but he's currently a mid-level Nascent Core cultivator. It's suspected that he's used a secret technique to reduce his cultivation level as he knows several Honorable Techniques…”

Chu Kuangren stared mischievously at the pa.s.sionate young disciple who was standing before him.

Did Demonic disciples not fear Chu Kuangren to death?

Yet, this little brat could still look at Chu Kuangren with such awe and admiration.

'Pfft, not bad of an actor at all.'

Chu Kuangren laughed and pa.s.sed Zhao Tianlong's award to him. Without seeming suspicious, Chu Kuangren said, “Keep it up. Each of you is the future of the Black Heaven Sect.”

Zhao Tianlong nodded pa.s.sionately. “Yes, Sect Leader!”

Hmph.

'To h.e.l.l with the future of Black Heaven Sect, Chu Kuangren. I bet you wouldn't have thought that I'm a spy from the Underworld Palace even in your dying moments!”

'One day, I shall unearth all there is to the Black Heaven Sect and share these intel with the headquarters. That day shall mark your doom.'

'By then, my achievement would be the greatest among all demonic orthodoxy!'

'Hahaha…'

At this thought, Zhao Tianlong smiled cunningly. However, to others, he was just a cultivator who was happy to be promoted to a True Disciple.

After the award ceremony had concluded, Chu Kuangren entered the Longevity Hall and said to Elder Ruyan, “Bring me all the information you have on Zhao Tianlong. Then, when everyone's returned to their residence, bring him to me.”

Elder Ruyan was surprised. “Is there a problem with this person?”

“Yes.”

“Alright, noted on that.”

Elder Ruyan nodded.

Soon, Chu Kuangren had his hands on all the information about Zhao Tianlong since the first day he enrolled into the Black Heaven Sect.

His report stated that Zhao Tianlong was merely a cultivator in the Foundation Establishment Realm when he first joined. Within the short span of a year, he had ascended into the Nascent Soul Realm, which his cultivation speed had far surpa.s.sed that of the other disciples.

Through Chu Kuangren's Eye of Revelation, it was revealed that Zhao Tianlong's original cultivation was in the Full Nascent Soul Realm. However, he had resorted to a secret technique to destroy his cultivation base and started over.

“Pfft, what a huge sacrifice to conceal his ident.i.ty as a demonic disciple. That explains his cultivation speed, it's no surprise that a former Full Nascent Soul cultivator would ascend at such a speed in a year…”

“A disciple from the Underworld Palace… he could make a fine p.a.w.n.”

Chu Kuangren muttered.

Soon.

Zhao Tianlong found himself at the Longevity Hall.

Zhao Tianlong was secretly elated. He thought that perhaps the reason Chu Kuangren had wanted to see him in person was to reward him even further.

After all, any cultivator who could reach mid-level Nascent Soul within a year was considered a remarkable feat. It would not be a surprise if Chu Kuangren was impressed by his performance.

'I wonder what he's going to reward me with?'

'Medicinal pills? Weapons? Perhaps even teaching me a Sage Technique?'

Zhao Tianlong was getting carried away.

“Greetings, Sect Leader. I'm the newly conferred True Disciple, Zhao Tianlong!”

“Mm, save the formality.”

“I heard that you've asked to see me, Sect Leader. How can I be of service?”

“Since you're now a True Disciple, you're eligible to study the Black Heaven Sect's twelve Sage Techniques. I wonder if you've decided on which technique to further your research in?”

Chu Kuangren smiled and said.

'This is it. Chu Kuangren has finally noticed my talent and is intending to train me in private.'

Zhao Tianlong was smiling delightfully at the thought of that.

“I was hoping to seek your advice, Sect Leader.”

“Well, I'm afraid I don't have any. But what I'm curious about is between the Underworld Palace and the Black Heaven Sect, which orthodoxy owns more Sage Techniques?”

Zhao Tianlong's face immediately turned pale at this question. He felt a numbing chill down his spine, and his feet began to tremble uncontrollably.

In one second, the supposedly delightful occasion had turned into the worst nightmare for Zhao Tianlong!

“Sect… Sect Leader, what're you talking about?”

Zhao Tianlong said in fear.

“What now? You don't know? I thought that after everything you've done for the Underworld Palace, including destroying your own cultivation, the Underworld Palace should at least teach you a couple of Sage Techniques. Are they that stingy in their rewards?”

Chu Kuangren said mischievously.

Zhao Tianlong's entire body turned numb and he immediately knelt onto the ground. Although he was desperate to spin this story around, there was a lump in his throat and he could not bring himself to say anything.

“Not denying anymore?”

“Sect Leader, please spare my life.”

Zhao Tianlong pleaded for mercy. That act alone was enough to exhaust him of all his energies as his body was drenching in a cold sweat.

“Say, how many times have you reported to the Underworld Palace in the past year? What kind of intel have you provided?” Chu Kuangren asked calmly.

Zhao Tianlong was mortified. He had never imagined that his true ident.i.ty would be exposed on the same day he first met Chu Kuangren.

Not only that but Chu Kuangren had somehow found out about his origin and his act of destroying his former cultivation base as well.

It was a difficult situation to comprehend. Zhao Tianlong wondered if Chu Kuangren could access intel from the higher ranks of the Underworld Palace. If not, how else could Chu Kuangren know everything so clearly?

“I've reported back twice. The first was when I arrived at the Black Heaven Sect, and the second time was to report about the Black Heaven Sect's infrastructures, such as the Sword Gauntlet and Gravity Training Grounds…”

Zhao Tianlong did not dare withhold any information and confessed everything. Elder Ruyan was also listening intently from aside with a glum face.

Fortunately, Zhao Tianlong did not leak too much valuable intel, so the damage to the Black Heaven Sect was still manageable.

However, this was only because Zhao Tianlong was only here for slightly more than a year. What if he was given more time?

What more, he was just promoted to a True Disciple today. If Zhao Tianlong was left undiscovered, he would have gained access to the valuable resources of the Black Heaven Sect.

This was such as the orthodoxy's Sage Techniques, the spiritual grain plantations, Marrow Cleansing Pool, and many others.

If such intel were to be leaked, Elder Ruyan could not imagine just how badly the Black Heaven Sect would be affected.

“Sect Leader, this is negligence on my part. I've let a spy infiltrate the Black Heaven Sect. I shall accept any form of punishment!” Elder Ruyan said guiltily.

“This is not your blame to take. The Underworld Palace is a group of cunning people. This person has destroyed his former cultivation base to avoid detection. It's normal for anyone to miss out on it. Just be more aware from here onwards,” said Chu Kuangren.

Without his Eye of Revelation, perhaps Chu Kuangren would not have figured it out either.

A glint flashed across Elder Ruyan's eyes; she was touched.

Meanwhile, Zhao Tianlong quickly kowtowed and begged for his life. “Sect Leader, please spare my life. I swear to give my all to the Black Heaven Sect from here onwards and I'll cut off all ties to the Underworld Palace.”

“No, you shall continue playing your role as a spy.”

Chu Kuangren interrupted.

Elder Ruyan and Zhao Tianlong were both dumbfounded.

“I would like you to continue spying for the Underworld Palace. But of course, we'll decide on the intel that you bring back to the Underworld Palace.”

Elder Ruyan lit up at his words.

She finally understood Chu Kuangren's intention. The Black Heaven Sect could easily mislead the Underworld Palace by having Zhao Tianlong feed false intel to them.

“Sect Leader, what a good idea.” Elder Ruyan was amazed.

Zhao Tianlong breathed a huge sigh of relief. Instead of spying for the Underworld Palace, all he needed to do now was to spy for the Black Heaven Sect instead.

This was no difficult feat for him.

All that mattered was that he could live to see another day.