Chapter 897: If It's Not Me, Who Else Can It Be?

Yu Qingzhi, having provided the complete list of 336 names, felt a weight lift off his shoulders. These names included two Spirit Lords, whose cultivation levels were in the Enlightenment Realm and Soul Splitting Realm and were located in two second-tier empires. The rest were cultivators ranging from the Foundation Building Realm to the Nascent Soul Realm, with 42 Nascent Soul realm battle generals.

However, the names he provided were true names, not titles, so Fang Chen couldn't discern who might be the mysterious Azure Dragon Battle General.

The title of Four Saints Battle General was reserved for the Spirit Blood Sect's top elites, those who had completed many missions and garnered enough recognition to earn such a name.

After finishing the list, Du Heng let out a soft breath and smiled at Yu Qingzhi. "Daoist Yu, are all these cultivators under your command?"

Yu Qingzhi nodded, a hint of melancholy in his expression. "I once had over 500 subordinates. However, over the years, losses have occurred, and without enough prodigies to replenish the ranks, I'm left with only about 300. Even so, I've still sent many Blood Spirit Pills to the higher-ups over these years."

Du Heng pondered for a few moments before chuckling. "You're in the Fusion Realm, yet only have 300 subordinates?"

He paused, noticing Yu Qingzhi's cautious demeanor. "Since you still have some reservations toward me, I won't press you further. I'll make sure to pass these names along to my colleagues. If they encounter these individuals, they'll treat them with the respect they deserve. It's getting late. Please, Daoist Yu, take your leave."

Yu Qingzhi froze for a moment, sensing the change in Du Heng's tone and expression. The previously friendly and courteous aura had now turned colder. There was no longer any hint of warmth in Du Heng's eyes. The abruptness of this shift left Yu Qingzhi feeling uncertain, and his expression quickly morphed through a series of emotions.

Something was amiss, but he couldn't yet pinpoint what.

A few moments later, he couldn't help but give a forced smile and said, "Daoist Du, please don't misunderstand. The list I provided contains cultivators who have the opportunity to traverse the Underworld. After all, the Path of Yin technique is not common, and the required medium is quite rare.

"That's why some of my subordinates are not included in the list, but this is definitely not because I don't trust you, Daoist Du. If it weren't for your timely rescue, I would have been tortured to the point where my soul would scatter. Such a life-saving grace... How can I not trust you?"

With that, he handed over another list, which contained over 3,000 names.

After Du Heng looked it over, he nodded and smiled again.

Yu Qingzhi thought Du Heng was smiling at him. Just as he was about to speak, Du Heng stood up, looked outside the courtyard, and cupped his hands. "Ancestor, there should be over 3,000 people here. If there are any mistakes or omissions, we can just apply a few more rounds of punishment."

Yu Qingzhi immediately froze.

A figure walked in from outside the courtyard. It was Du Yunxu, the one who had tortured him countless times before!

Ancestor?!

What is the relationship between these two?!

Yu Qingzhi was filled with both shock and anger. He faintly felt like he had fallen into a trap!

Du Yunxu took the list, glanced at it, and then nodded slightly.

Yu Qingzhi stood up, masking his emotions. His eyes darted between Du Heng and Du Yunxu. "Daoist Du, what is going on here...?"

They... had been after the list! But why?

This was the Underworld. He had never had any connection with those individuals, so why do they want the list in his hand?

And why go about it so indirectly, playing good cop, bad cop?

Could it be that they could influence the Mortal Realm?!

Yu Qingzhi's Yin energy started to surge, showing just how agitated he was.

The cultivators on this list were all key figures within the Spirit Blood Sect. If something were to happen to them, the entire line of Spirit Blood Sect cultivators he controlled would be uprooted, and the consequences would be terrifying.

If the higher-ups were to find out, him dying would be the least of his concerns. His entire family would be implicated. His ancestor, who was about to ascend to become Immortal King, would likely be caught in the crossfire as well.

As Yu Qingzhi's emotions surged, a figure suddenly appeared, standing with his back to him as he took the list.

Both Du Yunxu and Du Heng were already immensely powerful in Yu Qingzhi's eyes, so it went without saying how shocked he was when he saw them cup their fists and bow respectfully to the figure.

"My lord, he may not have handed over all the names. Perhaps if we apply a little more punishment, we can get everything out of him," Du Yunxu softly said.

Fang Chen smiled faintly. "There's no need to get everything. We just need to eliminate the people on this list. His entire faction will be as good as destroyed, and a few fish that slip through the cracks won't matter."

Fang Chen's words shook Yu Qingzhi to his core. His suspicions had been confirmed! They were indeed planning to strike at the Spirit Blood Sect!

But why?! Why would a soul from the Underworld want to target the Spirit Blood Sect cultivators from the Mortal Realm!?

Du Heng smiled obsequiously, flattering, "Truly, my lord is brilliant! With just a small trick, you've made Yu Qingzhi spill everything, nearly everything. If we had resorted to torture, we might not have gotten even half of this list."

Fang Chen chuckled. "You didn't do badly yourselves. The act was quite convincing. I didn't see any flaws. You have a deep understanding of the Spirit God Sect. If not for that, how could he have trusted you so easily?

Du Heng quickly responded, "I used to serve in a city with several Spirit God temples. I've had years of contact with those people, which is how I know them so well. But my lord, rest assured, I am not aligned with them. The ancestor has always reminded us to focus only on our duties and to stay out of other matters. I have followed the ancestor's teachings and remain loyal to them."

He was worried that Fang Chen would misunderstand him as being involved with the Spirit God Sect. Even though he had previously maintained friendly relations with several Spirit God Sect cultivators, he had already severed ties with them in his heart!

Yu Qingzhi fixed his eyes on Fang Chen's back. He took a deep breath and asked, "Who are you, exactly? Did the Spirit Blood Sect offend you?"

"Leave," Fang Chen said quietly.

Du Yunxu nodded and led Du Heng out of the courtyard. They weren't worried in the slightest that the wandering soul before them could pose any threat to Fang Chen.

Fang Chen turned around with a smile, looking at Yu Qingzhi. "Junior Brother Yu, do you not recognize my voice?"

For a moment, Yu Qingzhi felt disoriented.

The face of the person before him was exactly the same as the Fang Chen from the Desolate Academy. Now, hearing his voice, it matched perfectly as well.

However... Fang Chen, who had just finished the Sword Questioning and was rumored to have reached the Enlightenment Realm, was only a disciple of the Desolate Academy! How could he be in the Underworld? How could beings with far greater cultivation show such respect, calling him their lord?

Yu Qingzhi's face turned pale. "You... you are Fang Chen?"

"Who else could it be if not me?" Fang Chen smiled, sitting down in the chair where Du Heng had just been and pouring himself a cup of tea. "Junior Brother Yu, since you're here, why not make yourself comfortable? Sit down and have some tea. Let's have a good chat."

Yu Qingzhi was incredulous. He glanced out of the courtyard but didn't see Du Yunxu and Du Heng. Then, his eyes flickered to Fang Chen, and suddenly, a trace of viciousness flashed across his face. He reached out to grab the list in Fang Chen's hand and simultaneously slapped at Fang Chen's head.

Fang Chen didn't even flinch. With a casual motion, he slapped Yu Qingzhi, sending him spinning through the air several times before crashing heavily to the ground. The Yin energy Yu Qingzhi gathered was forcefully scattered.

Yu Qingzhi lay on the ground in silence for a few moments before slowly standing up. He silently sat across from Fang Chen, lowering his head without saying a word.