Chapter 418: The Prelude to Counterattack (I)

"Buddhist Master, what does the document say?"

"It says a strand of the fox fiend's soul has possessed you. Once a cultivator finds you, they are to apprehend you immediately so the ancient cultivators can help purify your soul."

"What? They're so quick to act!"

Xiaomiao blinked at the document that Huai Jing had projected before her. The notice declaring that she was wanted was merely an attachment to it. The main body gave a detailed explanation of the Xi Lian incident, along with a summary of recent power shifts within the Special Investigation Unit.

Its official stance, or rather Qin Yishen's interpretation, was that Xi Lian's descent into devilry was an act of revenge from the corrupted cultivators of the southern borderlands

Last night, they had simultaneously launched attacks, releasing poisonous mists across several military bases and ambushing Xi Lian's residence. Enraged, Xi Lian's killing intent overwhelmed her. She ultimately turned into a devil, slaughtered every last one of the corrupt cultivators, and then rampaged toward nearby towns.

Xi Lian had lost all control, and Fei Yu, who could easily kill the fox fiend, had already been missing for over a year. According to the report, the sword cultivator had also likely fallen into the schemes of the southern borderlands' corrupt cultivators.

To restrain Xi Lian, the Special Investigation Unit had no choice but to summon the ancient cultivators. Only through their combined efforts was Xi Lian finally sealed, saving over a hundred thousand lives. Having earned great merit, the investigation unit reached a preliminary agreement with various Daoist heritages to honor them with the title of "Immortal Elders" and lift their previous restrictions. It also formally apologized for having doubted them in the past.

In response, the Immortal Elders declared that they wished only to continue cultivating in the mountains. Should any fiend or devil arise, they would heed Qin Yishen's summons and descend the mountain to assist.

Xiaomiao snorted sharply and derisively.

Huai Jing blinked in confusion. "What's so funny?"

"Collusion, that's what! Qin Yishen can't wait to consolidate his influence. He's eyeing Chief Chi Ling's position, yet he doesn't have the confidence to take it head-on. He even plays the villain half-heartedly!"

Through gritted teeth, Xiaomiao muttered a few more complaints. She then frowned and continued reading.

The largest section of the document detailed the internal reshuffling within the three special departments, mainly between the Special Affairs Unit and the Special Investigation Unit. The Special Warfare Unit had remained unaffected.

For the time being, Qin Yishen was serving as the acting head of all three. Once the investigation into Chi Ling concluded, higher authorities would conduct an official reorganization.

All responsibilities involving the "investigation of cultivator crimes" were transferred from the Special Investigation Unit to the Special Affairs Unit. The relevant teams and network infrastructure were also reassigned accordingly.

Meanwhile, half of the investigation unit's upper management was put under review. Their subordinates temporarily filled most of the vacant positions.

Over a dozen minor personnel adjustments were also issued.

"Oh, it looks like the Special Affairs Unit took quite a bit of the Special Investigation Unit's resources." Xiaomia rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "That means Qin Yishen knows he can't really topple Chief Chi Ling. Instead, he's using this as a quieter form of power grab."

Huai Jing dragged over a wooden chair, sat by the bed, and smiled wearily. "Big Boss, aren't you even a little worried about yourself?"

Xiaomiao shook her head. "That would be pointless. I'm more worried about when my brother and Senior Sister will come back. If they return now, they'll definitely go head-to-head with those ancient cultivators. My brother might act like a scholar, but he's all hot-blooded deep down. He wouldn't be able to stand seeing me like this."

"That's true." Huai Jing nodded, then looked at her sharply. "Where exactly did Fei Yu go?"

Without hesitation, Xiaomiao replied, "The Moon Palace."

"

Oooh!

" Huai Jing's expression shifted to sudden realization. He helplessly chuckled. "Those ancient cultivators are already done for, then."

Xiaomiao was the one puzzled this time. "Why?"

"The Small Immortal Realm is in the Moon Palace. It still houses remnants of the Immortal Realm's treasures. Those inside it can take as many celestial pills as they want, and it also has celestial artifacts everywhere. It also has sacred sites like the Pool of Transcendence, the Pool of Ascension, and the Platform of Immortal Dreams. They're all accessible to cultivators who haven't ascended to immortality yet."

Huai Jing slapped his forehead.

"

Tch.

Don't tell me Chief Chi Ling and Fei Yu arranged all this? Everything just aligns too perfectly to be a coincidence."

"Impossible. My brother would never put Big Sister in danger," Xiaomiao replied firmly.

Huai Jing shrugged. "Just saying. How long has your brother been gone now? Almost two years? We can afford to wait. Let him stay in the Small Immortal Realm for another three to five years. By the time he comes back, he'll be unstoppable. The problem with those ancient cultivators will solve itself."

"Three to five years? I doubt we have that long," Xiaomiao murmured. She lingered on the final lines of the document before looking up to meet Huai Jing's gaze. "Buddhist Master, who exactly are you? You seem to know quite a lot about the Small Immortal Realms."

"

Amitabha

, I am but a humble monk from the Heavenly Dragon Temple—"

Xiaomiao raised her hand slightly, stopping Huai Jing. Softly, she said, "I spoke out of turn. Knowing that I can trust you is enough. If you don't want to reveal your secrets, that's fine. It doesn't matter."

For a moment, Huai Jing felt a heavy wave of guilt. He felt as though hiding his identity and secrets from the fragile young girl, who had just gone through a major upheaval, was an unforgivable sin.

Huai Jing smiled. "

Amitabha.

I truly am just a minor Buddhist cultivator. I only happened to awaken my wisdom roots and recall memories from my past life."

Xiaomiao blinked. "So you're also a reincarnated immortal like my senior sister?"

"Buddhist sects don't use that term. We speak of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Arhats instead."

"Huh? Does that mean you're a Buddha?"

"No, no. I wasn't enlightened enough in my past life to be called a Buddha. I was just a higher-ranking fighter. Besides, 'Buddha' is mostly an honorary title given to retired elders. The ones doing the actual work are people like us, the younger generation."

With a doubtful expression, Xiaomiao rubbed her nose.

Huai Jing chuckled, causing his eyes to narrow. "Keep this between us, okay? Don't tell anyone. I'd rather not get dragged around to every temple giving lectures."

"

Mm,

" Xiaomiao responded. She then fixed her gaze on the document before her, lost in thought.

She didn't seem the least bit interested in his revelation.

Realizing that Xiaomiao had been leading him by the nose the entire time, Huai Jing rubbed his nose awkwardly. He had revealed his biggest secret in an attempt to win back some ground, yet it had absolutely no effect.

Fine. You're Fei Yu's sister anyway. You're bound to be extraordinary.

"Buddhist Master, when's the fourth Immortal Dao Conference?"

"Six days—no, seven days from now," Huai Jing replied. "Why?"

Xiaomiao's expression turned serious. "If my brother stays in the Small Immortal Realm for three to five years, can he really annihilate all those ancient cultivators?"

"Of course." Huai Jing spread his hands. "There's a lot I can't tell you—no. You know what? Fine, you'll probably understand. Your brother is a key figure in the grand scheme of things. The resources within the Small Immortal Realm will let him soar. Given enough time, it wouldn't be unusual for him to return as an immortal."

Xiaomiao's eyes wavered with uncertainty.

"What's wrong? Whatever's in your mind, you can tell me."

"I was wondering what the cultivation world would look like in three years, then in five." Xiaomiao sighed. "Those ancient corrupt cultivators seem to have found a way to control cultivators. What if they turn the entire cultivation world into their puppets?"

Huai Jing frowned. "Why would they even do that? Can't they just cultivate in peace?"

Xiaomiao shook her head. "Maybe it's a sense of crisis or emptiness within. Either way, those ancient criminals have once broken into the Small Nether Realm. They survived the darkest era and lived to see today's flourishing age of cultivation.

"They're strong, yet they were imprisoned and condemned. Naturally, they'd want to reclaim their status and dignity while also seizing cultivation resources. Once they start down that path, there's no turning back."

Huai Jing scratched his head.

Meanwhile, Xiaomiao twirled her fingers idly. "Ambition will devour their Dao Hearts, twisting their cultivation path. If they stagnate, they'll lock down the path to advancement, preventing anyone from surpassing them.

"Forget it. Analyzing their motives is too troublesome. Still, if they controlled the cultivation world for too long, they would be able to crush the trailblazers of the era, including Master Qing Yanzi. The methods they've already used are enough for me to tell that they're ruthless. They see the lives of cultivators and mortals alike as worthless weeds.

"Anyway, what I really want to ask is, what is a devil? Do you have to lose all reason to be called a devil? Can we really say that those who've been to hell and back haven't become devils themselves?"

Huai Jing froze and stared at Xiaomiao, seemingly trying to read into her expression. He couldn't believe the young girl could already come up with such clever statements. Though he wanted to argue, he found himself without a counterpoint.

She had completely convinced him.

"What can we do, then?" Huai Jing finally replied. "The calamity of the cultivation world is already inevitable."

"That's why we have to make choices now," Xiaomiao said. "Let me think this through. Buddhist Master, do you have paper and a pen? I need to draw to organize my thoughts."

Huai Jing nodded. He pulled a small stack of printed Buddhist scriptures from his sleeve, their backs blank.

𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Xiaomiao lowered her head and began sketching circles and squares. Within moments, one page was filled, and the second was quickly subjected to the same merciless ballpoint pen.