Chapter 1828: Lan Cliff Ancient Sage

"I need to enter the sleeping quarters and find dragon's blood. Do you have any method for that?" Zhang Xuan continued to ask.

"That's not easy. After the Spirit Emperor was injured, even I found it difficult to enter the sleeping quarters. Currently, only Ancient Sage Lanya can move freely in and out. He might be the only one who truly knows the Spirit Emperor's condition!"

Pausing for a moment, Ancient Sage Mo Ling continued, "This Ancient Sage has followed the Spirit Emperor since childhood. He is his most loyal subordinate and, despite only possessing a single bloodline continuation cultivation, he holds an extremely high position within the Spirit Emperor's lineage!"

Zhang Xuan raised an eyebrow: "Can we find a way to lure him out... and kill him!"

Given that this person can enter the sleeping quarters, we could kill him, disguise ourselves, and infiltrate, just as we did with Wu Tao. Since they are members of the Foreign Tribes and subordinates of the battle-prone Spirit Emperor Chen Ling, there's no guilt in killing as many as necessary!

"Kill?" Ancient Sage Mo Ling's mouth twitched, surprised by the President's ruthlessness, and he showed a worried expression: "Killing him isn't difficult, but if the Spirit Emperor discovers it, we might all be hunted down and find it hard to escape..."

Given how much the Spirit Emperor values Ancient Sage Lanya, if he really died, wouldn't the entire royal city be turned upside down?

Zhang Xuan hesitated for a moment, then said, "As long as we prepare in advance, no one will discover us!"

Searching for dragon's blood is already a massive undertaking, akin to directly challenging them. At this point, with so much at stake, another risk won't make much difference.

"Alright, I'll make the arrangements now!"

Ancient Sage Mo Ling nodded, and his soul-body flickered, returning to his physical body.

Whoosh! Zhang Xuan also withdrew the Fierce One and the Demonic Black Saber. As soon as he finished, the space before him distorted, and then he saw countless appraisers and many guards appearing before his eyes again.

Their recent battle had been sealed within a special folded space, so those outside had no idea what had happened.

"Guards!" Back in the main hall, Ancient Sage Mo Ling let out a hum.

The middle-aged guard from before stepped forward.

"This Wu Tao, I've investigated him. His background is clear; he's not the one we're looking for. You all continue your investigation; don't let a single person go!" Ancient Sage Mo Ling declared with a huff.

"Yes, sir!" The middle-aged guard quickly nodded.

Although Wu Tao was somewhat suspicious, since even an Ancient Sage couldn't find anything, there shouldn't be a problem.

"Appraiser Wu Tao, I happen to have a few treasures at my residence whose identities remain unknown. If you have time, perhaps you could lend me your discerning eye!" After giving these instructions, Ancient Sage Mo Ling looked at Zhang Xuan, who was standing to the side.

"It would be my honor to be of service to you, senior!" Zhang Xuan quickly bowed.

"It will be a bother..." Ancient Sage Mo Ling smiled, then looked at the middle-aged guard again: "I'm taking someone with me now; it won't cause you any trouble, will it?"

"Of course not..." The middle-aged guard quickly nodded.

It was just one appraiser; he still had over two hundred others, so it wouldn't significantly affect the overall progress.

"Very well. Appraiser Wu Tao will accompany me now. You all continue your investigation, and whatever you do, don't delay the Spirit Emperor's matters!"

After giving the instructions, Ancient Sage Mo Ling made a grabbing motion. Zhang Xuan immediately felt his body tighten and was lifted into the air. The next moment, he appeared in front of a massive palace.

"This is Sweet Spring Palace, part of the Spirit Emperor's Palace. It has a natural spring eye, brimming with spiritual energy. Every day, Ancient Sage Lanya comes here at a fixed time to draw water, likely for Spirit Emperor Chen Ling!" Ancient Sage Mo Ling explained.

Pushing the door open and entering the palace, Zhang Xuan indeed saw a spring eye bubbling "gurgle, gurgle" in the center of the main hall. The spring water was clear and transparent, imbued with rich spiritual energy. Tasting it, he found it slightly sweet.

"This water is good!" Zhang Xuan nodded.

Although this spring water was not as potent as spirit liquid, it was naturally formed by heaven and earth, pure and free of impurities, making it highly effective for refining pills and similar endeavors, leading to a higher success rate.

"President, are we acting here? I'm worried it's too close to the sleeping quarters and might disturb others!" Ancient Sage Mo Ling expressed his concern.

An Ancient Sage's perception is terrifying. Even though Ancient Sage Lanya's cultivation isn't high, a full-force attack could kill him instantly. However, if any information leaks, all his years of hiding would be for naught.

Although pulling Zhang Xuan into the folded space just now was covert and undetectable by those nearby, it was also because the opponent wasn't attempting to send out a message. If they had, even he wouldn't have been able to stop it.

"It's true that this place isn't far from the sleeping quarters. I'll set up a formation first; that way, no aura will leak out!" Zhang Xuan said.

"Set up a formation? Now... is there still time?" Ancient Sage Mo Ling frowned.

Whether it's setting up a formation or carving runes, both are extremely time-consuming tasks requiring prior preparation. Just designing a formation diagram can take who knows how long. Moreover, a formation capable of trapping an Ancient Sage would need to be at least peak ninth-level. Even the strongest Nine-Star Formation Master couldn't achieve that in less than a month or two. Preparing now seems a bit too late!

"It's not too late... it'll only take a moment!" Knowing what he was worried about, Zhang Xuan smiled and walked around the room. With a flick of his finger, hundreds of formation flags simultaneously appeared in the air, quietly suspended.

"Go!" He waved his palm upwards. Whoosh! The many formation flags whistled as they flew outwards, directly embedding themselves into the four sides of the hall. They swayed a few times and then disappeared.

"It's done already..." Ancient Sage Mo Ling's eyes widened.

Although he had never seen a Nine-Star Formation Master set up a formation, he had heard about it. To insert the formation flags into the ground in the blink of an eye and complete it? Wasn't that a bit too simple?

"It's been a long time since I set up a formation, so my technique is a bit rusty..." Zhang Xuan said with a remorseful expression.

During this time, he had read many books, and his understanding of formations had grown stronger, but he really hadn't personally set up a formation in a long time. Otherwise, he wouldn't even need to measure; he could just casually deploy the flags and complete it.

"Technique is rusty..." Ancient Sage Mo Ling's mouth twitched, and his cheek muscles quivered.

If this speed was "rusty," how fast would he be when he wasn't rusty? "Isn't that a bit too exaggerated?" "This new President... seems a bit unreliable!" He truly had no idea if a formation set up so quickly would be of any use at all.

Thump-thump-thump! Just as he was about to ask for more details, he heard footsteps from outside the hall; someone seemed to be approaching.

"Ancient Sage Lanya is here..." Glancing at the time, which was precisely when Ancient Sage Lanya would collect water, Ancient Sage Mo Ling quickly sent a telepathic message.

"Step back seven paces, then conceal all your aura. Only act when I tell you to!" Zhang Xuan, having also heard the footsteps, instructed.

"Seven paces back?" Not knowing what the other party was planning, but since he was the President, he naturally had to obey. Ancient Sage Mo Ling immediately followed the instructions, retreated to the designated spot, and completely suppressed his aura within his body.

Creak! As soon as he finished, the main hall's door slowly opened, and a tall figure walked in.

It was indeed Ancient Sage Lanya.

This Ancient Sage entered the hall, glanced left and right, and walked directly towards the spring.

Ancient Sage Mo Ling's pupils contracted. He had stood still, without moving or hiding... yet the other party seemed not to have seen him at all? When did this guy go blind?