Chapter 3874: Chasing the Enemy

"Xiao Feng was killed? When did this happen? Who killed him?" Wang Changsheng asked with a frown.

"It happened recently. We don't know the killer. He was killed while out on a mission. The Nine Immortals Sect has issued a hefty reward for the killer, but they don't have much information—not even the killer's divine abilities, number, or cultivation level," Wang Changhai reported.

"Pay attention to the progress of this matter. If the killer's identity is confirmed, notify me immediately," Wang Changsheng instructed.

"Yes, Patriarch," Wang Changhai replied.

Wang Changsheng gave a few more instructions, then dismissed him.

"Xiao Feng was capable of guarding the Flying Immortal Platform, so his strength must have been considerable. An incompetent person wouldn't qualify to guard it. Who could have killed him?" Wang Ruyan said with a frown. This was their closest approach to Wang Mingren, and yet Xiao Feng had been killed, and in such an unclear manner.

"Could it be the main body's doing?" Wang Changsheng made a bold guess. His knowledge had grown considerably. Xiao Feng, Seven Star Divine Lord, Wang Mingren, and others looking exactly alike couldn't be a coincidence. It must be the work of some powerful being. He had discreetly inquired about such divine abilities from True Immortal cultivators from major factions like Shen Liming, but none of them knew anything, indicating that even Golden Immortal cultivators couldn't achieve it. If it truly was the main body, was it because of Wang Changsheng, or for some other reason?

"We can't rule out that possibility. The Nine Immortals Sect might have some clues. Why don't we contact Gao Yunhai and ask?" Wang Ruyan suggested. Wang Changsheng nodded, took out his Immortal Transmission Mirror, and contacted Gao Yunhai. Soon, Gao Yunhai's face appeared on the mirror.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Wang Changsheng got straight to the point: "Fellow Daoist Gao, I heard that Fellow Daoist Xiao Feng was killed. Is there anything we can do to help?" Gao Yunhai knew that Xiao Feng had guided Wang Changsheng, so he wasn't surprised by Wang Changsheng's inquiry.

"That's very kind of you, Fellow Daoist Wang. We are also investigating the killer. We'll certainly ask if we need any assistance," Gao Yunhai replied courteously.

"Fellow Daoist Gao, may I be so bold as to ask if there are any clues? Please feel free not to answer if it's inconvenient. After all, Fellow Daoist Xiao did help me quite a bit back then, even sending me to the market," Wang Changsheng said.

Gao Yunhai hesitated slightly, then said, "Junior Martial Brother Xiao and Junior Martial Brother Sun were out on a mission when their soul lamps suddenly extinguished. That's all the information we have. Junior Martial Brother Xiao had opened four apertures, so it wouldn't be easy for ordinary True Immortal cultivators to kill them. The Disciplinary Hall is currently investigating." What he said was factual, but also unhelpful, providing no real clues.

"If we find the true killer, I'll inform you. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll leave it here for now." After Gao Yunhai finished speaking, the mirror dimmed.

"To be able to kill a True Immortal cultivator who has opened four apertures, the killer's strength must be considerable. If it wasn't the main body, could it be the Bright Moon Alliance?" Wang Ruyan speculated. More than a hundred thousand years ago, the Nine Immortals Sect went to war with the Bright Moon Alliance. Qi Shuting and Qi Tongguang killed Jiang Yurong, and Ning Hao destroyed Yan Xuan's Dharma body, creating a deep blood feud.

"Probably not. If the Bright Moon Alliance wanted revenge, they wouldn't target True Immortal cultivators, unless Xiao Feng possessed some valuable treasure or knew a secret that led to his elimination. Speaking of which, is Chuanming still watching the descendants of the Li family?" Wang Changsheng said with a frown. Wang Chuanming was capable, and he wanted to send him to investigate, but Wang Chuanming was currently preoccupied with monitoring the Li family descendants.

"He's still watching them," Wang Ruyan nodded. "It's been over a hundred thousand years. We've set up several traps during that time, but none could lure them out of Nine Immortals Market, and we can't risk alarming the Nine Immortals Sect."

"I hope we can find out the cause of Xiao Feng's death soon. Otherwise, I'll keep feeling uneasy," Wang Changsheng said.

In the Nine Immortals Market, the streets teemed with people, and the sounds of carriages and horses filled the air. In a secluded courtyard with blue tiles, Wang Chuanming and Wang Mengshan sat in a blue stone pavilion, conversing.

They took turns monitoring Bai Qingshu. Bai Qingshu had been in secluded cultivation for some time and had only recently emerged.

"Are you saying he's been to many places these past few days—tea houses, restaurants, spiritual beast shops—and usually alone?" Wang Chuanming asked with a frown. It was strange for a True Immortal cultivator to frequent such places, especially alone.

"That's right. Perhaps he's trying to pass on a message, but I find it quite odd. He's been in seclusion for so long, and as soon as he emerged, he started wandering around alone, not even visiting his sister. It's truly abnormal. I've sent Wang Xiu to keep an eye on him," Wang Mengshan analyzed. Wang Xiu had already advanced to the True Immortal stage and was assisting them in monitoring Bai Qingshu.

Wang Chuanming's brows furrowed deeply; he had a bad feeling. He took out a shimmering yellow magic disk and cast a spell. Wang Xiu's voice came through: "Master, something's wrong. His scent is dissipating. It doesn't seem to be his real body; it's more like an Immortal Puppet Talisman illusion." If it were his real body, it would continuously emit the same scent. The dissipating scent indicated a problem. Wang Xiu's true form was a Spirit-Seeking Mouse, known for its keen sense of smell, something an ordinary True Immortal cultivator wouldn't be able to detect.

"An Immortal Puppet Talisman!" Wang Chuanming's expression darkened. He quickly said, "Contact Xiu Kun immediately and ask about Bai Yuyan's whereabouts." It seemed Bai Qingshu had discovered he was being followed. They had been monitoring an illusion created by an Immortal Puppet Talisman, and his real body had likely already left the market. Fortunately, he had sent Wang Xiukun to keep an eye on Bai Yuyan.

Wang Mengshan took out a yellow flickering magic disk, cast a spell, and asked, "Xiu Kun, are you still watching Bai Yuyan?"

"I am. She entered the Jade Talisman Pavilion today and hasn't left yet," Wang Xiukun replied.

"Damn it, another Immortal Puppet Talisman! Hmph, good thing I'm one step ahead. They think they can shake me off with just two Immortal Puppet Talismans? No way!" Wang Chuanming sneered, flipping his right hand to reveal a small, golden mirror. Bai Yuyan ran a business, and sometimes customers, short on immortal essence stones, would use items as collateral. He had disguised himself as a rogue cultivator and bought immortal talismans from Bai Yuyan, using a talisman brush as payment. The brush was a low-grade immortal artifact, embedded with a 'child stone' of the Star Mother-Child Stone. The Golden Morning Mirror in his hand contained the 'mother stone.' As night fell, it could sense the other party's location within a certain range. The Star Mother-Child Stone was unique to the Primal Chaos Continent, appearing in pairs. Wang Qingfeng had acquired it by chance. This material was excellent for tracking enemies. It was sent back to Green Lotus Island, where an immortal artifact refiner crafted it into an immortal artifact for the Dark Hall's use. He didn't know how long Bai Qingshu and Bai Yuyan had been gone, but as long as the Golden Morning Mirror reacted, he could roughly pinpoint their location.

"Immediately send a message to Cui Yao, request reinforcements. I refuse to believe they can just fly away!" Wang Chuanming ordered, his face grim. After monitoring for over a hundred thousand years, letting the target escape wasn't just an embarrassment; it meant losing a chance for merit.

Wang Mengshan agreed and immediately contacted Cui Yao using his Immortal Transmission Mirror to request support.