Chapter 165: This Journey Has the Protection of an Immortal

Outside the Dao Seeking Sect's mountain gate, eight men in simple clothes gathered, discussing something.

"Those big spenders from the Five Elements Sect have so many spirit stones they don't know what to do with them! Building such a massive flying boat with a bunch of useless designs! If we had that many spirit stones, many of our plans could be realized!" one of the Immortal Cult's high-ranking members said, drooling as he looked at the flying boat parked outside the Dao Seeking Sect's gate, a thought of theft forming in his mind.

Deputy Cult Master Liu admonished him for his lack of foresight: "Calm down! Look at you, acting like you've never seen anything before. If our mission goes smoothly, and we make the Dao Seeking Sect fall into slumber, we can plunder them extensively. Do you think we still wouldn't be able to afford such a flying boat then?"

Another high-ranking Immortal Cult member expressed some concern for the future: "But can our plan succeed this time? This is the Dao Seeking Sect, a place we've never set foot in before!"

To them, the Dao Seeking Sect was nothing short of a dragon's lair or a tiger's den.

"Please rest assured, esteemed sirs. Our undercover agent within the Dao Seeking Sect has provided the event schedule and a map of the activity areas for the war games. We will surely be safe this time!" Tang Yunsheng said. As an inspector, even rudder masters would salute him, but here, he was the one with the lowest rank and cultivation.

"Yes, little Tang is right," another deputy cult master spoke. His name was Gao Zhengfang, and he was at the early stage of the Integration Realm.

"Moreover, we are all believers of the Immortal Celestial. The Immortal Celestial symbolizes wisdom, strength, and luck. With the Immortal Celestial's protection on this journey, we are bound to succeed!"

"May the Immortal Celestial protect us!"

"May the Immortal Celestial protect us!"

The eight men chanted softly, afraid of being overheard.

"Apologies for the wait, gentlemen," Lu Yang said as he came to greet his subordinates. His official identity was the acting sect master of the Dao Seeking Sect, while secretly, he was the cult master of the Immortal Cult, playing both sides.

"Allow me to introduce you. This is Rudder Master Lu Yang, an outstanding believer who successfully infiltrated the Dao Seeking Sect," Tang Yunsheng introduced, then quietly asked, "Where are the other two?"

When the leaders arrived, how could there be only one person to greet them?

Lu Yang explained, "Meng Jingzhou and Mang Gu are busy grilling skewers; they couldn't get away."

Tang Yunsheng then specifically introduced the seven high-ranking members of the Immortal Cult, including Deputy Cult Masters Liu and Gao, and five elder guest-ministers.

Tang Yunsheng was in charge of coordination. He wasn't accompanying them into the Dao Seeking Sect this time, as his Nascent Soul stage cultivation wouldn't even cause a ripple there, making his presence unnecessary.

Lu Yang admonished his seven subordinates: "The Dao Seeking Sect is a dragon's lair for our Immortal Cult, extremely dangerous. Please, esteemed sirs, make sure to follow my instructions. If anything goes wrong, none of us will have a burial place!"

The seven men frowned. Obeying orders from someone at the Foundation Establishment stage instinctively caused them some aversion, but considering that visitors in a mental hospital must follow the guide's instructions to avoid being attacked by patients, they eventually relented.

"Lead the way."

The gatekeeping disciples saw the acting sect master leading people into the sect and let them pass without obstruction.

Deputy Cult Master Liu was very surprised. Was it really that easy to enter the Dao Seeking Sect?

Lu Yang explained with a smile, "The Dao Seeking Sect disciples often come to our place for skewers. We've become familiar over time, and they usually don't make things difficult for me when I have business."

Deputy Cult Master Liu patted Lu Yang's shoulder. "I can't believe you've integrated so well with the Dao Seeking Sect members. This is something many cultivators couldn't achieve even if they went crazy. Well done. It's a pity your cultivation realm is too low right now, otherwise, I would definitely promote you!"

Lu Yang thought to himself, *I could be promoted even further. If I were promoted again, I'd be the Cult Ancestor.*

"Hmm? Wait, what's a Cult Ancestor? Isn't it the founder of a cult? Since I resurrected the Immortal Celestial and gave the Immortal Cult faith, that's precisely the work of a Cult Ancestor!"

Lu Yang felt that his position as Cult Ancestor was reasonable and legitimate, and he wouldn't have to compete for the position with the Immortal Cult's 'pseudo-cult master'.

The hierarchy of the Immortal Cult was now clear: the Immortal Celestial was at the very top, followed by Cult Ancestor Lu Yang, and then lesser figures like the Cult Master and Deputy Cult Masters.

Considering that the Immortal Celestial was already a guest-minister of the Dao Seeking Sect and its temporary acting sect master for three days, it was not unreasonable to consider the Immortal Cult a branch of the Dao Seeking Sect.

Deputy Cult Master Liu and the others were very curious as they entered the Dao Seeking Sect's interior, but they dared not release their spiritual sense, only observing with their eyes.

All along the way, they were terrified, afraid of being discovered by the Dao Seeking Sect members. Fortunately, what they feared had already happened, and it was too late to worry now.

In the martial arts square, the first match of the Golden Core group had begun. Representing the Dao Seeking Sect was Senior Brother Luo Hai, who had once been challenged by the Immortal Celestial in a cross-realm battle.

Senior Brother Luo Hai specialized in water-attribute spells, as did his opponent. As they fought, water waves collided, and continuous roaring sounds filled the air. The scale of the battle was completely unlike that of the Golden Core stage.

"We're here! This is our base!" Lu Yang announced, arriving at a barbecue shop with a large sign that read "One More Time."

This shop had been arranged by Dai Bufan long ago, previously managed by others, but now temporarily entrusted to Lu Yang and the two others for the duration of the exchange event.

Mang Gu was skillfully stoking the fire and grilling skewers. Only a few people were present in the vast shop.

At this time, other shops were also just opening for business.

The competition between the Dao Seeking Sect and the Five Elements Sect had four major groups. Only the Foundation Establishment group had finished so far. The other three groups had longer combat durations, remarkable techniques and strategies, and were more entertaining, making them the most appealing part of the exchange event.

That's why the shops chose to open for business now.

"Greetings, Deputy Cult Master..." Mang Gu put down his work and started to salute, but Deputy Cult Master Liu stopped him.

"We are in a dragon's lair; let's keep things simple."

"Yes. Please, seven sirs, have a seat." Mang Gu invited them to sit.

"Where's Meng Jingzhou?" Lu Yang looked around but couldn't find him.

"Oh, Brother Meng said he went to check out other shops, to see how their business was doing and if we needed to come up with counter-strategies."

Lu Yang frowned, about to scold Meng Jingzhou for not focusing on serious matters. The success or failure of the Immortal Cult hinged on this, so how could he be distracted by trivialities?

Deputy Cult Master Liu stopped Lu Yang: "Hey, no need to get angry. As the saying goes, if you're putting on a show, do it completely. Little Meng's actions are consistent with those of a barbecue shop employee; it's understandable."

Deputy Cult Master Liu continued, "However, it's difficult to manage without one person. Little Mang, go find Meng Jingzhou. The three of you are most familiar with the Dao Seeking Sect, so let's discuss how to proceed together."

"Yes!" Mang Gu jogged out of the barbecue shop.

Before leaving, Mang Gu said, "Oh, by the way, Brother Lu, someone pre-ordered our skewers. I've almost finished grilling them; remember to deliver them."

"Alright."

Lu Yang took over Mang Gu's task, continuing to grill skewers on the rack. His movements were practiced, clearly indicating he was an experienced employee of thirty years.

Deputy Cult Master Liu nodded. Lu Yang's movements were standard, not far off from what he had learned.

After grilling them, Lu Yang said, "Please wait a moment, esteemed sirs. I'll go deliver the food."

"Wait a moment, where are you going? I'll send someone else to deliver it," Deputy Cult Master Liu called out, stopping Lu Yang. If Lu Yang left, only the seven of them would remain in the barbecue shop.

Lu Yang pointed to the distant grandstand: "It was ordered by the important figures in the grandstand."

Deputy Cult Master Liu was speechless. The grandstand was occupied by high-ranking officials from the Dao Seeking Sect and the Five Elements Sect, all at the Integration Realm. If they went to deliver the food, their identities could easily be exposed.

"Go, go! Be quick!" Deputy Cult Master Liu waved his hand.

Lu Yang picked up the food box and quickly walked out.

Not long after Lu Yang left, a pure and beautiful young woman noticed the shop.

"Oh, 'One More Time' barbecue shop, what an interesting name! Hey, you guys, you've got business! Give me twenty lamb skewers. If they're good, I'll order more!"

It was Shangguan Yu.