In the Rain Listening Pavilion's reception hall, Zhuang Ping stood before Shen Xuan, equally apprehensive.

He didn't know when Shen Xuan had seen through his identity.

Shen Xuan shook his head.

There was no personal enmity between him and Zhuang Ping.

Nor was there any direct conflict of interests.

Long before he came to Cyan Yang Prefecture, Zhuang Ping had already been lurking in the Flying Cloud Su Family for thirty years.

In fact, he even believed that Zhuang Ping truly didn't intend to harm him.

In the "Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Evil" technique, Zhuang Ping posed almost no threat to him.

"Friend Zhuang, when you invited me to the Fiery Sun Secret Realm last time, was it really to seek treasure or to scheme against me?"

"It was sincerely to seek treasure."

"Others might not know, but I do know that Talisman Master Shen is strong enough to rival the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment!"

"Tell me, what is your purpose in infiltrating the Su Family?"

Zhuang Ping let out a bitter laugh.

"If I say I just want to be a regular tributor, living and cultivating in peace, would Talisman Master Shen believe me?"

Shen Xuan stared into Zhuang Ping's eyes for a moment.

"I believe you!"

"I knew you wouldn't believe it, if it were me..."

"Wait a minute. Did Talisman Master Shen just say you believe me?"

Zhuang Ping looked at Shen Xuan incredulously.

"I believe you! Because I climbed up step by step from being a loose cultivator."

"A Foundation Establishment Cultivator is already on a ladder to the heavens in the eyes of a Qi Cultivation Cultivator. But without a foundation, they're still just cannon fodder for the sects!"

"It's the same for the Daoist Sect as it is for the Demon Sect, I presume."

Shen Xuan let out a long sigh.

In his previous life, he loved history.

Power and women are the ultimate goals of a man's struggle.

Wealth is merely an accessory of power.

A Foundation Establishment Cultivator has just barely left the lowest tier of the Cultivation Realm.

Without a foothold, they can't get into the core circle and remain targets of exploitation.

Zhuang Ping was greatly moved.

He slowly recounted the reasons and consequences.

It turns out that within Liang Country, besides the six great Demon Sects, there are also many small and medium-sized cultivation clans and a vast number of loose cultivators.

Zhuang Ping came from a small Cultivation Clan with the surname Luo.

After enduring numerous hardships, he acquired a Puppet Master inheritance.

To gain a chance at Foundation Establishment, Luo Ping joined the Blood Spirit Sect.

At the age of sixty, he luckily succeeded in Foundation Establishment.

He was dispatched by the Blood Spirit Sect to Cyan Yang Prefecture to infiltrate the Flying Cloud Su Family.

There are several such hidden agents of the Blood Spirit Sect in Cyan Yang Prefecture.

The Zhao and Zhou families must have Blood Spirit Sect agents too.

Among them, the Wu Family has long reached a secret alliance with the Blood Spirit Sect and is controlled by them.

"Every three to five hundred years, the Demon Sects of Liang Country and the Daoist Sects of Song Country would initiate a war between the Daoist and Demon Paths."

"The senior members of the two countries' sects are all aware of this."

Shen Xuan, after a brief consideration, understood the essence of the Daoist and Demon wars between the Liang and Song countries.

Cultivation resources are limited.

The upper echelon holds too many resources, and with unfair distribution, a multitude of internal conflicts arise.

Thus, they all coincidentally came up with the idea of using the wars to deplete the number of cultivators from both countries.

Simultaneously, through the Daoist-Demon wars, the elite cultivators within the sects are tempered, aiding them in enhancing their strength and condensing their Inner Core.

This is why in the Daoist-Demon wars, Core Formation cultivators do not take action.

In reality, it's just a larger scale, more populous Trial Secret Realm.

Shen Xuan suspects that Cyan Yang Prefecture is the frontline of the Daoist-Demon war recognized by the sects of both countries.

Of course, the Daoist-Demon war is unlikely to be confined to Cyan Yang Prefecture.

The neighboring Celestial City Mansion, Martial Mansion, and other areas are very likely involved.

Demon Sect agents infiltrate the cultivation clans of the Daoist Sect.

Likewise, spies from the Daoist Sect infiltrate the vassal forces of the Demon Sect.

You are within me, and I am within you.

When the time comes, each will exhibit their capabilities.

The vast majority are treated as cannon fodder or consumables.

Only a very few stand out, greatly increasing their cultivation realm and challenging Core Formation.

This is why Immortal Yulan said everyone is not in control of their destiny.

Her invitation to Shen Xuan may not have been to harm him.

It is also possible that it was to discuss strategies together.

After all, their goal is to seize resources and deal with other Saintess and Saint Child of the Blood Spirit Sect.

"I should call you Friend Luo instead!"

"Although you haven't done anything against me, the paths of Dao and Demon are different. Between us, there's no need to speak of sentiments anymore!"

"Now, what do you want to do?"

Luo Ping bowed deeply in salute.

"Talisman Master Shen, after seven years in Cyan Yang Prefecture, I have great respect for your character and temperament!"

After straightening up, Luo Ping gazed at Shen Xuan before him, his emotions complex.

Seven years ago, when Shen Xuan first arrived in the Su Clan Territory, he thought Shen Xuan, like him, was someone the sect didn't value and was banished here.

Unexpectedly, after just two months.

Shen Xuan produced Tier Two excelente Poison Talismans in Carefree Tower, shocking numerous Foundation Establishment Cultivators in Cyan Yang Prefecture.

Not only so.

After forming a cooperation agreement with the Su Family, in less than half a year, he successfully inherited the Su Family's "Breaking Evil Divine Thunder Talisman."

Very quickly, he stepped into the inner hall, achieving a talisman success rate of over thirty percent.

At that point, Luo Ping realized that Shen Xuan was definitely not a small pawn casually abandoned by the sect.

Such a remarkably talented and gifted person, how could the upper echelon of Cyan Cloud Sect, unless all were blind, treat him as expendable cannon fodder!

Murong Jun's invitation for him to meet was something he was very reluctant about.

Yet he had no choice but to go and follow orders.

Even so, he was always quietly on guard.

Even Saintess Wu Yulan did not know his identity.

Shen Xuan and Luo Ping chatted briefly.

Luo Ping revealed a little about the Blood Spirit Sect's layout in Cyan Yang Prefecture.

The Wu Family has been won over.

The Zhao Family is highly likely to remain neutral.

The Zhou Family's stance is unclear.

Many other medium and small families are also secretly controlled by the Blood Spirit Sect.

In this respect, Cyan Cloud Sect should be aware.

Both sides are waiting for the right moment.

The wars between the Daoist and Demon sects of the two countries involve not just Cyan Cloud Sect and Blood Spirit Sect.

All seven Daoist Sects of Song Country and all six Demon Sects of Liang Country will participate.

Many medium and small sects and cultivation clans of both countries will also be drawn in.

The grand trend of the world is massive and unstoppable.

Personal power is insignificant in the face of the torrent of the trend.

"Talisman Master Shen, this is a token of Luo's appreciation, as compensation for concealing my identity."

Luo Ping's old face squeezed out a few smiles, presenting a Storage Pouch.

"In case I offended you in the past, please forgive me, Talisman Master Shen."

"Since my identity is exposed, I will leave Cyan Yang Prefecture today and return to the Blood Spirit Sect."

"I won't make things difficult for Talisman Master Shen."

Shen Xuan accepted the Storage Pouch. Scanning it with Divine Sense, there were five thousand Spirit Stones inside.

"Take care, Friend Luo!"

Seeing Shen Xuan accept the Spirit Stones, Luo Ping relaxed somewhat.

"Between us, we each serve our own masters, nothing more."

"There were no personal grievances between us, and our sects have not declared war, so there's no need to take it to heart."

Luo Ping nodded in agreement, "Talisman Master Shen has spoken the truth!"

He still harbored some fear towards Shen Xuan.

The teaming of the saints of the Blood Spirit Sect couldn't even ensure they'd capture him.

They had to secretly compromise and each go their separate ways.

Cyan Cloud Sect had him stationed at the Flying Cloud Su Family to ensure their peace of mind.

Judging by the strength Shen Xuan has demonstrated, he must be one of the Core Formation Seeds of Cyan Cloud Sect.

Like Wu Yulan and Murong Jun, he was here in Cyan Yang Prefecture for training.

Luo Ping thought about fleeing alone.

But he always felt, there were invisible eyes watching his every move.

Considering how Shen Xuan easily revealed his actions.

He dared not act rashly.

Though Luo Ping possessed several Tier Two Puppet Beasts, he dared not engage Shen Xuan in Magical Combat.

To survive, he could only willingly come forward, confess his identity, and offer Spirit Stones, hoping for Shen Xuan's forgiveness.

Observing that Shen Xuan was no longer making things difficult, Luo Ping took his leave.

At this moment, the bell outside rang.

A clear voice called out.

"Is Talisman Master Shen here? Su Huaijing is here to visit!"

Both Shen Xuan and Luo Ping were slightly startled.

Su Huaijing, that's the name of the Patriarch of the Su Family.

Shen Xuan personally opened the door to greet him.

The Patriarch of the Su Family looked haggard.

Seeing Shen Xuan, he felt quite guilty.

"Friend Zhuang, you're here too! That's great!"

As he spoke, the Patriarch of the Su Family walked in.

"Just right, Friend Zhuang, I have something to discuss with you..."

At this moment, the face of the Patriarch of the Su Family suddenly turned livid.

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