Hao Meng watched as the alluring woman in a black robe dragged the captured male cultivator into an isolation array. The cultivators from Nine Fiends Hall were stunned, but seeing that their own Zhēnzūn did not intervene, they held back as well.
"Hao Meng, ever since the battle of Ming Valley, your demon path has been awfully quiet."
Jian Dan poured another cup of spirit tea for her Senior Sister Jian Jing as she spoke casually.
"Replying to Zūnshàng, after the Ming Valley battle, demon cultivators entered a period of breakthrough. Many high-level cultivators were consolidating their cultivation, so our territory has been relatively quiet these years."
"I recall your sect sent someone to attend our Heavenly Sword Sect's succession ceremony. Did they bring back the important news?"
Jian Dan's tone was calm and unconcerned.
"Naturally, we wouldn't miss such a grand event. An Elder of Nine Fiends Hall attended and delivered the information. All cultivators at Divine Soul and above are aware of it. That is why I've been anxious to advance and refine a Moyan Pill to break through to Void Refinement, but I was taken advantage of."
Hao Meng sighed inwardly, feeling bitter about his misfortune.
"No need to be disheartened. You might end up rendering a great service today. Securing a Moyan Pill shouldn't be a problem."
"Thank you for your auspicious words, Zūnshàng." Hao Meng bowed deeply.
At that moment, Jian Po emerged from the isolation array. Her peach blossom eyes gleamed with suppressed killing intent.
"Zūnshàng." Jian Po glanced briefly at the Nine Fiends Hall cultivators but did not report her findings immediately.
Jian Dan understood her hesitation. She glanced at Senior Sister Jian Jing, who nodded. Jian Dan then said,
"Go on. He was captured by Nine Fiends Hall, so we owe them an explanation."
"Yes, Zūnshàng."
Jian Po lifted her head and reported, "This man is a puppet of the insect race and evil cultivators. He used that hidden spot in the Chimei Mountains to lure high-level cultivators as fodder for breeding a new strain of insects, all while evading our sect's searches."
"He wasn't controlled by the insect race. We confirmed that during the pursuit," Hao Meng added quickly. "If he were, we would have sensed it. This means he was controlled by evil cultivators."
"Hmph. He traded his soul for power, working with the insect race and evil cultivators to merge 'blood sacs' with insects. He even consumed a so-called Blood Refinement Pill to reach Divine Transformation."
Jian Po's tone was calm, but her anger was unmistakable.
"Worse, they've succeeded. They've cultivated fused creatures and implanted them into cultivators."
This was the most critical revelation.
The others frowned deeply, and Hao Meng's eyes widened. The news was shocking. After all, the Heavenly Demon Palace's reports claimed the insect nest in Chimei Mountains was wiped out. Yet they had succeeded in planting this threat.
"Did you find out who they've been implanted into? How do they communicate?" Jian Jing spoke gravely.
"He doesn't know who exactly was implanted. He only said those chosen are carefully screened and will be crucial in the coming war." Jian Po's reply was filled with frustration. This man was clearly just a pawn. It was remarkable they had learned even this much.
"What happens to cultivators who are implanted? Any distinct traits or signs we can look for?" Jian Dan's expression grew serious.
They needed leads to root these threats out. Without them, it would be like searching for a needle in a haystack, and the paranoia could destabilize their own ranks.
The insect race and evil cultivators' alliance was supposed to have ended with Hai Yan's death, yet they'd left this hidden weapon behind. Jian Dan had not anticipated that these two forces would even attempt fusion.
"This man only handed over one 'blood insect.' He claimed these creatures are resilient. If a cultivator resists control, they feed on the host's essence, then detach themselves. Afterward, they enter a false-death state, lying dormant until they find a more suitable host. They don't parasitize the sea of consciousness, but instead infiltrate the heart meridian, travel along the meridians into the dantian, and fuse with it, ultimately seizing control."
Jian Po's face darkened with every word.
Jian Dan understood. This was evolution. These parasites hid deep within the body, undetectable until it was too late. Once the dantian was controlled, the cultivator was lost.
"How long can they remain dormant?" This time Jian Jing asked.
"The shortest is fifteen days. The higher the cultivator's cultivation, the longer the parasite remains hidden. But stronger cultivators also have keener senses, making detection easier."
Jian Dan added, "That makes sense."
"Why did he flee to Tianquan City?"
This was what Jian Dan cared about most. No incidents could occur in their Heavenly Sword Sect's territory.
"He claimed there is a successful implant here in Tianquan City. Being hunted by Hao Meng Daoyou, he knew he was doomed and instinctively sought refuge here."
"Who?"
"He can't say."
Everyone's frustration was palpable. The most critical detail remained hidden.
"Did you search his soul?" Jian Dan asked bluntly.
"No."
"Why?"
"He has a restriction. Attempting soul search would trigger self-detonation." That was why Jian Po hadn't taken the final measure.
"He chose to sell his soul. He should be prepared to face the consequences. Search his soul. I need solid intel."
Jian Dan lifted her hand, releasing her magnolia-shaped domain, enveloping the unconscious man.
"Yes, Zūnshàng."
With permission and Jian Dan's protection, Jian Po flashed into the domain, placing a palm on his head.
Within three breaths, Jian Dan sensed chaotic spiritual fluctuations. Jian Po had already begun probing his sea of consciousness.
But Jian Dan would not let her risk herself further. With a flick of her sleeve, she pulled Jian Po from the domain. The moment Jian Po stepped out, the man detonated.
Jian Dan closed her fist, shrinking the magnolia-shaped space and trapping the force of a Divine Transformation cultivator's self-detonation within.
Five breaths later, the domain condensed to a black bead—the compressed force of the explosion forged into a self-detonation orb.
Hao Meng couldn't hide his envy. If someone at that level self-detonated in front of him, he would be gravely injured if not killed. But Jian Lu Zhēnzūn had effortlessly contained it and turned it into a lethal weapon.
"Did you find anything?"
"Zūnshàng, the implanted one is a cultivator from a Tianquan City family."