"The higher-ups of the Crimson Dust Pavilion are some great figure in the immortal realm, and they even have contact with your Hell's overlord. This news... tsk tsk tsk..."
Ye Ling sighed in amazement, not expecting the Crimson Dust Pavilion to have such a background.
However, according to Augustus, if the Pavilion Master of the Crimson Dust Pavilion was a prominent figure in the immortal realm, then Ye Feng could not possibly be the Pavilion Master.
As for Ye Feng's status within the Crimson Dust Pavilion, more detailed information was needed.
With this thought, Ye Ling asked again, "Do you know who Ye Feng is?"
Augustus replied respectfully, "This humble one only knows that Ye Feng is the representative of the Crimson Dust Pavilion who contacts us demons in the mortal world. As for any other specific information, this humble one knows nothing."
"What is the origin of these golden pyramids that the Crimson Dust Pavilion has built in various places?"
"These towers are called Tongtian Towers. They are ruins left behind by some ancient civilization that perished. These towers exist all over the world. As for their specific uses, or why the Crimson Dust Pavilion built them, this humble one does not know."
"When that ancient civilization perished, the gods had not yet been born."
Augustus, who gained strength by absorbing the despair of others, only cared about his toys.
He didn't pay much attention to anything else.
After inquiring about the origin of the Tongtian Towers, Ye Ling asked Augustus a few more questions, but only obtained some superficial clues. Apart from knowing that the Crimson Dust Pavilion had an immortal realm background and that Ye Feng had ties with the demons of the Western Hell, he couldn't get any more useful information.
In the end, Ye Ling still didn't know the purpose of these so-called "Tongtian Towers."
"That's about all. You can go back now and help me keep an eye on the other demons."
"If there's any slightest disturbance, inform me immediately."
"Thank you, Master. This humble one will not fail your expectations!"
Seeing that Ye Ling was finally willing to let him go, Augustus breathed a huge sigh of relief. He quickly bowed deeply to Ye Ling, then opened the portal back to Hell without looking back and plunged in, running as fast as he could!
Watching Augustus leave, Ye Ling lowered his eyelids again and murmured to himself, "A representative who contacts demons... With just this position, he should be the top leader of the Crimson Dust Pavilion in the mortal world."
"It seems that everything the Crimson Dust Pavilion does in the mortal world is orchestrated by him."
"However, if the Crimson Dust Pavilion has a divine being from the immortal realm pulling the strings behind the scenes, then this force's history must be more than a century old. Ye Feng joined midway..."
"Did he join the Crimson Dust Pavilion to curry favor with the immortal realm, or did he simply want to use the Crimson Dust Pavilion?"
Ye Ling's thoughts drifted.
"Ye Ling..."
At this moment, Feng Ke's voice pulled Ye Ling back from his thoughts.
Ye Ling came back to his senses, glanced at the two women, and finally settled his gaze on Xia Minglan.
Xia Minglan had been in a dazed state since learning the truth, as if she had lost her soul.
She was once the daughter of a minor power, living a happy and fulfilling life. But one day, a demonic curse descended upon her, instantly destroying all her beauty.
Abandoned by her family, called a monster by everyone, and tormented by the curse on her body every day, she was in unbearable pain.
When Ye Feng appeared, she thought she had met a savior and seen hope.
But she never expected that the hope she once regarded as everything was the culprit who plunged her into endless despair!
Thinking of this, Xia Minglan was on the verge of collapse, and resentment surged within her.
"What should be done with her?"
Feng Ke also noticed that Xia Minglan was not quite right and couldn't help but walk up to Ye Ling and ask in a low voice.
In Feng Ke's eyes, Xia Minglan was an enemy. She had always been wary of her, and even if Ye Ling told her to kill Xia Minglan now, she would do so without hesitation.
Ye Ling said, "She has suffered too much stimulation. In this state, she cannot be a mole in the Crimson Dust Pavilion."
"I'm thinking now, should I let her leave and fend for herself, or should I seal this memory of hers and make her completely forget what just happened..."
If he let Xia Minglan leave, given the Crimson Dust Pavilion's methods, Xia Minglan would definitely not survive for three days!
But if he didn't let Xia Minglan leave, he would have to erase a part of her memory.
Given Xia Minglan's experiences, she had already suffered enough. To keep her in the dark any longer would be too cruel, and even Ye Ling felt a pang of pity.
"Seeing how conflicted you are, why not ask her yourself?" Feng Ke said, seeing Ye Ling's dilemma, "It's her own business anyway."
"That's the only way."
Ye Ling nodded slightly and used his spiritual power to awaken Xia Minglan.
"Sir?"
Xia Minglan startled awake and suddenly looked at Ye Ling and Feng Ke, breaking out in a cold sweat.
She had almost been consumed by her hatred just now, feeling as if she had transformed.
Ye Ling said, "You were almost possessed by demonic energy just now. If you cannot control your emotions quickly, even without the demonic curse, you won't live for many days."
"Thank you for the reminder, Sir. Minglan will keep it in mind."
Although Xia Minglan said this, the hatred in her heart for Ye Feng had not diminished in the slightest.
"In your current state, you are showing signs of developing inner demons," Ye Ling continued. "You now have only two paths to choose from."
Xia Minglan quickly asked, "Please enlighten me, Sir."
Ye Ling said, "The first path is that I let you leave, and you don't have to pledge loyalty to me. The curse that has been lifted is a boon I bestow upon you. Life and death are determined by fate."
"The second path is that I erase your memory of the truth about the curse. You will continue to be kept in the dark and serve as my informant within the Crimson Dust Pavilion."
Xia Minglan was silent for a moment, then asked Ye Ling, "May I ask, Sir, will you destroy the Crimson Dust Pavilion?"
Ye Ling chuckled, "If the time comes, it will naturally be destroyed."
"Then I choose the second path."
Ye Ling's eyes narrowed slightly, "May I ask the reason?"
Xia Minglan said seriously, "Firstly, if my enemies let me go, I wouldn't survive for three days. Secondly... as long as I can destroy the Crimson Dust Pavilion, I am willing to sacrifice everything."
Feng Ke: "..."
She looked at Xia Minglan's expression, speechless throughout.
She never expected Xia Minglan to be willing to make such a sacrifice for revenge!
If she lost this memory, she would even regard Ye Feng as a benefactor and be willing to give her life for him!
How could she do this?
"I hope you don't regret it."
Ye Ling gave Xia Minglan a deep look, then enveloped her entire body with demonic energy, modifying her memory.
At the same time, Ye Ling re-imposed a curse on Xia Minglan. However, that curse was only a form, without any harm. Moreover, every time she soaked in the blood spring, the curse would recede by half a month.
This way, Xia Minglan's curse would still be present, and everything that had happened could be considered as if it never occurred.
After modifying Xia Minglan's memory, she completely fainted in the room, unconscious.
Ye Ling also restored the room to its original state, removed Xia Minglan's clothes, and placed her in the blood spring.
After doing all this, Ye Ling said to Feng Ke, "There is nothing more to do here. Let's go."
"To Snow Hidden Valley."
"Alright."