A small black rat scurried along the grass and, upon reaching a secluded corner, transformed into a thin, short young man.
The short man surveyed his surroundings, and after confirming he was unobserved, he walked to the roadside and hailed a taxi.
He took the taxi to a remote hotel and entered a room.
Inside the room, a young man in a white long gown sat cross-legged on the bed, meditating with his eyes closed.
The man had a long beard, a face like jade, and as he breathed, the spiritual energy drifting in the air was drawn into his body.
Upon entering, the short man dared not disturb him, standing respectfully by his side, awaiting the completion of his cultivation.
"This mortal world is truly not a place for people to stay. The air is full of impurities; no wonder the ants of the mortal world often fall ill."
The long-bearded man frowned and slowly opened his eyes.
As soon as he finished speaking, the short man said with a wronged expression, "Master, you know this mortal world is trash, so how can you bear to keep me here for three years, then another three, and then another three after that? I've gone from an ordinary assassin to the vice-leader of the Grey Gate. Now that the leader is dead, if you don't take me back to the Immortal Hidden Realm soon, I'll almost become the leader of the Grey Gate."
The long-bearded man smiled faintly.
"Heipi, don't be anxious; it will be soon. You've worked hard all these years, but your contribution in discovering Liu Wuji's ambition is immense. Liu Wuji was the candidate chosen by Senior Brother Miaoyuan, yet he committed the foolish act of betraying the Divine Sect. When I return to the Divine Sect and report this to my master, Senior Brother Miaoyuan's position as chief disciple will be over. At that time, the position of chief disciple will be mine!"
This person was none other than Miao Qing, a disciple of the Five Divine Gates, who had been sent to the mortal world to investigate the Fire Spirit Rat incident.
And the short man, Heipi, was a demonic pet he kept, having been sent as a mole into the Grey Gate for nearly ten years.
After hearing Miao Qing's words, Heipi immediately asked with anticipation, "Master, are you returning to the Immortal Hidden Realm? Can I go back with you then?"
Miao Qing pondered for a moment, then changed the subject, "By the way, didn't I send you to track Liu Wuji? Why did you suddenly return? How is it going over there? Did he slaughter those people?"
Heipi shook his head, "Returning to Master, the reason I came back is because Liu Wuji is already dead, killed with a single punch..."
"What? He's dead?"
Miao Qing was greatly shocked upon hearing this. "This traitor possessed the body of a demonic beast, and his strength was comparable to the Nascent Soul stage. Logically, unless a disciple from an reclusive sect acted, he was invincible in this world. How could he have been killed? And killed with a single punch!"
"Master, you'll never guess, the one who killed Liu Wuji is that brat who destroyed the flower field!"
Heipi explained.
"It was him?"
Miao Qing began to become flustered. He suddenly stood up, "No, I must return to the Immortal Hidden Realm now. Heipi, two of the Five Gate Masters are already dead, leaving the gates leaderless. You must stay to stabilize the situation; you cannot return yet."
"This... alright..."
Heipi's face was full of disappointment. He had always thought his master would take him back this time.
Then, he asked unwillingly, "But Master, are you just going back like this, letting that brat who destroyed the flower field get away with it?"
Miao Qing's eyes flickered as he said, "This... my master sent me out solely to investigate who destroyed the flower field. Now that it has been investigated, I naturally must return to report. As for whether to seek revenge on that brat, that decision rests with my master."
He said this only to avoid losing face in front of Heipi.
Because he knew that he was no match for Chen Xiao.
He was merely a cultivator in the Nascent Soul stage; in fact, he couldn't even defeat Liu Wuji, who had possessed a demonic beast's body.
So, when he heard that Liu Wuji had been instantly killed by Chen Xiao's punch, he felt a chill run down his spine.
Heipi, however, believed him without doubt and said thoughtfully, "Master's consideration is indeed thorough. Heipi will definitely learn more from Master in the future."
"Yes, Heipi, work hard. Persevere for another year. When I become the chief disciple next year, I will definitely bring you back to the Immortal Hidden Realm with great fanfare!"
Miao Qing patted Heipi's shoulder as encouragement.
Heipi was overjoyed and cupped his fists, "Thank you, Master!"
"Alright, I must be going. We, master and servant, will meet again next year!"
Saying this, Miao Qing was about to leave.
"Where do you think you're going?"
However, at this moment, a third voice suddenly sounded in the room.
"Who's there?"
Hearing this voice, Miao Qing's eyes widened.
Then, a figure slowly materialized before him.
Who else could it be but Chen Xiao.
"You? You actually tracked me here?"
Miao Qing recognized Chen Xiao at a glance, and his expression changed drastically.
Heipi stared blankly, stammering, "No, that's not right... I clearly saw him leave with someone else, and when I returned, I was sure no one was behind me. Could he be invisible?"
Miao Qing listened to this and looked closely, becoming even more shocked.
He asked incredulously, "This... this is a physical manifestation formed by divine sense? You've reached the Soul Transformation stage?"
"Soul Transformation stage?"
Chen Xiao smiled faintly, "Heh, I've killed people in the Soul Transformation stage before!"
Miao Qing's eyes sharpened. He believed Chen Xiao's words but couldn't accept them.
This kid was clearly not a disciple of a reclusive sect; how could he have broken through to the Soul Transformation stage? How did he do it?
However, Miao Qing was, after all, a disciple of a reclusive sect. After a brief moment of panic, he calmed down and said coolly, "I have no past grievances with you, nor have we had any recent enmity. May I ask your purpose in coming here?"
Chen Xiao laughed, "Why are you playing dumb with me? Who was it just now saying they were going back to report, and then talking nonsense?"
"You scoundrel, how dare you speak to my master like that? You're seeking death!"
Heipi, seeing Chen Xiao disrespecting his master, immediately became indignant.
"Heipi, be quiet! Do not be disrespectful to the Senior!"
Miao Qing was clear-headed. He knew that offending Chen Xiao in this situation was unwise and that it was better to find a way to escape.
Chen Xiao sneered, "What's with your sect, raising sneaky things like rats as pets? They look like trouble from the start!"
"Heh, Senior speaks the truth, I also think this is a problem..."
"Master..."
"You shut up!"
"..."
Heipi was reprimanded and looked wronged, not daring to speak.
"Senior, since you are a wise person, I will be direct with you. As long as you do not trouble me today, I will pretend that nothing here has happened. It was just a patch of flower field; our Divine Sect would not go to such great lengths for it."
Miao Qing said insincerely.
Chen Xiao sneered, "You call me wise, yet you treat me like an idiot? Burning paper at the grave, are you trying to fool ghosts..."