Chapter Thirty-Two: Who Says You Don’t Have a Dao Companion?

After hearing Han Jie’s report, the expression of Gao Junhao, Sect Leader of the Ten Thousand Spirits Sect, turned grave in an instant.

The name "Lost Moon Palace," even to the oldest cultivators on the continent today, was nothing more than a legend preserved only in jade slips and the distant accounts of ancestors. Yet, this did not diminish the sense of awe and threat it commanded; a deep-seated fear, etched into their very bones, had been passed down through generations in an inexplicable manner.

Gao Junhao furrowed his brows. "This matter is of grave importance. I shall immediately send word to the other sects to come to our sect as soon as possible to discuss countermeasures."

"Since their leader is a Nascent Soul late-stage demonic cultivator... Peak Master Xu, take the Star-Dou Array and select a group of reliable Core Formation disciples. Go to Changfeng Prefecture to continue investigating along this lead, but take care not to alert the enemy."

Peak Master Xu nodded proudly. As the master of Lone Wild Goose Peak and a renowned battle-maniac of the Ten Thousand Spirits Sect, he thrived on seeking opportunities for breakthroughs amidst crises and risks. Though he was only at the early Nascent Soul stage, his combat power ranked among the best of his peers. Entrusting this task to him was indeed the most appropriate choice.

Because the Star-Dou Array required seven people to execute, Peak Master Xu chose seven Core Formation cultivators to accompany him. Unexpectedly, Jiang Heng was among them.

Noticing Jiang Heng’s troubled expression, Han Jie asked her what was on her mind.

Jiang Heng whispered, "Senior Brother Han, you are all either at the late Core Formation stage, possess extensive combat experience, or hold numerous powerful artifacts. I, however..."

As a cultivator who had only recently achieved Core Formation and had few opportunities for training, her presence in such a critical mission felt rather abrupt.

Han Jie glanced at Peak Master Xu and replied softly, "I heard that because of the heavenly phenomena triggered by your tribulation, Peak Master Xu has been paying close attention to you."

Jiang Heng was stunned. "Just because of that?" She had learned later that her breakthrough had caused more commotion than the average cultivator, but surely that wasn't enough to warrant this?

Han Jie nodded. "Yes. Perhaps seniors like him have their own ways of judging a junior's potential. Regardless, just stay close to me."

The sight of the two whispering to each other did not escape the notice of Huo Shiqing and Xia Zhiyu, both of whom harbored different emotions. As the elite Core Formation disciples of the Ten Thousand Spirits Sect, they had naturally been tapped for this special, high-stakes mission. But they could not fathom why, even if Han Jie were included, Jiang Heng had been chosen as well.

She had just advanced recently and lacked any significant life-saving artifacts; was involving her in such a mission not equivalent to sending her to her death?

According to the consciousness extracted from the "Sixth Young Master" by Han Jie, the revival of the Lost Moon Palace was led by a cultivator known as the Pavilion Master of the Golden Armor. This person always appeared with his true face and voice masked by magic. For protectors like the "Sixth Young Master," their primary task was to screen targets and send them to the Pavilion Master.

The River God sacrifice was merely a ruse. The men and women sacrificed were merely pawns to divert attention; while everyone’s eyes were fixed on these poor souls, no one noticed those who "failed the selection" and vanished. What the Lost Moon Palace truly required were mortals with spiritual roots. Those who disappeared were sent to the newly established Lost Moon Palace—those willing to pledge loyalty were taken in, while the rest served as fodder for spirit beasts or fertilizer for spirit plants.

The goal of the Ten Thousand Spirits Sect cultivators was to infiltrate the group being gathered at the Prefecture Governor's residence, follow the trail to the Pavilion Master's lair, and annihilate them in one fell swoop.

After Han Jie killed the "Sixth Young Master," he did not alert the others in the residence. Instead, he used a spiritual puppet as an exact replica to maintain the status quo and monitor for information.

Prefecture Governor Cao, completely unaware of the cataclysmic events that had transpired within his walls, looked perplexed to see Han Jie return only days after bidding him farewell. "Why are you here again?"

Han Jie smiled. "The Sixth Young Master heard that my relatives include many young and beautiful people, so he asked me to bring them for him to see, saying he wants them to perform at the River God sacrifice."

Upon hearing this, Governor Cao’s expression changed abruptly. He pursed his lips tightly and strode away. Jiang Heng noticed a flicker of guilt and reluctance on his face, yet he did not stop them. He clearly knew much about the truth behind the River God, yet instead of intervening, he had become an accomplice, helping to cover it up. Was it for the sake of the people of Changfeng Prefecture, or something else entirely?

The servants in the Sixth Young Master’s courtyard seemed accustomed to such things. Seeing Han Jie lead a group in and claiming they were special guests of their master, they ignored their plain attire and served them with enthusiasm. However, a problem arose when it came to assigning rooms.

"My apologies, everyone. Our master is a naturally hospitable man, and the guest rooms are nearly full. There is only one room left..."

Although they were all relatives, they were not children anymore; it would be inconvenient for men and women to share quarters. Just as Xia Zhiyu was about to say it didn't matter, Han Jie spoke up.

"It is fine. The Sixth Young Master told me to bring my younger sister to stay in his quarters tonight; the two of them can stay here."

The servant gave a knowing, suggestive look and hurried off to prepare the main quarters. The Sixth Young Master had always been interested in both men and women, and this pair of siblings was quite attractive—he truly had a stroke of luck today.

As Jiang Heng was about to follow Han Jie, someone gripped her arm tightly. She turned to see Huo Shiqing. His face was chillingly dark. "You stay here with the Fourth Junior Brother. I will go with him."

Jiang Heng asked, "Why?"

Huo Shiqing’s expression turned mocking. "Naturally, because you and Zhiyu grew up together and have shared quarters many times. I trust him." He left the rest unsaid, but the implication was clear: he did not trust Han Jie.

Han Jie smiled. "Senior Brother Huo, you worry too much. When Senior Sister Jiang and I first arrived here, we already shared quarters for several days at an inn. There was nothing inconvenient about it."

At these words, Huo Shiqing’s face darkened even further. Xia Zhiyu, who had been indifferent, felt an inexplicable surge of discomfort upon hearing this. He pursed his lips and said to Jiang Heng, "Stay with me. No matter what, Senior Brother Han is an outsider to our peak. If there were no other choice, it would be one thing, but now that there is, if you still stay with him, it will invite gossip."

Jiang Heng’s expression was icy. "Cultivators rarely concern themselves with such rigid boundaries between men and women. Furthermore, neither Senior Brother Han nor I have dao companions, so there is no need to avoid suspicion. Do not waste your energy on such trivial matters."

Huo Shiqing’s grip on Jiang Heng tightened, and he finally snapped, unable to restrain himself: "Who says you don't have a dao companion? Have you forgotten about Jiang Huaixu?!"