Tianyan Sect, Tianyan Hall.
The alert level inside Tianyan Hall had been raised to its highest.
The main peak outside Tianyan Hall was also surrounded by layers of formations, with the sect's elite protecting the entire peak. Even Tianyan Sect's own cultivators had to detour at this time, staying far from the hall.
Tribulation Transcendence cultivators from Tianyan Sect, Xuanqing Tianzong, Taidao Sect, Xiaoyun Hall, and Yunmeng Pavilion were all present—even the Buddhist Sect had sent a Tribulation Transcendence Karma Buddha to attend.
Li Yingling had returned with the most glorious spoils of war.
First, they had ascertained that the crimson pillar of light was most likely used to construct a soul channel between the two realms.
Second, they had captured a demon who had not yet communicated with the Heavenly Demons of this realm.
Without established communication, the information remained asymmetrical. If they could extract enough intelligence, it would prove enormously beneficial.
Although everyone understood that extracting useful information was nearly impossible, they had all assembled anyway—this matter was simply too important.
Li Yingling stood with Li Xingtian behind Chu Xingchen.
A group of Tribulation Transcendence cultivators stood to one side, their gazes constantly probing [Gao Fang] in the center of Tianyan Hall, immobilized by the various sects' secret techniques.
If Gao Fang's soul were still intact, he probably never imagined he would be surrounded and examined by a crowd of Tribulation Transcendence cultivators.
Cui Hao and Zheng Zhaoling had also been urgently recalled, though they didn't stand behind Chu Xingchen—instead, they accompanied the Yunmeng Pavilion team leader.
After all, Yunmeng Pavilion was still one of the Eighteen Immortal Sects. If one wished to command its forces, then during this period, one naturally had to follow Yunmeng Pavilion's unwritten rules and tacit consent.
As Yunmeng Pavilion's current core disciple, when facing this matter, it was Zheng Zhaoling who should represent the pavilion's attitude in discussion.
Xiaoyun Hall was represented by Yunxiao with the nominally in-charge Ye Antao.
Ye Antao appeared extremely constrained in this gathering of heavyweights, her expression one of deep humility.
As for Xu Jin and Yuyang Daozi, thanks to their close relationships, they had declined this bundle of matters and did not attend.
The two of them were already so busy they barely had time to scold Chu Xingchen.
Lu Xuan sat in the seat of honor, overseeing the coordination, while Yanyun stood at his side.
Chu Xingchen's gaze turned to [Gao Fang] at the center.
[Target: Gao Fang]
[Cultivation: Golden Core, Late Stage]
[Purple Line: Heavenly Demon Descent]
[Purple Line: Skilled in Battle]
[Blue Line: Keen-Witted]
[White Line: Bloodthirsty]
[Black Line: Heaven's Detestation]
Chu Xingchen understood inwardly. This was still somewhat good news—at least through the system's attribute lines, they could identify who had been possessed.
In the future, if anyone seemed suspicious, a quick scan would reveal the truth.
If a possessed person were discovered, they could potentially be used to feed false information.
But glancing at these attribute lines, Chu Xingchen couldn't help but sigh slightly. He was afraid they wouldn't be able to extract any useful intelligence this time.
However, this assembly also served as a coordination meeting—signifying that everyone was trusted enough to receive the latest intelligence.
With the Great Calamity at hand, uniting all available forces was no less valuable than actually extracting useful information.
Lu Xuan swept his gaze across the room, his tone heavy yet warm, exuding a gravitas born of experience:
"Everyone has arrived. Now, whatever thoughts you have, feel free to discuss them."
Yunxiao glanced at the Tribulation Transcendence Supreme Elder beside him. After a meaningful exchange of looks, he spoke clearly:
"Perhaps we should first confirm this person's identity—truly determine whether it is a demon. This intelligence won't remain with us alone; ultimately, it must be shared with the other immortal sects. Making baseless guarantees will likely not convince them."
Lu Xuan didn't answer directly, but remained silent for a moment, as if considering how to respond.
Chu Xingchen understood—if he didn't answer, then what followed would fall to Lu Xuan.
"Since this is a case of possession, then verifying the soul should suffice." Chu Xingchen took over the conversation, stepped forward two paces, and raised his hand. The needle that Wanban had transformed into appeared at his fingertip.
Without hesitation, Chu Xingchen lightly touched forward, and the needle-form Wanban began to slowly approach [Gao Fang's] head.
The cultivators responsible for maintaining the formations and suppression hurried to adjust their control, making way for Wanban.
Under everyone's watchful gaze, Wanban pierced straight into [Gao Fang's] head.
The next moment.
A powerful crimson soul fluctuation began to resonate.
Wanban was directly blasted away by this intense soul fluctuation.
However, the originally colorless Wanban now carried a hint of scarlet.
Chu Xingchen raised his hand to recall Wanban, then picked up the prepared Silent Soul Bottle. With Wanban's assistance, he placed the wisp of forcibly severed soul into the container.
Holding the Silent Soul Bottle, Chu Xingchen raised his hand and spoke:
"The soul fluctuation just now should have been perceivable by everyone. If anyone didn't sense it clearly, there's still more here—we can take our time."
The great hall fell silent.
Yunxiao, who had raised the question earlier, naturally followed up:
"We all saw it clearly just now. No need to trouble yourself further."
Chu Xingchen nodded slightly, then passed the bottle to Lu Xuan with spiritual energy, and said calmly:
"Then I'll trouble all you fellow Daoists. My injuries haven't healed yet, and just now forcibly severing a soul fragment has left me somewhat weakened."
"From here, my eldest disciple Li Yingling will handle matters on my behalf. What she promises, I promise."
Only then did everyone remember.
Yunxiao's expression even carried a hint of admiration.
Chu Xingchen had designed and slain the Heavenly Demon Xu Linglong at the East Sea.
That great battle—Bai Xuanling hadn't been present. Only senior Tribulation Transcendence cultivators had gone, and the fight had been devastatingly brutal.
A group of Tribulation Transcendence cultivators, all wounded, returned first to Xiaoyun Hall's hub in Eastern Divine Continent.
One of them had been critically injured and was rushed to Xiaoyun Hall for emergency treatment.
Later, a large investigation team went to the East Sea.
The lingering aura of Tribulation Transcendence cultivators' divine abilities remained there. The towering wish-power had been dumped into the East Sea's waters, which were still a murky yellow.
The waves of the entire East Sea had not yet subsided.
If Xu Linglong could endure such a devastating battle and still critically wound a Tribulation Transcendence cultivator while being besieged, then Chu Xingchen—Xu Linglong's nemesis—couldn't have gotten off lightly either.
But Chu Xingchen had acted as if nothing was wrong, and everyone had subconsciously forgotten about it.
Now, claiming injuries hadn't healed was naturally no excuse.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Chu Xingchen nodded slightly and rose to leave, but stopped halfway.
[Gao Fang's] eyes were wide open, fixedly staring at Chu Xingchen.
Seeing this, Chu Xingchen's lips curled as he asked:
"You have something to say?"
[Gao Fang's] eyes grew even wider at this.
Seeing this, Chu Xingchen nodded in understanding, then turned and left without hesitation, tossing out a parting remark:
"But I won't listen."
Chu Xingchen knew one principle well.
If something made the enemy miserable, then he must be very happy.