A thousand enlightenments in one night, starting from being a menial apprentice.

Duan Rong's eyes flickered slightly.

Back in Shenyun Mansion, when that chess game was revealed, he already knew that Zhu He must possess a more secretive intelligence network. No matter how brilliant a move the visible pieces made, there was always a more covert intelligence force supporting them.

At that time, Duan Rong indeed coveted this secret intelligence network. Because whoever controlled this intelligence network of the Nine Provinces could influence the court and the sects.

But now, his mindset is completely different.

At this moment, he was only focused on his spiritual cultivation and did not want to care about any other worldly affairs.

Zhu He had spent half his life building up his career, exhausting all his efforts, and now he had become the sect leader of Taiyi Sect, enjoying unparalleled prestige in the eyes of the world. But no matter how capable Zhu He was, in the eyes of the sect's patriarch, Lü Yinlin, he was nothing more than a manager.

Lu Yinlin completely disregarded his so-called intelligence network. What were trivial matters compared to Mount Tai, or insignificant glimmers of light to the bright moon?
If Lü Yinlin wanted to take down Zhu He, it would just be a matter of changing the person in charge, which is no different from changing the steward.

Duan Rong's mind was no longer on this, for only by focusing solely on profound cultivation could he become the pinnacle of this world. Once he reached the top, he would be able to survey all the mountains below, and all things in the universe would appear as mere ants.

Duan Rong took a sip of tea and said, "Master, my heart is no longer set on this."

Upon hearing this, Zhu He gave Duan Rong a deep look, a hint of melancholy flashing in his eyes.

In fact, Zhu He had always been in charge of the secret intelligence network that spanned the entire Kyushu region, but now that he had taken over as the sect leader, he was simply too busy to manage it all.

He didn't quite trust Wu Shidao among his subordinates, and Fan Hongjiao wasn't skilled in strategy, so the only suitable candidate was Duan Rong. In fact, he had already considered this when he set up the scheme to bring Duan Rong into his fold.

Later, as Duan Rong grew, he became more and more certain of this idea.

However, Duan Rong's growth was truly extraordinary, especially after he began cultivating by the patriarch's side. Zhu He was already wondering if Duan Rong would accept the intelligence network, even if he wanted to hand it over to him.

When asked today, Duan Rong indeed refused him.

Zhu He sighed and said, "I know you're focused on cultivation right now, and that's good. But this intelligence network..."

Zhu He suddenly stopped talking at this point, looked at Duan Rong and asked, "Duan boy, did you obtain a divine or demonic mark in the ruins of gods and demons?"

Duan Rong's heart skipped a beat. Without hiding anything from Zhu He, he said, "I have gained something."

Zhu He's eyes widened in surprise. "You obtained the mark of a god and demon?!" he exclaimed.

"Yes," Duan Rong replied calmly.

Zhu He was shocked as if a thunderbolt had struck him.

After all, it has been more than a thousand years since someone from the sect last obtained a divine and demonic mark in the ruins, and that person was the current sect patriarch, Lü Yinlin.

Moreover, Duan Rong actually obtained the mark after only two encounters with the Divine Demon Illusion.

After the divine and demonic mark is refined, it is equivalent to having supernatural powers.

Previously, Zhu He might have thought of persuading Duan Rong to take over the intelligence network. After all, although Duan Rong had extraordinary talent, the path of cultivation was extremely arduous. Moreover, experiencing worldly affairs and tempering one's mind was a beneficial way to overcome obstacles in cultivation.

Chu Qiushan was like that, but Zhu He felt that Chu Qiushan did it too late. He only started to experience things and train his mind after encountering a bottleneck in his cultivation, which already seemed deliberate.

He actually wanted to persuade Duan Rong to act ahead of schedule, but now it seems unnecessary.

Duan Rong actually obtained the Divine Demon Mark within the Divine Demon Ruins, and he obtained it in just two Divine Demon Illusion Realms, which shows that he even surpasses the Ancestor in terms of temperament.

If he were to persuade Duan Rong to take over the intelligence network, it would be a waste of his time.

Zhu He suddenly chuckled, his solemn expression vanishing completely. He laughed, "Good lad! Having obtained the mark of a god and demon, you now possess supernatural powers. Even your uncle Gu Daoling hasn't achieved that. Truly, the younger generation is to be feared!"

Before Duan Rong appeared, Gu Daoling was always seen as the epitome of talent in Zhu He's mind.

At this point, Zhu He suddenly stopped smiling and asked with great curiosity, "How did you gain the approval of the will of gods and demons?"

To be honest, this is a question that many people have been pondering. But the patriarch Lü Yinlin has never taught them about it. Now that his own disciple has also obtained the mark of gods and demons, how could Zhu He resist asking?

Duan Rong smiled wickedly and said, "Actually, it's not just a matter of temperament. According to my deduction, one's actions must conform to the temperament of gods and demons in order to gain their approval."

Zhu He asked, "In accordance with the temperament of gods and demons? What do you mean?"

Zhu He's face showed even more confusion; he truly didn't understand.

Duan Rong sighed slightly. If his master hadn't asked, he really wouldn't have wanted to say it.

Seeing that Zhu He's eyes were still fixed on him, Duan Rong had no choice but to say, "I'm going to do some evil things."

"Something sinister?!" Zhu He's eyes flickered, and he gave Duan Rong a strange look, asking, "What sinister thing?"

Duan Rong took a sip of tea, smiled faintly, paused for a moment, and then said, "That's up to you, Master. I can only say this much. Besides, Master, think about it, why was the Ancestor unwilling to teach his descendants how to obtain the Divine Demon Imprint within the Divine Demon Ruins?"

Zhu He's eyes darted around as he said, "Back then, our ancestor also did some unspeakable evil things within the ruins of gods and demons?"

Duan Rong said, "This is what you said, Master."

Zhu He stroked his beard, staring intently at Duan Rong, clearly still wondering what evil things Duan Rong had done inside the ruins of gods and demons.

However, Duan Rong sat there, ignoring Zhu He's gaze, his eyelids drooping, occasionally sipping a cup of tea.

After a while, Zhu He finally stopped investigating. Suddenly, he flipped his hand and pressed something onto the stone table.

Duan Rong looked at it under the lamplight and realized it was the Dew-Drinking Cicada, which he had taken before entering the ruins of gods and demons.

Zhu He said, "Keep this Dew-Drinking Cicada safe. It will have a protective effect until you advance to the Cave-Ming Realm."

Duan Rong glanced at Zhu He with gratitude. He had killed Shen Tu Ying's disciple, Su Xin Jue, inside the ruins of gods and demons. Although there was no clear evidence, he figured Shen Tu Ying would become suspicious and might even personally deal with him.

With a senior sect elder at the Cave-Dark Realm secretly watching, Duan Rong always felt as if a sharp sword was hanging over his head. Having the Dew-Drinking Cicada for self-defense was at least a way to save his life.

Duan Rong clasped his hands in thanks and said, "Thank you, Master, for bringing this so late at night!"

Zhu He waved his hand and stood up.

He had come with two purposes: to persuade Duan Rong to take over the intelligence network and to hand over the Dew-Drinking Cicada to Duan Rong. Now that both matters were settled, he was preparing to leave.

Zhu He said, "I will be leaving the sect tomorrow and may not be here for a month. Fan Hongjiao and Wu Shidao probably won't be at Yunfu Peak either. You don't need to go back to Yunfu Peak."

"Yes, Master." Duan Rong stood up and clasped his hands in a fist salute to Zhu He.

"Good disciple, your master is off!" Zhu He suddenly transformed into a black ray of light and shot into the night sky.

Upon seeing this, Duan Rong knelt down with a thud, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Disciple respectfully sees Master off."

He looked up at the spot where Zhu He's figure had disappeared, remaining motionless for a long time. After a while, he suddenly heard a soft voice behind him call out, "Husband, he has passed away."

Duan Rong immediately stood up and turned his head. He saw Xiao Yu standing there, the lamplight illuminating her delicate face.

Duan Rong said, "Come, Xiao Yu, sit down with me. I have something to tell you."

Duan Rong said that they had already gone over, and he took Xiao Yu's hand and led her to the stone table.

Xiao Yu poured two cups of tea, placing one in front of Duan Rong and the other in front of herself, before sitting down next to Duan Rong.

Duan Rong said, "Xiao Yu, you know why I'm going to the Ruins of Gods and Demons."

Xiao Yu's eyes flickered, and she said, "My husband is picking the life-saving medicine for Sister Qingzhu."

"Yes." Duan Rong nodded and said, "I have already given the divine medicine to the ancestor. But we don't know how the green bamboo is doing yet."

At this point, Xiao Yu understood what Duan Rong meant.

She suddenly stared blankly at Duan Rong and asked, "Husband, are we going to the deep valley?"

"Yes," Duan Rong said, "I know we haven't seen each other for a month. I left in a hurry and neglected you somewhat. But Qingzhu's fate is uncertain..."

Xiao Yu suddenly said, "Husband, there's no need to explain. Xiao Yu is not the type to be jealous. Besides, Qingzhu's fate is unknown, so you should go."

Duan Rong looked at Xiao Yu's face under the lamplight, his eyes filled with tenderness.

Xiao Yu asked, "When does my husband plan to go to the deep valley?"

Duan Rong said, "Let's go now."

Xiao Yu's eyes flickered; she had thought Duan Rong would go tomorrow morning.

Duan Rong said, "With this commotion, I can't sleep anymore. Let's go now."

After Duan Rong finished speaking, he stood up, walked over, gently kissed Xiao Yu's hair, and then suddenly rode the wind and disappeared into the night.

Xiao Yu suddenly realized something, stood up, and looked outside the pavilion. He saw only a desolate night, and there was no sign of Duan Rong anywhere.

Duan Rong flew into the sky, the Three Flowers Gathering on his head opened and closed on their own, and his body was filled with the flow of vital energy as he headed towards the deep valley.

He passed through the array of runes at the valley entrance and entered the valley.

The valley was pitch black at this moment, with only a sliver of moon and dim starlight. He slowly walked towards Lü Yinlin's cave entrance.

He stopped abruptly at a certain point outside the cave entrance, for there was no way to go any further; an invisible spatial wall surrounded him.

Duan Rong sighed to himself, and at that moment, a figure suddenly emerged from the shadows of the trees not far behind him.

The man looked at Duan Rong and asked, "Why are you only arriving now?!"

The voice was clearly that of Lü Zhongtang.

Duan Rong and his companions emerged from the Divine Demon Ruins at dusk, and Lü Zhongtang received the news in the evening, immediately rushing to the deep valley. He only saw Duan Rong arrive late at night, hence his question. In his view, Duan Rong should have been guarding the area as soon as he left the Divine Demon Ruins.

Duan Rong did not answer his question. Since there was a spatial wall at the entrance of the cave, he sat cross-legged not far away.

"I'm talking to you!?" When Duan Rong ignored him, Lü Zhongtang's tone became even more unfriendly.

Duan Rong sat there cross-legged, then suddenly glanced at Lü Zhongtang and said, "I've been inside the ruins of gods and demons for over a month and haven't slept much. Now that we're out, I need to rest."

Lu Zhongtang thought about it and agreed. He had never been inside the ruins of gods and demons back then, but he knew that it was definitely not a good place to stay. Just looking at the proportion of deaths and injuries was enough to tell him that.

"You brought out the divine medicine for the ancestor?" Lu Zhongtang's voice had clearly softened a bit.

Duan Rong said, "It has already been given."

Duan Rong was silent for a moment before continuing, "When the ancestor received the divine medicine, he said that Qingzhu would not die."

"Really? The Ancestor said so?" Upon hearing this, Lü Zhongtang's eyes reddened slightly. He had always been afraid that Lü Qingzhu wouldn't wake up.

If Lü Qingzhu were to die, he really didn't know how he would get over it.

Duan Rong gave a soft "hmm".

Lu Zhongtang was silent for a while, then suddenly said, "That means the medicinal herbs you brought out are old enough. At least you still have some conscience."

Duan Rong remained silent, refusing to respond to Lü Zhongtang's words, and continued meditating on his own.

Lu Zhongtang tried to talk to Duan Rong for a few more minutes, but Duan Rong ignored him, so he had no choice but to retreat awkwardly into the shadows of the trees.

Duan Rong sat cross-legged not far from the entrance of Lü Yinlin's cave, his mind already immersed in his spiritual sea of ​​consciousness.

The valley was quiet and secluded. Although Lü Zhongtang was making a racket, Duan Rong knew he wouldn't last long. Lü Zhongtang wasn't a talkative person to begin with, and he was rather aloof. As long as he was ignored, he would soon shut up.

Since he couldn't enter Lü Yinlin's cave anyway, he had no way of knowing how well Lü Qingzhu had been treated. So, Duan Rong took this opportunity to take stock of his gains within the Divine and Demonic Ruins.

He didn't care about those miracle drugs at all.

He is now cultivating under the tutelage of the patriarch Lü Yinlin, and he also has the master of the Taiyi Sect. In addition, he has married Lü Qingzhu as his concubine, which makes him a son-in-law of the Lü family. In short, resources are no longer a limitation for him in terms of cultivation.

Besides gathering two kinds of divine medicine to heal Lü Qingzhu, his main gains from this trip to the ruins of gods and demons were twofold: First, at the central altar, the original cloud of spiritual energy, nourished by the whispers of gods and demons, was condensed into a five-colored wish-fulfilling pearl of spiritual energy. Second, the strange red glow of the divine and demonic mark.

At this moment, Duan Rong stood in the center of the Lingming Sea of ​​Consciousness, looking up, and saw that the clear and pure glass body was sitting cross-legged in the center of the sky, also looking down at him.

With a thought, Duan Rong appeared not far from the clear, glassy body.

He gazed intently at the center of the clear, glassy body's brow, where he saw a five-colored auspicious bead, perfectly round with its five colors swirling. But at that moment, a strange red light emerged from the center of the brow, illuminating the auspicious bead until it appeared completely crimson, like a bead of blood.

That eerie red light was clearly the mark of a god or demon.

Duan Rong's eyes widened in surprise, and he immediately sensed the situation. He was connected with the clear, glassy body and immediately perceived the situation.

That strange red light was also connected to his soul, but it had not yet been refined, and he could not control it. However, the red light was not malicious, and it hovered around the Ruyi Pearl without trying to erode it.

This is because the divine and demonic will left a mark of closeness and belonging to him in that strange red light, and the Ruyi Pearl represents the essence of his condensed artistic conception, containing his aura. Therefore, the strange red light lingered near the Ruyi Pearl, which also signifies closeness.

"Let's refine this first," Duan Rong muttered to himself, looking at the eerie red light swirling around the Ruyi Pearl. (End of Chapter)