I'm in Yellow Maple Valley, and I have one equipment slot!

He did not immediately emerge from seclusion, but continued to meditate to solidify his newly achieved breakthrough.

At the same time, he skillfully used the Nameless Breath Concealment Technique, steadily suppressing his aura to the level of the mid-Foundation Establishment stage.

Several days later, feeling that his cultivation level had stabilized, Zhou Yuan ended his seclusion.

He took out the communication jade talisman that Li Huayuan had left him and infused it with magical power.

Start "reporting on work".

He first briefly mentioned that he had successfully arrived in Kyoto and made contact with the Qin family.

everything is fine.

Then, changing the subject, his tone became serious as he reported: During his covert investigation in Kyoto, he discovered some suspicious signs. It seems that a clandestine organization called the "Black Fiend Cult" is active, suspected of abducting low-level cultivators. Their behavior is bizarre and may be related to infiltration by evil cultivators or demonic forces. He fears he may not be able to handle the situation alone and needs to investigate secretly to avoid alerting them.

Then, he "naturally" mentioned: "I remember that Junior Brother Han Li is meticulous and cautious in his actions, and he and I have cooperated well on the front lines."

With the help of Junior Brother Han, the investigation will be much more efficient, and we can also support each other.

"I humbly request Master to consider whether it is possible to summon Junior Brother Han Li to the capital to assist me in investigating this matter and preventing future troubles."

After sending the message, Zhou Yuan ignored it and continued to live a secluded life in the Qin residence.

Consolidate your cultivation, familiarize yourself with the power of the late Foundation Establishment stage, and wait patiently.

……

Seven days later, at the front-line camp in Jinguyuan.

As usual, Han Li followed Zhou Yuan's previous advice.

Regularly visit Li Huayuan's residence to pay your respects and show your courtesy, maintaining a sense of presence and deference.

This time, when he arrived at Li Huayuan's house, he saw three other people besides his master, Li Huayuan:

Third senior brother Liu Jing (late stage of Foundation Establishment), fourth senior brother Song Meng (early stage of Foundation Establishment), and junior sister Zhong Weiniang (early stage of Foundation Establishment).

The three appeared to be listening to Li Huayuan's instructions.

Upon seeing Han Li enter, Li Huayuan smiled and waved, saying:

"Han Li, you've come at the perfect time."

Han Li quickly stepped forward and bowed:

"Disciple Han Li greets Master and senior brothers and sisters."

Li Huayuan nodded and said, "I just received a message from your senior brother Zhou Yuan in Kyoto. He seems to have discovered some clues about the activities of evil cultivators there. An organization called 'Black Fiend Sect' might be causing some trouble."

He worried that investigating alone would be inconvenient, so he specifically mentioned your meticulousness and excellent teamwork with him, requesting that you be transferred to assist him.

Han Li's heart skipped a beat. He suppressed his surging joy and, with a perfectly measured expression of solemnity and a hint of surprise, bowed and said:

"Is that so? Senior Brother Zhou has made many outstanding contributions on the front lines. It is my honor to be valued by Senior Brother Zhou."

"This disciple is willing to go to the capital to assist Senior Brother Zhou in investigating this matter!"

Li Huayuan was very satisfied with Han Li's statement and stroked his beard, saying:

"Yes, although this matter is in the rear, it involves evil cultivators and should not be underestimated..."

He looked at Liu Jing, Song Meng, and Zhong Weiniang, "There are no major battles at the front recently, so you will take Han Li with you to Yuejing to assist Zhou Yuan in investigating the Black Fiend Cult. Remember, the investigation should be conducted covertly, without alerting ordinary people. After uncovering the truth, if you are capable, eradicate the cult; if the other side is powerful, send a message immediately!"

Liu Jing, as the senior disciple, seemed somewhat displeased upon hearing Li Huayuan mention assisting Zhou Yuan, and immediately clasped his hands in response:

"Master, rest assured, your disciple will act swiftly and thoroughly investigate this matter..."

"Han Li, get ready. Let's set off with Liu Jing and the others immediately."

Li Huayuan finally addressed Han Lidao.

"Yes! This disciple obeys!" Han Li suppressed his excitement and replied respectfully.

After leaving Li Huayuan's courtyard, Liu Jing glanced at Han Li, then at Song Meng and Zhong Weiniang, and waved his hand.

Clean and efficient:

"There's no time to lose!"

"To avoid any unforeseen complications, fellow disciples, let's set off now for Yuejing!"

The four of them did not linger any longer.

Each of them harnessed their magical artifacts, transforming into streaks of light, and swiftly left the Golden Drum Plain camp, heading towards the heart of the Yue Kingdom.

As Han Lifei stood in the ranks, feeling the chilling atmosphere of the battlefield receding behind him, his admiration for Zhou Yuan deepened even further.

Senior Brother Zhou Yuan is indeed resourceful. In less than a month, he came up with such a reasonable way to "get" himself out of the front line.

……

Kyoto, deep within the Qin residence, a quiet room.

Zhou Yuan sat cross-legged.

His aura was calm and still, and he had already stabilized at the late Foundation Establishment stage.

Twenty days had passed since his breakthrough, and half a month had passed since he sent a message to Li Huayuan requesting support.

He wasn't in a hurry and waited patiently.

Suddenly, his powerful divine sense, comparable to that of the early stage of Core Formation, stirred slightly.

He could clearly sense four familiar auras approaching quietly from outside the Qin residence, their target being the courtyard where he was.

"Here it comes." Zhou Yuan's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile as he slowly withdrew his power and stood up.

Almost at the same moment he got up and pushed open the door, four beams of light of different colors silently landed on the bluestone ground of the courtyard. The light faded, revealing four figures.

It was Liu Jing, Song Meng, Han Li, and Zhong Weiniang who came on Li Huayuan's orders.

"Third Senior Brother, Fourth Senior Brother, Sixth Senior Brother, Senior Sister, Junior Brother!"

Zhou Yuan's face showed just the right amount of "surprise" and "relief" as he stepped forward and greeted them with clasped hands.

"Third Senior Brother, Fourth Senior Brother, Sixth Senior Brother, Senior Sister, Junior Brother!"

Zhou Yuan's face showed just the right amount of "surprise" and "relief" as he stepped forward and greeted them with clasped hands.

"Haha, Junior Brother Zhou! Your divine sense is indeed sharp; you noticed us as soon as we arrived!"

Liu Jing laughed loudly, stepped forward and patted Zhou Yuan on the shoulder, appearing quite familiar with him.

He was tall and upright, with a square face and sharp eyes, exuding a natural air of leadership.

"I have come here on my master's orders to thoroughly investigate this Kyoto cult."

"Junior Brother Zhou, since you are both the discoverer and the host of this place, please tell us in detail about the 'Black Fiend Sect'!"

Han Li, who was standing to the side, noticed that Liu Jing's words implied that he was in a dominant position, while Li Huayuan had clearly said that they were to "assist" Zhou Yuan. His brows furrowed slightly.

His third senior brother, Liu Jing, always prided himself on being upright and righteous, hating evil as if it were his enemy, and also loved to show off and take charge of the overall situation.

However, Han Li was cautious by nature and knew that there was no need to argue or expose such a trivial matter. He was happy to keep to himself as long as it didn't affect the overall situation or his own safety. He stood silently to the side, his gaze calmly fixed on Zhou Yuan.

Zhong Weiniang and Song Meng didn't find anything wrong with Liu Jing's words; they were already used to Liu Jing's style of doing things.

Zhou Yuan took in everyone's expressions, understanding the situation perfectly, but maintained a serious reporting demeanor: "Senior Brother Liu, you flatter me. The matter is like this..."

Although he did not actually investigate the Black Fiend Cult in detail, as a transmigrator, he knew the Black Fiend Cult's background very well.

At this moment, combining his memories of the original work with his own "discoveries" from "secret investigations," he described the Black Fiend Cult as a secretive, cruel cult that specializes in abducting rogue cultivators and low-level cultivators for blood sacrifices to improve their cultivation.

Its followers act in secrecy, have many informants in Kyoto, and seem to have connections with certain ordinary nobles.

Listening to Zhou Yuan's description, Liu Jing's indignation grew stronger, and he couldn't help but interject, "Outrageous! How could such a heinous cult run rampant, harming my fellow cultivators! These scoundrels deserve to be killed by everyone!"

However, when Zhou Yuan said that based on his investigation and deductions over many days, the Black Fiend Sect's lair was very likely hidden within the heavily guarded Yue Kingdom's imperial city.

Both Song Meng and Zhong Weiniang's expressions turned serious.