Fairy, don't be afraid, I'm about to begin my strategy.

Lin Zhixia was still recovering from her serious injuries, and Young Master Zhao was also confined to his quarters. With no one to disturb Shen Mo, he suddenly found himself with nothing to do.

Opening the system interface, Shen Mo prepared to conduct a thorough investigation of Wang Rui, hoping to see if there was another opportunity to win him over.

[Information 5: Wang Rui once acquired a demonic martial arts manual called "The Essence Gathering and Marrow Transformation Technique," after which he rose rapidly through the ranks of the outer sect, raising many suspicions.]

Continue investing spirit stones.

[Information 5①: The True Essence Refining Technique originates from the supreme demonic art of the Formless Immortal Abode.]

[Information 5, Part 2: Wang Rui used the True Essence Gathering Technique to make a deal with an inner sect elder in exchange for support.]

[Information 5.3: Wang Rui's right-hand man, the strategist known as "Blue-Faced Fox," may be well aware of the inside story of the deal.]

Green-faced fox?

Since they know the inside story of Wang Rui's transactions, they must be a key NPC. It seems we need to investigate them thoroughly.

When it comes to investigations, we can't forget our all-knowing Bai Xiaofeng.

He was sitting cautiously at the table, glancing at Shen Mo every now and then, looking somewhat reserved.

"Junior sister, what brings you here?"

"Do I need to spell out what I did?" Shen Mo asked sternly.

Upon hearing this, Bai Xiaofeng immediately burst into tears, crying, "Junior sister, I was wrong! It was all that bastard Senior Brother Zhao's fault! It has nothing to do with me!"

"Alright, stop pretending. How many spirit stones did you swindle?" Shen Mo was too lazy to bother with it.

Seeing that Shen Mo wasn't angry, Bai Xiaofeng resumed his joking manner, "Hehe, it's not much, how about I offer it to you as a token of my respect?"

"Stop joking, where did you get those dubious plans from?"

Shen Mo didn't believe that Bai Xiaofeng had come up with those ridiculous ways to pursue girls on her own.

Bai Xiaofeng mysteriously pulled out a book with the title: Thirty-Six Strategies for Fairy Conquest.

Wow, good heavens.

Shen Mo hurriedly picked it up and looked it over. The more he looked, the more something seemed off. This so-called method of pursuing a girl wasn't exactly unreliable, but the way it was executed was questionable.

"I'm confiscating this book!"

Bai Xiaofeng had a bitter look on his face. He had gone to great lengths to find this, but he didn't dare to ask for it back.

"Alright, let's get down to business."

Shen Mo told Bai Xiaofeng about his plan to investigate the Green-Faced Fox, but Bai Xiaofeng said with a serious expression, "Junior Sister, are you planning to deal with Wang Rui?"

"Oh, what's your opinion?"

After checking the area and confirming that no one was around, Bai Xiaofeng quietly said to Shen Mo, "Wang Rui has been operating in the outer sect for many years, and his petty affairs are nothing new. The reason he's still safe and sound is naturally because he has connections in higher-ups and they can't find any substantial evidence against him."

He paused, then lowered his voice again, "So if you want to take him down, you'll have to find someone capable. My abilities aren't enough."

Shen Mo's eyes lit up. "You have connections?"

"I'll give it a try, but their prices aren't cheap!"

"OK!"

Bai Xiaofeng was indeed efficient; he replied to the message in just two days.

Tomorrow at 3:45 PM, at Shangqinglou in Yunshan Town at the foot of the mountain.

Yunshan Town was built in association with Lingyun Sect. Relying on its status as the leader of the righteous path, the town was exceptionally prosperous, with a constant stream of merchants coming and going.

Shen Mo arrived at Shangqinglou a moment early and found a window seat on the second floor. The view from this spot was excellent, offering a panoramic view of the commercial street below.

The mortal market was bustling with activity, and cultivators were also frequently seen coming and going. It seemed that mortals and cultivators got along well in this world, without any obvious barriers between them.

The sound of the folding fan opening and closing drew Shen Mo's attention back.

A young man dressed as a scholar in white, holding a black paper fan, walked up to Shen Mo.

"May I ask, fairy, are you waiting for someone?"

Shen Mo also opened a black paper fan. "Indeed, I'm waiting for someone."

The man sat down and, while admiring the scenery, said, "Whatever your needs, as long as the price is right, everything is negotiable."

"If the price is right, is it really possible to do anything?"

"That's natural, provided your offer is substantial enough."

"Then what price would you give me for the life of the senior disciple of the outer sect of Lingyun Sect?"

"Fairy, you'd better stop joking. You can't afford to buy his life."

Shen Mo knew there was no point in probing any further, so he simply stated his request.

"Ten thousand spirit stones, no bargaining, half payment upfront!"

So expensive!

Remembering how he had risked his life to get a few thousand spirit stones from Wang Rui, this man was asking for ten thousand.

The man noticed Shen Mo's doubt and said, "We at Black Umbrella always keep our word and deliver on our promises. We have a great reputation."

With no better options, Shen Mo had to take the gamble. If he was truly deceived, he vowed to fight this organization to the death.

After receiving 5000 spirit stones, the man left Shangqing Tower without lingering. Shen Mo could initially keep an eye on his figure, but in a flash, he had already disappeared without a trace.

……

Life is as bland as water, and so is cultivating immortality.

Just when Shen Mo was getting impatient and about to lose his patience, he finally received a reply.

You can come to Qiushuilou in Yunshan Town to watch a play tomorrow at midnight.

Upon seeing the words "Qiushuilou," Bai Xiaofeng's eyes lit up; it seemed to be an extraordinary place.

Under Shen Mo's persistent questioning, he finally stammered out that Qiu Shui Lou was actually a brothel.

So even cultivators love whoring!

Seeing Shen Mo's confusion, Bai Xiaofeng explained.

The backing behind Qiushui Tower is a minor demonic sect called Jilefang, which specializes in dual cultivation and holds a certain position in the cultivation world.

The dual cultivation method is an extremely complex cultivation method, and it is not as simple as Shen Mo thought.

This Paradise Pavilion sends disciples from the sect to the Autumn Water Pavilion, where cultivators come to seek pleasure and can also benefit from improved cultivation while enjoying themselves.

In other words, coming to Qiushui Tower allows one to have fun while also increasing one's cultivation level.

Good heavens! Shen Mo exclaimed, "Good heavens! This is something only the cultivation world knows how to do!"

People are happy, skills are honed, and they've truly won big.

Bai Xiaofeng looked at Shen Mo strangely, "Junior sister, why do you seem so interested in this Qiushui Pavilion?"

"Ahem, no way, these brothels in the Paradise Pavilion are all located on Lingyun Sect's territory, doesn't anyone care?" Shen Mo quickly changed the subject.

"Why is the Lingyun Sect interfering in the fact that this Blissful Abode is simply conducting business honestly?"

This question stumped Shen Mo. It seems that the righteous and the demonic paths in this world are not as binary and clearly divided as he had imagined!

The next day, Shen Mo and Bai Xiaofeng disguised themselves and went to the so-called Qiushui Tower.

It was late at night, and the whole street was deserted, except for Qiushuilou, which was still brightly lit.

Contrary to expectations of a bustling, glamorous atmosphere, the place was rather elegant and quiet.

The grand courtyard, adorned with a pair of magnificent red lanterns, resembles the mansion of an ancient prince.

The two exchanged a secret code, and the servant at the gate led them through the corridors and courtyards to a lavishly decorated warm pavilion.

Before long, there was a knock on the door, and a shifty-eyed servant walked in.

Just as Shen Mo was about to question her, the other person gave a wicked smile, "Fairy, we meet again!"

This person is completely different from the previous white-robed scholar in terms of temperament and attire, but it seems to be the same person. It is estimated that neither of the faces is real.

The other party entered the room without saying much, took out an ancient bronze mirror from his bosom, and with a slight spell, the mirror clearly reflected the scene.

"The person you seek is in the next room. Watch a good show first."

The mirror, like a surveillance camera, completely displays the scene inside the room, and judging from the clarity of the image, it's at least 1080P.

The room in the picture is exactly the same as Shen Mo's, and a woman with a graceful figure is dancing with her back to the camera.

She wore heavy makeup and had a slender figure. She wore a colorful, long, sheer dress that revealed glimpses of her fair skin. The dress was quite daring, with a slit that went up to her thighs, and any slight movement would reveal her two long, straight, fair legs.

At this moment, the woman was dancing with great enthusiasm, her flirtatious gestures revealing her allure.

Her slender waist swayed like a water snake, and her full hips, covered by a gauze skirt, swayed frequently, complementing her alluring expression and her dreamy, autumn-water-like eyes.

The viewer couldn't help but feel their mouth go dry.

Shen Mo secretly glanced at Bai Xiaofeng, who was practically sticking his head into the mirror. He saw that Bai Xiaofeng's eyes were wide open, his throat was moving constantly, his body was leaning forward, and his buttocks were sticking out.

Ha, you young punk, you lack self-control!

Shen Mo quickly shifted his attention to the other person in the room, who was sprawled on the bed. The person was disheveled, with sunken cheeks and upturned eyebrows, looking unapproachable.

It must be that green-faced fox.

At this moment, the alluring woman danced as she approached the blue-faced fox, slowly climbing onto the bed to flirt with him.

The woman's tongue, which was as long as a snake, extended out a pink tongue that was excessively long.

The tongue traversed the blue-faced fox's cheek, occasionally skimming the surface like a dragonfly. Each time the fox tried to bite, the tongue would just dodge, and this continued, leaving the onlookers anxious and frustrated.

Not to mention the man himself, the Blue-Faced Fox, who soon became impatient and roughly tore at the woman's clothes. The woman giggled and cooperated, and the scene gradually became tense.

Even a layman like Shen Mo could tell that the woman was a master of flirting; this Paradise Pavilion truly lived up to its reputation.

Judging from their progress, the real show is about to begin.