I'm in the Demonic Sect, but my cultivation techniques are being used for palace intrigue!

Zhu Jingguang fell silent after hearing the man in black's words.

Then, Zhu Jingguang slowly straightened up, his original submissive expression gradually disappearing, replaced by a calmness and indifference that did not match his cultivation level.

Since the other party has already investigated so thoroughly, there's no point in pretending to be ignorant anymore.

"Senior brother, you have impressive skills," Zhu Jingguang said calmly. "Since you know everything, senior brother, did you stop me to avenge Senior Sister Tan, or to capture me and claim a reward from the sect?"

"Revenge? Reward?"

The man in black let out a grating, low laugh, as if he had heard the funniest joke in the world.

"Zhu Jingguang, do you have some misunderstanding about our Demonic Sect?"

"Or perhaps you think too highly of me?"

"You think I went through all that trouble to find out all this just to avenge Junior Sister Tan?"

…………

  

Under Zhu Jingguang's slightly wary gaze, the man in black shook his head. Then, the sinister look in his eyes disappeared, replaced by a naked and undisguised appreciation and greed.

"That woman, Tan Yuehong, relies on her talent and some unspeakable reasons to be arrogant and domineering, not even putting me in her eyes... To be honest, I've disliked her for a long time!"

"I'm overjoyed that she's dead, why would I possibly seek revenge for her?"

"As for your so-called reward... ha, what are you thinking?"

"Disciples of the Holy Sect, unless they enter the inner sect, have no so-called human rights—if you die, it's just bad luck, why make such a fuss?"

"A reward? You're dreaming!"

…………

At this point, the man in black paused slightly, then his gaze towards Zhu Jingguang became even more fervent, as if... he were looking at a priceless treasure:

"I sought you out for a simple reason: I saw value in you!"

"When you killed Junior Sister Tan, you were probably only at the Qi Refining stage, right?"

"You were able to kill Junior Sister Tan, who was in the middle stage of Qi Refining, with only the first level of Qi Refining cultivation. What does that prove?"

"This shows you're cunning, resourceful, have your own secrets, and most importantly... luck!"

…………

At this point, the man in black became increasingly serious:

"Zhu Jingguang, just as I said before, you're very good... really very good!"

"With your talent, if you don't perish along the way, you will surely grow into a pillar of our Holy Church's future!"

"Of course, the future is too far off; we, the disciples of the Holy Church, seize every moment!"

"I won't hide it from you, the reason I've come to you is to ask for your help with something."

…………

After a moment's hesitation, the man in black asked Zhu Jingguang, "Do you know anything about the Holy Sect's secret realm?"

Upon hearing the man in black's question, Zhu Jingguang's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly replied, "I know a little, but certainly not as much as you do, Senior Brother. If you're willing, I'd love to hear your details!"

The man in black didn't take Zhu Jingguang's opportunistic behavior seriously and simply gave him a brief introduction to the Holy Sect's secret realm.

Simply put, the Holy Church's secret realms, though called secret realms, are actually small worlds kept within the Holy Church's territory.

In these small worlds, the Holy Church, according to the conditions of each small world, will plant or raise some "resources" in them. Then, when these resources mature, disciples of the corresponding level will be allowed to enter them for training.

Three months later, a secret realm called "Langya Realm" will be opened by the Holy Sect to disciples in the mid-stage of Qi Refining.

However, this secret realm of "Langya Realm" is very special, because it contains a spiritual medicine called "Foundation Fruit".

This kind of elixir, when taken directly during Foundation Establishment, can increase the probability of Foundation Establishment by half to one-tenth. What's even more remarkable is that the increased probability of Foundation Establishment can be stacked with the increased probability of other Foundation Establishment items!

For example... Foundation Establishment Pills!

It should be known that a top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill can increase the user's chances of establishing a foundation by 20% to 30%, and if combined with this kind of spiritual medicine, the user's chances of establishing a foundation can be increased by up to 40% if they are lucky!

The probability is... way too high!

And it is precisely for this reason that every time the "Langya Realm" opens, it attracts a large number of cultivators, including those in the late stage of Qi Refining and those at the peak of Qi Refining, who are preparing to break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm.

However, since this secret realm can only be entered by cultivators in the middle stage of Qi Refining, at this time every year, cultivators in the late stage of Qi Refining and those at the peak of Qi Refining will send people in advance to seize these spiritual herbs.

The man in black accepted the task assigned by a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator to help him harvest the "Foundation Fruit".

Therefore, his purpose in seeking out Zhu Jingguang was to help Zhu Jingguang reach the mid-stage of Qi Refining within three months, and then enter the "Langya Realm" with him to seize the "Foundation Fruit".

"Your strength is too weak right now, and you can't enter the 'Langya Realm' at all. But fortunately, there is still some time before the 'Langya Realm' opens. So, during this time, I will sponsor you to strive to enter the mid-stage of Qi Refining!" The man in black assured Zhu Jingguang with great confidence.

If someone else had heard these words, they might have been moved to tears, thinking they had met a benefactor.

But who is Zhu Jingguang?

He's a time traveler!

He knew all too well the principle that "unsolicited kindness is either a sign of ulterior motives or theft."

In this cannibalistic demonic sect, no one will be kind to you for no reason!

All the gifts have probably already been secretly...priced!

"I am flattered by your kindness, Senior Brother." Zhu Jingguang lowered his eyes, concealing the cold glint within them, his tone remaining neither humble nor arrogant. "I only wonder, how does Senior Brother intend to help me reach the mid-stage of Qi Refining? And what price will I need to pay?"

Upon hearing this, the man in black's smile widened: "I just enjoy talking to smart people."

As he spoke, he casually tossed a black object straight at Zhu Jingguang's face.

Zhu Jingguang raised his hand and caught it. It was cold to the touch and was a black wooden plaque made of a special material. The plaque was engraved with a yin-yang symbol and the contents of the Qi Refining stage technique, "Heavenly Demon Harmony Seal".

"This cultivation technique is called 'Heavenly Demon Harmony Seal,' and it is countless times better than the 'Qi Induction Technique' you are currently practicing!"

The man in black chuckled and looked at Zhu Jingguang.

"Judging from your cultivation level, you have already reached the third level of Qi Refining... You must have reached this level because you have been replenishing Junior Sister Tan's cultivation through reverse absorption, right?"

"Now that you already have Junior Sister Tan's spiritual power within your body, it will be much easier for you to master this technique!"

"With this technique, it's enough to help you reach the mid-stage of Qi Refining in a short time!"

…………