These few individuals were ostensibly under the command of the Heaven Shaking Divine Sect.
Chu Xuan understood this well.
In addition to assisting in the defense of Mystic Azure Star, their other role was to keep a watchful eye on the Heavenly Infinite Sect. Especially on him, its sect leader.
Given the current turbulent times, it was only natural for the Heaven Shaking Divine Sect to prepare for both outcomes.
Chu Xuan, however, did not concern himself with this. He only cared about who the traitor was.
Mystic Azure Star was peaceful and serene. He had no desire to become embroiled in the war between the Reincarnation Divine Sect and the Heaven Shaking Divine Sect.
Whoever disturbed his tranquility would meet their end.
Several days passed.
Once again, Wu Dalang sought out Yuan Zichu.
The two conversed for a long while, their words filled with dissatisfaction toward the Heavenly Infinite Sect.
They raged against the demonic practices and expressed their helplessness at the current situation.
After some time, Wu Dalang spoke in a low voice, "Yuan, since you harbor such discontent towards the Heavenly Infinite Sect, why not join us?"
Yuan Zichu knew the bait had been set, yet he did not reveal any emotion. He sighed deeply instead, "Mystic Azure Star is the territory of the Heavenly Infinite Sect. Even if I wished to leave, I would have no means."
Wu Dalang smiled. "Indeed, leaving now is difficult, but you could infiltrate under a different guise and serve the Church!"
Yuan Zichu froze. "The Church? You mean... the Reincarnation Divine Sect?"
Wu Dalang nodded emphatically. "Exactly!"
He then recounted his experiences on the extraterritorial battlefield.
Yuan Zichu was astonished. "I never imagined Brother Wu had already been noticed by the eminent monks of the Celestial Sound Zen Temple. Truly impressive. However, with just our strength, how could we possibly transmit any intelligence?"
He sighed again, "Not that we don't wish to, but we simply cannot!"
His words were laced with frustration at the current state of affairs.
Wu Dalang watched him carefully, nodding in agreement.
He looked around, lowering his voice to the utmost secrecy before continuing, "Above us, there is a Nascent Soul cultivator."
Yuan Zichu's heart stirred.
Perfect! The big fish had taken the bait!
"Who? Which elder?" Yuan Zichu asked eagerly.
Wu Dalang smiled and shook his head. "I cannot say. The identity of this Nascent Soul cultivator must remain hidden. From now on, any intelligence you gather, report it directly to me. I will pass it on to the Nascent Soul master. Then he will relay it to the Church."
Yuan Zichu felt some regret but understood the situation. If Wu Dalang had so easily disclosed the name of the Nascent Soul cultivator, it would have been highly suspicious. Since he had prepared himself to catch the big fish, the fishing line must be cast far and wide!
In the days that followed, whenever Yuan Zichu acquired information, he promptly shared it with Wu Dalang. During drinking sessions, he would also vent his dissatisfaction with the Nascent Soul elders and Golden Core cultivators, thereby strengthening Wu Dalang's trust in him.
Until one day, Wu Dalang once again found Yuan Zichu and solemnly said, "Come with me. That person has acknowledged your contributions."
A short while later, the two met in a remote mountain range beneath Wujie Island.
Yuan Zichu noticed there was another Golden Core cultivator present. It was Cao Moren, one of the elders under the command of Elder Wan Hun.
Yuan Zichu inwardly sneered.
Wasn't this person a true demonic cultivator? Why did he harbor dissatisfaction with the Heavenly Infinite Sect? Or was he merely swayed by personal gain?
Wu Dalang respectfully said, "Greetings, Elder Lu."
Yuan Zichu and Cao Moren also bowed respectfully.
The figure then turned around, revealing a smile. "Yuan Zichu, you've done well."
Yuan Zichu clearly saw the person before him and finally recognized him. It was Lu Ren.
Lu Ren was one of the three Nascent Soul cultivators sent by the Heavenly Blood Alliance to be stationed on Mystic Azure Star.
"Cao Moren, you too have shown unwavering loyalty to the Church," Lu Ren smiled. "I have observed both of you over the past few days, and your loyalty to the Church has not gone unnoticed. From today onward, both of you will officially join my command, becoming part of the Orthodox Alliance."
Yuan Zichu was filled with excitement. "Yes! Thank you, Elder Lu! I've finally found an organization!"
Cao Moren also solemnly declared, "I will serve the Church, even at the cost of my life!"
Lu Ren smiled faintly. "The Orthodox Alliance is still but a tiny spark. But with time, it will inevitably grow into a roaring fire, consuming this Demonic Sect to ashes! At that time, Mystic Azure Star will return to the Church's rule. The billions of mortals on Mystic Azure Star will finally live in a peaceful and harmonious environment!"
Wu Dalang and Yuan Zichu were both filled with exhilaration. "Yes!"
After the excitement subsided, Yuan Zichu respectfully asked, "Elder Lu, is the Orthodox Alliance... just us?"
Lu Ren laughed heartily. "Of course not! Rest assured, there are many cultivators within the Heavenly Infinite Sect who despise the demonic ways. And across Mystic Azure Star, such cultivators are abundant!
When the Church once again turns its attention to the Mystic Azure Star, we will raise our arms in unison, and the world will respond. With this inner and outer coordination, we will surely welcome back the divine army!
At that time, you will all have made great contributions and will undoubtedly receive the Church's immense rewards! Reaching the Nascent Soul Dao will no longer be a dream, but a reality within your grasp!"
Yuan Zichu inwardly sneered.
So, painting a pie in the sky.
The Sect Master's pie is close at hand, but your pie lies far beyond reach!
Although he thought this, his face was filled with excitement. "The Nascent Soul Dao... I will do it! Please, Elder Lu, assign us our task!"
Lu Ren nodded repeatedly. "The task I give you is simple: continue to sow discord within the Heavenly Infinite Sect and turn more cultivators to our cause. Carefully assess their loyalty, and once you have fully trusted them, bring them into the Orthodox Alliance. As for intelligence, I will pass it up to the higher-ups."
"Understood!" Wu Dalang, Yuan Zichu, and Cao Moren all bowed respectfully as they watched Lu Ren depart.
By the Flying Fish Lake.
Yuan Zichu recounted all his experiences before speaking, "Sect Master, this is everything I have witnessed. Please, Sect Master, give your instructions."
Chu Xuan casually tossed a handful of fish food into the lake, watching the flying fish leap from the water, before offering a faint smile. "It's time to reel in the net."
Yuan Zichu paused in surprise. "Sect Master, should we not wait for the Orthodox Alliance to expose more individuals before we act?"
Chu Xuan chuckled softly. "Why wait? A soul search will suffice."
Yuan Zichu shuddered.
Of course, for capturing traitors, the soul-searching technique, a typical demonic method, was indispensable. How had he forgotten it?
Just as Chu Xuan was about to leave, he received a transmission from Shang Xingchen.
"Sect Master, I have captured a traitor attempting to send information beyond the realms."
Chu Xuan raised an eyebrow. "Who is it?"
Shang Xingchen replied, "A cultivator of the Heavenly Blood Alliance, Lu Ren."
A moment later, Chu Xuan arrived in a remote mountain range, where he met Shang Xingchen.
Lu Ren lay on the ground, his limbs severed, the wounds sealed to prevent further blood loss.
From the despair in his eyes, it was clear that his soul had been suppressed, leaving him unable to self-destruct his Nascent Soul.