I Can See Through All Things' Information Chapter 1196 - 737: The Black Demon Tower, Scheming in the Shadows (Part 2)

Upon spotting the insignia on the robes of the withered remains, Yu Jian instantly identified the victim's origin.

"Judging by the lingering traces of this Demonic Qi, this must be the handiwork of the Black and White Temple," Qing Xii added, her voice grave.

"The leader of the Luoyun Sect expedition was a Supreme Elder, a powerful cultivator at the Eight Tribulations of Primordial Spirit. To think he was slain so effortlessly. Since when did Demon Slaughter Mountain possess such terrifying power?"

Crouching before the corpse of the finely dressed elder, Yu Jian studied the shrunken head. Wisps of dark smoke still rose from the remains, leaving him deeply puzzled.

"Is it possible that Demon Slaughter Mountain has broken through his bottleneck and entered the realm of Nine Tribulations?" Qing Xii wondered aloud, her heart racing.

"That seems improbable," Yu Jian said, shaking his head. "Given his arrogant nature, if he had truly reached the Nine Tribulations, he would have come for us directly rather than picking off the disciples of the Luoyun Sect."

"Then he might have acquired a formidable magical treasure that has caused his combat strength to skyrocket. Earlier, those from the Immortal Domain mentioned that they were defeated by Demon Slaughter Mountain using a horrific Demon Treasure," Qing Xii speculated further.

"That is a distinct possibility," Yu Jian agreed with a slight nod. "Whether this Demon Treasure was a gift from the Black and White Temple or something he unearthed within this secret realm is still a mystery."

"Regardless of its origin, Demon Slaughter Mountain must have a specific motive for these actions; it likely goes beyond mere looting. Brother Yu Jian, what is our next move?"

After a moment of silent contemplation, Yu Jian replied, "The Immortal Palace won't open for several years, yet Demon Slaughter Mountain is already making moves. He clearly has an unspeakable agenda. We must find a way to expose his plans."

"Does Brother mean to...?"

"It’s simple. A direct confrontation will reveal the truth," Yu Jian said with a light chuckle. "When Demon Slaughter Mountain attempted to seize that Five Tribulations cultivator earlier, he was furious, yet he held back from using the treasure.

This suggests he is still hesitant to fully reveal his trump card to the world.

Therefore, we will force a fight to see exactly what this Demon Treasure is capable of."

"Taking the fight to the Black and White Temple? Yes, I've been waiting for this opportunity!"

Qing Xii felt a surge of excitement at his words.

She had never feared the likes of Demon Slaughter Mountain, and with their two Sects allied, there was no reason to hold back.

"However, we must plan this meticulously and strike where they are most vulnerable. If we act, we must deal a crushing blow. Even if Demon Slaughter Mountain survives, we must find a way to cripple the overall strength of the Black and White Temple."

Yu Jian’s gaze turned icy as he spoke.

He was a man of action; once a decision was made, he would execute it with thunderous, decisive force.

"I will follow your lead, Brother," Qing Xii stated immediately.

In the following days, Yu Jian and his companions began a covert search for the Black and White Temple’s members throughout the secret realm.

Strangely, their adversaries seemed to have anticipated their movements.

After the massacre of the Luoyun Sect, the group had retreated into a massive palace and remained hidden.

Even when Yu Jian led his followers to the entrance to hurl insults and provocations, the members of the Black and White Temple stayed holed up inside.

They acted completely out of character, refusing to respond or even send a representative out to face them.

Only a suffocating Demonic Qi, reminiscent of a prehistoric beast, pulsed from within the structure.

It felt as though they were being lured inside to be devoured whole.

The oppressive aura of the Demonic Qi was so intense that even Yu Jian and Qing Xii, both at the Eight Tribulations of Primordial Spirit, felt a prickle of unease.

These bizarre circumstances planted a seed of doubt in Yu Jian’s mind.

Unwilling to walk into a potential trap, he refrained from leading his people into the palace recklessly.

The restriction's light screen only allowed one or two people to enter at a time.

If the enemy had prepared an ambush, his group would be picked off one by one, caught like turtles in a jar.

Despite having two Eight Tribulations experts on his side, Yu Jian ultimately decided against the risk.

He recalled the words of the Sword Master: while opportunity is vital, self-preservation is paramount.

Since he was responsible for his fellow cultivators in this secret realm, he was determined to ensure their safety.

After weighing his options, Yu Jian eventually ordered his group to withdraw.

According to the ancient Jade Scroll records, the Immortal Palace would not open for a few more years.

Once it did, the people from the Black and White Temple would be forced to reveal themselves.

At that time, the true nature of Demon Slaughter Mountain's plot would be unveiled.

With Yu Jian’s departure, a tense silence returned to the secret realm.

However, news of the Luoyun Sect’s total destruction at the hands of the Black and White Temple spread like wildfire.

Before long, every faction within the Returning Ruins Secret Realm was aware of the event.

This caused a wave of panic among the smaller forces, who began fortifying their positions in fear of being the next target of Demon Slaughter Mountain.

Some even approached Yu Jian’s group directly, seeking to form a defensive alliance.

Yu Jian turned them all down without hesitation.

He knew these groups were far from simple; each was filled with cunning individuals.

While they proposed an alliance, they likely intended to use his Sect as a shield for their own survival.

Seeing that Yu Jian would not cooperate, these weaker factions changed their tactics.

They decided to set up camp just outside the grand hall where Yu Jian and his followers were staying.

Their logic was simple: if the Black and White Temple attacked them, Yu Jian would be forced to intervene.

While Yu Jian found their behavior somewhat exasperating, he didn't drive them away.

If Demon Slaughter Mountain actually dared to attack, it would provide the very opportunity he was looking for.

To everyone’s bewilderment, the Black and White Temple remained silent despite the commotion outside.

After the Luoyun Sect massacre, they seemed to have vanished from the world, staying deep within their hall and never appearing.

Only the faint, terrifying pulse of Demonic Qi continued to gather strength within the shadows.

Thus, under this shroud of mystery, several years passed in the secret realm.

Bang!

One day, in a secluded palace on the outskirts of the Immortal Palace, a massive aura suddenly exploded outward, though it was quickly suppressed by a ripple of power, escaping the notice of others.

"Clan Leader, have you succeeded?"

Inside the hidden palace, an elder spoke with trembling excitement.

"Indeed. I have fully stabilized my cultivation at the Nine Tribulations of Primordial Spirit. Now, no one within the Returning Ruins Secret Realm is my equal!"

The middle-aged man, clad in a purple Dragon Robe, nodded with immense pride, his eyes gleaming with newfound power.

Hearing this, the other experts of the Immortal Clan who had been maintaining the protective Array felt a wave of exhilaration.

The Clan Leader reaching the Nine Tribulations not only secured their dominance within the secret realm but would also allow them to restore the Immortal Clan’s former prestige once they returned to the outside world.

"Of course! Clan Leader is now a Nine Tribulations powerhouse; even the elites of the great sects cannot hope to stand against you!"

The elder praised repeatedly, unable to hide his joy.

The man in the purple Dragon Robe accepted the flattery, though he soon regained his composure.

"Tell me, during my years of seclusion, what has transpired in the realm?"

"In recent years, several notable events have occurred..."

The elder quickly summarized the recent developments.

Although they had spent the last few years maintaining the Great Array to hide the Clan Leader's aura, they were not entirely cut off from the world.

They had regularly dispatched clan members to gather intelligence through various channels.

"So, you are saying the Black and White Temple struck twice, wiped out two factions, and then went into hiding?"

The middle-aged man in the Dragon Robe narrowed his eyes in thought.

"Correct. Many believe Demon Slaughter Mountain is practicing a forbidden Secret Technique and will emerge even more powerful, perhaps even reaching the Nine Tribulations of Primordial Spirit," the elder reported.

"Hmph, the ninth tribulation is not something so easily conquered. No matter what Demon Slaughter Mountain is planning, I will crush him the moment he shows his face!"

The man in the purple Dragon Robe sneered with cold disdain.