Ning Zhuo and Wen Ruanyu stood by Chen Sui’s corpse. The cause of death had been found: it was a heart-piercing nail clutched tightly in Wen Ruanyu’s hand, veins bulging on the back of his hand from the exertion. Wen Ruanyu’s usual composure had vanished, his face filled with anger. “This is an outrage!”

Under heavy surveillance, yet another male concubine had died, which was like a direct slap in Wen Ruanyu’s face. It was utterly humiliating! What was even more disturbing was that the clues directly pointed to Sun Tiesheng. This made Wen Ruanyu hesitant, as he didn’t want to pursue a lead so obviously prepared by the murderer.

Ning Zhuo stared at the corpse on the ground and slowly said, “More than this clue, I’m more concerned about something else—who found Chen Sui’s body and how?” Wen Ruanyu immediately understood Ning Zhuo’s implication, a glint flashing in his eyes. “You mean the process of Chen Sui’s body being discovered was also arranged by the mole?” Ning Zhuo replied, “I think it’s highly possible. If Chen Sui was secretly assassinated, according to our arrangements, all the male concubines would have to contribute their strength day and night to the Spirit Pact Treasure Refining Array, competing to determine the sole winner.”

“Therefore, these male concubines in the Yang Cultivation Courtyard would largely be confined to their quarters. But now, Chen Sui’s body was discovered too quickly, and the negative impact spread across the entire courtyard almost instantly. Currently, the morale of the Yang Cultivation Courtyard has been severely shaken. This situation perfectly aligns with the interests of the Lord of Wangchuan Prefecture.” Wen Ruanyu nodded. “That makes sense. I’ll investigate immediately.”

Wen Ruanyu acted swiftly and soon found the results. With a grim expression, he said to Ning Zhuo, “It was just a paper puppet. It was instructed by Chen Sui to clean the room in the early morning. It found the door wide open, went inside, and then discovered the body.” Ning Zhuo was surprised. “If it was just a paper puppet, why would it shout loudly and announce it to everyone?” Wen Ruanyu explained, “Jiao Ma, that’s because you’re not familiar with the origins of paper puppets. White Paper Immortal City was built by Scholar Xuansu, who was a Refinement Realm cultivator. As his successors, we still don’t fully understand the purpose of this mighty being in constructing this immortal city.”

“However, we have already discovered many of the city’s functions and powers. For instance, these paper puppets are very practical, taking on many labor tasks in White Paper Immortal City, both during peacetime and wartime. These paper puppets generally possess sentience, no different from ordinary people. The reason for this is that White Paper Immortal City has endured countless ghost tides, and a large number of specters and living beings from the mortal world have perished within this city.”

“White Paper Immortal City collected these, and through eons of accumulation, a qualitative change occurred over time, giving rise to a source of sentience. After these paper puppets are imbued with this source of sentience, they become like ordinary people, possessing intellect. Due to variations in intellect and the quality of the paper itself, there are different types of paper puppets. You can consider that the sentience of these puppets responsible for daily tasks comes from the city’s mortals, so it’s perfectly normal for them to be easily startled and lose composure.” Only then did Ning Zhuo understand, realizing, “So that’s how it is. I thought it was a trick of the City Lord.”

Wen Ruanyu shook his head. “The City Lord’s paper puppets are endowed by White Paper Immortal City due to her official authority. Perhaps you also have this benefit, given that you are currently our Vice City Lord.” Wen Ruanyu transmitted this last sentence secretly to Ning Zhuo using divine sense. A glint flashed and vanished in Ning Zhuo’s eyes. He didn’t immediately try to verify this speculation; instead, he thought of the seven armies of paper people in the Underworld. “Since these paper figures become lifelike only after being imbued with a source of sentience…” “Then, what if I extract the sentience of Yuan Dasheng and Meng Yehhu and infuse it into those unowned paper puppets?”

The two discussed it but found no good solution. The mole’s methods were truly formidable; they had assassinated Chen Sui despite him being under strict surveillance, leaving no traces behind. The biggest clue was still an obvious trap, or rather, a biting sarcasm. “Currently, only you, Senior Wen, can step forward to appease the male concubines and maintain the Spirit Pact Treasure Refining Array,” Ning Zhuo said. Wen Ruanyu suppressed a headache. “That’s the only way. As long as this formation is maintained, the mole will be forced to act again. But to be honest, I am now wavering. Doing this is tantamount to using the male concubines as bait to catch the mole. Is sacrificing these people truly worth it?”

Ning Zhuo immediately nodded, displaying a firm attitude. “Of course it’s worth it. Frankly, Shen Bing and Chen Sui are merely Foundation Establishment cultivators; how much Yang energy can they contribute? If we use them to lure out the mole, allowing us to seize an opening and eliminate them in one swift stroke, their contribution would be far greater than merely serving as male concubines!” Wen Ruanyu smiled bitterly. “That’s true, but what if we never find the mole?” At this point, he looked at Ning Zhuo with concern. “Jiao Ma, you must also be careful! Your Jiao family’s cultivation method is quite famous. If Sun Tiesheng perishes, you might also become a target for assassination.” Ning Zhuo nodded, a solemn expression involuntarily appearing on his face.

That very night, a rumor surged, unsettling the Yang Cultivation Courtyard even further. The content of the rumor was largely similar: Shen Bing and Chen Sui had been assassinated one after another, so the next target on the third night would likely be Sun Tiesheng. After all, they were the three strongest male concubines in the Yang Cultivation Courtyard. They could be considered leading figures. Wen Ruanyu had worked tirelessly for most of the day, striving to stabilize morale, but these rumors directly undermined his efforts. He was secretly furious and immediately began an investigation.

The investigation results left him bewildered: these rumors had all been spread by Sun Tiesheng. Wen Ruanyu immediately confronted him to reprimand him. Sun Tiesheng knelt on the ground, weeping bitterly to Wen Ruanyu, expressing extreme worry and fear. He claimed he wasn’t afraid of being assassinated himself, but rather worried about who would help the City Lord refine Yin energy if he died. If this contribution were missing and White Paper Immortal City were to fall, then the Sun family would also be annihilated. In that case, he, Sun Tiesheng, would be the enemy who destroyed his own clan!

Wen Ruanyu scoffed, “You think a bit too highly of yourself. Get up. I won’t pursue your responsibility for now. Later, I will settle accounts with you and your Sun family!” Wen Ruanyu flicked his sleeve and departed, but not before assigning more subordinates to heavily guard Sun Tiesheng. Seeing the increased number of cultivators, Sun Tiesheng secretly rejoiced. His scheme had worked, forcing Wen Ruanyu to take the situation more seriously and deploy more personnel for security. Although Wen Ruanyu was a Golden Core cultivator, he understood Sun Tiesheng’s machinations, yet ultimately had no choice but to fall into the trap. This was because what angered him more was the mole hidden in the shadows. “This time, I’ve arranged three times the personnel to guard Sun Tiesheng. I refuse to believe you can still assassinate him!” Wen Ruanyu gnashed his teeth in secret.

That same night, outside White Paper City, a group of specter cultivators suddenly emerged from underground, surrounding a scout Yin soldier patrol. “Die!” the specter girl Qing Chi shouted, charging forward. Her petite body directly shattered a skeletal steed, knocking the elite ghost soldier leader to the ground and fiercely beating him. Thump, thump, thump… Her fists blurred, flattening the ghost soldier’s bronze helmet, then, with the same momentum, she smashed the ghost soldier’s head. Many ghost soldiers, seeing their leader in distress, rushed towards Qing Chi, but were intercepted midway by Qing Yan and his men. After killing the ghost soldier leader, Qing Chi immediately stood up, her eyes blazing with fierce light and burning battle intent, ready to continue fighting. However, she saw her father, leading the other specter cultivators, having just finished their battle. They had eradicated the Yin soldier scout patrol. Qing Chi immediately felt frustrated, stuck between a rock and a hard place, and helplessly called out, “Hey, leave some for me!” The specter cultivators teased her, saying, “Young Mistress, you want achievements to see your beloved. But we also want to make a name for ourselves. These achievements cannot be easily given away.” Qing Chi snorted, “Suit yourselves. When we encounter a strong enemy, we’ll see who can contend with me!”

The second night, Qing Yan and his group once again successfully ambushed a small Yin soldier scout team. However, shortly after the engagement began, a dozen heavily armored Yin cavalry soldiers suddenly appeared from the other side of the battlefield and launched a charge. Qing Chi’s attention was drawn, and instead of being alarmed, she rejoiced, shouting, “Excellent!” She didn’t dodge, but instead charged directly forward. Midway, her entire body ignited with blue flames as she rushed against them. At the moment of collision, she leaped, lightly tapping the tip of her foot on a cavalryman’s long spear, then ascended into the air again. Blue flames successively exploded among the heavily armored cavalry, spreading rapidly and engulfing the bronze armor and tall skeletal warhorses. After a dozen breaths, this unit of heavily armored cavalry was consumed by the blue flames. Qing Chi parted the waves of flame, her face beaming with joy. “You can’t steal my achievements this time, can you?” Qing Yan, however, had a livid face and reprimanded her, “Xiao Chi! Are you trying to get yourself killed?! Who told you to take such a risk?!”

The third night, Qing Yan and his group did not venture out of the city. The ghost tide attacked again, assaulting White Paper Immortal City. As part of the reinforcements, they stood on the city wall, defending. A group of specters was about to swarm over the wall when Qing Chi stepped forward. She extended both palms and pressed them firmly against the brickwork of the White Paper City wall. The next moment, hot blue flames, like vines, instantly spread across that entire section of the city wall, incinerating all the specters. Amidst the waves of flame, large patches of fiery crabapple flowers bloomed. “Burn them, burn them!” Qing Chi’s eyes also flickered with blue light, muttering as the flames in her hands intensified. Consequently, a continuous sheet of blue flames covered a section of the city wall, then swept downwards, engulfing a large number of specters below the wall, clearing a small section of the battlefield instantly. Such might drew glances from both allies and enemies. The blue flames suddenly vanished. Qing Chi gasped for breath, falling into a state of extreme exhaustion. Qing Yan immediately appeared behind her, scooped up his daughter, and retreated to the rear. “How many times have I told you not to fight so desperately!” Qing Chi chuckled, “Dad, have I earned enough merit now?” Qing Yan snorted. “Probably enough. We’ll tally it carefully after the battle.” Qing Chi pouted, dissatisfied. “Tally it carefully, then!” As the father and daughter walked, they attracted many gazes. “Is that Qing Chi?” “The specter cultivator who’s been very active recently, though only Foundation Establishment, she possesses Golden Core level combat power!” “Her flames are imbued with vitality, yet they are a great poison to specters.” The young girl fought with all her might to meet her beloved, thus displaying astonishing prowess and becoming the most brilliant figure in this phase of the city defense.

The Yang Cultivation Courtyard was heavily guarded. Two days had passed since Chen Sui’s assassination. Perhaps it was due to Wen Ruanyu deploying sufficient personnel for strict surveillance, or perhaps the mole had voluntarily ceased their activities, but no one else had been assassinated in recent days. Consequently, morale in the Yang Cultivation Courtyard gradually stabilized. Ning Zhuo’s days were quite peaceful and packed. The other male concubines fully participated in the Treasure Refining Array, providing their Yang energy, constantly consuming large amounts of aphrodisiacs, and engaging in fierce competition. Ning Zhuo, on the other hand, was engrossed in soul cultivation. Although he didn’t primarily cultivate such methods, he possessed four Nascent Soul-level treasures.

Ning Zhuo slowly opened his eyes, which were dark and profound, emitting faint wisps of Yin light. “I’ve broken through. Now I am a soul of a million men!” Ning Zhuo’s heart swelled with excitement, and he looked down at his arm. His arm was a grayish-blue, with Yin energy directly emanating from it. Ning Zhuo knew full well that this condition wasn’t limited to his arms; it was his entire body! “My soul’s foundation is too powerful; it’s almost exceeding the physical body’s bearing limit. I need to slow down and focus more effort on the Fetal Breath Spirit Boat. I must say, the current White Paper City Lord is quite generous. Even now, most of the Four Soul Cultivation Treasures are still remaining.”

“Boss, are you really not considering soul cultivation?” Ning Zhuo couldn’t help but secretly ask again through the Thread of Human Fate. Sun Lingtong refused again, then talked about something amusing. Ning Zhuo wouldn’t check on Sun Lingtong’s situation while cultivating. However, Sun Lingtong, participating in the Yin army, had witnessed Qing Chi’s heroic combat. He reminded Ning Zhuo, “This little girl is incredibly brave! Even our side has started to pay attention. If she grows further, these blue flames are sure to be a bane to specters. That’s why the Yin army has collected a lot of information about her. Even you are mentioned in the intelligence. It seems this girl made a bet with her father and is fighting with all her might to earn enough merit to come see you!” Ning Zhuo immediately frowned. “What?” Sun Lingtong chuckled, adding, “Don’t worry, it’s said that Qing Chi has almost accumulated enough merit.” Ning Zhuo’s frown deepened, and he felt another headache coming on. He looked around and thought to himself, “I can’t stay here! I need to go out and hide.”

Ning Zhuo had already intended to go out. His first stop was the City Lord’s residence, where he used his Vice City Lord’s token and tried to sense it, but he didn’t trigger any hidden restrictions of White Paper Immortal City and didn’t receive the benefit of a paper puppet clone. Ning Zhuo didn’t give up hope; he knew that a large number of blank paper figures were hidden in the Underworld. So, his second stop was to approach the giant paper statue at the South Gate. The giant paper statue had been repaired day and night and had largely been restored to its former appearance. Ning Zhuo proceeded unhindered, once again entering the internal space of the giant paper statue and finding the Qianmo Lamp. He infused it with spiritual power and communicated with the Qianmo Lamp using his divine sense, suddenly activating a hidden restriction. The next moment, his mother’s voice emerged from the lamp.