It must be a brother from the streets.

While the city was shrouded in fear and suspicion due to the grisly crime, there was a corner in a lofty tower where the atmosphere remained serene and calm.

It was a vast open terrace, facing one distant corner of the Southern Domain mountains, the landscape broad and clouds thin and pale.

Two people sat opposite each other on the platform. To the left was a small, stooped old man, his face lined like ravines, clothed in plain grey-brown garments. To the right sat a tall figure draped in a black cloak, his face hidden behind a bronze mask with strange patterns—none other than the divine envoy who had once appeared on Mount Hidden Forest.

At that moment, he withdrew a brocade box from his sleeve and pushed it toward the old man.

“I hear Elder of the Black Village has reached the Fifth Realm; a modest gift, though it hardly reflects my respect.” The envoy of the demon race spoke with remarkable politeness.

The old man opened the box. Inside lay a slightly withered black lotus, its body marked by three radiant golden lines emitting a shimmering aura.

“The Nether Sea Golden Lotus…” The old man chuckled softly. “Lord Envoy, you’ve gone to considerable effort for such a trifling gift.”

“It was merely a chance encounter. I thought it suitable for a gift and took it as I passed.” The envoy spoke lightly, as if this casual act—no matter how many lives it may have cost—meant nothing to him.

“I’ll bring this to the Elder; he’ll surely appreciate it.” The old man nodded. “But because of your actions, the Mountain City is sealed tighter than ever. I can’t return for now. Still, as long as I stay here, no matter how thoroughly the authorities search, they won’t find me. You needn’t worry about that.”

“I hadn’t expected this. I had arranged a scapegoat to confuse the authorities for a while, but he didn’t fall into the trap.” The envoy smiled. “Still, the city won’t remain sealed for long. There are countless merchants inside; within seven days, it’ll open again. It’s no real hindrance.”

“To be frank, Lord Envoy, life is getting harder for us sorcerers in the Southern Domain. Resources for breaking through the Fifth Realm are scarce, and our village hasn’t seen a Sixth Realm Grand Sorcerer in years.” The old man sighed, then continued, “I’m here on behalf of seventeen allied sorcerer villages in the Southern Domain, seeking a path to survival.”

The envoy also sighed. “In the age of the Supreme Sorcerer God, who could have imagined his people would suffer so in later generations?”

The old man could only smile bitterly.

Indeed, the Sorcerer God had once existed, but only in legendary antiquity—perhaps ten thousand years ago or even longer. Their sorcerer tribe, after all, was human; their lifespans nowhere near those of the demon race.

No one truly reminisced about the glory of the Sorcerer God’s era anymore.

“We just wish to survive.” He shook his head. “The feud with the White Sorcerer villages is one thing, but the extermination efforts from the Three Absolutes Valley grow harsher by the day. If not for this, we would never have considered an alliance with your demon race. Yet, many elders in our villages remain apprehensive…”

“Apprehensive about what?” asked the envoy.

“Apprehensive because, after all, you are demons. If your plan succeeds, will you wipe out all humanity?”

---

The envoy burst out laughing. “In the days when humans had Saints, did our demon race get exterminated? Even when the God returns, humanity will persist. In the end, humans will still rule over humans.”

“When the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths are purged, the human race… might as well be renamed the Sorcerer Tribe.”

“All seven Demon Kings share this view. Before the God’s return, any friend who aids us, after the God returns, will be granted a place in the new world.” The envoy spread his arms wide, as if embracing a vision of this unreal world.

The old man’s expression remained calm, clearly unmoved by such rhetoric—he only listened quietly, then continued, “This is the second concern among the village elders…”

“They worry your… God is a fabrication.”

---

[Sha]: “Nether Sea Golden Lotus?”

[Fifty-eight]: “Yes, after some investigation, it appears to have been taken by a demon envoy… I can’t find any further traces.”

[Sha]: “If I could obtain this Nether Sea Golden Lotus, I could break through the third layer of the Five Elements Realm immediately! Don’t let up on the search. I’ll ask other members if there’s support near Mountain City.”

[Fifty-eight]: “I will do my utmost.”

[Fifty-nine]: “What? Nether Sea Golden Lotus! Just days ago, and already you’ve found the monster Lord Sha needs—amazing!”

Ignoring Fifty-nine’s streetwise interruptions, Chu Liang waited quietly for Sha’s reply.

He had carefully considered why to inquire within the Soul Domain space.

The Nether Sea Golden Lotus is mainly used for refining pills, medicines, or assisting cultivation. For monsters, it holds little value.

Yet a demon envoy committing such a grave crime to snatch it surely wasn’t doing so out of idle curiosity.

Those who need it for cultivation are most likely practitioners of demonic, sorcery, gu, or poison arts—evil cultivators. Given the envoy’s purpose for leaving the mountain and his past habits…

It would be no surprise if he pulled another trick of offering stolen goods to curry favor.

Perhaps these outland demon tribes simply have a habit of gifting plundered treasures.

His whereabouts were impossible to trace, but his contacts might leave a trail. Even in the shadows, connections remain.

---

Soon, Sha’s reply arrived.

[Sha]: “I asked other members—there is someone near Mountain City, but he can’t help you directly, and he knows nothing about this incident. He did offer a clue: if you want to gather information in Mountain City, go to Aunt Gu’s tavern.”

Just as expected.

The brothers of the underworld are always dependable.

Though it was only an avenue for gathering information, it was better than being completely lost.

[Fifty-eight]: “Aunt Gu’s tavern? Very well, I’ll set out now to investigate.”

[Sha]: “You’ve gone to such lengths for me; when I break through, your reward will be assured. Whether this succeeds or fails, I thank you.”

[Fifty-eight]: “No need for thanks, Lord Sha. This is merely my duty.”

[Fifty-nine]: “Awesome.”

Putting away the Soul Command Token, Chu Liang immediately went to inform Yun Chaoxian.

“I’ll go ask around for some news. Just wait for me here.”

The situation at that place was still unclear—he couldn’t bring Yun Chaoxian along. If anything related to the Underworld Sect was exposed, it would be hard to explain.

Yun Chaoxian asked curiously, “Ask around? Where?”

Chu Liang replied, “I’ve got some discreet leads from friends. I’ll go alone.”

“Alright.” Yun Chaoxian nodded. “Then you really ought to thank your friend.”

Chu Liang smiled.

No need.

He just thanked me a moment ago.