At a critical moment like this, Fang Qingyuan naturally had an inescapable duty. Lechuan had helped him acquire most of his current secular assets, and their fates had long been intertwined—they would prosper or perish together.

Inside the Sect Leader’s Quiet Chamber at the White Mountain Beast Taming Sect, Lechuan was alone. Heiye was still in the Outer Sea, tracking down the Evil Cultivator who had murdered Zhao Liangde years ago. Accompanying him was another Golden Core Cultivator dispatched by Di Yuanpu, along with his Companion Beast.

Lechuan looked somewhat weary when he saw Fang Qingyuan. He asked,

"Can you still contact that Spirit Wood Alliance Cultivator from all those years ago, Chai Miao?"

Fang Qingyuan nodded. He had leverage over Chai Miao. Not only had Chai Miao killed a fellow sect member, but he had also passed information several times. If the Spirit Wood Alliance found out, they would never let him go. Chai Miao had no choice but to stay on this dark path.

"Contact him. I need to know why the Spirit Wood Alliance is suddenly making a move. Things have been stable for fifteen years. What the hell are they up to now?"

After receiving Lechuan’s orders, Fang Qingyuan didn’t linger at the White Mountain Beast Taming Sect. He left with Jinbao, changing his disguise as soon as he was out the door and flying straight toward the Spirit Wood Alliance’s territory.

Upon reaching the Spirit Wood Alliance’s domain, Fang Qingyuan noticed that the sects here seemed more prosperous than elsewhere. The mortal population was also larger. Compared to the other powers on White Mountain, the Spirit Wood Alliance’s territory was more akin to the Qi Yun Territory.

Fang Qingyuan had visited Lianshui City but never the Li Huo Alliance. However, he had witnessed the Wei Family’s level of governance in the past. By comparison, the Wei Family was far inferior, and even the Southern Border Beast Taming Sect couldn’t measure up.

But none of this concerned Fang Qingyuan. The purpose of his trip was to uncover the intentions of the Spirit Wood Alliance’s leadership.

He had someone deliver a letter to Chai Miao. The message cryptically alluded to their past dealings in the Death Swamp. If Chai Miao saw it, he would surely know Fang Qingyuan had arrived.

After spending a few Spirit Stones to have someone keep watch for him, Fang Qingyuan observed secretly from a distance. If Chai Miao decided to betray him and lead an ambush, he would know in advance. He had been cultivating the Beast Taming Heart Method given to him by Di Qing for several years now. He could borrow seventy to eighty percent of the Bee Queen’s Innate Divine Techniques.

However, Fang Qingyuan’s precautions were clearly unnecessary. Chai Miao had no intention of trying to get back into the Spirit Wood Alliance’s good graces. It seemed he knew that if the Alliance discovered what he had done, death would be his only way out.

In a secluded spot, Chai Miao, also in disguise, met secretly with Fang Qingyuan. They both got straight to the point.

Fang Qingyuan said bluntly,

"I need to know the real reason why Yu He killed Qi Wushuang, the Spirit Wood Alliance’s motive for acting this way, and whether or not they will move against the White Mountain Beast Taming Sect."

The three questions immediately stumped Chai Miao. He said helplessly,

"I’m only a Steward right now, hardly a high-ranking member of the Spirit Wood Alliance. How could I possibly know such things? I can only do my best to ask around, but I can’t make any promises about whether I’ll succeed."

Fang Qingyuan sneered.

"If you can’t do it, what about Chai Wenzhai? He’s Chai Yi’s trusted confidant, and they’re uncle and nephew. Chai Yi is the Alliance Leader of the Spirit Wood Alliance; what would he hide from his own nephew? Don’t tell me you haven’t taken advantage of the opportunity we created for you all those years ago."

Chai Miao’s expression darkened. He had been locked up with Chai Wenzhai back then and had suffered a great deal. That, however, was the very opportunity Fang Qingyuan had created for him.

It was precisely because of that shared experience that Chai Wenzhai had come to treat Chai Miao as his own confidant over the years. Fang Qingyuan’s target wasn’t Chai Miao, but Chai Wenzhai.

At this, Chai Miao had nothing more to say. He simply said, "I will do my best," and quickly departed.

Five days later, Chai Miao handed a secret letter to Fang Qingyuan. On it was written:

"On White Mountain, Chai Ping has achieved the Nascent Soul realm. The Spirit Wood Alliance now has two Nascent Soul Cultivators."

He had asked for three pieces of information, but the reply was a single sentence. Even so, Fang Qingyuan wasn’t the least bit dissatisfied. For Chai Miao to obtain such a critical secret was proof of his value. The sleeper agent he had painstakingly put in place years ago was yielding a return far greater than he had ever expected.

So Fang Qingyuan quickly returned to the White Mountain Beast Taming Sect and relayed the news to Lechuan. After pacing for a few moments, Lechuan made a swift decision, saying:

"Take this information to the Black Market. Sell it. Give it away for free if you have to. I want everyone on White Mountain to know this within three days!"