Chapter 474: Chapter 474: Divine Foresight

When Xiaoli entered, Wei Xun smiled and nodded at him, though he didn’t say much, considering there were many important figures present, and beside him stood another person dressed in Liangting’s official attire, likely Wei Xun’s superior, the head of Liangting’s Demon Suppression Bureau.

Ever since Peach Blossom Lady was freed from the inner fire poison last time, she gradually regained her strength and was now a legitimate world NPC, and she was invited here as well.

Xiaoli and the others were seated on three cushions arranged by Zhenyue, and they waited quietly, recognizing the need to first listen to the matters at hand given the number of people present.

After they had settled, Master Bo Yuan, sitting at the head, began to speak.

"Fellow Daoists, I humbly apologize for daring to invite you here today," he said first.

This single sentence nearly startled everyone to the point of standing up to pay respects, but Xiaoli was more intrigued by the term "today."

Previously, they couldn’t be certain when they’d re-enter the Secret Realm, yet this old Daoist specified it was today, indicating he had foreseen it long ago.

"However, these are troubled times, and the old me cannot afford many formalities, it is truly unavoidable."

"Master, your words really humble us, please speak plainly if there is anything you wish to convey,"

a middle-aged man, bearing an air of nobility, replied, apparently modest but subtly implying for the speaker to quickly get to the point.

Master Bo Yuan, unperturbed, continued, "Naturally, today’s discussion pertains to Zuo Qiutian and the Hidden Sect, matters you have perhaps already anticipated."

The middle-aged man who earlier seemed a tad impatient immediately fell silent upon hearing these words.

It wasn’t just him; the others, too, displayed varied expressions, mostly less than optimistic.

"Donor Li, do you have any questions?"

Master Bo Yuan suddenly turned to Xiaoli.

"Uh, well, what is the Hidden Sect?" He didn’t expect this old Daoist to catch onto his confusion, but noticed Cheng Mingyue wide-eyed in bewilderment, making him feel it was normal for others to see it too.

Hearing this, Wei Xun cleared his throat and quickly helped to explain, "The Hidden Sect refers to those who have allied with Zuo Qiutian—a group hidden among society with unclear intentions, generally causing significant trouble now and then, um... not like good people."

Vice Inspector Wei received a glare from the main inspector and closed his mouth, looking embarrassed.

Master Bo Yuan stated, "What Donor Wei said is correct. The Hidden Sect is not a sect or faction; they are merely individuals sharing a common belief, members potentially appearing anywhere, even here."

With these words, the meditation room fell silent because what he said was indeed true.

Figures like Gu Suixun from the Mola Sect or Xue Can from the White Spring Sword Sect aren’t of the Evil Dao but sided with Zuo Qiutian at critical moments, and they can be considered part of the Hidden Sect.

"Master, could you tell us what they have done?" It was once again the dignified middle-aged man speaking.

Bo Yuan squinted his eyes and recounted how Zuo Qiutian and others opened passages beyond the realms, causing uproar in the room at such unfathomable revelations.

Major factions with deep-rooted histories like Shenxiao Palace were somewhat aware, whereas smaller factions with little heritage barely comprehended notions like outer realms and the Upper Realm, naturally finding it all unbelievable.

"Master, who can verify what you’re saying?"

Xiaoli thought the old Daoist was about to introduce himself but was surprised when the Daoist glanced at the questioner, the noble middle-aged man, and coolly responded, "Mr. Pang, you yourself are the verification."

"What are you saying?!"

Pang Jing, who seemed to be causing unnecessary trouble, suddenly turned flushed.

Bo Yuan unhurriedly replied, "Naturally, I mean, you came today to spy on our discussions; were you sent by Zuo Qiutian?"

Pang Jing’s expression changed, and after a mere moment of hesitation, he instantly became a streak of light bolting out the meditation room door.

Clearly, he knew staying and bluffing was useless; the best course now was to flee directly.

The unexpected twist surprised everyone, but those present were all experts, like Wei Xun hesitating yet swiftly gripping his sword to pursue him.

At this moment, Master Bo Yuan merely said, "Everyone, please remain calm."

With his words, there was a bang outside—a light thud—and Pang Jing, who tried to escape, had crashed to the ground, pinned down by a golden talisman, an elusive golden aura tightly holding him there.

Xiaoli and Cheng Mingyue exchanged glances, recognizing the old Daoist’s high-level skills, even surpassing those of Chongxu.

"Chongxu, take him away; we might extract some information."

When Xiaoli looked at the not particularly tall old man again, he suddenly seemed to exude the aura of a high sage with his enigmatic small eyes, appearing much larger than life.

Of course, this was merely an illusion caused by his overwhelming strength.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I only sensed there were traitors among today’s guests, which is why I set this trap. You are now aware of the situation and possibly have many questions, but having traveled from afar, I invite you to first rest. Once I finish interrogating Mr. Pang, we can then discuss strategies to address this."

Amid vigorous discussions, others left the meditation room, led by the monastery’s monks to their lodgings, while Xiaoli and the others were kept behind by Master Bo Yuan.

"Daoist, there is one thing I’m unclear on; may I ask for your guidance?"

Xiaoli, overflowing with curiosity, couldn’t help but inquire before anything was even said.

Bo Yuan chuckled, "Little donor wants to know how I determined Pang Jing was a spy?"

"Master foresees like a god! I am impressed!" Xiaoli quickly showered him with praise.

"Zhenyue, close the door, Chongxu, come out." Bo Yuan ordered.

Immediately, an old Daoist emerged from behind the meditation room, accompanied by the smiling Pang Jing.

"Young Xiaoli, I am Pang Jing, strategist of the Golden Jade Tower, pleasure to meet you."

"... What is going on?"

Xiaoli and his friends were dumbstruck.

Chongxu grinned, "Members of the Hidden Sect do not know one another; thus, Mr. Pang staged this ploy, pretending to have been exposed by our master’s fate-reading. At this juncture, as everyone goes to rest, if there are any more Hidden Sect informants, they will inevitably flee, which will reveal their identity."

Is that possible!

Xiaoli and the others were purely caught in the misconception, assuming that Master Bo Yuan’s great age and high realm must mean he used divination to uncover the spy, not expecting it was all an act.

At this point, Bo Yuan, unlike earlier when his emotions weren’t visible, seemed a bit smug, "Mr. Pang, how were my acting skills?"

"Equal to your realm, higher than the heavens," Pang Jing complimented with a flattery.

Bo Yuan didn’t indulge in it for long, swiftly ending the light banter, then soberly said, "Young Donor Xiaoli, please share in detail all you know about Zuo Qiutian with this old man. Should there be questions afterward, I will endeavor to answer them."