Chapter 946

Heavenly Spirit Realm.

"That Zhang Xungui died and came back to life—truly baffling," Yan Buji said, squinting.

After finally shaking off his pursuers, Yan Buji fled to Zhong Tian City, intending to leave this place of trouble for a while.

The human‑demon war in Zhong Tian Zhi Yu had reached a fever pitch; Yan Buji was keen to reap some benefit, but learning that the demon forces were advancing like a hot knife through butter, he realized staying would hardly yield any major gain.

Most importantly, to profit from the human‑demon war one must choose a side, join the fight against the other, and bear responsibility to reap rewards.

It's not that simple.

Yan Buji taking a little benefit and leaving is also the right choice.

"Friend, does Zhong Tian Zhi Yu have any formidable soul cultivators or ghost cultivators?"

"Oh? And you are?"

Yan Buji went straight to the owner of a large shop; the man, seeing his aura as deep and unfathomable as an abyss, became wary but dared not be rude.

"I've already reached the peak of the Transforming God stage, yet I sense no aura from this person—could he be a Refining Void or a Dao‑Unifying elder?"

The owner thought, since the stranger didn't reveal his affiliation, how could I speak recklessly?

Yan Buji looked at him and instantly understood: "I, the humble Ji Daoist, am a cultivator from Qingheng Prefecture."

"Ji Daoist…" the owner blinked, as if he had never heard of him.

However, the biggest news in Zhong Tian Zhi Yu now is the human‑demon war; if a Refining Void stage cultivator had suddenly appeared somewhere before, it would certainly have made headlines.

Yet Yan Buji habitually uses aliases; even when operating in Qingheng Prefecture under the name "Ji Daoist," it is only to reap benefits, and having never stepped into the spotlight, no one would inquire about him.

Unless that foolish woman Lin Qingli blows herself up, declares she wants to die, and tries to drag Yan Buji into it, but if that were the case, the Immortal Alliance's wanted notice would have already spread throughout Zhong Tian Zhi Yu.

"Do you happen to know?" Yan Buji frowned.

"Just a petty Transforming God peak, and I speak to you politely—are you giving me a face I shouldn't have?"

The owner sensed Yan Buji's impatience and immediately clasped his hands, saying, "This is no place for idle chatter; please proceed this way."

Yan Buji nodded.

With his current strength, unless a late‑stage Dao‑Unifying cultivator personally weaves a heavenly net, he has nothing to fear.

Upon entering the inner hall, Yan Buji saw a mid‑stage Refining Void cultivator approach.

The man, upon seeing Yan Buji, clasped his hands and said, "I am Yu Xinghe, master of the Falling Sea Tower; I have met the Daoist."

"Friend, you are courteous; I have arrived uninvited—may I disturb your establishment's business?" Yan Buji said with a smile.

"That hasn't happened," Yu Xinghe chuckled, "but I don't understand why the Daoist seeks soul or ghost cultivators."

Yan Buji squinted and suddenly said, "I possess a celestial talisman and wish to have some formidable soul or ghost cultivators appraise it."

"Appraise it?"

"You fear more than that, don't you?"

Yu Xinghai nodded, "If that's the case, can the Daoist trust me? I have some contacts within Zhong Tian City. If the Daoist is not in a hurry, could you stay in Zhong Tian City for a while? If I locate it, I will inform the Daoist."

"Fine, since there's none, shall I leave then? I won't disturb your business," Yan Buji said, noticing that Yu Xinghai's words concealed something, but he didn't wish to linger in Zhong Tian Zhi Yu, so he preferred to depart early.

"Daoist, wait!"

Yu Xinghai, seeing Yan Buji's resolve, immediately stepped forward to block him.

Yan Buji raised an eyebrow, "What? I'm leaving and you still want to keep me?"

"Not at all," Yu Xinghai smiled, "But have you heard of the 'Morning‑Dusk Hall' organization?"

"Morning‑Dusk Hall?"

"What kind of organization is that?"

Yu Xinghai, seeing Yan Buji's genuine confusion, immediately explained, "The Morning‑Dusk Hall is a loose‑cultivator organization founded to drive out the demon race and bring peace to humanity."

"And then?" Yan Buji asked, puzzled, "What does that have to do with me?"

He wouldn't be trying to rope me into that Morning‑Dusk Hall, would he?

He won't do anything that offers no benefit.

Yu Xinghai looked at Yan Buji and said, "Daoist, don't underestimate this organization just because it's newly founded; its ranks are filled with talent. To resist the demons, everyone works together, even venturing to Luo Huang Prefecture to assassinate a great power of the Qingluan clan!"

"Hmm?"

Yan Buji's eyes widened with surprise, "The great power of the Qingluan clan—could it be that Great Vehicle Stage cultivator Qing Xuan?"

"Exactly! Since you know, it shows you're still keen on the two‑race war. So if the Daoist wishes to join the Morning‑Dusk Hall, there are many senior practitioners specializing in soul cultivation within the organization who might aid you."

Yan Buji pressed his chin; his inquiry into soul and ghost cultivators was to discover whether, over the years, anyone like Zhang Xungui had been active in the world. Since such a person could have reached the Refining Void stage, they must have had external activities.

Even if he concealed his identity, people leave traces and swallows leave shadows; there cannot be absolutely no trace.

Yan Buji also realized his own identity might be uncovered by that Zhang Xungui beforehand, possibly prompting a death trap against his movements, so he intended to strike first and eliminate Zhang Xungui.

But if he couldn't find any information, Yan Buji thought there was no need to clash with him and would rather venture to the North River Ice Region.

"If I join the Morning‑Dusk Hall, what can I gain? From what you say, its members are all battling demon cultivators. I have just broken through an unstable stage and will need several years of seclusion to solidify my realm."

"That doesn't matter! If the Daoist is willing to join, I will recommend you to become the sub‑hall master of the Morning‑Dusk Hall in the North River Ice Region; thereafter, the Hall there will be under your charge!"

Yan Buji froze, squinting at him, "Oh? You can trust a complete stranger to go to the North River Ice Region and work for you?"

"Don't ask if you dare; even if you truly do, Yan Buji has to wonder who gave you such confidence and courage."

Yu Xinghai gave a wry smile, "Actually, the North River Ice Region, adjoining the Dongxing Sea Region's Winter Ocean area, was originally our Morning‑Dusk Hall base. For some reason, we haven't received any news from there for three months."

Yan Buji wore an annoyed expression, "So you mean you want me to go investigate? Friend, be clear in your words."

"Yes, yes, Daoist, don't blame me. The Morning‑Dusk Hall was originally founded to address the war in Zhong Tian Zhi Yu, but as the conflict turned unfavorable, many of our senior members were killed, and even countless mid‑level Refining Void cultivators perished. The cultivators in the North River Ice Region were already at odds with the demons; we hoped to win their support—money for money, strength for strength—but things didn't turn out as expected…"

"Oh, in other words, your Morning‑Dusk Hall sub‑hall in the North River Ice Region exists to recruit more cultivators to resist the demons?"

"Yes."