At the current stage, whether Ming Zhuo has truly betrayed Luo Mountain is still in the realm of accusation and suspicion.

Impermanence does not necessarily require evidence to take action; suspicion alone suffices. Ming Zhuo already has sufficient motive to join the Evangelical Institute; it would be more surprising if he did not. Although demanding that someone prove their innocence violates fundamental legal principles, falling into the category of presumption of guilt, what law can arbitrate disputes among Impermanence? Currently, Ming Zhuo finds himself in a situation where he must prove his innocence.

If a basic consensus is reached among the Impermanence, I can bypass the debate and directly strike against Ming Zhuo without much criticism theoretically. However, Fa Zheng is clearly an outlier in this regard, as he seems to insist on fairness and justice, believing that without evidence, no matter how great the suspicion, Ming Zhuo cannot be deemed a traitor to Luo Mountain.

"Zhuang Cheng, as long as you can provide conclusive evidence, not only will I not object to your decision on Ming Zhuo, I can even join forces with you to accomplish this," Fa Zheng said, "Even if there are just related leads, they would suffice. I, too, wish to find out if Ming Zhuo has already been secretly turned by the Evangelical Institute. Once I have a direction for the investigation, I'll look into it myself."

"Evidence, or leads..."

As I pondered, I glanced at Little Bowl. I seemed to have unconsciously developed a bad habit; whenever confronted with something requiring thought and Little Bowl was with me, I'd unavoidably want to rely on her.

Little Bowl whispered a reminder, "The Base."

"Yes, that's it." I turned to Fa Zheng. "The Luoshan Branch Base under Ming Zhuo's command was destroyed by Xu Gou, a Void Envoy. Later, its history was pasted into reality and was further destroyed by me in the name of the Third Apostle of Void Realm. Many ordinary people who survived have been settled by us, which you might have heard of.

"Though there were spies secretly selling intelligence to Taoyuan Village, the base's original purpose likely pertained to a plan involving Ming Zhuo and the Evangelical Institute, especially with respect to brain and genetic sciences... The branch base itself has now disappeared, but it perhaps was not an isolated island and might have significant information exchange with other branch bases and Ming Zhuo himself, which could serve as a breakthrough for the investigation."

After listening carefully, Fa Zheng nodded and then rose from the sofa, saying, "I understand, I'll investigate immediately."

"I'll wait for your good news." I stood up as well.

"Lastly, perhaps it's more than what's necessary to ask, have you truly made up your mind to break ties with Ming Zhuo?" Fa Zheng asked, "I can see that you've made considerable progress in the post-mortem world. Even without relying on Xuanming Fire, maybe you can suppress Ming Zhuo now. But how is this different from last time? You still can't kill Ming Zhuo.

"An undying enemy is extremely terrifying, as it means you must always be ready for their wrath and revenge; or do you intend, like last time, to engage Ming Zhuo in a prolonged war of attrition, trying to drag it out until his lifespan is exhausted?"

With this, instead of responding verbally, I lifted my palm. An intangible mystic fluctuation — Power of Divine Seal Fragments — materialized from it.

"——The Power of True Spirit!" Fa Zheng exclaimed, "No, is this... Power of Divine Seal Fragments?"

Though not as deeply studied as Divine Light, Fa Zheng surely researched the Power of Divine Seal Fragments and understood its essence as the Power of True Spirit.

He contemplated, "I see... The ability to directly use the Power of Divine Seal Fragments, is this also a property of the Void Envoy?"

Currently, only two known methods allow direct use of the Power of Divine Seal Fragments: becoming a Void Envoy or, like Ying Lingyun and Dr. Silver Mask, implanting the fragments into one's body and soul.

Others wishing to utilize the Power of Divine Seal Fragments can only rely on arrays or external tools.

"Such pure True Spirit Power is almost unheard of," Fa Zheng said, "In history, there were people walking the path of self-proving True Spirit who could conditionally summon the Power of True Spirit. There are techniques of extreme difficulty forcibly extracting very minute quantities of True Spirit, but most are either insufficient in purity or too small for practical use. You do not have these problems. Though in small quantity, it suffices to achieve the effect of True Death if concentrated.

"A death summoned by True Spirit Power, even Ming Zhuo's Naraku Undying Body cannot resist... indeed, you've prepared well."

He let out a sound of admiration.

"Can you tell me how Ming Zhuo attacked Mazao and the others?" I asked.

"It would be clearer to ask the people around you these things rather than me. It's time you reunite with them," Fa Zheng said, "I'll stop imposing on you then, see you next time."

-

After Fa Zheng left, Little Bowl and I also left that place, heading to the street at the Luoshan Headquarters.

"Next, we will meet Mazao and Zhu Shi," I said, "Are you ready?"

"I am ready, Brother Zhuang Cheng." Little Bowl said earnestly.

I led Little Bowl, heading towards my residence at the Luoshan Headquarters.

At the same time, I was maneuvering "Firefly," searching for where Ming Zhuo might be.

Even though I plan to kill Ming Zhuo, having both the resolve and the means, I am well aware that this task won't be that straightforward. During my conversation with Fa Zheng, I had carefully been using "Firefly" to search for Ming Zhuo's location in secret, but the result was that I found nothing.

A clear fact exists: Ming Zhuo surely knows of my return.

The mana fluctuations I unleashed during the Great Success Stage not only cover the city I'm in but reach surrounding areas, and every demon hunter in the adjacent cities can sense it. Upon becoming an Impermanence, the scale increased immeasurably. During the conflict with Xuanming, I didn't have time to cover up, and Xuanming attacked openly, making the mana fluctuations enough to alert every demon hunter in the country.

This is why Fa Zheng found me so quickly.

So, what about Ming Zhuo? Upon breaking his vow and sensing my return, especially realizing my mana fluctuations are on equal footing with Xuanming... what will he do?

First, he will definitely hide to the best of his ability, just like now.

No matter what, compared to Huang Quan, he's not easier to kill. I deeply understand the depth of his ability to endure hidden under his cruel and arrogant demeanor.

Back then, when humiliated publicly by me, a new Impermanence, in front of other Impermanence, he held his tongue and admitted defeat to his followers... He's not someone who would risk everything for dignity and face, but rather a tough character, akin to Huang Quan, capable of ultimate patience.

In the game of "hide and seek," I have no intention of fighting alone. To drag him out of hiding, I'll need Fa Zheng's connections, and I might attempt to utilize Gua Tianshi's power too. Perhaps due to Little Bowl's presence, I've increasingly recognized the importance of "power from others."

Moreover, there's another uncertain matter worth mentioning.

It relates to the "Firefly."

I have numerous "Fireflies" scattered across the real world. Besides "monitoring-type Fireflies" to protect loved ones, many "Fireflies" are placed with little purpose other than as waymarkers for future navigation.

There are many other "Fireflies" that lack even this function, merely previously launched and either not retrieved or canceled out of convenience. When I confirmed there were no fewer "Fireflies" upon my return in reality, I didn't scrutinize any beyond the "monitoring-type Fireflies." Now, in an attempt to pinpoint Ming Zhuo's location, I've checked many "Fireflies," trying to see if any could serve as conduits to trace mingzhuo's recent residual fluctuation marks.

One apparent fact is that one "Firefly" appeared in a location where I've never set one before, and it's transmitting a very faint signal, as if sealed in some Different Space. From the faint signals, I can barely discern the direction, while the distance remains vague, identifying at most a "rough area" where it might be.

I feel like I intermittently encounter this kind of "I placed a 'Firefly' here once, but forgot to take it back or disable it" scenario. Although no spatial boundary is so insignificant compared to the Void Realm beneath the fifteenth-floor basement. I only need to go to that "rough area," take a look, and search to confirm the status of that "Firefly."

For now, I want to focus on the highest priority matters.

I brought Little Bowl to my household residency at the Luoshan Headquarters.

Meanwhile, I was also operating the "Firefly," scanning for Ming Zhuo's location.

It's true that I intend to kill Ming Zhuo and possess the determination and means to do so, but I know well that the matter cannot go that smoothly. During my dialogue with Fa Zheng, I meticulously searched through hidden "Fireflies" to locate Ming Zhuo, but the result was coming up empty-handed.

A glaring fact stands: Ming Zhuo must have learned of my return.

The mana fluctuations I exuded during the Great Success Stage not only covered this area but were also vast, incomparable to any before. I couldn't conceal them during my clash with Xuanming, who also blatantly attacked, causing enough mana fluctuations to alert every demon hunter in the country.

This is why Fa Zheng came to me so promptly.

So, what of Ming Zhuo? Having perceived my return and my mana fluctuations that clashed with Xuanming's... what would he do?

First, perhaps he will endeavor to stay concealed, much as he is doing now.

Regardless of who or what is said, he is the heir of Huang Quan, so think again before assuming that killing him will be more manageable than killing Huang Quan. I truly discern that beneath his cruel and untamed nature, he possesses potential resilience.

Humiliated publicly by me, a recently emerged Impermanence, he managed to swallow his pride, admitted his defeat to his peers, confessed his loss to his followers... He isn't the sort to easily risk exposure for pride or dignity, but a resilient persona akin to Huang Quan. He can endure patiently.

In intending to flush him out, it's necessary to employ Fa Zheng's acumen, or perhaps try using Gua Tianshi's power in this situation. Maybe due to Little Bowl's presence, I increasingly realize the importance of others' strength.

There is another uncertain issue worth mentioning.

It concerns the "Firefly."

I have an abundance of "Fireflies" scattered throughout reality. Beyond "monitoring-type Fireflies" positioned for protecting dear ones, other "better leave one here" "Fireflies" were placed without a precise purpose, either left unrecovered or not canceled after release. This was to mark. However, upon my return to reality, I did not align the full count of "Fireflies" but only ensured the "monitoring-type Fireflies" weren't missing. Now, in a bid to locate Ming Zhuo, I scrutized numerous "Firefly" positions to assess if any could capture Ming Zhuo's recent activities and the remaining fluctuation traces.

One apparent fact is that an outlier "Firefly" emerged, in an area I've not set up before, and its returned signal is extremely weak, as though enclosed within some Different Space. I can barely gauge the direction—distance is still ambiguous, only letting me pinpoint a "rough area."

I frequently find myself encountering these "'Firefly' set here without retrieval or cancelation" situations. Yet, no spatial boundary compares to the Void Realm underneath the fifteenth-floor basement. I only need to visit that "rough area," look around, and see to confirm the "Firefly's" real state.

For now, I want to focus on the highest priority matters.

With Little Bowl, I made my way to my residence at Luoshan Headquarters and meanwhile continued operating "Firefly," attempting to locate where Ming Zhuo was.

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