The spiritual energy within my dantian surged like a river rushing to the sea, each revolution of the celestial circuit accompanied by the faint rumbling of thunder. I sat cross-legged in the private chamber of the Azure Dragon Hall's East Sea outpost, fingertips lightly tracing the blade of the Battle-Wave Saber. The resonance between the meteorite iron anvil-board and the Wave-Breaker Saber grew ever clearer; dark gold runes and water-ripple patterns shimmered in counterpoint as spiritual force flowed through them — like a pair of twin divine weapons that had slumbered for ages, finally awakening the memory of one another at the threshold of Foundation Establishment.

"Peak early-stage Foundation Establishment, physical constitution at mid-stage Foundation Establishment..." I murmured to myself, sensing the surging power coursing through my meridians. Perhaps the dual tempering of the Dao Ancestor's Sword Intent and the Tidal Force had made my foundation unusually solid. On the system panel, the proficiency of the Demon-Breaker Sword Art was climbing slowly with each day's sword-intent tempering, while the tidal force sealed within the Ocean-Sea-Sea-Suppressing Jade Pendant had formed a perfect resonance with the Tide Saint Body Art.

"Stop admiring yourself, rookie." The system elder's voice rose in my mind, carrying its customary mockery. "Word's come in from the Azure Dragon Hall's East Sea outpost — Baizhen Pavilion has planted a hidden agent at 'Baizhen Pavilion' in the city's western district. Gordon Jin, the Vice Hall Master of the Xuanmen Bureau's White Tiger Hall, has been coming and going there frequently of late."

I opened my eyes, a flash crossing my gaze. Gordon Jin — that name had surfaced in the fragmented memories recovered through my Soul-Search Technique. He was the key figure secretly in league with Victor Jin, the master of Baizhen Pavilion, and served as Vice Hall Master of White Tiger Hall.

"Baizhen Pavilion..." I recalled my last encounter at the headquarters Baizhen Pavilion. That place was indeed a nest harboring filth and corruption. "Let's go. Time to pay them a visit."

I changed into an inconspicuous green linen robe and carefully tucked the Qi-Gathering Pellets and the red coral into my storage pouch. For this operation, I had specifically retrieved several mid-grade Spirit-Gathering Stones from the system space, disguising myself as a wandering cultivator-merchant who traveled about purchasing spiritual materials. The Azure Dragon Hall's "Azure Bamboo Token" I concealed within my sleeve — my talisman of protection for conducting affairs in the East Sea.

The East Sea branch of Baizhen Pavilion wore the same imposing face as ever. The spirit stones set into the eyes of the stone lions flanking the entrance shone even brighter than before — clearly, Baizhen Pavilion's influence here had expanded further. I blended into the flow of people and entered the main hall. A dense wave of spiritual energy washed over me, tinged with a faint, almost imperceptible fishy odor. On instinct, I activated the Breath-Concealment Art, suppressing my Foundation Establishment aura until it resembled that of a late-stage Qi Refinement cultivator.

The third-floor trading area was as bustling as ever. I found a corner seat and pretended to examine the red coral in my hand, while the corners of my eyes swept the room in wary surveillance. A system notification chimed in my mind:

Ding! Detected the distinctive Scaly-Stench Powder scent unique to Baizhen Pavilion. Source: the black-robed cultivator at the third table in the southeast corner.

My heart stirred. I glanced in that direction. Sure enough, a black-robed cultivator was haggling with someone nearby; the black scales pinched between his fingers radiated a familiar aura of wicked malice.

"Here we go." A cold smirk tugged at my lips. Deliberately, I placed a mid-grade Spirit-Gathering Stone on the table and let a thread of spiritual energy seep from my fingertips, causing the red coral to burst into a brilliant crimson radiance.

"Well now, fellow Daoist — that red coral is fine quality." People were immediately drawn over, no small number of them Baizhen Pavilion's informants.

I feigned an air of mystery and tucked the red coral away. "A trifle. Not worth mentioning."

At that very moment, my Sea God's Sight suddenly caught a familiar figure. The person stood in a corner, appearing to browse jade slips, yet their gaze drifted periodically toward the black-robed cultivator. The token at their waist bore a blurred character — "Liu."

"Lance Liu?" My pupils contracted slightly. That name had not only been mentioned by Elder Kai, but had appeared in the soul-search memories as well. He was the supervising steward within the Xuanmen Bureau responsible for monitoring deviant cultivators — outwardly upright and incorruptible. I hadn't expected him to be in Baizhen Pavilion's pocket as well.

"System — scan this individual."

Ding! Target identified: Lance Liu. Supervising Steward of the Xuanmen Bureau. Cultivation: late-stage Foundation Establishment. Technique: Profound Water Art.

I laughed coldly inward and rose without changing expression, pretending to inspect spiritual materials on the opposite side of the room, while covertly locking Lance Liu in the sight of my Spiritual Sea. I watched as he slipped out of the trading area without any outward sign and made for the rear alley — the black-robed cultivator following close on his heels.

I used the Breath-Concealment Art to suppress my aura to the barest minimum, rendering myself as unthreatening as a common mortal, and quietly followed.

The rear alley behind Baizhen Pavilion was dim and damp, reeking of rotting refuse.

I crouched behind an abandoned wooden crate and produced a sound-transmitting jade slip to begin recording. Lance Liu and the grey-robed cultivator — it was a grey robe now — came to a stop against the wall.

"Did you bring the goods?" Lance Liu's voice was pressed low, yet threaded with impatience.

The black-robed cultivator presented a blood-red scale with a fawning gesture. "Steward Liu, this is the raw material for the 'Scarlet Pellet' the Pavilion Master specially prepared for you — guaranteed to help consolidate your late-stage Foundation Establishment realm."

Lance Liu gave a satisfied nod and tucked the scale into his sleeve. "Tell Victor Jin to proceed with the 'Internal Xuanmen Liaison' matter as planned. However, there's a bit of trouble on the side of those 'Demon-Demon Demon Suppression Bureau remnants' — that Ethan Lu..."

"Ethan Lu?" The black-robed cultivator let out a contemptuous laugh. "Rest easy, Steward Liu. Though Senior Brother Scarlet was injured, the Pavilion Master has already decided to act personally. Never mind that brat being in the Qi Refinement stage — even if he reached Foundation Establishment, he'd be nothing more than a clown jumping on a stage."

"Hmph. Better to be cautious." Lance Liu gave a cold snort. "Those undying old fossils in the Demon-Demon Demon Suppression Bureau seem to have been stirring recently. Tell Victor Jin to accelerate the 'Elimination Plan' — best not to let the night grow long with too many dreams."

The Elimination Plan? A chill seized my heart.

"Understood, Steward Liu." The black-robed cultivator bowed and scraped. "Regarding that batch of evil pellets transported from overseas — we ask for your continued care."

"Relax. With me here, the checkpoints of the Xuanmen Bureau are no more than a formality." Lance Liu finished speaking, flicked his sleeve, and turned to leave.

End of Chapter 54: The Hidden Stake at Baizhen Pavilion