First Intimate Contact

Legend has it that in the extremely distant ancient times, an evil god emerged in the Southern Territories. Possessing vast supernatural powers and monstrous ferocity, it led countless demons and wicked spirits, plunging the mortal realm into endless bloodshed.

During those dire times, the Immortal Realm—which had not yet severed its ties with the mortal world—intervened. A massive mountain descended from the heavens to suppress and slay the entity, thereby saving the common people.

That mountain was so vast that it was able to pin down the Southern Territory evil god and its entire legion of demons. Ever since, this mountain range has been known as the "Mountain of Suppressed Southern Territories." Because countless demons were buried there, strange and sinister phenomena frequently occur within its borders, creating innumerable forbidden zones, perilous areas, and haunted lands.

Yet, such treacherous places often harbor great treasures, attracting countless cultivators who brave the dangers to stake their lives on a chance at fortune. Every year, an untold number of people remain there forever, fulfilling the old adage: "Men die for wealth, just as birds die for food."

...

At the western foothills of the Mountain of Suppressed Southern Territories lies the Wolf-Tail Forest, named for its peculiar, long, and narrow shape.

On this day, the Wolf-Tail Forest welcomed a young man dressed in a heavy black robe. With his head and face shrouded and his aura concealed, almost every trace of his identity was masked.

This person was, naturally, Chu Liang.

After learning last night that "Sixty" had already arrived at Wolf-Tail Forest, he had set out early with his master to the Mountain of Suppressed Southern Territories. At this very moment, Di Nüfeng was waiting not far away. Should Chu Liang crush the jade travel talisman, she would immediately appear to close the net.

His interactions with the Netherworld Sect were largely shrouded in uncertainty, and he had to rely on his own improvisation, which made him feel inevitably tense. Yet, to an observer, his footsteps remained steady and calm.

There was indeed a pile of black stones at the edge of the forest.

The stones were arranged in an arrowhead pointing in a specific direction. Chu Liang followed this path deep into the woods until he saw another pile of black stones indicating a turn. After walking for quite some time, he finally spotted a small cave.

Chu Liang observed the entrance for a while before slowly stepping inside. The cave was shallow and empty. But the moment he walked in, a figure appeared at the entrance.

"You're here," the figure said.

The voice was muffled and hoarse, likely altered by some special technique.

Chu Liang turned around to see that the figure at the entrance was also dressed in a black robe, with their head and face shrouded and their aura suppressed...

Huh.

They were wearing the same outfit.

The reason Chu Liang had insisted on being the first to meet "Sixty" was that a private meeting was the best way to fish for information. He hoped to learn more about the Netherworld Sect to prepare for the upcoming gathering. If he said something wrong, he could call his master to erase the opponent without alerting others, minimizing the risk.

Therefore, from the moment he set eyes on "Sixty," he focused his efforts on observing the other, hoping to glean as much information as possible. Unfortunately, the other party’s defenses were just as tight as his own.

Chu Liang vaguely sensed that he was not the only one feeling nervous about this meeting.

"Sixty" had only appeared after waiting for Chu Liang to enter the cave, likely having observed him from the shadows. If Chu Liang had acted suspiciously or had been followed, the other would have likely fled immediately.

In the space where shadows and light intermingled, the two stood facing each other.

Apart from the fact that the other was slightly shorter than Chu Liang, nothing could be discerned—and even their height might not be real.

Chu Liang couldn't help but feel puzzled. If Netherworld Sect disciples were this guarded every time they met, how did they ever communicate? Or did they simply not communicate at all?

"I am here," he replied just as simply, remaining cautious and afraid that revealing too much would give the game away.

"Sit," Sixty gestured.

There were two stone stools in the cave. Chu Liang sat on the left, and the other sat on the right.

Though they were not far apart, Chu Liang could see nothing but deep shadows... From the robe to the shadow to the voice, this person was a mirror image of himself; both were isolating themselves from all scrutiny.

Sitting on your left, it feels like we are separated by the galaxy.

"How did the last matter go?" No sooner had he sat down than Chu Liang seized the initiative.

This was the opening line he had prepared. With such an ambiguous question, if "Fifty-eight" and "Sixty" truly had some specific, shared knowledge, he might be able to coax it out. If not, the other would likely ask what he meant, and Chu Liang could use the transactions he had made with "Fifty-nine" in the group chat as a cover.

He could advance or retreat as the situation demanded.

Facing this simple question, "Sixty" pondered for a moment before replying, "You should be able to guess."

"?"

Chu Liang’s mind raced.

The fact that he didn't ask what matter it was suggested there was indeed a "specific" issue between them. That the result was something he could guess—what did that imply?

It implied nothing.

What a difficult start...

Chu Liang shook his head and sighed, "Life has been too difficult lately; many things haven't gone smoothly."

This was also an ambiguous statement. It could be interpreted as his guess regarding that "specific" matter being that things were not going well, thereby opening the conversation. If it wasn't a matter that could be described as "smooth," it could simply pass as a general lament.

And being difficult lately was an inevitability for Netherworld Sect disciples, especially those under the command of the Purple Gold Marquis.

"Indeed," Sixty simply nodded, then added, "You should be doing a bit better than me."

Hm?

Why would I be doing better than you?

Is it because "Fifty-eight's" cultivation level is higher than "Sixty's," or is it something else? Another opening without substance. It seemed he needed to pivot to something more concrete.

He had to lure the other into revealing substantive information.

"Heh," Chu Liang thought quickly and laughed, then said quite directly, "Tell me about your situation recently."

"My situation lately is hardly worth mentioning," Sixty also shook his head and retorted, "And you?"

"Same here," Chu Liang said.

"..."

The awkward conversation reached a stalemate.

Chu Liang’s patience was wearing thin. The other party seemed to be on guard, impenetrable, and unwilling to leak any information.

If this continued, it would be a waste of time.

It would be better to call his master over to deal a heavy blow.

However, he should avoid acting in this immediate vicinity. It was too close to Wolf-Tail Forest, and "Sixty" had already reported this meeting spot in the Soul-Detention Order. If there were signs of a struggle here—even a trace of residual spiritual energy—it might alert the other two.

Chu Liang had prepared for this. If it came to that, he would make an excuse that he had discovered a place on the way here that seemed to hide rare treasures, and invite the other to go take a look.

Internal strife among demonic sects was common; the other should be on guard. But once they were away from here, with his master’s cultivation, no amount of guarding would matter.

Just as Chu Liang was about to speak, "Sixty" suddenly broke the silence: "Before you arrived, I discovered a valley on the hillside outside the forest. It seems to contain rare treasures, but I was worried I would miss you if I left, so I returned early. Since they won't be here for a while, why don't we go take a look together?"

This...

Wasn't that my line?

A faint sense of suspicion rose in Chu Liang’s heart. He didn't know the motive behind this sudden suggestion. Remembering how the other had tried to lure him into a meeting over the Nether-Sea Golden Lotus, could this be a plot to double-cross him?

But leaving this place was ultimately in his favor, so he decided to go with the flow.

He nodded, "That sounds excellent."

"Sixty" stood up and walked forward. As he walked, he kept his body slightly angled, half-facing Chu Liang.

Chu Liang followed half a step behind, also keeping his front toward the other.

Clearly, both feared a sneak attack.

After this brief encounter, Chu Liang even felt a strange sense of empathy for "Sixty." All of his tactics were as if they had been taught by the same master; neither could break the other's moves.

Could it be that this guy is also an undercover agent?

The thought flashed through his mind, and Chu Liang couldn't help but smile—that was too absurd.

Regardless of his motive, once his master arrived and subdued him, the truth would naturally come to light. Even if you copy all my methods, you can't possibly have the same master as me, right?

Seeing that they had already reached the hillside, far from the Wolf-Tail Forest, Chu Liang prepared to quietly retrieve his jade travel talisman.

*Crack.*

But a step ahead of him, a faint sound of shattering echoed through the air.

A familiar feeling descended upon Chu Liang, like an invisible shackle. A ripple of dusty wind spread outward, and the surrounding laws of heaven and earth shifted slightly.

Sorcery.

A forbidden zone?