Cultivating Disciples to Breakthrough

Hidden ancient sect... It looks like this little one is a spy from one of the nearby smaller empires. Possibly even the Blue Sea Empire!

Hearing the words of the little Core Formation Realm cultivator pertaining to something that he shouldn’t know about with his current cultivation realm, Xuan Hao almost instantly connected him to one of the nearby smaller empires or possibly even the Blue Sea Empire itself. After all, only these kinds of powers would have some way to know about the existence of hidden ancient sects.

Of course, when it came to the different smaller empires located outside of the core region of the continent, it would be up to luck when it came to them learning about the existence of hidden ancient sects.

Not to mention, the existence of hidden ancient sects wasn’t purged from history like the past and the existence of the Profound Immortal Realm seemed to have been. Instead, it was just a bit more difficult to find and associate the current Star Shattering Sect with. Not something difficult to imagine a small empire with Soul Ascension Realm cultivators to be capable of doing.

Oh well, I already expected these kinds of spies among the audience, though, it is a bit surprising that I didn’t notice this little one before he made such an obvious mistake due to being shocked by something. Thinking about it, there is a good chance that the Blue Sea Empire dispatched similar spies!

Although, I doubt their spies will make this kind of obvious mistake. Meaning they should still be hidden among the audience, likely one of the wandering alchemists or blacksmiths to make them blend in better…

Thinking this to himself, Xuan Hao turned his attention away from the somewhat amateurish spy and instead focused his attention on the audience members currently discussing the crafting and brewing methods of the participants. Trying to see if he could spot the spy from the Blue Sea Empire among them.

After observing them for a few hours through his divine sense, Xuan Hao could not help letting out a somewhat frustrated sigh.

The wandering blacksmiths and alchemists among the audience seemed to perfectly fit their identity without showing any mistakes that might reveal them as a spy. All of them showing a level of mastery perfectly within the range of what would be expected from someone of their status. None of them revealed anything that would be considered impossible for wandering blacksmiths and alchemists.

Even the mistakes they made could be considered due to their gaps in knowledge stemming from them being wandering blacksmiths and alchemists instead of formally raised by a powerful force. Instead having wandered the world and picked up things on their own or by having a lucky encounter with a fellow wandering alchemist or blacksmith.

The Blue Sea Empire… Indeed, their spies should be top quality. Able to perfectly conceal themselves.

Shaking his head as he thought about this while feeling a sense of respect towards the Blue Sea Empire for being able to raise such a perfect spy capable of perfectly blending themselves into their surroundings, Xuan Hao decided to not pay any more attention to the wandering blacksmiths and alchemists. Instead focusing his attention back on the competition below.

Considering that he couldn’t figure out anything after using his divine sense to carefully scrutinize the group of wandering blacksmiths and alchemists for a few hours, he didn’t think he would be able to gain anything if he continued doing so. The spy had clearly mastered the ability to blend himself or herself into a crowd of people without sticking out.

With that in mind, he was forced to take the current situation even more seriously, as he realized that there was a high likelihood that the Blue Sea Empire was currently keeping an eye on him to try and find any mistakes or something that could point towards things being different from what was outwardly being shown.

With that in mind, Xuan Hao also made sure to inform Elder Song about the current situation to ensure that he didn’t end up lowering his guard as the competition dragged on towards the third day.

…

Unknown to Xuan Hao, who was now fully under the belief that there was a spy hidden among the remaining audience members, the spy in question was shaking all over in fear as he made his way out of the competition space.

That… That look… He is letting me go to serve as a warning…!

Thinking this to himself as he finally stepped back into the bustling streets of the Falling Star City, the spy could not help feeling a shiver run down his spine upon realizing how close he had been to death just now.

If not for the fact that the Star Shattering Sect clearly wanted to use him to warn the Blue Sea Empire about not sending their spies into their territory again in the future, there would have been no way for someone like him to get out alive. Especially considering that his strength was only in the Core Formation Realm.

I… I can’t send the report back in here, I have to personally go back, or I might end up getting killed by that senior for failing to heed his warning…

Feeling like he was being secretly observed by a terrifying divine sense that was ready to strike him down the moment he made the slightest mistake, the spy from the Blue Sea Empire didn’t dare continue to stay inside the Blue Sea Empire and instead turned to quickly leave the city and make his way back to the Blue Sea Empire to do his report on the situation in person.

The order in that gaze was clear and he had no intention of going against it. Especially so considering that the goal of the Blue Sea Empire was not to provoke this hidden ancient sect, but instead just to gauge their strength.

Considering what he had seen so far, it was already clear that this was indeed a hidden ancient sect. Not just that, but it seemed even more terrifying than the rumors he had heard about hidden ancient sects.

In the future, he would have to make sure that the Blue Sea Empire become fully aware of just how dangerous this Star Shattering Sect was and more importantly try his best to ensure that none of his brothers were sent to the territory of the sect for spying missions.

Instead of that, he would much prefer that they were sent into the Frozen Wastelands to spy on the demonic cultivators, as that would at least give them a better chance of survival compared to entering the territory of the Star Shattering Sect.

The reason for this being that he clearly understood that the divine sense of Celestial Immortal Realm cultivator was more than enough to fully cover the territory of the Star Shattering Sect.

If such an existence swept through the sect’s territory every few days to check for any enemies, it would essentially render any kind of spying operation impossible without the help of certain special artifacts capable of hiding from the divine sense of Celestial Immortal Realm cultivators.

The Frozen Wastelands on the other hand was far easier to conduct missions inside of, as they would at most have to disguise themselves as demonic cultivators and avoid certain dangerous areas where Demon King Realm demonic cultivators were present.

More importantly, Demon King Realm demonic cultivators didn’t really care much for those weaker than themselves and would never bother to investigate the demonic cultivators as long as they followed their commands.

Whoosh-!

With all of that in mind, the spy from the Blue Sea Empire didn’t waste any time inside the Falling Star City, as he directly rushed out of the city under the confused looks of the surrounding cultivators before heading directly towards the border of the Blue Sea Empire.

In the process of doing this, he also made sure to inform his brothers and sisters who had come together with him that they had already been noticed by the senior figure from the Star Shattering Sect and had been told to leave the territory of the sect.

Whoosh-!

Whoosh-!

Whoosh-!

Not doubting the words of their senior and older brother, the rest of the spies realized that the Star Shattering Sect was far stronger than anticipated and quickly followed after their older brother. Heading towards the Blue Sea Empire together.

Considering that they had already been noticed, they didn’t bother hiding themselves, causing a bit of confusion among the people inside the Falling Star City, but it was quickly forgotten again, as their group disappeared just as fast as they had appeared. Most people just thought that it was some sect that had decided to rush back home for something important.

Outside of Xuan Hao, nobody realized that it was a group of spies that had infiltrated the Falling Star City who left just now, though… Xuan Hao didn’t care too much and guessed it was just a show of goodwill towards the sect from the power behind these spies. Having them leave so openly.