Tianlin explained to Ning Fengzhi and the others how he had taken control of Hu Liena inside the City of Slaughter.

Ning Fengzhi nodded with satisfaction. "Well done. At a time like this, controlling Hu Liena brings far more benefit than killing her."

"You flatter me, Uncle Ning. I learned these things from you." Tianlin dared not take credit—such underhanded means were certainly picked up from Ning Fengzhi.

Gu Rong looked at the father-in-law and son-in-law duo in front of him. Both were crafty! Though Tianlin's swordsmanship was taught by Chen Xin, his way of dealing with people was growing ever more similar to Ning Fengzhi's. The once naïve and silly kid was now increasingly cunning.

"Sword Brother, did you just have Hu Liena work for you? After you took control of her, wasn't she completely at your mercy?" Ning Rongrong smiled sweetly at Tianlin—but the smile was dangerous, and her jade-like hand was already on Tianlin's waist, ready to perform a 720-degree Thomas spin at any moment.

"Of course not! I stabbed straight through her before controlling her—how could I be interested in her?" Tianlin quickly denied it.

Ning Rongrong eyed Tianlin suspiciously. Normally, she trusted her Sword Brother completely. But Hu Liena was just too beautiful and seductive. While Rongrong herself wasn't inferior in appearance, in terms of seducing men, not even ten of her could match Hu Liena.

"Ahem!" Ning Fengzhi coughed, interrupting the two. "Xiaotian, Hu Liena's letter says that the Spirit Hunt plan begins in five nights. I've checked the stars—that night will be overcast and starless. She even gave us a list of known participants. That's extremely valuable intelligence for us."

Tianlin's elaborate methods and the price he paid to control Hu Liena were worth it. With a definite time, they could prepare in advance.

Ning Fengzhi had been worrying about the Spirit Hunt every day, constantly calculating the possible timing.

Just then, Yin Yang rushed in, holding a letter. "Sect Master, I have urgent news!"

"Grandpa Eagle, what is it?" Tianlin was puzzled—it was rare for Yin Yang, who handled intelligence, to be so agitated.

"Xiaotian, you're here too, good! The palace just sent a letter from Xue Qinghe, inviting you to stay at the Heaven Dou Palace in five nights."

No wonder he was excited—he'd been monitoring the palace, and recently, all was abnormal. Generals distancing themselves, the Emperor gravely ill, and the palace guards under Xue Qinghe's full control—this was the perfect time for the Spirit Hunt.

And now, Xue Qinghe inexplicably invited Tianlin to the palace, for that exact night. Wasn't that just as good as revealing the time?

Everyone could see—this was due to Xue Qinghe's past affection for Tianlin, hoping to save his life.

"That Qian family's little angel… she's just giving herself away?" Tianlin muttered in disbelief.

Ning Fengzhi was also stunned. For information on the Spirit Hunt, he and Tianlin had wracked their brains, while others like Chen Xin and Gu Rong only knew how to fight.

Yin Yang had spent days and nights monitoring the palace, Tianlin's million-year soul skill was ready to foresee the future, he'd even controlled Hu Liena, and Ning Fengzhi's secret room held more than ten predictive plans…

Yet in the end, just before the Spirit Hunt, someone came to tell them the exact timing. How were they supposed to feel? Of course, this only happened because Qian Renxue didn't know they already knew of the plan. Otherwise, she'd never do something so foolish.

"Sword Brother, anything else to explain?" This time, Rongrong's hand on Tianlin's waist twisted his flesh completely.

She was still smiling, but the grinding sound of her teeth betrayed her anger.

A few days ago, when she found out from Ning Fengzhi that Xue Qinghe was a girl, she nearly drowned the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect in vinegar. After all, Tianlin had spent no less time alone with Xue Qinghe than with her.

Alone together… who knew what might have happened? She even worried her Sword Brother was no longer pure.

Seeing jealous Ning Rongrong, Chen Xin—who always treated her as his granddaughter—didn't comfort her, but calmly sipped his tea. "As expected of my disciple! Both Saintesses of the Hall and the Worship Hall just gave themselves away. This is stable!"

Tianlin stared blankly at his Master. Was he stoking the fire? Since when did the dignified Swordmaster start teasing his disciple?

"Haha, enough, don't fuss. Rongrong, if you want to bully your Sword Brother, wait till tonight. You all go now. Sword Uncle and Bone Uncle, gather all the sect's strong ones. Uncle Dugu, please prepare the medicinal supplies. Rongrong and Guran, gather the younger generation. This is the responsibility of the whole sect. Everyone must do their part!" Ning Fengzhi looked much more relaxed.

In this world, nothing is a stronger weapon than intelligence. Now they had the exact news, they no longer feared the so-called Spirit Hunt.

"Yes!" Upon hearing Ning Fengzhi's command, everyone sprang into action.

Only Tianlin and Yin Yang were left. Since Ning Fengzhi hadn't assigned them tasks, there must be something else.

"Uncle Eagle, please fly to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon clan and deliver this letter to Yu Yuanzhen." Ning Fengzhi hadn't forgotten them—Spirit Hall wouldn't target only their sect.

Even if he forgot, Tianlin wouldn't. After all, Yu Tianheng was his brother and Dugu Yan always treated him like her own brother.

"Grandpa Eagle, please also detour to Heaven Dou City, deliver a letter for me, and tell Xue Qinghe I'm at a crucial stage, breaking through from level 69 to 70, and can't spare the time to visit." Tianlin took out a prepared letter.

Yin Yang glanced at the recipient: Shi Lei, the grandfather of the Shi brothers. He nodded. "Don't worry, Sect Master, Xiaotian, I'll be back soon!"

Yin Yang took flight. Ning Fengzhi finally looked at Tianlin. "Xiaotian, your Mind Control Technique—if targeting soul masters around level 40, how many can you control at once?"

Tianlin was stunned. He didn't know why Ning Fengzhi asked, but he answered truthfully. "If I go all out, controlling a hundred or more at a time is not a problem."

Ning Fengzhi nodded. "Good, that will be enough. Xiaotian, I have something to entrust to you."