Returning Burial Forest, midnight.

Gu Jianlin leaned against an ancient tree on night watch, toying with the Desert Eagle in his hand.

He was certain that there was a traitor in the team, and they would strike again in a short time. Thus, he decided to act as though he knew nothing, deliberately baiting them to reveal themselves.

This place was the Ancient God Realm, different from the real world; here, he could display his power more freely.

The reason for staying on watch was to show a semblance of vigilance.

After all, everyone here was an elite. Too much complacency could only raise suspicion.

Yet less than half an hour had passed when Tang Ling wriggled out from her solitary tent.

Those starkly black-and-white eyes stared directly at him.

"What's up?"

"Can't sleep."

"Because you're nervous?"

"No, I want to take a bath."

"Mm… and what's that got to do with me?"

"Don't you have the Lock of Nonexistence? Lend me a hand."

Gu Jianlin finally understood—this woman was determined to maximize utility.

Earlier, she'd used his Ghost Hand to help carry her luggage.

Now, she wanted to use his Lock of Nonexistence to erect a Barrier against prying eyes.

It had to be said: Tang Ling truly had a unique way of living. Before bed, she'd head to the river to remove her makeup; though her makeup wasn't heavy—just sunscreen and primer, eyes subtly defined with an eyebrow pencil, lashes curled, and vermilion lipstick—her look was both meticulous and proud.

In her silver-haired state, she exuded an icy, cool demeanor befitting an older sister-type.

In her red-haired state, she radiated pride and domineering allure, with a hint of sensual charm.

If someone married her, it'd be like having two girlfriends.

Silvery chains wove a domain of emptiness.

Gu Jianlin sat by the riverside like a silent monk, unmoving.

"Are you really a man?"

Tang Ling's voice rang out from behind, accompanied by the splashing of water.

Gu Jianlin, expression rigid, replied, "What's your point?"

For the first time ever, he truly hated his profiling ability.

Just listening to the sound of water, he could vividly imagine it flowing over tender, snow-white skin, tracing over graceful curves, cleansing youthful beauty.

Tang Ling's voice cut through the scene: "Righteous men like you are rare even in TV dramas."

Gu Jianlin maintained his stern face: "Have you asked anyone else to stand lookout for you?"

Tang Ling snorted, "Never. My social relations are pretty much like yours."

Gu Jianlin retorted stubbornly, "I think my social skills are perfectly fine."

Tang Ling chuckled coldly, "And yet you're a terror for crying kids. Still think there's no problem?"

Gu Jianlin: "…"

Moments later, Tang Ling emerged, having bathed and changed, her damp white hair draped lazily as she glanced at the boy: "You know, after you gained fame, many people looked into your files—including me. But within the Association, many suspect your records have been tampered with, and aren't genuine."

Gu Jianlin froze, "Why's that?"

"Because you live like a ghost—your profile is cleaner than a paper doll's."

Tang Ling asked softly, "Don't you have any hobbies?"

Gu Jianlin hesitated before replying, "I used to, but they were too simple. I got bored quickly."

"Sounds like a playboy's excuse: bored with it, just toss it away."

Tang Ling teased him rarely, "Never been in a relationship?"

Gu Jianlin shook his head.

"Why not?"

"No desire, and unwilling to trouble others."

"Then has anyone liked you?"

"Seems like there's someone."

Suddenly, Gu Jianlin thought of someone, stroking the Stone Bead on his wrist, falling silent.

"Why ask all this?"

He asked curiously.

"No reason."

Tang Ling pouted lightly.

"You've asked so much about me; why not talk about yourself?"

Gu Jianlin shot her a sidelong glance, "Fair's fair."

By now, he could tell there was a reason for Tang Ling's willingness to converse.

The similarities in their life experiences.

Because of his father, Gu Jianlin had faced injustice and become a target for the Judgement Court.

Tang Ling's great-grandfather had done things even worse than his father.

Back in the Ether Association, surely she also couldn't hold her head high.

Yet her background might've been stronger.

Gu Jianlin had yet to formally apprentice under the King of Qing, but through his actions and strength, he'd earned the respect of most within the Ether Association, with his reputation for kindness also broadly praised.

"Girls' secrets are not for nosy boys."

Tang Ling rolled her eyes at him, "The Barrier can be lifted now."

Saying this, she turned and returned to her tent.

Gu Jianlin casually dismissed the Barrier created with the Lock of Nonexistence, then crossed the river.

On the opposite bank was Jing Shangxiu's territory, whose group had been spooked into staying awake all night.

The old man was drinking sake, visibly startled upon seeing him approach.

"You've come—please, take a seat."

He quickly pulled up a small stool. "What brings you here?"

Gu Jianlin replied expressionlessly, "I want to know about You Ying Group."

Earlier conversations had disclosed the location of the Ancient Ruins—it lay in the deepest part of Returning Burial Forest, in a secluded canyon leading to a prehistoric Ancient God Clan civilization site.

But when asked about further details, this group adamantly claimed ignorance.

Even Nightmare's divination confirmed they weren't lying.

"We truly know nothing."

Jing Shangxiu sighed, "We're just small fries."

Gu Jianlin stared at him coldly, silent.

At the same time, the imagined Gu Ci'an leaned close to his ear: "My dear boy, let me tell you a tip. The You Ying Group is the leading power in the Dark World, but given how mixed they are, it's easy to attract unwanted attention. Hence, they usually carry alchemy weapons that disrupt divination."

He continued, "Or, the adversary themselves might be on the Spirit Medium Path! That's why you need the Golden Card!"

Without hesitation, Gu Jianlin slapped down the Golden Card from You Ying Group.

Jing Shangxiu's eyes widened, "You… you're…"

Gu Jianlin spoke curtly, "Speak!"

He hadn't expected the Golden Card to still be of use here.

As for the risk of exposure, there was no need to worry.

If the Ether Association ever caught wind, he could simply claim the card was war loot.

Spiritual abilities didn't affect him anyway.

A rogue with ultimate Ancient God Power—how could he fear this?

"So, you're one of Third Master's invested candidates!"

Jing Shangxiu's face lit up with familial excitement, lowering his voice: "You're undercover in the Ether Association? Deeply embedded! Yet frankly, the intel I have is limited; I only know that in the depths of Returning Burial Forest, there's likely a fragment of the Wedge within the Ancient Ruins!"

The Wedge!

Gu Jianlin's stoic demeanor betrayed a flicker of inner excitement.

To further harness his Ancient God Power, recovering the Wedge was a necessity.

And if the Qilin Venerable had set a trap within the Immortal Palace, the bait would almost certainly be the Wedge!

"Legend has it that in the battle 2,500 years ago, the Qilin Wedge was shattered by Candle Dragon Venerable's hand. At least one fragment reportedly fell nearby. The You Ying Group's Fourth Master was the first to discover this site. During the struggle over excavation zones, they clashed fiercely with Third Master's candidates."

Jing Shangxiu elaborated, "This feud was intense, and it seems Fourth Master's side had struck a deal with a formidable group. They suddenly showed up and severely injured Third Master's candidates. Despite Third Master's orders to retreat, one candidate refused to withdraw and was nearly hunted down."

Gu Jianlin had a sinking feeling, "Who?"

"The strongest candidate under Third Master—what was her name again?"

Jing Shangxiu thought for a moment, "Ah, Moon Princess! Fourth Master had been trying to win over Miss Yue Ji but ultimately failed. Fourth Master is young, with a formidable family background and immense clout among the six directors. He's known for his domineering personality. What he wants is offered only three times. After three refusals…"

He mimed a throat-slitting gesture.

Gu Jianlin paused pensively.

"Is that all?"

After a while, he raised his gaze to scrutinize the elder across from him.

Jing Shangxiu returned a flattering smile, "That's all I know."

"Thank you."

Gu Jianlin took the Golden Card, turning to leave.

Jing Shangxiu watched his departing figure, the smile on his face unwavering.

Yet the corners of his mouth kept spreading wider.

·

·

Within a shadowy tent, a faint cool glow lingered.

Tang Ling tied her snow-white hair into twin ponytails and reclined in her sleeping bag.

The tent's canopy was transparent, revealing the watery expanse above the sky dome, fish gliding through.

Enchanting and dreamlike.

"Are you getting soft?"

A haughty yet sultry voice suddenly echoed.

In the vanity mirror, a light flickered eerily.

Red-haired Tang Ling gazed back at her with alluring elegance and fierce pride: "Still, your choice wasn't bad. His profiling ability is strong—he can deduce the truth from minimal clues."

Tang Ling lay with her hands behind her head, her expression blank and tranquil: "I was just wondering if I shouldn't have asked for his help; this is, after all, my own business."

The red-haired Tang Ling chuckled lightly, "He has his own investigation. You're not unfair to him."

Tang Ling replied impassively, "But I did use him."

"Didn't you reward him in return? You probably just feel sorry for him because you see a bit of yourself in him, don't you?"

The red-haired Tang Ling sneered, "Enough already. If you're really so conflicted, I'll step in when necessary and keep him out of harm's way. Fair enough?"

Tang Ling's eyes turned cold: "You'd better deliver; otherwise, you can forget about ever coming out again."

The red-haired Tang Ling snorted disdainfully, vanishing from the vanity mirror.

·

·

Meanwhile, deep within the dark forest.

"Have you gathered everything?"

Amidst the stillness, a raspy, eerie voice whispered: "He's currently Third-Order Fate. If he advances to Fourth-Order Cloud Lord, we won't get another opportunity until he reaches Sixth Rank."

A hunched shadow stood under the tree, their eyes shimmering darkly.

Someone handed him a wooden box, speaking coldly, "This contains his hair and blood—a limited amount collected during battle. He's already suspicious of a traitor, so move quickly this time."

The shadow sneered, "Relax—I never miss."