Zhou Hong was too lazy to bother with anything else now, taking things one step at a time.
Just then, his grandfather's voice echoed in his mind, "Zhou Hong, the Demon Spring is a good thing."
"What? Grandpa, you've heard of it?"
"Of course. If you have the chance to bathe in it, it's beneficial for cultivation. If I'm not mistaken, the City Lord's Demon Spring should be a Three-Star Demonic Treasure."
"Three-Star Demonic Treasure?"
"The Immortal Realm also has heavenly materials and earthly treasures, and they have grades from 1 to 10 stars. Three stars are already very powerful. This Demon Spring didn't just appear out of nowhere; it's a type of water that has gained sentience. If you encountered this thing elsewhere, it would be great. You could directly seize and refine it, which would likely be enough to raise your level by one or two."
"Wow, I'm currently worried about how to break through."
"Heh heh, just bathing in it won't have such a significant effect. Only by directly seizing and refining it is possible. Bathing in it can at most provide a little push for those who are on the verge of breaking through, only half a step away."
"Grandpa, do you have a way to help me seize it?" Zhou Hong asked eagerly.
"Are you trying to die? This is the City Lord's mansion, how can you seize it?" Zhou Hong's grandfather couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.
"If I don't seize it today, I won't have another chance to enter. People can always find a way." Zhou Hong chuckled. Being able to advance one to two realms was worth the risk; otherwise, Zhou Hong really didn't know how he would cultivate.
"Grandpa can't think of any way. It's too risky. Moreover, with so many people bathing in the Demon Spring, there's no way to start. If you get discovered, you might end up losing your sub-world and two immortal artifacts to others. It's simply not worth it."
Although his grandfather said so, Zhou Hong's heart was still unable to resist the temptation.
"Grandpa, can you sense the location of the Demon Spring now?" Zhou Hong asked.
"This... no problem. I've obtained a Demon Spring before, so I can sense its current location."
"Grandpa, then I'll release the real Xiao Cui while this is still going on, have her take my place, and I'll go directly to seize the Demon Spring. What do you think?"
"Are you crazy? What if you're discovered?"
"Grandpa, everything has risks. Even if we found this thing outside now, obtaining it would definitely come at a cost. I feel the success rate is quite high. First, the City Lord doesn't suspect my identity at all and has already accepted me as Xiao Cui. Second, this is the City Lord's mansion, with no defenses, because he would never imagine that someone would dare to act within his own home."
"You...!" Zhou Hong's grandfather was speechless, finding Zhou Hong too audacious and fearless of any risk.
"Grandpa, let's do it."
"But, how do you replace the real Xiao Cui now?"
"Don't worry about that. I'll excuse myself to use the restroom. Someone else went to the restroom earlier, didn't they? The City Lord is currently showing off, guiding those so-called geniuses in cultivation, and might not even notice this."
"Then it's up to you."
"Alright."
Zhou Hong decided to take the risk. He stood up and quietly walked out through a side door. There was a privy not far away. The people present didn't pay any attention to Zhou Hong, as someone else had gone out to the restroom earlier and returned within five minutes.
As expected, Zhou Hong smoothly reached a public restroom in the City Lord's mansion.
Zhou Hong had already briefed the Xiao Cui in his sub-world on the way, so as soon as he entered the restroom, he immediately released Xiao Cui.
"Quick, change clothes."
Zhou Hong quickly took off his own clothes and let Xiao Cui wear them.
"Don't let it slip up, understand? I've already told you everything that just happened. If you're not stupid, you won't be discovered," Zhou Hong told Xiao Cui.
"Don't worry, I'm not that stupid. Anyway, I won't say anything after I go in. But you must come back as soon as possible. I'm afraid they'll discover something if I'm gone for too long."
"I won't be coming back. After this is over, you'll leave here directly and return to Black Orchid Manor. I'll meet you there."
"But...!"
"Remember what I said. As long as you don't make any moves, there's no risk of exposure. Moreover, if the City Lord becomes suspicious and decides to test every genius, you can pass without issue because you are the real Xiao Cui. If I were to return and meet you, it would be more risky."
"Alright."
"Don't worry, Xiao Cui. I used your aura before, and now that your real self has replaced me, the aura remains unchanged. As long as you don't act rashly, others won't discover anything. Of course, the most important thing is that you cannot make any moves against anyone, or you'll be exposed instantly." Zhou Hong patted Xiao Cui's shoulder.
"Mhm."
Xiao Cui quickly put on the clothes and walked out of the public restroom, slowly returning to the main hall. At this moment, a group of people were still surrounding the City Lord, asking him questions. Although some people saw Xiao Cui go to the restroom, they didn't think much of it.
Meanwhile, Zhou Hong quietly left the public restroom, disguised himself as a servant of the City Lord's mansion, and slowly approached the direction of the Demon Spring. He encountered some other servants along the way, and they didn't seem suspicious. This was because Zhou Hong was acting the part very well, and there were plenty of similar servants in the City Lord's mansion. The most crucial thing was that the aura Zhou Hong exuded was that of a very ordinary servant. He was able to emit such an aura by directly finding a servant in his sub-world and releasing his aura.
Soon, in less than ten minutes, Zhou Hong was close to his target.
"Zhou Hong, you're almost there. It's just ahead," his grandfather said, trembling.
"Mhm, so how do I seize it now?"
"You must get close and bathe in the Demon Spring. Only then is it possible."
"Is there no other way?" Zhou Hong felt that bathing in the Demon Spring would be too difficult and risky.
"At least one item on your person, or one hand or foot, must touch the water of the Demon Spring, otherwise it's all in vain."
"This...!"
Suddenly, Zhou Hong thought of an idea and quickly asked, "Grandpa, can I use the Demon Subduing Pestle, make it longer, have it go directly through the ground, and then make the Demon Subduing Pestle hollow, like a water pipe, to draw out the Demon Spring?"
"Uh!" Zhou Hong's grandfather was stunned, as if to say, you are truly a genius.