Hearing Sakura Moon's words, Ye Ling couldn't help but say, "After hearing you say that, even you, a mortal immortal, don't seem to know much about the so-called Takamagahara?"
Sakura Moon nodded, "That's right. Although I know of such a force's existence, I've only had contact with members of Takamagahara once or twice, and I only have a general understanding of their strength."
Ye Ling asked, "How much do you understand?"
Sakura Moon replied, "The strongest individuals in their organization should have cultivation levels similar to mine, all being mortal immortals. However, they possess a divine ability to invite gods to possess them, which causes their strength to surge once possessed. If I were to face the leader of Takamagahara, I likely wouldn't be his match."
Ye Ling sighed, "Even the small country of Yang is full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers..."
No matter how you put it, Sakura Moon was a mortal immortal. Even though he had suffered a great blow from Ye Ling, it didn't mean he lacked his own pride.
Seeing that Sakura Moon could evaluate another person so highly, Ye Ling could roughly guess what kind of strength the leader of Takamagahara possessed.
Sakura Moon continued, "From what I understand, Takamagahara's core members do not exceed twelve, and their outer disciples are around a hundred. They operate around the world year-round under various identities, but I'm not sure what they are doing."
Ye Ling asked again, "Do they have any unified characteristics?"
Sakura Moon pondered for a moment, his brows furrowed, but he eventually shook his head, "I'm sorry, I don't have much contact with people from Takamagahara, so I can't determine if they have any special traits."
There were no conflicts of interest between the Bushi and Takamagahara. Moreover, Sakura Moon was busy with the matters entrusted to him by the Sky Rat. Therefore, he hadn't investigated Takamagahara extensively and couldn't answer Ye Ling's questions.
After receiving Sakura Moon's answer, Ye Ling's brow also furrowed, "This is going to be a bit troublesome."
The Arabe and Bushi were already considered the top powers in Yang Country's underworld and legitimate circles. Both had extremely renowned reputations internationally. If one were to ask which forces in Yang Country had the largest intelligence networks, it would undoubtedly be the Arabe and Bushi.
Yet, even these two local powers of Yang Country only had a vague understanding of Takamagahara and had no idea of their whereabouts.
Takamagahara's notoriety was too low. Even if Ye Ling truly found members of Takamagahara, it would be difficult for him to make the world believe that a force with only a dozen or so core members and about a hundred disciples was on par with other top forces worldwide.
Under so many stringent conditions, Ye Ling had no choice but to consider abandoning Takamagahara and resorting to the plan of using the Bushi and Arabe to enhance the reputation of the Demon Palace.
With Xiao You and the divine soldiers successfully challenging the other eleven top forces, even though Ye Ling's plan to use the Arabe and Bushi as substitutes would have a lesser effect, the final outcome would be similar. The Demon Palace would still become the world's overlord, with immense prestige.
Of course, there were still more than twenty days before the Demon Palace announced its establishment, so Ye Ling didn't have to give up just yet.
Seeing Ye Ling's solemn expression, Sakura Moon mustered his courage and asked, "Your Majesty, may I be so bold as to ask what business you have with the people of Takamagahara? Perhaps I can be of assistance."
After Ye Ling revealed his identity as the Sky Rat, Sakura Moon no longer had to work for the Sky Rat. As a dignified mortal immortal, he was now completely free and could go anywhere in the world.
Under these circumstances, Sakura Moon didn't want to be killed by Ye Ling's palm before he could even enjoy the happiness of his freedom.
And now, the best way for him to survive under Ye Ling's hand was to become someone useful to Ye Ling!
Hearing Sakura Moon's words, Ye Ling looked him over briefly and then said, "I want the world to know about Takamagahara's existence and recognize their power."
Sakura Moon was slightly taken aback, "Your Majesty, are you trying to boost Takamagahara's reputation?"
Ye Ling nodded, "Something like that. Only by allowing Takamagahara to firmly establish itself as a world-class force will my subsequent defeat of them be more impactful to the world."
Sakura Moon: "..."
After hearing Ye Ling's words, Sakura Moon suddenly realized that he didn't know how to describe his feelings.
So, Ye Ling wanted to find Takamagahara just to elevate them to the heavens and then kick them down?
What kind of twisted pleasure was this?
Upon thinking of this, Sakura Moon couldn't help but feel a bit of sympathy for the people of Takamagahara.
No matter how strong Takamagahara was, they wouldn't have a good ending if they were targeted by a monster like Ye Ling.
After a moment of pause, Sakura Moon dared not ask Ye Ling why he was doing this. He could only say, "Your Majesty... The Bushi have eyes and ears all over Yang Country. While I may not be able to make the entire异士 (yìshì - specialist/expert) circle recognize Takamagahara's status, I should be able to try and find all the members of Takamagahara."
"It's good enough if you can find them. As for boosting their reputation, I'll find another way," Ye Ling said, patting Sakura Moon's shoulder with a smile. "If you can help me with this, I'll help you break through to the mortal immortal realm."
"B-break through to the mortal immortal realm?"
Hearing Ye Ling's words, Sakura Moon was completely stunned. He looked at Ye Ling with disbelief, his brain somewhat frozen, unable to react.
In Sakura Moon's eyes, his cultivation had already reached the limit of humanity. To advance further would only be to ascend into immortality and become a god.
But now, with the spiritual energy on Earth being so thin, let alone in this era, even five hundred years ago, very few people had ascended to godhood. Sakura Moon believed that his path of cultivation had reached its end upon reaching the ninth rank of mortal immortal.
All that awaited him in the remainder of his life was to pass away.
But now, Ye Ling casually said he would help him break through to the mortal immortal realm, which was tantamount to helping him ascend to godhood.
How could such a thing be so easy?
Sakura Moon didn't believe it, but Ye Ling had already fully proven his strength. There was no reason for Ye Ling to deceive him now.
Subconsciously, Sakura Moon nodded to Ye Ling, "U-understood..."
"Keep up the good work."
Ye Ling patted Sakura Moon's shoulder again with a smile, and then said to Wang Liren, who was standing beside him with an envious expression, "Xiao Yue's makeup should be almost done. We should head back and attend that banquet at the Mutou family's place."
Hearing Ye Ling's words, Wang Liren finally reacted. They were currently just taking advantage of Qi Zhu Yue's makeup time to handle some matters.
Yet, in such a short period, Wang Liren felt that the information he had received was almost enough to make his head explode!
In the time it took for a girl to put on makeup, they had accomplished so much?
Wang Liren swallowed hard and quickly followed Ye Ling's footsteps, "Your Majesty, we-we'll head back now!"
Seeing Ye Ling about to leave, the Sky Rat quickly asked Ye Ling, "Your Majesty, what should I do?"
"You..."
Ye Ling glanced at the Sky Rat and suddenly remembered a chaotic creature named Chu that was still in his inner world and had caused the Heavenly Dao consciousness to dissipate. He then said, "I have a little fellow here who doesn't have a companion. Would you like to go and keep it company?"
Ye Ling was afraid that Chu would have problems if it stayed in the inner world without anyone to accompany it.
Having a little white mouse for Chu to play with could also help it pass the time.
Hearing Ye Ling's words, the Sky Rat's face lit up with joy. It quickly transformed back into a little white mouse and said excitedly, "I'm willing!"
Seeing the Sky Rat agree, Ye Ling's lips curved upwards involuntarily.
Seeing Ye Ling's subtle smile, the Sky Rat was startled and suddenly felt a sense of foreboding.
It trembled and said, "Y-Your Majesty... You wouldn't... have set a trap for me, would you?"
"No..." Ye Ling narrowed his eyes and smiled, "Be careful, just don't die."
The Sky Rat exclaimed, "Just don't die? Your Majesty, this... I'd like to consider..."
"No need to consider, off you go!"
Before the Sky Rat could finish speaking, Ye Ling waved his hand and collected the Sky Rat into his inner world.
Faintly, the Sky Rat's sharp screams echoed in the cave.