"A pawn of a third party?"
Ye You murmured, then carefully examined the Yuan Xiao Long lying on the ground, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes. "But aren't the third party and the Shadow Hall in a cooperative relationship? Why would they attack the Shadow Hall?"
"Moreover, this Yuan Xiao Long claims to be one of the Twelve Sacred Pillars of the Shadow Hall, considered high-ranking within it. Does a third-party force have such great power?"
"That's impossible to know." Ye Ling looked at the Yuan Xiao Long lying on the ground, his eyes narrowing slightly. "This Yuan Xiao Long's memories are chaotic. I can't get any useful information from its mind."
"However, since this Yuan Xiao Long is connected to the Xuanyuan Sword and was sealed beneath the altar by people from the third party, its placement here must have a purpose."
Ye You asked again, "But how do we investigate further? This Yuan Xiao Long's origin is unknown, and there are no corresponding legends in historical myths. I've never heard of such a strange mountain god on Mount Buzhou."
"Its appearance is as if it were pieced together from various creatures; it shouldn't exist in this world."
Ye Ling said, "Xiao You, you've just hit upon the key information."
"Key information?"
Hearing Ye Ling's words, Ye You was startled, not understanding what she had said that was so important.
Ye Ling explained, "The Mountain God of Mount Buzhou."
"What about the Mountain God of Mount Buzhou?" Ye You asked in surprise. "Every mountain has its mountain god. Mount Buzhou is a divine mountain that spans the three realms. Even if the mountain god's status isn't high in the three realms, it's not strange for the mountain god of Mount Buzhou to reach the True Martial realm just by absorbing the essence of Mount Buzhou's spiritual energy. The Yuan Xiao Long, however strange it is, its strength is fitting for the mountain god of Mount Buzhou."
Ye Ling replied, "I'm not questioning the strength of the Mountain God of Mount Buzhou. Precisely because this is Mount Buzhou, its mountain god could never be an unknown nobody."
"The Yuan Xiao Long's strength is sufficient, but its body looks pieced together by human hands. No matter how powerful it is, it's at most a manufactured creature and not qualified to be the Mountain God of Mount Buzhou."
Ye You: "So, brother, you mean this Yuan Xiao Long is a fake?"
Ye Ling nodded, "Most likely an imposter. As for the truth of the whole matter and the purpose of the third-party forces in placing the Yuan Xiao Long here, we should know once we find the Mountain God of Mount Buzhou."
Ye You asked again, "Then where do we find the mountain god? The poisonous fog has sealed the mountain, and the foundation of Mount Buzhou has also been damaged. Even if Mount Buzhou has a mountain god, it's highly likely that person has been executed by those behind the Yuan Xiao Long."
Hearing Ye You's pessimistic words, Ye Ling chuckled and shook his head, "Xiao You, you've probably forgotten, this is the Underworld."
"So what if it's the Underworld?"
Ye Ling said, "The Underworld manages the Book of Life and Death. Even if the Mountain God of Mount Buzhou possesses True Martial realm strength, they cannot transcend reincarnation or escape the three realms."
Hearing Ye Ling's words, Ye You suddenly understood and clapped her hands, "I get it! Although the mountain god is a deity, it also belongs to mountain spirits and wild monsters. Its information must be written in the Book of Life and Death!"
"Whether the Mountain God of Mount Buzhou is dead or not, its information must be recorded in the Book of Life and Death. As long as we get the Book of Life and Death, we can find the real mountain god! Brother, you're so smart!"
Ye Ling smiled, "It's not that I'm smart, it's that you, Xiao You, aren't thinking."
"I've noticed that ever since you started following me, you've been asking questions and haven't been using your brain."
"Hehe, with you here, brother, any puzzle can be solved. Why should I rack my brain? It's tiring."
"You little girl, if this continues, you might regress into a little idiot," Ye Ling sighed helplessly.
"I'm not afraid."
Ye You soared into the air, "Brother, you investigate here more. I'll go get the Book of Life and Death and be back soon!"
With that, Ye You pierced through the poisonous fog and descended Mount Buzhou.
Seeing Ye You disappear into the distance, Ye Ling smiled wryly, realizing he could no longer control this restless girl and could only let her be. He then focused his gaze on the Yuan Xiao Long.
Ye Ling said, "Even if I performed soul-searching on you and tormented your soul, your consciousness should have recovered by now. If you still want to lie on the ground, I don't mind giving you an extra session."
As soon as Ye Ling spoke, the Yuan Xiao Long, which had been feigning death on the ground, jolted and sprang up from the ground!
"My lord, spare me! I'm getting up now!"
The Yuan Xiao Long stood ramrod straight, its eyes filled with panic, not even daring to look at Ye Ling.
Before, it had thought Ye Ling and Ye You were easily crushed little dolls. But from its current perspective, Ye Ling and Ye You were monsters it couldn't afford to provoke!
Having kicked two iron plates, the Yuan Xiao Long now deeply regretted the posturing it had done in front of Ye Ling and Ye You.
It had really messed up this time!
Ye Ling looked the Yuan Xiao Long up and down, then said, "It's tiring to talk to you while looking up. Can you shrink yourself, or do you need my help?"
"No need for your help, my lord!"
The Yuan Xiao Long trembled violently and quickly shrank its body, fearing Ye Ling would attack it.
Just from Ye Ling's previous soul-searching, it had felt endless fear.
When it was enveloped by demonic energy, it felt as if it had died countless times!
The Yuan Xiao Long did not want to experience that kind of pain a second time.
Seeing the Yuan Xiao Long shrink to be shorter than himself, Ye Ling patted its shoulder with satisfaction and said, "Very good. Now, hand over the master behind you."
"Mas- master?" The Yuan Xiao Long stiffened from Ye Ling's pat and was stunned by his sudden words. "I don't have a master..."
Ye Ling smiled, "You don't need to lie to me. I know you're not from the Shadow Hall and were placed here for another purpose. As long as you honestly tell me the truth, I promise to let you live."
Although obtaining a chance to live from Ye Ling was an immense temptation for the Yuan Xiao Long,
It truly didn't know what Ye Ling was talking about!
What truth... what master... it was completely clueless!
Looking at Ye Ling's deep, star-filled eyes, the Yuan Xiao Long was on the verge of tears and tremblingly pleaded with Ye Ling, "My lord, I am just a small mountain god of Mount Buzhou, I really don't know anything!"
"You must have made a mistake!"
Seeing the Yuan Xiao Long's panicked state, Ye Ling sighed slightly, knowing he wouldn't be able to get any useful information from it.
The Yuan Xiao Long's own memories were chaotic, which was also a tragedy for it.
Unaware that it was a pawn.
Unable to extract any information from the Yuan Xiao Long, Ye Ling could only say, "Fine, stay aside. You are not allowed to do anything without my command."
"Yes, yes..."
The Yuan Xiao Long secretly breathed a sigh of relief, nodded repeatedly, and retreated to the side, not daring to disobey Ye Ling.
Ye Ling shifted his attention to the damaged altar...