Lin Yun put away the documents, then transformed into a fleeting shadow, vanishing from the spot.
After more than an hour of travel, a massive city came into view.
This city belonged to the Si family, led by Si Hongyi.
The entire city was constructed by the Si family, housing a vast number of their members, likely numbering in the billions.
Within a radius of thousands of kilometres, the area was the Si family’s private territory, also inhabited by many of their kin.
Lin Yun altered his appearance, concealed his aura, and entered the city.
As it was the Si family’s own city, entry required showing their exclusive token.
Those entering ahead of Lin Yun presented their tokens to the guards at the gate.
Soon, it was Lin Yun’s turn.
“Please show your token,” the guard said, looking at Lin Yun.
“I’ve already shown it,” Lin Yun replied, as a wave of divine consciousness silently enveloped the guards.
The guards froze, then nodded blankly.
Lin Yun walked straight into the city.
Such checks couldn’t hinder him.
…
Inside the city, Lin Yun found it bustling, with various shops lining the streets.
The Si family was vast, divided into direct and collateral lines, with upper, middle, and lower tiers.
At the city’s heart stood a palace, the residence of the Si family’s elite.
Lin Yun headed straight for it.
Outside the palace, he gazed at the grand structure. “This palace is truly imposing,” he remarked.
Security was far stricter here, and the area before the palace was nearly deserted, with few people entering or leaving.
As Lin Yun observed, a middle-aged man in a black robe entered the palace.
“Hm? Something’s off,” Lin Yun muttered, frowning.
He sensed something amiss about the man but couldn’t pinpoint it.
“Master, that man who just entered might be a demon beast!” Xiao Bai’s voice echoed in Lin Yun’s mind.
Xiao Bai, a Bai Ze beast, had the ability to discern all things.
“What!?” Lin Yun’s heart jolted.
“Are you certain, Xiao Bai?” he asked urgently.
“I’m certain,” Xiao Bai replied via transmission.
Lin Yun’s eyes narrowed.
“That fellow not only took human form but completely hid his demonic aura. That’s no small feat.”
Lin Yun had only sensed a faint oddity, not immediately identifying the man as a demon.
Having traversed the demon beast mountain range and spent much time evading such creatures, Lin Yun had developed a keen sense for them. Yet, he hadn’t detected the man’s demonic aura, only an instinctive unease, showing how well the man concealed it.
The artifact spirit said, “Some demon clans can transform a beast to appear entirely human, without a trace of demonic aura. But such transformations are costly and rare, used only for a few spies in human territories.”
“Without Xiao Bai, even I wouldn’t have noticed. That black-robed man’s transformation must be exceptional!” Lin Yun exclaimed.
His intuition had only hinted at something off.
When he’d uncovered a traitor in Dongyuan Prefecture, his instincts had directly sensed the demon. This man’s transformation was far superior.
Thanks to Xiao Bai, Lin Yun had caught this.
“Why would a demon spy be in the Si family’s palace?” Lin Yun said, shocked.
The revelation that the black-robed man was a demon spy was staggering.
Could the Si family be colluding with demons?
If so, Si Hongyi, the family head, would likely be aware, perhaps even involved.
An immortal colluding with demons would have grave consequences.
“Let’s not jump to conclusions,” Lin Yun murmured.
The man was a demon spy, but it was possible he was infiltrating without Si Hongyi’s knowledge.
Even Lin Yun hadn’t detected the man’s true nature. If the spy didn’t reveal himself, Si Hongyi might not know either.
For now, no conclusions could be drawn.
Lin Yun released his divine consciousness, silently probing the palace.
From Si Hongyi’s profile, Lin Yun knew his divine consciousness was weaker. Ranked 117th on the Heavenly God List, Si Hongyi was a relatively new immortal, with a modest divine consciousness.
Confident his probe wouldn’t be detected, Lin Yun continued.
Inside the palace, Si Hongyi personally received the black-robed man.
After dismissing everyone from the meeting hall, Si Hongyi bowed. “Lord Envoy.”
He waved his hand, shielding the surrounding space.
Outside, Lin Yun frowned. “Damn it!”
The spatial shield blocked his probe. He could break it, but that would alert them.
What now? Rush in?
“No, I can’t rush this,” Lin Yun said, taking a deep breath.
He sensed the black-robed demon spy was a big catch.
A big fish required a long line.
Si Hongyi had called him “Lord Envoy,” suggesting he knew the man was a demon spy, and one of high rank.
“I didn’t expect to snag such a big fish,” Lin Yun thought, amazed.
But what they were discussing, he couldn’t know.
Were they plotting a conspiracy or negotiating something major?
Lin Yun desperately wanted to know, but breaking the shield would halt their talk, yield no information, and alert them.
Soon, the shield was lifted, indicating their discussion had ended.
In the meeting hall, Si Hongyi stood, smiling. “Lord Envoy, allow me to escort you out of the city.”
