Feng Zikang's first instinct was that this mysterious old monk had seen through his true origins. He immediately wanted to seize the Star River Shuttle, activate the Ethereal Vanish Divine Ability, and then unleash the Four Symbols Divine Fiend Array to stall the unfathomable old bald donkey, allowing him a chance to flee for his life.

The old monk seemed to know everything; didn't that inspire fear?

However, in the span of a single breath, he managed to calm himself.

What the old monk said might only refer to having seen the simple-minded fool, and perhaps carried no deeper meaning. He didn't need to be overly alarmed, seeing enemies where there were none.

Monk Wule saw the shift in his complexion and chuckled, "Benefactor Feng, do not be surprised. I met you a year ago, though you certainly did not meet me."

"A year ago?"

Feng Zikang grew more tense. Was this old monk a stalker? How could he not remember meeting him?

"More than a year ago, when Benefactor Feng visited Scarlet Stone Peak, this old monk observed you from behind a screen."

Feng Zikang suddenly understood. He recalled seeing two wine cups and two sets of bowls and chopsticks on the table before Elder Chi Yuan when he visited Scarlet Stone Peak. At the time, a flicker of doubt had crossed his mind; so, that monk was present then.

"To be frank, at that time, a disciple from the Military School of Longhu Mountain had gone missing, and my master was troubled, sending me to investigate the matter. I held a slight suspicion toward you then."

Monk Wule spoke plainly, and though Feng Zikang showed no outward sign, a cold sweat broke out on his back. Fortunately, he had always acted cautiously, leaving no room for anyone to catch him in a mistake. Elder Chi Yuan's inquiries about Miao Yuchun's disappearance had been answered flawlessly, with no flaws to exploit, so he figured the monk hadn't harbored any greater suspicion.

It turned out that after General Lu’s body possession, although Master Yuanyuan knew the immediate crisis was over, he remained hesitant, feeling as if something crucial was left undone. Later, when disciples from Longhu Mountain's Military School began disappearing one after another, he sensed something was amiss and dispatched Monk Wule to investigate.

At that time, Monk Wule's primary suspect was, in fact, Feng Zikang.

On the very day General Lu possessed the body, Feng Zikang regained his senses and subsequently advanced at a terrifying speed—it was somewhat bizarre. However, after a year of meticulous observation, Monk Wule had only seen him remain dutiful and exhibit no transgressions. When questioned, his Dao Heart was firm, even resonating with the mountains and rivers, suggesting no pretense.

Ultimately, what cleared Feng Zikang's suspicion was that after he took on a merit-earning mission to the Southern Barbarians and left Longhu Mountain, another disciple of the Military School disappeared!

"What?"

A jolt went through Feng Zikang, and his face registered shock.

Monk Wule smiled faintly, then abruptly shifted the topic.

"Benefactor Feng, do you know that in the half-month you have been away, among the third generation disciples of Longhu Mountain, following the disappearance of your senior brother Liang Si'an, another has successfully achieved Foundation Establishment!"

"Oh? Is it Senior Sister Luo Lianxin of the Water Moon Pavilion?"

Luo Lianxin had left the mountain a year ago to complete her merit-earning mission for advancement. Calculating the time, she should have returned by now.

Monk Wule’s expression grew solemn, and he shook his head.

"Not her?"

Feng Zikang paused, but the answer was already forming in his mind.

"The one who successfully established their foundation is the current third-generation head disciple of Sunset Peak—Huo Zhongguang!"

Monk Wule narrated slowly, yet there was no hint of joy on his face. This wasn't envy over the Military School's success; rather, it was genuine worry that was clearly visible.

"Zen Master…"

Feng Zikang knew there must be more to it, so he ceased feigning delight.

Monk Wule gave a bitter smile, his thoughts drifting, and he sighed before nodding. "Benefactor Feng, your entire being is now tied to the critical juncture of the world's survival and the ebb and flow of the Demonic Path. I have nothing more to hide from you! Within the secret realm of Longhu Mountain's Military School, there is an entrance to the Demon Realm that has been sealed. Recently, demonic miasma has been seeping out, and the seal is gradually loosening. Moreover, more than a year ago, when General Lu underwent tribulation, he was possessed by the Formless Heavenly Demon, resulting in the annihilation of both his form and spirit. In this past year, several more Military School disciples have vanished, and even Liang Si'an, who had already established his foundation, was not spared."

"Considering all these signs, several elders of your sect and I conclude that a demonic cultivator has infiltrated Longhu Mountain's Military School, devouring disciples using demonic secret arts to increase their power! They are also plotting to open the Demon Realm entrance to enter and cultivate supreme demonic magic!"

Feng Zikang’s face turned pale, and he stammered, "Zen Master! Are you... are you suspecting Senior Brother Huo?"

Monk Wule displayed a pained smile, his focus scattered, and he sighed, nodding his head.

Huo Zhongguang's cultivation advancement was indeed too rapid. He was clearly a disciple who had been written off, yet he suddenly severely injured Liang Si'an, who had already established his foundation, during the sect competition. In less than a year, he successfully established his foundation, becoming the undeniable first among the third-generation disciples. He had shown nothing remarkable in the forty-plus years since entering the sect; he was greedy and lacked a firm Dao Heart, certainly not someone capable of a noble metamorphosis.

So, he finally couldn't hold back...

Feng Zikang inwardly sneered. This shield he had set up had finally served its purpose.

He had taught Huo Zhongguang the Heavenly Demon Devouring Technique and the Heavenly Demon Disintegration Great Law without reservation, not out of pity or selfless help. The Formless Heavenly Demon possessed no such idle benevolence.

Firstly, Feng Zikang wanted Huo Zhongguang to deal with Liang Si'an. Without bolstering his cultivation, Huo Zhongguang would never catch up to General Lu’s personal disciple, and Feng Zikang’s goal of assassinating Liang Si'an would be postponed, wasting his time.

Secondly, it was a contingency plan, preparing for exactly this kind of scenario!

Feng Zikang dared not claim that everything he did was perfectly seamless and without a trace. Sometimes, some evidence inevitably surfaced, and in such an investigation, it was best to have a designated scapegoat prepared!

Huo Zhongguang was precisely that person.

The Heavenly Demon Devouring Technique was like opium; once tasted, one couldn't stop. Sooner or later, when Huo Zhongguang was driven mad by torment, he would have to seek out others to consume. This was why, as Feng Zikang left Longhu Mountain, incidents of Qi-Induction realm disciples mysteriously vanishing also occurred.

However, the Heavenly Demon Devouring Technique also granted Huo Zhongguang immense benefits. Otherwise, given his aptitude, how could he have leaped directly from the eighth level of Qi Induction to Foundation Establishment in just over a year? He had actually surpassed Luo Lianxin to become the second third-generation disciple of the Military School to achieve Foundation Establishment!

Feng Zikang understood this, yet a hint of confusion remained. Since Monk Wule already suspected Huo Zhongguang, why come and tell him all this? A simple word to Sect Master Yuan Buhuan to detain Huo Zhongguang and conduct a brief investigation would naturally uncover evidence, allowing for his swift elimination.

He wasn't worried about Huo Zhongguang betraying him. When he imparted the Heavenly Demon Divine Abilities, he had secretly placed a brand. If Huo Zhongguang tried to reveal the secret, he would die of demonic fire burning his spirit before he could utter a word—that would be an acceptable conclusion.

But for this monk to seek him out in the dead of night, could it be...

"Zen Master, what... what did the Sect Master say?"

Monk Wule looked at him approvingly, then shook his head with a sigh.