Shan Xuqi's demeanor was exactly right; Xu Wansheng finally let go of his tension, seemingly relieved.

"Heh heh," he gave a dry chuckle. "Senior Brother was being overly polite just now. I am, after all, a member of our sect. If it weren't for the resonance, I wouldn't have been certain. Junior Brother here was worried I had mistaken you for someone else."

Feng Zikang paused slightly, then a look of understanding washed over him.

It turned out that Master Xu Wan had perceived his distinctiveness through the method of Demonic Heart Sensing.

Indeed, he was also a cultivator of the Demonic Path!

Master Xu Wan recounted his story methodically, and Feng Zikang pondered the nuances, finally grasping the broad strokes of his origins.

This Master Xu Wan was actually a successor of the ancient lineage: the Western Branch of the Heaven-Defying Demonic Sect!

During the Great War of Gods and Demons in antiquity, the Demonic Sect suffered a crushing defeat. Since then, the cultivation world of the Central Plains had seen no trace of the Demonic Sect; they had all gone into hiding beyond the Nine Provinces.

Among them, the Heaven-Defying Demonic Sect was a significant contingent.

Although Feng Zikang was the incarnation of the Formless Celestial Demon, belonging to an even higher echelon of Celestial Demons, he was entirely unfamiliar with the specific lineage passed down within the demonic schools of this Primeval Realm. Fortunately, Master Xu Wan had already identified him as his Eastern Branch Senior Brother and harbored no suspicion whatsoever.

The Heaven-Defying Demonic Sect had fractured into Eastern and Western branches even before the Battle of Investiture of the Gods, seemingly due to ideological differences.

From then on, the successors of these two branches secretly operated and infiltrated the Central Plains, each vying for dominance, taking the restoration of the Demonic Sect's orthodox teachings as their solemn duty. Simultaneously, they established an accord: whoever succeeded in re-establishing the Demonic Sect's orthodoxy could unify both branches and resurrect the Heaven-Defying Demonic Sect.

Naturally, the victor would hold the primary authority. However, given the immense power held by the myriad schools within the Central Plains cultivation world, the Demonic Sect had struggled for a thousand years without any meaningful headway.

Until now!

This current Great Calamity of Heaven and Earth had thrown the Nine Provinces into turmoil. The Western Branch of the Heaven-Defying Demonic Sect—Master Xu Wan's lineage—had keenly seized this opportunity, dispatching their most capable successor, Xu Wan, to secretly infiltrate Lizhou, hoping to use this moment to seep their influence into the Central Plains.

Master Xu Wan had not disappointed. Under Wu Ji's command, he had employed strategies and schemes, securing the position of the First Military Advisor. Initially, he was quite self-satisfied, believing he would certainly fulfill his sect's commission and realize a thousand-year aspiration.

He had not expected Feng Zikang's appearance, which struck him as profoundly bizarre.

At first, Feng Zikang had not drawn much of his attention—only a faint, familiar aura. But no matter how bold Master Xu Wan was, he never could have anticipated that a Demonic Sect successor would be embedded within the established cultivation circles, rising to become one of their most promising direct disciples. Thus, he didn't consider that possibility.

But Feng Zikang's presence on this occasion triggered a clear resonance within his Demonic Heart!

Startled, he assumed Feng Zikang was deliberately revealing his identity to issue a challenge!

"So that's how it is!"

Feng Zikang suddenly understood. Having achieved the Golden Core stage, his Demonic Infant had reached the potential for a Soul Formation state—a situation vastly different from his previous concealment of demonic energy. Although he suppressed his demonic aura so that outsiders couldn't detect it, those who practiced the same fundamental arts could discern it through Demonic Heart Sensing.

In reality, if he were to open his own senses, he could naturally perceive Xu Wan's Demonic Heart as well.

It seemed the inheritance of the Heaven-Defying Demonic Sect upheld the True Way of the Celestial Demon. Feng Zikang felt a touch of pleasant surprise amidst his astonishment.

Regardless, this was not a negative development. If the Heaven-Defying Demonic Sect could leverage this calamity to gain a foothold in the Central Plains cultivation world, it would at least provide a fallback for his own pursuit of the Demonic Path. Should he need to confront masters of the Spirit Transformation stage like Master Yuanyuan later, he would have an ally.

After all, this was an alliance of orthodox lineage, fundamentally different from mere alliances of convenience.

Previously, Feng Zikang had been isolated in the Central Plains cultivation world, daring not to reveal his Celestial Demon identity in the slightest. Now, encountering the Heaven-Defying Demonic Sect felt akin to meeting kin; his joy was immense.

However, he kept his expression placid. He knew Master Xu Wan had sought him out for assistance. He was perfectly content to play the role of the Eastern Branch successor for the time being.

"Junior Brother Xu Wan, if that is the case, why have you come to me?"

Knowing Master Xu Wan had misunderstood, Feng Zikang chuckled inwardly and deliberately feigned ignorance.

He finally understood why Master Xu Wan had approached him. It wasn't a confrontation, as he had first suspected, but a genuine plea for help.

To be honest, Master Xu Wan's current position was indeed rather precarious.

He had indeed succeeded under Wu Ji, extraordinarily so. But this very success brought about his predicament. Before, he could maintain an air of mystery, but as the major powers of the established sects and the demon hordes of the Unreturned Sea made their entrances, it would inevitably become clear that this mysterious Military Advisor, who held sway over Lizhou's civil and military affairs, was a man without background or origin.

This success had created a crisis for him.

The members of the other established schools would never tolerate someone of unknown provenance occupying such a high seat. If the major factions pressed the issue and discovered he was a successor of the Heaven-Defying Demonic Sect, they would preemptively strike, crushing the Demonic Sect's hope of entering the Central Plains long before his grand schemes could mature.

Since he believed Feng Zikang was his Eastern Branch Senior Brother, and given that Feng Zikang's ability to mask his identity was clearly far superior to his own, it was only natural for him to surrender now and seek aid from this elder brother.

After all, the return of the Demonic Sect to the Central Plains was the shared aspiration of both their East and West branches. Who won or lost in their doctrinal competition was a matter of momentary pride! Moreover, which branch would ultimately hold the reins once the two united would depend on future developments, not solely on a single wager.

Master Xu Wan let out a wry smile. "Senior Brother, why tease me? I already explained myself clearly just now. Since I have come here, it is naturally to seek your assistance."

His eyes held a look of admiration. "Senior Brother managed to infiltrate the Military Strategists of Dragon Tiger Mountain from childhood without exposing a single flaw. To my knowledge, Senior Brother pretended to be simple-minded for six years. Surely, that was for covert observation, accumulating power for a decisive moment. Such profound perseverance, I cannot match. It is only fitting that our Western Branch has deferred to the Eastern Branch this time!"

Master Xu Wan mistook Feng Zikang's years of feigned idiocy as deliberate posturing while embedding himself within the Military Strategists. Feng Zikang couldn't help but offer a bitter smile; he wasn't nearly that brilliant. His ability to become the hope of the Righteous Path while harboring a Celestial Demon body was purely the result of numerous coincidences.

Conversely, Master Xu Wan's ability to diligently cultivate in Lizhou and establish such a foundation marked him as an indispensable talent. "Junior Brother's methods are also extraordinary. Now that Wu Ji heeds your every word, why the worry?"

Master Xu Wan chuckled bitterly. "Senior Brother, please stop mocking me. As you said, holding the position of Military Advisor in Lizhou without an established background inevitably draws unwanted scrutiny. To prevent our Demonic Sect's thousand-year planning from being ruined in a single stroke, I implore Senior Brother to teach me how to overcome this difficulty!"

He respectfully took a few steps back and knelt, bowing his head.

Seeing his sincere devotion, Feng Zikang smiled slightly, feeling great satisfaction inwardly.

The transmission of the Celestial Demon Way had endured for a thousand years without becoming corrupted. Like the other major schools, the Demonic Sect possessed its own profound path, and for the sake of this orthodox legacy, personal honor could be set aside temporarily.

The Demonic Sect was not a chaotic or inherently evil organization, but a legitimate Daoist school.

It was merely that the Way of the Celestial Demon approached ultimate destruction, differing significantly from the paths of the world's sects and schools, which led to their ostracization.

But now that someone persisted in maintaining the orthodoxy, as long as they managed the current Great Calamity well, the day the Demonic Sect reappeared in the light would not be far off.

By then, his Celestial Demon identity would no longer be a ticking time bomb.

Thus, Feng Zikang immediately resolved to help Master Xu Wan overcome this hurdle!

His current position as Military Advisor placed him just below the supreme leader and above ten thousand subordinates in Lizhou. Even if Wu Ji passed away, he would still control Lizhou's military and political power.

If Lizhou successfully campaigns against the Tang, and the Zhou Dynasty replaces the Tang, then Master Xu Wan would either be granted territory as a feudal lord or ascend to the position of Prime Minister, controlling the ultimate authority of the realm.

Given such an opportunity, if the Demonic Path could not use it to propagate, then one would be underestimating Master Xu Wan's capabilities.

Feng Zikang smiled calmly. Therefore, the most pressing matter was to secure Master Xu Wan's current position!

"Junior Brother, the issue is that you are too deeply immersed in the situation to see clearly."

"Oh?"

Master Xu Wan raised his eyelids, startled. "Please enlighten me, Senior Brother!"

Feng Zikang smiled faintly. "You currently command the military and political power of Lizhou; everything is handled well. The only deficiency is the lack of a legitimate, lawful identity. Once you possess an identity, what is there left to fear?"

"An identity?" Master Xu Wan was momentarily bewildered. "Senior Brother, you mean fabricating one...?"

He had considered this method before, but how easily could he deceive the high-ranking figures of the major cultivation sects he would soon have to interact with? They were hardly fools.

Feng Zikang let out a light laugh. "Junior Brother Xu Wan, you are being overly cautious. A false identity will naturally not fool anyone, but a true identity—that makes all the difference!"

"A true... true identity?"

Master Xu Wan frowned, failing to grasp Feng Zikang's meaning.

Did he mean he should join the ranks of one of the established sects? But seeking patronage now seemed pointless; were the others truly fools?

Seeing his confusion, Feng Zikang burst into hearty laughter, then suddenly sat up straight, his expression stern, and roared: "Xu Wan! Why do you still kneel and pledge fealty? What are you waiting for?"

"What?!"

Xu Wan was stunned. A thunderous sound echoed in his mind, as if a thick layer of fog had been instantly swept away!

It was clear!

Feng Zikang had reached the Core Condensation stage. Although Xu Wan was only a third-generation disciple of the Military Strategists of Dragon Tiger Mountain, at this cultivation level, Feng Zikang already had the standing to establish his own hall and accept disciples. Moreover, he was a direct successor of one of the three lines within the Little Bamboo Grove of Dragon Tiger Mountain. If Ye Tiansheng were to die, Feng Zikang would become the head of the Little Bamboo Grove lineage. Even the Sect Master of Dragon Tiger Mountain could not interfere with him accepting a disciple!

If he became Feng Zikang's disciple, he would be a true disciple of the Little Bamboo Grove of Dragon Tiger Mountain!

Crucially, Feng Zikang had already accepted Mou Canglang as a disciple due to a wager between Luo Kedi and Mou Canglang previously!

If Xu Wan were to submit to Feng Zikang now, it would not only be discreet but also perfectly logical and fitting!

Xu Wan was overjoyed, smacking his head against the floor several more times. "Master above, please allow your disciple to bow!"

His face was alight with joy, and Feng Zikang's smile hid his own complex calculations.

Feng Zikang had already reached the Core Condensation stage. Although he was merely the third generation disciple of the Longhu Mountain Military School, his cultivation level was high enough that he could establish his own residence and take on apprentices. Furthermore, as the direct heir of the Small Bamboo Grove lineage within the Longhu Mountain Military School, if Ye Tiansheng were to die, he would become the Head of the Small Bamboo Grove branch. He intended to take an apprentice. Even the Sect Master of the Longhu Mountain Military School would have no say in the matter!

If one were to enter under his tutelage, they would truly be a disciple of the Longhu Mountain Military School’s Small Bamboo Grove!

The crucial point was that Feng Zikang had previously taken Mou Canglang as a disciple due to a wager between Luo Kedi and Mou Canglang!

With this situation, for Xu Wan to seek apprenticeship under Feng Zikang now would not only be subtle and inconspicuous but also entirely logical and expected!

Xu Kui was overjoyed, repeatedly striking his head against the ground with resounding thuds. "Master above all, please permit this disciple to pay his respects!"

His face was alight with delight, and Feng Zikang couldn't stop smiling, though his own intentions were far more intricate.