Zhao Rui possessed the purest form of Demon Skill—one belonging to a Double Demon Envoy, no less. When he circulated it, he was far stronger than these half-baked Demon Sect believers.

The Martial Arts brought by the Illusionary Charm Demons were top-tier techniques from the Gui Xu Demon Sect, which inherently contained Divine Soul Power.

The spiritual pressure exuded by such an Upper-Rank Demonic Skill was something that these Grandmasters, who had reached their realm without the baptism of Gui Xu Spiritual Qi, could never hope to withstand.

Zhao Rui’s display of dominance instantly made sweat pour from the four men like rain.

"Speak," Zhao Rui asked with a frown. "What business brings four Grandmasters like you to these boondocks?"

"Divine Envoy, we are acting on the orders of the new Phantom Envoy. We have gathered here to recruit new members and are preparing to seize this location as a stronghold when the time is right."

One of the men exchanged a glance with the others before quickly lowering his head and explaining the situation.

"The new Phantom Envoy?"

Zhao Rui was taken aback. ’Could it be that another expert from the Gui Xu side of the Demon Sect has infiltrated?’

’Why is she also called the Phantom Envoy?’

’Don’t tell me the previous Phantom Envoy didn’t die and has come back?’

Zhao Rui’s brow furrowed slightly. ’That’s a very real possibility. After all, the way the Phantom Envoy died back then looked exactly like a Divine Soul suddenly leaving its vessel.’

’She might have actually returned.’

If it was an old acquaintance, that changed things. Zhao Rui relaxed considerably.

His current strength had long since surpassed that of the injured Phantom Envoy he’d faced on Qingcheng Mountain, though he was unsure how powerful she would be at her peak.

But he figured that even if he couldn’t defeat her, the gap in their power wouldn’t be large.

"Didn’t she already die on Qingcheng Mountain? What’s the origin of this new Phantom Envoy? And why hasn’t she reported to me?"

Zhao Rui’s words were infused with the Illusionary Sound Technique—forty percent truth, forty percent lies, and a twenty percent boost from his Demon Skill.

It left the four men incapable of harboring the slightest suspicion.

"This Phantom Envoy was a disciple of the previous one. She... acted in a TV series with us. Not long after the former Phantom Envoy disappeared, she received the acknowledgment of the Upper Realm Demon Venerable and assumed the title of Phantom Envoy..."

The man respectfully relayed all the information he had.

Zhao Rui was taken aback.

’So she’s a local!’

He couldn’t help but recall the two disciples of the Illusionary Sound Old Demon he had killed back in Jeju.

’It’s entirely possible one of the disciples achieved Great Success in a Demon Skill and took the Phantom Envoy’s place.’

’But acting in a TV series?’

Zhao Rui recalled how Qin Rui had been ambushed by the Demon Sect while filming a TV series. He also remembered how Luo Min’s power had increased abnormally after she returned.

’Could it be...?’

A cold glint flashed in Zhao Rui’s eyes.

He sneered. "Absurd! When has the Demon Venerable ever issued a decree without my knowledge? This person has ulterior motives. Following her lead will ruin the Holy Sect’s grand plans!"

"This..."

"I have come from the heart of the Holy Sect to guide you into its true fold, so we may become one with the heavens’ will. What use do we have for this wretched place?"

The four Grandmasters’ spirits soared when they heard Zhao Rui say he was here to guide them into the true Holy Sect.

’Of course! This is the true Divine Envoy!’

’Why would a real Divine Envoy care about a godforsaken place like this?’

"Then, what should we..."

The four exchanged a look. They were already sixty percent convinced, and in this "confrontation" between envoys, they were leaning toward Zhao Rui.

After all, the current Phantom Envoy was just like them—a former bit-part actor. They had all learned Martial Arts together, and they had no desire to see her lording it over them.

"For now, you are all to stand down and await my orders. In the meantime, restrain your subordinates. There will be no indiscriminate killing of innocents and no criminal activities. We must avoid attracting the Court’s attention."

"Yes! We shall obey the Divine Envoy’s command!"

The four were overjoyed. As long as they weren’t being asked to confront the Phantom Envoy directly, they were fine with it.

"Mm."

Zhao Rui nodded and walked over to the office’s floor-to-ceiling window, gazing outside.

In this small county, the tall building stood out like a crane among chickens. From here, he could take in the entire town at a glance.

The feeling of looking down on everything from a great height was quite pleasant.

’As expected of the Demon Sect. They certainly know how to enjoy life.’

"Divine Envoy," the leader of the group asked, a hint of nervousness in his voice, "this area has some unique local delicacies. I was wondering if we might have the honor of treating you to some tonight..."

"Some other time. I have things to attend to. You will act as if you never saw me."

With that, Zhao Rui strode out of the room, his figure becoming like a phantom as he moved down the hall.

The four men watched, completely mesmerized. This miraculous Phantom Technique was the exact Body Technique the former Phantom Envoy had always used.

’He’s truly a Chief Envoy from the Upper Realm!’

’Not an impostor like that little wench.’

"We respectfully send off the Divine Envoy!"

Overjoyed, the four stood by the door, not daring to escort him out. They simply bowed respectfully.

A full minute passed before the four of them straightened up and went back into the room.

"Wake up Squad Leader Shen."

One of them stepped forward and pressed several points on Squad Leader Shen’s body. The man on the floor slowly regained consciousness.

He looked at the four of them with a dazed expression. "Four Elders, why are you all looking at me like that? What happened?"

The four men’s pupils contracted. ’What a terrifying Sound Skill,’ they thought. ’He completely erased the memories of a Squad Leader Level expert.’

"It’s nothing. We just received orders from our superiors. We’re to halt our current advance and focus on stable development. Also, go and make sure your subordinates don’t commit any crimes. We need to avoid drawing the Court’s attention."

"But..."

"That’s an order!"

"Very well."

Squad Leader Shen had no choice but to comply.

...

Meanwhile, after leaving Qiyang County, Zhao Rui drove back to his family home in Lin City.

The Demon Sect’s affairs couldn’t be resolved overnight.

And he certainly couldn’t do it alone.

Besides, he had far too many questions about the Demon Sect’s attitude and its ultimate allegiances.

He would have to wait until he got to Emei Mountain and let Zhi Sheng and the others from Mount Emei mull it over.

When he got back to his third uncle Zhao Jinze’s house, Zhao Rui asked his uncle to use his official authority to find suitable youths of the right age.