Inside the basement, a cold, oppressive atmosphere lingered heavily in the air.

The dim lights above flickered faintly, illuminating the figures chained against the walls.

From Number Three to Number Ten, all of Wu Chaochang’s subordinates had been captured and imprisoned here. Powerful anaesthetics flowed through their bodies, suppressing their strength completely. Combined with the untreated injuries they had suffered earlier, even moving normally had become difficult for them.

Still, despite their weakened state, the hatred and vigilance in their eyes had not faded at all.

Guarding the prisoners was none other than Little Goldie.

The golden rhinoceros beetle had now grown to nearly a meter in size. Its golden shell reflected the basement lights sharply while its thick limbs carried explosive strength.

Clearly, Su Mo had fed it quite well recently.

At this moment, the giant beetle lazily rested beside the captives like a loyal watchdog.

Or, more accurately, a terrifying prison warden.

The moment Su Mo and Yang Qingxi entered the basement, the tied cultivators immediately became tense.

Their eyes showed fear and wariness.

Especially the determination to die before revealing information.

Su Mo naturally noticed their expressions.

Still, he merely smiled casually.

"Hello, folks." He walked toward Little Goldie while rubbing its large head affectionately. "How’re you all doing?"

Little Goldie immediately chirped happily under its owner’s touch.

Unfortunately, Su Mo’s enthusiasm received absolutely no response.

The captives merely stared at him coldly. The atmosphere became silent.

After several seconds, Su Mo sighed helplessly and put away the grin on his face.

"You guys don’t need to look at me like that."

Number Four immediately snorted coldly.

"Stop wasting your breath." His voice carried open defiance. "If you want to kill us, then do it already. Whatever your purpose is, you won’t get anything from us."

"We will never betray our leader."

Following his words, the others also revealed determined expressions.

Clearly, Wu Chaochang’s control over them was extremely strong.

Even facing death, none of them showed any hesitation.

Su Mo narrowed his eyes slightly. "Not even if I offered benefits greater than Wu Chaochang ever could?"

Silence.

There was no hesitation to the temptation, just indifferent stares.

Yang Qingxi, who had been silently observing nearby, finally spoke calmly.

"I told you already." She crossed her arms lightly. "It’s useless trying to persuade them. These people won’t betray Wu Chaochang."

Her tone remained indifferent.

"There’s no need to waste time."

"Just get on with it."

Su Mo sighed, "Fine."

Meanwhile, the captives quietly tensed their muscles. They thought death was finally coming.

However, the expected attack never arrived.

Instead, they heard Su Mo murmuring softly to himself.

"As expected, E-Rank Hypnosis alone doesn’t work on cultivators..."

His tone became thoughtful.

"...Looks like I’ll have to use that."

The prisoners frowned slightly in confusion.

Before they could react further, Su Mo slowly raised his head.

At that exact moment, the color of his pupils changed.

A bloody crimson glow flashed in his eyes. The atmosphere inside the basement instantly turned strange.

The captives suddenly felt an overwhelming dizziness assault their minds. Their pupils rapidly lost focus.

One after another, all of them entered a dazed state.

Yang Qingxi’s eyes immediately sharpened slightly from the side.

She watched Su Mo silently. She could clearly sense that this was no ordinary hypnosis technique anymore.

Su Mo had combined his Devil’s Eyes illusion ability together with the Hypnosis Technique. To achieve this dangerous combination.

This works especially well against mentally weakened targets.

Meanwhile, Su Mo smiled faintly after seeing the effect succeed.

"Now then..." He pulled a chair over casually and sat before them. "Let’s begin the trial."

The basement fell eerily quiet.

Even the prisoners’ breathing became strangely synchronized because of the hypnosis.

Yang Qingxi quietly watched from nearby while narrowing her eyes slightly inwardly.

’I really need to keep an eye on him...’

If Su Mo casually used such abilities for entertainment or unserious things later, she would personally teach him the consequences.

Meanwhile, Su Mo naturally had no idea what Miss Yang was currently thinking.

Or perhaps he intentionally pretended not to notice her dangerous stare.

Leaning lazily against the chair, he finally began questioning them.

"What’s the name of your organisation?"

"Red Cloaks Squad."

"How many members are there in total?"

"Twelve."

"Is anyone stronger than Wu Chaochang?"

"No."

"What relationship do you have with the White Moon Sect?"

"Enemies."

"What grudge exists between you?"

The captives answered mechanically. "Leader’s past is related to them... We don’t know the details."

Su Mo frowned slightly.

[That was unexpected.]

Wu Chaochang apparently never revealed the actual reason behind his hatred toward the White Moon Sect.

That level of secrecy meant the grudge was probably far deeper than simple revenge.

Su Mo sighed inwardly.

[Looks like we’ll need to investigate it ourselves later.]

He continued calmly.

"Where did all of you learn cultivation?"

"The leader taught us."

"And the martial techniques you use?"

"They originate from the White Moon Sect." The captives continued speaking.

"The first three forms of the Lunar Arts: Moon Breaking Fist, Crescent Split Kick, and Moonlight Body."

Su Mo’s eyes flickered thoughtfully.

[So Wu Chaochang stole the White Moon Sect’s techniques and built his own organisation using them. Interesting.]

Then he remembered another matter.

"What about the technique your leader and deputy used to avoid spiritual detection?"

That technique has even tricked him, so it left a deep impression.

"That is the Fourth Form of Lunar Arts... Night Cloak." The captive continued. "It is highly difficult. Only the leader and deputy mastered it."

Su Mo immediately became interested, "Do you remember the practice method or have its contents?"

"No. We were not qualified to practice it."

"...What a pity."

Su Mo clicked his tongue softly.

Then he asked another important question.

"How many forms does the Lunar Arts have in total?"

"We don’t know. We only learned the first three forms."

Su Mo’s expression immediately darkened, and he snapped.

"You don’t know this! You don’t know that!"

"What the heck do you people actually know?!"