Xie Qing spent a week familiarizing himself with all the streets of the city. Although he felt a slight difort, he did not show it.


    "Someone is watching me," thought Xie Qing as he returned to his makeshift camp.


    His senses were sharp. Although he did not feel the presence of a pursuer, his sixth sense screamed danger. This could only mean one thing…


    "A cultivator at the Divine Transformation stage. Tsk, what a misfortune," he thought.


    Outwardly, his face remained calm, though in his thoughts, he was cursing the pursuer with every possible expletive that would shock even a shoemaker.


    Eventually, upon reaching his camp, Xie Qing began to cultivate. He closed his eyes and muttered something. The camp fell silent.


    ***


    Xiao He narrowed his eyes suspiciously. He had been observing this youth for a week, who apparently was not a native of the capital.


    "He lives outside the capital? Why? This is quite suspicious."


    There were plenty of inns, and now there was even a shortage of visitors. So, a free room would certainly be avable.


    "Is he poor?" was all Xiao He could think, and then he sighed.


    He felt like he was doing something wrong. Even if this guy were twice as strong as him, he would not be able to detect the formations. If some kid could see through his formations, Xiao He would have to tear open his dantian and lose his cultivation out of shame.


    …as they say, ignorance is bliss.


    "From my observations," thought Xiao He, rubbing his chin. He stood in the shadow of a tree, and despite not exerting much effort, his presence was extremely hidden: "This guy is just a tourist who likes to stroll around. The fact that he wandered into the ce of one of the key formations is a simple coincidence. He is most often found strolling in the square and the garden.


    Quite… unusual and surprisingly normal."


    Xiao He was puzzled by how normal this guy was. Usually, devilish cultivators either went to brothels, tormented evil spirits, or just drank all day.


    But this one didn''t even trip over his own feet. He either sat in the garden and cultivated or strolled around the main square and bought sweets.


    "It''s hard to believe he''s a Spiritual Ascension cultivator. He looks more like a mortal," Xiao He shook his head. He had already lost interest in this person: "Whatever. I don''t think he''ll be a threat. In any case, if he does something suspicious, I''ll kill him immediately."


    Xiao He waved his hand, and a small ck drop, resembling a drop of ink, appeared from his hand. It quickly flew towards Xie Qing''s forehead and absorbed into his skin, disappearing.


    Surprisingly, the youth showed no reaction—not even a frown.


    "That''s it. Now I can return," thought Xiao He and smiled: "Anyway, the ''Dark Mark'' will help me track his location. I can go back."


    Havingpleted his "mission," Xiao He turned around and headed towards the capital, not noticing that in thest moment, Xie Qing''s eyes opened with a golden glow, revealing a cold stare.


    ***


    [A curse ''Dark Mark'' has been ced on the host]


    [Effects: Tracking, Partial mind-reading]


    [Erase the mark?] | [Note: This may alert the enemy].


    "Leave it for now," thought Xie Qing, his eyes shing with coldness: "I don''t know who it was, but it''s clearly someone at the Divine Transformation stage. I fear I have encountered a formidable opponent."


    The youth couldn''t help but click his tongue. It seemed to him that if someone didn''t try to step on his shoes during his adventures, the Heavenly Dao would simply copse, and time would stop.


    This was so irritating that the usually calm youth could barely contain his annoyance.


    The feeling of being watched with every step was unpleasant. And considering the second effect—Partial mind-reading—it turned into something truly hellish.


    "It''s dangerous, of course, but… I won''t remove this mark now. In any case, it could trigger an immediate reaction from the cultivator. He would instantly realize that the mark has been removed," thought Xie Qing, rubbing his nose as he stood up: "I need to think…"


    ***


    While Xie Qing was preupied with his thoughts, the Sect of Bone Circle was not wasting any time. They had already reached the capital.


    Hao Shen was slightly taken aback. These guys were truly shameless and extremely strange. Even after he had stated such strict conditions, they epted them and came to him with such enthusiasm.


    Now, more than a hundred people were gathered in the throne room, ny of whom were disciples, and the rest were elders of the main court.


    "Your Majesty," said the person standing at the head of all the elders. He bowed his head and said with a smile, "Hearing of Your generosity, we did not dare to keep You waiting and disrupt Your schedule. Therefore, we decided to resolve this matter as quickly as possible. Regarding the payment, we sincerely hope that you will give us time until the end of the year to calcte everything."


    "Heh," Hao Shen chuckled and nodded, waving his hand, "Good. This Emperor is not a tyrant and knows how to make concessions. The Sect of Bone Circle has exactly six months to pay everything down to thest evil spirit."


    "O-of course," replied the chief with a strained smile.


    Hao Shen also smiled. He really enjoyed this situation, especially when he was in the position of power. It was simply an iparable feeling.


    And what he enjoyed even more was their expression when he said,


    "But I never said I would open the altar immediately, right?"


    "What?..."


    The chief elder thought he had misheard. He looked at Hao Shen in shock, who was still smiling.


    Seeing the shock and confusion on the others'' faces, the Emperor smirked.


    "Seriously? Guys, I actually need a year to prepare everything. You know, safety measures and all that… You don''t think I have resources for the baptism just lying around, especially for so many people?" Hao Shen shook his head and sighed. He looked guilty: "Ah, this Emperor is at fault for not informing you in advance. But, what can be done…"


    "You…"


    The chief elder gritted his teeth. He was not an inexperienced boy. Of course, it was easy to see the mockery in Hao Shen''s eyes. He had deliberately not mentioned the one-year dy just to make the Sect of Bone Circle look bad.


    After all, they hade with so many people, looking like beggars who were given hope and then suddenly denied help.


    The faces of the elders turned red, and the disciples looked at each other in confusion. This incident made the elders leave in disgrace.


    They gritted their teeth, said a few farewell words, and left.


    Hao Shen smiled as he watched therge crowd disappear beyond the city walls. When they were gone, he couldn''t help butugh.


    "Hahaha, what funny faces. Don''t me me for being cruel; I just want to benefit myself. Otherwise, it would be quite unfair. You''ve brought me so much trouble, and you only got a small fine. Pfft, what a…"


    Xiao He shook his head. Naturally, he had seen this scene with his own eyes and could say that Hao Shen''s actions were somewhat strange.


    Of course, no one noticed him, and it was simple. As long as Xiao He himself did not want to be noticed, even Hao Shen would need a few milliseconds to notice his presence—which already proved his professionalism.


    "Your Majesty, I have tracked all the suspicious individuals and ced the Dark Mark. I cannot say for sure that I have found anyone guilty, but just in case, for safety reasons, I will monitor them with all my might," Xiao He reported.


    "Excellent work, Xiao He. It''s good to have someone as responsible as you by my side. Hahaha!" Hao Shen smiled contentedly, and his eyes sparkled as he squinted at Xiao He: "What reward do you want?"


    "Your Majesty''s happiness is the best reward for me," the assistant immediately replied, bowing politely.


    "Cut the crap, man. As if I don''t know you. Tell me honestly, what do you want?" Hao Shen waved his hand, looking bored. He was not moved by Xiao He''s ttery.


    "Then… do you remember my request from a hundred years ago?" Xiao He''s eyes sparkled.


    "A hundred years ago?" Hao Shen showed confusion on his face, then slyly smiled: "Ah, you mean that fox? Haha, so you haven''t forgotten about her? I won''t promise, but I''ll try. You''ll just have to wait another five hundred years while I sort out the problems. It''s not advantageous to bother her now, understand?"


    "Xiao He does not mind waiting."


    "Well, thank you."


    Xiao He bowed. His eyes sparkled, and he involuntarily licked his lips.


    "Lian Qingyi…st time you managed to slip away from me. The worst part is that you even became stronger than me. I had forgotten about this karma for so many years, but my patience is running out. me yourself for this!"