Chapter 112: The Cat

As Ling Mo casually kneaded her face, Weiss’s expression shifted through a variety of amusing and endearing looks. After a while, when Ling Mo finally stopped, she rubbed her slightly numb and flushed cheeks and calmly said, “Sorry, I don’t understand what you’re saying. Both my father and I belong to the Rift Sky Sect.”

“Come on! Weiss, I believe that Wei’en and her father are both from the Rift Sky Sect,” Ling Mo waved his hand impatiently. “But you’ve already cultivated the Crystal Spider Soul of the Obedience Sect and are just one step away from transforming into a lich. How can you still claim to be from the Rift Sky Sect? There’s no need to lie to me about this—I’m not going to go rooting out traitors just for fun.”

Weiss stared quietly at Ling Mo for a long moment, then spoke with a hint of helplessness, “It seems you misunderstand the Obedience Sect. I really don’t... Never mind, just think of me as a big shot in the Obedience Sect. But even within the Obedience Sect, there isn’t complete unity. Because of ideological differences, internal wars are often even more brutal than external ones.”

“I’ve heard something about that,” Ling Mo signaled to Catherine, who had been hesitating, inviting her to come closer and listen. “Although you all follow the Original Sin Theory, believing that one must transform and purify oneself to be redeemed, your methods of purification differ, right?”

“Yes,” Weiss gathered her thoughts and explained, “Even though the Obedience Sect agrees that since the moment Eos created humanity, humans have borne an indelible original sin, the followers of the Kayo branch adhere to the teachings of the ancient sage Mude. They believe that original sin is rooted in the body and requires ascetic practices and transformation to evolve their physical forms toward purity. On the other hand, the Baiye branch believes the body is merely a meaningless pile of matter, and original sin exists only in the soul. Therefore, they aim to transform their souls. The Kayo and Baiye branches despise each other, each considering themselves orthodox and the other heretical, and whenever they meet, they seek to annihilate one another.”

“So, given your soul has already undergone crystal spider transformation, you must be a Baiye branch follower?”

“I... never mind whether I’m Baiye or not,” Weiss said. “But one thing I’m certain of is that those four who attacked the scouting team in the footage are definitely senior Kayo branch followers!”

“I agree with you on that,” Ling Mo nodded gently. “Those black-robed figures, while appearing to move like martial artists relying on muscular strength, actually display a power release method indicating their bodies are not normal human structures. Beneath those robes, who knows what kind of monsters they have transformed themselves into!”

“Then why don’t you just agree to rescue them on behalf of the council? These anti-human monsters should be eradicated by all, right?” Weiss urged quickly. “I may be a Saint of Law, but I can’t exert much power in this jungle, and my strength is similar in essence to those Kayo followers, so my abilities are limited.”

Ling Mo fell silent, then sighed. He reopened the Magic Eye Spirit, and the previous light screen popped back up. The old mage who had introduced himself as the Seventh Elder brightened and hurriedly said, “Mr. Ling, have you changed your mind? If you agree to the rescue, you can set any conditions; everything is negotiable!”

“I can go to rescue them. Even if the rescue succeeds, I have no excessive demands,” Ling Mo said frankly. “However, during the rescue, I have several conditions that you need to agree to.”

The old mage nodded solemnly. “Please speak, Mr. Ling.”

“First, during the rescue, I will not turn off the live broadcast. Every step, every conversation will be broadcast publicly without reservation.”

The old mage’s face twisted in discomfort at this strange request. He opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by Ling Mo, “If you don’t agree to this, there’s nothing more to discuss. You’d better find someone else.”

“Please wait. We need a brief discussion.” The old mage stepped away from the camera. Noise erupted from the light screen. After a while, he returned and said, “Mr. Ling, we agree to this condition.”

“That’s more like it,” Ling Mo nodded in satisfaction. “It’s about time you learned to put everything on the table. Otherwise, as my broadcasts delve deeper, more secrets will be revealed. What will you do then? Better adapt early—it benefits everyone.”

The old mage’s mouth twitched. “Very well, we’ll discuss the rest later. Please state your second condition.”

“Second, during the rescue, Saint of Law Weiss will accompany me.”

The old mage blinked in confusion. “If Lady Weiss is willing to go with you, that’s wonderful. Is that really a condition?”

“Then I’ll take that as your agreement,” Ling Mo smiled. “Please send the coordinates of the missing personnel and restore normal live broadcast status.”

“Understood. Our technicians are adjusting now. The coordinates will be sent to your Magic Eye Spirit in two minutes. Your broadcast will resume in three,” the old mage promptly replied. As his image faded from the screen, he left a final blessing: “Wishing you all the best!”

As the screen retreated back into the Magic Eye Spirit, Ling Mo turned and said, “You two, get ready. We’re leaving soon.”

Catherine, who had been listening silently and was utterly confused, shuddered at this. Coming back to herself, she pointed at herself in disbelief and asked, “Master, Lady Weiss, you’re not seriously planning to take me with you, are you?!”

“Yeah, that’s the plan. Any problem?” Ling Mo and Weiss said in unison.

“Big problem!” Catherine almost broke down in tears, exclaiming, “Master, Lady Weiss, you’re a Saint of Law and... well, you could almost be called a Martial Saint. With your strength, facing those ruthless followers is no problem, but I’m just a low-level senior martial artist. Going along is just a death sentence! I can’t help, and I’d just be dead weight. Please, spare me—I’ll wait here and wish you a triumphant return!”

“No, you have to come with us,” Ling Mo’s tone brooked no argument. Catherine’s face fell, but he quickly added gently, “Don’t worry. You heard me—I’m broadcasting live, so I’ll make sure you’re well protected.”

Catherine nodded wordlessly. Weiss touched the Magic Eye Spirit. “Coordinates received. Traveling there would be troublesome; I’ll open a portal directly.”

No sooner had she spoken than a silent, oval-shaped portal appeared before them, its swirling colors shimmering. Weiss and Ling Mo stepped through and vanished. Catherine hesitated briefly, gritted her teeth, and followed with a determined step.

A wave of nausea and discomfort suddenly surged, vanishing as quickly as it came. Her vision blurred momentarily, and when the scene stabilized, Catherine saw a large, snow-white feline standing on its hind legs, confronting the four black-robed figures from before. In a strange tone, it said to them:

“My masters, Marquis Karaba does not welcome your arrival. Leave now, or I will stuff you all in my pocket!”